Something Good by Vanessa Miller is a story of redemption. Alexis Marshall’s accident with Jon-Jon Robinson left him paralyzed and devoid of the future he’d been planning for. The stress of caring for him put his parents at odds with each other and tension in the household is thick.
Marquita Lewis has her own problems. She’s struggling to care for her child while worried about her mom and siblings.
My Review of Something Good
At the start of this novel, all of the characters portrayed were struggling with something. There were secrets, lies, mental illnesses, depression, and financial worries to contend with. None of them could see an end out of their situation.
The turning point came when Trish prayed and things began to change. The change didn’t at first appear to be positive but over time, the characters grew and changed.
The Characters in Something Good
Something Good focused on three romantic relationships: Trish and Dwayne, Alexis and Michael, and Marquita and Jon-Jon. Each couple had to deal with the underlying issues that caused tension between them and had to decide whether they wanted to forgive or not.
Something Good also focused on familial relationships as each of the three main female characters had conflict in their relationships with their family members.
The characters were complex and multi-faceted. While they dealt with similar issues, they didn’t all respond in the same way. Though Ms. Miller structured the relationships between the women in such a way that they became mentors for each other.
The Themes in Something Good
One of the major themes in Something Good is the power of prayer. All of the characters were struggling with something but Trish’s prayer became a catalyst that changed things, not only for herself but for the other characters in the book.
Other themes included a reminder that God is able to redeem even the bad things in our lives if we’re willing to turn them over to Him.
Readers will be reminded that appearances aren’t everything and that we shouldn’t judge people or circumstances based on how they first appear on the surface.
Final Thoughts on Something Good
Ms. Miller tackled some difficult topics in Something Good such as the dangers of texting and driving and the different ways mental health can manifest itself.
Something Good will make you think about the impact of your actions and how they can change someone’s life for the foreseeable future. You’ll also think about how you will respond to the things that matter. Will you fight for them? Or will you ignore them and pretend they don’t exist?
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required. Purchase Something Good on Christianbook | Harper Collins
About Something Good
When three women find their lives inextricably linked after a terrible mistake, they must work together to make the most of their futures.
Alexis Marshall never meant to cause the accident that left Jon-Jon Robinson paralyzed—but though guilt plagues her, her husband hopes to put the past behind them. After all, he’s in the middle of selling a tech business—and if Alexis admits to texting while driving, the deal could collapse and cost them millions.
Meanwhile, Alexis’s life is not as shiny and perfect as it may seem from the outside. She has secrets of her own. As she becomes consumed with thoughts of the young man she hit, can she reconcile her mistake with her husband’s expectations?
Trish Robinson is just trying to hold it together after the accident that left Jon-Jon dependent and depressed. As the bills pile up, Trish and her husband, Dwayne, find themselves at odds. Trish wants to forgive and move on, but Dwayne is filled with rage toward the entitled woman who altered their lives forever. Trish can’t see how anything good can come from so much hate and strife, so she determines to pray until God intervenes. Then one afternoon Marquita Lewis rings their doorbell with a baby in her arms and changes everything.
Vanessa Miller’s latest inspirational novel reminds readers that differences may separate us, but if we cling to each other, God can bring something good out of our very worst moments.
About Vanessa Miller
Vanessa Miller is a bestselling author, with several books appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. She has also been a Black Expressions Book Club Alternate pick and #1 on BCNN/BCBC Bestsellers’ List.
Vanessa has worked with numerous publishers: Urban Christian (Kensington), Kimani (Harlequin), Abingdon Press, and Whitaker House. She is currently working on Something Good with Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins), which releases in March 2022.
Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews: “Heartwarming, drama-packed, and tender in just the right places” (Romantic Times Book Review) and “Recommended for readers of redemption stories” (Library Journal). Visit her online at vanessamiller.com; Twitter: @Vanessamiller01; Instagram: @authorvanessamiller; Facebook: @Vanessamiller01.
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