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Getting to Happy

By: Terry McMillan
Narrated by: Terry McMillan, S. Epatha Merkerson, Gloria Reuben, LaChanze
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Editorial reviews

It’s been 15 years and the four women you loved from Waiting to Exhale are back with a few more wrinkles, a few more pounds, but the same old man issues. Savannah (voiced by author Terry McMillan), who was single when we last knew her, has now been married for 10 years and is falling out of love. Robin has a 15-year-old daughter and is trying her hand at internet dating. Bernadine, now twice divorced, is drowning in her prescription drug addiction. And Gloria, the only woman out of the four with a good man and a happy home is dealt a tragic blow, which brings all four of the women even closer in support of their friend. The same personalities that made the original novel so great are still there, but the bitterness and unhappiness that pervades these women’s lives gets tiresome in this sequel.

McMillan’s portrayal of Savannah is especially bitter and acid-laced and one can’t help but wonder if her own failed marriage inspires the tone. The other three characters, voiced by S. Epatha Merkerson, Gloria Reuben, and LaChanze, sound strikingly familiar to the actresses who portrayed the women in the movie Waiting to Exhale. Whether on purpose or not, it’s easy to picture the characters as their on-screen personas and get involved with them all over again.

If you loved Waiting to Exhale and are curious about where these women ended up, this book is worth a listen. But if you’re hoping they all found a happy ending or have learned something about men and love in the past 15 years, you’re bound to be disappointed. Colleen Oakley

Publisher's summary

Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale was more than just a bestselling novel - its publication was a watershed moment in literary history. McMillan's sassy and vibrant story about four African American women struggling to find love and their place in the world touched a cultural nerve, inspired a blockbuster film, and generated a devoted audience.

Now, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin fifteen years later. Each is at her own midlife crossroads: Savannah has awakened to the fact that she's made too many concessions in her marriage, and decides to face life single again-at fifty-one. Bernadine has watched her megadivorce settlement dwindle, been swindled by her husband number two, and conned herself into thinking that a few pills will help distract her from her pain. Robin has an all-American case of shopaholism, while the big dream of her life - to wear a wedding dress - has gone unrealized. And for years, Gloria has taken happiness and security for granted. But being at the wrong place at the wrong time can change everything. All four are learning to heal past hurts and to reclaim their joy and their dreams; but they return to us full of spirit, sass, and faith in one another. They've exhaled: now they are learning to breathe.

©2010 Terry McMillan (P)2010 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“The women of Waiting to Exhale have returned.... McMillan fans won't be disappointed.” (Dallas Morning News)

"It's great to meet up with old friends again." (People)

"Required reading for anyone who cared about Waiting to Exhale." (Miami Herald)

What listeners say about Getting to Happy

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Great Sequel

loved it. Nice plot twists for all the characters from Waiting to Exhale. If you have read the first, you have to read this!

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great love these friends

yes loved it
will most likely listen too it again
and Share it with a friend

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Loved it!!

Wish the story could continue on. I’m wanting more of Savannah and Jasper!! Does Gloria find love again?? Does Bernadine go back to John??? And I want to see Robin’s over 50 big lavish wedding!! It’s a great read/listen!!

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A lovely story about life

I watched waiting to exhale when it came out years ago and later read the book. This book was a great sequel to understand the next chapter in these characters stories. I enjoyed every bit of the book.

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Great book

I just loved this book…. I saw so much of me and my friends in this story. Thank you Terry McMillan for another great book!!!

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It was Very good

Much. better than most of the auto books I have listen to it was very entertaining and the characters were interesting I
I almost hated for it to end love Terry

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Always enjoy Terry’s books !

Sisterhood at its best! Robin Savannah Bernadine and Gloria have such an unbreakable bond!
Thanks

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girl friends

their are nothing like girl friends you can't live with them, you can't live without .

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    4 out of 5 stars

"PUSH PASS Terry's narration"

I had been waiting for this one to come out. So I downloaded 'before' I read the reviews. I "RE-started" 3 times - I had to try to get pass Terry's voice - All of the reviews are right about that comment. Little did I know, Terry is not the only voice. So PUSH PASS how hard it is to listen to Terry's narration because after a while it gets easier. I was able to really enjoy the audiobook. .... I can see another movie and another book from here!!!

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15 people found this helpful

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Great Read!

Great read! I enjoyed every part of this book. I would definitely recommend to my friends!!

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