It's Not All Downhill from Here

by Terry McMillan

After a sudden change of plans, a remarkable woman and her loyal group of friends try to figure out what she's going to do with the rest of her life.

Loretha Curry's life is full. On the eve of her sixty-eighth birthday, she has a booming beauty supply empire, a gaggle of lifelong friends, and a husband who's still got moves that surprise. True, she's carrying a few more pounds than she should be, but she's not one of those women who thinks her best days are behind her, and she's determined to prove her mother, her twin sister, and everyone else with that outdated view of aging wrong—it's not all downhill from here.

But when an unexpected loss turns her world upside down, Loretha will have to summon all her strength, resourcefulness, and determination to keep on thriving, pursue joy, heal old wounds, and chart new paths. With a little help from her friends, of course.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Book Club, Adult, Romance

355 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Terry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was fourteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley and the MFA Film Program at Columbia University. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.

Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remained on The New York Times bestseller list for many months. Forest Whitaker turned it into a film in 1995. In 1998, another of McMillan's novels, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, was made into a movie. McMillan's novel Disappearing Acts was subsequently produced as a direct-to-cable feature.

Her last novel, Who Asked You?, casts an intimate look at the burdens and blessings of family and speaks to trusting your own judgment even when others don’t agree.

Reviews

[Obsidian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I really needed to read right now. It was funny and at times heartbreaking. Terry McMillan does such an awesome job of writing strong black women characters. Her latest follows 68 year old Loretha Curry. Loretha is not feeling so content with her life. Her daughter (Jalecia) and sister (Odessa) are not speaking to her. Her son lives in Japan with his wife and twin daughters. She loves her husband (Carl) of many years though and runs a successful beauty business. However, when Loretha experiences an unexpected loss, we follow her and other characters (Sadie, Korynthia, Poochie, and Lucky) through a year where a lot of changes comes to her and life-long friends.

Loretha is a caring women and though she's angry at her daughter for her constant run-ins with the law and her drinking, she still tries to be there for her. She tries with her granddaughter Cinnamon and makes an unexpected connection to someone that comes into her life that has connections to her husband Carl. Loretha does make you want to shake her sometimes though. She has a health condition that she thinks ignoring will make it go away (she sounds like all of my great aunts I swear) and has some dated attitudes about mental health, but I was glad to see her change that up throughout the book.

Loretha's friends made me laugh since I started thinking that this is how some of the women from "Waiting to Exhale" would have behaved when they get to this age. I just died at some of the exchanges between the group of four women who have seen each other at their best and worst. I don't want to get into every character's development, but man oh man, only best friends can read you for filth and tell you they love you five minutes later.

The writing was really good at times though the flow got wonky in places (why I gave this four stars) and I think the ending was a bit too rushed (another reason why I gave this four stars).

[Read In Colour · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Terry McMillan first hit the publishing scene, it was so refreshing to read the stories of everyday black women. While McMillan is years older than me, I feel as if I've grown along with her. The teenage version of me didn't fully comprehend everything her character in Mama went through, but I understood the message. Disappearing Acts was the first time I saw a black adult relationship on the pages of a book. Her editing of Breaking Ice was something to behold and it still holds an honored place on my bookshelf.

The characters in Waiting to Exhale were so relatable to 20something me. I loved how each woman got equal time to tell their story, so we not only got to see their interactions with their friends from their perspectives, but we also got to see their lives outside of those friendships. And that's what's missing in It's Not All Downhill from Here. Every character has the potential to have a great story line, but the reader only sees their story through the eyes of Loreatha, the book's protagonist.

With the exception of 2013's Who Asked You, rarely McMillan has given us black women who's focus is on everyone's happiness but their own. That feels like a shift we saw as the author got older, because that wasn't the case in her earlier works (e.g., Disappearing Acts, Waiting to Exhale). The truth is, black women do take on a lot - from taking care of their spouses and adult children to covering the rent when their siblings, friends, etc. are a little short. I get it, but this isn't the first time McMillan has written about her older black women characters in this same vein, so it feels a bit redundant. It's Not All DownHill From Here isn't very distinguishable from Who Asked You or The Interruption of Everything.

I'll always be grateful for the doors that McMillan's writing opened for so many other authors. We wouldn't have had a Lolita Files or a Mary Monroe or Eric Jerome Dickey without a Terry McMillan, but it's time to tell some new stories.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't anticipated reading this book but I got into a side discussion with a gr friend who (with humor) implied that the books that I tend to read are not happy or uplifting. That person was reading Sorrowland at the time so… Anyhoo, I took the point and decided in April, I would try to read something positive. Very glad I did. It has been more than a minute since my last McMillan book. Actually it's been over 25 years. My first (and only) McMillan book was Waiting to Exhale. I read a book once that asked a question: When did you first see yourself in literature? Waiting to Exhale was that book for me. I'm nothing like any of the characters in the book, but the interrelationships with each of the characters were familiar. Fast forward 30 years and that same feeling returns for me.

It's Not All Downhill from Here here follows a similar formula. This time the cast of characters are middleclass, black women in their late 60's pondering their lives; where they've been and where they are going. The main character Loretha has a clique of friends, a twin sister, two children (twins) and 4 grandchildren (two sets of twins) and a mother in her 80s. I'm sure the twin thing was intentional and a little quirky. Loretha is newly widowed and the next few years of her life are spent pondering her past and future and helping her friends and family. And while she does this of course, her friends and family are there helping her too.

Though I'm quite a bit younger than the main characters here, I'm getting to that phase where retirement is starting to come into view. I'm pondering what has happened in the past and where I go from here. McMillan and I definitely have different experiences and different priorities but honestly, I found McMillan's book to be comforting. She reminded me that

“You cannot go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

The book deals with some heavy and important themes but is intended (and succeeds) to be uplifting. The themes and trigger warnings include: death of a spouse, suicide, alcohol abuse, abortion, depression, mental illness, emotional abuse, cancer. I thought that though there was not too much depth in the analysis of any of these things, McMillan handled the issues with respect and compassion. There were no evil characters here. This was a story of people (both family and chosen family) who stick together and support each other. And of course everything works out in the end for almost all of the characters. I really enjoyed the book and when I was done, I was smiling. Mission accomplished in reading about something that wasn't grim. I will reserve my commentary on the idea that almost all books in general have a dark arc (how else do we see the good unless we paint the bad or without darkness you can't see the stars etc)...or is it just my choices? Make no mistake this is definitely "feel good", chick lit; but it was a nice, not too deep, fun change of pace. I'm pretty sure it won't be another 25 years before I pick up my next Terry McMillan.

4 Stars

Listened to the audiobook. Terry McMillan narrated. I thought she did a good job with her own material. There probably isn't much daylight between McMillan and her characters.

[Joi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geriatric version of Waiting To Exhale. A lot of important issues in the book including health, aging, addiction, mental illness, and death. There were at least 5 unnecessary characters. It was predictable. Event, filler, event, filler. Just a lot of words.

[Morgan Schulman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

The same characters as always, just a half decade older and with five years less sparkle. None of it feels fresh any more. . For die-hards only.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, to me, is a story of reality!
A story of life, death, family, friends and all of the drama that goes with it.
Real Life!
The author masterfully juggles all of the characters and their lives and makes the story flow without skipping a beat.
This is my first Terry McMillan book, but not my last.

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came for a strong group of friends but stayed for Loretha. She's such an easy to like and root for character. She's a flawed mother and woman but she means well and is she's a good person at heart and you want good things to happen to her.

My only gripe with the book was the weight loss aspect which I found rather tedious (there's a whole health journey aspect that was kind of great but with the addition of the weight part it just got to be too much)

[AsToldByKenya · Rating 2 out of 5]

what a weird book. The writing was so abrasive, mean spirited, wordy and choppy. But thats actually not why I disliked it. I actually found it compulsively readable for 80% of the book because something weird and tragic happened every 2 pages. My issues was there was no actual plot, nothing keeping you in this women's life. The book was just scene to scene to scene with no actual purpose. It's not THAT bad and I actually think ti would be relatable to women of certain age. It became boring and draining I just think it's not well done.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terry McMillan is always a sure thing when it comes to a book worth reading. Sometimes I absolutely love them, and sometimes they were just good for a read one time. This was more of a one-time read for me, but I still enjoyed the journey.

There was less humor than in some of her other books and an even more serious tone than normal, but still many great quotes and one-liners. As with any of Terry's novels, realistic issues are dealt with, including mental and physical ailments and the death of loved ones.

I loved that Terry McMillan narrated the audio herself, as this was the first of her novels I have listened to, so I'm not sure if this is normal for her. This one moved slower than previous novels, so I have to leave it at 3-3.5 stars. Still definitely worth checking out, though.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Terry McMillan’s older work but her newer books just don’t hit the spot for me. This book just doesn’t do it for me, reading a books from a seniors point of view was a little out of the ordinary, on top of of it feeling like of every other sad woman of color book. Depression, overwhelmed, headed downhill fast with no breaks and dynamite in the trunk. No thanks I’m done with these books for a while. Can you please bring back the old Terry M. books.

Thank you Netgalley and Terry McMillan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[BookNightOwl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Random House book for an Arc of this book for an honest review.

It's not all Downhill from here deals with the main protagonist Lo and her life and family and friends. This group of women are in their late 60's and are dealing with death, depression, sickness, etc.

I felt like some of the book was really rushed and I wanted to get to know the characters better.

[Clif Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is narrated in first person by a not quite yet 70 year-old black woman whose family and circle of friends are dealing with issues related to loss, illness, addiction, and the never-ending challenges of diet and exercise. The variety of ailments being dealt with is so broad that any reader will most likely find their own problems addressed in some way while reading this book. This is particularly true for older readers who are facing the usual challenges that come with aging. Issues related to mental health and diabetes are dealt with particular emphasis.

Early in the book our protagonist’s husband dies unexpectedly, so early on she is dealing with her own feelings of loss and wondering what she is going to do with the rest of her life. She has a close circle of women friends that she’s known since high school days, thus loneliness is not one of her problems. Her relationship with her twin sister and daughter are strained, distant, and filled with problems. She is on good terms with her son, but he lives far away with his family in Japan.

One thing that allows this book to take on an optimistic outlook is the fact that our protagonist is independently wealthy which enables her to provide housing and money in ways that can help ameliorate many of the problems faced by her extended family. She is a successful business woman who during the book’s progress opens a new beauty supply store in Pasadena, CA—which at her age seems to be a questionable investment of money (in my opinion). Also, her husband had been a remodeling contractor with multiple rental apartments and houses which our protagonist is able to make available when needed by members of her family.

This book’s recognition of the problems that can come with aging and wayward family members does give the appearance of real life. However, the book is a bit of a fantasy with its successful achievement of ideal outcomes paid for with ready cash. Too bad such solutions aren’t within reach for most of the rest of us.

[Never Without a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Not All Downhill from Here by Terry McMillan. Y’all I ate this book up in less than a day! This character driven novel that had me smiling, laughing and on the verge of tears (I didn’t cry). McMillan brings us a set of characters that you will either love or hate.
_
Our protagonist, Loretha, is trying to cope with the loss of her husband, Carl, passed away from a heart attack on her 69th birthday. Carl, is Loretha’s world, so you know his death crushed her. Odessa, Lo’s sister, is jealous of her success and pretty much is a financial leech. Jalecia, Lo’s only daughter is an alcoholic and into subscription drugs.

These two characters will have you cursing up a storm! Please don’t get me started. Ugh!
_
Lo’s besties are riot! Sadie is having an affair with her pastor; Korynthia has a son who is in trouble with the law; Poochie is struggling with her health; and Lucky is overweight and in a dead-end marriage. Look, getting older doesn’t get easier, but it’s helpful to have friends support you through the tough times.
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With all the foolery going in this book, all you want to do is keep flipping the pages to find out what’s going to happen next. I wasn’t completely blown away by the writing, but I really did enjoy this read. Over all this was a 3.5/5 star read for me.

[Angelia Menchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several Terry MacMillan and am a huge fan of her earlier work. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by the ages of the characters. It’s rare to get books about senior citizens not to mention realistic, sexy and funny one.

Loreatha or Lo the main character could have come off as lying and judgmental (she is) but there is also something endearing and regular about her. As are all the characters. So many issues were unpacked, aging, death, mental health, obesity and health and homosexuality. More than anything there was the unrobing of family stuff. There was jealousy, competition and estrangement but ultimately lots of caring if not always expressed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and seeing the growth of the characters and how family waxes, wanes and recovers.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rating

****I had difficulty writing this review and it shows. I will revise at a later date.****

When I read the premise of It's Not All Downhill From Here I was immediately intrigued. Being that I am a women closer to the end of life than the beginning, I now look for stories that involve older characters. Ms. McMillan did not disappoint. There are very important issues in this book. The characters just couldn't accept their issues and get past their denial so, going over said issues became tedious after a while. The character development was strong. After making a diagram, to keep track of all the characters, I was able to lean in and experience them. Many sad moments in this book as well that seemed to happen all at once. I felt, as the reader, I couldn't catch a break. Many life lessons here for the taking. Did I learn anything from this read? Did it change me in anyway? Yes, it reminded me that I need to get my life together sooner than later, the people you choose to keep in your life are just human and to not be so hard on them, and that no matter your age you deserve happiness and love.

I was given an ARC by the publisher via Netgalley

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Not All Downhill From Here is new women’s, multicultural fiction from award-winning and bestselling author, Terry McMillan.

Sixty-eight-year-old Loretha Curry has a full life as a wife, mother, business owner and loyal friend to a diverse group of women. She doesn’t believe that life is over at sixty-five. Loretha experiences a devastating loss and temporarily loses herself, but amid the turmoil she comes to realize the value of family, friends and self confidence.

It’s Not All Downhill From Here is a well-written novel told from the first person perspective. The characters are alive and vibrant. The novel is packed with sincere, vividly expressed emotions. Grief, happiness, love, hate and anger all seem real and appropriate. The author explores difficult familial relationships, but there is enough humor to offset the darker emotions. Ultimately, this is a story about love, loss, forgiveness, redemption and resurrected life. It’s never to late to change and improve. I throughly enjoyed this novel and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys good fiction.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread again: April 14th, 202o

Terry McMillan has done it again with her latest book, "It's Not all Downhill from Here." Although I'm deep in my feelings regarding heroine's Loretha Curry's emotional story, I must say that I'm so pleased with McMillan writing yet another engaging tale about older women continuing to bond and being there for each other no matter what life brings their way. After one gut wrenching event occurs in Loretha AKA Lo's life, the older woman was truly gutted! Sadly with Lo's immediate family always being viewed as 'dysfunctional' and at time really petty people, it was easy to see that on the flip side in Lo's life when it came to her memorable girlfriends, well they were always loving and supportive and had their dear friends back no matter what! I found myself crying for these women on many occasions then laughing as this story unfolds while realizing how relatable these women were in regards to my own life! In reading "It's Not All Downhill from Here," there were many 'aha moments' in this inspiring story that I won't even attempt to give out spoilers but know this that no it's not really all downhill after a certain age is reached if you'll wise enough to handle what life throws your way!


5 Girl friends- life lessons stars!!!!!!!!

[Coffee&Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never got it together to write my full review but hear this-- LOVED IT. It's hard for me to not like a Terry McMillan book. I am easily pleased and impressed by her work. I just grabbed the audio and can't wait to dig into this story again. I love how real and personable her characters are, how the writing isn't a high concept but isn't simple, either. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

McMillan's voice and style are so strong in this book, I could hear her saying the words in my head. The audio is queuing up now!

[Shiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. 3.5/5 because I think the minor characters could have been better developed (because they all made up such a big chunk of the story it felt like we were missing out on something that could have been more meaningful) and that the overall story could have been harder hitting than it was. There were some absolute gems throughout this book:

"You can’t change people by punishing them for being who they are. So just accept them."

"It’s times like this when I realize how old I am, and things that are common knowledge to me are foreign to young folks. But I don’t feel too bad because one day she’ll be old, too. If she’s lucky." (Love this!! Getting old is such a privilege!)

[Amiee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Terry has grown her characters as she (and I!) gets older. This was a nice story about getting older, love, maintaining friendships etc etc...

[Brittany J. (BNJreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this free review copy.

MY THOUGHTS: Terry McMillian has given to us a great conversation piece. I want to make this book a book club for me and my girls. I think we can all find a little bit of ourselves in the most relatable character of Loretha. Dealing with an unexpected loss near and dear to her heart she is left finding how to pick up the pieces. She reevaluates where her life has been and where she is going and I loved her relationship with her friends, albeit sometimes downright frustrating.

Women are in this struggle together, and if you find you a good group of girlfriends that uplift you and are there for you, hold onto to them.

Loretha learns to give herself grace throughout her decisions and we could all use a little bit of that.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just okay!

[disco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Terry McMillan's writing and she always tells it like it is.

[JayBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coming of age story for the "Baby Boomers"; however Generation Xers will see themselves portrayed, as well as a glimpse or two for the Millenials. It is safe to say that there is a little something for every reader in Terry McMillian's newest masterpiece, "Its Not All Downhill From Here".

Reminiscent of "Waiting To Exhale", this "tribe" of 5 BFFs are there for each other through "thick and thin" and the challenges they face run the gambit from domestic discord to grief resolution, and everything in between.

Ms. McMillian skillfully tells this story of these lifelong friends through the protagonist, Loretha (Lo) who opens the story with the prospect of celebrating her 68th birthday.

Needless to say, Ms. McMillian weaves the story line with twists and turns while sharing life lessons of growing older, enjoying life and living it to the fullest.

A new kind of "coming of age" story that I am sure your will enjoy!!

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels like a grownup version of Waiting to Exhale. And that's not a bad thing, its great when authors bring readers along to experience the growth they are dealing with in actual life. So this is definitely an adult contemporary novel, with the main character being 68, and her three friends all on the same clock. Adult themes are explored throughout with Terry's trademark sneaky humor. You can read a sentence and find yourself caught in laughter. It is a good solid piece of work although it has that familiar feel. I enjoyed it, and the few surprises were done tastefully and not overly dramatic in their treatment. A bit better than average but certainly not fantastic. Ill always keep reading Ms. Terry McMillan, her average is generally better than most! ✅✅✅✅

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terry McMillan doesn't disappoint. Her signature brand of sisterhood and characters still shine bright in our modern landscape. I am grateful for her consistent adherence to these particular voices.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about the ups and downs in life of POC. Relationships are a huge theme with the main character being so very generous and thoughtful. I loved the names of the dogs!

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waiting to Exhale while on Medicare.

This was a solid read from the author....which is what we’ve come accustomed to over the years. She continues her celebration of black women and sisterhood.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, not a struggle book. Thank goodness! Just a slice of grandma life. A successful grandmother with a business. Entering her third stage of life.

[Brittany J. (BNJreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this free review copy.

MY THOUGHTS: Terry McMillian has given to us a great conversation piece. I want to make this book a book club for me and my girls. I think we can all find a little bit of ourselves in the most relatable character of Loretha. Dealing with an unexpected loss near and dear to her heart she is left finding how to pick up the pieces. She reevaluates where her life has been and where she is going and I loved her relationship with her friends, albeit sometimes downright frustrating.

Women are in this struggle together, and if you find you a good group of girlfriends that uplift you and are there for you, hold onto to them.

Loretha learns to give herself grace throughout her decisions and we could all use a little bit of that.