I Know I've Been Changed

I somewhat expected a little more from this author but I enjoyed the story. There were some good life lessons but at times, some of the story was like watching episodes from a Jerry Springer rerun. I didn't like the strange relationship with Rose but I felt sorry for her because she was looking for love in the wrong place but she finally did the right thing even though it was a bit late. I couldn't understand why Rae was so shallow but the book paints the picture but i just thought she could have use common sense when it came to Myles.

This book did not disappoint. It starts off with the life of Raedella Rollins and her childhood. Raedella has a desire to leave Sweet Poke, Arkansas and make it as a journalist. She is tired of living in a poor town and ever more tired of being poor. Raedella leaves her hometown and in the process leaves her family and first love behind. Raedella arrives in Houston and becomes a smash hit with the local TV channel. As a result, she lies about her family and where she's really from. Raedella has a handsome fiancee names Myles. She thinks she has the perfect man but her best friend thinks differently. Everything seems to be going good for Raedella and then her world comes tumbling down and she has to return to the place she hates most. Once returning, Raedella learns the real meaning of family. The book deals with forgiveness and how hatred will eat you up on the inside without you knowing it.

I Know I've been Changed 5 stars Abandoned by her mother and raised by her Grandmother Mama Tee, Rae hates her life and she hates Sweet Poke Arkansas even more. Vowing never to return and to distant herself from her family Rae packs her bags and head for the big city leaving behind her crazy family, poverty and Sweet Poke far behind. Rae does love Mama Tee and she worries about her sick brother. Rae ran from the past but she can't escape it and is haunted by the death of her sibling. Living a good life in Houston Texas it appears that Rae has the perfect life. A dream job as a top rated talk show host, a handsome man and money. The perfect diva lifestyle. When it all comes crashing down Rae finds herself right back on those dusty dirty roads back in Sweet Poke with her family where she learns what is important in life and she finally confronts the demons that haunt her and sent her packing. This was a moving tale. Billingsley gives a story with a thick plot and a character that grows on you. You will want to slap and hug Rae as she certainly had a few crosses to bare. This is wonderful book club selection book. Mahogany Media Review Mahogany Book Club Reviewed by: Dawnny

Okay, I thought Ms Billingsley had done it with Let the Church say Amen. Well, she's come back even stronger in an absolutely heartwarming, page turning tale about a woman who tries desperately to forget about family. This inspirational story will have you cracking up, cussing out characters and wondering how in the world Billingsley knows about your relatives. (I swear June is just like my cousin!) The character development is phenomenal. I hated Rae and wondered how in the world she would be redeemed, but boy was she ever redeemed. I loved this book and there has got to be a sequel!

Oh my goodness, Ms Billingsley, you did your thing! This book is soooo good. It will definitely rank among my all time favorites. It was so funny to see my people in the pages of this book. I especially liked how you wove serious themes throughout the book but it never felt weighted down. It is an absolutely powerful and moving story about the power of family and faith. I wont rehash the details of the story but know that it is laugh out loud funny, while at the same time tugging at your heart. I wanted to hate Rae so much but you did a superb job of exposing her flaws and making her sympathetic. You have got to do a sequel!

You will be after this one! Reshonda has done it AGAIN, and I for one, am glad she'll keep on doing it... in this latest family drama... we meet and fall for Raedella Rollins who left the small town of Sweet Poke, Arkansas. In search of bigger and better things she takes a bus bound for the lone star state. She has very little outside of her four mismatched suitcases, a newsroom job offer, and a promise to never look back. Fast foward to years later, Rae has done well for herself considering her humble beginnings... she's a top-rated talk show host, a celebrity news anchor, and fiancée to Houston's star councilman. The future looks bright for Rae. But now that she's reached the top, her less than perfect family comes knocking. Mama Tee, the grandmother who raised her, calls with unwelcome family updates, Shondella, her jealous older sister, guilts her into sending money regularly. Rae is hard pressed to think of something worse than an unexpected reunion with her country kinfolk. But when her picture-perfect world comes crashing down literally... Rae's family calls her back to Sweet Poke and the life she left behind. Once again Reshonda has introduced us to some of our very own people in her characters (whether we want to admit it or not) she has also given us a list of charactters to fall in love with and wonder about how their stories truly end... I see a sequel for this one as well. Reshonda deserves 10 out of five stars for this one, and you, your family, friends and even your not so good friends all deserve this gift so run out and pick up 'I know I've been Changed' so that you may all figure out what I've known for years... ReShonda Tate Billingsley is one of the best storytellers around! Bravo! Bravo!