Review: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I won't recap this book in my review. The book description does it so well; there is no need for me to do so. And let me say, there is a lot of bible in this novel, a lot of preaching and using the bible to supplement arguments.

About this book-----Holey S**T!!! I expected a snarky look at church ladies, with some gossip, back-stabbing, and humor. I got that and so much more with this book. Some parts are funny as heck, other parts will make you cry, and some will make you want to put your fist through the wall.

Of course, Scharisse started life poor; her mother died young, and her Aunt is a crack-head. These aren't the only secrets, but they'll do for now! But fairy tales DO come true--at least on the surface.

Now Scharisse is her hubby the pastor's First Lady. He is the head of a mega-church. I hate to say this, but the only thing I know about mega-churches is from infrequent watching of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker back in the 80s, so I didn't have much to go on! Mega church-Mega rich, with a mind a tiny tad too much on sex, and a chance to win the First Lady USA pageant. But alas, things don't always go as intended and horrible things start happening to her.

Thankfully, although Scharisse hits rock bottom, she eventually learns and grows up and finally takes responsibility for her and her daughter Gabrielle's lives.

I couldn't put this book down, and I think it would make a wonderful book club read.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, Mariner Books/Harper Collins, the author, and NetGalley.

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BOOK SUMMARY: "The wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor upends her charmed “rags-to-Rolex” life when her secret past comes roaring into the spotlight—in this "funny and juicy and sexy and delicious peek behind the pulpit" (Samantha Irby) from the acclaimed and beloved author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.

From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband's power affords her.

On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.

But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.

Unflinchingly funny, frank, and packed with surprising turns, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman exults in the luscious, messy pleasure of finally feeling free."