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Book Review: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Saturday Nite Reader21 Comments

img_9177 5_DiscoBalls

5 disco balls

Published: June 6, 2017 by Ballantine Books
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Historical Fiction
Goodreads Choice Awards 2017, Best Historical Fiction

If you are not sure what you are reading next…make it this. You must. You simply must! I read this book in 2 days, I craved reading it during any free time I had and needed to reach its ending.

Before We Were Yours is my book club’s January read. When I first read the synopsis I was a little hesitant. Who would want to read about children being kidnapped and being sold into adoption? Not me, but let me tell you…

It’s 1939, the Foss siblings only know of life on the river with young parents whom they worship and adore: they are a close knit clan. One fateful night they are kidnapped by a high-powered adoption organization; the eldest, Rill, does everything she can to keep her family together in hopes of finding their way home. The Foss’ time at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is inspired by true stories.

Fast forward to present time. Avery Stafford, born into a wealthy and political family, has a chance encounter with a woman at a nursing home that unsettles her. Her grandmother is suffering from dementia and after a visit with her she questions how these two women may be connected. She is on the hunt to uncover what she believes to be a family secret in order to protect them from political scandal. What she doesn’t realize is that she will learn more about her grandmother and herself in the process.

The book chapters alternated between past and present, which I am a huge fan of. It especially worked with this book. The story did the Foss family justice; it was beautifully written. This book will definitely stick with me.

Would love to hear from other readers what they thought. Feel free to drop a comment, any excuse to keep talking about this book: I am in.

21 thoughts on “Book Review: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate”

  1. LOVED this book!! I was wondering if you had read it! It’s one that really stays with you after you’ve finished it. I really enjoyed the characters and uncovering the past through the present. Great read😊

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  3. This was my favorite book that I read of 2017. It really had staying power with me as well, just as it did for you. I hate books that TRY to talk about imagery with tons of extra words. This book wasn’t one of those, but I was still able to imagine everything so clearly and so vividly, especially the scenes on the boat. It was simply great!

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  6. In general, I’m not a huge fan of books that jump between past and present. They have to be done right. This one sounds good though. Might have to give it a try.

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  10. “The book chapters alternated between past and present, which I am a huge fan of.” I’ve read two books like this. The first one took a bit of getting used to but once I did, I love it.

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  11. I’m very excited for this book. It first crossed me on Goodreads, they have a giveaway running for. Fingers crossed it makes it way to my mailbox, but if I still plan on reading it.

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  13. Great review, I absolutely love books like this one. I actually read a book like this one plot wise a couple of months ago. I just can’t remember the name of the book, but it also had alternated pov’s from the past and present which I totally love and enjoy as well. I might check up on this one as well one day. Thank you so much for sharing.

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