Before We Were Yours: A Novel By Lisa Wingate

Brilliant writing. Fadt paced & based on a true story. Highly recommended

After such a long time, I have come across a book I couldn’t put down! And it is so beautifully written and heartbreaking, to imagine the horror of the situation and the children’s plight. This is a book that’ll shake you, but also make you fall in love with it, with each of the carefully drawn characters. One of my best reads in what I feel has been ages!

“Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate is a poignant journey through one of the darker corridors of American history, woven into a compelling narrative that captures the essence of hope and survival against all odds. This novel, set against the backdrop of the 1939 Memphis scandal involving the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, not only sheds light on a grievous chapter in history but does so through the powerfully drawn lives of its characters.

Lisa Wingate’s narrative technique seamlessly alternates between the past and the present, telling the story from two perspectives: the historical plight of the Foss children and the contemporary quest for truth by Avery Stafford. This dual storyline enriches the narrative, offering a layered exploration of family, identity, and the impact of secrets carried through generations.

The characters are exquisitely crafted, with Rill Foss standing out as a memorable protagonist whose resilience and protective instincts make her tale heartbreakingly compelling. The modern-day storyline featuring Avery adds a layer of investigative intrigue and connects the past to the present, making the reader ponder the long-lasting effects of familial bonds and decisions made under duress.

The emotional depth of “Before We Were Yours” is its strongest suit, meticulously capturing the pain, betrayal, and eventual healing of the characters involved. Wingate’s respectful approach to the historical elements and her skillful weaving of fiction and fact ensure the novel is both educational and engrossing.

However, readers should be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this book presents. The harrowing experiences of the children are difficult to read but essential for understanding the depth of their courage and the strength of their hope.

Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours” is a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction that speaks to the heart as well as the mind. Its beautifully tragic narrative and strong emotional core make it a memorable addition to the genre, worthy of its critical acclaim and the extensive readership it has garnered.

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!

Before We Were Yours is based on true events, but is a work of fiction. I had never read anything by Lisa Wingate before, so didn’t know what to expect, but the book had good reviews and I enjoy good historical fiction. One of my criteria for reading a book is that I have to be hooked on the first page. This book does not disappoint. It’s the kind of writing that actually makes you read faster so you can find out what happens. Excellent character development and beautiful writing that makes the reader feel like they’re there watching it all take place. 5 stars and a new favorite author for me!

I liked the story line and it was definitely not boring with a good ending