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When Love Calls, You Better Answer
The author of the hit Redemption Song returns with a sparkling new novel about looking for love in all the wrong places—and with all the wrong people.
Full of spirit and wisdom, the novels of Bertice Berry bring to life a rich tapestry of human experience. Now she turns her eye to matters of the heart, with an endearing main character who can’t seem to keep bad men out of her life.
Bernita Brown is a quick-thinking, tireless social worker who is good at practically everything—except love. Her first marriage ends in divorce, a painful experience Bernita refuses to think about. Instead, she dives into a series of sad relationships and overwhelming commitments to community and church. But not even church can keep her from being courted by dogs; Bernita’s married pastor begins making passes at her, then blames her for his backsliding. Along the way, the ghost of Bernita’s aunt Babe weighs in with plenty of advice (after all, Aunt Babe says, “You don’t need to be alive to tell folks how to live”). When a marvelous man finally enters Bernita’s life, only time can tell whether she will be able to trust him.
Written with Berry’s signature warmth and reliance on African-American ancestors who deliver homespun healing, When Love Calls, You Better Answer addresses a host of powerful topics, from abusive relationships to corrupt church leaders. Ultimately, Bernita’s story will inspire readers to find the love they need, especially the love that can only come from within.
Full of spirit and wisdom, the novels of Bertice Berry bring to life a rich tapestry of human experience. Now she turns her eye to matters of the heart, with an endearing main character who can’t seem to keep bad men out of her life.
Bernita Brown is a quick-thinking, tireless social worker who is good at practically everything—except love. Her first marriage ends in divorce, a painful experience Bernita refuses to think about. Instead, she dives into a series of sad relationships and overwhelming commitments to community and church. But not even church can keep her from being courted by dogs; Bernita’s married pastor begins making passes at her, then blames her for his backsliding. Along the way, the ghost of Bernita’s aunt Babe weighs in with plenty of advice (after all, Aunt Babe says, “You don’t need to be alive to tell folks how to live”). When a marvelous man finally enters Bernita’s life, only time can tell whether she will be able to trust him.
Written with Berry’s signature warmth and reliance on African-American ancestors who deliver homespun healing, When Love Calls, You Better Answer addresses a host of powerful topics, from abusive relationships to corrupt church leaders. Ultimately, Bernita’s story will inspire readers to find the love they need, especially the love that can only come from within.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
12 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 22, 2009
This was an enjoyable book. The characters were all funny and familiar and some of them endearing.
Basically, it is the sad and humorous account of one woman's experience with a series of bad relationships. Bernita Brown, a Social Worker, tries some of everything-- a pretty boy, a White guy who insists he was African in a previous life, a hard looking brother with a speech impediment, some New Age stuff and "the church" before she finds the love that's been missing in her life.
Bernita's abusive upbringing is highlighted as a way of showing why she made some of the choices she did, while her Aunt Babe's ghost narrates the story and trys to steer her in the right direction.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book an additional star was the tidy ending, which arrived much too soon for my liking. After all of those bad relationships, I was hoping for a bit more build up and a bigger or more satisfying payoff in the end.
Basically, it is the sad and humorous account of one woman's experience with a series of bad relationships. Bernita Brown, a Social Worker, tries some of everything-- a pretty boy, a White guy who insists he was African in a previous life, a hard looking brother with a speech impediment, some New Age stuff and "the church" before she finds the love that's been missing in her life.
Bernita's abusive upbringing is highlighted as a way of showing why she made some of the choices she did, while her Aunt Babe's ghost narrates the story and trys to steer her in the right direction.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book an additional star was the tidy ending, which arrived much too soon for my liking. After all of those bad relationships, I was hoping for a bit more build up and a bigger or more satisfying payoff in the end.
October 7, 2012
Read it - you may not want to see yourself in the words, but you'll be there all the same! This is a book that should be shared because there are too many Bernitas and Douglases and MaBishas and Busters and Babes and Vans and Re Members and Tricias walking around being clueless and unloved.
March 15, 2020
This is a GoodRead! It took a dip into boredom but it really is a good story.
July 12, 2020
I love the voice of the storyteller. She was do entertaining.
October 23, 2024
I couldn't put this book down!
I bought this book a few years back and decided to read a part of it last night. I woke up this morning and finished the rest. I literally couldn't stop thinking about this book or stop reading it. This book is not only that good, but it really made me reflect on my life and a lot of choices I made. It also made me question do I truly forgive those that have hurt me. Although this is a novel, this book hit close to home for me in a lot of ways. It showed me that there's more work to be done on my end, and to open my heart to love, again. It was meant for me to finally read this book.
I bought this book a few years back and decided to read a part of it last night. I woke up this morning and finished the rest. I literally couldn't stop thinking about this book or stop reading it. This book is not only that good, but it really made me reflect on my life and a lot of choices I made. It also made me question do I truly forgive those that have hurt me. Although this is a novel, this book hit close to home for me in a lot of ways. It showed me that there's more work to be done on my end, and to open my heart to love, again. It was meant for me to finally read this book.
January 8, 2018
told from the perspective of an ancestor. genius. thank you.
August 11, 2018
Transparent, raw, and emotional.
December 13, 2020
Fanciful, humorous romantic comedy book narrated by the ghost of the aunt of the protagonist. Laugh out loud funny.
December 18, 2021
Loved it!
November 11, 2024
This was good. Not exactly hoodoo but it makes you think about how life works for your good. How the intricacies of family ties can mold you even when you don’t know it’s happening.
August 28, 2019
What A Joy
From the moment that I started this book I felt invited into a story of wonder and mystery. This was story was a joy to read.
From the moment that I started this book I felt invited into a story of wonder and mystery. This was story was a joy to read.
June 20, 2011
The author of this book, Bertice Berry, is a new one for me. I stumbled upon this book, because I just happened to grab it off the shelf in the library.
As any book, there were pros and cons to the story. I liked the humor that the author used, as well as the many powerful quotes that were used to enhance the story. In addition, the author played up the spiritual aspect of the story, because it plays such a huge role in the African American community. Though the story often took the spiritual route, it was able to recognize that we are still human. The connection between Aunt Babe and Bernita reminded of my mother, and I appreciated the comfort that their relationship provided.
The book was phenomenal until about the last 30 pages when it got a bit hokey. The reason why the book didn't get a full five stars is because there were far too many characters to keep up with them all, and they weren't dismissed when she was done using them. The author continuously mentioned them throughout the story and to be honest, I was left wondering who the hell she was talking about at certain parts. In addition, the ending was quite rushed and the "surprises" that were planted in the ending made the story somewhat unrealistic and cheesy. Not everyone has to be related through some skeletons in the closet.
Overall, I like this author and would read her work again. I have another of her books, "Redemption Song", and I'm anxious to see if that story line mirrors the one I just read. :)
As any book, there were pros and cons to the story. I liked the humor that the author used, as well as the many powerful quotes that were used to enhance the story. In addition, the author played up the spiritual aspect of the story, because it plays such a huge role in the African American community. Though the story often took the spiritual route, it was able to recognize that we are still human. The connection between Aunt Babe and Bernita reminded of my mother, and I appreciated the comfort that their relationship provided.
The book was phenomenal until about the last 30 pages when it got a bit hokey. The reason why the book didn't get a full five stars is because there were far too many characters to keep up with them all, and they weren't dismissed when she was done using them. The author continuously mentioned them throughout the story and to be honest, I was left wondering who the hell she was talking about at certain parts. In addition, the ending was quite rushed and the "surprises" that were planted in the ending made the story somewhat unrealistic and cheesy. Not everyone has to be related through some skeletons in the closet.
Overall, I like this author and would read her work again. I have another of her books, "Redemption Song", and I'm anxious to see if that story line mirrors the one I just read. :)
October 4, 2007
The basic plot of this book is simple: girl meets boy, boy sucks; girl meets another boy, this boy sucks, too; girl goes to church, the church sucks. I think you see the pattern. At the end of the day, the book answers the age-old question, why do smart people make bad choices? The answer will surprise you and will stay with you long after you've finished the book. This is really one of the best books I've read in a long while.
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March 25, 2009After reading this book i realized how much i enjoyed it mainly because it not only gives the point of view of the what majority see's but, what many people might miss when analyzing certain topics. This book had many high points of interest and kept me hooked throughtout the whole novel.
FEB 24,2009
FEB 24,2009
May 19, 2008
For those that know me, you will understand that this is not generally my kind of book. Bertice Berry was a keynote speaker at a conference I was at and I found her to be really funny and uplifting so I decided to try this book. A little cheesey at times but a quick read and a good message.
August 29, 2011
Short book, easy read. The story of Benita's search for love and self acceptance is told by Aunt Babe, from the "spirit world". Rich in folksy wisdom and humour, it nevertheless packs a punch. While I wasn't fond of the ending (a little to hokey for me), I will look for other books by this author.
June 16, 2013
I simply grabbed his book off the shelf in my local library, I had no idea that I would gain so much insightful yet relevant information about founding and loving yourself. It was an easy read and beautiful.
June 29, 2013
This book was great, although it started out slow. I loved it. There were many important lessons and I learned them all. It taught me a lot and I don't know if it was meant to do this or not. I have read books similar to this, but none captured me the way this one did.
October 24, 2015
So mad at myself because this book has been on my TBR list for years and I am just reading it. This book is wonderful. I laughed, cried, and was happy. Loved all the characters because they meant something and were not just fillers.
April 20, 2011
I enjoyed this one very much. An easy story with great sense of humor.
June 28, 2011
This book is AMAZING!!!! It really did teach me ALOT about myself & how I was living!
January 31, 2012
I loved this book! It was filled with spiritual quotes and comedy. This story made you laugh, cry and think about life lessons.
June 3, 2014
I love reading this work by Ms.Berry. I've read one other book by her and have become a true fan.
August 6, 2015
Really good! I'm so enjoying this author! Good life lessons!
July 25, 2016
Book was OK. a little hard to follow and keep your attention
July 8, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It is not something I normally read, but it kept me interested. The advice was true for your life. Bernita was looking and loving the wrong things.
The ending was good. I like the way the brothers were close friends and then found out they were related.
The ending was good. I like the way the brothers were close friends and then found out they were related.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews