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The following review is unsponsored. These are my feelings about the book and its contents, not the author themselves although background information about them may be included. This review may include profanity. This review will begin with a brief summary, followed by some vocabulary words I learned along the way, and finish with reflections on direct quotes and/or answers to book club questions (if available from the author). This book review will also include my Amazon affiliate links which, if you choose to purchase from said links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Rating system:
⭐️ = Did not finish/ hate it
⭐️ ⭐️ = I did not like it, would throw tomatoes
⭐️⭐️⭐️ = I like it, probably wouldn’t double back
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = I would recommend this
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = my soul has healed, I'm enlightened, my day just got better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRUST By Daines L. Reed
Summary:
Black women are the focus of this novel!
Their sisterhood continues to inspire me throughout the entire book. I find several opportunities to connect and relate to them from my own life. As book one of three, we start with seeing mostly Ruth’s story - a woman who conquers the struggles of poverty and an abusive marriage. She participates in a long-term book club with her co-workers, and they all find ways to empower and encourage each other by trusting God, themselves, and each other. They learn to move with strong intentions of bettering themselves at all costs. The beauty in this writing sheds light on several topics that many can relate to - especially as black women.
The discussed topics include financial burdens, painful or abusive relationships, being new caregivers to their elders, and raising their adult children. By sharing their vulnerabilities with each other and leaning in on the strength they give, there are solutions within arm's reach. These twelve women take risks and trust their instincts to leave a legacy behind and have their future generations prosper long after they are already gone. They are tired of the same old struggles! There must be something more. Luckily, they find the support they need inside and outside of the book club to accomplish their long-term goals.
Many of the topics can be internalized and help reflect on our own lives. This book would be great for book club discussions and is a great example of black women winning against the odds. I need more!
Vocabulary:
| Asunder |
Adv. {archaic, literary} apart; divided |
| Bouffant |
Adj. (of a person’s hair) styled so as to puff out in a rounded shape |
| Niggled |
V. cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety Yes I did have a “what the fuck is THAT supposed to mean” moment when I first read it… |
**This section may contain spoilers!**
Quotes & Reflections
“She was thankful for the new day, yet she didn’t want to open her eyes because she knew that she’d actually have to get up and face it.”
That inner conflict of ‘I’m grateful’ and ‘I feel so weak’ come in so many different ways for me as well. Maybe it’s juggling depression or just a normal phase of life…I have not discovered that yet.
“They took care of each other, offering support and tough love as needed, never requiring thank you’s, paybacks, or IOUs.”
Real love…I’m searching for a real looove! *In sisterhood*
Ruth’s definition of “failure to launch” people: Full of great potential, but mysteriously tethered to the ground, unable to take off in life for some unknown reason.
I’m going to be completely honest and say that this one line made me tear up a little bit. I was immediately afraid that I am a ‘failure to launch’ person - but I reflected and came to the understanding that I’m currently working every day to be better than I was the previous day. I graduated from college and now I’m living a much softer, less hectic lifestyle and it can be difficult to accept that it’s perfectly okay to slow down. I’m older now and there isn’t a reason to have a 6am - 10pm schedule anymore! School kept me busy and moving and now that I have time to read, garden, create…why should I feel guilty for that? I finally have peace. I launched. I’m launching. I am constantly evolving. And so are all of the ladies in this book!
“[Ruth] sympathized with the woman and instinctively asked God not to let the woman give up. Not when she appeared to be trying so hard, even though she was clearly miles away from her comfort zone.”
This is from Ruth seeing someone trying the elliptical machine at the gym and struggling quite a bit, but this is how Ruth sees strangers and her friends, her coworkers, and even her abusive ex-husband. She moves with peace and prays for others constantly. I’m not religious by any means but I am spiritual. It’s a green flag to wish the best for people because you never know what anyone is going through.
“When people desire something or feel self-conscious about a thing they may be lacking, that’s the thing they become most aware of in other people.”
“You never know how strong you are until strong is your only choice”
– Bob Marley
I love the use of quotes throughout this book. They could be heavy, but they can be light and relatable as well. Ones that will definitely stick to me and apply to situations I live currently today.
The group savings “sou-sou”. Do you think that we could experience something like that in today’s society? Personally, there’s so many scammers and ways to lie that I don’t know if anybody could really commit in the way these ladies do. I am not sure if it has been mentioned how long they have all worked together, but their bonds are very strong. They hold each other accountable and welcome new people with open arms. Not sure if I have enough of those types of people around me LOL.
“She hadn’t been raised to be financially savvy in the traditional sense. She had been raised to survive.”
Unfortunately, this is a truth many Black Americans experience, including myself. “You gotta pull from Peter to pay Paul” or whatever my mom used to say! But it is also true that the economy is not what it was nor what it should be. It’s rough out here for all races, BUT I refuse to minimize the fact that Black Americans are fighting against odds that other racial groups cannot relate to and we never even asked to be American….anyways.
“Don’t stop learning. Don’t stop reading ain’t no way you can learn if you don’t read.”
Look at all the things I learned just by reading this book? Point proven exactly.
“If anybody has done it, then anybody CAN do it.”
“But I couldn’t have no man telling me what I can’t do for my own children. They’re always going to be my kids. If they need me, I’m here.”
This reminded me so much of my own mother. NO MAN could have ever stopped her from providing for her daughters even though we are both grown as hell. And I will be the same for my future children if the universe allows me the pleasure. Although I was glad that Irene is ten toes for her children, we learn later about them that they are not very responsible with their choices and she can come off as an enabler of their behaviors. It’s a fine line to walk and maintain.
“I let my friend claim Toot on her taxes this year.”
For example…LIKE CELESTE’S DAUGHTER? Are people actually doing this in real life because that’s absolutely insane. Luckily Celeste put some sense into her daughter about it. Ain’t nobody waiting for their taxes in July. Not a damn soul. This made me so mad!!!!
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Cup names. You know, like names that the kids could find on a cup when they go to Disneyland.”
LMAO I can only laugh, because I never found my name on anything and still don’t. Krystyn Schae? No way.
However, here at Schae’s Place we customize with any names and you may find other personalized options from some of the black businesses I’ve listed here as well.
“Look ya’ll. I’m not a liar, but sometimes you gotta play the game with these men. Keep them quiet and still handle your business.”
My grandma always told me to have my own life, my own friends, and especially my own money. She ain’t neva lied either! OKAY??? Cynthia’s husband discovered her contributions to their sou-sou and wanted no parts. Guilted her into leaving the club and taking her money back. Irene came through to boost her confidence AND give her a solution to resolve her man-problem and peacefully still contribute to her future.
These twelve women hold each other accountable, uplift one another, speak the word of God and respect each other in ways that I can appreciate and admire throughout the entirety of the book. Good Morning Beautiful is the next book in the series that will follow Cynthia’s story. The final book is Julene’s story, who I think is one of the younger women in the book club and was a new member in the first book. The author, Daines L. Reed, explains that any of the three books in the series can be read in whatever order. Dealer’s choice! After reading this one I am eager to start the next and have added it to my official TBR list of 2024.
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xoxo,
Schae
