More to Life

My Brother's Keeper #2

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

In this stunning sequel to her acclaimed debut My Brother’s Keeper, #1 national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley brings her real-deal insight to a heartfelt new novel about a wife and mother on a daring rescue mission—to save herself. Freshly forty-five, Aja James knows that her life is good, complete with a loving, wealthy husband, well-adjusted children, and a beautiful home. Yet the truth is, she feels painfully unfulfilled, stuck in the present, haunted by a painful past. When a friend suggests a girls’ trip to a tropical paradise, Aja hopes a change of scene will also change her perspective. On vacation, filled with fun and freedom, Aja is relieved to find her spirits lifting. But her good time also shines a light on what’s troubling from her siblings to her husband and kids, she’s spent nearly her whole life taking care of everyone—except herself. She’s lost her spark. She’s lost her identity.  Desperate to turn things around, Aja makes an impulsive decision—one that outrages her family and stuns her friends. But it may also be her wisest choice. Because it’s only through learning what she could lose—and what’s truly worth keeping—that Aja can transform this temporary fix into real, lasting happiness.

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction, African American, Christian Fiction, Chick Lit

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2019

About the author

ReShonda 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.

Reviews

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Other people won't understand or won't care to understand why you're making a new bed. They'll wonder what was wrong with your old bed. But they're not the ones who have to sleep in it."

Aja found herself in a position that many of us have - deciding we need to put ourselves first even when others do not understand. Aja's journey is one that leaves many confused especially her best friends. Billingsley expertly crafts a story that anyone that has felt as if they were "suffocating" because they were living a life their friends, family, or society tells them that they should be leading can relate to.

"You are not selfish for ending a marriage. You are selfish for holding on to it for the wrong reasons. This is what you must understand...a relationship isn't good because it lasts a lifetime. A relationship is good if it gives you the wisdom of a lifetime."

Baby, is that NOT a whole word? ReShonda could have just said "Welcome to my TED Talk" after that passage and dropped the mic. More to Life is simply more than a book. Yes, it is a work of fiction but if you are a woman that has ever put your life on hold because you were conditioned to think that others should come before you then Aja's story will resonate with your spirit. It will leave you with the question, "Am I really living MY best life?"

I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by Ms. Billingsley, but More to Life is my favorite. Oh, and don't even get me started on the note from ReShonda at the end. That alone is reason to read this book!

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about pursuing your dreams, finding your joy even if it means starting over. The beginning of the book was slow moving but I stayed with it and I really enjoyed it. I did not read her first book in this series “My Brother’s Keeper” so maybe I should’ve read that first but it was fine as a stand alone book.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

More to life

This book came at good time in my life, especially when you trying to make a decision about your passion. Sometimes we allow others to choose our path. When we chose our passion we are more happier than ever in our lives. Great book!!!!!

[Rena Terrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me sad.

You chose to love a person. A man doesn’t define you not does your passion. They didn’t do any counseling it was just 20 years of surviving. She should have gotten counseling after the tragedy in her family happened.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

More to Life by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (2019)
My Brother's Keeper #2
261-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-250

Genre: African-American Fiction, Women's Fiction

Featuring: Inaccurate Timeline, Weaponized Incompetence, College-Age Children, Self-Realization, Girl's Trip, Putting Yourself First Trope, Houston, Texas; Dominican Republic, Art, Flashbacks, Traumatic Scenes From Book 1, Houston, Texas; Mental Health Care, Atlanta, Georgia; Siblings, Trauma, Self-Actualization, Perseverance, Divorce, Second Chance Trope - Dreams; A Note from the Author, A Reading Group Guide - Discussion Questions; Cover, Blurb, and Link for Eye Candy Rumor Central by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Rating as a movie: R for adult content

Songs for the soundtrack: "Valió la Pena (Sala Version)" by Marc Anthony, "Push It" by Salt-N-Pepa, "Unashamed" by Whitney Houston, "It's My House" by Diana Ross, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" by Whitney Houston, "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, "Dancing With A Stranger" by Sam Smith and Normani, "More To Life" by Stacie Orrico, "Me" by Tamia, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Al Green, "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" by Barbra Streisand, "Smile (Living My Best Life)" by Lil Duval, "Your Love" by Nicki Minaj

Books and Authors mentioned: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman, How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Full Metal Jacket by Gustav Hasford, Michael Herr, and Stanley Kubrick [based on] The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford; Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan

My rating: ⭐️⭐️½🇨🇱🇩🇴🎨💔

My thoughts: 🔖Page 34 of 261 Chapter 4 - In Book 1 Aja is 28, turns 29, and 2 years later, she gets married and pregnant within the first month. So she's 31 at the end of the story, but this story has her with a 20-year-old, married 20 years (no pregnancy time), and she's about to turn 45. 31+20 is 51, 52 if she isn't a Sim and takes 9 months to cook her baby. In Book 1, she has a degree in marketing but chose to cross into social work because she was passionate about helping others. In this one, she went for the social worker field in college for stability, and it's not her passion. I just hate it when they change the facts.
🔖74 Chapter 8 - I did not need a replay of the prologue from book one. Since they are rewriting history anyway I am going to take a break from this story for a minute.
🔖114 Chapter 13 - This book is like Getting to Happy meets How Stella Got Her Groove Back with the foundation of My Brother's Keeper. I'm not a fan. I don't like the plot at all.
🔖152 Chapter 18 - Aja is on my nerves, and she is too old to be making poor choices on top of bad ones at her job.
🔖171 Chapter 21 - My nerves are shot, I just fear she's going to kill someone, and I don't even like these people.

This story is like putting My Brother's Keeper, Getting to Happy, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back into a blender, pouring it out, and seeing what parts make it into the cup. I wasn't crazy about any of those stories and I dislike sequels that take away everyone's happy ending. In the author's note, you'll find that she wrote this book as therapy for the turmoil she was going through in real life. I have a history of not liking such stories written during grief, I don't know if it's because I lean towards sunshine or if it's because I am unable to relate to some of the decisions or situations but I just don't like unhappy stories. So I was not a fan of this one.

Recommend to others: No, but don't let that stop you, you may love it.

My Brother's Keeper
1. My Brother's Keeper (2001)
2. More to Life (2019)

Memorable Quotes: “You are not obligated to stay in a relationship that has outlived its purpose.”

“So, let me get this straight. You’re going to leave your secure job with direct deposit, your wonderful husband, your awesome life to go sit somewhere and paint?” “Yep.” “That’s the dumbest shit I ever heard.” Nichelle sipped her drink. “I don’t expect you all to understand,” I said, getting exasperated with my friends.

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that this book was a follow-up to a previous story, so I went to read it first and I am glad I did, because it helped me to grasp fully what was going on with Aja. I must say that the story was kinda deep. I saw as I was reading this book that the author gives you details from the previous story to help you understand Aja. I don’t think I was really expecting it to go in the direction that it did. But it was written well and you could definitely feel the emotions that Aja was experiencing. I must say that a little bit this book left me speechless.

[ShayBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hollering at the characters and wanting to say a few choice words especially to that spoiled daughter of hers and that mother needed the lay hands ministry on her several times. This was a good follow up to My Brother’s Keeper, I really wanted her family to see and understand where she was coming from without it having to end the way it did, but she allowed that mess. I was a lil shocked that one part did not go in a whole different direction. This was a great read.

[Angela M. Artis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline drew me in, but it's so sad. Aja felt empty even though she had a handsome partner, the house of her dreams, smart children, great job, and 3 best friends. She made a decision to benefit her because after 20 years of marriage, she realized there wasn't sufficient support from her mate pertaining to her dream.

[Orsayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent...

More to Life is one of those books that will be have you reflecting on a lot of things in your life.

Review coming soon!

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with realistic in-depth character developments and compassion storyline. This author has numerous unique ways that she uses her Christian faith to capatives and inspires her readers' attention from beginning to ending of her books.

Aja Clayton was an admirable woman, who never gave up on her dreams. Although she felt painfully guilty for hurting her unbelievable helpful, thoughtful and caring husband, Charles, for constantly trying to take care of her and loving her, unconditionally.

As always, I highly recommend this fascinating and inspirational book and I'm excitedly looking forward to reading more of Ms. Billingsley's novels, in the near future.

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The author did a very excellent job focusing on women and how we are always putting others needs before our own. Sometimes as women we forget about ourselves. I can see myself in this story. I don't know if I would have gone as far as Aja did. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started off good from the beginning to the end. . The author did a very excellent job focusing on women and how we are always putting others needs before our own. I think every women that reads this book will see themselves in it.

[D.S. Dwight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not like it

Ok. The writing is fine. I just do not like the main character. She is whiny, disconnected, and has no grit. Thankfully I have never met anyone like her.

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTB you did it again. I couldn’t stop thinking about this work. I truly connected with the major character. A quote continued to resonate with me as I absorbed this work: Life is for the living and not just existing! There are moments when RTB caused me to reflect on my life and whether I was sleepwalking through it.

Things do not bring happiness . Having the largest and most exquisite house….doesn’t make it a home. Having the latest and greatest, including brand names, doesn’t give significance to anyone who feels a void. Work doesn’t define us. Been there and had to learn that. Still learning.

Finding oneself means leaving some things and some people behind. Aja came to realize that the longest mile did indeed begin with that first step. When we call things out….then we have to address them. The last home visit, the possibility of being harmed by an inebriated parent, the harm inflicted on a youngster….gave her the courage to say out loud what she had been feeling, “no more….there has to be more to life!”

While I hurt for Charles and the family I ached more for Aja. Her road to self discovery had me reflecting on a number of things:
1. Sometimes God gives us gifts and we just sit on them,
2. Our desire to live must be greater than our resistance to become what he has purposed us to be,
3. A detour is not a derailment,
4. Just because you are traveling on a path “now” doesn’t mean that you have to continue on that path….you can turn around, exit, etc., and above all
5. Love the peace that comes with quietness.

This book was everything. People with true discernment can see “us.” We can only cover so much with camouflage. Aja’s friend reminded her “that she created the monsters” that continued to rob her. She frequently shared with her that being at everyone’s call had clipped their wings. The lady in the DR reminded her that she wasn’t walking in her passion. She also shared with Aja, after much banter, that “Aja wasn’t selfish for considering ending her marriage. She shared that she was selfish attempting to hold on to it for the wrong reasons.”

I believe RTB was showing us that if we don’t address the elephant in the room it will be our own undoing. Addressing situations head on helps us to put things in their proper place. When we don’t deal with things properly the outcomes can be catastrophic. Like Aja we must all remember that if we fail to pour into ourselves or allow others to take us for granted, we will always have an emptiness.

[Cassandra Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful storyline about a married couple of over 20 years Aja and Charles, their college age children Eric and Anika, along with Charles mother Judy who lives with them.
Charles is the ideal husband, he works a good paying job, buy and do everything his family wants. Aja his wife is a social worker but always wanted to be a full time artist because painting is her life’s passion. Aja has decided that she wants to pursue her passion for painting full time, instead of continuously doing everything for her family meeting their needs and wants all the time.
After Aja goes for a girls birthday trip in the Dominican Republic which Charles paid for the trip with her 3 other girlfriends. She comes back and tell Charles she wants a divorce.
The drama begins. I don’t want to give any spoilers. This book was an emotional roller coaster. I was drawn in from the very beginning until the end of the book.
What Aja did was a bold move and I don’t know if I would have had the courage to tell m husband I want out of the marriage, especially the way Charles loved Aja.
I highly recommend this book to read. It is a page turner.
I received ARC from Netgalley and my review is my honest opinion of this book

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was right on time for me.....
I was immediately drawn into Aja's quest on doing more for herself. I related to her on every level of her problems. I understood Aja completely and saw some of myself in her. All of her life, Aja has continued to put everyone else's needs or desires before hers until she reaches a point where she has to change her life. I admired her in her steadfast mission in making her dreams come true but when her life flips upside down, I am afraid that her new found path will have to abandon and leave her to return to the life she was used to. My heart actually broke when I realized that she was back to square one. I do hate that once she was back on her feet she returned back to her original plan (seemed as though she used Charles during recovery but he wouldn't have it any other way) and ended up accomplishing her goal. This book was amazing and I feel as though every woman should read this book somewhere throughout their lives. This story definitely helps you to redirect your attention back to yourself and your goals.

[LaChelle Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of book that will make you re-examine everything about your own life because the character’s life is just that relatable. I didn’t always agree with Aja’s decisions but I could definitely understand them. We can get so caught up in the redundant parts of our life that we lose our authentic selves in the process. Aja had some complicated decisions to make in her life to get to her true purpose. What a phenomenal story on the journey to self discovery and living your best life. Absolutely loved it! In my opinion, it’s ReShonda’s best one yet.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my soul! This author is THAT good! I could relate to the main character, Aja in so many ways. I loved everything about this book! Keep up the good work, Reshonda! :)

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aja Graves has turned 45 and celebrates with her best friends in the Domenican Republic. Aja realizes that she isn't satisfied though it may appear that she has everything she could ever want or need. Aja begins a journey of discovery that takes her on a path where she will learn the second greatest love of all - the first being God of course - and that is loving herself. I didn't always understand some of her actions but Aja had some funny, amazing, supportive friends who stood by her side and loved her regardless.
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that seems to be speaking to your soul?

I did recently and let me tell you after reading this book, I believed it’s tagline.

Make your own second chance.

I haven’t read a book by ReShonda Tate Billingsley since My Brother’s Keeper, but I’m glad I read its sequel, More to Life. The book starts off with Aja James preparing to attend an Oprah Winfrey workshop. She must be there on time, or she won’t be able to get in. It seems her wanting to attend the event wasn’t a concern for her family members because they all needed her for something, which made her miss the event. This was a turning point for Aja especially when she went on her forty-fifth birthday trip with her girlfriends. It is like a lightbulb went off and she makes a decision that changes everything for her.

First let me tell you at this point in the book, I am team Aja because I could relate to how she felt. I’ve been in her shoes and I was right there in the moment with her. Second this book opened my eyes to inconsiderate, selfish and controlling people that are so blind and couldn’t see the hurt Aja was going through. And third her actions to obtain freedom and happiness, I did question how she went about it, but could truly understand why she did it.

The twists in the story threw me for a loop. It was necessary and the only one who took something from it was Aja. Her husband, Charles and his mother, Judy made me want to smack them at times and their children needed to grow up.

Overall, by the time I got to the end of this book, I realized a family can appear perfect, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors. The things Aja was going through I felt I was looking in the mirror and needing to make a change. Read more to life and you’ll soon understand living for your true self may prove to be the better choice.

*This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes only.

A&RBC Rating: 5 Stars=Non-Stop Page Turner

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, won’t look for her other books

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far too often women put themselves on the back burner for family and career. Following one's passion becomes the delayed or never achieved dream. But, as Roxie said in the book - you create those monsters. Aja really created the unfulfilling life she had simply because she had never dealt properly with the past of her own family. The family violence, the suicide of her brother, her sister becoming reclusive - she bottled that up and thought that if she created the life it would be fulfilling - but it was not.

As women we all go through this - whether your single or married - you have those moments in your life when you feel as if you are not on the right path - you have chosen to stay on that path because it was easy and familiar. Before you know it, 20 years have passed and you find yourself unhappy and unfulfilled.

I don't think that getting a divorce was the answer for Aja - so I didn't like the ending of the book - as it came quickly and, to me, there were still questions to be answered.

[TR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Words: (1) selfish (2) inconsiderate...
But seriously, I have been feeling like Aja for almost a year now.

[latisha eder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't Love It!

This story seemed to be pieced together rather abruptly. It was never really clear why Aja wanted a divorce. It never made sense. Aja was very unlikable and selfish. The issues between her and her husband were minor. I could only conclude that she wasn't in love with him from the very beginning, and that she is a very indecisive woman. A lot of characters were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story. (The mother, the guy in the D.R. , even the accident had no real value, just seemed to be thrown in.) Not a good read.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit that this book really just did not click with me. I was so irritated while the girls were still on their birthday celebration with Aja. I wonder if I would feel differently if I had read the first book, My Brother's Keeper, before I read this one.

This book did not appeal to me and I doubt I will read any more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Falak Pasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the book cover caught my attention. I finished the book in 2 days , easy read but the story needed so much more depth. I understand where Aja was coming from , but I felt the end was rushed and her decision one sided. The writing was okay, the story line had potential but it ended up being too simplistic.

[SheLovesGoodBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a definite page turner. I could not put it down. The laundry was forgotten about and possibly the husband too 🤣. I would read this one again, as it opened my eyes to see how things are different between husband and wife.

[Nour · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the start of the book, I knew I didn’t like Aja. As I read on, I thought she would come back to her senses and appreciate what she has in life. Unfortunately, she felt to me like she was insensitive, unappreciative, stubborn, and rude at times. This book is very disappointing. I kept reading in hopes of a good ending, but I was disappointed. She still went on to divorce her perfect, loving, and caring husband and for a reason that doesn’t make sense at all-to open up an art gallery and follow her art dreams. Tossing 20 years of marriage away just like that didn’t make any sense to me. Why couldn’t you have a normal conversation with your husband about the things you wanted to do or how you were feeling? Why was it a decision of either staying in your marriage or opening up an art gallery? Why would you go to the extreme such as divorce? Her husband loved her and wanted her to be happy, it sure seemed like he would be understanding of something like opening up your own business, especially because he supported her with everything he had, he nursed her back to health, had been hurt by her before, and still loved and stayed with her (and even spoiled her). It seems like he loved her so much and would do anything for her.

I hated how she was still so very rude even as her husband helped her gain back her health again and supported her. I felt she forgot that even though she took care of her family for as long as she did, her husband and her family still appreciated and loved her. But she wanted to toss all that away in a blink of an eye.

This book was just disappointing. Tossing away your 20 years of marriage wasn’t really a story I enjoyed reading about.

[Oak City Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a break from my thrillers and picked up More to Life by Reshonda Tate Billingsley. I was really surprised by how engaging it was. The story (no spoilers, here) was about a woman feeling what I like to call a stirring. After 20 years of the perfect marriage to the perfect husband with grown, perfect kids, she just felt like she was missing something. She realized that she had spent the last 20 years pouring her heart, soul, time, and energy in to creating all of the perfectness that she didn't really know who she was anymore. She didn't have time for the things that made her feel alive because she had pushed them away for so many years.

This book is a really good one for a book club. I think that it's a great conversation starter because I think there will be readers who feel so validated when reading More to Life. And, there will be readers who disagree with the path Aja takes to find her own happiness. Regardless, I think most readers will agree that they can identify, relate, and find strength in Aja's story.

More to Life got 4 stars from me. It was a quick read with a "just like us," main character and a different plot than I think most people are used to reading.

I also really appreciated the afterward written by the author. I think this book really meant a lot to her to write. And, I'm not sure she realizes how many ripples in many lives it will inspire and fill with hope. Maybe that's why I loved it so much. The main character was believable, honest, and a friend we all need.

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book caught my attention as soon as I saw it! The pink and green, it looks like someone is heading out on vacation…which we all love! Then, I started to read and the first chapter pulled me in!

Aja, Mom and Wife, loves her family, she likes her job and loves spending time with her friends. But, today she wakes up very excited because today is the day she has waited for! She has plans that she has looked forward to forever. It will be the perfect day…until things don’t go as planned. Aja’s kids need her, her husband needs her, there’s no gas in her car and she is on a timeframe to get to her event on time…this is a once on a lifetime chance!

On vacation with her friends, Aja just isn’t feeling the vacation vibe. She just can’t get past feeling down. What is she doing wrong in her life that she feels this way? She has everything anyone could want-a handsome husband that loves her, great kids, a job, a beautiful home filled with beautiful things. What is her problem? Her friends can’t seem to pull her out of her funk, until Aja meets someone special who seems to know her and what she is feeling. Maybe this vacation will help her get beyond her past hurts and the rut she feels she’s in now after all! Always responsible, Aja stuns everyone by making an impulsive decision that will affect everyone she loves to help herself.

A good book! Good messages to remember! Well written, I could see the characters in my mind as I read. I’ll look for more from this Author!