Before We Were Yours

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize that the truth is much darker. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together—in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions—and compels her to take a journey through her family's long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Lisa Wingate has done it again!  Even thinking about this book brings up strong emotions.  It's hard to imagine that anything like this could have ever taken place, but it did and it makes me plain angry.  While this was a fictional account, I totally believe these events could have happened.  This book was a reminder that we have to watch out for those in this world that cannot fight for themselves.  We have to protect them and be their voice.  I couldn't get over the fact that people knew this was happening and turned a blind eye.  I understand that money drives people, but to even imagine that someone could do this to children to make a profit is unfathomable.  This story was beautiful and heartbreaking, a recipe for an amazing novel.  It needs more attention and I highly recommend you find a copy soon! 

 * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *