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Getting to Happy (A Waiting to Exhale Novel) Paperback – June 7, 2011

by Terry McMillan (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,583 ratings
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan's exuberant return to the four unforgettable heroines of Waiting to Exhale.

Waiting to Exhale was more than just a bestselling novel—its publication was a watershed moment in literary history. McMillan's sassy and vibrant story about four black women struggling to find love and their place in the world touched a cultural nerve, inspired a blockbuster film, and generated a devoted audience.

Now, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin fifteen years later. Each is at her own midlife crossroads: Savannah has awakened to the fact that she's made too many concessions in her marriage, and decides to face life single again—at fifty-one. Bernadine has watched her megadivorce settlement dwindle, been swindled by her husband number two, and conned herself into thinking that a few pills will help distract her from her pain. Robin has an all-American case of shopaholism, while the big dream of her life—to wear a wedding dress—has gone unrealized. And for years, Gloria has taken happiness and security for granted. But being at the wrong place at the wrong time can change everything.

All four are learning to heal past hurts and to reclaim their joy and their dreams; but they return to us full of spirit, sass, and faith in one another. They've exhaled: now they are learning to breathe.
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Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 2
    Waiting to Exhale
  2. Print length
    448 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Berkley
  5. Publication date
    June 7, 2011
  6. Dimensions
    5.07 x 0.98 x 8.15 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780451233349
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0451233349
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Terry McMillan is a skilled master at writing dialogue for strong, intelligent women—AssociatedPress
WAITING TO EXHALE by Terry McMillan HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Terry McMillan A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT by Terry McMillan DISAPPEARING ACTS by Terry McMillan THE INTERRUPTION OF EVERYTHING by Terry McMillan WHO ASKED YOU? by Terry McMillan
WAITING TO EXHALE HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT DISAPPEARING ACTS THE INTERRUPTION OF EVERYTHING WHO ASKED YOU?
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Don't miss these fantastic novels from #1 New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan. The critically acclaimed novel about four women who learn to carry on while leaning on each other. A novel about how a woman saves her own life—and what she must risk to do it. A tour-de-force novel of family, healing, and redemption. A modern romance, from love at first sight to painful reality to working toward a happy ending. A laugh-out-loud funny novel about a woman who's putting herself first for the first time. A well-crafted story of acceptance, forgiveness, and hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Getting to Happy

“The Women of Waiting to Exhale have returned…McMillan fans won't be disappointed.”—Dallas Morning News

“It's great to meet up with old friends again.”—People

“Required reading for anyone who cared about Waiting to Exhale.”—Miami Herald

“Signature McMillan...[An] earthy, funny, personal voice.”—Raleigh News & Observer

“A phenomenal read.”—San Francisco Bay View

About the Author

Terry McMillan is the award-winning, critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale, Getting to Happy, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, The Interruption of Everything, Who Asked You?, Mama, Disappearing Acts, I Almost Forgot About You, It’s Not All Downhill From Here, and the editor of Breaking Ice: An Anthology of Contemporary African-American Fiction. She lives in California.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0451233344
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (June 7, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780451233349
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451233349
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.07 x 0.98 x 8.15 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,583 ratings

About the author

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Terry McMillan

Terry McMillan

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Terry McMillan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, andThe Interruption of Everything and the editor of Breaking Ice: An Anthology of Contemporary African-American Fiction. Each of Ms. McMillan’s seven previous novels was a New York Times bestseller, and four have been made into movies: Waiting to Exhale (Twentieth Century Fox, 1995); How Stella Got Her Groove Back (Twentieth Century Fox, 1998); Disappearing Acts (HBO Pictures, 1999); and A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime, 2014). She lives in California.

Photo Credit: Matthew Jordan Smith.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,583 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Marlyn J. Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Terri McMillan has done it again!
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2011
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WONDERFUL describes this book. Terri McMillan has done it again! I am so pleased at how she has brought the beautiful characters of "Waiting to Exhale" back to life for us to enjoy and catch up with. I won't spill the beans BUT, if you are a true lover of Terri McMillan's work and a die-hard fan of the "Waiting to Exhale" Trio (The book, Movie (DVD & VHS), and the soundtrack) you don't want to miss this great read!

"Getting to Happy' picks up from that touching bonfire scene that we will never forget where four friends reaffirmed their friendship towards one another and finally accepted that they were worthy of love, peace, and true happiness. Its 15 years later and everyone has grown up in many ways. I love how Ms. McMillan brings everything full circle. There are no unanswered questions. This book really is about getting back to being happy with yourself and living beyond your past hurt and pain. The reader can draw from the theme of finally letting go of pain, hurt, stress and living your best life and moving forward. In other words, Ms. McMillan drives home the point that there truly is a difference between living and just merely existing.

This is a very light and entertaining read. It's not at all one-sided, and gets to see the male point of view as well as the four lead characters. It's a very balanced storyline. I am grateful as a man to read a book that highlights the fact that Black men and women CAN actually move past their relationship issues and be at peace after weathering the storms of love.

Don't listen to the bitter people and haters of this book. Read it for yourself and hear what Ms. McMillan has to say. You might not agree with the outcome, but I'm sure that you'll find something that will make you think about your journey as you get to Happy.

GREAT JOB Ms. McMillan!

MJ Hunter
St. Louis, MO
USA
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5.0 out of 5 stars A blast from the part
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
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I have often wondered what would the four amigos be doing now. It was nothing short of what I expected from Terry McMillan. I didn't want to put it down. I loved that the characters didn't let anything come between their friendship and always supported one another. Yes I recommend reading this book.
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Ms. Sheri
4.0 out of 5 stars "A Good Read"
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2010
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I was adding a few books to my Kindle and was very surprised to learn that Terry had written a sequel to "Waiting to Exhale". I pre-ordered it and awaited its' arrival to my Kindle. When it finally arrived, I put my other book on hold and started reading. From page one, I was drawn in. It had me laughing, talking to myself, and one part even had tears in my eyes. I thought the book was very good. And while of course some people would have liked to see all these women with their lives in "perfect" order after fifteen years, but come on, let's be realistic here. Life just isn't all that "perfect". I can relate to these women so much. I am married in my 50's too, and I am still scratching my head when it comes to relationships. I think Terry has it just about right. If not, why are there so many divorced people and so many single women out there still searching? I am looking forward to the movie, which I know is sure to happen. So if you liked "Waiting to Exhale", i think you will like "Getting to Happy". And Terry, if Whitney isn't playing Savannah in this one, I would love to see Gabrielle Union as Savannah. I think that sister would bring it right! Now, back to reading about Madame C.J. Walker. (Who according to her great-granddaughter did not invent the straightening comb) huh?
26 people found this helpful
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Trilla Pando
5.0 out of 5 stars Half the fun?
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2010
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They say that getting there is half the fun. Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria, the joint protagonists of this book might not agree. There are some fun times, yes, but these friends are finding rough going as each pursues her own quest. These women first appeared fifteen years ago in Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale. Now still friends, each has in a piece of fictional serendipity reached a turning point in her life--a time for new beginning and new focus while bringing along all the paraphernalia of the past.
When I first met these four in Exhale, I related to them all. I felt almost as if I were a fifth, not very talkative, member of the group, Therefore, I approached this book with the same apprehension I felt before a class reunion. Would I remember them? Would I still be interested? Would I even care?
Yes, to all. McMillan does a fine job in the first four chapters of bringing the forgetful, or even the new, reader up to speed on who these women are, what lurks around in their pasts, and what is going on in their 2005 lives, when the story takes place.
Plenty is going on. Savannah and Gloria both find themselves suddenly and unwantedly single, Robin has her hands full with daughter Sparrow's escapades, while Bernadette is overcoming or not overcoming a devastating betrayal from years before. She can't let it go. As each woman struggles with her own trauma the friendships between them and the spirit of the group also undergo strains and testing.
They all survive, or, at least it looks like they will. The resolutions are not always the ones dreamed of or wished for. But that's life--in reality and fiction. Each, if not arriving at "happy" is still on the road and a little farther down it.
On the surface, this is a book about four African American women living in Phoenix and coming to terms with their fifties. Deeper, this is a book about women. One that all women, especially those past or approaching the half-century mark, will appreciate, relate to and enjoy (at least parts of it!). This Anglo woman in Houston certainly did. She hopes it won't be another fifteen years before her next reunion with her four friends.
29 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Glitzy50
5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2022
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It is great to see how their lives turned out when they became older and about their children.
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Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars Wieder ein gelunges Buch von Terry McMillan
Reviewed in Germany on June 30, 2011
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Lange habe ich auf ihr nächstes Buch gewartet und dann kam die Fortsetzung von "Ready to Exhale". Herrlich geschrieben, lebensechte Stories. Ich fand es super und habe es in einem Rutsch durchgelesen.
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Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Getting to Happy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2013
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Her books always make me cry at one point or other and this book is no exception. At first I thought oh great, I'm losing the storyline already as I couldn't remember the characters but as I kept reading the funny parts appear and the very sad parts hit you in the face. I may not be as great as all her other books but she can still hold her own in the literary department.
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Meldabird
4.0 out of 5 stars Like a reunion with old friends
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2020
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I remember reading “Waiting to Exhale” for the first time. I just turned 19 and was on the verge of womanhood and it was such a special book for me. I even remember going to see the film for the first time in the cinema many months later, that year I was going to be 20.

I’m not going to lie, I remember seeing “Getting to Happy” was published almost 9 years ago and I had absolutely no interest in reading it as I loved the first book, “Waiting to Exhale” so much.

What changed? I saw an interview on YouTube with the late great Whitney Houston and this was for her last film “Sparkle”. She said Terry McMillan wanted her to do the sequel for “Waiting to Exhale” and she kept calling her (Leila Rochon and Loretta Devine were on board for this too). I then decided to read the book and I am so glad I did.

This was like a reunion with old friends; in the sense you don’t know what to expect and hope you still have a connection. I read the book within three days and realised just how much I loved these characters and how much each of them had grown. Even the supporting characters had grown and it was interesting to see the life changes of each woman.

I know not everyone will understand the appeal of these characters and their lives, but these are the types of issues women around the globe deal with everyday.

The saddest part for me? This will never be a film and honestly, I don’t want it to be. What I found poignant is at the back of the book there’s an exert from “Waiting to Exhale” and it’s Whitney Houston’s character, Savannah. Without even really knowing it (as this book was published in 2011 and Whitney passed in 2012), it was a fitting tribute.
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N. Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars I laugh out loud and I cry - a real pleasure to get engrossed in Getting to Happy!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2016
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Welcome back old friends. I have experienced so many of the things each character has experienced, it is almost uncanny how Terry McMillan is able to write my life without meeting me!! As with all Terry's book I smile, I laugh out loud and I cry - a real pleasure to get engrossed in Getting to Happy!!
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