The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman

by Deesha Philyaw

The wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor upends her charmed “rags-to-Rolex” life when her secret past comes roaring into the spotlight—in this "funny and juicy and sexy and delicious peek behind the pulpit" (Samantha Irby) from the acclaimed and beloved author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.

From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband's power affords her.

On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.

But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.

Unflinchingly funny, frank, and packed with surprising turns, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman exults in the luscious, messy pleasure of finally feeling free.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Religion, African American, Historical Fiction, Adult

12 pages, Audible Audio

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Deesha Philyaw’s debut short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Story Prize, the LA Times Book Prize: The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. Deesha is a Kimbilio Fiction Fellow, a Baldwin for the Arts Fellow, a United States Artists Fellow, and co-host of two podcasts, Ursa Short Fiction (with Dawnie Walton) and Reckon True Stories (with Kiese Laymon). She is currently at work developing TV shows based on her short fiction.

Deesha’s debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, is forthcoming from Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, on September 29, 2026.

Reviews

[Roxane]

Deesha Philyaw is a consummate storyteller and in her debut novel, she bares the breadth her ferocious talent onto the page for all to see. The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman has a satirical bent but really, it's a story of a woman from outside of a tight-knit Black church community who has spent years fighting for her position alongside her pastor husband who, when scandal arises, puts the woman he's supposed to love and protect, into the most impossible positions. There are generational secrets and complicated pasts and grief and friendships torn asunder. There are countless laugh-out-loud moments and instances of palpable sorrow and still, Philyaw manages to balance it all. She wields an impeccable control over a story that could, in lesser hands, careen into the absurd. The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is an admirable, unforgettable debut that promises much more to come.

[Barbara]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced audio copy of THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN by Deesha Philyaw. Janina Edwards is an amazing narrator for this satirical story. Her range is outstanding. She is a new favorite narrator. Expected release is September 29, 2026.

Scharisse (Shar) Freeman is the wife of a very wealthy pastor of an Atlanta Georgia megachurch, and therefore the First Lady of her church. Her husband is 15 years her senior, and she has always felt snubbed by the other women in the church because she came from humble beginnings coming from the wrong side of the tracks. Adding to that, not only was she not raised in the bosom of the church, but her mother had also her out of wedlock. She worked diligently to create a wholesome and worthy image. She has a teenage daughter who she intends to raise to be a strong and independent woman. Can she do that within the confines of church expectations?

Philyaw writes Shar as a sassy, strong and complicated woman who is navigating the patriarchy of church beliefs which is supported by many of the women members. It was fun to listen to the different interpretations of scripture and faith, belted out by women and men alike. Philyaw shows the duplicity of the megachurch industry, the money, the celebrity, the power, and the status while showing a front of living the life of scripture. To keep the outward appearance of piousness the meek are silenced. The optics supersedes authenticity.

There is more spice to this story than I expected. I am not a fan of spice and there is plenty in this, yet it wasn’t off-putting to me because Philyaw is making a point of the hypocrisy in sexual expectations. She also touches upon the lack of sexual agency that women often possess and men abuse.

I fully enjoyed the story and the narration. If you are Megachurch curious and love a good story about a strong woman, this is a story for you!

[emma]

i am interested in any and all stories of wives of megachurch pastors competing in pageants which first induct them into the world of fellow wives and then post-scandal back to the outskirts. i think that’s only this one but keep me updated on any others.

[Stephanie]

Deesha Philyaw sure knows her bible, and doesn’t mince words on the hypocrisy of it all. Scathing commentary on mega churches and the people who long to habituate in a world where people with an economic status they can only dream of, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is a quotable book lover’s dream.

"And I’ve always felt conflicted about having my lifestyle funded by our congregation, some of whom can barely afford their rent, and who worship a god I’m not entirely sure I believe in."

However, and I say this lightly: our main character, Sharisse Freeman, fast-tracks herself into relationships with people who have absolutely zero backstory. These bonds are rushed through so quickly you’ll get whiplash trying to figure out why she even likes them. Pair that with the rest of the adult cast making silly decisions and Sharisse being in a loveless marriage, but the sex is decent? A lot of weird connections happening.

I did enjoy this book however there are some pacing issues and lack of character depth, but this book will resonate with many.
It's a solid four stars for me!
Thanks Mariner for the Advanced copy!

[Lauren W -behind! (work)- trying to stay semi-caught up♥︎]

Going in completely blind, I had heard great things about The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman but knew nothing about the plot. I initially assumed "First Lady" referred to a presidential spouse, but the story actually centers on Chelsea Freeman—the wife of Pastor David Freeman. We kick off in 2011 at the 51st Annual First Lady’s Pageant in Belton, Georgia, an invitation-only event for pastors' wives. Married to a pastor 18 years her senior, Chelsea has endured years of "mean girl" behavior from the other church wives and hopes winning this pageant will finally earn her their respect.

Packed with dry, witty, and matter-of-fact humor, this story features an unapologetic lead character whose bluntness and spice make her feel deeply authentic as she grows into her full self. While the timeline jumps around a bit, the book is overflowing with personality and tackles heavy themes—including motherhood, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, church politics, family secrets, enduring friendship, and a touch of romance. It won't be for everyone due to its raw honesty, but it's a compelling, thought-provoking read that really makes you question traditional religious dynamics.

[BookOfCinz Reading Retreat Host]

Ummm......... mmmmmm....I have thoughts.

[Melanie (meltotheany)]

september 2026 is going to be insane for good releases

♡.) The Secret Lives of Church Ladies ★★★★★

[Charnell]

Love love love! An indictment on the hypocrisy of church folks. How church folks let the violence of the patriarchy reign and control the church.
Scharisse is a hilarious main character who inherits her mother’s naivety but has a strength that her mother never got to have.

So much more to think about with this book so I might come back and add more. Just trust me when I say to read this! Thank you to publisher Mariner for me arc review copy.

[emanislibrary]

ARC Review: Book releasing September 2026

Thank you to Mariner Books for the review copy of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.

I was so excited to get this ARC because I loved Deesha Philyaw’s short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Her debut novel continues with similar themes of the type of shame and secrecy that women and girls within the church hold. The main character, Scharisse Freeman, is the wife of a pastor with a past that she’s been running away from. She tries to hide within the apparent success of her marriage and all the perks that come with it, but that can only last for so long. This was a hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time. The story tackles themes like patriarchy, misogyny within the church, shame, grief, and the desire to belong. Once I got to the 170 page mark I couldn’t put this down!

[Lisa (NY)]

It took me a while to warm up to Scharisse Freeman, wife of a megachurch pastor. She is a snarky social climber, obsessed with winning the First Ladies beauty pageant and becoming accepted by her peers. That storyline does get quite funny. As the layers are peeled away, the novel gets better and deeper as she awakens to what truly matters. I listened to the audio and Janina Edwards's rendition of Schar was pitch-perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the early audiobook.

[Khanh Linh]

I haven’t heard a lot of people talking about this book when it comes to 2026 anticipated reads, but I think it deserves some hype! Deesha Philyaw’s The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is one of my favorite short stories collections of all time, so I was excited to receive the ARC of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.

If you like the concept of a sexy Real Housewives with a cast of First Ladies of black mega church pastors, lots of biting racial, class, gender, and of course, religious commentary, you might really enjoy this. First Lady Freeman is a protagonist who’s frustrating to read at times, but seeing her slowly deconstruct her world, her institution, her beliefs, and her privilege is deeply satisfying. All the First Ladies are just as petty and ruthless and funny as you might expect, so there’s never a dull moment.

There are aspects of how the characters behave and talk that I wish were more realistic, but at the end of the day, it didn’t really take away from the fun time I had with this book.

[leah]

i really wanted to like this because i remember loving deesha philyaw’s short story collection ‘the secret lives of church ladies’, but this just didn’t work for me and i found it a chore to get through. a great premise, but i don’t think it was executed very well.

[jas | 1girl1library]

If Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul and The Real Housewives were combined, it would be this insanely well-written book! I enjoyed the drama but also appreciated where the heartache took us as a story. Truly a great dissection of how women are used in the church to uplift men and how hypocritical religious people can be. Recommend this highly!

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)]

Deesha Philyaw's debut novel is just as smart, juicy, funny, and thought-provoking as you would expect if you read her excellent short story collection!

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is a sexy, irreverent, yet poignant look at the Southern Black church through the eyes of a megachurch pastor's wife with a less than pristine pedigree. Scharisse grew up with a struggling single mother, unsure who her father was. Now she's the fashionable and wealthy "first lady" of a well-known church, but the other first ladies don't like her her husband doesn't want to have sex as often as she does, and she's secretly agnostic.

Then she's invited to compete in a first ladies pageant for the first time and is determined to win over the women giving her the cold shoulder. But dark secrets glossed over in the church come bubbling to the surface, and Scharisse ends up at the center of a very public scandal where she will have to make hard decisions about what to do.

I absolutely loved this book. It is both fun and juicy, while also being incredibly nuanced with pointed commentary on issues like how churches cover up abuse, treatment of LGBT people, and the misogyny of gendered expectations. The cover is perfection and I about died at a certain, REVEALING scene at the pageant. This is going to be a hit and I can't wait to see more from Philyaw! The audio narration is perfection. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Sara]

Funny
thee want bunny
i cary my book and dessire
sad and grief and belive
throw it at thee club
at dark road on horizon there
funny
i walk thee rude step
get my strength root
jon thee club
i not good dog
funny
i pray
swim by belive
walk by one candle
funny thee want bunny

[Jamilah Green | Apothecary Tales Press]

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is a triumph, and Deesha Philyaw has gained a lifelong fan and cheerleader. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so deeply that an author reached into my mind, lifted out my thoughts, and laid them on the page with such clarity.

Philyaw exposes the pageantry, disingenuous showmanship, and hypocrisy that permeate far too many churches today. But she goes further, interrogating the societal scaffolding that protects morally bankrupt practices, always at the expense of women, always at the cost of their dignity and truth.

Her storytelling is bold, incisive, and emotionally resonant. Fans of Mary Monroe and Terry McMillan will want this on their shelves.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this remarkable book.

[Rae | My Cousin’s Book Club]

RTC

[Liz Hein]

Dishy

[Melody Morgan]

I wanted to love this, but it was ultimately a disappointment. I have been loving all of the recent women-penned stories with satirical and feminist bents—Yesteryear and Best Offer Wins come to mind. Unfortunately, TTCOFLF doesn’t quite get there, and I am placing my blame on a lack of editing. Not since Margaret Douaihy’s Scorched Grace have I read a book with such a strong premise failed by a lack of true editing. This reads like a first draft; I’ve reviewing the ARC, so perhaps things will be fixed, but at this point, I’m not talking about grammar/usage errors.

First, there is the issue of First Lady Freeman herself. Schar is deeply unlikeable. That’s not a problem in and of itself; I loved the aforementioned Yesteryear and all anyone call talk about is how despicable that MC is. The problem here is that Schar is written in such a way that it seems like she’s actually supposed to be likeable. But she is too cruel and dismissive of others, offering insults and rude comments about random strangers in ways that make it clear that she’s meant to be funny but just make her look like a jackass. Her entire motivation is ~winning the First Lady USA pageant~ and continue to live her extravagant First Lady life, but she sabotages herself at every turn. She puts herself in compromising situations, refuses to do anything to help her image, and doesn’t seem to actually care about the pageant she wants to win.

Secondary characters are unsteady at best. David is never clear—does Schar love him? Does their age gap present an interesting conflict (yes) to be explored in light of Schar’s familial history (never /s)? Gabrielle incoherently moves from being a typical moody teenager to acting like a six-year-old curling up in mommy’s lap. Petra’s accent reads like it was written by a 13-year-old who just watched Skins UK for the first time. And of course it completely disappears during a climactic moment near the end. What is the point of Schar’s friend Kathryn? And what is with the weird hotel room scene with Jennifer (you know the one)? And Marcus… We don’t know what character development is. I did actually like Sheila’s progression; it could have been done better (needs a better editor!) but the idea was there.

Oof, and the dialogue. Way, WAY too much telling and not showing. Constant streams of dialogue with no breaks. As another viewer noted, this would make a great limited series in television, but it doesn’t work on the page.

One more petty complaint—the “inhale, exhale” motif is used incorrectly again and again. It’s supposed to be “inhale [good thing], exhale [bad thing].” Where was the editor???

This had so much potential. The story approaches serious issues, including HIV, infidelity, corruption, and loyalty. I appreciate stories that interrogates religious institutions, especially ones that recognize and respect the importance of these institutions in so many lives. This story was also funny! The endnotes were often chuckle-worthy, and I am a sucker for that. Unfortunately, it just didn’t come together.

Overall, a disappointing first novel from Deesha Philyaw. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is still worth checking out.

**ARC via NetGalley**

[Maria]

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman follows Schar, a preacher’s wife who was orphaned after losing her mother, as she navigates the challenges of ministry, relationships, and finding acceptance among other pastors’ wives. The story explores a compelling rags-to-riches journey while emphasizing what truly matters in the end.

This was an easy and engaging read, and I thought the author did an excellent job developing the characters. I quickly became invested in Schar’s story and appreciated the emotional depth throughout the novel. While a few of the longer chapters felt a bit slow and caused the pacing to drag at times, they were usually followed by chapters that pulled me right back into the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think it has the potential to be a popular read once it’s released. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction with themes of faith, resilience, and personal growth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Celeste celestially_yours Bradford]

This author is back and even better than before. This book takes a look at what it means to be a First Lady in the Church and to hold secrets. WhAt happens when secrets come to light and the stereotypes that exist between men abs women in the church. Told in the most hilarious way this book is both thought provoking and entertaining. Plenty of outlandish moments.

[Alexandra Morales]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Mariner Books for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

A solid 3 stars. It SHOULD have been 4 stars but it literally took me 30-40% to get into this book and that shouldn't happen with a dishy book like this!

It was a VERY slow start for me, good lord. These characters could have all been introduced in a way that makes sense for someone new coming into this story. As it stands it's rocky. Maybe starting the reader out in the dreaded Honolulu trip would have been beneficial so not only do we KNOW what happened but we get a solid cast introduction.

Scharisse is certainly a character... there are times where I truly did not enjoy her constant stream of pretty shallow thoughts BUT on the other hand there were some truly catty moments that had me rooting for her. I think one of the things I loved most about Scharisse is her relationship with her daughter Gabrielle I thought that was one of the strongest sections in this book, all their moments had me laughing or smiling. It was nice to see Scharisse tell her daughter the truth and equally pleasing to see Gabrielle stand by her side through everything.

All the side characters besides Petra I really had fun with! Petra was a just too much all the time and it got very old very fast. I noticed when this character entered the storyline it was a lot of name dropping of songs and singers and to be honest that is not my favorite thing to read in books. Not everyone knows what you are talking about and I think that makes the book a little niche.

Another thing I had a big issue with is the fact that the same PR firm represented both Scharisse/David AND Jeddah. I wasn't sure if the same rule applies to PR firms as it does with law firms but a simple google search said no, PR firms cannot represent two conflicting parties, it would be a huge conflict of interest. So that had me rolling my eyes every time Judy and Brian were even brought up, because no way that could EVER be true.

The pageant ending was satisfying but I almost wish it had ended there with an open ending for Scharisse.

I think it takes some great writing to make it seem like you are an eavesdropper on all these pearl clutching conversations and I was gasping right along with the characters. I think this will be a great book club choice.

[Bobbieshiann]

“Never bear a man’s secrets. They will tell you it’s for the best. But what they mean is it’s for their best, not yours.” 

Deesha Philyaw takes the messiness of church, marriage, power, and reputation and puts it all on display in The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. First Lady Scharisse Freeman has spent years trying to secure her place within a close-knit Black church community, standing beside a pastor husband who would rather choose the scandal most beneficial to the church and himself than tell the truth and threaten everything they have worked for. But when his choices leave her carrying the consequences, loyalty starts to look a lot more like sacrifice. Scharisse is relatable in the way she creates a narrative that seems rewarding, even when getting there has caused harm to others, and who says she should be forgiven? With buried family secrets, old wounds, grief, broken friendships, and the pressure to maintain appearances, there is plenty to unravel.

This book is funny, irritating, and will have you talking out loud to the pages, but beneath the humor is a look at the roles men and women are expected to play in society and especially within the church. Quick to quote scripture but even quicker to cast judgment when the skeletons are poking out of their own closets. Scharisse is bullied and feels the need to fix it with God-fearing women who carry their own shame but thrive off of being accepted by each other, all while placing a man on a pedestal no matter how big his sin is. What the church says is what should be. Yet, what makes it laughable is how quickly the word of God becomes the word of man, creating cult-like ways and condemning anyone who does not conform. Philyaw lets the ridiculous, painful, and complicated coexist without allowing one to overpower the other. This book makes for great conversation, and if you are not open to questioning what you see as wrong for more understanding, or simply because something does not sit right with you, keep living in a bubble and shimmy on.

P.S. The party line and Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden are mentioned in this book. IYKYK.

[Dayana Rene]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

As a preacher’s kid, this book was definitely relatable in many ways for me. Growing up in church, I saw firsthand how much pressure is put on pastors and especially First Ladies to appear perfect, even the kids. I also saw firsthand how things behind the scenes are not always pleasant. Deesha Philyaw captured that tension so well.

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman was definitely messy and entertaining. Scharisse was such a layered character as she navigated image, secrets, church culture, misogyny, grief, and unfortunately, much more.

Overall, this book kept my attention, and I think a lot of people, especially those familiar with church culture, will connect with it.

[2raccoonsinacoat]

This one just didn’t work for me, but I think it was more a matter of personal preference than anything.

The premise is interesting and Schar is a strong, self-aware MC. I liked how much she owns her own sexuality and that the conflict with the church isn’t drawn out (it starts pretty immediately). The opening chapter was really compelling and had me hooked, but unfortunately I struggled to vibe with the writing style (dialogue, pacing) and the number of characters.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jina with a J]

I truly hope that readers can take away from the book what I’ve taken.

[RoRolovesreading]

I loved this book. I was completely enthralled from the prologue. Picture it (a shout-out to Sophia Petrillo, because Golden Girls fans will understand): it's 2011, and the First Lady USA Pageant is being televised nationwide. A First Lady in the midst of a scandal, married to a very prominent megachurch pastor, takes the stage in costume. Then, in an act of defiance, she sheds that persona and becomes Eve, adorned only with cleverly placed maple leaves. Taking a bite from her apple and tossing it to the floor, she reveals truths that will blow up her life and, ultimately, set her free. From that moment, I couldn't put the book down.

Scharisse Freeman is definitely not what you'd expect a First Lady to be, but it's a role she's learned to play well. She's from the wrong side of town and the daughter of an unwed 15-year-old mother. She's let the shame surrounding her birth drive her to become the person she is today.

The story is compelling, emotional, and wonderfully layered. The author does an excellent job exploring faith, power, hypocrisy, identity, the impact the church has had on women, and what it means to reclaim your voice after years of living under the expectations of others.

If you're a fan of the church drama Greenleaf, with some Real Housewives of Atlanta drama added in, or a good drama in general, you'll definitely enjoy this book. I've already preordered the audiobook so I can experience it with my ears the second time around.

Audiobook narration performed by Janina Edwards.

Thanks to Mariner Books for the ARC and Harper Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Justine]

This story follows Scharisse Freeman, the First Lady of a powerful megachurch pastor as she finds out more about her past life than she was bargaining for and upends her life.

Wooo! Where do I start with this one? It was a wild ride from the beginning and kept me engaged to the last word! I really enjoyed Deesha Philyaw’s The Secret Lives of Church Ladies so this was a book I couldn’t wait to dive into. Philyaw’s writing is razor sharp and she manages to write a story that is highly entertaining, while delivering some pretty devastating social commentary. She is dropping truth bombs all over the place here! If you can’t handle satire involving organised religion, particularly the megachurch culture, this is not for you, but if you can, this is a treat! And if you’re a Christian who is getting tired of Jesus being co-opted to push a message of hate and judgment, you will definitely appreciate Philyaw’s calling out of the hypocrisy of some of these so called ‘spiritual leaders’.

Philyaw uses the framework of this story to delve into some important topics, including public image, shame, female friendships, mother-daughter dynamics, and the impossible expectations put upon women, especially in religious spaces.

Schrarisse is messy, complicated and far from perfect, and that’s what makes her relatable, but she also says and does things that make her inspirational. There are many times in this book that made me laugh out loud and shout ‘Yes!’. The dialogue is so good, it was made for audiobook and that’s how I consumed this story. Shout out to Janina Edwards for a flawless performance.

I feel like this book ran a couple of chapters too long, but overall I really enjoyed my time with Scharisse and the other First Ladies!

This book may be for you if you:

💜 Enjoy drama and hilarity grounded in emotional depth
💜 Are looking for a ‘good for her’ story
💜 Enjoy biting satire
💜 Don’t mind a little spice 🌶️


Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for an advance listener’s copy. This book comes out on September 29!

[Sarah]

Thank you to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for a free advance copy audiobook of "The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman" (written by @deeshaphilyaw and narrated by Janina Edwards) in exchange for an honest review ❤️

This one is all about the drama!

Schar goes "from rags to riches" when she marries the lead pastor at a megachurch. Unfortunately, it means being forced to leave everyone from her past behind. At the same time, her new church crowd doesn't seem to be a big fan of her either! When she is finally invited to participate in the First Lady USA pageant alongside the other megachurch wives, a scandal comes to light that makes her past and present collide.

This is a sharp and witty novel that talks a lot about racism, sexism, and the corruption of money and power. It is messy, it has no filters, and it leaves all doors open.

I give it 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for giving me food for thought while keeping me so entertained!

[thebookybird]

What a fun, sexy, scandalous revenge story with more