Reviews

I really wanted to enjoy this book. And when I looked at the reviews from others, I fully expected to enjoy this book. (I seem to be one of the very few who was disappointed.) So, where did this story go sideways for me?

For starters, the dialog was far too on the nose. Every conversation sounded scripted and expository. If someone was sad, they said it. “I’m sad.” Disappointed? “I’m disappointed.” The dialog rarely felt authentic but instead precise and entirely lacking in nuance and subtext, regardless of which character was speaking.

Secondly, our protagonist drove me nuts. For a Black billionaire who must have overcome tremendous obstacles and had the determination of a pit bull to get to that point in his life, he took every throw coming at him fully on the chin. With every false accusation and conflict, he walked away with his head down and defeated – with the possible exception of the scene in the hospital where he only threatened to put his wealth to use. James Henry Ferguson never felt real to me because his reactions seemed at odds with what had to be his history. (I’ll add that Fountain also felt entirely unrealistic to me. His character lurched from angry/violent/lost to unrealistically contrite [see Biff Tanner, “Back to the Future”] and then to discouraged/resigned and finally to confident and successful all in the course of one year.)

Which brings me to another issue. The story entirely depends on our protagonist having the wealth and resources of an Oliver Warbucks. The only lesson you can gain from the story arc is that it will all work out as long as you are blindingly rich or you have a billionaire at your back. How I would love to hear this story retold but with a protagonist who can’t buy himself/herself out of every lousy situation.

To wrap up with one more frustration, the ending felt very deus ex machina. Everything is ready to collapse for Mr. Ferguson and the community until an all-too-convenient discovery provides a way out.

But that’s just my two-cents.

meredithamadee's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

I’m so excited to moderate a panel with this author for the Tucson Festival of Books. This was a really wonderful story full of hope, heartbreak, redemption and what it looks like when a community comes together to serve one another.

The book follows James Ferguson, a Black billionaire and family man. James goes through a series of trials and makes some pretty devastating mistakes. In order to heal, he moves from the city of D.C to a small town in the South. He is confronted by incredible poverty and pretty overt racism. Through his own journey to healing, he helps the people who he comes to call family in his new community.

This book was really beautiful and I think could be enjoyed by a wide audience. I really appreciate the perspective and the redemptive arc. If you want to be uplifted and filled with hope while reading, I definitely recommend this book!

lit_vibrations's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

An amazing book that you can’t judge by the cover‼️ Mr. Jimmy (James) was the neighborhood hero down in Ham, Mississippi. He left his old life behind and moved into an unknown community seeking redemption. But what he found was a town riddled with poverty and neighbors that were all in need one way or another.

James was a person that didn’t wait for someone to say they needed help. He gave and did things just because it was the right thing to do. Plus he had the money. You might think James was doing all these things as a way to make himself feel better for the past mistakes he made. But in actuality this was just in his character.

What caused James to move to Ham, Mississippi was rather interesting considering his character’s age. I wouldn’t expect him to take the route he’d gone I mean he had MONEY so the Lady Nymph situation was odd. I think his wife’s reaction to everything was expected but a little extreme. I don’t think what he did was immediately forgivable buuuuuut Rebecca could’ve been more understanding to what he was dealing with. Nothing in life happens by chance so I found it crazy she walked away so easily without looking at it from his perspective.

Overall, this was such a lighthearted comforting read. The author explored themes surrounding marriage, poverty, rediscovering yourself, and giving back to those in need. The characters weren’t as layered as I’d like but most are memorable. I really enjoyed the fact we had an older MC working through his flaws and shortcomings. The plot moves a bit slow but it allows readers to really savor and enjoy the story. Special thanks to the author & @beaufortbooks for my gifted copy‼️

megribbin's review

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

James is a successful businessman, in fact one of the first black billionaires. When things go sideways in his personal life, it is plastered all over the news and James loses the life he loved and worked so hard for. Instead of caving in on himself or become self-destructive, James moves to Mississippi and becomes Mr. Jimmy from around the way, changing the lives of his new community forever.

This book is beautiful. It paints a stunning picture of life in the rural, poverty stricken, racist south in ways that I hadn't read before. It was horrifying to read about this community and I found myself thinking, this is supposed to be 2017?!?! While I don't see these attitudes in my daily life (particularly as a white female) I have no doubt they still exist and are very real, even in 2017 and 2024.

This story is overwhelmingly sad, but contains strong undertones of hope. James could easily just quit and become bitter and say screw the world, but instead he uses what he has to make a difference in his new community and the results are astounding. I loved every part of this amazing novel and will be recommending it far and wide.

Content Warnings

ambereatsbooks's review

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4.0

I really enjoyed my time with these characters. I love how this was a story of second chances. The main character has been involved in a scandal and decides to relocate to a small town sight unseen. Once he’s there he becomes immeshed with the community and begins to help its most destitute members.

This is a feel good story with a lot of depth and tons of heart. It will make you want to pack up and move to a small town if you don’t live in one already. The kindness and generosity that were demonstrated throughout the story will overfill your heart with joy. You will begin to look for things in your own life to be grateful for as well as look for opportunities to help others.

There are some tough topics covered. Make sure to check the trigger warnings before jumping in if that’s something you prefer.

Read this book if….no that’s it…just read this book.

corgi_reads_books's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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