It’s Not All Downhill From Here is a 2020 adult fiction novel by Terry McMillan published by Ballantine Books. The novel follows Loretha Curry, an older Black woman who wonders if her best years are already behind her or if she still has a life to live. McMillan uses Loretha’s story to explore themes of aging, health, enduring friendships, caring families, and perseverance in the face of personal loss.

All citations in this guide refer to the novel’s 2020 Ballantine Books hardcover edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss addiction, depression, and suicide.

Plot Summary

Loretha Curry does not want a surprise birthday party for her 68th birthday. She is pleasantly surprised when her husband, Carl Curry, reveals he has planned a couple’s trip to Palm Springs, Florida. However, the happy getaway ends sooner than expected: Carl dies due to high blood pressure within hours of their arrival. Loretha spends the next few days in a daze, wondering how to live without Carl. Too soon, his celebration of life service occurs. Jalecia Curry, Loretha’s estranged daughter, attends the service but leaves the reception with few words.

Loretha struggles as she learns to live without Carl; her friends—Korynthia, Sadie, Poochie, and Lucky—support her unconditionally through her grieving process. Loretha wants to reconcile with her daughter, but Jalecia has no interest. Cinnamon, Jalecia’s daughter and Loretha’s granddaughter, tells Loretha she is pregnant with twins. Kwame, Carl’s relative, asks to stay with Loretha in Pasadena, revealing that Carl is his father. Loretha takes him in.

Loretha comes home unexpectedly one day and is surprised to find Kwame with a boyfriend in the pool. Kwame’s revelation sparks a discussion between Loretha and her mother (Ma) about accepting people for who they are rather than who others believe they should be. Despite the conversation focusing on Kwame, Ma indirectly calls out Loretha’s behavior toward Jalecia and Odessa, Loretha’s twin sister, whom she keeps trying to make more like her. Soon after, Jalecia calls her mom and asks Loretha to bail her out of jail. Loretha does, but Jalecia still does not talk to her.

A few weeks later, Loretha and her friends convene for their monthly dinner. Poochie attends via FaceTime since she lives in Vegas. She asks the other four about their health, pushing everyone to schedule doctor’s appointments. Though Loretha puts on a façade, she recognizes her poor choices negatively affect her health and swears to improve so she can visit her son, Jackson, in Japan.

Kwame reveals that he has not spoken with his mother since moving to Pasadena; Loretha encourages him to reach out. She then decides to sell her LA storefront and renovate the Pasadena storefront of her beauty shop, The House of Beauty and Glamour.

Loretha’s doctor, Dr. Alexopolous, reveals that Loretha has diabetes. She wants to take the disease seriously but struggles to make the necessary changes to improve her health. Loretha goes to Lucky’s house and uncovers that her friend has a marijuana addiction. After visiting Lucky, Loretha visits Odessa, and the two argue about whether Odessa should move into their mother’s house. Korynthia’s son, Bird, checks into a rehab facility to manage his drug use. Kwame must return home to care for his mother, who recently had a stroke.

Loretha babysits her great-grandchildren; when she arrives, Cinnamon tells her that Jalecia has been living in Vegas, learning to be a blackjack dealer. Loretha is upset because Peggy, a relative, has been taking money while claiming it is for Jalecia. In response, Loretha sends Kwame money to ensure he can care for his mother without worrying about finances. The monthly dinner arrives, but the friends must cancel when they learn Bird died of an overdose.

The first anniversary of Carl’s death arrives; after a reflective New Year’s Eve, Loretha and her friends travel to Vegas to celebrate her 69th birthday with Poochie. During their final night, each expresses gratitude and commits to their health the following year. When they return from Vegas, Loretha learns Jalecia is missing again.

Ma laments her friends in the nursing home regularly die and believes it best not to make new friends. Meanwhile, Loretha continues making poor health choices as a coping mechanism. She tries a Zumba class but leaves early and doesn’t return when she realizes she cannot keep up. In contrast, Korynthia plans to marry her new boyfriend, Henry. Lucky has also taken steps to turn her life around. The only friend who does not attend the next dinner is Poochie; the other four travel to her house and find Poochie died by suicide rather than undergo surgeries, which she might not have survived. Jalecia enters a hospital to treat catatonic depression; Loretha tries to visit but is not on the visitation list.

Dr. Alexopolous is disappointed that Loretha is not taking her diabetes seriously. Loretha apologizes and explains the challenges Jalecia faces. The doctor recommends a psychiatrist and psychologist for Jalecia, but when Loretha tries to take the information to her daughter, she finds that Jalecia is no longer in the hospital.

The friend group has Sunday brunch and tries to adapt to Poochie's absence. While they eat, everyone discusses the positive steps they have taken for their health. After lunch, Loretha arrives home and finds Jalecia waiting for her. Jalecia apologizes and explains she will be entering a 28-day treatment facility to learn how to manage her depression better. Loretha calls Peggy and makes peace with her as they agree to share any updates they receive from Jalecia.

Loretha attends Korynthia’s hip-hop dance class. While there, she meets James. He expresses romantic interest, but Loretha is unsure whether she is ready. Kwame returns to Pasadena with his mother, Carolyn, and the two women get along immediately. When Kwame’s father comes up, Carolyn reveals that Carl’s brother is actually Kwame’s father; Loretha decides that this changes nothing about Kwame and welcomes him and his mother into her home.

Everyone attends the cruise Poochie planned for them, and each brings an added person at Poochie’s last request. Loretha brings Odessa. The sisters reconcile after discussing why they never got along and commit to acting like sisters. Henry and Korynthia get married on the cruise, and on the final night, everyone gathers to say goodbye to Poochie as they spread her ashes into the Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Alexopolous commends Loretha for improving her glucose numbers. The four friends gather at Loretha’s house for their monthly dinner, where Loretha makes a healthy meal that everyone can eat. Each woman discusses how their health has improved. Jalecia interrupts the dinner; the others leave so Jalecia and Loretha can talk. The two discuss Jalecia’s time in the facility. The following morning, Jalecia apologizes to Jackson over FaceTime.

Loretha opens the new and improved House of Beauty and Glamour. After the grand reopening, Loretha visits Jackson and his family in Japan. While there, Jackson tells Loretha they will move to the United States in the fall to be closer to family. When she returns, Loretha tells Jalecia the news, which makes Jalecia happy. Loretha attends another hip-hop class and agrees to a date with James.