Simply Divine Paperback – October 10, 2006

Wearing expensive designer clothes, living in a fabulous estate in California, going to awards ceremonies - a person would think Divine Matthews-Hardison has everything she needs to be happy. But with a father (Jerome) who's considered `the bad boy of Hollywood' and a mother (Kara) who may be a Hollywood superstar but has serious issues to work through, Divine's family life is far from perfect. When Jerome commits a crime that lands him in jail and Kara has to spend time in rehab, Divine is sent to live with her Uncle Reed, and his family. They live in a small town called Temple, in the heart of Georgia. How is Divine going to cope now that she has to give up the material things she's grown so used to? And can she adapt to country living?Divine was basically a spoiled brat when she arrived at her uncle's home. For fourteen years all this girl knew was glamour and glitz and getting whatever she wanted when she wanted it, and it seemed - after listening to many words of wisdom from her Uncle Reed, Aunt Phoebe and cousin, Alyssa - she was `transformed' too quickly. People do take the time to think about themselves when someone speaks the right words, and it was great that her family in Georgia cared enough to teach her many things, but I would have liked to have seen Divine- Black American Princess, as she called herself - experience something that led to what seemed like a `sudden' change in attitude; figured out some things on her own instead of having everything spelled out for her.When Divine's friend, Mimi, came to visit, I think Divine should have handled the situation differently. Yes, Mimi was wrong, but when Divine first arrived in Georgia, she acted just as disrespectful as Mimi did. I understood Divine's loyalty to family and it was very good that she had grown so close to her cousin, Alyssa, that she felt the need to speak up for her, but I was disappointed by the way she treated her friend.I loved spunky Alyssa. She was not the least bit phased by Divine's superior attitude and she wasn't afraid to speak up to her cousin or anybody else. And she had no problem talking about her faith; a young lady who truly loved the Lord.Jerome: The first mistake he made with his daughter was asking her to call him by his first name. He was her dad, not her friend. And why did he have a gun when he went to visit Shelly Campbell? Maybe I missed something, but I wasn't clear on that.Although predictable at times, Simply Divine was a good read. It didn't have much oomph, nothing to really grab me or move me emotionally, but I liked it. Among other things, Divine learned the meaning of family and forgiveness, and Kara and Jerome learned lessons of their own. In fact, the author teaches quite a few lessons that teens and adults can benefit from. I particularly liked the advice about boys that Phoebe gave Alyssa and Divine on page 149.

SIMPLY DIVINE written by expert Jacquelin Thomas introduces Divine Matthews-Hardison, a snobby teen, who is all about the spotlight! As Divine thoroughly enjoys the hobnobbing, the paparazzi and the glam that she has been fortunate enough to be born into, life quickly becomes less fun when the headline goes from glam to brutal. While all families have issues, Divine's family business is aired out in the media daily causing ridicule and shame. Can the teen drama queen and her comfortable cushioned world survive the disturbance?From Hollywood, CA to Temple, GA, Divine is distraught as she goes from the lap of luxury to the confines of normalcy. Foreign to Divine is what life is like for an average teen minus the glitz. When Divine has to suck it up and learn to adjust to a simpler lifestyle, is she mature enough to handle it? Or will Miss Drama Teen kick and scream the entire way there?I have to say SIMPLY DIVINE is simply great! I love that the book features a young character set in her snotty ways, but comes to love and embrace family, friendship, forgiveness, love and God! Simply stated, SIMPLY DIVINE is an easy read that I would definitely recommend to my cousins, nieces and others.

I'm a big fan of Jacquelin Thomas and her adult novels so I figured I'd purchase the Divine Series for a teenager at church (14yr old). She has thanked me over and over again for the books and said they were great! Her mom said that she wouldn't even come out of her room because she was spending so much time reading. If you're looking for books to interest your teenager without all the adult language and inappropriate substance, this is the series you're looking for. The books have great, teen relevant, story lines and are wonderfully written. You too will become a Jacquelin Thomas fan. Enjoy!

Always enjoy Jacquelin Thomas' books. Bought this as part of a set to send to my teenage niece. Nice, clean, Christian reading that teens in this generation can still relate to.

I recommend this book for all teens. The whole series are great reads and lessons that you will enjoy reading. Great Job Jacqueline Thomas!

I have read other young adult books that I enjoyed. This one could not keep my interest like others did. I have no interest in pursuing this series.