Terry McMillan's It Was the Way She Said It offers a broad look into her extensive career, compiling both familiar and new pieces that touch on themes of love, aging, and cultural identity. Her distinctive voice and candid storytelling are evident throughout the collection.

While the anthology provides valuable insights and moments of reflection, some pieces resonated more than others. The varied nature of the content made the reading experience somewhat uneven, with certain essays and stories leaving a stronger impact than others.

Overall, it's a commendable compilation for longtime fans interested in exploring the breadth of McMillan's work. However, for new readers, it might serve better as a supplementary read after experiencing her more cohesive novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Terry McMillan never disappoints. The short stories was just enough to keep our heart racing and pumping.