What an interesting read! I loved looking into the life of the nunnery, with its spoken and unspoken rules. It was interesting how one courageous and late blooming nin was able to make such positive and life altering positive changes

It is always so interesting to read about the life and faith journeys of others. This one is especially interesting as the author finds herself going from comedy to a convent. It is a slowly moving character focussed story that is written in a very straight forward way and so if you need flowery, emotional prose you may find it a little bit lacking but if you are looking for a love story of a different kind you may enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it in exchange for my honest thoughts

3.5 stars rounded up! This was an interesting peek into the life of a nun. I definitely found the second half and even the last quarter most interesting. The pacing was a bit choppy, but there was enough good that I’m glad I read this one!

Thank you so much to the author, Crown and Net Galley for the eARC!

This is a powerful memior following Sister Monica Clare through her traumatic childhood, difficult young adult life, and to her reaching her true life's purpose by entering the sisterhood. It is an inspiring tale even reading as someone who has left religion. This is a vulnerable tale and doesn't hold back on the situations, feelings, and reflections being told. The audiobook is easy to follow and understand. Overall, I feel like I don't have much to say, but just to highly encourage readers to pick this up! Look at the trigger warnings just in case.

An engaging thoughtful memoir. Sister Monica Clare has lived an interesting life-and not an easy one but she's determined, resilient, and committed to her faith. We don't often read about Episcopal nuns so this was also enlightening, This is imbued with humor and good vibes, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

A beautiful, vulnerable read. Coming from the most unlikely circumstances for becoming a nun, Sister Monica Clare tells her story of God’s call for her to become a nun. A beautiful story of faith and obedience.

This memoir is so unique and heartfelt. For me, I was so fascinated I couldn't put this book down ! Sister Monica came from such a sad , poor, and violent background. Even unexpectedly learning compassion for Clyde, whom she could never call Dad. I don't blame her. Instead, I am impressed and inspired by Sister Monica's life story. I love how God kept finding a way into her heart and calling her to Himself, but slowly and gently. Her triumphs over poverty, lack of religious guidance, lack of responsible parents, and lack of support, just make this an astonishing story.

Her life of becoming an Episcopalian nun was interesting for me since I am Roman Catholic, from the cradle. I didn't agree with some things , especially when she and another sister wanted to be able to go to church on Sundays, and were refused the priviledge for years. In my Catholic church, I am a daily communicant as much as I can. We have Mass available every day of our lives if we want it, with Communion ! The real presence of Christ , every day. So I was sad for her.

I was fascinated to read all about Sister Monica's life ministering in New York City to poor and homeless people at St Mary's. She lived a challenging life there similar to Mother Theresa, for awhile. Particularly poignant was the story she told of her struggles to accept all the homeless and her occassional fears for her safety, until one day, the Lord opened her heart in a unique way. Suddenly she saw them all as the small children they once were, needing her help. Her heart bloomed with love and compassion for them. Her response invigorated me. It was in these years that the Lord broke open her heart to forgive and have new found compassion for the struggles of Clyde. She realized his humanity. That was really powerful.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. God works in mysterious ways. This book uplifted me and made me feel more hopeful about God's actions in my own life. I went on a vocation retreat to Cullman, AL to a beautiful Benedictine convent when I was 22. I realized my desire to be a mother was much stronger. God did call me to become a teacher, and mother. I am now retired after a 35 year career in public schools. This book will encourage people to pray more for God's will to be made known in their life.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC before publication in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this memoir of Sister Monica Clare. It was very interesting to see how events in her life led her closer to God instead of away from him as some might do. This is a huge life commitment and it was great to watch it play out.

While I'm not religious in any sense of the word, I have always been fascinated by nuns. I'm not sure why. A Change of Habit is an insightful but surprisingly funny romp through Sister Monica Clare's journey toward becoming a nun, with all the detours on the way. She is refreshingly honest about her explorations and missteps, the insecurities and triumphs. She also is genuine about the realities of living as a nun in a community- both the delights and the expected conflicts that inevitably arise with many people living together.

Refreshing and entertaining!

I picked up this book because I love spiritual journeys. As I read I discovered I had watched Sister Monica previously on tiktok. While our faith walk is different , I loved the reality of seeking God can include pain and struggle. Sister Monica is relatable and it was interesting to get a view into Episcopal religious life.

This was a well-written memoir. It was so conversational that it was quite a page-turner.
What a life!
Although this book is about a woman who became a nun, it's not a particularly religious read. Claudette/Sr. Monica Clare details the circumstances of her life and how she felt a calling to become a nun and the twists and turns her life took to get there.
I would have given it 5 stars, except that many things were mentioned out of the blue. Although, I imagine it's incredibly difficult to condense anyone's life into one book, some of things were a little jarring. For example, out of nowhere, she reveals that she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia years before and now it was taking a toll on her, requiring further medical treatment. She'd never mentioned it before. Several things like that happen which just prompted a feeling of, "Wait...what?" while processing this information and trying to insert it into the timeline of the story.
Despite those moments, this was a very enjoyable read and would be good reading for anyone who wants to read about a woman forging her own path in life. No religious affiliation or interest necessary to enjoy this book.

Sister Monica Clare's life started out tragic and at times I did't want to keep reading due to the harshness of her early life. I am glad I read to the end of the book though. She is a strong and devoted woman who kept seeking God and working through her struggles. Thank you for allowing me to read this book. The title and description led me to want to read it to see if I would use it as a gift.

I loved this book, every page. It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of Episcopalian nunnery, but it was also a beautiful journey of a woman discovering her place in the world. All of us are looking for 'home' and this was a well-crafted story of finding your way there. It was a refreshing read -- different, interesting, enlightening, inspiring, and well-written. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest feedback (and thanks for publishing this delightful read).

This is a wonderful memoir of a woman that gave up everything to become a nun. At a very young age, she had thoughts of becoming a nun and was fascinated by the movie, “The Nun’s Story”. She grew up in a very difficult lifestyle, where she had experienced violence in her home. Her and her Family moved a lot when she was a child, finding it hard to figure out where she fits in. As she grew older, she still struggled of where to fit in. Although she felt like it was tough to fit in, she always made people laugh!

Her journey as she navigates through life to finding her true self is inspiring. I would not become a nun myself. However, I do feel that finding your true happiness and identity is important in life and that is what this book represents. She ends up getting Married and Divorced, which ends up freeing Sister Monica Clare! I enjoyed the pictures that were shared throughout the book, her vulnerability in writing this book, and her happiness and laughter she shared with the world in writing this book! It is unique and kept my interest while reading it! I give this memoir a 4 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Sister Monica Clare, and Crown publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This memoir is set to be published on April 29, 2025!

This was such an unexpected surprise! I enjoyed the writing style a lot and felt a kindred connection with Sister Monica Clare. Her story is a difficult one, but inspiring and so full of hope. The beginning was a little slow to get through, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because hearing her journey was absolutely worth it.

I am so thankful for this book in this season of my life, as I have always been thankful when the sisters have popped up in my journey. Like the author, I am neither Roman Catholic nor Episcopalian, but there's something about the rhythm of nunnery and the gentle spirit that just draws on me.

I am a chaplain. At least, I was once; I believe God will make that happen for me again. In a season in which that call was so close and seems to have been suddenly thwarted, I am learning the kind of patience while holding on that the author talks about in her own journey. At the same time, reading about the way that she settled into the place she was always called to be, it has brought a stillness to my soul that I have deeply missed. Just yesterday, my boss asked me if I was okay. "You're quiet," he said. I'm at peace, I thought. And it has been such a long time since I have been at peace.

I'm not saying the book elicits this, but I think it helped guide me in a season in which my heart was ready for this kind of rest. As we know, God does things in His timing, and He brought this book to me at precisely this time for a reason. I am thankful for the gift.

Blessings to you, Sister. And to your sisters.

The journey of self discovery can take many twists and turns. Claudette, now Sister Monica Clare, chronicles her journey becoming an Episcopalian nun. She honestly and insightfully shares the steps she took along the way to get to her final destination and how doors kept closing for her until the right one opened. I appreciated her determination and trust to follow the calling in her heart.

This is a compelling read that demonstrates how you don't have to settle for the conventional life if that is not your hearts desire. I think that this is a good read for all ages, young adults starting out on their own, mid lifers who have lived a little and may be searching for their purpose, and anyone who has ever taken wrong turn after wrong turn only to eventually get to right where they belong.

I grew up attending a Catholic school for the first 4 years, and I loved how the nuns would live. I felt they had simple lives and were supposed to become nuns. But after reading "A Change of Habit," I realized that any normal person could become a catholic nun. This book has taught me how Sister Monica Claire was and is still just like anyone out there. She made that change in her life because she felt led to do so. If you're searching for a good book about following your heart and who you are. I loved it, returning me to my school days at St. John's.

This is a memoir from an Episcopalian nun on the brink of becoming a priest, currently Superior at her convent in Mendham, NJ. She had a very difficult childhood marked by domestic violence. She was drawn to the book "The Nun's Story" as a child (of which a movie had been made starring Audrey Hepburn) and the idea of becoming a nun. She dabbled in acting and became part of The Groundlings improv group circle that harvested cast members for Saturday Night Live, becoming especially close with actress Cheri Oteri of SNL fame. She also was married and divorced, making a living as a photo editor in LA, and even performed as part of an acoustic rock duo.

I loved the way the sister shared how peaceful, right, and at home she felt in the convent environment, but so aptly described the challenges of being fully accepted into the order, with all its rules, customs, and silence. It was a revelation to learn that you must settle all your financial debts in order to become a part of this religious order. I appreciated the personal photos interspersed throughout the book from all stages of her life. This was certainly a full-bodied and inspirational account of a very interesting life.

Thank you to Crown Publishing who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

i'm not a religious person at all and what worked for Sister Monica Clare probably wouldn't work for me (or most), but this memoir was well-written and powerful. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.