[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.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. It will definitely be in your top reads of the year, trust me! These Heathens followed 17 year old Doris Steele as she and her teacher went to Atlanta for a weekend. However, this wasn’t a vacation; Doris needed an abortion. Doris had no idea that this would be one of the most important and life changing weekends that she would ever experience. Can you imagine chance encounters with MLK Jr, Coretta Scott King, and Malcolm X? Over this fateful weekend, Doris came into her own and learned that what she wanted for her life was far more important than what everyone else thought. She was also introduced to another aspect of society: what it’s like to be black and queer in the south. Doris came face to face with her own judgmental and homophobic views and realized that at the end of the day, love is love. These Heathens was also hilarious and kept me engaged and entertained throughout the entire book. The side characters in this book also made the story for me. They are very important to Doris’ growth and give her some very good advice. Prepare to be transported to Atlanta for a very interesting weekend. Add this one to your tbr if you haven’t!

This book surprised me in all the best ways (I didn't read the premise). I loved everything from the 1960 celeb cameos, Black queer underground, nuances of progressive thought, the narrator and how important her voice was and is. Heavy topics, Mia McKenzie’s humor. Amazing book.

This one is powerful, raw, and unforgettable. It follows a tight circle of friends whose seemingly unbreakable bond is tested when a long-buried secret resurfaces after a death. Emotions snap, loyalties shift, and every character has to face who they really are.

The writing is fierce and unfiltered—intimate, sometimes raw, and always true to the complexities of friendship, identity, and grief. You’ll feel every fragment of love and hurt as the layers peel back.

If you're drawn to intense, character-driven stories about what holds us together—and what tears us apart—this one hits hard and stays with you long after the last page.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of These Heathens. This book had such an interesting premise with a mix of queerness, Civil Rights movement, humor and found family. I enjoyed how unique the story was. There were times in the middle where it seems to lose its way with the main plot, but overall it was tied together quite nicely and the main character was very likable and relatable.

Heathen: A rude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement.

The heathens, and there are many of them in the story, These Heathens, may fit the definition of heathens but they are far from it. They are characters you will fall in love with and respect. They are black men and women just trying to live their best lives in Atlanta in 1960.

Mia McKenzie wrote an incredible book about being black in the 60’s. These Heathens is about how one weekend changed Doris’s life forever. It focuses on how we must all be true to ourselves and put ourselves first. That is truly the only way to live life happy.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not sure I would have ever read this if it wasn’t for exploring books on NetGalley.

These Heathens follows Doris, a 17-year-old girl living in a tiny town in Georgia, over one life-changing weekend. Although she's been raised to be pious and follow orders, Doris finds herself in a difficult situation...she's pregnant and she doesn't want the baby. She has little to no options until her favorite teacher agrees to take her to get an abortion in Atlanta.

When they arrive in Atlanta, Doris sees other kinds of lives. Exposed to the Civil Rights Movement, feminism, and homosexuality, Doris realizes that not everything should be decided by someone else. She has the power of choice.
---
While the topics discussed in this book are heavy and incredibly important, this book is also hilarious. This is a coming of age story that comes alive on the page, following Doris during her life-changing weekend.

Mia McKenzie is able to create a fully fleshed out character and story with plenty of room to show growth and a better, unknown future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A beautiful coming of age story of a seventeen year old Black girl in 1960s Georgia who travels with a teacher to Atlanta for an abortion, and spends a crazy weekend considering the forced obligations to others that her identity places on her and imagining what more she could want out of life. The questioning and detangling of religious teachings is where this book really shines.

What I loved most about this coming-of-age story were its powerful themes of sisterhood and the importance of having a village.

We follow seventeen-year-old Doris, a poor Black girl from rural Georgia who finds herself pregnant. Refusing to simply accept her fate, Doris bravely reaches out to her favorite teacher, Mrs. Lucas, for help. Together, they travel to Atlanta to spend a transformative weekend with Mrs. Lucas’s best friend.

Over the course of the weekend, Doris is faced with pivotal choices that force her to confront questions of love, identity, social injustice, and womanhood. I especially appreciated how the story centered Black women supporting one another and explored the nuances of autonomy and self-determination in the Jim Crow South.

There were moments when I had to remind myself that Doris was only seventeen—she often carried herself with a maturity beyond her years. My only critique is that the weekend felt a bit too eventful; at times it stretched believability that so much could unfold in such a short span.

Pick this one up if you’re a fan of coming-of-age stories and narratives that celebrate women’s autonomy and the strength of community.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A story about a girl with a highly sheltered and religious upbringing grappling between what she was always taught as Gospel truth and what Her truth is! This is a book set in the 1960s in Georgia (mainly Atlanta), where 17 year old Doris is struggling with the intersection of her faith and social issues. When she gets pregnant and goes to Atlanta for an abortion, we see her entire worldview open up and change as she realizes a lot of the beliefs she was told to have might not feel right for her. She encounters all sorts of “heathens” (civil rights activists, gay people, partiers, etc) and grapples with that throughout the story.
I found it so interesting and cool to see her tolerance and acceptance and excitement change throughout the book and I also thought it was a really good way to express the important of being pro choice.
I’m glad I read this and highly recommend to everyone!!!

Let me just say, These Heathens by Mia McKenzie completely blew me away. I picked it up not quite sure what to expect. I mean, that title alone is a whole mood. But wow, it was sharp, bold, and deeply emotional in a way that really snuck up on me.

From the first chapter, I was hooked. McKenzie has this incredible voice that feels so real. It's raw but also funny, defiant, and often painfully honest. The characters felt like people I know or people I could run into on the street. They're complicated, messy, and brilliant. And the way the story unfolds? It doesn't follow a neat little narrative with a happy ending. It challenges you. It asks hard questions, especially about family, identity, and justice.

There were moments when I had to pause and just sit with what I read. Other times I was laughing or shaking my head thinking, “I cannot believe she just wrote that, but I’m so glad she did.”

It’s not an easy read emotionally, and it's definitely not the kind of book you breeze through without thinking. But that’s what I loved most about it. It made me feel things. It made me think. And by the end, I had that bittersweet feeling where you’re proud of the characters for surviving what they’ve been through, but also a little sad to let them go.

If you're into stories that are fearless and deeply rooted in truth with characters who feel like they're living and breathing right off the page, These Heathens is absolutely worth reading. Mia McKenzie did something really special with this one.