And Then There Was Me | Sadeqa Johnson

And Then There Was Me: A Novel of Friendship, Secrets and Lies

Extended Synopsis

Bea and Awilda have been best friends from the moment Awilda threw her fourteen-year-old self across Bea’s twin-sized bed as if they had known each other forever. Bubbly and adventurous Awilda taught the sheltered, shy Bea how to navigate the world, eventually introducing her to her husband, Lonnie, in college. Though Lonnie pledged to take good care of her for the rest of their lives, his persistent philandering breaks that promise over and over again, leaving Bea to secretly wrestle with her plummeting self-esteem and a deeply hidden addiction.

Recently, Lonnie has relocated the family to an upper-class New Jersey suburb—a neighborhood that lacks the diversity Bea craves but provides the school district and zip code prestige Lonnie wants. The relentless demands of carrying a third child, trying to fit into this new environment, and pretending her husband is not cheating on her again prove to be more than she can handle. Just when Bea thinks things can’t get any worse, the ultimate deception snaps the little thread holding her life together. And Then There Was Me is a profound journey of a woman stripped down to her lowest point, desperately needing to find the will to press on.

Reader Targeting

• Readers of contemporary women's fiction and emotionally resonant domestic dramas.
• Fans of African American contemporary literature focusing on deep friendships, marriage, and personal resilience.
• Book club participants seeking character-driven narratives with robust discussion themes regarding betrayal and self-discovery.

About the Author

Sadeqa Johnson is an acclaimed author known for her powerful, character-driven storytelling that explores the complexities of friendship, love, and emotional survival. Her works frequently feature strong, relatable women navigating challenging domestic and societal landscapes with resilience and grace.

Accolades & Features

This St. Martin's Griffin trade paperback edition features an emotionally striking layout designed specifically to command placement across book club and domestic drama displays. The volume includes custom author postscripts, reflective discussion guides, and comprehensive reading group resources designed to enrich the reader's experience.

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