I'm rounding this up to a 3 on the sheer strength of the writing and the clear, punchy, humorous voice, but the overall tone and lack of depth bothered me, contributing to a disappointing read. If you've read and liked the author's magazine articles, then you can expect to enjoy this collection. If you're drawn to the title, subject matter, and description, you may be less than satisfied. Some of the essays and observations are fun, funny, or poignant, but I don't really feel like any stereotypes are upended here. Rather, they seem to be blended together with unacknowledged privilege and served with a side of slightly snarky condescension.

Content notes: miscarriage and death of a parent

Elizabeth Passarella is a Southern Living columnist, mother of three, Southerner married to a New Yorker, evangelical Christian, and Democrat. This book is an essay compilation that explains her life in New York, experiences as a wife and mom, Southern heritage, and faith in God.
I was expecting a chronological memoir, and that is NOT what this book is about. Instead, it's unrelated essays about different topics. The title is misleading, too, because I read very little about her experiences as an evangelical.
In several places, she's pretty snarky toward people who are different than her, which is not loving or kind. Yet, she also challenged me in places to think through how I act toward people with whom I do not agree.
Overall, I was not a fan of this book. I didn't find it funny or very relatable. Her loyal readers may have a different opinion.

Passarella writes thoughtfully about her experiences as a Christian living in NYC. Most impressively, she treats all subjects with respect and even affection, whether she agrees or not.

An enjoyable memoir from a Southern Christian transplanted to NYC. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it! This author is new but she is definitely one that I think will be around for a long time with more books to come (at least I hope so!) What a great storyteller. This made me cry and laugh harder than I’ve laughed in a long time. I seriously want to book a trip to New York now. Highly recommend this book!

I was excited to get this one because it came highly recommended by a blogger I follow. Overall, I wasn't disappointed and enjoyed the book. It was a very interesting memoir and take on faith, politics and life. I would recommend this one to others.

I highlighted so many sections of this book! There were so many takeaways and moments that I literally laughed out loud. I recommended to several friends.

This book was popping up all over my radar so I had to give it a try. You have to love great marketing! The author’s testimony of her journey with Jesus was beautiful. Her pages captured examples of being the hands and feet with humor and heart. As a Jesus girl from below the Mason-Dixon line and lover of all things NYC, I loved her raw, honest depiction of navigating the biggest of city life in the north. I was a little off-put by some of the political tones of the book. There was a spattering of T**** derangement syndrome along with hints at an underlying desire to have all the utilities shut off at a certain cable news channel. Way less grace given there than to the flasher that was encountered on the way to school.

Raised in a conservative corner of Memphis, Elizabeth Passarella now makes her home in New York City, and Good Apple tells her story: of moving to the city, getting married, becoming a Democrat, and raising a family, all while maintaining her unquenchable Christian faith. Employing a healthy dose of humor, Passarella has crafted a collection that is sure to spark a laugh while cautioning readers against oversimplifying identity. Passarrella’s is a passionate voice, never shrinking from the things she is devoted to -- her family, her faith, thank you notes, the city bus, or their crowded apartment. But hers is also a welcoming voice, and readers will find much to connect with, even if they do not share her beliefs. Like a good friend who never fails to shoot straight, Passarella will equally charm and challenge along the way. Great for readers of Mary Laura Philpott or Jen Hatmaker, this witty memoir attempts to bridge those gaps that threaten to divide us, insisting that we all have more in common than we may believe.

As a former Southern who spent many years living in a big city, this book spoke to me for sure. Laugh out loud funny ("he's a boy but my mom is from the South & dresses him funny!") but also thoughtful and deep. Elizabeth felt like a friend by the end. Recommend!

oh man, this review will be brutally honest (thank you for the book in exchange for said honest review- please don't hate me). I'm trying to picture the author sitting across from me drinking coffee together -- which, if you're ever in the Dallas Ft. Worth Area, I would absolutely love to do!

First, had this not been a gifted copy, I would have DNF'd this book almost immediately in the first few pages. I hope that you may reconsider the wording (or perhaps deleting entirely) the notation blurb about "being lucky" for not having been sexually assaulted in NYC, because you happened to go home with a guy from the bar and then told him you were saving yourself for marriage. What about those whom have been "unlucky?" The way it was flippantly stated in the book also suggests that women, as victims of sexual assault, have any blame/fault to that assault and placed themselves in that position. How dangerously stated and shared. Hope that is evaluated, as that diminishes the author's voice and story.

Second, I am really curious as to the intended audience and the overall theme/point to the book. The author is a gifted writer, and the best parts of the book are when she is vulnerable, raw, and pours herself onto the pages; however, there seems to be a lack of focus. The chapters and some of the writing seem very random, much like our inherent train of thought-- but this is a book, so it was hard to follow at times. Is it about being southern in NYC, dealing with your anger, being a Mom in NYC, being a Christian in NYC-- I guess all those things, but what about those experiences have you learned and are trying to convey to the audience? How is God using you, using this book? To be fair, there were some points/lessons that were clear, but it's not indicated in every chapter.

And, target audience matters. You are VERY proud to be southern transplant living in NYC and a democrat. Awesome. However, you write in a manner that is pretentious and condescending- as if your particular choices make you more sophisticated, "worldly" or evolved. You've now just alienated a good majority of whom your readers might be. And as you had briefly mentioned in your book, Jesus doesn't care if you're Republican, Democrat, Southern, City, Country... insert whatever label... this is shocking to a lot of people but Jesus wasn't even American! I feel like the book added to the polarization of this country, when the message as Christians should be one of unifying, of peace. He is after our hearts. Personally, doesn't matter where you live or who you vote for- are you using the gifts he's given you to further the glory and kingdom of God? "Blessed are the peacemakers" has never been more needed.

On that note, the biggest contention I have with the book and then I'll be done, promise. Right smack on the cover of your book is "Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York." I want to highlight evangelical here (whether it's capitalized or not)... this book is a way to "evangelize," loving your family is another way... it was extremely disappointing and confusing that you've been given the opportunity to share the gospel and you write about your theory of "do overs." How far from the gospel and truth and entire purpose of evangelicals. I don't understand. It feels like you turned yourself into little g god in this book and strayed from the bible to serve your needs. A lot of times it isn't "cool" to be "the Christian" and your stories (as most people) have some insecurity and fear in sharing some of the craziness that is the bible. It is scary that Jesus said we can only get to heaven through him, which I guess was the pressing need for the great commission, for evangelizing... and you telling people that it's okay, you'll be given another chance to believe in Christ when you die is NOT true at all.

Anyway, with all of that said, it does make me curious if you decide to write a book on your experiences raising kids in NYC during the pandemic. I know all the chaos we've got going on, 3 young kiddos too, but I'm sure you'd capture the hilarity (read: crying) very well. Despite these criticisms, I feel like we could be friends and I could go out to drinks with you, I would like to discuss this in person and see/hear your POV. As a sister, I can't recommend this book to others though, solely based on some glaring errors.

Thank you to NetGalley for this gifted advance copy. I'd seen this book all over and was excited to dig into it. I'm not completely sure how to feel about this one. I felt like it toed the line between a somewhat humorous autobiography and a religious devotional. The beginning started out very hard on the religious front, which almost lost me - however I am glad that I stuck it through to the end. I appreciated her humor about living life in NYC, as someone who has lived there, it felt good to hear another transplant ridicule some of the weirdness that is normal day to day life in the city. Overall I liked the book, I just felt as if it was a bit unbalanced on where it was trying to go.

This book reads like sitting down with your girlfriend that you haven’t seen in 20 years and catching up on her life. It was funny and had good moments, but not what I expected. It was a good book but there were times I skimmed over the pages because I wasn’t sure where it was going. I could see a few people not finishing but I’m glad I stuck with it.

I really enjoyed this memoir! Elizabeth writes with true honesty that's cut with some wit and humor - you can't help but feeling like you're sitting at a happy hour with your best friend. As someone who is not an Evangelist or living in New York... or from the South... or a woman with children... I still loved the book and breezed through it. I loved her honest stories of motherhood, religion, identity, and being a woman. Would recommend!

#thoughtsafterreading

🍏 Good Apple - Takes of a Southern Evangelical in New York
✏️ @espassarella

Elizabeth is content with being complicated. She grew up in Memphis in a conservative, Republican family with a Christian mom and a Jewish dad. She eventually moved to NYC 🍎 and fell in love with the city and eventually her husband! She changed, well sort of! While her politics have tilted to the left, she still puts faith first and argues the two can go hand in hand!

A HS friend of mine recommended this book and I am so happy I was able to grab a copy on @netgalley . I really enjoyed this memoir. There were so many times where I laughed and couple moving times where I had tears! A couple times I even said out loud, “yes!” Or took a picture and sent to family or friends, because she put into writing what I couldn’t articulate! Did I agree with everything she believed or said? No! But it sure was funny and moving reading about her adventure and life in New York! Would definitely recommend to read! 📖

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreads #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #mnreader #goodapple #elizabethpassarella #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs #thomasnelsonpublishing #afterthebook #amateurreviewer #goodapplebook

After a year of social isolation, Good Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York, felt like a leisurely happy hour chat with a great friend. Elizabeth Passarella, former editor at Real Simple and Vogue, currently writes the “Social Graces” column for Southern Living. In her refreshing and witty memoir, Elizabeth explores the evolution of her Christian faith as a southerner turned NYC resident.

Elizabeth grew up in a conservative Memphis household with a Christian mother and Jewish father. She moved to NYC as a college student and her understanding of the world slowly began to shift. Passarella finds herself an anomaly in both of her worlds; a rare southern Democrat and Jesus-lover in NYC. Although this essay collection tackles tough topics (marriage, parenthood, miscarriage, death/grief), they are handled in a lighthearted way that people of all beliefs can relate to. Specifically, her perspectives on faith and politics were written with such nuance and grace (it can be done!).

With self-deprecating humor, Good Apple is a love letter to Passarella’s faith and the city she adores. I resonated with her motherhood missteps and was utterly fascinated by her lifestyle in NYC. Namely, raising three children in a two-bedroom apartment; parking is limited, no garbage disposals are allowed and rodents occasionally make a bedroom cameo. As a mom in suburbia, I found her comedic subway encounters and clever insights about city living captivating.

Ultimately, Elizabeth’s story is one of identity and belonging; people are beautifully complex and can’t be reduced to a single label. If an author can profess spiritual truths through an ice-maker metaphor and The Rockettes, count me in.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Passarella is honest, self-depreciating and funny. She is also, as noted in the title a "southern evangelical in New York", so as you can imagine this makes for an interesting memoir. I appreciated reading about her journey, her shift in political and faith related beliefs and yet how she still holds to some of the good things that she grew up with. It was a refreshing read compared to many of the "deconstruction memoirs" currently circulating.

I also loved her thoughts on what she would tell her daughter "had she been older and more inquisitive and disappointed" after Trump was elected as president:

"If it feels like the country or the world doesn't value you as a woman, God does. If it feels like your voice isn't being heard, God hears it. If it feels like you have to work harder than others and still feel powerless, hold on to the truth that you have God's power within you. Remember that the world is made up of flawed humans, and if you base your worth on their opinions, even on the ones you agree with, eventually they'll let you down. Find your worth in the fact that you are made in the image of God, that he would have died for you if you were the only person on earth. Also, God is bigger than the president."

And her thoughts on pain, suffering, hard times: "I feel close to God when life is hard, because I need him. Why would I wish that away all the time?"

And an extra bonus is, that it's set in New York City and like many books set in NYC, the city itself plays a key part in the story.

Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella is a memoir about a lady from the south who now resides in NYC. The author writes about her life in the city and contrasts it with her life growing up in the south. This book also has a religious tone to it as she writes about throwing up with parents of different faiths and the impact her Christianity has on her life. I'd recommend it for fans of books about the southern lifestyle. Read and enjoy!

As a southern evangelical, this is exactly how I pictured living in NYC to be. This book was funny, serious, light, dark, and overall, a good look into the world of NYC.

Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella is a memoir about growing up in a conservative, Republican family in Memphis with a Christian mom and a Jewish dad. Then Passarella moved to New York where her beliefs evolved, she got married, and had children. This book is funny, especially the many New Yorker stories. However, there were several parts of the book that I felt were a little TMI. Thank to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.