Fifteen years after Waiting to Exhale, McMillan brings back Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin-now in their 50s-for a disappointing and uninspired outing. As the story opens, Gloria is very happy, Savannah believes she might be happy, Bernadine is fighting addiction and losing ground, and single mother Robin is trying to resign herself to being alone while things at her job begin to unravel. Within the first few chapters, Gloria and Savannah are struck by disaster, and things go rapidly downhill from there for everyone. Most of the misery has to do with men who lie, steal, cheat, or disappear, or with adult children who face similar problems. Unfortunately, the beloved cast isn't given a story worthy of them; instead, this reunion reads like a catalogue of personal catastrophes annotated with very long, rambling discussions, with more emphasis on simple drama than character. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Men let you down, sometimes by accident but more often not, so don't rely on them for happiness. That's the message of this sequel to the 1992 blockbuster Waiting To Exhale, which picks up the story of four smart, capable, black women-Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria-15 years later. Now in their late forties and early fifties, the girlfriends have changes thrust upon them at a time in their lives when they had expected to be settled down with decent men, careers, and families-and, especially, no more nasty surprises or shocking revelations around the corner. The four friends support one another no matter what, offering encouragement and truth telling as needed. As in its predecessor, the bantering, snide remarks, earthy language, and sharp-tongued commentary of the women carry this book. Male characters get short shrift, but who cares? VERDICT Fans of Waiting To Exhale, many now middle-aged themselves, will want to cheer on the women in this sequel. [Essence magazine is running a four-part serial in its summer issues; film rights optioned.]-Laurie A. Cavanaugh, Brockton P.L., MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fifteen years after the success of Waiting to Exhale (including a film version), McMillan returns to her quartet of friends, living the black middle-class good life with all its ups and downs in Phoenix, Arizona. Savannah, who still narrates most chapters, is working for a local television station and slowly watching the thrill leach out of her marriage, which came late in life when she'd given up on her prospects. She's now facing the realities of dating in middle age (from Viagra to online dating services). Her friend Robin is raising a teenage daughter and is so stressed by her boring accountant job that she's hooked on shopping and an assortment of pills. Bernadine is recovering from the spectacular failure of her second marriage and coping with the knowledge that her daughter is gay. Gloria has a successful hair salon, beautiful grandchildren, and a wonderful marriage, until disaster strikes. They're all facing the challenges of midlife, disappointment in love relationships, the fear of starting over personally and professionally, and the constant worry over their now adult and adolescent children. Fans of McMillan will enjoy catching up with this ensemble of friends and, as this novel has been optioned for a movie, can look forward to seeing the transition to film.--Bush, Vanessa Copyright 2010 Booklist