My rating: 5/5
An incredibly exceptional story, based on the actual atrocities of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate is a heartbreakingly memorable tale that features disheartening historical incidents weaved within an inspiring tale of family, survival, and courage.
Before We Were Yours is a provocative dual timeline story featuring two main characters, Rill Foss and Avery Stafford. The story set during the 1930’s depicts Rill Foss, whose life is abruptly changed when she finds herself, along with her four younger siblings, forcibly displaced into the orphanage of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Unthinkable events happen that inevitably shift the course of her life.
The story depicting present day focuses on Avery Stafford, who has recently returned home to South Carolina from her exhilarating life as a federal prosecutor, to assist her ailing Father who is a U.S. Senator. During a planned political visit to a nursing home, Avery has an encounter with a resident who proves to be an important figure in her family’s past. Their interactions uncover devastating secrets that could derail her family legacy and significantly alter her future plans.
Before We Were Yours captures the horrific factual events that occurred within the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, a prominent orphanage operated by Georgia Tann who used unlawful practices to obtain children for the orphanage. Survivors of the orphanage cited horrific experiences within the home, including physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and murder. Although much of the story features this terrible adoption agency, the author brilliantly portrays the blessing of family, the love of sisterhood, and the inspiration of courage and survival. Author Lisa Wingate is a superb writer. There was adept character development, with a profound cast of characters. The novel is an intriguing page-turner with a bit of mystery unfolding throughout the story. There was also a sweet blossoming romance in the narrative. The story is well developed and clean with no profanity or inappropriate sexual content. Be aware that there are content warnings for several forms of abuse in the plot. Nonetheless, this is an exceptional story that will touch your heart. Undoubtedly a five-star read, I highly recommend this book.
#Historicalfiction #fiction #LisaWingate
