My Word

by Gizelle Bryant

After marrying her college sweetheart, Ginger Williams gave up her own professional dreams to help her husband follow his dream of building a megachurch. It’s not long before Ginger and her husband, Jeremy, turn a small D.C. church into a burgeoning empire….catapulting the couple into a popular powerhouse. But with a bigger spotlight comes more temptation…and the power is corrupting Jeremy in ways Ginger never imagined. When she seeks the advice of her peers on the First Ladies’ Council, she’s shocked when they tell her to accept Jeremy’s infidelities so she doesn’t damage the church and affect the many business opportunities coming their way. With every part of her life—family faith, and finances—hanging in the balance, Ginger must decide if she will continue to live in the shadow of the sins of her husband…or face life on the other side of the pulpit.

Genres: Audiobook, Book Club

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2019

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

reading all Real Housewives books reading vlog: https://youtu.be/yuhvTqFl_sI

this one was ok (and that's pretty high praise)

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this via audio. The narrator was decent, she did attempt male voices and accents, not the best but didn't turn me away lol. The story wasn't a shocker but I did enjoy the journey for the most part. I almost felt gaslit as a reader by a certain male character, don't know if that's a good or bad thing. If you enjoy reading messy church drama then you will likely enjoy this book. I did feel like it lacked a little something to really blow me away but it was a solid story.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the viral “We need a runner, not a Walker” message by Bryant’s ex that bumped this up on my TBR list. I had never heard of them prior to the speech. I wonder if an NDA was a part of the divorce. This was an awesome fictional book based on real-life events! A good read for sure!

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. The author did an excellent job with capturing you from the beginning until the end. I love how Ginger was a leader and not a follower in this book. She also displayed a lot of class when others found out about the infidelity of her husband. I think everyone would love to have a friend like Dru. If this author writes another book I would love to read it.

[Terri Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I enjoyed Gizelle’s debut novel about what happens behind the scenes in church settings. I hope she writes another one.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I enjoyed Ginger and Jeremy’s friendship and early journey into starting their ministry. I knew she would give up her dreams to help pursue his, that’s what we women tend to do, but I’m glad she didn’t lose her sense of self worth and found other opportunities of fulfillment. I just hate that money, prestige, and temptation outweighed love.

[Mitch Loflin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really was as good as I could have possibly hoped for Real Housewives-cast auto-fiction to be. I was invested!! It’s openly ghostwritten but Gizelle still CLEARLY comes through. Carole Radziwill could NEVER.

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down ! This is definitely church messiness at its finest. Ginger definitely was my favorite character she kept it poised and sophisticated even when she had every right to act out. You have to read this book! It’s so good

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[RAWFIZZLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5! I genuinely enjoyed this. It was funny, thought provoking, scandalous, and very entertaining. Ginger really held her own and I loved that!! You cannot preach about being respected by a man, especially in a marriage, and allow yourself to be disrespected by yours…I really liked Jeremy in the beginning. I was feeling the progression of their relationship. It felt organic and the pacing was actually realistic in my opinion. Overall, great read!

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story from beginning to end. It was hard to put down. I loved the main character Ginger. A true example of a strong loving no nonsense kind of woman. I enjoyed her story.

[Samantha Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want something juicy to read: this is the book! Church drama can be some of the best drama. Every church has their secrets. I enjoyed the “inside view” from the “First Lady”. And knowing that Giselle has actually been in those shoes makes it more authentic. I highly recommend reading this book. I look forward to more books from Giselle. Give me more Holy Ghost drama!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening

When I heard about this book I didn’t realize who the author was. Once I found out I knew I had to read it. A good friend of mine always talked about this dynamic young minister who was taking the Ministry by storm. This book is a depiction of his life and ministry. Very interesting read and I did enjoy it. Marriage is hard enough but fame makes it harder. Good read.



#cillasbookmaniacs

[Janette Ramos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Typos, Typos, Typos Everywhere! This by far was the worst reading experience I've ever had in my life! I'm no English major by any means, but this book is rich with commas! I went on Instagram to write to the author Gizelle Bryant to tell her about these many mistakes and was immediately blocked! If anyone with common sense picks up this book they will see all the errors! Which means that she knows about them and put this book out for a cash grab!

If you see this book anywhere near you Run! Know that this is not a good book and Gizelle Bryant is not a nice person.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good from beginning to end!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ginger and Jeremy's story. I was glued to this book from the time of purchase. This is not my usual genre of books. But this one had a feel of realism that I could appreciate. Bravo!!! Well done Gizelle!!!

[W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Reading

The drama that goes on in the building of a church is totally unnecessary. Behind the scenes, church folk like everyone else. The minute the focus shifts from Godly principles anything is subject to happen AND usually does.

[Shanae Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Word

I must admit that I am a fan of the Potomac Housewives and that was how I discovered the book. I liked that it felt like Gizelle was some what sharing her own personal story, I also enjoyed that she wasn’t afraid to address some of the back stabbing that does take place in religious institutions. ***Spoiler***I also can appreciate her main correct chose to go in a different direction regardless of the peer pressure that she was facing from her mentor and inner circle of sisters. I do think that the vocabulary was pretty basic and was surprised that there were some major errors with spelling in the book. I am assuming that because it was a Kindle version these errors were left as they were. Would I read this book again, unfortunately not. I do think there is a specific audience for this book and if Gizelle writes a sequel I think the potential storyline of what happens in the aftermath of the healing could be better than how they got there and if they end up back together or not.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Housewives of Potamic and former Jamal Bryant wife wrote this book. I picked it up after she was on Wendy. The beginning was slow. Too many flashbacks. And then the flashbacks were italicized which took me out of the moment and slowed down the pace. The book finally started in the second half of the book. At that point, the pace picked up quickly, too quickly, but I was going with it. I ending felt rushed. I thought what happened deserved to be spread out more with a few more incidents or scenes. I felt like the character made a rush decision based on emotion. If I had more story, I would have been 100% on board supporting the character. The book also felt written by two different people. To save this book, she should quickly do a followup, where they MAY get back together, more drama and her transition out of church life. I would recommend it, if you are curious about Gizelle or like the Housewives tv series.

[Lolita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read. Very exciting and captivating, I did not want to put it down! I love the way the Author describes Ginger and Jeremy's love, a friendship that turned into marriage. The way Ginger kept her composure during a very rough and trying time, dealing with the First Lady Counsel to finding out how much Jeremy betrayed their marriage vows. I look forward to a follow-up book revealing what happens to the Robinson family and write about the possibility of Ginger and Jeremy reuniting. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially if you have seen Gizelle Bryant on the reality show, The Real Housewives of Potomac.

[Canita Bunton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Knowing the author and a small bit of her personal life, I thought I knew how the story would unfold. I was pleasantly surprised with how the story unfolded and hearing about Ginger’s other relationships with friends and colleagues. As I read and monitored my progress it just seemed there was not enough book left. For example, when I was 80% done I couldn’t help but think, how are we going to hear the rest of Ginger’s journey with only 20% of the book left? Well, I enjoyed the ending and it definitely left room for a sequel. I think I would like to read about Ginger’s journey as a single mom in a new city.

[Sarie Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.7 stars. There were moments where the story was good. It took a while, however, to get to the main plot. I was halfway through the book before the scandal, which is the premise of the book, came into focus. The epilogue was also a bit much. The book would have been fine without it. The romance between the main characters was questionable as well. On paper, they allegedly fell in love with each other. From a reader’s perspective, though, the relationship never leaves the partnership neighborhood. This is a great book for those who want to read about what goes on in the lives of church folks when the lights go out.

[Anissa Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Church ain't the same!!!

Loved it! It was a good quick read. I didn't like not learning what happened to the original First Family; Mrs. Bryant should have tied up that loose end, unless she's setting the stage for another book, and continuing their story. Then, I could understand leaving the Robinsons' story as a cliffhanger, so we will want to know what happened to them. I am looking forward to Mrs. Bryant's sophomore effort being developed more, characters fleshed out more and longer! Overall, I would recommend her book.

[Nina Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money is the root of all evil

This book was a page turner and the storyline was excellent the author created a story to let the reader see the side of the first lady and the things they go thru. My heart and soul went out to Ginger cause in the beginning she didn't want to be a first lady cause of all the things she witness her mom go thru with her dad. The power and money changed Jeremy he was blinded by the limelight. I recommend this book and give it a thumbs up.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

I purchased this book thinking it would not be good. It was the complete opposite. The book kept me wanting to read. I'm glad the high road was taken because the end result could have been a mess. Kudos to Gizelle for telling her story with some fiction. FYI... I like the book over the that Housewives show!!

[LaChelle Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look here...Ginger was NOT about that scandalous life. I love how she stood strong in her beliefs and didn’t compromise who she was for the sake of having a prestigious title or money. Her kids and self-worth were more important to her than any of it and I loved it. I thought the narrator did a good job of bringing the story to life. Great debut novel.

[Rhonda Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

Loved the flow of this story. Read it in one day! Enjoyed the present day African-American Baptist religion lingo. I'm a Southern Baptist, Caucasian, and we don't have First Ladies of the Church. I believe we lost out on that deal!! I need to bring that up in our next business meeting. LOL~
Well written page turner. Great job Lady Gizelle!

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was slow but interesting. I read it because of the "Real Housewife" author. I don't know how much was autobiographical but it a very sad commentary of the African American church community ( maybe all church communities) and it's views about sins, cover-ups and money.
https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/16...

[Yolanda Knight- Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a excellent book, now I love me some Gizelle Bryant. So when I heard that she wrote a book I was so interested in reading it. This book didn’t disappoint I couldn’t put the book down, I enjoyed the love that Jeremy and Ginger had, she was the backbone to his success and he had the nerve to throw that away for a roll in the hay. (SMH). Something’s you just have to walk away from.

[Allison Norberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daaaang I know this is loosely based off Gizelle’s life, and I’m hoping the behavior of the First Ladies (and frankly every woman in this book except Ginger) is dramatized. The fact that the women in this book defended men in some way or another was appalling. Ladies, let’s not take relationship advice from any of the women in this book. I did enjoy this book though, especially all the drama

[Burgundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My My My

I looked forward to this book for weeks. It was a great read. This book definetly showed what goes on behind closed doors in churches. My one take away from this book is not everyone is cut out for this life especially me.