Before We Were Yours: A Novel

What a treasure this book is. It’s heartbreaking, has a mystery of some sorts and a mini love story. Most importantly though is the love of family, in all generations, and how that love can strengthen you and keep you safe. The story is told in chapters, reflecting back to the past then flipping to the present day. It’s told exceptionally well that each past era chapter explains enough to keep the reader invested to know the outcomes. The present day chapters are finding the mystery and putting the pieces together on who was in the photo and how they were connected. The fact that this novel is based on true events makes it even more compelling because I felt even greater for these kids and what they went through. It also made me root for them trying to survive and get their next meal. When a book can evoke so many emotions and feeling towards characters, you know it’s a brilliant one and well worth the read.

Another fabulous book from Lisa Wingate, but this one takes a different turn. Lisa has taken actual events, the adoption scandal of The Tennessee Children's Home Society that was exposed in 1950, and has woven an engrossing account of lives changed. It is told in two different voices in two different times, but unlike some books that doesn't prove a distraction. It is very easy to keep it all straight, and it adds to the suspense by taking you up to a point and then pulling you back to a different aspect of the story. The characters are well developed, and you are allowed to peel back the layers slowly to get the big picture. As Rill's story unfolds, you are held spellbound by the unrelenting sadness of her situation, and horrified by the fact that these things really happened to some children. Wingate has a gift for imagery that pulls you into a scene. But in true Lisa Wingate fashion, there are also plenty of happier moments to relieve the sadness and many truths uncovered. Avery's story gives some interesting insights into how political families live their lives on display. She wasn't the most sympathetic character in the beginning, but she did grow on me as she learned to be more aware of her own aspirations and feelings. A well-crafted new effort from Wingate, it is one of those books you can't put down and you don't want to end! This book is a little different twist for Lisa Wingate. She has taken actual events, the adoption scandal of The Tennessee Children's Home Society that was exposed in 1950, and has woven an engrossing account of lives changed. A large family living on a houseboat on the Mississippi River finds themselves in a desperate situation one dark and stormy night. The father must take the mother, in the midst of a life-threatening childbirth, to the hospital leaving the five children on the boat. Operatives for the predatory orphanage grab the children and propel them into a terrifying situation. Big sister Rill tries desperately to protect her siblings and keep them together through it all. It is told in two different voices in two different times, but unlike some books that doesn't prove a distraction. It is very easy to keep it all straight, and it adds to the suspense by taking you up to a point and then pulling you back to a different aspect of the story. The characters are well developed, and you are allowed to peel back the layers slowly to get the big picture. As Rill's story unfolds, you are held spellbound by the unrelenting sadness of her situation, and horrified by the fact that these things really happened to some children. Wingate has a gift for imagery that pulls you into a scene. But in true Lisa Wingate fashion, there are also plenty of happier moments to relieve the sadness and many truths uncovered. The other voice is that of Avery, the daughter and heir-apparent of a political dynasty. Her story gives some interesting insights into how political families live their lives on display. She wasn't the most sympathetic character in the beginning, but she did grow on me as she learned to be more aware of her own aspirations and feelings. This is a well-crafted new effort from Wingate - one of those books you can’t put down and you don’t want to end!

Compelling historical fiction mixed with current day narrative. The story flip flops back and forth between the lives of current day Avery Stafford, a lawyer born into a powerful political dynasty in the south, and Rill Foss (aka May Weathers) dealing with being a poor river child in the 1930's. Four of the five Foss children bear the striking beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes of their mother, only one resembles her father by both looks and demeanor. The story opens with Avery meeting an elderly version of Rill in a retirement home. In Rill's opening story of her youth, her mother is in labor with the 6th and 7th babies to join the Foss clan and the delivery takes a horrible turn that requires both parents to leave the kids behind to get help with the delivery. What unfolds is a story filled with tragedy, crime, undying love of family, bonds that cross all lines of separation and that it is never too late to show love to those who you value in your life. It is definitely a book that starts slow but once the action begins, you cannot put the book down. I really loved the protagonists and HATED the antagonist. Very well developed characters. It did leave me with some unanswered questions, but none that have the telltale signs of a sequel. The sad historical side of this story is the underground human trafficking that existed domestically in the 1930's but (in my opinion) still exists with high dollar adoptions from foreign countries today. Too deep an issue to delve into in a book review, but it definitely is worth opening a conversation. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and family sagas.

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate was an exceptional read, both sad and deeply emotional. It captures the resilience of children, the strength of family, and the power of hope. The Tennessee Children's Home Society, a true and not fictional institution, was run by a money-hungry woman. The atrocities committed against children there are truly heartbreaking.

Beautifully written to keep up your interest.

Very good

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a well told story with relevant historical facts. Would definitively recommend this book!

If this hadn't been a Kindle daily deal I probably wouldn't have stumbled across it as I wasn't familiar with Lisa Wingate's books prior to reading this fictional story based on a true American historical tragedy, I certainly was unaware of the magnitude of the injustice to American children and families. I particularly enjoy fictional stories that are based in history so this ticked a lot of boxes for me as I was transported yet learnt something along the way. I am so pleased I did buy "Before We Were Yours" as it is an engrossing story and an eye opener about Georgia Tann and the Tennesee Children's Home Society in the 1930s time frame. Set in both the 1930s and present day the book follows the story of the Foss children in the '30s and Avery Stafford in present day. Avery Stafford finds an unusual photograph that causes her to unearth a number of secrets and lies inside her upright, respected family. What follows is a heartwarming story of love, betrayal and memories pieced together from a heart wrenching period in time. This was easy to read despite the challenging subject matter, which just made it utterly thought provoking. I enjoyed the characters and how the book was layered to reveal parts of the story at a time. In addition to the well developed characters and background love story, I liked the realistic view of the 1930s. The book has parallel story lines that weave together nicely. This is a beautiful story of heartache, love and the unthinkable. It made me Google more info and read up on what took place during that period. I know it will stay with me for a long time.

Well written. As you keep on reading you find out the mystery,the people involved. Until the end you wont have a clue.

祖父母と孫の両世代に跨ってお話が同時進行、米国南部で暮らしていた5人姉妹は何故お母さんが出産する嵐の夜に孤児院に連れ去られたのか、Averyが追うJudyお婆ちゃんの秘密とは……、謎解きで読ませます。 Mayと名前を変えさせられたRillの長女ならではの健気さに涙しつつ、まさかこんなことが本当にあった訳じゃないだろうなと読み続けたら、なんと実話に基くフィクション。そこが一番のショックでした。 つい最近まで、長らくNYT紙ベストセラーでした。