Miss Pearly's Girls: A Captivating Tale of Family Healing

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

In this captivating family drama from award-winning, bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley, four estranged sisters must return to rural Arkansas when their mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Their mother wants them to repair their shattered relationships, but first they’ll have to face the lies and obstacles they’ve worked so hard to leave behind…   Raising four very different daughters on her own in rural Arkansas wasn't easy for Miss Pearly Bell. And she's always regretted that the sisters went their separate ways for good—and never wanted to see each other again. But when Pearly is stricken with a terminal illness, she summons them all home—determined to somehow help them get right with each other and forgive. . . But that means dealing with past secrets and lies first.    As the oldest sister, pastor's wife Maxine took her responsibility way too seriously—and never fails to judge everyone else. But a secret she can no longer keep will explode everything she stands for. Youngest sister Leslie is all about making a very different life with her new love—but she didn't expect a shattering past truth to be suddenly revealed and uproot everything she ever thought she knew. Elegant PR professional Stella and her earthy twin, Star, don’t see eye-to-eye on anything—and now a long-ago deception could wipe out their last chance at a relationship.   Soon each sister must confront the illusions they've taken refuge in for so long and deal with each other woman-to-woman. But can building an all-too-fragile trust repair the damage done—and help them come together when they are needed most?  

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Book Club, Family, African American, Drama

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2022

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

[KEYSHA Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that starts out slow, but once you engage you won’t stop reading.

[Vivian Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ Wow! This was amazing! Lots of family drama and secrets. My heart ached for the broken relationships between the Bell sisters. I’m really close with my sisters so this made me even more appreciative of the relationships that I have with them. I couldn’t imagine not speaking to them for months at a time, but the reasons why the Bell sisters weren’t close, were so very valid! As their secrets unraveled, it definitely made sense why there was so much animosity between them. I was actually shocked at some of the secrets revealed! This was also very well written and fast paced too! I really enjoyed it! ❤️

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This might not be who you are now, but it's your roots, and roots determine how you sprout."

Family secrets. Family shame. Family trauma. Miss Pearly and her girls (aka daughters) have all three and then some. The story is set in rural Arkansas, however anyone from a small town in which folks tend to know everyone's business can relate to the setting and why one would get to get as far away as possible. An unexpected trip home forces everyone to face some harsh realities.

Folks always seem to think secrets are a great idea until they start to come out. Miss Pearly's Girls is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. RTB has crafted a novel that will spark many conversations, hopefully inspire some to live in their truth, and to quit sweeping things under the rug.

[Wobilba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Queue the family drama. This was a great book that focuses on family drama, trauma, secrets, love, forgiveness and healing. I really enjoyed the family dynamics and drama although at times it got a little painful to get through.
I hated/loved these characters at one point or the other.
I just wish we got to see Star’s pov. She was my favorite character and I loved her dramatic flair and big heart because I don’t think I’d have forgiven Stella the way she did if I was in her shoes.

[Cheryl James · Rating 2 out of 5]

April BookClub Selection

I loved the family concept of this book but I struggled to finish it. I found it slow and simple. The writing was elementary and the characters were not interesting to me.

It's unfortunate but sometimes the loss of our love ones will either keep families together or tear them apart. Family secrets are never really secrets for long.

I am glad that the story had a happy ending, however I was not happy reading it!!

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible. Great book about family getting past trauma, secrets and lies!! I loved it, I cried at the end!!!

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

Miss Pearly is sick and all she wishes is for her four daughters to return home and reunite. But the Bell ladies are each battling a past secret that is a deterrent to their reunion. Maxine, Leslie, Star and Stella must work through each of their past, their secrets and decide whether if holding onto past pain is more important than healing, than their future as a family.
Family dynamics come to play in this read and there was a lot to unpack in this tale. ReShonda tackled a lot of sensitive subjects with her skillful storytelling. I loved how this story focused on the power of the matriarch's love because it was their love for her that brought them home.
I think this would be a great book club read because it will open doors for a lot of discussion. So many secrets and buried truths that had to break free. Yes, lots of thought-provoking discussions.
Memorable Quote: "When you walk in happiness, negativity can't stay long."

[Octavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's not just genes that make a person, it's how you choose to live your life. Nurture. Not nature."

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥺♥️

I’m a sucker for family drama and secrets. This story delivered and kept my interest from beginning to end. I felt for the different sisters, so many years lost because of the issues that weren’t really addressed until a tragedy hit the family. Mama Pearly held on to see her girls make up. I really enjoyed it. ♥️

[Paula Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a resident of Arkansas and a fan of Reshonda Tate Billingsley, I had to grab MISS PEARLY'S GIRLS. The story centers around Pearly Bell's four daughters, Maxine, twins Stella and Star and the youngest Leslie. Upon graduating, Stella, Star and Leslie fled Smackover Arkansas for better lives, leaving behind a bed of secrets that only Mama Pearly knew about. When a health crisis lands Mama Pearly in the hospital, all the girls return home, some for the first time since leaving. Mama Pearly's dying wish is that each daughter reveal the secret she has been keeping. It's a tall task for the sisters, but they cannot deny her wish.

Reshonda Tate Billingsley never fails to deliver. She is an awesome storyteller who managed to combine heavy subject matter with a bit of humor and a lot of love. I highly recommend this one.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing

Awesome read, deep family dynamics. A well written story, touching all emotions. Characters who could be your next door neighbor, or ever a family member.

#MamaToni'sbooknook #Cillasbookmaniacs #Twins #Sisters

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but I do wish I had a trigger warning before reading. I wasn't ready for all of the topics that were brought up. I will say that I enjoyed seeing how family drama and secrets were addressed. There is more nuance to how healing and forgiveness takes a long time.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down once I started. Family secrets, shame, trauma and I had to finish to find out if the sisters could come overcome hate with love.

[cinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Anger had become our 5th sibling” and boy did it!!! I’ve read and watched my fair share of family dramas but wow none like this. The secrets run deep in this family and as they become revealed we keep understanding more about the family and how they got to be where they’re at.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the different POV from the sisters (which we got to hear more from Star) also the author weaved in the flashback stories so seamlessly into the current POV. This was a story about love, healing and forgiveness and I really enjoyed it. 10/10 recommend, loved this as my months book club pick 😌

[Danielle Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Pearly's Girls took me through every single emotion—love, humor, anger, sadness, and ultimately, forgiveness. This family’s story is messy, heartfelt, and full of life. I laughed out loud at some moments, got angry at others, and even teared up more than once. It’s a beautiful reminder of how complicated family can be and how strong those bonds are when healing and grace step in.

[Tamyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s such a good story teller. By chapter 3 I was fully into it and it kept my attention through the end of the book.

[Helen Ahern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family with a myriad of secrets that has kept them apart for years. Now Miss Pearly is sick and her dearest wish is for her girls to get back to being a family again. It was a good story very well narrated.

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Pearly’s Girls: A Captivating Tale of Family Healing is stunningly intense multicultural fiction by ReShonda Tate Billingsley.

The four Bell sisters are called home by their ailing mother, Pearly Bell. Ever obedient to their beloved Mama Pearly, they arrive, bringing their deepest secrets with them. Can this fractured family piece together the fragments of their tattered relationships?

ReShonda Tate Billingsley reveals the story through the alternating viewpoints of the four sisters. This oftentimes confusing technique is handled nicely with appropriate chapter headers. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The author knows how to keep the reader’s attention. I was immediately captivated and stayed that way until the final word. Even the parts I correctly guessed were good. Ms. Billingsley incorporates multiple sensitive topics into one heartfelt tale. Miss Pearly’s Girls is a definite 5 out of 5 star read. I highly recommend it to all readers of multicultural interest and/or women’s fiction.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Dafina, 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.

[tre be · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨….𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩…𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧”

Miss Pearly has fallen gravely ill and her only hope is for her girls to come together in love. With so many secrets and so much pain amidst this family, will they be able to put the past aside and move forward together in love?

When I first started reading MPG with my best friend, we both shared the same sentiment. It is very reminiscent of the movie Soul Food. I also felt that the story was similar to many of her previous stories. Much of it was pretty predictable, and Tyler Perry play style, but…

That didn’t keep me from loving it. What I love best about RTB’s books is that they always feel like home - so relatable, thoughtful, and familiar. There were some extra dramatic aspects, emotional moments, and funny moments added in. These sisters’ issues and separation from each other really hit close to home.

This book was so absolutely deeply Southern, with her adding phrases that I haven’t heard in years! I mean, who still says “good golly”?! 🤣 and the setting of “Smackhold, Arkansas”? The delicious food descriptions had my mouth watering for some fried chicken, greens and corn bread.

I really enjoyed how things came together in the end and I was left in tears. This was a true testament of a mother’s love and sacrifice for her family. Mothers get so much flack for fxking up their kids’ lives even when they’ve done the best they knew how. So it was great to see how these girls loved and came together for their mother.

I love me some Reshonda and have all of her books on my shelf. Her books engulf me in a big warm embrace. If she doesn’t do anything else she’s going to show us the something in the buttermilk that ain’t clean, show why we shouldn’t always “keep the family business in the house”, expose the family’s wicked predators and, ultimately, show the importance of family. “This might not be who you are now, but it’s your roots, and roots determine how you sprout.”

“Mama, I just want you to know that… Loving you is like food to my soul”

I’d recommend this book for anyone who loves a quick binge read, drama between sisters, deep Southern vibes, and a story as sweet as a glass of sweet iced tea on a hot summers day 😉.

What’s a good book you’d recommend that’s NOT trending right now?

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I knew this book was going to be DRAMA from the start but
OMG, this was wild! It starts off a little slow, we have to learn the characters and why they are the way they are. But man, when I say this was like a Tyler Perry movie mixed with an OWN original television program, I'm not even kidding. This was so dang messy!
But a GOOD messy! LOL! First of all, when I was reading, I just KNEW I was going to love Miss Pearly...turns out, while I was reading each & every one of the Bell family members was messy with their own issues. I actually began to feel sorry for each of them for all their faults that they just couldn't talk about! Without giving too much away, I just wish they had somewhere or rather somebody to talk their issues because the whole "family business stays in the family" is so OLD & antiquated!
I thought it was a true depiction of how some folks around a certain time were raised & I was happy some familial issues were resolved! I also loved the support system of each of the sisters, they really needed that. They all went thru some trauma! I loved how it ended, I love how yes these characters were FLAWED there was still room for redemption. My only qualm was the pacing. I feel like a lot happened and I thought this book happened over the course of a few days...but turns out the whole book was about 2.5 days LOL i think that's a me thing. Definitely would recommend this book!
Trigger Warning: sexual assault, verbal abuse, colorism, fat phobia, homophobia, death of a parent

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who has written 53 books, and not one have I read that felt stale, means alot. Ms. Pearly has 4 daughters, Maxine, the oldest, who help raised her sisters and stayed in their hometown, twins Star and Stella, and the baby of the family, Leslie. When Ms. Pearly falls ill, she tasks Maxine to get her sisters back home and reveal truths and secrets that everyone thought was never going to come to light in order for them to heal and be able to lean on each other before she slips to the other side.

This book kept me up until 2 o'clock in the morning and I refused to put it down until I was completely finished. The characters held on to my heart and would not go until the very end. Even though I had younger brothers and not sisters, I could relate to Maxine in several ways. Also it was a very emotional read. I would like to see this adapted into a movie.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[Kinyorda Sliwiak · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a Tyler Perry script; full of outdated tropes and stereotypes. Clearly there is a market for this content (which is depressing in itself). Not original. Hits every note on the bad black fiction checklist: 1. Outdated racial references. 2. Dying matriarch brings sisters together. 3. Somebody got pregnant the first and only time they had sex before marriage. Usually rape. 4. Someone is gay and their significant other is not black. 5. Someone is clutch their pearls over the gay person because, well, Jesus. 6. Everyone has a secret, each more predictable than the last. 7. All is resolved in the end because, well, Jesus or fried chicken. 8. The one who stayed finally gets a life but only after the matriarch dies. 9. A sister finds love after swearing love wasn't for her. Usually someone already in her life or a local she reconnects with. Thankful that audio books can be sped up and you can skip ahead. 1 star for the narrator who is just reading the script they gave her.

[Booked.Shaye BWRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book club Bestie Breeeee , told me that I have to learn to DNF books. I’ve never done that before.
Untill now. The book was going good. Untill it got very predictable. Which was sad b|c it’s been on my TBR for such a long time.
Anyway. I kept reading when I wanted to stop. Then got about a little pass half way & just couldn’t do it. It was giving Tyler Perry Play.

Not that it’s anything wrong with that.

It’s just not my genre , so I had to stop while I was ahead. I think it’s written well & I even like the charters & thier individual stories. However. It was just too predictable for me. So I had to stop reading.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearly Bell is a terminally ill, seasoned woman, who has one last wish...for her daughters (Maxine, Stella, Star and Leslie) to come together and reveal the secrets that they've been carrying for years. Some secrets can and will change the dynamic of their family...forever.

I've read plenty of books by @reshondatatebillingsley, and this one, by far, is her best. I highly recommend that you pick up this book.

[Lake · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

The library recommended this after I finished The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls (which I really enjoyed), but nothing worked for me here. It's constant over the top soap opera and exaggerated confrontations, topped off with trite platitudes about loving yourself (no, that won't solve racism or colourism or sexual assault).

Big TW for on page explicit sexual assault of a minor by an adult.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was exceptional phenomenal. As all Ms. Billingsley's it captured my immediate attention from the very first page to the very ending...there were excellent in-depth characters traits with excitement and thorough history about these four sister's past.

There was also twisted backstabbing stories as to why these girls, Maxine, Star, Stella, and Leslie, hated each other and did not speak for years! I love how the author uses her Christian faith as a form of communication to help these sisters' release their frustrations and animosity towards each other and religiously rebuild their lives.

As always I highly recommend this book and all other books by Ms. Billingsley....

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many secrets…

Miss Pearly was a great mom that had major secrets. And she was skilled with that shot gun!

Maxine tried to hold it together for everyone. She was the big sister-mom, LITERALLY! She was finally able to release the truth. I love how her hi and loved her.

Stella really thought that she was better than everyone. She was messy but at least all of the truths are out. I really can’t believe that she crossed Star like that for college. I’m happy that she accepted love.

Star was the most down to earth. I wonder what would’ve happened if she had gone to college.

Leslie was the most hurt of all. She had her secret and thought everyone would judge her but after Maxine came around, no one did.

Ain’t Paula can lock rocks. And Kenny… Miss Pearly should’ve aimed higher!

So much healing that happened.

I didn’t care for the narrator

[Jacqueline ❤️’s to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

#MissPearlysGirls
#BookReview

By, Reshonda Tate Billingsley

5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

A WONDERFULLY moving story of family secrets, betrayal, anger, death and healing.

This is my second book by this author and I enjoyed this more than, “The Lost Daughter.” The story and the characters were really well written and developed.

This book was so poignant and beautiful it made me UGLY cry. I couldn’t stop. This has not happened with ANY of the 110+ books I’ve read this year. I loved it so much, I plan to read it again. I recommend it highly. Read it!

Important Note: This book has some content triggers- rape, grief and death of a parent. But the author handles each of these issues with great care and sensitivity.

[Jaclyn✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow was this a good book. It dealt with really heavy topics(check the trigger warnings for sure). I felt like I kept wanting it to be longer but the story was wrapped up well. There is so much hurt in this story, in so many different ways, I cried more than once. I loved the storytelling in this, the characters were dynamic, some I hated and some I loved so much and I think that's part of what makes such a good story. Definitely picking up more of her books in the future.