When seventeen year old Doris Steele becomes pregnant, she knows she can’t see the town midwife to take care of it. Instead she turns to her favorite teacher, who brings her to Atlanta and introduces her to a weekend she’s never experienced.

Taking place over a single weekend, this is a short story but with a powerful punch. Anyone who enjoys coming of age stories will like this one. It includes a lot about black women’s reproductive and queer rights, in a time when they lacked most rights. Doris is introduced to a new urban and activist world and becomes all the better for it. I loved how fiction blended with history, as many important historical figures and events are woven into the story.

“Almost nothing in this world belongs to us, but our desires are ours and we ought not have to explain them to everybody all the damn time.”

These Heathens comes out 6/17.

I was a big fan of Mia McKenzie's 2021 Skye Falling, so I was thrilled to come across her newest, These Heathens, (publication day June 15, 2025)!

Told from the perspective of Doris, a seventeen-year old pregnant Black girl in 1960 rural Georgia who had to leave school at fifteen to take care of her mother and younger brothers, we find out right away that Doris is pregnant and she is determined not to be. She is a churchgoer and obedient girl who loved school but doesn't waste time pining for what she can't have, but she knows deep down that she does not want to be pregnant. So she goes to see her former English teacher, Mrs. Lucas, to see if there's any way she can help.

Mrs. Lucas sets up a plan where they will go to Atlanta, and a lifelong friend, Mrs. Broussard, will pay for it with a Black doctor she knows. So they set off on the train for the weekend to go get it done. Doris has never been to Atlanta, so she's a little starstruck by Mrs. Broussard's big house and the people she meets--a pregnant Coretta Scott King stops by when they get there, along with her fictional famous cousin, singer Julia Avery, who happens to have gone to Spelman at the same time as Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Broussard.

So much is packed into this weekend--new boys for Doris to meet, along with going to a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Conference when the doctor is running late Saturday morning. She meets some bodyguards who are protecting people from the Klan, and overhears a meeting between the Klan and the Nation of Islam that she shouldn't.

Plus, she saw something on Friday night between Mrs. Lucas and Julia Avery that makes her question everything she learned in church about relations between two women. And Mrs. Broussard is having a party on Saturday night, famous for Atlanta Black homosexuals since her husband is out of town. It also turns out that Mrs. Broussard didn't actually know a doctor who could perform Doris's abortion, so now she has to go back to Millen still pregnant and she doesn't know how she can do that after all that she has seen this weekend. After a chance meeting with Dr. King himself, an unexpected person comes to her rescue.

I really enjoyed it and was amazed at how much McKenzie packed into such a short novel that occurs over a single weekend. Doris describes herself as "buxom," in a positive way, so I will consider it fat-positive as well. I liked the weaving of real people in history into the fictional narrative, and was excited to read that the story is based on the life of McKenzie's own grandmother. McKenzie is a great storyteller--she wove humor in liberally, to this story centering one Black girl's decision to take charge of her own life, surrounded by the civil rights movement and circumstances that were not easy, while also including the stories of the queer people who have always existed.

I thought this book was a totally sweet work on historical fiction. It was very intro to civil rights movement and queer communities at the time. I do wish it had been a little more complex or nuanced in that area. I liked the premise and the characters and was happy I read it. Also, it reads so fast I flew through it.

Doris, a pregnant 17 year old, goes to Mrs. Lucas, a teacher in small town Millen, Georgia, for help and finds a whole wider world when Mrs. Lucas takes her to Atlanta. It's the 1960s but the civil rights movement has not come to Millen. In Atlanta, she is introduced to Coretta Scott King and to the students at SNCC. She's shocked by so much, but most especially by the open love of women for other women. This is written in Doris' vibrant voice which gives heft to the story. Know that Doris keeps a secret and that you might find yourself wondering if you missed something. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This would be a good one for the YA crossover crowd as an introduction to the period. It's also a good read for those who remember it.

Doris is a singularly unique voice and character. Part coming of age novel, part historical and political manifesto, this novel was an interesting and entertaining read. An exploration of obligations and desires, and it all takes place over one fateful weekend in Atlanta in 1960.

"Dear Lord, please forgive me for the sins I’ve committed. And for the one I’m still planning to commit tomorrow. Amen.

Where do you get an abortion in 1960 Georgia, especially if the town midwife goes to the same church as your parents? For seventeen-year-old Doris Steele, the answer is Atlanta, where her favorite teacher, Mrs. Lucas, calls upon her brash, wealthy childhood best friend, Sylvia, for help. While waiting to hear from the doctor who has agreed to do the procedure, Doris spends the weekend scandalized by, but drawn to, the people who move in and out of Sylvia's celebrities whom Doris has seen in the pages of Jet and Ebony, political leaders like Coretta Scott King and Diane Nash, women who dance close together, atheists! And even more shocking? Mrs. Lucas seems right at home.

From the guests at a queer kickback to the student activists at a SNCC conference, Doris suddenly finds herself surrounded by so many people who seem to know exactly who or what they want. Doris knows she doesn’t want a baby, but what does she want? Will this trip help her find out?"

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie tells the story of a 17 year old Black girl, Doris, from rural Georgia, set in 1960. Doris Steele is a smart young woman who enjoyed school but needed to leave two years earlier to help take care of her ailing mother and look after the family. Doris goes to her favorite teacher, Mrs. Lucas, when she needs help. This results in Doris going to Atlanta for the weekend.

Most of the novel takes place during that weekend. This novel is deep on character development and light on action but it works because we get to witness the opening of Doris’ mind and mindset as she experiences certain things that are far from her structured upbringing. I really enjoyed her perspective and her growth as a character. Readers who enjoy a slow burn and /or historical fiction will like the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

When I saw that Mia McKenzie was coming out with another book, I requested it from Netgalley immediately. Her last book, Skye Falling, was such a surprise win for me, I knew I wanted to read whatever she put out next.

In These Heathens, McKenzie switches from contemporary to historical fiction with a much younger narrator, and yet, our main character still felt fresh and unique. Seventeen-year-old Doris Steele is pregnant and does not want to be. But in 1960 rural Georgia (or 2025 Georgia?), she has very limited options. She seeks the help of her favorite teacher Mrs. Lucas, who agrees to take her to Atlanta and enlist the assistance of an old friend, one of Atlanta's black elite, who can help set up and fund an abortion for Doris. What Doris finds in Atlanta surprises her in more ways than one, and she discovers that one weekend can change your whole life.

Just as in Skye Falling, I adored our main character's narrative voice in this. She's funny, smart, open-minded despite her upbringing, and just someone I'd like to be around. Through much of the story, Doris acts as an outside observer, as she is immersed in a queer community and the civil rights movement for the first time. This distance kept things a little surface level for me at times, and I wished we'd gotten a little deeper into some characters and situations, but I still found her coming-of-age story compelling and endearing. At a time when women's choices, particularly Black women's choices, were frustratingly limited, it was a joy to watch Doris see possibilities opening for her future. I just wish we'd gotten to see a little more of that future, honestly.

Mia McKenzie's These Heathens is a bold, genre-defying novel that blends elements of mystery, family drama, and social commentary into a powerful narrative about abortion, identity, and Civil Rights. Known for her incisive voice and commitment to truth-telling, McKenzie delivers a story that is both emotionally resonant and unapologetically political. McKenzie’s writing is razor-sharp, blending dark humor with emotional depth. She excels at crafting complex characters—flawed, compelling, and utterly human.

Doris’ journey and story will stick with you even after the last page. She made a lot of growth in just one weekend! I enjoyed her inner monologue, humor, and her zest for creating a life of no obligation to anyone but HERSELF!

These Heathens is a fearless and ferocious novel that refuses to look away from the ugly truths of being a black woman America, while also making space for love, resistance, and complicated forms of healing. It’s a must-read for fans of literary fiction with bite, and for anyone who values storytelling that speaks truth to power. This story w

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Pre-Read Notes:

I have no idea what to expect going in I chose this one for cover and title, as I sometimes do and have always done. What a delight waited for me here, from the first brilliant sentence.

"One thing needs clearing up right off: Reverend King was not the father." p1

Final Review

(thoughts & recs) This book grabbed me right at the opening line. I just knew with that (quoted above), I was in for an entertaining read. I was definitely right. I adore the protagonist, a 16-year-old girl who finds herself pregnant, needing help, and with extended family members she hardly knows, in Atlanta and looking for solutions.

But it's not just the story of a teenage girl dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, it's about all the ways she discovers who she is and where she belongs by taking that journey. A gorgeous, fraught story of coming of age-- now a favorite example in a favorite genre for me. This character is scared but dignified. She speaks her mind but is not immune to growth. She is blunt and unrehearsed but she is deep down a romantic. What a brilliant journey she took me on.

This book manages to handle multiple issues of social justice with style and a forthrightness, through the fmc, that I really admire. I like when speakers speak plainly and writers write plainly. I love when I know exactly what a writer is trying to say. And I got that from this book. A stimulating and thought-provoking read.

I recommend THESE HEATHENS to anyone interested in racial history of the US, especially its southern states, fans of historical fiction, readers who want to read more diversely, readers of feminist women's fiction, and to fans of unexpected coming of age dramas.

My 2 Favorite Things:

✔️ I love the narrating character, how much she finds everything repulsive and yet how quiet and acquiescent she seemed. Her development comes from encountering other characters, each of whom she measure against her Christian values, all while she seeks an abortion, illegal in most southern states at the time of this telling. The irony is thick like butter.

✔️ This book deftly juggles multiple important themes, like civil rights conflict for Black people and queer people in the sixties, women's reproductive rights, and colorism. Wow I'm just stunned by this book.

Notes:

1. content notes: racism, racial violence, white supremacy, KKK, N-word, animal cruelty (reference to), anti-queer religious statements, pregnancy, abortion, marriage of convenience

Thank you to the author Mia McKenzie, publisher Random House, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THESE HEATHENS. All views are mine.

I really enjoyed reading about Atlanta in the 60s. I felt this was well written. I don’t have too much reasoning on why I have it 3 stars. I think the pacing was a bit off perhaps? A lot was packed into one weekend.

[book:The Summer We Got Free] is one of the very few fiction books that has been on my shelf for well over a decade, I don't keep fiction books once I'm done reading them unless I have particularly strong feelings about them. So yeah, you can imagine my excitement when I saw that McKenzie was making a detour into historical fiction.

Doris is one of these characters that's easier to root for than she is to like, not that she's unlikeable, she's just a tad on the annoying side a lot of the time. She's a kid from a rural town and she's religious, she can't help being what she is, on the cusp of adulthood in some ways and a fairly quick study maybe but a kid still. Yet, it was interesting to see the world through her eyes, to share in her awakening to a larger world than she had known. Growth is messy and when you add an unwanted pregnancy and people who are trying, however clumsily, to help while having their own issues it gets even messier what it never gets though is boring.
Through her story we get to explore a sliver of the civil rights movement and the very human nature of the people who were part of it and I really enjoyed that approach and the centering of someone who would have normally been at best a peripheral figure.

McKenzie's writing style isn't very flowery but it's very honest which really suits this kind of coming-of-age stories.

I was hooked from beginning to end and I was almost sad when it ended, I actually wanted to spend more time with the more grown Doris.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an eARC of this book for review consideration.

Time moves well in the story. There are pockets when the story stands still for a while but it still works. Doris is treated in that pathway between childhood and adulthood who gets to learn and be the star of her story and not the plight. This novel is a timely page turner with a solid ending.

Bound by duty, Doris quits high school to take care of her sick Mom, little brothers, Dad and the household in the 60’s when she finds herself pregnant in rural Georgia. She turns to her former favorite teacher, Catie, who agrees to help her end it and takes her to Atlanta. They stay the weekend with her college friends where Doris is exposed to influential families involved in the Civil Rights movement, independent and free thinking women and even the Kings that makes her reflect and evaluate her faith, beliefs, and values and opens to her the world of possibilities and choices. What will she do it and who does she want to be? I loved stepping into Atlanta during that time period and watching the light bulbs come on for Doris.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Mia McKenzie's "These Heathens" is an absolute masterpiece of historical fiction that I couldn't put down. From the moment I started reading, I was completely captivated, devouring the entire story in one sitting. The narrative is not just compelling; it's an exhilarating journey enriched by excellent characters and a storyline that grips you from start to finish.

The standout star is undoubtedly Doris, the main character, whose hilarious wit and charm breathe life into every page. Doris isn’t just funny—she’s brilliantly crafted, making her both relatable and unforgettable. McKenzie’s skill in balancing humor with the depth of historical context is nothing short of masterful.

Every character is vividly drawn, contributing to an immersive, emotionally resonant experience. The plot is wonderfully paced, with twists and turns that keep you eagerly turning pages. "These Heathens" isn’t just a book; it’s an experience—one that stays with you long after the last page.

If you’re looking for a story that’s gripping, filled with excellent characters, and packed with humor, "These Heathens" is the perfect read. A well-deserved five stars!

This story was so well done and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading from this author and I'm looking forward to the next book. The plot was really well explored and I enjoyed the overall story. The characters were great and I was able to dive myself into this book. It was well done and I highly recommend. This book was so good.

I loved this so much! After reading this I would follow Doris anywhere. I haven't encountered such a unique and readable protagonist in a long time.

Doris, a girl from a small town in Georgia goes to Atlanta where her eyes are opened to many things she never imagined before. She will never be the same.

This is an amazing presentation of a teenage girl seeing the world as more than the small minded environment she has grown up in. And more so, a young woman learning she has the right to decide her own path in life. A quick read that can be devoured in one sitting.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Heathen is such a culturally specific word, I immediately wanted to read this. This novel reads like a story passed down from your grandmother or favorite auntie and Mia McKenzie does a beautiful job painting a vivid portrait of Atlanta’s middle- and upper-class Black communities in the 1960s, capturing both the beauty and the constraints of the time.

While abortion is central to the plot, the story also thoughtfully explores the lives of Black queer people who were forced to live in secrecy and the underground communities they built to find safety and acceptance.

One of the strongest elements for me was how Doris’s faith is challenged. I appreciated the ways we got to she how her beliefs were challenged and began to evolve

I wished we had gotten more insight into the woman Doris ultimately became beyond antidotes.

Huge gratitude to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy. I’m so thankful I got the chance to read this early—because it’s not just a novel, it’s a necessary conversation, a quiet revolution, and a beautiful coming-of-age all rolled into one.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Georgia, we meet Doris Steele—a 17-year-old Black girl growing up in a deeply religious, working-class community. When she finds herself pregnant and certain she’s not ready to raise a child, she turns to the only adult she feels safe confiding in: her teacher, Mrs. Lucas. With limited choices in her small town, Doris asks for help, and Mrs. Lucas agrees to take her to Atlanta for an abortion. What begins as a quiet weekend away unfolds into a life-altering experience.

Over the course of just a few days, Doris steps into a world she never imagined existed. She’s exposed to privilege, to queerness, to radical ideas, to people living boldly in their truths—and to the energy of the Civil Rights Movement as it pulses through the city. For a girl taught to stay small and obedient, it’s the first time she begins to truly question what she wants, what she believes, and what kind of life she might actually build for herself.

Mia McKenzie’s writing is electric. From the first few lines, I felt like I was right there beside Doris. Her voice is sharp, smart, funny, and honest—filled with just enough attitude to make you love her instantly. Every person Doris meets feels vivid and real, each encounter gently peeling back another layer of her world. While the themes explored—racism, bodily autonomy, sexuality, faith, and more—are weighty, they’re handled with thoughtfulness and compassion. Nothing felt heavy-handed or overwhelming—just honest and deeply human.

The story moves with purpose but never rushes. Watching Doris grow, question, and shift felt so natural—it didn’t feel like reading a book, it felt like witnessing someone find their voice. And honestly? I think this might be added to my favorite reads 2025 list. Given everything happening in today’s political and cultural climate, this book feels both deeply personal and incredibly relevant.

This was my first time reading Mia McKenzie’s work—and only my second historical fiction of 2025—but it left an undeniable mark on me. Bold, moving, and deeply human, this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

This was nice with a very motivating message about what it truly means to do what you want. We follow a loyal Christian girl named Doris, as she discovers she must have an abortion, (we never find out who the father is which annoys me), and she goes to her old teacher and asks for help. This sets off a chain of events that and introduces Doris to people who she never thought she would meet.

I enjoyed reminiscing with Doris and this past look on the weekend and moment that it all changed for her. This time spent made her want more and know that she has the choice to want what ever in life.

In the end, I enjoyed this and was happy with the story and message of this.