Before We Were Yours-Book Review

Before We Were Yours-book review. Book by Lisa Wingate.

If someone asks me what genre is my favorite I would say mysteries or action thrillers but I’ll read anything except science fiction. Yes, I am that one weird person who doesn’t like Star Wars.

Now that I have more time on my hands than usual I wanted to download some books to my Kindle but I needed some recommendations. My friend, Tammy, belongs to a book club and I have an aunt who is an avid reader. I asked them for recommendations and they didn’t disappoint.

Without their help I might not have tried these delicious books. Of the three I’ve read so far Before We Were Yours was my favorite.

Written in 2017 I’m surprised I hadn’t found this gem before now. I think my aunt recommended it to me awhile back but I had forgotten. I’m sorry I did because I absolutely loved it.

The story begins in Memphis in 1939. I love southern settings and perhaps this is one reason I was drawn to it but it’s the story itself that is so compelling. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss lives on a shantyboat on the Mississippi River with her parents and 4 younger siblings. One night, her mom, Queenie, who is pregnant with twins, goes into labor, but she is having complications. Rill’s dad, Briny takes Queenie to the hospital and leaves Rill in charge. The next day, a group of policemen climb aboard the shantyboat and forcefully take Rill and her siblings. The children are takentto an orphanage run by three of the meanest women you’d never want to meet. The name of the place is The Tennessee Children’s Home Society (TCHS) and yes, it really existed. At first, the children think that they will shortly be brought back to Briny and Queenie, but before long, they realize that they may never see their parents again.

At the the orphanage, each of the children face abuse, neglect, and malnourishment. Rill’s sister, Camellia, is raped by one of the orphan workers and a few days later she disappears. Rill knows that she’s probably dead. Grieving the loss of her sister, Rill has no choice but to watch as each of her younger siblings are adopted by wealthy families and separated from her.

I’m not going to tell you anymore and if your thinking, that sounds too sad to be a good book, you are wrong. Yes, there are sad parts but there are happy ones as well. It’s one tragedy after another until it isn’t…… but you have to read the book to find out. I’m honest when I say Before We Were Yours won’t disappoint.

And you can read more about the author, Lisa Wingate here.

Let me know if you have read it and what your thoughts are!