megansgc's review against another edition
4.0
Well written. Compelling story. Just be prepared it is saddening and not a bit disturbing. However an important story to be told
kcoccia's review against another edition
5.0
This book was excellent! Be prepared to cry a bit.
I still have a lot of questions about what happened with some things but I guess I'll just have to accept the lack of answers. Not everything can be tied up nice and neat.
I still have a lot of questions about what happened with some things but I guess I'll just have to accept the lack of answers. Not everything can be tied up nice and neat.
ktxx22's review against another edition
5.0
This was a phenomenal read. Informative, inspiring, and sad. I could not get enough of this read it was a tale with two timelines and a history that was so intriguing I needed more. When finishing this book to realize it was actually based on true events. And something that I had NEVER heard of before I was flummoxed. How is this real, and truly horrid part of American history no where to be found? Other than in the stories and family histories of the people who suffered directly at the hands of these evil people. This is an easy 5/5 throughly enjoyed this and will definitely have to check out more of Wingates writing!!
kimdanya's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for historical fiction fans! I was so invested into this novel as I learned about the Tennesse Children's Home Society. I never knew this time period of crime even existed within the United States- it is so unfortunate that children would live in harsh conditions & be sold in the black market through this insain orphanage.
Overall, both timelines of the story kept me interested to learn more. This book was heartbreaking, thrilling and overall addicting. Please read this book.
Overall, both timelines of the story kept me interested to learn more. This book was heartbreaking, thrilling and overall addicting. Please read this book.
danjulique's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Captivating from the first page! I loved every single character in the book, both past and present. The book starts off with Rill, a feisty older woman with all the spunk in the world. Avery, the younger woman, isn’t afraid to leave her family values behind to solve the mystery of her grandmother’s past.
Avery, the daughter of a Senator, is at a political event when her world crashes into Rill’s. When Avery meets up with Rill to retrieve her lost family heirloom, she eyes a picture of a woman that looks a lot like her grandmother. From there, Avery makes it her mission to figure out the connection between Rill and her grandmother.
What I truly loved about the book is the way it is written. Wingate does an amazing job of making you feel every single emotion that her characters feel. As the story developed, I wanted so badly for things to work out for both Rill and Avery. By the end of the novel, I was a puddle of tears.
Avery, the daughter of a Senator, is at a political event when her world crashes into Rill’s. When Avery meets up with Rill to retrieve her lost family heirloom, she eyes a picture of a woman that looks a lot like her grandmother. From there, Avery makes it her mission to figure out the connection between Rill and her grandmother.
What I truly loved about the book is the way it is written. Wingate does an amazing job of making you feel every single emotion that her characters feel. As the story developed, I wanted so badly for things to work out for both Rill and Avery. By the end of the novel, I was a puddle of tears.
fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
This was so compelling. I loved the two time-lines and really connected with the characters. I would have enjoyed following Avery more closely, but truly her story was meant to be secondary to Rill’s. I also would have enjoyed following Rill’s adjustment today her new life more in real-time, but it’s just one book. Even so, I really enjoyed and connected with this story.
miriamberger's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. A heavy read but the characters were memorable.
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
5.0
5★: OLD FOLKS TELLING THEIR LIFE STORIES GET ME EVERY TIME! This was a fabulous book about horrendous truths. And I love when authors clarify at the end what was real history and what wasn’t. The depictions of landscapes are very grounding; it’s one of those stories that sucked me right in and made me feel like I was right there -- even though I’ve not really spent time in the area. And it had just the right amount of mystery and puzzle (hence my two-day completion time). I’d put Lisa Wingate up there with Kristin Hannah for historical fiction, although this is the only one of her 30+ books I’ve read so far. I’m adding her 2nd most popular book, [b:The Book of Lost Friends|53025903|The Book of Lost Friends|Lisa Wingate|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580790967l/53025903._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73839603] (published in 2020), to my TR list.
At the time of this review, Before We Were Yours had a well-deserved 4.39-star rating by a whopping 506,114 peeps! I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, although if you are triggered by child abuse and/or child trafficking, read other reviews first.
At the time of this review, Before We Were Yours had a well-deserved 4.39-star rating by a whopping 506,114 peeps! I recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, although if you are triggered by child abuse and/or child trafficking, read other reviews first.