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God Don't Like Ugly #6
God Don't Make No Mistakes
"Monroe is a masterful storyteller." -- Philadelphia Inquirer
"Monroe's use of humor to depict ordinary people with complex and messy lives will keep readers glued to each and every page." -- Library Journal
These days, Annette Goode Davis has a full plate--literally and figuratively. Although she's trying to reconcile with her husband, Pee Wee, she's still seeing other men. A woman's got to cover her bases, right? Annette should be pleased with her busy love life. Instead, the stress has her eating everything in sight and packing on the pounds.
Meanwhile, her best friend, Rhoda O'Toole, has her hands full with her wild child daughter, Jade. And when Jade's antics almost cost Rhoda her man, Rhoda throws her out. Annette thanks her lucky stars that her daughter, Charlotte, has her head on straight. And she's doubly blessed to have a strait-laced neighbor look after Charlotte when she's caught up in Pee Wee and Rhoda's problems. But when Annette's world is rocked by a terrible revelation, she'll discover that appearances can be very deceiving--and she'll have to summon every ounce of strength to protect the ones she loves.
"Monroe's use of humor to depict ordinary people with complex and messy lives will keep readers glued to each and every page." -- Library Journal
These days, Annette Goode Davis has a full plate--literally and figuratively. Although she's trying to reconcile with her husband, Pee Wee, she's still seeing other men. A woman's got to cover her bases, right? Annette should be pleased with her busy love life. Instead, the stress has her eating everything in sight and packing on the pounds.
Meanwhile, her best friend, Rhoda O'Toole, has her hands full with her wild child daughter, Jade. And when Jade's antics almost cost Rhoda her man, Rhoda throws her out. Annette thanks her lucky stars that her daughter, Charlotte, has her head on straight. And she's doubly blessed to have a strait-laced neighbor look after Charlotte when she's caught up in Pee Wee and Rhoda's problems. But when Annette's world is rocked by a terrible revelation, she'll discover that appearances can be very deceiving--and she'll have to summon every ounce of strength to protect the ones she loves.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
128 people are currently reading
1788 people want to read
About the author
Mary Monroe
62 books2,847 followersI am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 21, 2019
While reading this book, I thought to myself that I am only continuing with this series out of obligation. I've been reading the "God..." series since the first book.
I recall the first book being well-written and I felt for the characters. Over time, however, the plots became more ridiculous and this book was no exception. While I realize that no one is perfect, Annette changed so much by the final book that I hardly recognized or respected her character. I found her to be quite silly. Considering everything that she went through with Boatwright, I find it hard to believe that she looked over her daughter's concerns reagrding their neighbor.
Jade's character was always so unbelievable to me, that I never could conjure up any feeling about her or Rhoda's story line. Even feeling the way that I do, I was sad that this is the final book in the series.
It actually seems like Monroe wrote the book and then decided at the end that she was done with these characters and slapped on a epilogue to end it all. Writing is difficult, but I would have loved to see these characters receive a better send off. Anyway, farewell.
I recall the first book being well-written and I felt for the characters. Over time, however, the plots became more ridiculous and this book was no exception. While I realize that no one is perfect, Annette changed so much by the final book that I hardly recognized or respected her character. I found her to be quite silly. Considering everything that she went through with Boatwright, I find it hard to believe that she looked over her daughter's concerns reagrding their neighbor.
Jade's character was always so unbelievable to me, that I never could conjure up any feeling about her or Rhoda's story line. Even feeling the way that I do, I was sad that this is the final book in the series.
It actually seems like Monroe wrote the book and then decided at the end that she was done with these characters and slapped on a epilogue to end it all. Writing is difficult, but I would have loved to see these characters receive a better send off. Anyway, farewell.
December 29, 2022
This book left me exhausted. I am so glad it and the series are over. I read the first 3 books of this series back in the early 2000s shortly after their publications. I really enjoyed the first 2 books. I purchased the last 3 books in the series at a library sale several years ago. I felt obligated to finish the series since I own the books & I had such fond memories of the characters and their story.
The main characters Annette & Rhoda are now in their late 40s, but they’re still making decisions like they were in their 20s. There was no maturity at all. It wasn’t just them either. The way the characters talked and acted just didn’t make sense to me. Everything was drawn out and drama filled for no good reason. The writing style left much to be desired. Overall, I just believe my taste in books has matured.
Another thing the events in the story don’t match the time. The story takes place in 1998; however, several events referenced i.e., Biggie’s murder, Princess Diana’s death, the Tyson v. Holyfield ear biting fight, & Gianni Versace murder took place 2 years earlier in 1996. Then in a major event at the end of the book Annette’s daughter mentions taking pictures with her cellphone and downloading them to her computer. There was no mention of the child having a smartphone beforehand & that is something that would usually come up. According to my google search, she was about 4 or 5 years ahead of time. These things should’ve been caught during editing.
The main characters Annette & Rhoda are now in their late 40s, but they’re still making decisions like they were in their 20s. There was no maturity at all. It wasn’t just them either. The way the characters talked and acted just didn’t make sense to me. Everything was drawn out and drama filled for no good reason. The writing style left much to be desired. Overall, I just believe my taste in books has matured.
Another thing the events in the story don’t match the time. The story takes place in 1998; however, several events referenced i.e., Biggie’s murder, Princess Diana’s death, the Tyson v. Holyfield ear biting fight, & Gianni Versace murder took place 2 years earlier in 1996. Then in a major event at the end of the book Annette’s daughter mentions taking pictures with her cellphone and downloading them to her computer. There was no mention of the child having a smartphone beforehand & that is something that would usually come up. According to my google search, she was about 4 or 5 years ahead of time. These things should’ve been caught during editing.
May 6, 2013
I read without the apiary knowledge that this was a six part 'God' series. Once I picked it up, it had me intrigued from the start so much I started researching the author. I wanted to know more about her as a person and I'm looking to one day go to a book signing to see her in person.
This is when I believe I learned that this series is part biographical-some portions from her personal journeys in life. I enjoy her old school flair that pops up in the books, the quick tongue lashings and sayings that slide across a characters tongue are funny and enlightens the sad portions of the book you take in.
This is when I believe I learned that this series is part biographical-some portions from her personal journeys in life. I enjoy her old school flair that pops up in the books, the quick tongue lashings and sayings that slide across a characters tongue are funny and enlightens the sad portions of the book you take in.
July 4, 2012
Not as good as the other books in the series. Has its moments where it's good but then it also can be boring and drag.
July 17, 2012
(SPOILERS INSIDE)
The first book in the series was definitely the best. I started losing interest in the story lines around book #3 or #4, but kept reading out of loyalty and curiosity. This was apparently the last book and the saga has ended, which makes me sad. I'm really sad to read how Jade finally turned out. She got worse and worse with every book and was just completely out of control, and a tad unbelievable in this last book.
At any rate, the rest of the story was very good with good lessons hidden in there as well - i.e. women can be child abusers, pay attention to your children and just because your neighbor seems nice doesn't mean she is!
I've enjoyed reading about Annette, Pee Wee and Rhoda over the years. Thank you, Mary Monroe for the stories! :-)
The first book in the series was definitely the best. I started losing interest in the story lines around book #3 or #4, but kept reading out of loyalty and curiosity. This was apparently the last book and the saga has ended, which makes me sad. I'm really sad to read how Jade finally turned out. She got worse and worse with every book and was just completely out of control, and a tad unbelievable in this last book.
At any rate, the rest of the story was very good with good lessons hidden in there as well - i.e. women can be child abusers, pay attention to your children and just because your neighbor seems nice doesn't mean she is!
I've enjoyed reading about Annette, Pee Wee and Rhoda over the years. Thank you, Mary Monroe for the stories! :-)
March 12, 2017
I'm sorry to see the end of this series. I have really enjoyed getting to know Annette and Rhoda; PeeWee and Otis. This final chapter is just as shocking as the rest of the series and we delve inside Annette's mixed up life from page one. Although I do have to say that some of Annette's decision are annoying. I found myself wanting to grab the chick and shake her. I mean, when your child tells you that someone's not making her comfortable, you figure out what's up with that person. There are too many people taking advantage of babies these days.
All in all, Ms. Monroe wrapped the story up with a nice little bow. I have to say that I am happy with her conclusion.
All in all, Ms. Monroe wrapped the story up with a nice little bow. I have to say that I am happy with her conclusion.
September 3, 2013
Not impressed...at all and I used to love this series. I listened to the audiobook this time. I didn't like the reader, some of the language didn't make much sense. My biggest issue was that the story just didn't seem authentic. I've read the other books years and years ago and somehow missed this one. I should have left it that way. The most irritating thing is how much the author chooses to compare EVERYTHING. Here is there is fine and often serves a novel well. But this book is over loaded with comparisons and almosts that distract from the subject at hand. I forced myself to finish it and was left feeling unfulfilled. I do not recommend this one.
July 16, 2019
I loved this book. Everything is not what it seems. Henrietta seemed like an ideal parent. She was active in her church, while taking care of children. Who would suspect she was a deviate. Annette did not pick up the clues her daughter was giving her. Her daughter said she was Henriette was crazy and she did not like her. She did not want to be around her. Even Henrietta’s children did not like her we do not give our children credit. Parents think they always know best. Her daughter exposed Henrietta, but not before she ran away from home. The book kept my interest. The characters were well developed.
February 1, 2017
This 6th book's story line was really good. I was really happy when Jade got what she deserved. I was very happy & my heart broke for Rhoda. Annette got on my nerves as usual, she pays too much attention to other people business & not her own. I really liked the ending.
June 21, 2012
I loved this series, She has done it once again.NOW WHAT WILL SHE UNCOVER
August 2, 2012
This is one of my fav series. I am said to see it end, but like all good things must come to an end.
September 2, 2012
I loved it!! can't believe its over.....
March 27, 2013
It was a great ending to this series! Love Mary Monroe.
April 25, 2013
What another great read in this series of Annette and Rhoda, throughout all of these books they go through somethings but in the end they are true loyal friends.
May 5, 2023
This series was a ball of emotions. It me said, angry and laugh.
I didn’t like that Annette didn’t listen to her daughter when she was telling something wasn’t right with that neighbor who she made her daughter stay at her home. Charlotte only ran away because she was being violated and nobody would listen to her. Annette then have the poor child sent to a detention center to teach her a lesson but she was the one violated. Annette after being a victim of rape.
Rhoda’s daughter Jade was off the chain I would have sent her back to her maker!!! There’s no way a child of mine would have cussed me out and hit me!!
I didn’t like that Annette didn’t listen to her daughter when she was telling something wasn’t right with that neighbor who she made her daughter stay at her home. Charlotte only ran away because she was being violated and nobody would listen to her. Annette then have the poor child sent to a detention center to teach her a lesson but she was the one violated. Annette after being a victim of rape.
Rhoda’s daughter Jade was off the chain I would have sent her back to her maker!!! There’s no way a child of mine would have cussed me out and hit me!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2017
Roda and Annette are truly funny women dealing with the woes of relationships and motherhood.
September 24, 2025
BOY AM I GLAD TO BE DONE WITH ANNETTE"S ASS!!!!!! I'm so happy to be done with this series. The book kept me interested, but at what cost??? She was so annoying! The first book "God Dont Like Ugly" was the best and my favorite book in the series. Mary Monroe should have just let that be a single novel and let the smothering death of Boatwright be the end of it....but NO! She dragged this ish out for 6 miserable books and i read all EXHAUSTING 6 of them.
I'm so over Annette and glad i'm done with series like I was OVER Alani and the Ethic series. I couldn't even finish it. I got to the last 3 hours of the last book and I physically couldn't bring myself to picking it up again. Annette and Alani were just too backwards thinking, and draining to be reading from their perspectives for a whole 5 or 6 book series.
Annette was easier than Alani but the struggle was still real, so keep that in mind. I still enjoyed this series more than the Ethic series. Getting the wrap up on the cast of characters was fun because thats what i was looking forward to the most and the only reason i stuck it out til the end. I wanted to know what happened with Ma'Dea, Frank, Scary Mary, and Jade. Mary didnt die of old age, she died in car accident, which it makes since, that AGE wouldn't be what take that OLD BIDDIE out. At least she got to live a nice long life sellin hoes and I loved it for her.
Ma'Dea and Frank died two weeks apart from one another. Ma'Dea grew and had some good character development. She wasn't still bitter and angry with Frank over leaving her and Annette for 30 years in the past, but she DOES make sure that he gets paid in DUST in her Will and i'm on her side about it. She left all her stuff, her restaurant and house to Annette and Charlotte , AS SHE SHOULD HAVE.
I dont think that Frank should be able to reap ANY of the benefits of the life she had without him, but because of him. She and Annette struggled for years after he left and maybe Annette wouldn't have been abused had he not did that. So, he should've just been happy that he got keep her back warm for the rest of his days. It was hilarious when Ma'Dea said that in the book "He just here to keep my back warm!" I was like "Thats right!" While also giving her the side eye because if that was all there was to it, he should have never been able to find his way back in her life AT ALL in the first place. But he was the father of her child, and probably always had a special place in her heart. Blah blah blah! BUT ZILCH IS WHAT HE GOT IN THAT WILL. GOOD.
Annette and Peewie went through so much in this book in their marriage. As a couple and as individuals. Much more then I could ever deal with, she is so much better than I could ever be I ain't got time. But they healed it and ultimately moved on.
Now I want to get into Charlotte, Jade and Rhoda. Because Charlotte was the heart and core of this book. Finally. But not because Annette was actually paying her some mind, but because she had her own storyline, character development and brought her abuser to justice HERSELF!
So there is this lady in this book named Henrietta. She lives across the street and she has three daughters of her own that she rules with a iron fist. Well, of course Charlotte and her girls end up connecting and becoming friends, so in the beginning she would go over to their house a lot. And of course Annette NEVER has a problem with this or is suspicious of anything because Annette couldn't care less about where Charlotte is, so long as she gets to go fuck off somewhere with Rhoda , nobody else matters. Charlotte's always somewhere other than with her parents. Her girlfriend's house, her grand parents house....ANYWHERE but home! But after a while she begins to come home complaining and telling her mother how much she HATES going over to this Henrietta lady's house. In the beginning she never explicitly states WHY she doesn't like Henrietta or want to go over, just that she DOESN'T want to go over anymore and hates going over there and would rather not. So instead of just saying "Ok" and listening to Charlotte and just keeping her home, here go Annette's stupid, naïve backwoods, MAMMY ass "well if you can't tell me WHY you dont like her or dont like going over there, you're going to continue to go over there and do what i say. you only dont like her cause she's strict and you cant get away with nothing." THEN she confronts the lady about it and says "My daughter REALLY doesnt like you even though she likes EVRYONE ELSE EXCEPT you , and i just cant figure out why, would YOU have any idea why my daughter does like you??"
THAT is the circumstances and the statement that solidified my distain of Annette. Because with everything that she went through with Boatwright, you would think that she would be a little more aware of and sensitive to what her child was saying, but she was just dense and naïve as ever and i hated her her for it.
Annette was so far removed from the reality and seriousness of the situation that poor little Charlotte literally had to get justice on her own, for herself. Which was beautiful and i was really proud of her, for her growth, and character development, BUT WTF for them other people. EVERYONE else SUCKS! and everyone FAILED.
Including Rhoda. I wanted her to have a murderous come back, but that didnt happen. As a matter of fact NOTHING of any substance, that could have culminated into ANYTHING happened after book one. Not even Rhoda and Bully's affair mattered. Which is what pissed me off the MOST! After they had a secret kid and a DECADES long affair through out this series, Rhoda just BROKE UP WITH HIM. With no reason WHY or explanation. Just DONE. Things did KIND of came to boil with Bully when Jade was home, but nothing more became of that situation neither. Then her and Ottis just celebrated their 40 year anniversary, without him knowing that his entire life with his wife and best friend has been a lie and was happening right in front of him. That could have been the perfect climax...but Mary Monroe gave us NOTHING. WHY didnt she expand on that storyline?? There wasn't even a point to that storyline being in the books if it wasnt going to result in Ottis finding out. JADE DID! Jade knew they were sleeping together! So why couldn't she tell her father? She was a crappy enough person to, and not care about what it would do to her family. Literally nothing came of it. And that's what I wanted my twizzler to twist the most for. I was waiting specifically for that, and NOTHING. SO DISAPPOINTING!
And the last thing I want to talk about is Rhoda and Jade...chiiiile. PUT THE ENTIRE mother and daughter in the TRASH. Put the REALTIONSHIP in the TRASH. Cuz all it was, was a raggedy rubbish relationship. Jade had gotten so bad with her antics and foolishness that Rhoda thought it a good idea to set her child up for a crime that she didnt commit to go to jail for a undetermindedly LONG TIME. Just because she didnt like the lifestyle that Jade was living WAS TOO MUCH! IKYFL! Now, granted, Jade was trippin. But once Rhoda put her out of her house and told her to make it on her own, thats as far as that should have gone. But Rhoda couldnt deal with her daughter being a stripper at he local club, so on one of their trips back home from Jamaica to visit family Rhoda smuggled drugs into Jade bag so she could get caught up in a international drug smuggling situation, case. SERIOUS JAIL. cuz she dont like the way this girl living.
Now, all up until tis point Rhoda had been informing Annette of her plan to set Jade up. So after she does it and comes back to the states and is on the phone with Annette she said "i did it!" and annette was like "YOU DID WHAT?!! I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU COULD BE TALKING ABOUT? BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA!" That was the other situation and statement she made that rounded out my disgust of Annette. I hated her character.
BUT RHODA?? All i know is that Jade had best NOT NEVER find out that her mother set her up to go to jail for a crime she did not commit cause if she thought Jade was crazy and hated her BEFORE, shes really gonna have a problem on her hands NOW.
I know she would with me!
If I was Jade and I found out some shit like that...the way i would've "Keep It In The Family" that B*TCH. BEHIND COSED DOORS THAT HOE! IDDA HELD MY MOTHER PRISONER!! Jade got out of that situation on like a technicality, but For however long she was in jail for she should double it and chain that lady IN THE HOUSE, or for however long she see fit. I WOULD NEVER forgive someone (mother, daughter, sister, brother) for wrongfully setting me up to go to jail, on wierdo Scared Straight type shit. just cause Jade is her daughter and she didnt like that she was dancing and sellin a lil coochie on the side down at the local strip club.
Girl, if you dont go somewhere and find you some business, that not JADE'S LMAOOOOOOOO!!
But jade was a mess, and completely messed herself up and ruined life up at the end of it all. Ew
Oh GOD! Thank God I'm done with this series, and that it's over with. The series over all gets three stars!!! Because the stories were good, but they were the most insufferable group of characters EVER from book two on and because she didnt do better with the Rhoda and Bully affair's climax! It fell FLAT!!! and that PISSED me owff after 6 damn books.
I'm so over Annette and glad i'm done with series like I was OVER Alani and the Ethic series. I couldn't even finish it. I got to the last 3 hours of the last book and I physically couldn't bring myself to picking it up again. Annette and Alani were just too backwards thinking, and draining to be reading from their perspectives for a whole 5 or 6 book series.
Annette was easier than Alani but the struggle was still real, so keep that in mind. I still enjoyed this series more than the Ethic series. Getting the wrap up on the cast of characters was fun because thats what i was looking forward to the most and the only reason i stuck it out til the end. I wanted to know what happened with Ma'Dea, Frank, Scary Mary, and Jade. Mary didnt die of old age, she died in car accident, which it makes since, that AGE wouldn't be what take that OLD BIDDIE out. At least she got to live a nice long life sellin hoes and I loved it for her.
Ma'Dea and Frank died two weeks apart from one another. Ma'Dea grew and had some good character development. She wasn't still bitter and angry with Frank over leaving her and Annette for 30 years in the past, but she DOES make sure that he gets paid in DUST in her Will and i'm on her side about it. She left all her stuff, her restaurant and house to Annette and Charlotte , AS SHE SHOULD HAVE.
I dont think that Frank should be able to reap ANY of the benefits of the life she had without him, but because of him. She and Annette struggled for years after he left and maybe Annette wouldn't have been abused had he not did that. So, he should've just been happy that he got keep her back warm for the rest of his days. It was hilarious when Ma'Dea said that in the book "He just here to keep my back warm!" I was like "Thats right!" While also giving her the side eye because if that was all there was to it, he should have never been able to find his way back in her life AT ALL in the first place. But he was the father of her child, and probably always had a special place in her heart. Blah blah blah! BUT ZILCH IS WHAT HE GOT IN THAT WILL. GOOD.
Annette and Peewie went through so much in this book in their marriage. As a couple and as individuals. Much more then I could ever deal with, she is so much better than I could ever be I ain't got time. But they healed it and ultimately moved on.
Now I want to get into Charlotte, Jade and Rhoda. Because Charlotte was the heart and core of this book. Finally. But not because Annette was actually paying her some mind, but because she had her own storyline, character development and brought her abuser to justice HERSELF!
So there is this lady in this book named Henrietta. She lives across the street and she has three daughters of her own that she rules with a iron fist. Well, of course Charlotte and her girls end up connecting and becoming friends, so in the beginning she would go over to their house a lot. And of course Annette NEVER has a problem with this or is suspicious of anything because Annette couldn't care less about where Charlotte is, so long as she gets to go fuck off somewhere with Rhoda , nobody else matters. Charlotte's always somewhere other than with her parents. Her girlfriend's house, her grand parents house....ANYWHERE but home! But after a while she begins to come home complaining and telling her mother how much she HATES going over to this Henrietta lady's house. In the beginning she never explicitly states WHY she doesn't like Henrietta or want to go over, just that she DOESN'T want to go over anymore and hates going over there and would rather not. So instead of just saying "Ok" and listening to Charlotte and just keeping her home, here go Annette's stupid, naïve backwoods, MAMMY ass "well if you can't tell me WHY you dont like her or dont like going over there, you're going to continue to go over there and do what i say. you only dont like her cause she's strict and you cant get away with nothing." THEN she confronts the lady about it and says "My daughter REALLY doesnt like you even though she likes EVRYONE ELSE EXCEPT you , and i just cant figure out why, would YOU have any idea why my daughter does like you??"
THAT is the circumstances and the statement that solidified my distain of Annette. Because with everything that she went through with Boatwright, you would think that she would be a little more aware of and sensitive to what her child was saying, but she was just dense and naïve as ever and i hated her her for it.
Annette was so far removed from the reality and seriousness of the situation that poor little Charlotte literally had to get justice on her own, for herself. Which was beautiful and i was really proud of her, for her growth, and character development, BUT WTF for them other people. EVERYONE else SUCKS! and everyone FAILED.
Including Rhoda. I wanted her to have a murderous come back, but that didnt happen. As a matter of fact NOTHING of any substance, that could have culminated into ANYTHING happened after book one. Not even Rhoda and Bully's affair mattered. Which is what pissed me off the MOST! After they had a secret kid and a DECADES long affair through out this series, Rhoda just BROKE UP WITH HIM. With no reason WHY or explanation. Just DONE. Things did KIND of came to boil with Bully when Jade was home, but nothing more became of that situation neither. Then her and Ottis just celebrated their 40 year anniversary, without him knowing that his entire life with his wife and best friend has been a lie and was happening right in front of him. That could have been the perfect climax...but Mary Monroe gave us NOTHING. WHY didnt she expand on that storyline?? There wasn't even a point to that storyline being in the books if it wasnt going to result in Ottis finding out. JADE DID! Jade knew they were sleeping together! So why couldn't she tell her father? She was a crappy enough person to, and not care about what it would do to her family. Literally nothing came of it. And that's what I wanted my twizzler to twist the most for. I was waiting specifically for that, and NOTHING. SO DISAPPOINTING!
And the last thing I want to talk about is Rhoda and Jade...chiiiile. PUT THE ENTIRE mother and daughter in the TRASH. Put the REALTIONSHIP in the TRASH. Cuz all it was, was a raggedy rubbish relationship. Jade had gotten so bad with her antics and foolishness that Rhoda thought it a good idea to set her child up for a crime that she didnt commit to go to jail for a undetermindedly LONG TIME. Just because she didnt like the lifestyle that Jade was living WAS TOO MUCH! IKYFL! Now, granted, Jade was trippin. But once Rhoda put her out of her house and told her to make it on her own, thats as far as that should have gone. But Rhoda couldnt deal with her daughter being a stripper at he local club, so on one of their trips back home from Jamaica to visit family Rhoda smuggled drugs into Jade bag so she could get caught up in a international drug smuggling situation, case. SERIOUS JAIL. cuz she dont like the way this girl living.
Now, all up until tis point Rhoda had been informing Annette of her plan to set Jade up. So after she does it and comes back to the states and is on the phone with Annette she said "i did it!" and annette was like "YOU DID WHAT?!! I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU COULD BE TALKING ABOUT? BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA!" That was the other situation and statement she made that rounded out my disgust of Annette. I hated her character.
BUT RHODA?? All i know is that Jade had best NOT NEVER find out that her mother set her up to go to jail for a crime she did not commit cause if she thought Jade was crazy and hated her BEFORE, shes really gonna have a problem on her hands NOW.
I know she would with me!
If I was Jade and I found out some shit like that...the way i would've "Keep It In The Family" that B*TCH. BEHIND COSED DOORS THAT HOE! IDDA HELD MY MOTHER PRISONER!! Jade got out of that situation on like a technicality, but For however long she was in jail for she should double it and chain that lady IN THE HOUSE, or for however long she see fit. I WOULD NEVER forgive someone (mother, daughter, sister, brother) for wrongfully setting me up to go to jail, on wierdo Scared Straight type shit. just cause Jade is her daughter and she didnt like that she was dancing and sellin a lil coochie on the side down at the local strip club.
Girl, if you dont go somewhere and find you some business, that not JADE'S LMAOOOOOOOO!!
But jade was a mess, and completely messed herself up and ruined life up at the end of it all. Ew
Oh GOD! Thank God I'm done with this series, and that it's over with. The series over all gets three stars!!! Because the stories were good, but they were the most insufferable group of characters EVER from book two on and because she didnt do better with the Rhoda and Bully affair's climax! It fell FLAT!!! and that PISSED me owff after 6 damn books.
June 7, 2012
God Don’t Make Mistakes is the final installment in the “God don’t” series by Mary Monroe. The series follows the lifes and adventures of two childhood friends: Annette and Rhoda. These ladies have survived it all from molestation to breast cancer, from prostitution to the death of a child. They make it through these challenges because of their unshakeable friendship. This bond is again tested as the ladies find themselves at odds about the best interest of their daughters.
Annette’s daughter Charlotte, once again finds herself involved with the wrong crowd. When she tries to tell her mother about what is going on, Charlotte mistakes her attitude for moodiness. Will Charlotte be able to get through to her mother before things take a dangerous turn? Then there’s Jade, Rhoda’s rebellious daughter. Jade does everything in her power to bring her mother pain and sorrow. Through it all, Rhoda still loves her. So, she hatches a plan to get her daughter on the right path once and for all. In addition to our two stars, Monroe brings back the rest of the quirky family members. These characters provide just enough comic relief to keep the storyline moving.
I have read every novel in the “God don’t” series and I must say that this novel is my least favorite. This is probably because I have grown tired of the group and am no longer interested in their life stories like I did in the past. However, I still found the story to be entertaining with quite a few LOL moments. I will truly miss these characters, especially Scary-Mary. I like the fact that Monroe gives true closure to the story and its characters. The reader definitely will not be wondering about what happens to the main characters later in life. For an author to truly end a series, this closure is necessary. So, while I bid farewell to Annette, Rhoda and the gang, I look forward to Monroe writing more books with characters that I will grow to love and be entertained with for many years (and series) to come.
Annette’s daughter Charlotte, once again finds herself involved with the wrong crowd. When she tries to tell her mother about what is going on, Charlotte mistakes her attitude for moodiness. Will Charlotte be able to get through to her mother before things take a dangerous turn? Then there’s Jade, Rhoda’s rebellious daughter. Jade does everything in her power to bring her mother pain and sorrow. Through it all, Rhoda still loves her. So, she hatches a plan to get her daughter on the right path once and for all. In addition to our two stars, Monroe brings back the rest of the quirky family members. These characters provide just enough comic relief to keep the storyline moving.
I have read every novel in the “God don’t” series and I must say that this novel is my least favorite. This is probably because I have grown tired of the group and am no longer interested in their life stories like I did in the past. However, I still found the story to be entertaining with quite a few LOL moments. I will truly miss these characters, especially Scary-Mary. I like the fact that Monroe gives true closure to the story and its characters. The reader definitely will not be wondering about what happens to the main characters later in life. For an author to truly end a series, this closure is necessary. So, while I bid farewell to Annette, Rhoda and the gang, I look forward to Monroe writing more books with characters that I will grow to love and be entertained with for many years (and series) to come.
January 23, 2013
Reviewed by: Amie Lou
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
When I cracked open this book, I expected an inspirational story of strife and longing, a change of heart. A book that when I put it down I would say to myself, ‘How incredible.’ And I would walk around for days thinking and mulling over the profound instances that happened between those pages. Instead, I got a story about people I couldn’t identify with and sparks of inspiration buried deep within the crazy lives of Annette and Rhoda.
I’ve known women like Rhoda and Annette. Women who fly off the handle and do things like have cat-fights with their daughters on the front porch in broad daylight. Have affairs behind their husbands’ backs–and with his best friend–and somehow convince themselves that it’s perfectly okay. Not necessarily women I would want to be friends with.
Annette is currently separated from her husband, but still seeing him on the side along with two other men. She has a daughter Charlotte (12) who has an intense but undisclosed problem with the new neighbor. Annette’s best friend, Rhoda has a tub full of troubles of her own with her grown daughter. But when Annette finds out that husband Pee Wee’s new girl is pregnant, a scramble for the truth begins. Is the baby Pee Wee’s or another man’s?
I considered Annette too caught up in her own life (and that of her best friend) to pay enough attention to her daughter. Only when Charlotte runs away does anyone listen to her complaints about the neighbor. Neglectful parenting sets my teeth on edge.
Though well-written, I had trouble relating to characters in God Don’t Make No Mistakes. Their actions, reasoning, and behaviors were not commendable. Maybe because I’ve had some experience with the CBA and expected a book pegged as inspirational to be… well, inspirational. To contain upstanding characters with flaws but not quite so rough around the edges.
That is not to say that this book would not have appeal to other readers. But unfortunately it was not my cup of tea.
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
When I cracked open this book, I expected an inspirational story of strife and longing, a change of heart. A book that when I put it down I would say to myself, ‘How incredible.’ And I would walk around for days thinking and mulling over the profound instances that happened between those pages. Instead, I got a story about people I couldn’t identify with and sparks of inspiration buried deep within the crazy lives of Annette and Rhoda.
I’ve known women like Rhoda and Annette. Women who fly off the handle and do things like have cat-fights with their daughters on the front porch in broad daylight. Have affairs behind their husbands’ backs–and with his best friend–and somehow convince themselves that it’s perfectly okay. Not necessarily women I would want to be friends with.
Annette is currently separated from her husband, but still seeing him on the side along with two other men. She has a daughter Charlotte (12) who has an intense but undisclosed problem with the new neighbor. Annette’s best friend, Rhoda has a tub full of troubles of her own with her grown daughter. But when Annette finds out that husband Pee Wee’s new girl is pregnant, a scramble for the truth begins. Is the baby Pee Wee’s or another man’s?
I considered Annette too caught up in her own life (and that of her best friend) to pay enough attention to her daughter. Only when Charlotte runs away does anyone listen to her complaints about the neighbor. Neglectful parenting sets my teeth on edge.
Though well-written, I had trouble relating to characters in God Don’t Make No Mistakes. Their actions, reasoning, and behaviors were not commendable. Maybe because I’ve had some experience with the CBA and expected a book pegged as inspirational to be… well, inspirational. To contain upstanding characters with flaws but not quite so rough around the edges.
That is not to say that this book would not have appeal to other readers. But unfortunately it was not my cup of tea.
August 2, 2013
(FROM JACKET)Theses days, Annette Goode Davis has a pretty full plate-literally and figuratively. Although she's trying to reconcile with her husband, Pee Wee, she's still seeing other men on the side. A woman's got to cover her bases, right? With her love life hopping, Annette should be as pleased as punch. Instead, the stress has her eating everything in sight and packing on the pounds along the way.
Meanwhile, Annette's best friend, Rhoda O'Toole, has her hands full-as usual-dealing with her wild child daughter. Jade has always been a cross to bear, but when her antics almost cost Rhoda her man, Rhoda throws Jade out on the street. But Jade soon finds a way to make Rhoda regret her choice....
Privately, Annette thanks her lucky stars that her daughter, Charlotte, has her head on straight. And she's doubly blessed to have a strait-laced neighbor look after Charlotte when she's caught up in Pee Wee and Rhoda's many problems. But when Annette's world is rocked by a terrible revelation, she'll discover that appearances can be very, very deceiving-and she'll have to summon every ounce of strength she has to protect the ones she loves.
Meanwhile, Annette's best friend, Rhoda O'Toole, has her hands full-as usual-dealing with her wild child daughter. Jade has always been a cross to bear, but when her antics almost cost Rhoda her man, Rhoda throws Jade out on the street. But Jade soon finds a way to make Rhoda regret her choice....
Privately, Annette thanks her lucky stars that her daughter, Charlotte, has her head on straight. And she's doubly blessed to have a strait-laced neighbor look after Charlotte when she's caught up in Pee Wee and Rhoda's many problems. But when Annette's world is rocked by a terrible revelation, she'll discover that appearances can be very, very deceiving-and she'll have to summon every ounce of strength she has to protect the ones she loves.
January 3, 2014
Okay, i did like the book enough to finish reading it, though toward the end i had to skip some parts because i feel like it dragged out longer than it needed to. I love Annette but at times I became irritated with her denseness as far as things that would happen throughout the story (don't wanna leak any spoilers...). What would she do w/o Rhoda, Lillimae and her Muh'dear there to have her back and give her tough love?? overall, it was a decent book, but in my opinion not the best book in her "God Don't Like" series. You will enjoy this book if you are a fan of Mary Monroe and her series, if not, you might be left kind of lost... lol
June 10, 2024
6 books and this one was becoming my fav one of the series until the last few chapters. 5 books straight we had to hear about Annette’s abuse. Annette was so in tune with the strange behavior of kids that she warned her neighbor about her own situation. But in this book she ignores all the signs and forces her daughter to be around someone she clearly doesn’t like anyway. There was no need for this 2nd generation sexual trauma story line.
One of the patterns I noticed was how the parents like to play the role of God in their kids lives.
Annette is a character I grew to despise by the time I finished the entire series.
One of the patterns I noticed was how the parents like to play the role of God in their kids lives.
Annette is a character I grew to despise by the time I finished the entire series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2012
I would have to agree with the other reviews I've read about this book. Although I love Mary Monroe's writing, I feel that since this was the last of the series it should have held a little more punch. What it tells me is Ms. Monroe was running out of ideas for these characters and pretty much wanted to get something written to close out the series. Although not one of my favoites by this author I still enjoyed it.
April 3, 2013
The final God series...what can I say? I'm glad that the series has come to an end - in that I have read all 6 books but to be honest I was quite disappointed in the storyline, which felt rushed and empty. There were times that I was rolling my eyes and thinking ''how stupid can you be Annette?'; this was because having travelled through the 'years' with Annette I just couldn't believe how stupid she was being - considering her past.
February 16, 2015
What a waste! Mary Monroe could have used this last back to redeem herself. Instead Annette is just as gullible in her forties as she was in her youth. Jade is more ratchet than the last book if that could be believe and Rhonda is still doing her. I thought the author was going to draw the main characters out and give them more depth. The only person I found myself cheering for was Pee Wee. He has been a stand up man since the series began.
February 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, even though I only read but one more in the series. The characters were authentic and transparent. This makes me want to go back and trace the personal lineage of each character and how they developed. Although I'm tracing backwards, I look forward to reading the other books in the series. Again, easy, yet emotionally authentic novel.
September 19, 2019
Ahhhhhhh!! Mary Monroe knows how to tug my heart strings!!! I’m so sad that this is the last book in the “God don’t like ugly” series! The characters are so relatable and you’re immediately sucked into the book from the beginning to the end!! I laughed out loud so much while reading this book and there were parts where I wanted to cry! Everyone should read this series by Mary Monroe
December 7, 2012
I did enjoy this book. I was disappointed in the characters as well as how it ended. It is sad to see that the series is over but maybe Monroe will start some new characters for another series. Great author.
August 4, 2019
Great series
I truly truly enjoyed this series. I can admit I am not a reader but once I was introduced to the first book “God don’t like ugly “ I was hooked. I found myself unable to but the book down so be able to sleep. I was always wondering what was going to happen next.
I truly truly enjoyed this series. I can admit I am not a reader but once I was introduced to the first book “God don’t like ugly “ I was hooked. I found myself unable to but the book down so be able to sleep. I was always wondering what was going to happen next.
Want to read
June 7, 2012Looking forward to finishing this series.
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