Mercy House

A Novel

By: Alena Dillon

Narrated by: Dawn Harvey, Catherine Ho, Scarlette Hayes, Eboni Flowers, Caitlin Kelly, Bahni Turpin

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

“A life-altering debut featuring fierce, funny, and irreverent women who battle the most powerful institution in the world. This is the book we’ve all been waiting for.” (Amy Schumer)

She would stop at nothing to protect the women under her care.

Inside a century-old row house in Brooklyn, renegade Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns preside over a safe haven for the abused and abandoned. Gruff and indomitable on the surface, warm and wry underneath, little daunts Evelyn, until she receives word that Mercy House will be investigated by Bishop Hawkins, a man with whom she shares a dark history. In order to protect everything they’ve built, the nuns must conceal many of their methods, which are forbidden by the Catholic Church.

Evelyn will go to great lengths to defend all that she loves. She confronts a gang member, defies the church, challenges her own beliefs, and faces her past. She is bolstered by the other nuns and the vibrant, diverse residents of the shelter - Lucia, Mei-Li, Desiree, Esther, and Katrina - whose differences are outweighed by what unites them: They’ve all been broken by men but are determined to rebuild.

Amidst her fight, Evelyn discovers the extraordinary power of mercy and the grace it grants, not just to those who receive it, but to those strong enough to bestow it.

©2020 Alena Dillon (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

WOW

I found this book to be outstanding! It touched on subjects near and dear to my heart. The mlm location, being where I grew up in, Brooklyn, allowed me to imagine the location. Great characters as well.

performance kept me involved throughout

Loved this book, especially the writing. Tough subject matter, but I am so glad to have read it.

A Human Story About Women

The story is a powerful one. The back and forth through time works really well in fleshing out the backstory of the women of Mercy House. It’s not common to read about an aged character and to find her so relatable. I found myself routing
for each of them, but especially for Sister Evelyn.

I really enjoyed the readers’ portrayals of each of the characters. They seemed so alive and sympathetic without being wimpy. I felt lots of emotions throughout the story, which always makes a book enjoyable and memorable. Great book!

Enjoyed this book. Thought provoking and honest.

As a catholic, I thought I would not care for the story once I understood the underlying theme.. but I read on. sexual abuse happens everywhere, anywhere. The truth that I loved about this was how each individual woman overcame their own abuse and feelings of unworthiness. that is the "happy ending" most of us desire.

An Absolute Must Read!

Moved beyond words. I cannot say enough about the Women of Mercy House. You WILL be touched by this book regardless of your faith. GET IT NOW!!!

So very good, highly recommend!

This was beautifully written. It is honest, deep, and so very important. I actually felt honored to read/listen to it and honored that Alena Dillon wrote it to be read/heard. I hadn’t even heard about it but got it as part of an Audible credit deal. So very good!

Heartbreaking at times

Finished this book in two days. Definitely worth my time and would recommend to my friends

Great story!!! If you love the central theme of Call the Midwife, you’ll love Mercy House!

Loved feeling the power of women and friendship radiate throughout this book. Superb narration. I enjoyed hearing the different voices of the women so much ❤️

wonderful, exciting and suspenseful.

loved the tough and loveable characters. Enjoyed going on the nun's journey to happiness and peace.

Just amazing

I loved this book. I was on the edge of my seat, heart beat raised or just crying my eyes out throughout listening to this. Just plain amazing