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How Stella Got Her Groove Back Paperback – January 6, 2004

by Terry McMillan (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 293 ratings
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How Stella Got Her Groove Back is full of Terry McMillan's signature humor, heart, and insight. More than a love story, it is ultimately a novel about how a woman saves her own life—and what she must risk to do it.

Stella Payne is forty-two, divorced, a high-powered investment analyst, mother of eleven-year-old Quincy- and she does it all. In fact, if she doesn't do it, it doesn't get done, from Little League carpool duty to analyzing portfolios to folding the laundry and bringing home the bacon. She does it all well, too, if her chic house, personal trainer, BMW, and her loving son are any indication. So what if there's been no one to share her bed with lately, let alone rock her world? Stella doesn't mind it too much; she probably wouldn't have the energy for love—and all of love's nasty fallout—anyway.

But when Stella takes a spur-of-the-moment vacation to Jamaica, her world gets rocked to the core—not just by the relaxing effects of the sun and sea and an island full of attractive men, but by one man in particular. He's tall, lean, soft-spoken, Jamaican, smells of citrus and the ocean—and is half her age. The tropics have cast their spell and Stella soon realizes she has come to a cataclysmic juncture: not only must she confront her hopes and fears about love, she must question all of her expectations, passions, and ideas about life and the way she has lived it.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Berkley
  4. Publication date
    January 6, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.26 x 0.88 x 7.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0451209141
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0451209146
  8. Lexile measure
    1170L
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Terry McMillan is a skilled master at writing dialogue for strong, intelligent women—AssociatedPress
WAITING TO EXHALE by Terry McMillan GETTING TO HAPPY by Terry McMillan A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT by Terry McMillan DISAPPEARING ACTS by Terry McMillan THE INTERRUPTION OF EVERYTHING by Terry McMillan WHO ASKED YOU? by Terry McMillan
WAITING TO EXHALE GETTING TO HAPPY A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT DISAPPEARING ACTS THE INTERRUPTION OF EVERYTHING WHO ASKED YOU?
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Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
550
4.5 out of 5 stars
1,582
4.6 out of 5 stars
791
4.5 out of 5 stars
459
4.5 out of 5 stars
654
4.5 out of 5 stars
3,930
Price $14.99 $14.15 $17.00 — $14.65 $10.86
Don't miss these fantastic novels from #1 New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan. The critically acclaimed novel about four women who learn to carry on while leaning on each other. Terry McMillan's exuberant return to the four unforgettable heroines of Waiting to Exhale. A tour-de-force novel of family, healing, and redemption. A modern romance, from love at first sight to painful reality to working toward a happy ending. A laugh-out-loud funny novel about a woman who's putting herself first for the first time. A well-crafted story of acceptance, forgiveness, and hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for How Stella Got Her Groove Back

“The novel sparkles.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“A riotous, sexy book...told in the inimitable voice of Stella, who will charm the reader from the first page....Fans and first-time readers will be hooked.”—Richmond Times Dispatch

“A confessional, sister-can-you-understand-this open diary...I laughed out loud.”—Boston Globe

“Terry McMillan is the only novelist I have ever read...who makes me glad to be a woman.”—Washington Post Book World 

“A sexy handbook of self-realization.”—The New Yorker

“A liberating love story…[which] tells women it’s okay to let go, follow your heart, take a chance, and fall in love, even if that love comes from a place you’d least expect.”—Orlando Sentinel

“A sexy…chatty, dishy, you-go!-girl tale that I read in one night.”—Entertainment Weekly
 
“Hot summer fun, girlfriend…The tell-it-like-it-is voice that McMillan honed to smart-mouthed perfection…she resurrects here in the person of Stella Payne.”—Indianapolis Star
 
“A cast of likable characters, funny lines, smart repartee and a warm and fuzzy ending…an irreverent, mischievous, diverting novel that at times will make you laugh out loud.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Rich in detail...leaves you feeling like you’ve just had a good gossip with your best girlfriend.”
—Mademoiselle
 
“A down-and-dirty, romantic and brave story told to you by this smart, good-hearted woman as if she were your best friend.”—Newsday

About the Author

Terry McMillan is the award-winning, critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale, Getting to Happy, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, The Interruption of Everything, Who Asked You?, Mama, Disappearing Acts, I Almost Forgot About You, It’s Not All Downhill From Here, and the editor of Breaking Ice: An Anthology of Contemporary African-American Fiction. She lives in California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; Reissue edition (January 6, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451209141
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451209146
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1170L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.26 x 0.88 x 7.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 293 ratings

About the author

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Terry McMillan

Terry McMillan

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Terry McMillan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, andThe Interruption of Everything and the editor of Breaking Ice: An Anthology of Contemporary African-American Fiction. Each of Ms. McMillan’s seven previous novels was a New York Times bestseller, and four have been made into movies: Waiting to Exhale (Twentieth Century Fox, 1995); How Stella Got Her Groove Back (Twentieth Century Fox, 1998); Disappearing Acts (HBO Pictures, 1999); and A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime, 2014). She lives in California.

Photo Credit: Matthew Jordan Smith.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
293 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Luna
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with purchase - Festive Wrapping
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love that they wrapped up my book in holiday-themed wrapping paper for this holiday season. I thought that was a sweet and festive touch!
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Empress AL
5.0 out of 5 stars It's like sitting in at a tea party with the girls
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2017
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you really miss something if you don't have this.Terry reads this to you. It's like sitting in at a tea party with the girls.
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Jeff Bowman
3.0 out of 5 stars She got her Groove Back, and a trophy husband
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2013
Verified Purchase
Who would ever read a novel about an older, white, rich man who "gets their groove (or grapes) back" by marring a young trophy wife? Why would it be interesting? Wouldn't you be saying to yourself - "this is not a good idea"? This very question is why I find this novel a little bit interesting. It is a novel about an older, black, rich woman who marries a young trophy husband.

And it does not go well for the author.

I stumbled-upon this book after Terry McMillan's 2013 interview on NPR, which was to promote her latest novel. During this NPR interview, it was revealed to me that Terry had an acrimonious divorce in the mid-2000's, from a marriage that was the source material for this very novel.

In this novel, based upon the author's own life, you can see all of the foreshadowing towards Terry's eventual divorce from her trophy husband. I find the novel interesting for this very reason - it is exceedingly clear that her "boyfriend / husband" is never going to work out.

It is very clear that her "boyfriend" is at least bi-sexual. When Terry meets him in Jamaica he is living with a man, a man who makes it clear to Terry that they are more than just "friends" - the character throws a hissy-fit at Terry saying -"you know he lives with me, right"? Terry just glosses this over.

Her boyfriend / future husband is "mature for a twenty year old", yet he has no solid career plans or way to support himself - he is thinking about being a chef, but has no practical experience besides a few weeks of training. Terry glosses this over, because he wears nice cologne and makes her feel good. Would we be sympathetic to an older, rich white guy in the same position? If you say yes, why do you say that? For sexist reasons?

It is abundantly clear by the end of the novel that Terry and her man really don't have much in common. She is a well read, very strong willed career woman. He is a flighty, non-career person who can't even wash his own clothes. About all he can do is driver her fancy cars, and kick back in her palatial house.

How is this going to work out?

Only good thing: Terry had a great prenuptial agreement, so when the eventual divorce came, she did not get taken for too much of her money. I guess she is very like an older, rich, white man this way - but why should we be sympathetic?
2 people found this helpful
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J. Kelley
4.0 out of 5 stars A break from high-falutin literature
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2001
Verified Purchase
Using a very down-to-earth writing style that's easy to read, McMillan tells the story of a 42 year-old buppie (black urban professional) who develops a new look on life after falling for a handsome 21-year old Jamaican "boy". I enjoyed the introspective love story, but there were a few details that, if omitted, would have made the novel more enjoyable. For example, I'm not interested in Stella's douche schedule or her unsavory feminine odors. Also, the constant reaffirmation of how much money she has, the BMW, the name brands mentioned over and over is kind of cheesy. What kept me reading this, however, is the love story that grew out of an island fling and Stella's ability to let go of her inhibitions. A fun, quick, and easy read. I'm looking forward to renting the movie.
7 people found this helpful
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Bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite novel
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
Since reading this book the scences from this novel are way different from the actual movie but I really enjoyed reading this novel as well as watching the movie. Happy customer here:)
2 people found this helpful
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Courtney Amber Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great book
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Beverly Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
Even though I have the movie, the book is so much better. I loved it.
2 people found this helpful
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Barbara Ewing
2.0 out of 5 stars No Grooving for Me
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
Guess it's me on this one. I never got past the first chapter.
2 people found this helpful
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