God Don't Like Ugly

New York Times

bestselling author Mary Monroe sweeps readers back to the streets, porches, and parlors of civil rights-era Ohio to bring to life the first steps of an enduring friendship between two girls from opposite sides of the track. . .Annette Goode is a shy, awkward, overweight child with a terrible secret. Frightened and ashamed, Annette withdraws into a world of books and food. But the summer Annette turns thirteen, something incredible happens: Rhoda Nelson chooses her as a friend. Dazzling, generous Rhoda, who is everything Annette is not–gorgeous, slim, and worldly–welcomes Annette into the heart of her eccentric family, which includes her handsome and dignified father;her lovely, fragile «Muh'Dear;» her brooding, dangerous brother Jock;and her colorful white relatives–half-crazy Uncle Johnny, sultry Aunt Lola, and scary, surly Granny Goose. With Rhoda's help, Annette survives adolescence and blossoms as a woman. But when her beautiful best friend makes a stunning confession about a horrific childhood crime, Annette's world will never be the same.""A coming-of-age journey depicted with wit, poignancy and bite."" – Publishers Weekly