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Divine & Friends #1
Simply Divine
To forgive may be divine . . .
The daughter of two Hollywood superstars, Divine Matthews-Hardison lives the privileged life most fifteen-year-olds only dream she's all about designer clothes, awards ceremonies, parties, and having a name that opens doors. Divine could be a model, an actress, anything she wants. But when you live in the spotlight, there's nowhere to hide when your family falls apart. Her father is in trouble with the law, her mother has her own demons, and no one has room for Divine -- no one except her uncle, a Georgia pastor with a modest country home and a big heart.
. . . but can Divine ever forgive?
Divine can't believe she's been sent to live with her mom's family in the sticks. Doing chores, getting an allowance, and church-going are hardly what she's used to, and she lets everyone -- from her patient Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe to her cousins, Alyssa and Chance -- know she's not trading in her Gucci bags for a feedbag any time soon. But as the love and faith of a good family take hold in her heart, miraculous changes start to occur. And when the chance comes to return to her high-flying life, Divine is faced with her toughest Now that she's found the one thing she's never had, could she ever leave it behind?
The daughter of two Hollywood superstars, Divine Matthews-Hardison lives the privileged life most fifteen-year-olds only dream she's all about designer clothes, awards ceremonies, parties, and having a name that opens doors. Divine could be a model, an actress, anything she wants. But when you live in the spotlight, there's nowhere to hide when your family falls apart. Her father is in trouble with the law, her mother has her own demons, and no one has room for Divine -- no one except her uncle, a Georgia pastor with a modest country home and a big heart.
. . . but can Divine ever forgive?
Divine can't believe she's been sent to live with her mom's family in the sticks. Doing chores, getting an allowance, and church-going are hardly what she's used to, and she lets everyone -- from her patient Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe to her cousins, Alyssa and Chance -- know she's not trading in her Gucci bags for a feedbag any time soon. But as the love and faith of a good family take hold in her heart, miraculous changes start to occur. And when the chance comes to return to her high-flying life, Divine is faced with her toughest Now that she's found the one thing she's never had, could she ever leave it behind?
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2006
7 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelin Thomas
122 books404 followersJacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 7, 2011
Wearing expensive designer clothes, living in a fabulous estate in California, going to awards ceremonies – a person would think Divine Matthews -Hardison has everything she needs to be happy. But with a father (Jerome) who’s considered ‘the bad boy of Hollywood’ and a mother (Kara) who may be a Hollywood superstar but has serious issues to work through, Divine’s family life is far from perfect. When Jerome commits a crime that lands him in jail and Kara has to spend time in rehab, Divine is sent to live with her Uncle Reed, and his family. They live in a small town called Temple, in the heart of Georgia. How is Divine going to cope now that she has to give up the material things she’s grown so used to? And can she adapt to country living?
Divine was basically a spoiled brat when she arrived at her uncle’s home. For fourteen years all this girl knew was glamour and glitz and getting whatever she wanted when she wanted it, and it seemed – after listening to many words of wisdom from her Uncle Reed, Aunt Phoebe and cousin, Alyssa - she was ‘transformed’ too quickly. People do take the time to think about themselves when someone speaks the right words, and it was great that her family in Georgia cared enough to teach her many things, but I would have liked to have seen Divine- Miss Black American Princess, as she called herself - experience something that led to what seemed like a ‘sudden’ change in attitude; figured out some things on her own instead of having everything spelled out for her.
When Divine’s friend, Mimi, came to visit, I think Divine should have handled the situation differently. Yes, Mimi was wrong, but when Divine first arrived in Georgia, she acted just as disrespectful as Mimi did. I understood Divine’s loyalty to family and it was very good that she had grown so close to her cousin, Alyssa, that she felt the need to speak up for her, but I was disappointed by the way she treated her friend.
I loved spunky Alyssa. She was not the least bit phased by Divine’s superior attitude and she wasn’t afraid to speak up to her cousin or anybody else. And she had no problem talking about her faith; a young lady who truly loved the Lord.
Jerome: The first mistake he made with his daughter was asking her to call him by his first name. He was her dad, not her friend. And why did he have a gun when he went to visit Shelly Campbell? Maybe I missed something, but I wasn’t clear on that.
Although predictable at times, Simply Divine was a good read. It didn’t have much oomph, nothing to really grab me or move me emotionally, but I liked it. Among other things, Divine learned the meaning of family and forgiveness, and Kara and Jerome learned lessons of their own. In fact, the author teaches quite a few lessons that teens and adults can benefit from. I particularly liked the advice about boys that Phoebe gave Alyssa and Divine on page 149.
Divine was basically a spoiled brat when she arrived at her uncle’s home. For fourteen years all this girl knew was glamour and glitz and getting whatever she wanted when she wanted it, and it seemed – after listening to many words of wisdom from her Uncle Reed, Aunt Phoebe and cousin, Alyssa - she was ‘transformed’ too quickly. People do take the time to think about themselves when someone speaks the right words, and it was great that her family in Georgia cared enough to teach her many things, but I would have liked to have seen Divine- Miss Black American Princess, as she called herself - experience something that led to what seemed like a ‘sudden’ change in attitude; figured out some things on her own instead of having everything spelled out for her.
When Divine’s friend, Mimi, came to visit, I think Divine should have handled the situation differently. Yes, Mimi was wrong, but when Divine first arrived in Georgia, she acted just as disrespectful as Mimi did. I understood Divine’s loyalty to family and it was very good that she had grown so close to her cousin, Alyssa, that she felt the need to speak up for her, but I was disappointed by the way she treated her friend.
I loved spunky Alyssa. She was not the least bit phased by Divine’s superior attitude and she wasn’t afraid to speak up to her cousin or anybody else. And she had no problem talking about her faith; a young lady who truly loved the Lord.
Jerome: The first mistake he made with his daughter was asking her to call him by his first name. He was her dad, not her friend. And why did he have a gun when he went to visit Shelly Campbell? Maybe I missed something, but I wasn’t clear on that.
Although predictable at times, Simply Divine was a good read. It didn’t have much oomph, nothing to really grab me or move me emotionally, but I liked it. Among other things, Divine learned the meaning of family and forgiveness, and Kara and Jerome learned lessons of their own. In fact, the author teaches quite a few lessons that teens and adults can benefit from. I particularly liked the advice about boys that Phoebe gave Alyssa and Divine on page 149.
June 23, 2022
The first time I read Simply Divine, I was 9 years old, and in the 4th grade. I’m 25 and about to start my PhD program and I love her little spoiled self all the same. I enjoy the messages she learns through her aunt and uncle and within the church. Very cute series. ❤️
January 17, 2019
Loved this read. Daughter loved it so much she did 2 book fair boards on it.
December 5, 2020
Great series to spark the reading interest of teenage girls and I loved it too!
July 16, 2010
Divine starts out as such a spoiled brat! All of the finery and ease that (her mother's) money has bought is simply owed to her. She can't imagine life without a personal assistant, bodyguard, and chef, mostly because she's never had to but also because she deserves to have people do for her. Not that she's actually done anything to earn the money that pays those people or done anything to justify the fame she enjoys. Her mom has. It made me hate her a little in the beginning. She's just so entitled and that bugs me. Luckily, for me at least, once Divine gets to Georgia her cousin Alyssa has absolutely no problem calling Divine out for her snobbery, general bitchiness, and trading in on her mother's name. And good for her! Alyssa, that is. She does her best to make Divine comfortable, the whole family does, but Divine is determined to be miserable in Georgia and drag everyone else down with her. Eventually, though, she starts to settle into life with her aunt, uncle, and cousins and generally becomes a much more likable person and character. And, really, she wasn't sooo bad in the beginning that I couldn't get into the book, and it was pretty obvious (in the way teenagers can be, not in a bad writing way) that a lot of her snobbery was to cover up insecurities about herself. But she still drove me a little bit nuts before she started chilling out.
One of the many things Divine has to get used to at her aunt and uncle's house is going to church. Though her daddy was also a preacher, Divine's mom does not have anything to do with the church now. Divine never has; that's just not the way she was raised. Her Uncle Reed's family attends the church he preaches in every Sunday. At first, waking up early on Sunday and sitting through a sermon causes problems for Divine; the girl is really not a morning person. As she starts to listen more often to what Uncle Reed is preaching, her problems change to focus on the act of forgiveness. How can she possibly forgive her father for what he's done to her and her mother? And why should she have to? Divine's internal struggle with forgiveness and her feelings about her father in general continue throughout the book. Her resentment about going to church does not, and she eventually becomes a Christian.
Religion is never forced on her by her family, nor is it really central to most of the book. However it is often present, particularly in the way that Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe raise and treat their children, including Divine. Especially with regards to Divine and Alyssa and boys. Both girls have boyfriends, but they are little more than names on a page. Given how little time they're allowed to spend with their boyfriends, this is not surprising. I expect that they, and the girls' relationships with them, will play a bigger role in the next book in the series, Divine Confidential, as the girls finally become old enough to be allowed to actually date.
But I have no doubt that the second book will be just as clean as this one. Even though it is a book with an extra-marital affair, drugs, sneaking around to meet up with boys, and even a murder, it definitely qualifies as a "clean read." I don't even remember any swearing. Yet it still manages to feel a bit edgy, probably because Divine's parents are kind of screw ups. With the help of her uncle, aunt, cousins, and God, Divine manages to move beyond her parents mistakes to star in a series that promises to be uplifting and cute while still tackling serious issues.
Book source: Philly Free Library
One of the many things Divine has to get used to at her aunt and uncle's house is going to church. Though her daddy was also a preacher, Divine's mom does not have anything to do with the church now. Divine never has; that's just not the way she was raised. Her Uncle Reed's family attends the church he preaches in every Sunday. At first, waking up early on Sunday and sitting through a sermon causes problems for Divine; the girl is really not a morning person. As she starts to listen more often to what Uncle Reed is preaching, her problems change to focus on the act of forgiveness. How can she possibly forgive her father for what he's done to her and her mother? And why should she have to? Divine's internal struggle with forgiveness and her feelings about her father in general continue throughout the book. Her resentment about going to church does not, and she eventually becomes a Christian.
Religion is never forced on her by her family, nor is it really central to most of the book. However it is often present, particularly in the way that Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe raise and treat their children, including Divine. Especially with regards to Divine and Alyssa and boys. Both girls have boyfriends, but they are little more than names on a page. Given how little time they're allowed to spend with their boyfriends, this is not surprising. I expect that they, and the girls' relationships with them, will play a bigger role in the next book in the series, Divine Confidential, as the girls finally become old enough to be allowed to actually date.
But I have no doubt that the second book will be just as clean as this one. Even though it is a book with an extra-marital affair, drugs, sneaking around to meet up with boys, and even a murder, it definitely qualifies as a "clean read." I don't even remember any swearing. Yet it still manages to feel a bit edgy, probably because Divine's parents are kind of screw ups. With the help of her uncle, aunt, cousins, and God, Divine manages to move beyond her parents mistakes to star in a series that promises to be uplifting and cute while still tackling serious issues.
Book source: Philly Free Library
December 28, 2008
Scrabble
SIMPLY DIVINE written by expert Jacquelin Thomas introduces Divine Matthews-Hardison, a snobby teen, who is all about the spotlight! As Divine thoroughly enjoys the hobnobbing, the paparazzi and the glam that she has been fortunate enough to be born into, life quickly becomes less fun when the headline goes from glam to brutal. While all families have issues, Divine's family business is aired out in the media daily causing ridicule and shame. Can the teen drama queen and her comfortable cushioned world survive the disturbance?
From Hollywood, CA to Temple, GA, Divine is distraught as she goes from the lap of luxury to the confines of normalcy. Foreign to Divine is what life is like for an average teen minus the glitz. When Divine has to suck it up and learn to adjust to a simpler lifestyle, is she mature enough to handle it? Or will Miss Drama Teen kick and scream the entire way there?
I have to say SIMPLY DIVINE is simply great! I love that the book features a young character set in her snotty ways, but comes to love and embrace family, friendship, forgiveness, love and God! Simply stated, SIMPLY DIVINE is an easy read that I would definitely recommend to my cousins, nieces and others.
SIMPLY DIVINE written by expert Jacquelin Thomas introduces Divine Matthews-Hardison, a snobby teen, who is all about the spotlight! As Divine thoroughly enjoys the hobnobbing, the paparazzi and the glam that she has been fortunate enough to be born into, life quickly becomes less fun when the headline goes from glam to brutal. While all families have issues, Divine's family business is aired out in the media daily causing ridicule and shame. Can the teen drama queen and her comfortable cushioned world survive the disturbance?
From Hollywood, CA to Temple, GA, Divine is distraught as she goes from the lap of luxury to the confines of normalcy. Foreign to Divine is what life is like for an average teen minus the glitz. When Divine has to suck it up and learn to adjust to a simpler lifestyle, is she mature enough to handle it? Or will Miss Drama Teen kick and scream the entire way there?
I have to say SIMPLY DIVINE is simply great! I love that the book features a young character set in her snotty ways, but comes to love and embrace family, friendship, forgiveness, love and God! Simply stated, SIMPLY DIVINE is an easy read that I would definitely recommend to my cousins, nieces and others.
August 2, 2012
Princess
In "Simply Divine," we meet Divine Matthews-Harrison, a teenager that has the BEST of everything. Divine's parents are well known singer Kara Matthews and actor Jerome Hardison. Divine and her dad have a poor relationship thanks to his dishonesty. Always having lived the glamorous life, she's popular, owns designer clothes and her hair and nails flawless. Chores! Not for this spoiled drama queen brat.
Kara wins a Grammy and Divine's world is turned in a different direction.
Jerome and Kara's lives spin out of control. So where is Divine? She's sent to Georgia with Uncle Reed and his family.
There has always been a large house with a maid, cook, and driver where Divine has lived. But in Georgia, her family lives in a three bedroom house with only ONE BATHROOM and five people. Can things get any WORSE!?!?!?!
"Simply Divine" is a very good read that I would recommend to teenagers as well as adults.
Reviewed by: Carmen
In "Simply Divine," we meet Divine Matthews-Harrison, a teenager that has the BEST of everything. Divine's parents are well known singer Kara Matthews and actor Jerome Hardison. Divine and her dad have a poor relationship thanks to his dishonesty. Always having lived the glamorous life, she's popular, owns designer clothes and her hair and nails flawless. Chores! Not for this spoiled drama queen brat.
Kara wins a Grammy and Divine's world is turned in a different direction.
Jerome and Kara's lives spin out of control. So where is Divine? She's sent to Georgia with Uncle Reed and his family.
There has always been a large house with a maid, cook, and driver where Divine has lived. But in Georgia, her family lives in a three bedroom house with only ONE BATHROOM and five people. Can things get any WORSE!?!?!?!
"Simply Divine" is a very good read that I would recommend to teenagers as well as adults.
Reviewed by: Carmen
June 1, 2010
The author, Jacquelin Thomas is telling the reader that no matter how famous or how high your political class is, you still have family problems and self issues. Jacqualine Thomas is using conflict to support that. The main character , Divine, was a teen who was born into the famous life thinking ' this ull be easy ' and it wasnt as she thought.
On page , 8, Divine was forced to call Jerome dad because of the press. "I hate him,' 'Don't say that, Divine. He's your daddy."
I imagined divine saying ' This is not my father so stop acting like it is for our family wont look screwed up ' in her head
Also the mom saying ' i wish this child wasnt so hard headed ' in her head
On page , 8, Divine was forced to call Jerome dad because of the press. "I hate him,' 'Don't say that, Divine. He's your daddy."
I imagined divine saying ' This is not my father so stop acting like it is for our family wont look screwed up ' in her head
Also the mom saying ' i wish this child wasnt so hard headed ' in her head
July 3, 2010
The book Simply Divine is about a girl that is the daughter or two superstars. The girl name is Divine, and her parents are going through things . Her dad is in trouble with the law and her mom is just stuck up ,so called demons are in her. Divine is so used to getting what ever she want but now everything changes, she is getting moved to the country. Now divine have to do everything on her own the butler is not around any more. She have to wash dishes and work on the farm she doesn't like it at all. But she gets use to it later on. I think this book taught me how to be nice to everyone , and if you are famouse or not you could anything on your own without help.
April 17, 2009
This book was awsome it was about this girl who was famous but when she came back to her home town. She began to realize how much she was missing out on having a reagular teenage lifestyle. She ended up convincing her hollywood mother to let her live a normal life with her cousins and aunt. Her mother getting a home in Atlanta that was not to far from the small town in Georgia. Because they originally stayed in LA and her father got arrested for murder...good!
June 18, 2009
this book was great,i loved it.OK im bout to break the story down into important moments......A DIVA NAMED DIVINE,HAS A DADDY GOIN TO JAIL.....DIVINE MOVES FROM HER FAME AND GLAMOROUS LIFE STYLE TO DOWN WHERE EVERYTHING IS SIMPLE LIVING AND LEARNS TO COPE WITH HER PROBLEMS AND HER NEW LIFE!
October 3, 2014
I gave two stars because it's a nice Christian novel that can inspire those teens who had undergone the same situation as the lead character, yet the construction and pacing of the story isn't well written. I kinda felt like I skipped 4 pages but it was really how it was.
November 27, 2008
Interesting series
April 1, 2009
Simply divine was an alsome book! It was so relatable and drama filled which i love! it was one of those books u dnt want to put down... til the end!
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June 6, 2009this book was a good i would recommend this book to people
March 29, 2010
I thought that the book was a way showing that even though you go through hard times during life something happens to make it work.
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December 3, 2010I can really relate to this book
November 8, 2012
I loved this book. It was great from beginning to end. Jacquelin Thomas is a great writer. :)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews