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The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman
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Expected 29 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 15:11:16
50 copies available
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A Most Anticipated Book of 2026 by PEN America, Lit Hub, BookPage, and Ms. Magazine
The wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor upends her charmed “rags-to-Rolex” life when her secret past comes roaring into the spotlight—in this "funny and juicy and sexy and delicious peek behind the pulpit" (Samantha Irby) from the acclaimed and beloved author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.
From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband's power affords her.
On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt of: a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.
But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.
Unflinchingly funny, frank, and packed with surprising turns, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman exults in the luscious, messy pleasure of finally feeling free.
"Deesha Philyaw has already established herself as one of the greatest short story writers, but in The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman she cements herself as the most soulfully entertaining writer of her era." - Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and Long Division
The wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor upends her charmed “rags-to-Rolex” life when her secret past comes roaring into the spotlight—in this "funny and juicy and sexy and delicious peek behind the pulpit" (Samantha Irby) from the acclaimed and beloved author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.
From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband's power affords her.
On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt of: a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.
But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.
Unflinchingly funny, frank, and packed with surprising turns, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman exults in the luscious, messy pleasure of finally feeling free.
"Deesha Philyaw has already established herself as one of the greatest short story writers, but in The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman she cements herself as the most soulfully entertaining writer of her era." - Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and Long Division
432 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Deesha Philyaw
19 books1,248 followersDeesha Philyaw’s debut short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Story Prize, the LA Times Book Prize: The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. Deesha is a Kimbilio Fiction Fellow, a Baldwin for the Arts Fellow, a United States Artists Fellow, and co-host of two podcasts, Ursa Short Fiction (with Dawnie Walton) and Reckon True Stories (with Kiese Laymon). She is currently at work developing TV shows based on her short fiction.
Deesha’s debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, is forthcoming from Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, on September 29, 2026.
Deesha’s debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, is forthcoming from Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, on September 29, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 18, 2026
Deesha Philyaw sure knows her bible, and doesn’t mince words on the hypocrisy of it all. Scathing commentary on mega churches and the people who long to habituate in a world where people with an economic status they can only dream of, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is a quotable book lover’s dream.
"And I’ve always felt conflicted about having my lifestyle funded by our congregation, some of whom can barely afford their rent, and who worship a god I’m not entirely sure I believe in."
However, and I say this lightly: our main character, Sharisse Freeman, fast-tracks herself into relationships with people who have absolutely zero backstory. These bonds are rushed through so quickly you’ll get whiplash trying to figure out why she even likes them. Pair that with the rest of the adult cast making silly decisions and Sharisse being in a loveless marriage, but the sex is decent? A lot of weird connections happening.
I did enjoy this book however there are some pacing issues and lack of character depth, but this book will resonate with many.
It's a solid four stars for me!
Thanks Mariner for the Advanced copy!
"And I’ve always felt conflicted about having my lifestyle funded by our congregation, some of whom can barely afford their rent, and who worship a god I’m not entirely sure I believe in."
However, and I say this lightly: our main character, Sharisse Freeman, fast-tracks herself into relationships with people who have absolutely zero backstory. These bonds are rushed through so quickly you’ll get whiplash trying to figure out why she even likes them. Pair that with the rest of the adult cast making silly decisions and Sharisse being in a loveless marriage, but the sex is decent? A lot of weird connections happening.
I did enjoy this book however there are some pacing issues and lack of character depth, but this book will resonate with many.
It's a solid four stars for me!
Thanks Mariner for the Advanced copy!
Want to Read
March 31, 2026september 2026 is going to be insane for good releases
♡.) The Secret Lives of Church Ladies ★★★★★
♡.) The Secret Lives of Church Ladies ★★★★★
Read
March 20, 2026Ummm......... mmmmmm....I have thoughts.
March 5, 2026
ARC Review: Book releasing September 2026
Thank you to Mariner Books for the review copy of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.
I was so excited to get this ARC because I loved Deesha Philyaw’s short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Her debut novel continues with similar themes of the type of shame and secrecy that women and girls within the church hold. The main character Scharisse Freeman is the wife of a pastor with a past that she’s been running away from. She tries to hide within the apparent success of her marriage and all the perks that come with it, but that can only last for so long. This was a hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time. The story tackles themes like patriarchy, misogyny within the church, shame, grief, and the desire to belong. Once I got to the 170 page mark I couldn’t put this down!
Thank you to Mariner Books for the review copy of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.
I was so excited to get this ARC because I loved Deesha Philyaw’s short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Her debut novel continues with similar themes of the type of shame and secrecy that women and girls within the church hold. The main character Scharisse Freeman is the wife of a pastor with a past that she’s been running away from. She tries to hide within the apparent success of her marriage and all the perks that come with it, but that can only last for so long. This was a hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time. The story tackles themes like patriarchy, misogyny within the church, shame, grief, and the desire to belong. Once I got to the 170 page mark I couldn’t put this down!
May 16, 2026
Love love love! An indictment on the hypocrisy of church folks. How church folks let the violence of the patriarchy reign and control the church.
Scharisse is a hilarious main character who inherits her mother’s naivety but has a strength that her mother never got to have.
So much more to think about with this book so I might come back and add more. Just trust me when I say to read this! Thank you to publisher Mariner for me arc review copy.
Scharisse is a hilarious main character who inherits her mother’s naivety but has a strength that her mother never got to have.
So much more to think about with this book so I might come back and add more. Just trust me when I say to read this! Thank you to publisher Mariner for me arc review copy.
February 23, 2026
I haven’t heard a lot of people talking about this book when it comes to 2026 anticipated reads, but I think it deserves some hype! Deesha Philyaw’s The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is one of my favorite short stories collections of all time, so I was excited to receive the ARC of The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.
If you like the concept of a sexy Real Housewives with a cast of First Ladies of black mega church pastors, lots of biting racial, class, gender, and of course, religious commentary, you might really enjoy this. First Lady Freeman is a protagonist who’s frustrating to read at times, but seeing her slowly deconstruct her world, her institution, her beliefs, and her privilege is deeply satisfying. All the First Ladies are just as petty and ruthless and funny as you might expect, so there’s never a dull moment.
There are aspects of how the characters behave and talk that I wish were more realistic, but at the end of the day, it didn’t really take away from the fun time I had with this book.
If you like the concept of a sexy Real Housewives with a cast of First Ladies of black mega church pastors, lots of biting racial, class, gender, and of course, religious commentary, you might really enjoy this. First Lady Freeman is a protagonist who’s frustrating to read at times, but seeing her slowly deconstruct her world, her institution, her beliefs, and her privilege is deeply satisfying. All the First Ladies are just as petty and ruthless and funny as you might expect, so there’s never a dull moment.
There are aspects of how the characters behave and talk that I wish were more realistic, but at the end of the day, it didn’t really take away from the fun time I had with this book.
February 21, 2026
This author is back and even better than before. This book takes a look at what it means to be a First Lady in the Church and to hold secrets. WhAt happens when secrets come to light and the stereotypes that exist between men abs women in the church. Told in the most hilarious way this book is both thought provoking and entertaining. Plenty of outlandish moments.
Read
April 8, 2026If Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul and The Real Housewives were combined, it would be this insanely well-written book! I enjoyed the drama but also appreciated where the heartache took us as a story. Truly a great dissection of how women are used in the church to uplift men and how hypocritical religious people can be. Recommend this highly!
Want to Read
February 18, 2026hell yea!!!!!
April 3, 2026
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is a triumph, and Deesha Philyaw has gained a lifelong fan and cheerleader. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so deeply that an author reached into my mind, lifted out my thoughts, and laid them on the page with such clarity.
Philyaw exposes the pageantry, disingenuous showmanship, and hypocrisy that permeate far too many churches today. But she goes further, interrogating the societal scaffolding that protects morally bankrupt practices—always at the expense of women, always at the cost of their dignity and truth.
Her storytelling is bold, incisive, and emotionally resonant. Fans of Mary Monroe and Terry McMillan will want this on their shelves.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this remarkable book.
Philyaw exposes the pageantry, disingenuous showmanship, and hypocrisy that permeate far too many churches today. But she goes further, interrogating the societal scaffolding that protects morally bankrupt practices—always at the expense of women, always at the cost of their dignity and truth.
Her storytelling is bold, incisive, and emotionally resonant. Fans of Mary Monroe and Terry McMillan will want this on their shelves.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this remarkable book.
May 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
As a preacher’s kid, this book was definitely relatable in many ways for me. Growing up in church, I saw firsthand how much pressure is put on pastors and especially First Ladies to appear perfect, even the kids. I also saw firsthand how things behind the scenes are not always pleasant. Deesha Philyaw captured that tension so well.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman was definitely messy and entertaining. Scharisse was such a layered character as she navigated image, secrets, church culture, misogyny, grief, and unfortunately, much more.
Overall, this book kept my attention, and I think a lot of people, especially those familiar with church culture, will connect with it.
As a preacher’s kid, this book was definitely relatable in many ways for me. Growing up in church, I saw firsthand how much pressure is put on pastors and especially First Ladies to appear perfect, even the kids. I also saw firsthand how things behind the scenes are not always pleasant. Deesha Philyaw captured that tension so well.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman was definitely messy and entertaining. Scharisse was such a layered character as she navigated image, secrets, church culture, misogyny, grief, and unfortunately, much more.
Overall, this book kept my attention, and I think a lot of people, especially those familiar with church culture, will connect with it.
May 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw was SUCH a good read! I really enjoyed Schar’s journey and watching her finally come into her own as a woman instead of just existing in the role everyone expected her to play. Being the First Lady of a mega church while married to a husband 15 years older than her added so many layers to her story, and whew… the drama, pressure, and self-discovery had me LOCKED IN 😭. Schar’s growth felt real, messy, and empowering all at once. Definitely a 5 star read for me!
I loved this book so much I’m starting The Secret Lives of Church Ladies today because clearly Deesha Philyaw knows how to keep me hooked 😂
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw was SUCH a good read! I really enjoyed Schar’s journey and watching her finally come into her own as a woman instead of just existing in the role everyone expected her to play. Being the First Lady of a mega church while married to a husband 15 years older than her added so many layers to her story, and whew… the drama, pressure, and self-discovery had me LOCKED IN 😭. Schar’s growth felt real, messy, and empowering all at once. Definitely a 5 star read for me!
I loved this book so much I’m starting The Secret Lives of Church Ladies today because clearly Deesha Philyaw knows how to keep me hooked 😂
May 14, 2026
I really enjoyed the story and the writing. The humor throughout felt well placed and added some levity to what would've otherwise been a very heavy read. A few moments felt preachy as a reader, but I guess that's what you get with the nature of a book like this one.
Loved the inclusion of the footnotes--those were great.
Loved the inclusion of the footnotes--those were great.
Read
May 3, 2026Sharp, funny, and poignant - this book flies by despite the page count. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT skip the footnotes!!
April 22, 2026
Thank you Mariner Books for allowing me read this early through NetGalley. I don’t even know where to begin. This was so freaking good! I ate this up like an episode of Real Housewives. This was like sitting down with auntie or friend and getting all the tea on all their family and church drama. I was sat the entire time.
It had just as much depth as it did comedy. I laughed as much as I shed a tears in some parts of this book. The way the story unfolds and the structure is just so amazing. Even more amazing is watching/reading a black women slowly but surely reclaim who she is and wants to be after be suppressed by the misogyny that comes with being a First Lady to a pastor. Or honestly just being a woman involved in a church with old patriarchal views. Even the other women had so much depth to them and you felt for them even though they were mean to the protagonist of the story.
Absolutely wonderful. I read The Secret Lives of Church Girls by Deeshaw years ago and it is still one of my favorite books ever. This book just got added to the list. Deeshaw is now an automatic but author for me.
It had just as much depth as it did comedy. I laughed as much as I shed a tears in some parts of this book. The way the story unfolds and the structure is just so amazing. Even more amazing is watching/reading a black women slowly but surely reclaim who she is and wants to be after be suppressed by the misogyny that comes with being a First Lady to a pastor. Or honestly just being a woman involved in a church with old patriarchal views. Even the other women had so much depth to them and you felt for them even though they were mean to the protagonist of the story.
Absolutely wonderful. I read The Secret Lives of Church Girls by Deeshaw years ago and it is still one of my favorite books ever. This book just got added to the list. Deeshaw is now an automatic but author for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sharp, Messy, and Brilliant Literary Fiction
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 91
Dates read: 05.07.2026 – 05.08.2026
Title: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman
Author: Deesha Philyaw
Format: physical ARC
#caseysbookshelf
This is the LOOONNNNG awaited follow-up to The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and baby… Deesha Philyaw did NOT come to play.
We already knew sis could write. But seeing her bring that same sharp storytelling and layered emotional depth into a full-length novel? Whew. What a treat.
At the center is Scharisse Freeman, wife of a powerful megachurch pastor, trying to navigate respectability politics, church hierarchy, old secrets, and the performance of being a “First Lady” while her perfectly curated life slowly starts cracking apart. And listen… the church messiness in this book? TOP TIER. 😂 The politics. The judgment. The fake holiness. The mean girl energy wrapped in prayer cloths and designer suits. I was locked in BAD.
But what impressed me most is Deesha the storyteller. The WRITER writer.
People often associate literary fiction with being overly stiff or pretentious, where the prose matters more than the actual reading experience. Deesha completely rejects that idea. This book is smart, layered, funny as hell, emotionally sharp, and deeply readable all at the same time. The humor never takes away from the literary quality. If anything, it strengthens it. Every question she plants keeps you turning pages desperate for answers.
And let me make this clear right now because I know somebody is gonna see “First Lady” and assume this is Christian fiction. BABY THIS IS NOT THAT 😂 They cuss. They messy. They unpack the things the church would much rather keep buried.
This book explores shame, image, class, power, womanhood, and the impossible standards placed on Black women inside church spaces in such an honest and entertaining way.
Unequivocally a five-star read and absolutely one of my favorite books of the year so far.
⚠️ Check trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you to the publisher for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 91
Dates read: 05.07.2026 – 05.08.2026
Title: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman
Author: Deesha Philyaw
Format: physical ARC
#caseysbookshelf
This is the LOOONNNNG awaited follow-up to The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and baby… Deesha Philyaw did NOT come to play.
We already knew sis could write. But seeing her bring that same sharp storytelling and layered emotional depth into a full-length novel? Whew. What a treat.
At the center is Scharisse Freeman, wife of a powerful megachurch pastor, trying to navigate respectability politics, church hierarchy, old secrets, and the performance of being a “First Lady” while her perfectly curated life slowly starts cracking apart. And listen… the church messiness in this book? TOP TIER. 😂 The politics. The judgment. The fake holiness. The mean girl energy wrapped in prayer cloths and designer suits. I was locked in BAD.
But what impressed me most is Deesha the storyteller. The WRITER writer.
People often associate literary fiction with being overly stiff or pretentious, where the prose matters more than the actual reading experience. Deesha completely rejects that idea. This book is smart, layered, funny as hell, emotionally sharp, and deeply readable all at the same time. The humor never takes away from the literary quality. If anything, it strengthens it. Every question she plants keeps you turning pages desperate for answers.
And let me make this clear right now because I know somebody is gonna see “First Lady” and assume this is Christian fiction. BABY THIS IS NOT THAT 😂 They cuss. They messy. They unpack the things the church would much rather keep buried.
This book explores shame, image, class, power, womanhood, and the impossible standards placed on Black women inside church spaces in such an honest and entertaining way.
Unequivocally a five-star read and absolutely one of my favorite books of the year so far.
⚠️ Check trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you to the publisher for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / from the first sentence, i was hooked. as someone who was raised muslim and is now generally spiritual / agnostic, i wasn’t sure if this book centering black mega churches might be too “inside baseball” for me. i ended up finding it very accessible and i’m glad i went for it.
so much about this book captured me: schar’s character, deesha philyaw’s masterful writing, the engrossing high-drama plot, the subject matter depth, the emotion, the humor, the relationships. so when in the acknowledgments, i found that this book was 20 years in the making— it made sense.
schar’s character: though i didn’t share her story, i saw so much of myself in schar. high self awareness mixed with glaring blind spots due to trauma. deep contradictions— for example, magnetic, unapologetic self-possession mixed with people-pleasing and apologizing for existing. feeling alienated in judgmental religious/cultural spaces and learning to stand up for yourself and stay true. fierce and possibly intimidating on the outside yet a mush ball on the inside. watching herself compulsively self-abandon yet finding the constant gravitational pull towards integrity unignorable. i could go on.
deesha philyaw’s writing: i lived for the conversational “voicey-ness” of schar. when a writer commits so hard to a character voice like that, you’re going to love it or hate it— depending on how you feel about the character. schar and her story naturally jump off the page and animate; within the first few pages, i felt this book would be perfect for TV. i was thrilled to find that deesha’s first book was optioned and i imagine that’s the goal for this one, too. can’t wait to read “secret lives of church ladies,” which many reviewers have named as one of their favorite books ever. really glad to have found the work of this immense talent.
so much about this book captured me: schar’s character, deesha philyaw’s masterful writing, the engrossing high-drama plot, the subject matter depth, the emotion, the humor, the relationships. so when in the acknowledgments, i found that this book was 20 years in the making— it made sense.
schar’s character: though i didn’t share her story, i saw so much of myself in schar. high self awareness mixed with glaring blind spots due to trauma. deep contradictions— for example, magnetic, unapologetic self-possession mixed with people-pleasing and apologizing for existing. feeling alienated in judgmental religious/cultural spaces and learning to stand up for yourself and stay true. fierce and possibly intimidating on the outside yet a mush ball on the inside. watching herself compulsively self-abandon yet finding the constant gravitational pull towards integrity unignorable. i could go on.
deesha philyaw’s writing: i lived for the conversational “voicey-ness” of schar. when a writer commits so hard to a character voice like that, you’re going to love it or hate it— depending on how you feel about the character. schar and her story naturally jump off the page and animate; within the first few pages, i felt this book would be perfect for TV. i was thrilled to find that deesha’s first book was optioned and i imagine that’s the goal for this one, too. can’t wait to read “secret lives of church ladies,” which many reviewers have named as one of their favorite books ever. really glad to have found the work of this immense talent.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw is one of those novels that feels both intimate and upsetting in the way it exposes harsh truths. From the opening scene at The First Lady Pageant, Scharisse Carmen Freeman makes it clear she is not interested in performing holiness for public consumption. When she declares, “Once upon a time, a man of God convinced my mother she was like Mary so she would offer up her body like communion bread. Then he broke it,” I had to pause. That line alone tells you this book is about what happens when women in the Black church are asked to sanctify their own suffering.
Schar is one of the most honest, reliable narrators I’ve read in a long time. She refuses the tight, suffocating box the church has built for First Ladies. She is done betraying herself to protect her husband’s reputation. Done putting on airs. Done confusing obedience with holiness.
The friendships aren’t decorative and they push the plot forward- particularly Schar’s friendship with her queer childhood friend, Petra.. Schar’s relationship with her daughter Gabrielle is tender and confronting at the same time, pushing her to stop disappearing inside the role of First Lady. And the love story that unfolds grows slowly, in a way that feels earned and embodied, not sensational. Yes, parts of it will shock you, but not in a cheap way. The scriptures threaded throughout the novel do important work too. They show how the Bible can be used to control and silence women, especially in the Black church, and they quietly ask what it might mean to read those same words with clearer eyes. I couldn’t put this book down. It felt like watching a woman choose herself in real time. This story is messy, brave, and holy in a way that has nothing to do with performance.
Schar is one of the most honest, reliable narrators I’ve read in a long time. She refuses the tight, suffocating box the church has built for First Ladies. She is done betraying herself to protect her husband’s reputation. Done putting on airs. Done confusing obedience with holiness.
The friendships aren’t decorative and they push the plot forward- particularly Schar’s friendship with her queer childhood friend, Petra.. Schar’s relationship with her daughter Gabrielle is tender and confronting at the same time, pushing her to stop disappearing inside the role of First Lady. And the love story that unfolds grows slowly, in a way that feels earned and embodied, not sensational. Yes, parts of it will shock you, but not in a cheap way. The scriptures threaded throughout the novel do important work too. They show how the Bible can be used to control and silence women, especially in the Black church, and they quietly ask what it might mean to read those same words with clearer eyes. I couldn’t put this book down. It felt like watching a woman choose herself in real time. This story is messy, brave, and holy in a way that has nothing to do with performance.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would rate The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw a strong 4 stars. After really enjoying her previous work, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, I had high hopes for this book, and it did not disappoint. It’s a captivating story driven by characters that are full of tension, betrayal, and complex relationships that kept me engaged. What I love most about Philyaw’s writing is how authentic the relationships feel. She dives into themes of self-discovery, redemption, and forgiveness, but she does it in a way that doesn’t rely on shocking moments just to grab attention. Instead, the focus is on the messy but important work of personal growth and healing. That being said, the adult characters sometimes made choices that felt a bit too chaotic for their age. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “Really? Is this what we’re doing?” But even when I was frustrated with their decisions, I still wanted to see what would happen next. Philyaw writes her characters so well that you feel a mix of annoyance and curiosity, which kept me hooked. The pacing of the story was great, and the emotional moments struck a chord with me. By the end, I felt like I had truly watched these characters grow, even though the journey was more difficult than it needed to be. Overall, it’s a complex and heartfelt story that is definitely worth your time. Philyaw has a talent for portraying people in all their flawed, messy humanity, and I’m always eager to read more of her work.
I would rate The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw a strong 4 stars. After really enjoying her previous work, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, I had high hopes for this book, and it did not disappoint. It’s a captivating story driven by characters that are full of tension, betrayal, and complex relationships that kept me engaged. What I love most about Philyaw’s writing is how authentic the relationships feel. She dives into themes of self-discovery, redemption, and forgiveness, but she does it in a way that doesn’t rely on shocking moments just to grab attention. Instead, the focus is on the messy but important work of personal growth and healing. That being said, the adult characters sometimes made choices that felt a bit too chaotic for their age. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “Really? Is this what we’re doing?” But even when I was frustrated with their decisions, I still wanted to see what would happen next. Philyaw writes her characters so well that you feel a mix of annoyance and curiosity, which kept me hooked. The pacing of the story was great, and the emotional moments struck a chord with me. By the end, I felt like I had truly watched these characters grow, even though the journey was more difficult than it needed to be. Overall, it’s a complex and heartfelt story that is definitely worth your time. Philyaw has a talent for portraying people in all their flawed, messy humanity, and I’m always eager to read more of her work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
“I would become Judas too—betraying myself, breaking my own heart.” First Lady Scharisse Freeman
If "Real Housewives of Atlanta", "Greenleaf",, and "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul" had a baby, it would be this book.
I went into this story really excited, but walked away with mixed feelings.
As a self-proclaimed “church girl” on sabbatical, so much of this book felt familiar, in all the hard ways. The respectability politics, hypocrisy, misogyny, and manipulation of scripture are realities that some experience within church spaces, and the book didn’t shy away from that. At times, though, the storytelling leaned so far into sensationalism that it pulled me out of the narrative.
That said, I truly appreciated Scharisse's character development. Watching her move toward identity, agency, and wholeness was one of the most meaningful parts of the story. This quote especially captured the tension at the heart of it all:
“You’re proof we were lied to. But these women aren’t going to see it that way. They aren’t going to question the very foundation their entire lives have been built on.”
It speaks so clearly to the fear, and cost of confronting long-held beliefs.
Where the book fell short for me was in the backstory. I wanted more depth around Scharisse's relationship with the Good Reverend David Freeman early on, and more context about why his parents pushed for that union in the first place. That felt like a significant gap that could have strengthened the story.
Ultimately, the book felt like it was doing a lot, yet still left me wanting more. And maybe that’s part of its impact.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐.⭐
“I would become Judas too—betraying myself, breaking my own heart.” First Lady Scharisse Freeman
If "Real Housewives of Atlanta", "Greenleaf",, and "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul" had a baby, it would be this book.
I went into this story really excited, but walked away with mixed feelings.
As a self-proclaimed “church girl” on sabbatical, so much of this book felt familiar, in all the hard ways. The respectability politics, hypocrisy, misogyny, and manipulation of scripture are realities that some experience within church spaces, and the book didn’t shy away from that. At times, though, the storytelling leaned so far into sensationalism that it pulled me out of the narrative.
That said, I truly appreciated Scharisse's character development. Watching her move toward identity, agency, and wholeness was one of the most meaningful parts of the story. This quote especially captured the tension at the heart of it all:
“You’re proof we were lied to. But these women aren’t going to see it that way. They aren’t going to question the very foundation their entire lives have been built on.”
It speaks so clearly to the fear, and cost of confronting long-held beliefs.
Where the book fell short for me was in the backstory. I wanted more depth around Scharisse's relationship with the Good Reverend David Freeman early on, and more context about why his parents pushed for that union in the first place. That felt like a significant gap that could have strengthened the story.
Ultimately, the book felt like it was doing a lot, yet still left me wanting more. And maybe that’s part of its impact.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐.⭐
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw is a 5-star MESS in the absolute best way possible. This book had me locked in from the very beginning and before I knew it, I was up all night because I had to know how this chaos was going to unfold. Every time I said “okay one more chapter,” another secret dropped, another scandal popped off, or somebody got messier than the chapter before.
And when I say messy? PLEASE believe me. Church drama, scandals, secrets, image management, mean girl First Ladies, complicated friendships, a marriage with layers on top of layers… this book was giving everything it needed to give. Honestly, if Greenleaf was messier, funnier, and somehow even more chaotic, it would feel a lot like this book.
Scharisse Freeman is such a flawed, funny, vulnerable, and entertaining character that I couldn’t stop rooting for her even while her life was actively imploding. What I loved most is that underneath all the mess, this story still had so much heart. Deesha Philyaw balanced humor, drama, and those deeper moments about shame, freedom, and figuring out who you are outside of everybody else’s expectations so well. The writing was sharp, juicy, and ridiculously addictive.
If you love books full of drama, complicated women, church mess, and stories where you absolutely need the tea by the end, add this to your list immediately. This was one of those reads that completely took over my life for a night and honestly? Worth every lost hour of sleep.
And when I say messy? PLEASE believe me. Church drama, scandals, secrets, image management, mean girl First Ladies, complicated friendships, a marriage with layers on top of layers… this book was giving everything it needed to give. Honestly, if Greenleaf was messier, funnier, and somehow even more chaotic, it would feel a lot like this book.
Scharisse Freeman is such a flawed, funny, vulnerable, and entertaining character that I couldn’t stop rooting for her even while her life was actively imploding. What I loved most is that underneath all the mess, this story still had so much heart. Deesha Philyaw balanced humor, drama, and those deeper moments about shame, freedom, and figuring out who you are outside of everybody else’s expectations so well. The writing was sharp, juicy, and ridiculously addictive.
If you love books full of drama, complicated women, church mess, and stories where you absolutely need the tea by the end, add this to your list immediately. This was one of those reads that completely took over my life for a night and honestly? Worth every lost hour of sleep.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deesha Philyaw delivers a sharp, hilarious, messy, and deeply human story in The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. Scharisse Freeman is the kind of character who completely takes over a novel. She is ambitious, flawed, vulnerable, funny, and endlessly compelling. I was hooked from the first page and could not look away from the unraveling of her carefully curated life.
Philyaw brilliantly explores the complicated world of megachurch culture, respectability politics, female friendship, public image, and the impossible expectations placed on women in religious spaces. The satire is deliciously biting, especially the dynamics between the First Ladies, but the emotional depth underneath all the humor and drama gives the story real weight. Schar’s journey through shame, secrets, and self-acceptance felt honest and earned.
The writing is vibrant and addictive, full of memorable observations and dialogue that practically begs to be read aloud. There is scandal, humor, heartbreak, and tenderness woven together seamlessly. Beneath the glitz, pageantry, and “rags-to-Rolex” lifestyle is a powerful story about identity, survival, and what freedom really looks like when the performance finally falls away.
Fans of character-driven fiction with sharp social commentary will absolutely devour this one. Deesha Philyaw continues to prove she is one of the most exciting voices writing today.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Philyaw brilliantly explores the complicated world of megachurch culture, respectability politics, female friendship, public image, and the impossible expectations placed on women in religious spaces. The satire is deliciously biting, especially the dynamics between the First Ladies, but the emotional depth underneath all the humor and drama gives the story real weight. Schar’s journey through shame, secrets, and self-acceptance felt honest and earned.
The writing is vibrant and addictive, full of memorable observations and dialogue that practically begs to be read aloud. There is scandal, humor, heartbreak, and tenderness woven together seamlessly. Beneath the glitz, pageantry, and “rags-to-Rolex” lifestyle is a powerful story about identity, survival, and what freedom really looks like when the performance finally falls away.
Fans of character-driven fiction with sharp social commentary will absolutely devour this one. Deesha Philyaw continues to prove she is one of the most exciting voices writing today.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” is a dazzling triumph of voice, heart, and biting social commentary. From the moment Scharisse Freeman storms onto the page with her unapologetic ambition and sharp wit, I was hooked. Schar is a heroine as complex as they come—torn between the judgment of the church community she married into and the world she left behind, yet fiercely determined to carve out her own place.
The novel does a brilliant job of exposing the double standards and performative piety that often lurk beneath the surface of religious institutions, all while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and deeply moving revelations. Schar’s journey—from outsider to near-acceptance, and then through scandal and self-reckoning—is as unpredictable as it is satisfying. The First Lady USA pageant serves as a delicious backdrop for exploring themes of sisterhood, rivalry, and authenticity, populated by unforgettable characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating.
Authoritative, unflinchingly honest, and riotously funny, “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” is a celebration of the messy, glorious freedom that comes from embracing one’s whole self. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to fit in or the courage to finally break free.
Thank you, Deesha Philyaw, NetGalley, and Mariner Books for the ARC.
The novel does a brilliant job of exposing the double standards and performative piety that often lurk beneath the surface of religious institutions, all while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and deeply moving revelations. Schar’s journey—from outsider to near-acceptance, and then through scandal and self-reckoning—is as unpredictable as it is satisfying. The First Lady USA pageant serves as a delicious backdrop for exploring themes of sisterhood, rivalry, and authenticity, populated by unforgettable characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating.
Authoritative, unflinchingly honest, and riotously funny, “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” is a celebration of the messy, glorious freedom that comes from embracing one’s whole self. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to fit in or the courage to finally break free.
Thank you, Deesha Philyaw, NetGalley, and Mariner Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC for review. To be published September 29, 2026.
4 stars
I absolutely loved THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES so I was excited to read this look into the lives of “First Ladies,” the wives of pastors of black mega churches.
Scharisse Freeman is a wild character from the wrong side of Belleton (read: Atlanta) when she marries an influential pastor fifteen years her senior when she is still in her early twenties. Now she’s 40. They have a daughter, Scharisse has alienated most of the other First Ladies, she’s estranged from her childhood best friend and doesn’t talk to her one remaining blood relative, but she and David have more money and influence than Schar ever thought they might. And now she might realize her dream of being able to compete in the annual First Ladies pageant. But then things take a turn.
The story is messy, raunchy, enlightening and pretty fun, though I doubt the real First Ladies are getting up to anything quite this scandalous (I see the Atlanta ones on billboards when in the city.) Those in this world will definitely be interested in the book and I liked it, even though I did not always understand Scharisse’s motivations (she often acted like she was in thirteenth grade and she went to Yale?!)
4 stars
I absolutely loved THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES so I was excited to read this look into the lives of “First Ladies,” the wives of pastors of black mega churches.
Scharisse Freeman is a wild character from the wrong side of Belleton (read: Atlanta) when she marries an influential pastor fifteen years her senior when she is still in her early twenties. Now she’s 40. They have a daughter, Scharisse has alienated most of the other First Ladies, she’s estranged from her childhood best friend and doesn’t talk to her one remaining blood relative, but she and David have more money and influence than Schar ever thought they might. And now she might realize her dream of being able to compete in the annual First Ladies pageant. But then things take a turn.
The story is messy, raunchy, enlightening and pretty fun, though I doubt the real First Ladies are getting up to anything quite this scandalous (I see the Atlanta ones on billboards when in the city.) Those in this world will definitely be interested in the book and I liked it, even though I did not always understand Scharisse’s motivations (she often acted like she was in thirteenth grade and she went to Yale?!)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Be ready to clutch your pearls in Deesha Philyaw's upcoming release: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman.
First Lady Scharisse Freeman finally gets the coveted invitation to compete in the First Lady USA pageant and then gets caught up in a salacious scandal as her past comes to the forefront. She wants to gain favor with those around her and winning this pageant could definitely help with that.
Growing up in a southern Black Baptist Church, the nuances of this book allowed for me to really connect with the narrative and enjoy it even more. The church folk involved in this story were definitely not above reproach as the mess of secrets and lies come forth. While others want to hide behind deception, First Lady Freeman stands unapologetically bold and determined to see things through.
When I say this book is truly laugh-out-loud funny, it really is! The title alone immediately caught my interest and the unfolding drama had me fully locked in.
Morals of the story: Live in your truth. Be shameless, Know your worth and revel in it.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this book.
First Lady Scharisse Freeman finally gets the coveted invitation to compete in the First Lady USA pageant and then gets caught up in a salacious scandal as her past comes to the forefront. She wants to gain favor with those around her and winning this pageant could definitely help with that.
Growing up in a southern Black Baptist Church, the nuances of this book allowed for me to really connect with the narrative and enjoy it even more. The church folk involved in this story were definitely not above reproach as the mess of secrets and lies come forth. While others want to hide behind deception, First Lady Freeman stands unapologetically bold and determined to see things through.
When I say this book is truly laugh-out-loud funny, it really is! The title alone immediately caught my interest and the unfolding drama had me fully locked in.
Morals of the story: Live in your truth. Be shameless, Know your worth and revel in it.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A Proverbs 31 woman is the Beyonce of evangelicals." Deesha Philyaw has struck gold with this novel. The story of Schareese Freeman, a Black woman in Georgia, mega church pastors wife, and normal twenty first century woman all comes to a culmination in her participation in the "First Lady USA Paegant" in the early 2010s. The First Ladies are pastors wives who are competing amongst themselves as the best Proverbs 31 woman. Having grown up in the church and being familiar with the scriptures and thoughts of a patriarchal society was a big plus going into this book, however I think any person would enjoy Schareese's wild ride from the shadows of her life, to the main event a great one. Watching Schareese's transformation was beautiful throughout, and her character is to be commended. Full of twists and turns (without being too mysterious) it kept me on my toes, wondering what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and would highly recommend! The last line was one that I highlighted and will stick with me for some time--"Not broken or bent. Whole and wholly unafraid of what comes next". Thank you Net Galley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Witty, bitingly satirical, heart-wrenching, and all around good fun - an absolutely fantastic read!
Scharisse Freeman's moment has finally come - she is on stage competing in the First Lady USA pageant, the ultimate validation for the wives of pastors of Black megachurches. But the road there has been a rocky one, from growing up on "the wrong side of the tracks," to facing rejection by the other first ladies, to the last year that has been clouded in scandal. Now Schar stands poised to seize the title she has coveted for so long, or possibly throw it all away for a shot at personal redemption.
Witty, heart-felt, heart-breaking, and a scathing critique of the Church, this book centers on an incredibly likeable main character, whose life verges on soap opera, but is handled by the author with the loving care it deserves to blend the fun of both soap and satire with genuine social critique and pathos. All around, this is a beautifully crafted book, from Schar's irreverent footnotes, to the spicy scenes, to the hard-hitting storyline. A must read!
Thank you NetGalley for advance access in return for an honest review.
Scharisse Freeman's moment has finally come - she is on stage competing in the First Lady USA pageant, the ultimate validation for the wives of pastors of Black megachurches. But the road there has been a rocky one, from growing up on "the wrong side of the tracks," to facing rejection by the other first ladies, to the last year that has been clouded in scandal. Now Schar stands poised to seize the title she has coveted for so long, or possibly throw it all away for a shot at personal redemption.
Witty, heart-felt, heart-breaking, and a scathing critique of the Church, this book centers on an incredibly likeable main character, whose life verges on soap opera, but is handled by the author with the loving care it deserves to blend the fun of both soap and satire with genuine social critique and pathos. All around, this is a beautifully crafted book, from Schar's irreverent footnotes, to the spicy scenes, to the hard-hitting storyline. A must read!
Thank you NetGalley for advance access in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman had me on an emotional rollercoaster. Anger, disgust, sympathy, disbelief, heartache, joy and fury to name a few.
However, Schar’s story is powerful and resonates soundly because, as women, even if we haven’t done it ourselves, we most likely know someone who chose to shrink themselves to fit the idea that another person held of them or to fit into their world in general. The beauty in this story comes from the journey she went on to find herself again and the lessons she learned along the way.
Deesha Philyaw has a special gift for bringing light to things church folks like to keep in the dark and showing that there’s beauty on the other side of that illumination, if you’re willing to put in the work to experience it. That being said, I was hot with most of these characters multiple times. If you have high blood pressure, make sure you take your medicine before reading. I didn’t and these characters had my head pounding by the middle of the book. It was worth it though! 10/10
However, Schar’s story is powerful and resonates soundly because, as women, even if we haven’t done it ourselves, we most likely know someone who chose to shrink themselves to fit the idea that another person held of them or to fit into their world in general. The beauty in this story comes from the journey she went on to find herself again and the lessons she learned along the way.
Deesha Philyaw has a special gift for bringing light to things church folks like to keep in the dark and showing that there’s beauty on the other side of that illumination, if you’re willing to put in the work to experience it. That being said, I was hot with most of these characters multiple times. If you have high blood pressure, make sure you take your medicine before reading. I didn’t and these characters had my head pounding by the middle of the book. It was worth it though! 10/10
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Long buried secrets of respected church families… sex scandals… religious hypocrisy and optics…. You will not be able to wait to see how it all comes crashing down…
This was a FUN read. It read almost like a Real Housewives series at times. It’s heartfelt, funny, sexy, sharp, and scathing.. much like its narrator.
This novel follows First Lady Scharisse Freeman, a woman born to a single mother who buries her past to live a fabulous and flashy new life as the wife of a megachurch pastor. But just as everything is about to go right, the past rears its ugly head.
This book takes on religious hypocrisy, misogyny, the Proverbs 31 woman, and the failure of the church to support victims in favor of saving face. Watching Schar find freedom and happiness was so so satisfying after seeing her treatment at the hands of her religious community and the men leading the church. Just fabulous.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was a FUN read. It read almost like a Real Housewives series at times. It’s heartfelt, funny, sexy, sharp, and scathing.. much like its narrator.
This novel follows First Lady Scharisse Freeman, a woman born to a single mother who buries her past to live a fabulous and flashy new life as the wife of a megachurch pastor. But just as everything is about to go right, the past rears its ugly head.
This book takes on religious hypocrisy, misogyny, the Proverbs 31 woman, and the failure of the church to support victims in favor of saving face. Watching Schar find freedom and happiness was so so satisfying after seeing her treatment at the hands of her religious community and the men leading the church. Just fabulous.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
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