This was a truly wonderful book! The narration was so sweet and wry and I loved getting to watch Doris' ideals evolve and expand the scope of her dreams!

I really thought I'd love These Heathens based on the synopsis. This historical fiction is set in the Civil Rights era, a time period I really enjoy reading about. While I enjoyed the queer representation in this novel, overall I felt very overwhelmed. I didn't feel like there was much going on in this character driven novel. Doris Steele, the teen at the center of the story, felt like she was going down the yellow brick road in a way and meeting numerous individuals who helped with the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta. In the end, I wanted more from the story. Although it was written for adults, it had a very YA feel to it as well. Although it was a mid book for me, I know there will be a lot of readers that will enjoy it a lot more.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

I loved this book so much. The character development was magnificent! Sometimes a small town girl just needs to know that she has a chance to make a choice that is different than what’s in front of her.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This novel is a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of 1960s Atlanta, where politics, civil rights, and personal identity collide. Doris Steele’s desperate search for an abortion opens the door to a world far bigger than the small-town church pews she’s used to. Through her eyes, we see the contrast between the rigid expectations of home and the vibrant mix of activists, artists, and outsiders who refuse to apologize for who they are.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Mia McKenzie's THESE HEATHENS is brilliant. The writing is top-notch. and filled with humor. The setting is fantastic. The characters and events are rich with history and topped with a perfect dollop of mess. At times it felt just slightly overstuffed with all that's crammed into such a short amount of time; however, this is a small complaint in the overall greatness of this book. I will absolutely be recommending it to students. I also want to build a specific creative writing craft lesson that centers THESE HEATHENS.

I love historical fiction and some mess. This hit the spot! Doris took us on a ride in that one little weekend! She had me laughing the entire time or shaking my head. Baby, she was all up in everyone’s business but she sure kept her mouth shut when it came to hers. Because why are we not talking about your little situation more, Little Miss Holier Than Thou?! Anyway shout to Mrs. Lucas. I loved her character for so many reasons and you’ll have to read it to find out because I’m not spoiling it for you. Shout out to Sylvia too… I guess. 😅 Whew that lady was a piece of work. I just loved the way McKenzie wrote these characters (major and minor.) I absolutely think you should read to find out about their shenanigans, growth, and love stories!

Rounded up from 4.5 stars

I loved this book! This was a great read — it was funny, heart-warming, vulnerable, and so much more. It’s a wonderful coming-of-age story with some historical context and perspective. I laughed a lot and read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

Mia McKenzie strikes again with a bold coming-of-age story demonstrating promise, inspiration, and community. Writing a story about young women and bodily autonomy, particularly in the sixties, is not for the faint-hearted, but McKenzie writes without judgment, while wholeheartedly understanding the sides presented in this tale.

No spoilers here. You'll have to read it for yourself.

I really enjoyed this, but the number of things that happened in such a short amount of time seemed unrealistic.

A delightful, thought-provoking read about a 1960s high school girl who accidentally gets pregnant and travels to the American South with a beloved teacher to get an abortion.

During this weekend, the sheltered, religious main character gets an education in the civil rights movements and how love can look different than she has been taught it should.

The pacing was excellent, and the book is laugh out loud at many points. I enjoyed the supportive relationship between the teen main character and her trusted teacher. Many civil rights leaders are featured as characters in the book, and that gave it a time travel feeling -- readers could be right there as history was being made.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THESE HEATHENS was a quick romp through a few days in the beginning of the civil rights movement told through the eyes of high schooler Doris Steele (based on the author’s grandmother). Her search for an abortion in the Jim
Crow south leads her to Atlanta with a beloved English teacher and there, she her world widens in many different ways.

I think this would be a really good book for young woman to learn more about this moment in history and what it was like for Black girls in the south in the 1960s. The author made it accessible, authentic and fun to read with great characters (and amazing historical cameos)! I really enjoyed this one.

The story was fine, but way too much was crammed into 48 hours and the plot felt scattered. Heavy on LGBTQ and abortion themes, which overshadowed the main story for me. Not terrible, but definitely not my kind of read.

It took me a while to read this book, but once I finally was able to dig in, I throughly enjoyed it. As someone that grew up religious and had to deconstruct my belief system this really resonated with me and helped me connect to Doris. Watching her shift her mindset over the course of a few days was so inspiring. This was so beautifully written.

I don’t know how to write a review to do this book justice! It had me hooked from the beginning with a combination of humour, intrigue and, honestly, je ne sais quoi! As in Skye Falling (which I am now eager to re-read!), the author makes difficult realities feel, well real! And raises questions about those difficulties in ways that feel smooth and part of the narrative. She does it in a way that makes it all matter of fact. I get why some people see that as being a bit surface level but I found that it felt absolutely authentic to Doris, who I just loved spending time with, right on! I wish I could explain better why I thought this book was so good but I just found myself rapt beginning to end and laughing out loud or gasping semi-regularly. I ended up listening to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.

Wow, this was such an expected surprise! 170 pages, expertly crafted around one wild weekend in Atlanta. I can't even explain why I loved this so much, but it wove in so much life and pain and light - all from the POV of a judgemental yet self-aware and curious main character.

Doris Steele, our narrator, is a 17-year-old churchgoing pregnant girl, traveling with her favorite former teacher to take care of a very important errand. It goes off the rails quickly as we're introduced to the teacher's secret life and eccentric friendships. (One of which is Coretta Scott King who's married to Martin... maybe you've heard of him?)

Just read it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy. (I also just realized I have one of the author's books unread on my office shelf, so I'll be reading it soon too.)

This book is well-written with interesting characters, but I never got hooked. I think this is because the protagonist was the least interesting character to me. I was much more engaged when the story was about the queer women struggling with queerness in the 1960s South, long lost love, and grappling with the choices they had made in their lives. I’d be interested in a novel that dove more into their perspectives. The historical fiction aspect that included the protagonists interactions with MLK and Coretta Scott King never felt authentic to me. I should say to be fair that I am not much of a historical fiction person. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I do think a lot of people would enjoy it. I think the most important part of this novel is seeing how a Black woman navigates exerting her bodily autonomy in a Pre-Roe Georgia.

How is this book not getting more attention? It is SO good! Mia McKenzie is such a talented writer. I absolutely adored the narrator, Doris Steele, who we meet living in rural Georgia in 1960 at seventeen. She was forced to quit school as a sophomore to help her family. She finds herself pregnant and wants not to be and reaches out to her former teacher.

Her teacher offers to help her and off they go on a whirlwind weekend in Atlanta, where Doris encounters affluent black families and those taking part in the civil rights movement. Having come from a small town, Doris has always felt stifled by the lack of opportunities and the obligations to her family. Despite living in the Jim Crow south, she finally sees a life filled with possibilities for a young woman who is clever and ambitious.

McKenzie has such a way with words. The characters are so alive, crackling with energy and heart. Even ancillary characters in the novel are given backstories and complexity. Though the subject matter was heavy at times, there were so many laugh out loud moments in this book. Doris is so sharp and funny, I was sad for this book to end!

Thank you, Random House, and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. I started reading it, about four chapters in, I stopped and immediately placed an order for this book! I knew, even before I was finished, that this would be one of my favorite books this year.

I love being in Doris's head, hearing her thoughts; she is a hoot! Doris is a religious girl, and sometimes can judge those around her who don't live up to what she believes are good Christian values. But she finds herself pregnant, and goes to her favorite teacher for help. A trip to Atlanta forever changes her life! And changes her view of just who is or is not a heathen!

This book is a page turner, easy to read, and well written. It was enjoyable watching Doris grow. This story is a study on how a change in environment, different perspectives, can lead to growth, tolerance, and finding oneself.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. Glad I bought a copy!
Highly recommended read!
4.75 Stars Overall!

Mia McKenzie has quickly become one of my auto-read queer authors - this book was phenomenal! I am not a big historical fiction person, but I am so glad I picked this up anyway. This story was sharp and important and so immersive, I loved it.

It took me awhile to get into the story, but once I did I found the story engaging. These Heathens is set in the 1960's where segregation is a way of life in Millen, GA and the South in general. Doris Steele is 17 years old, pregnant and desperate to NOT be pregnant. With few options, she turns to her favourite teacher for help. She ends up spending 48 hours in Atlanta learning a whole lot about life, love and the KKK that doesn't mesh with her religious upbringing. This book is at times hilarious and disturbing but always thought provoking. A recommended read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Published: June 17, 2025
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