Two girls’ lives are irrevocably intertwined the summer of 1985 in the streets of Brooklyn, New York, and neither will ever be the same in this coming-of-age story that spans decades.
In the summer of 1985, Lisa Whitaker is a church kid headed to college on a scholarship while her best friend, Dana, is floundering in the wake of her mother’s latest eviction. Though Lisa tries to help, their paths diverge. Fifteen years later, Lisa has a beautiful family and is stepping into her dream job as the director for a social services organization. Everything is going right—until her future is snatched away by identity theft. Her life begins to unravel, and Lisa wants nothing more than to see the woman responsible pay for her crimes.
When she was a teenager, Dana Jones always felt alone in this world. Her mother was addicted to drugs, her boyfriend was entering a life of crime, and it seemed Dana, too, was heading down the wrong path. The only bright light was her friendship with Lisa. Now, in the new millennium, Dana finally gives herself permission to dream—to believe she is stepping into better days. But when the betrayal of their friendship comes to light, it will take a lifetime to forgive the destruction that youthful summer in Bed-Stuy set in motion.
In this latest story from beloved author Vanessa Miller, two girls from the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, find that their paths have been woven together by the love of community and a friendship that is tested by time, betrayal, and unforgiveness.
- Inspirational Christian fiction
- Stand-alone novel
- Perfect for fans of Tara M. Stringfellow, Terry McMillan, and Kimberla Lawson Roby
- Book length: approximately 85,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Vanessa Miller is a best-selling, award-winning author and playwright. Her writing has been centered on themes of redemption and books about strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.
Several of Vanessa’s novels have appeared on bestseller lists. The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was also the Woman Evolve Book Club Pick for October 2024 and is a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025. Her novel Something Good was the 2022 Best Christian Fiction Award winner at the African American Literary Awards.
Vanessa’s books have received countless favorable reviews. The American Queen has been featured in GMA, Washington Post, and Essence roundups.
Praise for The American Queen: “Stirring . . . quintessential story of brave people fighting for what they know they deserve.” —Washington Post | “This powerful story must be told and retold.” —GMA | “Miller captivates with a propulsive historical based on a true story.” —Publishers Weekly
Vanessa is currently published through HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication.
Visit Vanessa’s website at vanessamiller.com or connect with her online at Facebook: @Author-Vanessa-Miller; Instagram: @authorvanessamiller; or X: @vanessamiller01.