Stacy Hawkins Adams
Nothing but the Right Thing (2006)
Author: Stacy Hawkins Adams
Genre: Chick Lit (Christian)
Plot Summary:
One evening, Erika finally decides to leave her physically abusive husband, Elliott, and check herself into a shelter for battered women. As she does this she thinks of her closest friend Serena and how her life seems so wonderfully complete. Serena and her husband Micah have just bought their dream home in Richmond, VA. Micah is a pastor at a well-respected church, while Serena has traded in her high stress career as an advertising executive for an executive directorship at a local non-profit for children. Serena and Micah are eager to start a family but their attempts thus far have resulted in two emotionally painful miscarriages. In addition, Micah’s pastor position is in jeopardy, creating even more stress within the household. Serena finds that she is struggling to be there for her friend Erika and to maintain her faith in God. SPOILER: Each character in the novel grapples with either finding or reaffirming their faith. During Erika’s stay at the shelter she finds out that she is pregnant. While initially resistant, she later embraces God as she prepares to raise a child on her own and start a new career as an interior designer. Micah realizes that he must follow what he believes is God’s path for him. When his church pursues a television contract with a gospel channel, Micah holds firm in his opposition. When the church lets him go, Micah decides to open his own ministry that focuses on addressing issues within the community including drugs, gangs, and youth violence. Serena accepts the fact that her desire to have a child of her own will have to be put on hold. In the meantime, however, Serena and Micah agree to care for Erika’s newborn son Aaron until she is settled enough to raise him herself. In the end, Micah has a small but growing ministry and Serena finds out she is pregnant with twins. Erika has taken back her son and has a promising opportunity as an interior decorator. Her abusive husband Elliott has found God, and is making steps to apologize to Erika and become a part of his young son’s life.
Geographical Setting: Richmond, Virginia
Time Period: Present day (2006)
Series: Book 2 in the Spirit and Soul series
Appeal Characteristics:
The pacing of the novel can best be described as measured. Both plot lines and the characters are revealed leisurely over the course of the book. The book is also more character, rather than plot driven. Characters are well detailed and the novel explores their fears and motivations by exploring their past and present lives. The story is character centered and contains two story lines that unweave as the story progresses. The story is an internal and psychological look at how the characters deal with their life and faith. While the story covers a number of heavy topics, the overall tone is hopeful. Each person finds and takes comfort in their faith and its ability to pull them through their difficulties. The story’s setting is set in urban Richmond, Virginia. This setting is often alluded to in church sermons which discuss drugs and gang violence. Adam’s writing style is simple and direct. The main thrust of Adam’s novel is to highlight faith and the African American experience. While characters do undergo complications in their life, the book is steadfast in communicating the value of faith.
Read-alikes: Readers who enjoy Nothing but the Right Thing should consider reading Speak to My Heart, the first book in Adam’s Spirit and Soul series. In the novel, Serena is struggling with her high-powered career, a painful family secret, and helping her friend Erika through an abusive relationship. This novel contains multiple plot lines and is also character-focused. Those who like Adam’s urban setting and attention to real-life issues but with an overarching hopeful tone may enjoy Pink, by Marilynn Griffith. This novel features a young fashion designer named Raya who lives in New York City and whose faith is being tested by a number of difficult life situations. Readers who like Adam’s urban setting and a character-driven storyline might read Saved in the City, by Jacquelin Thomas. Set in New York City, the story focuses on the lives of three women who are struggling to get by and keep their faith amidst the temptations of the big city. Others who are drawn to multiple story lines and a plot that unfolds at an even pace might try Heavenly Places, by Kimberly Cash Tate. In the novel, the protagonist, Treva Langston, loses her high-powered job and is forced to move back to her hometown. Readers who are interested in a character-centered story with an overall hopeful tone should consider Strongholds, by Vanessa Davis Griggs. The novel follows a group of congregants as they work through the issues that are testing their faiths.
Red Flags: Descriptions of domestic violence.
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