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It Was the Way She Said It: Short Stories, Essays, and Wisdom
“This stunning collection from one of the great writers on Black culture covers the aging, love, poverty, trauma and plenty of lightness in between.”—People
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale comes a remarkable, career-spanning collection of previously published short fiction and nonfiction pieces, as well as never-before-seen works.
Before Terry McMillan found success as a novelist in the early 1990s, she published provocative, boundary-pushing short stories, capturing the struggles and triumphs of Black life in America with vitality and honesty, from the workaday factory man’s malaise in “The End” to the cast-aside lover’s resolve in “Touching” to the elderly woman’s wiles in “Ma’Dear.” McMillan’s inimitable voice bravely explores the dark corners of human relationships with compassion, humor, and nuance. This collection also features five unpublished stories that reveal how she wrestled with controversial topics rarely addressed in short fiction, from domestic abuse in “Mama, Take Another Step” to extreme poverty in “Can’t Close My Eyes to It.”
Whether she’s revealing life lessons, pontificating about aging, recalling her sources of inspiration, or laying bare the beginnings of her life as a writer, McMillan approaches every piece with enduring candor, wit, and fearlessness.
Devoted fans and new readers alike will be delighted to discover these treasures spanning McMillan’s long, groundbreaking career. Indeed, it wasn’t only what Terry McMillan has said that made her so beloved . . . it was the way she said it.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale comes a remarkable, career-spanning collection of previously published short fiction and nonfiction pieces, as well as never-before-seen works.
Before Terry McMillan found success as a novelist in the early 1990s, she published provocative, boundary-pushing short stories, capturing the struggles and triumphs of Black life in America with vitality and honesty, from the workaday factory man’s malaise in “The End” to the cast-aside lover’s resolve in “Touching” to the elderly woman’s wiles in “Ma’Dear.” McMillan’s inimitable voice bravely explores the dark corners of human relationships with compassion, humor, and nuance. This collection also features five unpublished stories that reveal how she wrestled with controversial topics rarely addressed in short fiction, from domestic abuse in “Mama, Take Another Step” to extreme poverty in “Can’t Close My Eyes to It.”
Whether she’s revealing life lessons, pontificating about aging, recalling her sources of inspiration, or laying bare the beginnings of her life as a writer, McMillan approaches every piece with enduring candor, wit, and fearlessness.
Devoted fans and new readers alike will be delighted to discover these treasures spanning McMillan’s long, groundbreaking career. Indeed, it wasn’t only what Terry McMillan has said that made her so beloved . . . it was the way she said it.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
210 people are currently reading
3026 people want to read
About the author
Terry McMillan
47 books3,540 followersTerry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was fourteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley and the MFA Film Program at Columbia University. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remained on The New York Times bestseller list for many months. Forest Whitaker turned it into a film in 1995. In 1998, another of McMillan's novels, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, was made into a movie. McMillan's novel Disappearing Acts was subsequently produced as a direct-to-cable feature.
Her last novel, Who Asked You?, casts an intimate look at the burdens and blessings of family and speaks to trusting your own judgment even when others don’t agree.
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remained on The New York Times bestseller list for many months. Forest Whitaker turned it into a film in 1995. In 1998, another of McMillan's novels, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, was made into a movie. McMillan's novel Disappearing Acts was subsequently produced as a direct-to-cable feature.
Her last novel, Who Asked You?, casts an intimate look at the burdens and blessings of family and speaks to trusting your own judgment even when others don’t agree.
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September 10, 2025
Snuggle up with a good book!
September 14, 2025
It Was the Way She Said It: Short Stories, Essays, and Wisdom by Terry McMillan, with a Foreword by Ishmael Reed, and an Editor’s Note by Kristine Bell (2025)
7h 29m narrated by Robin Miles and Christopher Grant, 256 pages
Genre: African-American Fiction, Short Stories, Domestic Fiction, Nonfiction,
Featuring: Foreword: Terry McMillan, the People’s Choice by Ishmael; Reed Editor’s Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said by Kristine Bell; Published Fiction, Racism, Slurs, Sex, Marital Issues, Assault, Unpublished Fiction, Essays, Speeches, & Opinions; Bibliography
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: “Ain't Too Proud To Beg” by the Temptations, James Brown, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, Perry Como, "Choosey Beggar" by the Miracles, "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin, "At Last" by Etta James, Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, "Happy Ever After" by Julia Fordham, Smokey Robinson, The O'Jays
Books and Authors mentioned: From Totems to Hip-Hop: A Multicultural Anthology of Poetry Across America edited by Ishmael Reed; Yardbird Reader edited by Ishmael Reed, Yardbird Reader, Volume 5 edited by Ishmael Reed; “The End” by Terry McMillan, Personal Problems by Ishmael Reed, Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan, “Quilting on the Rebound” by Terry McMillan, Elizabeth Nunez, Paule Marshall, Louise Meriwether, Carlene Hatcher Polite, Jubilee by Margaret Walker, “Reconstruction” by Terry McMillan, “From Behind the Counter” by Terry McMillan from The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones; “Touching” by Terry McMillan, Mama by Terry McMillan, It’s Not All Downhill from Here by Terry McMillan, The Terrible Fives by Ishmael Reed, William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, Amiri Baraka, Quincy Troupe, Ernest Gaines, Gayl Jones, The Bible, Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan, Rocky III by Sylvester Stallone, Voices Louder Than Words, V 2: A Second Collection by William Shore; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations by John Bartlett, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, John Kenneth Galbraith, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an Attempt to Introduce the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects by David Hume, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½📓
My thoughts: 📱4% 17:53 Editor's Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said - I had no idea this was a non-fiction book I thought this was going to be a fiction book I am not prepared. I am definitely gonna have to see if I can find this in print, or it's probably not going to get read. Information overload.
✍️🏿 Terry McMillan, the People’s Choice by Ishmael Reed - Meh, it was better the second time around but this Foreword led me to assume this was a book of Nonfiction and he heavily cited scenes from the very stories I'm about to read, and I disagreed with his assessments so they were spoiled for no reason.
📝 Editor’s Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said by Kristine Bell - This was kinda interesting, she basically shares how she started working with McMillan and let's readers know this is mostly a work of fiction. It also gives a warning that these stories were written at a different time, so try to curb your offense.
📚 Published Fiction
🔚The End [ 1976 ] as Terri McMillan ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ - This story was referenced with passages twice in the Foreword, which made it sound kind of dull to be honest. I was kind of surprised it wasn't that bad at all. It is written about a guy during the time of Ford's presidency and I literally have no idea what the details of his issues are, because I was not alive then and people don't talk that much about 70s politics. But the story at his heart was pretty interesting and relatable when he talked about the paycheck and worrying about what kind of world his daughter was gonna grow up in. I can see how his emotions would resonate with what people think today; it's just the agendas that have changed. You know it's the same script, different cast. I guess every generation goes through it as part of growth and culture. The names were something else.
🫂Touching [ 1985 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was very good. I was questioning if there would be violence, but it's a story about the high road.
⌨️🏗 Reconstruction [ 1986 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Three years later, this story was reworked and expanded into the novel Disappearing Acts, which I still haven't read because sorry men get on my nerves. So far, this story is the first to sound like the McMillan I know. This was a bit traumatic, and I'm not going to be reading the novel version anytime soon.
👵🏿 Ma’Dear (For Estelle Ragsdale) [ 1987 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This story was great; one of my favorites is A Day Late and a Dollar Short, and this was like a childless widow version of Viola.
🤰🏾💍🪡 Quilting on the Rebound [ 1991 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This features Gloria and Bernadine from Waiting to Exhale. It was good overall.
🍽 ☕️ From Behind the Counter [ 2021] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was surprising and very insightful. I never thought about the people working during sit-ins.
📃 Unpublished Fiction
👧🏿🪦 Can’t Close My Eyes to It ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- Written in 1982, this story features senior characters through the eyes of a child.
📆🤰🏾 Every 28 Days ⭐️⭐️⭐️½- Written in 1983, this story is about sex, abortions, and contraceptives.
💔 Mama, Take Another Step ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- McMillan was encouraged to expand this story into a novel, so it became Mama. Unfortunately, that book bored and traumatized me, and I since never finished it so I only had the first quarter to compare it to, and I only remember the horrifying scene on the couch and the beginning of the story since it was over 20 years ago when I was reading it. Anyway, this mama is in a bad marriage and is more mature than the mama in the novel version.
🗣 Gossip 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was surprisingly good. I almost laughed a few times, of course, the MC wasn't petty enough.
🎭 Curtains Up: Hands-on Experience 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This is a working draft from 1985, so I wasn't expecting too much. It turned out to be the most story-like of the stories.
🗒 Sketches & Starts
💭 In Spite of It - This was too short to judge. I think I was more impressed by the narrator's ability to do this voice than the character. It should have been longer.
🏇 Rented Horses - This was better than the last one, but it focused more on a scene than the character
🥶 Shivering - This was written well, but it ended abruptly.
🧓🏿🏥 Human Noise - This was okay.
💋 Confrontation - I didn't care for this one.
💇🏿♀️ Don’t, Vernita - Just okay, too quick.
✉️ Today I Got a Letter - Best as far as characterization goes.
🏧🎰 Three Zeroes - This has potential. I'm interested in hearing the rest.
🚏🚶🏿♂️Walk-By - She definitely needs to finish this one.
🎤 Essays, Speeches, & Opinions
👀 Looking for Mr. Right [ 1990 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️- This essay is still relatable today. I think more than half of my schoolmates are in this situation.
🇺🇲👮🏻♂️ This Is America [ 1992 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- This is in response to the beating of Rodney King and is published here for the first time.
🏈 An Icon, but Not a Hero 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟[ 1994 ] - Dang! She went in with the opening. It is well thought out and gives a great opinion without demeaning anyone or passing judgment on the case.
🍆 Dick for a Day [ 1997 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I was hoping it was about a jerk; it wasn't.
🏫📚 UC Berkeley Class of 1999 Commencement Address ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️[ 1999 ]
🎆🚨 Life Lessons [ 2016 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- This story revisits Rodney King and then goes on to other events of racism over the years leading up to Black Lives Matter.
I almost skipped this book because I was set to read a novel and thought I got nonfiction instead. Overall, I'm glad I read this book, but I can't say I loved it. It was good, though, especially the non-fiction part. I didn't like the Sketches and Starts because most were too short to connect with or see, but it was nice to see her writing process.I spent the day with this book and the short stories allowed me to have conversations without feeling like I was been taken out of the story. I couldn't secure an ebook or paper book, once I learned it wasn't going to be nonfiction I was okay with that.
Recommend to others: If you're a fan, just curious, or enjoy opinions, pick up this book.
Memorable Quotes: Most of the pieces in It Was the Way She Said It showcase Terry McMillan’s journey to becoming the writer we all know, her voice before her blockbuster success. The collection introduces Terry McMillan, a short-story writer pouring her heart and soul out onto the page. Each piece is a step in her evolution toward becoming an author who, despite record-breaking book sales, remains an underappreciated American voice.
These works span a fifty-year timeline, probing topics that are controversial and sensitive—some of which are difficult to stomach today. It is important that readers note the shifting cultural and generational contexts that each piece was born from. Present-day editorial changes were limited to grammar, punctuation, factual accuracy, and readability; care was taken to preserve the original voice and style of Terry as a developing writer.
“Man, if you weren’t my only white friend, I’d kick your ass for saying that shit. I can never be satisfied with a dull ass job like this, and, if you are, then you’re not as intelligent as the rest of your race, you’re a stupid man. Can’t you do anything else? You shouldn’t be here noway. If it wasn’t for your godfathers I probably wouldn’t be here now. All the rest of your people got every damn thing. What’s your problem? I know you didn’t dream of growing up to be a Ford’s play toy, or did you? This job is enough to drain all your guts dry. No. Hell no! I’m not satisfied with this job. As long as I have to get up every morning when I don’t want to, as long as my paycheck keeps getting bigger and buying less, man, I can’t be satisfied. If I was, then I’d be just like you. Now, we can’t let that happen, can we?”
7h 29m narrated by Robin Miles and Christopher Grant, 256 pages
Genre: African-American Fiction, Short Stories, Domestic Fiction, Nonfiction,
Featuring: Foreword: Terry McMillan, the People’s Choice by Ishmael; Reed Editor’s Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said by Kristine Bell; Published Fiction, Racism, Slurs, Sex, Marital Issues, Assault, Unpublished Fiction, Essays, Speeches, & Opinions; Bibliography
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: “Ain't Too Proud To Beg” by the Temptations, James Brown, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, Perry Como, "Choosey Beggar" by the Miracles, "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin, "At Last" by Etta James, Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, "Happy Ever After" by Julia Fordham, Smokey Robinson, The O'Jays
Books and Authors mentioned: From Totems to Hip-Hop: A Multicultural Anthology of Poetry Across America edited by Ishmael Reed; Yardbird Reader edited by Ishmael Reed, Yardbird Reader, Volume 5 edited by Ishmael Reed; “The End” by Terry McMillan, Personal Problems by Ishmael Reed, Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan, “Quilting on the Rebound” by Terry McMillan, Elizabeth Nunez, Paule Marshall, Louise Meriwether, Carlene Hatcher Polite, Jubilee by Margaret Walker, “Reconstruction” by Terry McMillan, “From Behind the Counter” by Terry McMillan from The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones; “Touching” by Terry McMillan, Mama by Terry McMillan, It’s Not All Downhill from Here by Terry McMillan, The Terrible Fives by Ishmael Reed, William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, Amiri Baraka, Quincy Troupe, Ernest Gaines, Gayl Jones, The Bible, Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan, Rocky III by Sylvester Stallone, Voices Louder Than Words, V 2: A Second Collection by William Shore; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations by John Bartlett, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, John Kenneth Galbraith, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an Attempt to Introduce the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects by David Hume, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½📓
My thoughts: 📱4% 17:53 Editor's Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said - I had no idea this was a non-fiction book I thought this was going to be a fiction book I am not prepared. I am definitely gonna have to see if I can find this in print, or it's probably not going to get read. Information overload.
✍️🏿 Terry McMillan, the People’s Choice by Ishmael Reed - Meh, it was better the second time around but this Foreword led me to assume this was a book of Nonfiction and he heavily cited scenes from the very stories I'm about to read, and I disagreed with his assessments so they were spoiled for no reason.
📝 Editor’s Note: Write Fast and Hard, She Said by Kristine Bell - This was kinda interesting, she basically shares how she started working with McMillan and let's readers know this is mostly a work of fiction. It also gives a warning that these stories were written at a different time, so try to curb your offense.
📚 Published Fiction
🔚The End [ 1976 ] as Terri McMillan ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ - This story was referenced with passages twice in the Foreword, which made it sound kind of dull to be honest. I was kind of surprised it wasn't that bad at all. It is written about a guy during the time of Ford's presidency and I literally have no idea what the details of his issues are, because I was not alive then and people don't talk that much about 70s politics. But the story at his heart was pretty interesting and relatable when he talked about the paycheck and worrying about what kind of world his daughter was gonna grow up in. I can see how his emotions would resonate with what people think today; it's just the agendas that have changed. You know it's the same script, different cast. I guess every generation goes through it as part of growth and culture. The names were something else.
🫂Touching [ 1985 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was very good. I was questioning if there would be violence, but it's a story about the high road.
⌨️🏗 Reconstruction [ 1986 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Three years later, this story was reworked and expanded into the novel Disappearing Acts, which I still haven't read because sorry men get on my nerves. So far, this story is the first to sound like the McMillan I know. This was a bit traumatic, and I'm not going to be reading the novel version anytime soon.
👵🏿 Ma’Dear (For Estelle Ragsdale) [ 1987 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This story was great; one of my favorites is A Day Late and a Dollar Short, and this was like a childless widow version of Viola.
🤰🏾💍🪡 Quilting on the Rebound [ 1991 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This features Gloria and Bernadine from Waiting to Exhale. It was good overall.
🍽 ☕️ From Behind the Counter [ 2021] 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was surprising and very insightful. I never thought about the people working during sit-ins.
📃 Unpublished Fiction
👧🏿🪦 Can’t Close My Eyes to It ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- Written in 1982, this story features senior characters through the eyes of a child.
📆🤰🏾 Every 28 Days ⭐️⭐️⭐️½- Written in 1983, this story is about sex, abortions, and contraceptives.
💔 Mama, Take Another Step ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- McMillan was encouraged to expand this story into a novel, so it became Mama. Unfortunately, that book bored and traumatized me, and I since never finished it so I only had the first quarter to compare it to, and I only remember the horrifying scene on the couch and the beginning of the story since it was over 20 years ago when I was reading it. Anyway, this mama is in a bad marriage and is more mature than the mama in the novel version.
🗣 Gossip 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This was surprisingly good. I almost laughed a few times, of course, the MC wasn't petty enough.
🎭 Curtains Up: Hands-on Experience 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - This is a working draft from 1985, so I wasn't expecting too much. It turned out to be the most story-like of the stories.
🗒 Sketches & Starts
💭 In Spite of It - This was too short to judge. I think I was more impressed by the narrator's ability to do this voice than the character. It should have been longer.
🏇 Rented Horses - This was better than the last one, but it focused more on a scene than the character
🥶 Shivering - This was written well, but it ended abruptly.
🧓🏿🏥 Human Noise - This was okay.
💋 Confrontation - I didn't care for this one.
💇🏿♀️ Don’t, Vernita - Just okay, too quick.
✉️ Today I Got a Letter - Best as far as characterization goes.
🏧🎰 Three Zeroes - This has potential. I'm interested in hearing the rest.
🚏🚶🏿♂️Walk-By - She definitely needs to finish this one.
🎤 Essays, Speeches, & Opinions
👀 Looking for Mr. Right [ 1990 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️- This essay is still relatable today. I think more than half of my schoolmates are in this situation.
🇺🇲👮🏻♂️ This Is America [ 1992 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- This is in response to the beating of Rodney King and is published here for the first time.
🏈 An Icon, but Not a Hero 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟[ 1994 ] - Dang! She went in with the opening. It is well thought out and gives a great opinion without demeaning anyone or passing judgment on the case.
🍆 Dick for a Day [ 1997 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I was hoping it was about a jerk; it wasn't.
🏫📚 UC Berkeley Class of 1999 Commencement Address ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️[ 1999 ]
🎆🚨 Life Lessons [ 2016 ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½- This story revisits Rodney King and then goes on to other events of racism over the years leading up to Black Lives Matter.
I almost skipped this book because I was set to read a novel and thought I got nonfiction instead. Overall, I'm glad I read this book, but I can't say I loved it. It was good, though, especially the non-fiction part. I didn't like the Sketches and Starts because most were too short to connect with or see, but it was nice to see her writing process.I spent the day with this book and the short stories allowed me to have conversations without feeling like I was been taken out of the story. I couldn't secure an ebook or paper book, once I learned it wasn't going to be nonfiction I was okay with that.
Recommend to others: If you're a fan, just curious, or enjoy opinions, pick up this book.
Memorable Quotes: Most of the pieces in It Was the Way She Said It showcase Terry McMillan’s journey to becoming the writer we all know, her voice before her blockbuster success. The collection introduces Terry McMillan, a short-story writer pouring her heart and soul out onto the page. Each piece is a step in her evolution toward becoming an author who, despite record-breaking book sales, remains an underappreciated American voice.
These works span a fifty-year timeline, probing topics that are controversial and sensitive—some of which are difficult to stomach today. It is important that readers note the shifting cultural and generational contexts that each piece was born from. Present-day editorial changes were limited to grammar, punctuation, factual accuracy, and readability; care was taken to preserve the original voice and style of Terry as a developing writer.
“Man, if you weren’t my only white friend, I’d kick your ass for saying that shit. I can never be satisfied with a dull ass job like this, and, if you are, then you’re not as intelligent as the rest of your race, you’re a stupid man. Can’t you do anything else? You shouldn’t be here noway. If it wasn’t for your godfathers I probably wouldn’t be here now. All the rest of your people got every damn thing. What’s your problem? I know you didn’t dream of growing up to be a Ford’s play toy, or did you? This job is enough to drain all your guts dry. No. Hell no! I’m not satisfied with this job. As long as I have to get up every morning when I don’t want to, as long as my paycheck keeps getting bigger and buying less, man, I can’t be satisfied. If I was, then I’d be just like you. Now, we can’t let that happen, can we?”
August 16, 2025
Thank you Ballantine Books for the early copy!
Pub date: Sept 9 2025
“But I also never liked that they was the ones who decided it. Just like they was the one who decided we would be slaves and when we should be free. I always wondered, what made them think they was better than us just because they was—I mean were—white?”
A book for readers wanting the chance to understand and get snips of Terry McMillans firsts.
I would never put something like this below 5 stars because this is something that is truly a work of art. This book is full of different stories from Terry McMillan. This is not my typical read at all, but I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read different stories. There are also some really heavy and controversial topics, but I feel they were presented well! I do wish that there was a little more detailed trigger warning, like I mentioned there are some really heavy topics. So just beware of that!
Pub date: Sept 9 2025
“But I also never liked that they was the ones who decided it. Just like they was the one who decided we would be slaves and when we should be free. I always wondered, what made them think they was better than us just because they was—I mean were—white?”
A book for readers wanting the chance to understand and get snips of Terry McMillans firsts.
I would never put something like this below 5 stars because this is something that is truly a work of art. This book is full of different stories from Terry McMillan. This is not my typical read at all, but I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read different stories. There are also some really heavy and controversial topics, but I feel they were presented well! I do wish that there was a little more detailed trigger warning, like I mentioned there are some really heavy topics. So just beware of that!
January 2, 2026
"give something to the world instead of seeing what it can give to you."
Lovely collection of short stories. I love the way books can put you into shoes you weren't born in. So many of these stories felt like I could dive into 300 more pages of their worlds.
Lovely collection of short stories. I love the way books can put you into shoes you weren't born in. So many of these stories felt like I could dive into 300 more pages of their worlds.
September 26, 2025
Absolutely 💯% Good read. I will be reading this again. 👏🏽 She was retelling OUR stories. Come on now!
September 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Terry McMillan has a way of pulling you into her stories. I have read at least four books by her and have loved each one. “It Was the Way She Said It” is a wonderful collection of short stories, published and unpublished, and essays. McMillan writes characters that both relate to and speak to you. I was engrossed in every short story. I never wanted it to end, but they all did. The endings were satisfactory, but I selfishly want more. Especially when I reached the sketches and starts portion. I would love for “Don’t Vernita” to be expanded upon. Terry McMillan has done it again. Captured my attention with every word and left me wanting to read more of her.
My favorites from each section
Published Works: “Ma’Dear” and “Quilting on the Rebound”
Unpublished Works: “Gossip” and “Curtains Up”
Sketches & Starts: “In Spite of It” and “Walk-By”
Essays, Speeches, & Opinions: “Looking for Mr. Right”
Terry McMillan has a way of pulling you into her stories. I have read at least four books by her and have loved each one. “It Was the Way She Said It” is a wonderful collection of short stories, published and unpublished, and essays. McMillan writes characters that both relate to and speak to you. I was engrossed in every short story. I never wanted it to end, but they all did. The endings were satisfactory, but I selfishly want more. Especially when I reached the sketches and starts portion. I would love for “Don’t Vernita” to be expanded upon. Terry McMillan has done it again. Captured my attention with every word and left me wanting to read more of her.
My favorites from each section
Published Works: “Ma’Dear” and “Quilting on the Rebound”
Unpublished Works: “Gossip” and “Curtains Up”
Sketches & Starts: “In Spite of It” and “Walk-By”
Essays, Speeches, & Opinions: “Looking for Mr. Right”
September 26, 2025
Terry McMillan’s It Was the Way She Said It is a lively collection of short stories, essays, and personal reflections that highlights the author’s trademark wit, honesty, and emotional insight. Known for her influential novels, such as Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, McMillon presents a mosaic of voices and experiences that depict the complexities of Black life in America over the last forty years.
Pros
• Unflinching honesty and emotional depth: McMillan doesn’t shy away from complex topics—poverty, domestic violence, aging, and heartbreak—but she approaches them with compassion and nuance. As one character says, “Sometimes you survive not because you’re strong, but because you don’t have a choice.” That raw truth resonates throughout the collection.
• Diverse storytelling formats: The mix of unpublished fiction, essays, sketches, and speeches keeps the collection fresh and dynamic, offering readers a look into McMillan’s creative process and personal growth.
• Strong, genuine voices: Her characters—especially the women—are vividly developed, resilient, and deeply human. In a moving moment, a narrator reflects, “Love don’t always come wrapped in a bow. Sometimes it shows up in a mess and you gotta clean it up to see it.” That kind of emotional honesty is McMillan at her best. As Ishmael Reed notes in the foreword, McMillan’s work continues to reflect the current times. Her insights on race, gender, and identity remain as relevant and perceptive as ever.
• Cultural relevance: As Ishmael Reed mentions in the foreword, McMillan’s work continues to “read the times we’re living through.' Her insights on race, gender, and identity stay as pressing and perceptive as ever.
Cons
• Some pieces feel incomplete: A few sketches and stories leave readers wanting more, as if they are glimpses into larger narratives that never fully unfold.
• Uneven pacing: The switch between fiction and nonfiction can sometimes interrupt the emotional flow, especially for readers wanting a more linear experience.
Recommended For
For longtime fans of Terry McMillan: this collection offers a wealth of her lesser-known works and personal insights.
Readers of African American literature: It’s a strong reflection of Black womanhood, community, and resilience.
Fans of short stories and essays: Those who enjoy literary snapshots and reflective prose will find plenty to admire.
Young writers and creativity: McMillan’s essays on writing and inspiration provide valuable lessons in voice, courage, and authenticity. As she writes, “I didn’t write to be liked. I wrote because I had something to say. And I said it the way I felt it.”
Final Verdict
It Was the Way She Said It is a bold, heartfelt reminder of Terry McMillan’s enduring voice and storytelling talent. While not every piece resonates equally, the collection as a whole offers a powerful portrait of a writer unafraid to share her truth—and whose words continue to matter. As she reminds us in one of her reflections, “Getting older isn’t about fading. It’s about sharpening. You see things more clearly. You stop pretending.”
Pros
• Unflinching honesty and emotional depth: McMillan doesn’t shy away from complex topics—poverty, domestic violence, aging, and heartbreak—but she approaches them with compassion and nuance. As one character says, “Sometimes you survive not because you’re strong, but because you don’t have a choice.” That raw truth resonates throughout the collection.
• Diverse storytelling formats: The mix of unpublished fiction, essays, sketches, and speeches keeps the collection fresh and dynamic, offering readers a look into McMillan’s creative process and personal growth.
• Strong, genuine voices: Her characters—especially the women—are vividly developed, resilient, and deeply human. In a moving moment, a narrator reflects, “Love don’t always come wrapped in a bow. Sometimes it shows up in a mess and you gotta clean it up to see it.” That kind of emotional honesty is McMillan at her best. As Ishmael Reed notes in the foreword, McMillan’s work continues to reflect the current times. Her insights on race, gender, and identity remain as relevant and perceptive as ever.
• Cultural relevance: As Ishmael Reed mentions in the foreword, McMillan’s work continues to “read the times we’re living through.' Her insights on race, gender, and identity stay as pressing and perceptive as ever.
Cons
• Some pieces feel incomplete: A few sketches and stories leave readers wanting more, as if they are glimpses into larger narratives that never fully unfold.
• Uneven pacing: The switch between fiction and nonfiction can sometimes interrupt the emotional flow, especially for readers wanting a more linear experience.
Recommended For
For longtime fans of Terry McMillan: this collection offers a wealth of her lesser-known works and personal insights.
Readers of African American literature: It’s a strong reflection of Black womanhood, community, and resilience.
Fans of short stories and essays: Those who enjoy literary snapshots and reflective prose will find plenty to admire.
Young writers and creativity: McMillan’s essays on writing and inspiration provide valuable lessons in voice, courage, and authenticity. As she writes, “I didn’t write to be liked. I wrote because I had something to say. And I said it the way I felt it.”
Final Verdict
It Was the Way She Said It is a bold, heartfelt reminder of Terry McMillan’s enduring voice and storytelling talent. While not every piece resonates equally, the collection as a whole offers a powerful portrait of a writer unafraid to share her truth—and whose words continue to matter. As she reminds us in one of her reflections, “Getting older isn’t about fading. It’s about sharpening. You see things more clearly. You stop pretending.”
December 24, 2025
In It Was The Way She Said It, literary icon Terry McMillan—whose groundbreaking novels like Waiting to Exhale gave voice to a generation—presents a monumental and deeply personal anthology that defies simple categorisation. This expansive collection is a career-spanning treasury, weaving together published and unpublished short fiction, narrative sketches, incisive essays, public speeches, and candid opinions. More than a curated "greatest hits," it functions as a writer's mosaic, offering readers a rare glimpse into McMillan's creative laboratory and her evolving perspectives on art, race, love, politics, and getting older. The experience is akin to spending a day in her archive: sometimes polished, sometimes raw, but always authentic, witty, and fiercely intelligent. For longtime fans and new readers alike, the book is an invaluable and engrossing deep dive into the mind and heart of one of America's most beloved storytellers.
December 10, 2025
Special thanks to the author, @ballantinebooks & @netgalley for my gifted e-ARC‼️
This is a Terry McMillan stan account cause if she writes it I’m reading it!!! I think many of us have been waiting for the next McMillan book since the last McMillan book. And while she didn’t give us a new novel she surprised readers with something better. Delivering a collection of previously published short fiction, nonfiction pieces, and never-before-seen works McMillan’s unique writing style, dramatic tone, sense of humor and inspirational storytelling breathes throughout the pages.
What I love most about her writing is the way she creates unforgettable experiences using controversial topics that will either make readers laugh with her characters or sympathize with them. But she also has a knack for creating the most flawed and complex characters that mirror real people and give an authentic feel to her stories. “I wanted my stories to make people feel valid. To give them strength, and perhaps courage.”
Terry McMillan writes stories for and about everyday women who “don't know how strong they are until they fall or are pushed down, and are trying to find their way back up after they've lost it.” There were so many pieces I wish could have been explored more or made into full novels.
The short stories and pieces that stuck out most were:
Reconstruction- This short features characters Langston and Lola who crawled so Zora and Franklin from Disappearing Acts could walk. I saw so much of Franklin’s character in Langston they could’ve been brothers lol. This was my favorite story in the book. If Franklin pissed you off wait until you meet Langston!
Can’t Close My Eyes to It
Every 28 Days
Confrontation
Dick for a Day- This one made me laugh not gonna lie I wouldn’t mind her exploring this one more just to see where her imagination goes with this topic.
Overall, I loved this collection simply because it’s Terry McMillan “The people’s choice.” She’s not afraid to push boundaries when discussing Black life, family, and the dark side of romantic relationships. McMillan proves yet again that she is and has always been that girl when it’s comes to writing‼️
This is a Terry McMillan stan account cause if she writes it I’m reading it!!! I think many of us have been waiting for the next McMillan book since the last McMillan book. And while she didn’t give us a new novel she surprised readers with something better. Delivering a collection of previously published short fiction, nonfiction pieces, and never-before-seen works McMillan’s unique writing style, dramatic tone, sense of humor and inspirational storytelling breathes throughout the pages.
What I love most about her writing is the way she creates unforgettable experiences using controversial topics that will either make readers laugh with her characters or sympathize with them. But she also has a knack for creating the most flawed and complex characters that mirror real people and give an authentic feel to her stories. “I wanted my stories to make people feel valid. To give them strength, and perhaps courage.”
Terry McMillan writes stories for and about everyday women who “don't know how strong they are until they fall or are pushed down, and are trying to find their way back up after they've lost it.” There were so many pieces I wish could have been explored more or made into full novels.
The short stories and pieces that stuck out most were:
Reconstruction- This short features characters Langston and Lola who crawled so Zora and Franklin from Disappearing Acts could walk. I saw so much of Franklin’s character in Langston they could’ve been brothers lol. This was my favorite story in the book. If Franklin pissed you off wait until you meet Langston!
Can’t Close My Eyes to It
Every 28 Days
Confrontation
Dick for a Day- This one made me laugh not gonna lie I wouldn’t mind her exploring this one more just to see where her imagination goes with this topic.
Overall, I loved this collection simply because it’s Terry McMillan “The people’s choice.” She’s not afraid to push boundaries when discussing Black life, family, and the dark side of romantic relationships. McMillan proves yet again that she is and has always been that girl when it’s comes to writing‼️
December 12, 2025
4.25⭐
January 26, 2026
An interesting collection of literary works.
October 16, 2025
Reading this book helped me understand why Terry McMillan is arguably my favorite author, and it's because the reason she writes is the same reason I read. She said she wanted people to read her books so that they would feel better about themselves, to give them strength and courage. Then candidly confesses it has taken a lot for her to feel good about herself. Her stories make me feel valid.
The starters and sketches were my least favorite part but it was nice to read what she considers and then drops.
The starters and sketches were my least favorite part but it was nice to read what she considers and then drops.
October 9, 2025
Over the course of 2025 I have had the pleasure of reading a few different anthology/short story collections and this one is up there with the best one. As we all know, Terry McMillan is a long time fan favorite author of many. Over the course of her amazing career she has wildest time and time again with her stories and connection of people, love, and women everywhere!
When I went into reading the novel. I didn’t necessarily know what to expect at first, I was talking a bit with my mother about this upcoming read for myself and she was like “ you don’t remember who Terry McMillan is???” as if she was shocked so she did have to jog my memory a bit, but once I remembered, I did have fond memories of reading her writing when I was young, younger, when I was first beginning to read more stories that were more adult narrative focused.
There was so much diversity amongst all of the different stories from reading essays, little bit of poetry here and there and stories from the male as well as the female perspective, taking place in different time periods moreover. One thing I really enjoy about reading anthology collections is you never spend too much time with one character from one store enough to get too attached to the outcome, it allows you to flow effortlessly from one story to the next without worrying about the ending of the previous.
Some of my specific favorites from the published fiction section was “Quilting on the Rebound (1991)”, “Touching (1985)”, “From Behind the Counter (2021)”. Another specific thing I enjoy about reading writing from Terry McMillan is that even though she’s been writing for such a long time in her writing, a lot of the time takes place during time periods in which I did not live in, I still feel an overwhelming sense of connectedness with the character, her writing feels timeless to me, I could read her stories and talk about them with my mother, and we could both resonate with them.
Some of my favorite pieces from the unpublished fiction section were “Can’t close my Eyes to it (1985)” “Every 28 Days (1983)” and “Gossip”. These specific pieces stood out the most to me in terms of my interest. Gossip was incredibly funny to me as somebody who doesn’t necessarily take part in gossip most times, the banter between the main character and the other people around her as they’re getting wind of these rumors was just so comedic and very funny.
I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who hasn’t read any of Terry McMillan‘s work in the past, I feel like you get a really good sense of her writing style and her writing a voice as well by getting tiny bits and pieces of different stories that have been published and stuff that have been kept in the vault over the years. I could see myself coming back to reading these stories in the future, and I would love to see some of these stories get turned into larger pieces of media, whether it be books, movies, or TV. Another group I would also recommend this collection to is young writers, individuals who are getting their feet, wet with the industry, or wishing to be involved in the industry, it just gives you another perspective.
I love the amount of depth that McMillan brings to every story, no matter how short or long or no matter how attached she is to the characters versus the latter. McMillan never shy away from sad, scary, or unfortunate topics no matter how deep or heavy, I love how raw, real and unashamed her writing is as a black woman.
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 ⭐️
Thank you to Terry McMillan, NetGalley, and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review and thoughts on this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I went into reading the novel. I didn’t necessarily know what to expect at first, I was talking a bit with my mother about this upcoming read for myself and she was like “ you don’t remember who Terry McMillan is???” as if she was shocked so she did have to jog my memory a bit, but once I remembered, I did have fond memories of reading her writing when I was young, younger, when I was first beginning to read more stories that were more adult narrative focused.
There was so much diversity amongst all of the different stories from reading essays, little bit of poetry here and there and stories from the male as well as the female perspective, taking place in different time periods moreover. One thing I really enjoy about reading anthology collections is you never spend too much time with one character from one store enough to get too attached to the outcome, it allows you to flow effortlessly from one story to the next without worrying about the ending of the previous.
Some of my specific favorites from the published fiction section was “Quilting on the Rebound (1991)”, “Touching (1985)”, “From Behind the Counter (2021)”. Another specific thing I enjoy about reading writing from Terry McMillan is that even though she’s been writing for such a long time in her writing, a lot of the time takes place during time periods in which I did not live in, I still feel an overwhelming sense of connectedness with the character, her writing feels timeless to me, I could read her stories and talk about them with my mother, and we could both resonate with them.
Some of my favorite pieces from the unpublished fiction section were “Can’t close my Eyes to it (1985)” “Every 28 Days (1983)” and “Gossip”. These specific pieces stood out the most to me in terms of my interest. Gossip was incredibly funny to me as somebody who doesn’t necessarily take part in gossip most times, the banter between the main character and the other people around her as they’re getting wind of these rumors was just so comedic and very funny.
I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who hasn’t read any of Terry McMillan‘s work in the past, I feel like you get a really good sense of her writing style and her writing a voice as well by getting tiny bits and pieces of different stories that have been published and stuff that have been kept in the vault over the years. I could see myself coming back to reading these stories in the future, and I would love to see some of these stories get turned into larger pieces of media, whether it be books, movies, or TV. Another group I would also recommend this collection to is young writers, individuals who are getting their feet, wet with the industry, or wishing to be involved in the industry, it just gives you another perspective.
I love the amount of depth that McMillan brings to every story, no matter how short or long or no matter how attached she is to the characters versus the latter. McMillan never shy away from sad, scary, or unfortunate topics no matter how deep or heavy, I love how raw, real and unashamed her writing is as a black woman.
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 ⭐️
Thank you to Terry McMillan, NetGalley, and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review and thoughts on this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 6, 2026
MUST READ, EYE OPENER!
I love Terry McMillan's books, she always bring the heat and she doesn't bite her tongue either!
Mama Take Another Step - pg 122-126, she WAS NOT playing! At that very moment, this was a woman scorned and a woman who was fed up!
One thing we as parents often do, and we think we're helping but in all actuality we're hurting or stunting the growth of our children, we easily put our younger mistakes out there, by constantly nagging or advising them not to do this/that, when we have to trust that what we've taught them they will take heed of it, if not they have to make their own mistakes and learn from them. That's a hard pill for any parent to swallow, but just like our parents did, they gave us a little rope, we didn't quite hang ourselves but we felt the heat from some of our mistakes we have to give that same rope to our children. We have to remember that we had our time and we did what we wanted to, now its our children's time, and we must trust the process that they'll make good decisions.
I love when Terry said: "Give something to the world instead of seeing what the world has to offer you. You won't be disappointed!" That is good and a great reminder that WE CAME TO SERVE AND NOT BE SERVED. Doing things for others especially people who you don't know and not wanting anything in return or even being told "Thank you" is often one of the greatest feelings and fulfillment you can have in this life. 💜
Highly Recommended!
5 🌟
I love Terry McMillan's books, she always bring the heat and she doesn't bite her tongue either!
Mama Take Another Step - pg 122-126, she WAS NOT playing! At that very moment, this was a woman scorned and a woman who was fed up!
One thing we as parents often do, and we think we're helping but in all actuality we're hurting or stunting the growth of our children, we easily put our younger mistakes out there, by constantly nagging or advising them not to do this/that, when we have to trust that what we've taught them they will take heed of it, if not they have to make their own mistakes and learn from them. That's a hard pill for any parent to swallow, but just like our parents did, they gave us a little rope, we didn't quite hang ourselves but we felt the heat from some of our mistakes we have to give that same rope to our children. We have to remember that we had our time and we did what we wanted to, now its our children's time, and we must trust the process that they'll make good decisions.
I love when Terry said: "Give something to the world instead of seeing what the world has to offer you. You won't be disappointed!" That is good and a great reminder that WE CAME TO SERVE AND NOT BE SERVED. Doing things for others especially people who you don't know and not wanting anything in return or even being told "Thank you" is often one of the greatest feelings and fulfillment you can have in this life. 💜
Highly Recommended!
5 🌟
September 18, 2025
It Was The Way She Said It.
From the moment the title was shared, I knew it was going to be a wonderful Terry McMillan read because with Terry it's always 'the way she says it.' Her (written) voice allows me to easily and quickly entrench myself into her literary world without interruption.
This collection is a wonderful journey through her career; allowing readers to witness and experience her growth as a writer, her character development, and provides additional perspective on the themes that are common in her many works. It also serves as a major teaser; and many pieces left me wanting longer works...novels! The first few stories had me wishing I could sit down with her and ask questions -- both personal and character-wise.
For those who've read some of her most popular works, this collection will have a few appearances/mentions of some characters you've met before...and will leave you wondering a few things (back to the questions I wish I could ask her).
A very quick, easy, and fun read.
From the moment the title was shared, I knew it was going to be a wonderful Terry McMillan read because with Terry it's always 'the way she says it.' Her (written) voice allows me to easily and quickly entrench myself into her literary world without interruption.
This collection is a wonderful journey through her career; allowing readers to witness and experience her growth as a writer, her character development, and provides additional perspective on the themes that are common in her many works. It also serves as a major teaser; and many pieces left me wanting longer works...novels! The first few stories had me wishing I could sit down with her and ask questions -- both personal and character-wise.
For those who've read some of her most popular works, this collection will have a few appearances/mentions of some characters you've met before...and will leave you wondering a few things (back to the questions I wish I could ask her).
A very quick, easy, and fun read.
May 26, 2025
Terry McMillan's It Was the Way She Said It offers a broad look into her extensive career, compiling both familiar and new pieces that touch on themes of love, aging, and cultural identity. Her distinctive voice and candid storytelling are evident throughout the collection.
While the anthology provides valuable insights and moments of reflection, some pieces resonated more than others. The varied nature of the content made the reading experience somewhat uneven, with certain essays and stories leaving a stronger impact than others.
Overall, it's a commendable compilation for longtime fans interested in exploring the breadth of McMillan's work. However, for new readers, it might serve better as a supplementary read after experiencing her more cohesive novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
While the anthology provides valuable insights and moments of reflection, some pieces resonated more than others. The varied nature of the content made the reading experience somewhat uneven, with certain essays and stories leaving a stronger impact than others.
Overall, it's a commendable compilation for longtime fans interested in exploring the breadth of McMillan's work. However, for new readers, it might serve better as a supplementary read after experiencing her more cohesive novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
"It Was the Way She Said It is a strong and worthwhile collection, especially for the true fans of Terry McMillan, and for readers who value honesty, voice,and literary snapshots of Black women's lives across decades. McMillan is praised for her direct, unflinching, and engaging prose. The book brings together fiction (short stories), nonfiction (essays,speeches), unpublished material, and sketches. This variety offers insight into McMillan's growth as a writer. This book lives between humor, tenderness, pain, and reflection- offering both lighter and heavier pieces. While if may lack the cohesion of a single novel narrative, its diversity is also its strength. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars- A commendable compilation with much to admire, through with the caveat that some pieces are more polished than others.
November 12, 2025
I loved this book that is comprised of short stories and essays. I suspect I am more partial to it because I am part of the targeted audience and understand and connect to where she is coming from. I relate to the woman she describes.
The book is written in two parts. The first part is short stories, mostly about failed relationships, love, culture, and poverty, and the second part contains essays that McMillian wrote years earlier, most before she was famous. Some of the essays, especially those at the end, are her thoughts on serious crisis such as the Rodney King beating and OJ Simpson. McMillian thinks rationally and logically like I do. This book is emotional, but it is also witty. The end is powerful, especially her excellent college commencement address speech. I could not shake my head enough in agreement with her words. I smiled, laughed, cried. I appreciate this book.
The book is written in two parts. The first part is short stories, mostly about failed relationships, love, culture, and poverty, and the second part contains essays that McMillian wrote years earlier, most before she was famous. Some of the essays, especially those at the end, are her thoughts on serious crisis such as the Rodney King beating and OJ Simpson. McMillian thinks rationally and logically like I do. This book is emotional, but it is also witty. The end is powerful, especially her excellent college commencement address speech. I could not shake my head enough in agreement with her words. I smiled, laughed, cried. I appreciate this book.
December 10, 2025
The most obvious reason to read this collection of short stories, essays and opinion pieces, many of them published here for the first time, is that you are a fan of the work of #1 NYT bestselling author Terry McMillan. But there are other reasons to read "It was the way she said it as well"...
- The opinion pieces are direct, timely, hard hitting, and powerful.
- The fiction is entertaining, even when it's tough to read, and some of it you won't have found elsewhere.
- You'd like insight and perspective on how a writer becomes a published author, and then becomes an icon with four novels turned into Hollywood and TV blockbusters.
- You can handle being reminded that in America's polarized society, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I know this isn't how rounding works, but I'm going to round my 4.1 rating up to five stars anyway... just because I can.
- The opinion pieces are direct, timely, hard hitting, and powerful.
- The fiction is entertaining, even when it's tough to read, and some of it you won't have found elsewhere.
- You'd like insight and perspective on how a writer becomes a published author, and then becomes an icon with four novels turned into Hollywood and TV blockbusters.
- You can handle being reminded that in America's polarized society, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I know this isn't how rounding works, but I'm going to round my 4.1 rating up to five stars anyway... just because I can.
January 20, 2026
This short story collection made me more of a fan. Here are my favorite reads… I couldn’t choose 5, so here’s 6:
- "Quilting on the Rebound" because it honestly gave Waiting to Exhale vibes
- "From Behind the Counter" LOVED IT✊🏾
- "Mama, Take Another Step" was triggering (for me)... it deals with domestic violence, so just a heads up… but I do plan to read “Mama” one day.
-“Curtains Up" made me smile because the ending was so empowering!!! Yes ma'am, choose YOU!
-"Three Zeros" Myrtle was such a character, I can't even explain it, but she felt REAL. This ending made me smile too. Go get your money Myrtle!
-"This Is America" is still relevant today... which is honestly sad but true.
Overall, if you want short stories with the full range of emotions and a lot of truth… I definitely recommend!
- "Quilting on the Rebound" because it honestly gave Waiting to Exhale vibes
- "From Behind the Counter" LOVED IT✊🏾
- "Mama, Take Another Step" was triggering (for me)... it deals with domestic violence, so just a heads up… but I do plan to read “Mama” one day.
-“Curtains Up" made me smile because the ending was so empowering!!! Yes ma'am, choose YOU!
-"Three Zeros" Myrtle was such a character, I can't even explain it, but she felt REAL. This ending made me smile too. Go get your money Myrtle!
-"This Is America" is still relevant today... which is honestly sad but true.
Overall, if you want short stories with the full range of emotions and a lot of truth… I definitely recommend!
September 16, 2025
I don’t think I’ve read Terry McMillan since her famous bestseller Waiting to Exhale in the 1990s. When I see she had a collection of short stories and essays coming out, I thought I’d give it a try. It was a bit of a mixed bag - old short stories of hers both published and unpublished (like any story collection, some better than others); “sketches and starts” (basically random short excerpts of unpublished writing, felt quite pointless to include then); and a few published essays. Overall it was fine but I wouldn’t recommend it except to a super-fan or completist.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
September 21, 2025
Terry McMillan’s *It Was the Way She Said It* offers a thoughtful collection spanning her career, blending both familiar and new works that explore themes of love, aging, and cultural identity. Her distinct voice and candid style shine throughout, though the collection feels uneven at times, with some pieces resonating more strongly than others. Overall, it’s a worthwhile read for longtime fans who want to experience the range of McMillan’s writing, though newcomers may find her novels a more cohesive introduction. More like 3.5 stars since I do LOVE The Terry McMillan.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
This was my first introduction to the work of Terry McMillan, and I can say with certainty that it won’t be my last. Her writing is so salient and tangible, even a one page entry managed to be an entire character study. Written over decades, each curated piece for this publication still manages to ring true today. I came across this organically at the library, and this is my plug to literally just waltz around the library and choose things that look even remotely interesting- you’ll never know when you find a gem.
January 25, 2026
It Was the Way She Said It
Terry McMillan
McMillan’s voice is strong and crystal clear in this book. She has a uncanny talent if tapping to the tiny almost insignificant intricacies of a person psyche. The situations or predicaments that the characters might find themselves in aren’t necessarily monumental, but each experiences important.
She masterfully captures the significance of being in that particular character’s circumstance. This isn’t about escapism. This is standing in the truth of whatever the matter is. She uncovers and provides insight to many parts of this journey that most might try to hide.
Her delivery isn’t downtrodden or allusive. She respects each story for what it is without feeling the need to insert, inauthentic methods of beautification. Life with all it’s flaws, can be beautiful as it is.
#readandtellwithshantel #terrymcmillian #netgalley #itwasthewayshesaidit
Terry McMillan
McMillan’s voice is strong and crystal clear in this book. She has a uncanny talent if tapping to the tiny almost insignificant intricacies of a person psyche. The situations or predicaments that the characters might find themselves in aren’t necessarily monumental, but each experiences important.
She masterfully captures the significance of being in that particular character’s circumstance. This isn’t about escapism. This is standing in the truth of whatever the matter is. She uncovers and provides insight to many parts of this journey that most might try to hide.
Her delivery isn’t downtrodden or allusive. She respects each story for what it is without feeling the need to insert, inauthentic methods of beautification. Life with all it’s flaws, can be beautiful as it is.
#readandtellwithshantel #terrymcmillian #netgalley #itwasthewayshesaidit
September 17, 2025
I never knew!
This is the Terry McMillan that I never knew. A huge fan of the works that she is most known for writing, I had no idea of her short stories. I’m glad I now know and I’m hungry for more. The writing is raw and emotional. The characters are memorable and leave you wondering what happens next in their lives. So glad she’s sharing this with us. Take a look and be pleasantly surprised!
This is the Terry McMillan that I never knew. A huge fan of the works that she is most known for writing, I had no idea of her short stories. I’m glad I now know and I’m hungry for more. The writing is raw and emotional. The characters are memorable and leave you wondering what happens next in their lives. So glad she’s sharing this with us. Take a look and be pleasantly surprised!
November 15, 2025
This collection, comprised of Terry McMillan's unpublished and lesser-known essays and stories, ranks among the best I've encountered from the author. What makes it so amazing is her unfiltered honesty and willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on. Be prepared for raw intense subject matter; the stories explore deeply impactful content that may be sensitive or triggering for some. It's hard truth that many may not be prepared to read or even acknowledge.
January 9, 2026
My first taste of Terry McMillan. Excellent, descriptive writing about (often) ordinary moments in life yet the stories felt meaningful and compelling.
My favorites were Ma’Dear, Quilting on the Rebound, and Gossip. Oh, and her commencement speech. And others…
FYI There’s language and violence and miscarriage in some of the stories.
My favorites were Ma’Dear, Quilting on the Rebound, and Gossip. Oh, and her commencement speech. And others…
FYI There’s language and violence and miscarriage in some of the stories.
February 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this collection and the chance to get a peek at the author whose work in the 90s had my mom in a chokehold. I do wish that the intro for each piece had been penned by McMillan herself. Instead, the editor's reverent tone and use of the past tense had me constantly reminding myself that Terry McMillan is still alive.
February 7, 2026
2 1/2 ⭐
I love Terry McMillan books and now her movies! 👏🏾
Usually when I read her books I would have to make myself put the book down to get some work done. But this book, I had to make myself pick it up a few times to finish it.
I believe that I personally just don't like short story books, no matter who the authors are...
I love Terry McMillan books and now her movies! 👏🏾
Usually when I read her books I would have to make myself put the book down to get some work done. But this book, I had to make myself pick it up a few times to finish it.
I believe that I personally just don't like short story books, no matter who the authors are...
October 15, 2025
I appreciate the effort and care that went into this compilation that spans decades of McMillan's work. However, I listened to this as an audiobook, and despite multiple excellent narrators, it didn't quite work as an audiobook. I think I would have liked this better if I had read it.
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