Customer Reviews

What Doesn't Kill You: A Novel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Thomasina "Tee" Hodges has always had her life under control. Tee raised her daughter Amber by herself after her divorce and has been riding high ever since. But everything changes in an instant when Tee is suddenly laid off and doesn't tell anyone. To make matters worse, she just threw a big wedding for Amber and then wakes up the next morning with the best man. Tee's average normal life is now suddenly spiraling out of control towards bankruptcy. Tee is suddenly faced with having to make some huge sacrifices in order to survive. Will she be able to depend on herself to get things together?

What Doesn't Kill You is an entertaining novel by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant. DeBerry & Grant once again brings us a tale that is thought-provoking and relatable. What makes this story stand out is the way that it is told. By having the main character Tee tell this story in the first person, it makes you feel as if your best girlfriend is talking to you. There are some very timely issues in this novel such as jobloss and impending bankruptcy that readers will be able to identify with. This is not a fast-paced read, but you can see the gradual development of this story as you get further into the book. You will find yourself rooting for Tee to get everything back on track. What Doesn't Kill You is a great novel filled with realistic situations and smart, sassy humor.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Thomasina (Tee) Rodgers knew she was in for it when she woke up, the morning after her daughter's wedding, in bed with the best man, her son-in-law's cousin. How did she get there? Well, it all started when she divorced her husband while her daughter Amber was a baby. Having to make a way for the two of them, she meets entrepreneur Olivia Markson and begins an employment association and friendship that would last until Olivia's death. Because of their friendship and what Tee felt was a partnership, Tee thought the business would always be there, but Olivia's daughter had other plans. Soon Tee finds herself unemployed, planning a lavish wedding and only probable prospects for the future. Hence, a night of too much champagne and dwindling hope has Tee reeling as she wakes up in bed with Ron.

Tee decides to hide the truth from her family and friends as long as she can and then doesn't want to except any help. With her savings diminishing, creditors calling and facing possible bankruptcy, Tee reinvents herself using all that she has learned in the business world. As she does, she develops a tentative relationship with Ron that inspires her and could possibly be one of the best things to happen to her. Will she succeed? Or, will she fall prey to economic disaster?

In WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have created a real life protagonist who has the resourcefulness and wit to deal with real world issues. This timely production teaches that though you're down and out, you can still reach within to succeed in this world; it just may take a little work, a little planning and whole lot of faith to do so. This is my first DeBerry and Grant read and it most definitely will not be my last. I found the characters in this advance reading copy to be engaging, funny and inspirational. I absolutely love the writing style. This is a very good pick-me-up type of read for those who are going through bad economic times right now.

Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

"What Doesn't Kill You" written by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant was realistic and marvelous written. I like the way that Tee spoke to the readers. Through her trails she overcame all of her obstacles. She stayed focused with the help of her friends, family, and her love. Even thou we are in the valley for a season we still must stay focused on the positive aspect in our life. Then we know "This too should pass".
Winnie Norris
Women2Women Book club, Daytona Bch, FL

I must say that DeBerry and Grant have never disappointed me. However WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU is definitely my favorite book by the duo. In today's economy practically everybody I know is having money problems, so the theme was right on time. The pitfalls that Tee faced were very recognizable: Sometimes no matter how hard we try to avoid mistakes we're going to have to go through the fire! In some instances I laughed so hard, I cried. It was wonderful to experience her journey 'first-person'. It was like listening to an old friend tell you how she got over. :o) Y'all know what I mean.

I hope there's a sequel!

What Doesn't Kill You by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant is one of those novels that will have readers talking to the characters. Tee is in her forties and the mother to a bride-to-be. She is also involved in a relationship with Gerald, who is married to someone else. Her career is good, however, she is in it by circumstance and not by design. It appears that Tee has allowed a great deal of her life to simply happen to her. What she becomes faced with will make her realize that she will have to do something, to get something.

After working for the same company for many years, Tee is fired after the original owner dies. She is so shocked that she becomes unable to accept the reality of her situation. She also chooses not to discuss it with anyone, going on with her plans as though nothing has occurred. The big wedding she planned for her daughter must go on. A cruise she planned when working has to occur. And, her inertia and failing to follow through on financial situations forces her into a corner. At that point, the light seems to come on in Tee's mind, forcing her to make some choices. She will have to decide what to do about her career, her love life and her future. Tee will have to make it happen, not allow it to happen.

I absolutely enjoyed this realistic novel about what happens to a woman when she goes with the flow instead of planning and preparing. I also loved the lesson of how it only takes one change to throw an entire life off course. All readers, not just women, can learn from what Tee went through and enjoy a fun book while learning. I recommend
What Doesn't Kill You to all readers.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

I'm not saying I didn't like the book, but sometimes it's just a little bit too much realism to read about somebody's adjustable rate mortgage going up, or the fact that they can't afford to get their car fixed. Some days, I'd just rather read about someone being swept off their feet and whisked off to some tropical island resort where they can run across the beach, you know?

Tee, the main character in this novel, is extremely well-drawn and engaging, and the book is actually a fun read -- despite the serious subject matter. The book opens with her attending her daughter's wedding, and then details how her life kind of spirals out of control in the year that follows. Just when you think nothing else bad could possibly happen to Tee (medical accident with no insurance, mortage problems, job loss, car trouble, romantic problems), something does. Meanwhile, everyone else's life appears to be going so well. Have you ever had a year like that? I have. What's fun about this book is the way in which Tee resolves her problems herself -- she doesn't win the lottery, no one else swoops in and saves her. She saves herself. I personally would have liked a little more suspense and drama, since at least for me, it felt like I knew where the book was going pretty much from the get-go. Would I read another book by these writers? I'm not sure, but maybe . .

I checked this audio book out at my local library and I have to say that I'm glad I did! This was a real-life and very timely story about loss and restoration. I absolutely loved it! I found myself hating to turn it off and never wanted it to end. Great job, ladies!

A quick and easy read about a woman who has to overcome the obstacles that life puts in her way. Written in the style of first person narration, the story moves along at a great pace as Thomasina talks to us about her life, her struggles, joys and pains. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and that adage certainly applies to Thomasina. Highly enjoyable.

I borrowed the audiobook from the library. The authors read it. It was so funny I would be late for everything because I would sit in my car listening.I love these writers and this book.

These two authors come together and tell a good story everytime. But this time - I think they took it up a notch. Thanks ladies for writing Tee's story/My story. Tee and I must be cut from the same cloth. I hope when I get to my end - it'll be as pleasant as hers. The story line was great and the way you introduced it to us was great. Don't let your readers down - I'm sure Tee has more to tell.