Themes

Forgiveness

In Something Good by Vanessa Miller, forgiveness emerges as a key theme influencing the characters' lives. Alexis Marshall faces an emotional struggle with guilt and seeks reconciliation after an accident. Her experiences reflect the complexities of self-forgiveness, influenced by societal pressures and hidden guilt.

Trish Robinson encounters another facet of forgiveness. She grapples with forgiving Alexis, who caused her son Jon-Jon's condition, while also dealing with grief and anger. Her husband Dwayne's resentment poses an additional challenge to their healing. The novel explores how Trish's journey through internal conflict requires resilience and courage to choose forgiveness over bitterness. Something Good depicts the interconnected paths to forgiveness, leading to personal growth and community healing.

Faith

In Something Good, faith and prayer lead characters through adversity. The character Trish Robinson exemplifies this theme with her devotion to her son Jon-Jon. After his accident, Trish relies on prayer to navigate difficult times. Her dedication illustrates the strength and resilience faith provides during hardships.

Alexis Marshall also finds guidance through faith, which helps alleviate her guilt and personal struggles. These moments demonstrate how belief can offer comfort and hope, suggesting that even severe challenges can bring unexpected positive outcomes. Throughout the novel, Vanessa Miller emphasizes faith as a guide to overcoming life's difficulties.

Quick facts

• Something Good won the 2022 Best Christian Fiction Award at the African American Literary Awards.

• Vanessa Miller began writing Something Good early in the 2020 pandemic. 

• The novel explores the interconnected lives of three women after a tragic accident.

• The characters' lives change profoundly after praying for “something good,” leading to an unexpected friendship.

• Something Good emphasizes themes of forgiveness, redemption, divine intervention, and the transformative power of faith.

• Miller has described Something Good as “the book that touched my heart and helped me grow as an author and as a human being.”

• The story deeply explores heavy real-life issues including guilt, mental health struggles, and family dynamics.

• A red cardinal symbolizes hope and spiritual guidance within the novel.

• Miller's novels consistently highlight strong Black female characters dealing with contemporary challenges.

• Something Good received high praise from other authors, including Rachel Hauck, and  incorporates discussion questions, making it ideal for book clubs.

About the author

Vanessa Miller is a bestselling author and playwright. Her novels explore themes of forgiveness, redemption, and resilience, focusing on the experiences and strength of Black women. Drawing on her personal faith, her inspirational works of contemporary fiction include Something Good (2022), focused on the intertwined lives of three women after a tragic accident, and What We Found in Hallelujah (2022). Her works of historical fiction include The American Queen (2024) winner of the Christy Award and the American Fiction Award for both African American Fiction and Historical Fiction, and The Filling Station (2025), a USA Today bestseller confronting the devastation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Miller holds a degree in Organizational Communication from Capital University. In addition to her writing, she is an entrepreneur and motivational speaker.