
Member Reviews

Another book added to the southern series my Mary Monroe. Naomi decides to marry a man not for love but for the wrong reasons. A web of lies, unfaithfulness and manipulation. The book started off slow and reminded me of many of her other books however Mary does such a great job with character build i was hooked. This book was my kind of drama, a southern fiction full of secrets. i enjoyed it as always.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this book just like the others in the series, Monroe know how to tell and story and keeps adding more people. At the end all of it comes together where we still can understand what’s going on.

Thank you Netgalley, Mary Monroe and Kensington Publishing for the chance to read this book. Mary Monroe did not disappoint.
This book drew you into Naomi world and how she embraced the challenges of the season and the people in her circle. The characters in this story all stand out for difference reason but add to the fullness of the story. It's one of those reads that you don't wanna put down until you are finish. Due to the story;s timeline and setting there may be some triggers that you would want to be aware of. Overall, after reading this as a standalone. I would definitely go back and read the other ones in the series. Great read for those who like historical pieces and a little thriller on the side.

I enjoyed both the audio and print version of this book. I am familiar with the author’s work and she always has a way of telling a story that captures your attention. I always feel like I am seeing the story unfold from the eyes of the characters. An amazing read.

This was a great way to end this series. I enjoyed this book. If you haven't read this series pick it up! Job well done

This is a touching examination of the commitment to love, or lack of it, within a marital relationship and the roads down which our emotions lead us ahead of our intellect. It speaks to the pillars of support provided by unshakeable female friendship in difficult times. Protagonist Naomi refuses an offer of marriage to Jacob in 1916. She’s only 16 and wants more from life. Then her father tells her he has made arrangements to get her, the last of his eight children, married off, so he can free up his own life. Naomi prefers to pick her own husband, so she marries Jacob, ignoring the red flags. By 1936, she is stuck in a verbally and physically abusive relationship and a dull life unlike anything she mapped out for herself twenty years before. But everything changes when she meets Homer, the man of her dreams, and decides she will finally take a chance on a better life.
Mary Monroe is a prolific writer I was hitherto unfamiliar with. She has a knack for colourful nuanced characters that touch hearts, and friends Lula and Martha Lou are especially endearing. Naomi’s first-person narrative flows in a comfortable stream of conscious way which makes her easy to root for, although her rationale is not always sound, adding a human touch. This unhappy story, based on the author’s own experiences, is a fast read. Monroe narrows the focus onto characters and dialogue rather than a broader plot, which does mean the timeframe is loose, with the exception of frequent references to Jim Crow-era Lexington, Alabama. I am sure that is the author’s intent, as female agency is at risk in any era. An enjoyable book with a poignant title which speaks directly to the content.

I always find my way to Lexington, Alabama just to see what those folks are up to! BENT BUT NOT BROKEN has an all-new cast of characters with main character Naomi Simmons leading the charge. Always made to feel as though she's unwanted and in the way, she jumps at the opportunity to marry Jacob Purcell. Committed to her marriage and abusive husband, Naomi often wonders when she will find happiness. A chance encounter with a new man in town sends her down an adventurous path of deception. I enjoyed this tale but not as much as the other by Mary Monroe.

I already knew this authors work so I was excited to read this book. But I failed to see that this book was a series so I don’t think I got its full effect. I really liked how Naomi tried to be a good mother, wife, & employee for those in her life in spite of the hand she was dealt. The husband in this book was beyond disgusting & trash to her and her daughter was insecure and out of control. She did seem to have some good friends around her but other then that it was just a sad kind of life she seemed to live. She definitely didn’t seem to have much growth from the time she was young looking to get married to the very end which was disappointing. I like the authors writing style because she has a way with words & getting her story across to where you can see it. Plenty of ups and downs in this book so I do think this was worth the read. Appreciative for this complimentary copy for my honest review.

Special thanks to the author & @kensingtonbooks #Dafina for my gifted copy and ALC‼️
After book 3 I just knew this series was finished but nope Monroe said let me spin the block two more times we ain’t done yet‼️I can honestly say I’m not one to finish a series but this series is one of a kind and I live for the mess so let’s just say book 5 didn’t completely disappoint me.
Set at the backdrop of the Depression era Mary Monroe takes us back to Lexington, Alabama with new characters and more drama. Book 5 follows Naomi Simmons recently married to smooth talking Jacob Purcell who was also a woman beater, manipulator, and the town’s community D (that man stressed me out for her). Naomi didn’t love Jacob one bit but she took a chance simply to escape the pressure her father and his wife were putting her under. They had a daughter Ethel Mae who took right after her daddy. Do with that what you will!!!When Naomi meets Homer Clark they become real close and soon fall in love. But when Jacob has a stroke and Naomi decides not to leave him (just stupid) Homer isn’t pleased and his TRUE colors begin to show.
Mary Monroe has a knack for creating the messiest characters, showcasing the good and bad sides of marriage, and revealing just how shady and ungodly some church folks can be. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books that didn’t make me laugh. This book was definitely wild I’m not sure what was worse the way Jacob treated Naomi or what Homer did after the fact.
Overall, the book was okay it was a complete mess from beginning to end just one twist after another. The pacing was very slow in the beginning and throughout the book things get a little repetitive. But Mary knows how to keep you entertained and engaged so it was easy to push through it. Every book in this series will hit different and it’s one that I will always recommend especially if you love historical fiction.
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to Mary Monroe and NetGalley for this advance title.
Bent But Not Broken tells the story of Naomi, a Black teen in the south, who is not-so-subtly forced out of her father‘s home and into the arms of the first man to show her interest, Jacob. Not long after they say their vows does Jacob wait to show Naomi his manipulative, cheating, abusive ways.
Many years into the marriage an adult child later, Naomi meets another man, Homer, and is quickly swept off her feet and effectively love bombed into delirium. Their secret whirlwind romance comes to an unexpected yet abrupt end and Naomi finds herself stuck between a rock and a psychopath, in a sinister, odd twist.
Naomi spent all of her life being spoken down on by nearly everyone in her life…that was admittedly tough for me to get through. She was hardly ever pretty, smart or valuable enough to anyone to truly respect her.
I like the tone that the author used throughout the book…made it an easy conversational read. Even the main character's inner thoughts smoothly told the story. The pacing was a bit slow for me in terms of the twist at the end, but the author developed characters well. I would have liked to see more of Ethel Mae’s childhood…something to help set the foundation for her growing up to thirst for male attention at any cost. Perhaps watching her mother bear the brunt of Jacob’s anger her whole life did a number on Ethel Mae’s self worth. I spent the whole book rooting for Naomi to finally be happy. The circumstances that made her escape possible were so catastrophic and tragic…but at least she’s free now.

Mary Monroe delivered yet another unforgettable tale with Naomi’s story and the vibrant cast surrounding her. Packed with Lexington’s signature drama, outrageous gossip, and next-level audacity, this book had me hooked from start to finish. Just when I thought I had it all figured out—*plot twist!*—the surprises kept coming. I laughed, I yelled, I gasped—this story took me on a wild ride. The narrator’s performance was phenomenal, breathing even more life into an already gripping story. Fingers crossed for a *Book 6*—I need more!

THis was a great book. I loved the twists and turns and revelations about one of the main characters

Bent but Not Broken by Mary Monroe is a gripping and powerful tale that follows the life of Naomi over two tumultuous decades. Set in the American South during the 1920s and 30s, the novel explores themes of love, domestic violence, motherhood, and resilience.
Naomi's journey is shaped by the two great loves of her life—both of which begin with promise but quickly descend into chaos. Her marriage to Jacob, though once filled with hope, becomes a prison of violence and infidelity. When Naomi finally chooses herself and finds solace with Homer, she discovers she has merely traded one nightmare for another. Homer’s true nature is disturbingly unhinged, and the plot twist that follows is genuinely shocking.
Monroe’s storytelling is delicate yet powerful, drawing readers into Naomi's struggles with vivid, emotive prose. The depiction of motherhood is particularly raw, as Naomi raises an unruly child while battling her own emotional and physical suffering.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are richly drawn, and the narrative is both captivating and heartbreaking. Though some parts are difficult to read due to the harrowing subject matter, Monroe handles them with sensitivity. The unexpected twists kept me hooked until the very end.
Overall, Bent but Not Broken is a compelling and emotional read that showcases the strength of the human spirit. I would highly recommend it and happily give it 4 stars.

Mary Monroe outdid herself with the fifth installment in her Lexington, Alabama series. This might be my favorite of her novels, though Mrs. Wiggins and Double Lives were both good reads.
Monroe crafts a rich, complex story set in Depression-era Alabama that grabbed me from the first page. The story follows Naomi Simmons, a young woman who marries the first man who shows interest to escape her father's home, only to find herself trapped in an abusive marriage with the cruel Jacob Purcell.
When she meets a charming widower, Naomi finally sees a chance at real love and happiness. But when Jacob suffers an emergency just before she plans to escape him, Naomi's sense of duty compels her to stay. What follows is a page-turning tale of revenge, manipulation, and a woman fighting to protect what matters most.
Monroe excels at creating realistic characters. I was rooting for Naomi throughout the book, even when her choices frustrated me. The relationship between Naomi and her best friend Lula provides a bright spot amid the darkness, showing the power of true friendship during impossible times.
The dialogue rings true to the period and the Southern setting, often making me laugh out loud despite the serious themes. Monroe balances moments of drama with touches of humor that depict small-town life in 1916 Alabama.
Then there are the twists I never saw coming. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Monroe pulled the rug out from under me. The final act builds to a stunning conclusion that left me reeling-- I will say had hoped for something a little more spectacular, but it'll do as-is.
While this is part of the Lexington series, it works perfectly as a standalone, though I recommend reading the entire series to fully appreciate this world. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong Black women characters facing impossible choices, Bent but Not Broken delivers on all fronts.
I'm already looking forward to her next novel.

This storyline takes place in a small town in Alabama during the early 1900’s. Naomi is the youngest child in her family whose mother passed away while giving birth to her. That leaves Naomi and her older siblings for there father to raise them.
After Naomi hears from other town folks saying that her father wants her to get married and move out the house so he can live his life with his girlfriend. Naomi meets Jacob at the market one day and he asked her to marry him so she does not know that Jacob is a wolf in sheep clothing. Jacob started abusing Naomi verbally, physically and mentally while cheating on her with other women.
One day while fishing at the river Naomi meets Homer and begins an affair with him, which lasted until Jacob had a massive stroke and Naomi broke up with Homer to care for her husband.
Homer became threatening to Naomi and promised revenge on her. That’s where there were so many plots twist and turns that made this a page turner just to see what happens next and how far Homer will go to get his revenge.
I highly recommend this book to read.
I received an arc from NetGalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

In her undeniable style Mary Monroe brings us the story of Naomi. With no mother to look after her and a father who wishes to get rid of her, she rushes into a marriage of convenience. However, this marriage proves to be nothing but heartache and hardship because her husband Jacob is a bad man who shows her nothing but contempt and pure vile abuse. She tries to find love and refuge in her daughter Ethel Mae, but that too backfires when her daughter seems to be going down the wrong path every single time. Naomi later find some respite with a man named Homer. But that relationship won't come to fruition once Jacob has an accident and Naomi decides to stay and take care of him.
Bent But Not Broken is a story about resilience, unconditional love and the need to survive.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for another masterpiece by the great Mary Monroe.

Mary Monroe’s Bent But Not Broken is a nice read. True to her style, Monroe brings plenty of drama, secrets, and unexpected twists.
The book follows Naomi, a woman who’s been through a lot but refuses to let life break her. Monroe does a great job making the characters feel real, even when their decisions are frustrating.
That said, the book has its ups and downs. The pacing is up and down—some parts drag, while others feel rushed. It’s definitely a slow burn, and just when things get really intense, the ending comes. But, to be fair, Monroe does tie everything up nicely, which I appreciated. Some characters could have been fleshed out more, and a few plot twists were predictable, but the drama keeps things entertaining.
Overall, Bent Not Broken is a solid read, but not my favorite in the Lexington series. If you’re into a character-driven stories with plenty of ups and downs, you’ll probably enjoy it. It’s worth a read, but not necessarily a must-read.

3.5 ⭐️
This is the second book that I’ve read from the author’s Lexington, Alabama series. I highly recommend checking out her book, Mrs, Wiggins. Bent but Not Broken had the potential to be a 5 star read, but fell a little flat. Throughout the book I was hoping that Naomi would stand up for herself, but she never did. Jacob wasn’t just a bad husband to her, he was a bad person in general. I understand his health declined, but I hated how she acted as if he hadn’t been down right disgusting towards her. He never changed and only asked for forgiveness when he was at his lowest. I’m not saying she should have walked away, but I found myself side eyeing the way she pretended like their marriage has it’s good moments when it really did not. At least, that’s not what was presented to us. I found myself siding with Homer initially. I’m not justifying all of his actions toward her, but I understand his frustration.
The star characters for me were Lula and Martha Lou. I loved how they supported Naomi. I wouldn’t mind reading about Martha Lou’s backstory. Although there were a few plot points that I didn’t care for as much; overall, I liked this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Monroe.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for review consideration.

🎧 Audiobook +📗 eBook: Bent but Not Broken- A Lexington, Alabama Novel #5-I read it as a standalone
✍🏾 Author: Mary Monroe -I read Double Lives and gave it 5 ⭐
📃Page Count: 288
📅Publication date: 3/25/25 | Read: 3/23/25
🏃🏾➡️Run Time: 9:30
🌎 Setting: Lexington, AL 1916
👆🏾POV: 1st person single-Naomi
Genre: Historical, AA Interests, Women's Fic
Tropes: small town, family drama, marriage, age gap 16/26
⚠️TW: SA, abuse, cheating, DV, murder, stalking, animal cruelty, racism/segregation
🗣️Narrator: Shari Peele voices all the characters with standouts from Naomi, Ethel Mae, Reverend Spivey, and Lula. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Summary: Naomi agrees to marry for financial security after overhearing her father and his girlfriend Maddie talking about her. They want her to get married, get a job, and move out so they can be alone. Once married, Naomi deals with a cheating husband, an unruly daughter, and an obsessive lover.
👩🏾 Heroine: Naomi Simmons/Purcell-gets a job cooking for wealthy, white family Reverend Spivey, his wife, and half-black sister Annie Lou passing as white.
🎭 Side Characters:
*Willard-Naomi's father, married to her mother for 20 years, had thirteen kids. Wife died in childbirth having Naomi.
*Jacob Purcell-Naomi's husband, an injured army vet w/ money for a nice house
*Ethel Mae-Naomi's daughter, promiscuous
*Reverend Garth Spivey-Naomi's employer
*Lula Pittman-Naomi's BFF
*Homer Clark-a widower Naomi meets
🤔 My Thoughts: This had twists and turns I didn't see coming. Naomi dealt with so much from Jacob, Ethel Mae, and later Homer. Lula was the MVP for me because she supported Naomi through everything.
*Spice 3/5 🌶️
*Rating: 5/5 ⭐
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing| Dafina, RB Media| Recorded Books, and Mary Monroe for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I was provided this ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. I am a fan of Mary Monroe's books and I was pleased to see a new story featuring Lexington, Alabama. The main character Naomi throughout the book faces tremendous trials first as the only child left to be raised by her father to an abused wife and mother. In hopes of finding real love Naomi makes decisions that can ultimately cost her everything she holds dear.
I recommend this book for the many twists and turns and the reality of consequences that can come from decisions such as the ones Naomi makes.