Hey, hey, my favorites!

First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Mia McKenzie for the gifted copy of These Heathens! I really enjoyed this one.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Y’all, this book had me hooked from page one! These Heathens is an electrifying, thought-provoking journey through 1960s Atlanta, where one small-town girl’s weekend trip turns into a crash course in radical self-discovery. Doris Steele starts out just trying to get an abortion without the whole church congregation finding out, but whew, does she end up with way more than she bargained for.

Mia McKenzie does an incredible job blending humor, history, and heart. Doris is thrust into a world of civil rights activists, queer community members, and bold women who defy every expectation society has placed on them. The characters? Unforgettable. Sylvia is the rich, unfiltered best friend we all need, and Dexter—well, let’s just say he’s got game and opinions.

What really made this book shine for me was how effortlessly it tackled huge themes: bodily autonomy, identity, and the tension between faith and personal freedom. One minute, I was laughing at Doris’ small-town shock at big-city life, and the next, I was sitting with the weight of everything she was up against.

If you love stories that are daring, deeply moving, and full of unforgettable Black characters, These Heathens needs to be on your shelf. It’s history, it’s coming-of-age, it’s rebellion—it’s everything.

By far the best book I've read in quite some time! Everything just drew me in. I was captivated by everything, just as Doris was, to the point where I could barely put it down to sleep last night. I know that we got to the end of the story being told, but god do I wish I had more chapters so I could continue to get to know all of these characters and see what they do for the rest of their lives. I find myself wanting to research them as if they were all real people. I feel so lucky to have been able to read this early

Doris’s actions and adventures as a black woman in the 1960s are poignant and thought-provoking. In another time, in another place, seeing people who seem to gave a good grasp on life, what would YOU do?Amazing read.

This is, genuinely, one of the best books I have ever read.

I don’t normally read historical fiction and I’ve been in an awful reading slump, so I went into this one not really sure what to expect. But this book had me hanging on its every word from the first page. I could not stop reading, could not stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I haven’t felt this hooked by a book in ages.

I’m absolutely captivated by the character Doris and her incredibly funny and poignant narration throughout the story. Her voice is unique and filled with so much heart and warmth and humor, I feel like I know her.

The other characters in this book were also all so well written and enjoyable. They all felt so real and that was the beauty of it.

This book covers so many important and relevant topics in today’s world, and it handles them all beautifully, all while being funny and entertaining and completely charming along the way.

I don’t often say this, but I think everyone should read this book. It has something to teach literally everyone, and it’ll make you laugh and cry and smile and think about life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’m honored to have read it early. Now I just can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands when the book releases.

This is such a lovely book that I'm still crying a little as I finish it. Doris is seventeen and pregnant in the 60's at the height of racial tension in the South. So when she decides to have an abortion things become difficult as she meets Dexter and goes to a sit-in with him, not knowing what to expect or why. There she meets the famed Dr. King and so many emotions swirl through her head as she realizes she's been living in a bubble of sorts. It's a beautiful tribute to the tumultuous times our nation lived through as we continue to fight racism everywhere.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

What a phenomenal coming-of-age novel. Mia Mckenzie has crafted an excellent portrait of the 1960s South and what it means to step outside of your sheltered upbringing. Our protagonist, Doris, has spent her entire young life as an extremely devout Christian and has never really questioned her place in the world. Despite being an extremely intelligent girl with a passion for learning, she didn't hesitate to drop out of school and care for her family as it was the Christian thing to do.

But when she finds herself in a situation that could lead to great shame for herself and her family, she embarks on a journey that opens her eyes to the world and opportunities she had never considered. Along the way, we are introduced to a cast of characters that will bring you joy, and sorrow, and fully move you.

This novel made me laugh, made me cry, and made me question my own place in this world. Considering the administration we in the US are currently living through, this book could not be more timely- or important.

5 Stars – A Powerful, Eye-Opening, and Necessary Read

Mia McKenzie’s These Heathens is not just a novel—it’s a revelation. Doris Steele’s journey is gripping and deeply emotional, set against the backdrop of the 1960s civil rights movement. The book doesn’t just explore race; it dives into the complexities of being Black and queer in an era that tried to erase those identities. It also sheds light on abortion rights before Roe v. Wade and the impossible choices women had to make. McKenzie’s writing is stunning, and the themes of freedom, identity, and the power of choice hit hard. This book made me realize things I had never fully considered before, and it will stay with me for a long time. If you want historical fiction that challenges, educates, and captivates, These Heathens is a must-read.

WOW! What a powerful book. I love when historical fiction writers can find a totally unique and special point of view to write from, and this author definitely did just that. This book addresses tough topics like abortion and civil rights, but remains respectful and bipartisan. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Was super interested in this book the second I read the description and WOW it did not disappoint!! Turned such serious themes into a very fun and beautifully written book.

Doris, a smart Georgia teen's life trajectory first changes when her mother takes ill, and she has to drop out of school to take care of her family. Then it changes again when, at 17, she finds herself in the family way. Despite her religious piety and general obedience, Doris does not wish to remain pregnant. She reaches out to her beloved former English teacher, Mrs. Lucas, who, it turns out, has secrets of her own. Mrs. Lucas endeavors to help Doris get an abortion by taking her to Atlanta and the home of an old friend who gives them a place to stay and offers to pay for the abortion.

We meet historical figures like Coretta and Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, and SNCC organizers. It's a compelling story, and reads a little like a play.

These Heathens had me laughing, highlighting every other page, and by the last chapter—wiping tears from my face.

This book flows. The writing is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly character-driven. We follow Doris, a 17-year-old girl trying to get an abortion in 1960 Georgia, as she lands in Atlanta and gets swept up in a weekend that changes everything. What starts as a desperate attempt to make a private choice turns into an eye-opening journey through the civil rights movement, radical politics, queer Black life, and the weight of unlearning everything you’ve been taught.

I did not expect this book to be as funny as it was. The way McKenzie balances deeply serious themes—race, gender, sexuality, religion, activism—with humor and razor-sharp wit is pure artistry. The historical backdrop isn’t just scenery; it’s alive and woven seamlessly into Doris’s story. Nothing feels forced, yet every moment is deliberate.

Yes, there are some loose ends, but that’s the beauty of a character-driven novel—this is about Doris becoming, not wrapping things up neatly. My only regret? I devoured it too fast.

And the writing? Unbelievable. One of my favorite lines:

“Most colored girls have more voices telling them what they can’t do than what they can. A lot of those voices speak in the name of love or what they believe is love. And maybe it is love. But there is a whole heap of fear piled up on top of it, too.”

How have I never read Mia McKenzie’s work before? I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of These Heathens from Random House, and trust me—you don’t want to miss this one. Expected to drop in June 2025, this is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction that moves you, that makes you feel. If you love books about self-discovery, about Black women finding their voices, about the power of stepping outside your bubble—These Heathens is for you.

Don’t just add it to your TBR. Preorder it. Now.

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend this book. It is very creative and important and at times fun and funny. The books first person narrative is terrific - what a character. All of the characters are complex. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for fair and honest review.

I have to say I went into this book thinking it would be depressing because of the subject matter, but honestly I loved this book. Maybe because I too grew up in south Georgia, albeit in the 80s not the 60s, but so much still rings true today. I loved the local vernacular and flavor. Doris's friendship with her teacher was a great relationship that gave her the opportunity to learn more about the world. The weaving in of historical characters was interesting as well. Each character added more to the story and I think the ending was realistic. I would recommend this story and I hope to read more from this author.

Powerful, tender, and profoundly moving, this novel captures a pivotal moment in one young woman’s life — and a transformative weekend that opens her eyes to a world far bigger, bolder, and freer than the one she’s always known. Set in 1960 Georgia, the story follows seventeen-year-old Doris Steele, a small-town girl who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and desperate to end it — a near-impossible task when your town’s midwife prays beside your mother every Sunday. With the help of her progressive teacher, Mrs. Lucas, Doris travels to Atlanta, where she is thrown into a world she never imagined — one filled with civil rights activists, queer joy, intellectuals, and the audaciously glamorous Sylvia, Mrs. Lucas’s wealthy and brash childhood friend.

Doris’s desperation is palpable, and her fear of being found out — by her parents, community, and church — weighs heavily on her. Yet once she arrives in Atlanta, the novel takes an unexpected and gratifying turn. Instead of centering entirely on the procedure, the story becomes about something much more significant: self-discovery, freedom, and the realization that there are entire worlds beyond the one you were born into.

The cast of characters Doris encounters in Atlanta is nothing short of brilliant. There are glamorous Black celebrities she’s only ever seen in Jet and Ebony, fierce civil rights leaders like Diane Nash and Coretta Scott King, women who love women without shame, and men who flaunt their charm with reckless confidence. Each encounter cracks open a new layer of Doris’s perspective, forcing her to confront what she doesn’t want (a baby) and what she might want — freedom, independence, and a life less ordinary. Doris’s shock, curiosity, and quiet longing are captured with aching authenticity, making readers root for her from beginning to end.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This is honestly one of my favorite books now. It was such a different perspective from anything I’ve ever read from the time period it was set in. It was absolutely eye-opening and attention-catching. I managed to become absolutely hooked on Doris Steele’s life and her voice. Even in the middle of a months’ long reading slump, I kept getting drawn back in.

I would absolutely recommend that anyone and everyone read this book. Thank you so, so much to Mia McKenzie for writing this!!

Is it premature to say I already have a favorite book of the year?

Well, I absolutely loved this. Doris is a witty, engaging narrator and her hilarious inner monologue hooked me from the very beginning. Over the course of a weekend, her conservative worldview expands as she meets new people, including a cast of affluent black lesbians, musicians, feminists, and influential Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. Side characters like Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Broussard offer multifaceted perspectives on topics including women's rights, religion, and sexuality. The tone of the story is open and conversational, making it feel more like an actual memoir than a work of fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read These Heathens by Mia McKenzie. Georgia in the.late 60s. A time and place I know a lot about. But not like Doris. Doris is a woman I would have loved knowing in Atlanta back in the 60s. Or today. Spending time with her and her life changing short time in Atlanta has been wonderful, and meaningful, heartbreaking and hilarious. With Doris we experience Atlanta through the lives of the Black community through Doris' eyes - some wealthy, some famous, some queer, some working hard for civil rights, all while Doris is just trying to figure her own self out. I have loved every minute, and every word of this book.

A young black woman in rural Georgia in 1960 finds herself in need of an abortion. Taken to Atlanta by a trusted teacher, she finds herself smack in the middle of the civil rights movement. I loved this book; the protagonist is well fleshed out, and while she can’t fully control her circumstances, she has great agency. It’s rather sex-positive—the author doesn’t dwell on the how of the pregnancy—and the queer content comes from an unexpected place. It’s not the protagonist but the environment she is a part of in Atlanta. No spoilers! But it’s great. CW: references to rape, racism.

In 1960’s Georgia., 17 year old Doris Steele discovers she is pregnant and needs an abortion. With the help of her high school teacher Ms. Lucas, she leaves for Atlanta. Over the weekend, Doris is swept up into a world inhabited by queer women, atheists, and civil rights activists. We are introduced to funny, interesting characters who challenge Doris to imagine new possibilities for herself.
This novel was well-written, funny, charming, and emotional. I really enjoyed the historical beats and multifaceted queer representation. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in feminism, civil rights, Black history, and queer relationships.