Allreaders.com

Something Old, Something New Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Something Old, Something New


Reverend Paula Grant is being forced out of the church she built to aid the homeless. Paula Grant is determined to continue to bring good to the community after being forced to close the church doors where she serves as head pastor. It isn't her choice. Finances dictate and the church isn't bringing in money. It costs to heat the building, taxes are high and insurance higher. There have been more than a few break-ins in the fifteen years since has has held her post. The homeless population will have to find somewhere else to go.
Click here to see the rest of this review...


As a social worker she wanted to help people. She has always known that her calling was to be of service to others. Earning a graduate degree wasn't enough. She finally felt like she had reached her mark when she completed a doctoral degree in divinity. This was her true calling and now she was being asked to step down. Where would the people go who needed to hear the word offered up by her sermons? Miami needed Old Ab and Paula did too.

She gets her opportunity to help in ways she never imagined. The community needs her and soon Paula is busy putting her social work training and her faith in God to work in ways that show people the true meaning of grace and favor.

In a small town in Georgia, Lily and Trent are planning for their big day. Everyone they know has been invited to their wedding. Although they would much rather elope, Trent is mayor and the big wedding must go on. Lily is over the planning, organizing and arranging. She simply wants to curl up with her man at night without the watchful eyes of others. Her godmother Bernadine is a socialite determined that her god daughter's wedding will make the cover of Essence and Ebony magazines.

Lily's foster son Devon, is nine-years-old wants to see his mom married. In fact, he wants to give the blessings at the ceremony along with the word of God. The couple is working to prepare the three children who will come together as a blended family time to connect with one another.

As much as Devon enjoys the company of his soon to be brother and sister he misses the one-on-one attention from Lily. He steals fifty dollars in order to buy a bus ticket back to his people in Mississippi. No one is having that type of foolishness. He earns a six o'clock early morning fence painting job for his troubles. With no time to change before the school bell rings, his paint splattered shirt along with the gossip from what he has done has made it all over the school. Sufficiently embarrassed, Lily and Trent believe he has learned his lesson about stealing. He apologizes to Ms. Lily for stealing from her purse. He just wants to find his parents, but he now knows that stealing won't help his cause.

Trent's foster son Amari gets a visit from his birth dad. He is pleased to have made his acquaintance but tells Trent in no uncertain terms that Trent is the one he calls “Daddy.”

The community has helped families who are down and out on their luck. Ms. Bernadine presiding as official wedding coordinator brought people back to Henry Adams that had been away a long time. The new crop of kids who had received placement in good homes with good families had community elders like Trents' dad to thank.

Paula had an opportunity to hear Devon preach and thought he did a fine job. In the end, she presided over the wedding giving praying beautiful words over Lily and Trent. She'd pulled it off, moved on from Old Ab to a new town where people and community came together in love.
Best part of story, including ending: I liked that Paula was able to put her skills to use after having to close Old Ab.

Best scene in story: My favorite scene was Amari standing up for himself to his birth father.

Opinion about the main character: I liked how Paula pulled people together she was very resourceful.

The review of this Book prepared by C. Imani Williams a Level 13 Blue-Winged Teal scholar

Chapter Analysis of Something Old, Something New

Click on a plot link to find similar books!

Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   2000+ (Present Day) Romance/Romance Problems    -   Yes Kind of romance:    -   black people romance Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Gender    -   Female Profession/status:    -   homemaker Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Black (American)

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   2 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Southeast

Writing Style

Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Something Old, Something New

Beverly Jenkins Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian