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Jasmine and Rachel #4
A Blessing & A Curse
First ladies of the Baptist church and sworn frenemies Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Cox Larson Bush are stunned to learn they may have more in common than they thought—like who’s their daddy—in the scandalous new collaboration between national bestselling and award-winning authors ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Victoria Christopher Murray.
A heated American Baptist Coalition election. A murky murder cover-up. An outrageous reality TV show. What in heaven’s name kind of drama will holy rivals Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Cox Larson Bush—prominent first ladies of the Baptist church—get themselves into next?
Since he first met Jasmine, Rachel’s father Simon Jackson has had a funny feeling about her. She eerily resembles his first teenage love. After doing some digging, Simon makes a shocking revelation—Jasmine may be his daughter. Rachel thinks the idea is absurd, but to pacify her ailing father, she sets out to debunk his theory.
When Jasmine discovers what’s going on, she heads to the Jackson Family Reunion in Smackover, Arkansas, in search of the truth. With her sidekick Mae Frances by her side, this big city girl isn’t ready for the country…or for the over-the-top family that she may have to claim as her own.
A heated American Baptist Coalition election. A murky murder cover-up. An outrageous reality TV show. What in heaven’s name kind of drama will holy rivals Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Cox Larson Bush—prominent first ladies of the Baptist church—get themselves into next?
Since he first met Jasmine, Rachel’s father Simon Jackson has had a funny feeling about her. She eerily resembles his first teenage love. After doing some digging, Simon makes a shocking revelation—Jasmine may be his daughter. Rachel thinks the idea is absurd, but to pacify her ailing father, she sets out to debunk his theory.
When Jasmine discovers what’s going on, she heads to the Jackson Family Reunion in Smackover, Arkansas, in search of the truth. With her sidekick Mae Frances by her side, this big city girl isn’t ready for the country…or for the over-the-top family that she may have to claim as her own.
281 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2015
88 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
ReShonda Tate Billingsley
63 books1,473 followersReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 11, 2017
I am a huge VCM and RTB fan. I have enjoyed reading about Jasmine and Rachel in each of their series. So when the two authors put these two women together, it was genius. I anticipated this read and of course, it was well-written. I saw a different side to both these women which I liked.
April 22, 2017
They're back!!! Rachel and Jasmine have been entertaining readers over the years with their petty and very unconventional relationship which goes between rivalry and a true friendship/sisterhood. ReShonda and Victoria use their exceptional talent to remind us that different isn't always bad and that laughter is good for the soul.
"She's not a little girl. She's like almost sixty."
I said something similar to that throughout the entire book. It still had the signature humor because the shenanigans were still present but Jasmine was too over the top in my opinion. This installment of the series was not as entertaining as the previous ones, but it was still a solid book. A Blessing and a Curse is a proper sendoff for this much beloved series and I'm confident readers will enjoy it!
"She's not a little girl. She's like almost sixty."
I said something similar to that throughout the entire book. It still had the signature humor because the shenanigans were still present but Jasmine was too over the top in my opinion. This installment of the series was not as entertaining as the previous ones, but it was still a solid book. A Blessing and a Curse is a proper sendoff for this much beloved series and I'm confident readers will enjoy it!
August 13, 2017
#rippedbodicebingo square: heroine named Rachel.
Prospective readers: don't start in the middle of the series like I did! Start at the beginning! There are dozens of allusions to past crazysauce plot elements and you'll wish you knew all of them!
Not actually a romance but completely follows a romance plot structure and uses romance tropes to be about two characters building relationships so I'm totally counting it. That use of romance structure and tropes to be about a friendship and family reunification was cleverly done and a joy to read.
Prospective readers: don't start in the middle of the series like I did! Start at the beginning! There are dozens of allusions to past crazysauce plot elements and you'll wish you knew all of them!
Not actually a romance but completely follows a romance plot structure and uses romance tropes to be about two characters building relationships so I'm totally counting it. That use of romance structure and tropes to be about a friendship and family reunification was cleverly done and a joy to read.
July 3, 2017
I listened to this book on audible. I'm about 75% finished so my final comments may change.
Jasmine was almost likeable in the previous 2 books. The character appeared to have experienced some growth. So from the onset of this installment, I was confused as to why the animosity was so thick between Rachel and Jasmine even before the "secret" was revealed.
The Jasmine portrayed in this installment was a petulant child. This storyline was hard for me to get behind. I think at almost 50 (she has to be roughly 48 or 49 at this point) a grown Christian woman would have the sense to use her "words". There was alot of repetitive dialogue when it came to Jasmine's character. The questions her character raised i.e. did the man who raised her know he wasn't her dad? well she was told that her mother married mr cox a year or 2 after she was born. so it stands to reason that he knew she wasnt his daughter. I was also bothered by the fact that she couldnt reconcile the fact the only thing that would change in her history was that her biological father was someone else. And she couldnt grasp that mr cox was still her father, her family was still her family. She also new Simon didn't know about him because of what Virginia told her about the situation. The story moved along at a steady pace. Rachel, Mai Francis and every other character in this series has shown growth except jasmine. She regressed in this book.
Random observation- I find it interesting that Hosea or Mai Francis never took issue with Jasmine using her first husbands name. It was jasmine larson or the ever horrid jasmine cox larson bush.
I can deal with Mai Francis' history/book/tale. I think it will be interesting. I do hope we are done for the most part with "Lady" Jasmine.
Jasmine was almost likeable in the previous 2 books. The character appeared to have experienced some growth. So from the onset of this installment, I was confused as to why the animosity was so thick between Rachel and Jasmine even before the "secret" was revealed.
The Jasmine portrayed in this installment was a petulant child. This storyline was hard for me to get behind. I think at almost 50 (she has to be roughly 48 or 49 at this point) a grown Christian woman would have the sense to use her "words". There was alot of repetitive dialogue when it came to Jasmine's character. The questions her character raised i.e. did the man who raised her know he wasn't her dad? well she was told that her mother married mr cox a year or 2 after she was born. so it stands to reason that he knew she wasnt his daughter. I was also bothered by the fact that she couldnt reconcile the fact the only thing that would change in her history was that her biological father was someone else. And she couldnt grasp that mr cox was still her father, her family was still her family. She also new Simon didn't know about him because of what Virginia told her about the situation. The story moved along at a steady pace. Rachel, Mai Francis and every other character in this series has shown growth except jasmine. She regressed in this book.
Random observation- I find it interesting that Hosea or Mai Francis never took issue with Jasmine using her first husbands name. It was jasmine larson or the ever horrid jasmine cox larson bush.
I can deal with Mai Francis' history/book/tale. I think it will be interesting. I do hope we are done for the most part with "Lady" Jasmine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2017
Fitting End
Jasmine and Rachel have been through it all and this was a fitting ending for them. Victoria and ReShonda delivered a stellar series that will take you through every emotion. One thing is for sure....this book shows a different side of Jasmine and Rachel. You get to see their vulnerability and you feel for them. I'm sad to see their story together end but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of this unusual duo.
Jasmine and Rachel have been through it all and this was a fitting ending for them. Victoria and ReShonda delivered a stellar series that will take you through every emotion. One thing is for sure....this book shows a different side of Jasmine and Rachel. You get to see their vulnerability and you feel for them. I'm sad to see their story together end but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of this unusual duo.
August 10, 2022
Maybe I was just tired of them by this point in the series but it seemed campy to me throughout a lot of it. It was also a chance to do deeper character development on Jasmine and it was largely a missed opportunity. The ending was satisfying.
July 27, 2025
I didn't realize this was a book in the middle of a series. I didn't understand the rivalry between the main characters, and this explains it. I would probably like the book better if I'd read the series in order.
June 25, 2018
Jasmine and Rachel are true frenemies which is just about all they can take from each other. The news that they just might be Sisters is just to much for these First Ladies to bare.
This was the perfect ending for this series, I have really enjoyed this collaboration between these two ladies. I have always been team #Jasmine. It would have been very interesting to see more of Jasmine interactions with the Jackson family. It was nice seeing Mae Frances again, I really hopes she gets her own book.
This was the perfect ending for this series, I have really enjoyed this collaboration between these two ladies. I have always been team #Jasmine. It would have been very interesting to see more of Jasmine interactions with the Jackson family. It was nice seeing Mae Frances again, I really hopes she gets her own book.
November 1, 2017
Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/a-b...
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/a-b...
December 27, 2018
Longtime frenemies Jasmine and Rachel thought they'd seen and dealt with every possible strange situation during their association- until now. Rachel's father Simon Jackson watches the reality show that Rachel and Jasmine did and, having gotten a good look at Jasmine, is convinced that Jasmine is the daughter he never knew he had from his first love- she looks exactly like Doris Young, who, for Simon was the one he wanted to marry but couldn't for various reasons.
For the sake of her father's happiness, Rachel has to convince Jasmine that this is a possibility and to take a DNA test to prove it either way. Jasmine wants no part of this- she had a father she loved and with him deceased, a doting father-in-law to stand in.
From New York to Smackover, Arkansas and all in between, the frenemies and possible sisters leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the truth of the matter. I enjoyed their quest, their typical quarreling and the assistance of Mae Francis to ferret out the truth once and for all.
For the sake of her father's happiness, Rachel has to convince Jasmine that this is a possibility and to take a DNA test to prove it either way. Jasmine wants no part of this- she had a father she loved and with him deceased, a doting father-in-law to stand in.
From New York to Smackover, Arkansas and all in between, the frenemies and possible sisters leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the truth of the matter. I enjoyed their quest, their typical quarreling and the assistance of Mae Francis to ferret out the truth once and for all.
July 3, 2019
I picked up this book as part of looking into the work of Victoria Christopher Murray. I hadn't read any other Jasmine or Rachel books, and while there is a lot of backstory I missed, I felt I got enough to fill me in (and make me curious). I liked the book a lot, it was an enjoyable, fast read. I did find myself waiting for a character to point to the parallels between Jasmine's experience and her daughter's, but that never happened. And I agree with others that J's over the top need to deny was, well, over the top, but who cares? The book delivered good writing; funny, likeable characters; and a cohesive plot. That makes it a standout in a crowded field - amen to that.
July 23, 2017
Lord lord and lord. Team lady Jasmine or Team Rachel... This story line brings us another triology between the two frendemies. When Rachel's father see's Jasmine on there current television review he realizes that this may be his child to his first love. Need I go any further unless given out spoilers. Rachel and her family are from Smackover Arkansas and Lady Jasmine currently lives in a condominium overlooking Central Park West in Manhattan. Loved this fast paced and moving story line. It was articulate, suspensful and kind.
May 21, 2024
What a ride!
I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book because I’m from Arkansas so even describing the airport was neat until the remark about it being so small. One thing about the south and small towns are the warmth and friendliness of the people. Jasmine got on my nerves so bad I wanted to just scream. That’s when I consider a book good because I have to realize it’s fiction 😩.
This is a great love story by two of my favorite authors so it was a pleasure to pick up and hard to put down.
I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book because I’m from Arkansas so even describing the airport was neat until the remark about it being so small. One thing about the south and small towns are the warmth and friendliness of the people. Jasmine got on my nerves so bad I wanted to just scream. That’s when I consider a book good because I have to realize it’s fiction 😩.
This is a great love story by two of my favorite authors so it was a pleasure to pick up and hard to put down.
May 5, 2017
A Blessing & a Curse: A Novel
A first time read for me from this author, ReShonda Tate Billingsley. I will go back and read some of her earlier works to get a better understanding of the character, Rachel, and her antics. It seems that Jasmine and Rachel have an interesting history together.
This was well written with relatable southern characters that make you laugh out loud. It gets a 3*** rating.
A first time read for me from this author, ReShonda Tate Billingsley. I will go back and read some of her earlier works to get a better understanding of the character, Rachel, and her antics. It seems that Jasmine and Rachel have an interesting history together.
This was well written with relatable southern characters that make you laugh out loud. It gets a 3*** rating.
May 16, 2017
Kudos to the dynamic duo! VCM & RTB collaborations never disappoint. Jasmine and Rachel are at each other's throats, AGAIN, but "Mr. Jackson" is caught in the middle. Could Jasmine be Rachel's sister as Simone expects? A Blessing & A Curse takes us on a page turning journey to find out the truth. It's entertaining, well written and relatable. The characters keep you laughing and sometimes wanting to knock some sense into them. Great job ladies, 5 stars!!!!!
June 4, 2017
Two women, friends and enemies have there lives uprooted when they discover they may be half sisters. This book is about family. We may not be proud of them or know they exsist, but they are family. And sometimes it takes them to make us see right when we need it. Good story about secrets and the effect they can have on one when they are revealed. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review..
July 8, 2017
Although I did enjoy this book, I would have liked to have seen more time spent with Jasmine and her father getting to know each other and building a relationship. While I understand that learning that a person you thought you knew turned out to be someone else can be a difficult transition to make, being that Jasmine is married to a minister, attends church regularly and proclaims to trust in God, it would have been nice to see more of that side of her coming out in this novel.
January 24, 2018
Don't block your bkesdings
I liked the book, because I read it in 2 days off and on. So glad it wasn't a messy church book about patients and or first ladies going astray. Jasmine finally accepting Simone as her father was a good thing, even though her behavior was over the top be g as old as she was. Rachel trying to keep her daddy happy and protected from being hurt was awesome. Good fast read.
I liked the book, because I read it in 2 days off and on. So glad it wasn't a messy church book about patients and or first ladies going astray. Jasmine finally accepting Simone as her father was a good thing, even though her behavior was over the top be g as old as she was. Rachel trying to keep her daddy happy and protected from being hurt was awesome. Good fast read.
July 12, 2018
Reading this book reminded me of how much I missed Mae Francis, Hosea and Lady Jasmine, lol. I felt like I was sitting down with old friends. I have to get caught up in the character of Rachel because her past seems like it was a hot mess as well. I need to find out Doris' story. It seems tragic that they were torn apart but that scenario is very realistic given the time period. I will read more of the books collaborated by these two amazing authors.
January 8, 2019
Like visiting old friends
Many in our family have done DNA testing and we've had our share of surprises. There are "new" family members who have embraced us and others that we cannot figure out how they are connected. And some who do not want to be connected lol. But it's all good. I'm glad jasmine finally opened up a little. I guess I'm #TeamRachel cause Jasmine loves to forget her past lol.
Many in our family have done DNA testing and we've had our share of surprises. There are "new" family members who have embraced us and others that we cannot figure out how they are connected. And some who do not want to be connected lol. But it's all good. I'm glad jasmine finally opened up a little. I guess I'm #TeamRachel cause Jasmine loves to forget her past lol.
November 15, 2020
Some of the plot was a bit hard to get behind (bit of a pet peeve of mine when grown adults don't talk things out as adults) but the genuinely funny moments mostly made up for it. (I especially had a good laugh at some of the children's lines. I love how kids just do not read the room sometimes. Jasmine fuming at the hotel, while her kids DELIGHTED in the differences between this hotel and the 5-star hotels they usually stay in was amazing and hilarious.)
Loved Mae Frances and Hosea too.
Loved Mae Frances and Hosea too.
May 30, 2025
I love Rachel and Jasmine when they team up to act up. I read this book because after reading the others I am invested in where the authors take these ladies next. Jasmine’s character was less bad diva in this one and more whiny rich girl. I would have liked some character development in her. Rachel’s character showed development and depth. So I am going to read the next one and see if Jasmine improves like fine wine with age. It’s an ok read, not as fun as the first ones.
June 7, 2017
Read this book in one day bought it Saturday night finished it Sunday great read wish there was going to be another one. Really won't more closer between the two ladies I can't believe this is the end of an era Rachel
and Jasmine I really don't want it to end like this . I am going to miss them and there stories .
and Jasmine I really don't want it to end like this . I am going to miss them and there stories .
August 1, 2017
The book was very appealing. It really seem like jasmine did really won't anything to do her father or sister because of half the story that was told to her when she was young and she thought her daddy just left her mom and her to fend for themselves but it was true and on the other Rachel wanted to be selfish because wanted to be the only daughter in her father life. It turnt alright at the end glad the was able to work on their relationship.
December 15, 2017
Reshonda and Victoria Do It Again!!!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the read!! We love to hate and love again these “sisters” (for real tho)!! It’s been amazing to watch their friend & kin ship evolve from adventure to adventure, drama to drama- this time of the family variety! I do love happy endings!
This book kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the read!! We love to hate and love again these “sisters” (for real tho)!! It’s been amazing to watch their friend & kin ship evolve from adventure to adventure, drama to drama- this time of the family variety! I do love happy endings!
September 22, 2019
Jazman is so NOT embracing this revelation of having a long lost father but can Rachel help to warm her heart to embracing the father she never knew she had? My girl Rachel is trying but Jazman ain't making it easy. Rachel and Jazman may never get along but sister's are forever. Like it or Not. LoL🙂
August 2, 2020
Jasmine and Rachel has really adjusted to their lives as first ladies. Rachel's father has a confession that is going to shake up both of their lives. In this book, Jasmine really got on my nerves because she wanted every one to be on the same path as her, but it doesn't go her way like she plans. I loved this series by RTB and VCM and hope one day they will write a book about Mae Frances.
May 4, 2017
Loved It
TheLadies never fail to get Jasmine and Rachael at each other's throat, but this time it was different. Jasmine finding she has another father and sending her over the edge and Rachael doing her best to rectify a stressful situation. Great read.
TheLadies never fail to get Jasmine and Rachael at each other's throat, but this time it was different. Jasmine finding she has another father and sending her over the edge and Rachael doing her best to rectify a stressful situation. Great read.
May 12, 2017
The dynamic duo has done it again! It amazes me how they manage to keep upping each time they publish but it's no doubt that nothing is going to stop these two! Kudos ladies for another 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read! Can't wait to hear the next chapter!
June 5, 2017
Good but where was the twist?
I enjoy reading their books, but I guess I wanted more from this one. There was not the shock factor like the others had. You will still enjoy the book though. It has some funny parts though. And the no she didn't moments also.
I enjoy reading their books, but I guess I wanted more from this one. There was not the shock factor like the others had. You will still enjoy the book though. It has some funny parts though. And the no she didn't moments also.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews