It’s Not All Downhill From Here: A Novel

Best known for her books, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, McMillan has a formula for reaching an audience of a certain age. While this reader falls into this demographic, this tale seems a tad trite and uninspired.

The narrator is a highly successful cosmetic tycoon with a loving husband and great life. When her husband unexpectedly dies during her birthday celebration, she is left to contend with her business, her friend group, and her addicted daughter who wants nothing to do with her. There is also a young man who claims to be the son of her late husband. While we are told that the narrator is grieving, only a postponement of friend trips seems to indicate this. The narrator seems to deal with her cast of characters through liberal monetary contributions to them to ease their problems. It should not be surprising to the reader that it all comes together neatly by the end of the story. The author does manage to develop a healthy cast of characters and keep the story moving forward. For her fans, this will be a must-read.