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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Fourteen year old Leah Payne lives a simple life with her daddy in a small coastal town. It’s just the two of them, in their tiny house, and although they don’t have much it’s more than enough for Leah. When an accident takes her fathers life Leah’s world as she knows is ripped from her when she is forced to leave the only home she has ever known to move hours away to live with a new family, who have agreed to care for her.
But all is not as it seems with this new family. Leah is expected to sleep in a small room attached to the outside of the house, and be the house holds “help mate”. While to the outside the family seem to be perfect and commendable for taking on someone in need they hold secrets that they never want exposed. It doesn’t take Leah long to realize that she can’t live this way, and she will do whatever it takes to find her way back to the place she once called home.
This was a great read. It really highlighted class inequality and also other social issues and beliefs held in the 1930s. I found the historical aspect interesting and terrifying at times. The book reminded me a lot of Where The Crawdads Sing, with its focus being on a young female protagonist trying to make it on her own, and repeatedly coming up against obstacles and prejudices due to their age, sex and social status.
Leah, the protagonist, was a likable character and at times her nativity was hard to read. But it wasn’t unbelievable, it was just intense understanding the world around her better than she did and wishing she would realize things that could be about to happen.
Overall a great novel, very engaging, well written and thought provoking. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.
But all is not as it seems with this new family. Leah is expected to sleep in a small room attached to the outside of the house, and be the house holds “help mate”. While to the outside the family seem to be perfect and commendable for taking on someone in need they hold secrets that they never want exposed. It doesn’t take Leah long to realize that she can’t live this way, and she will do whatever it takes to find her way back to the place she once called home.
This was a great read. It really highlighted class inequality and also other social issues and beliefs held in the 1930s. I found the historical aspect interesting and terrifying at times. The book reminded me a lot of Where The Crawdads Sing, with its focus being on a young female protagonist trying to make it on her own, and repeatedly coming up against obstacles and prejudices due to their age, sex and social status.
Leah, the protagonist, was a likable character and at times her nativity was hard to read. But it wasn’t unbelievable, it was just intense understanding the world around her better than she did and wishing she would realize things that could be about to happen.
Overall a great novel, very engaging, well written and thought provoking. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautifully written but the ending felt rushed
This was both a heart-breaking and uplifting story about a girl named Leah, who grew up on the beach in North Carolina. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father works as a lumberjack...they have a very humble existence, but they are happy, until tragedy strikes and Leah is an orphan. I don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say things don't go well for Leah in her new home, but she never forgets who she is. Thankfully, things turned around for Leah eventually, and it ended up being an uplifting novel, set against the shameful back drop of America's past.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Master storyteller Meagan Church will blow you away with her highly impressive emotional, and compelling debut, THE LAST CAROLINA GIRL —a young girl caught in a tale of dark family secrets and Eugenics—forced to fight for survival, herself, her body, and her future. Southern fiction at its finest!
I loved this book!
At the heart of this novel is a shattering loss that irrevocably changes the lives of many young women. The author expertly unveils the truths and lies that drive this gripping, powerful tale of a dark part of our history.
Set in 1935 in Holden Beach, NC, we meet Leah Payne (age fourteen years old) who lives with her lumberjack father, Harley Payne—he calls her Mouse. She is a smart, vibrant, carefree teen who loves life. Her mom died when she was born, and she loves her dad, a wise man.
She loves living on the coastal shores of NC, surrounded by nature. They are happy in a little shack on Mr. Barna's property and she is dear friends with his son Jesse and their maid, Tulla.
Then a tragedy, her dad is killed in a logging accident. Everything she knows is being taken away from her—her home, her father, and her friends.
She is sent to live with a foster family in Matthews, NC (Mecklenburg County, near Charlotte, NC). She thinks if she is good and works hard, they will like her and be better than living in a group home.
She is supposed to be a helpmate. However, the Griffin family treats her like their slave, especially Mrs. Griffin. She is not a part of this family in any way.
She is mistreated by the woman, embarrassing her in front of everyone. She is a smart girl and this woman is very manipulative.
Mr. Griffin, the daughters, and the son Michael Henry, Eva Jane, and Mary Ann (so sweet) seem to be afraid of their mom. They are nice to Leah. The mom tries to be well-to-do and put on appearances in front of her friends and entertains, but there is something off about her. She is evil, full of hatred and jealousy.
No matter how hard Leah works cooking, cleaning, and serving her master's friends, nothing she does is good enough. She does not even allow her to attend school, so she is stuck in a small bedroom like a closet and treated like a slave.
Mrs. Griffin has a manipulative plan in mind. She goes behind her back with a local Dr. Moses, heading up the Eugenics and sterilization program for young women in North Carolina.
Leah is distraught when she learns what happened to her without her knowledge or consent. Her letters are kept from her, and she cannot communicate with Jesse.
And then, the final family secret is revealed, which is a shocker. Will Leah escape this horrible family and return to the beach and the people she loves? How can anyone ever compensate for the damage to a vibrant young woman.? Forgiveness and forgetting are two different things.
WOW! A haunting tale of how the actions of government agencies ruined the innocent lives of women and their future. A searing and ultimately hopeful novel about the injustices and the importance of learning from history.
Transporting, heartfelt, and atmospheric.
Beautifully rendered, a powerful and unforgettable novel that will linger long after you finish reading. With well-developed characters, I enjoyed the conclusion of Holden Beach, 2006, brimming with hope after tragedy.
What a resilient, strong, and powerful young woman full of heart and love. A spellbinding coming-of-age tale of loss, hope, and perseverance. Leah will steal your heart with strength and courage, gripping you from page one to the end.
Susan Bennett, the audiobook narrator, is utterly captivating, delivering an award-winning performance. You will want to listen more than once. Highly recommend the audiobook!
One of my "TOP Books of 2023" and a contender for debut of the year! As a North Carolina native, I adore novels set in NC with its idyllic coastal and mountain areas—and some of the "best authors" reside in the famous Tarheel state. The author has quickly been added to my favorite author list.
The writing is stunning, and I was utterly captivated by the lush descriptions and the author's lyrical prose. A heart-wrenching page-turner, I read in two sittings. I loved Leah/Jesse. You will be outraged at the devastation of these young women. Thank you for giving these women a voice for often a forgotten untold part of our history.
Meticulously researched, it is heartbreaking the number of useless sterilizations completed - 7,000 in NC and in Mecklenburg county 485, which is 3 times of any other NC county. Very sad when a love of the sea is a reason to question one's sanity.
Inspired by the author's family history, an ideal book club pick. I thoroughly enjoyed the Conversation with the Author and the Reading Group Guide (included). A wealth of information is included.
THE LAST CAROLINA GIRL is perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlain's [b:Necessary Lies|17286747|Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies, #1)|Diane Chamberlain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362226103l/17286747._SY75_.jpg|23845712], Dolen Perkins-Valdez's [b:Take My Hand|55650158|Take My Hand|Dolen Perkins-Valdez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1626449299l/55650158._SY75_.jpg|86778392](two favorites), [b:Where the Crawdads Sing|36809135|Where the Crawdads Sing|Delia Owens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582135294l/36809135._SY75_.jpg|58589364], and [b:The Girls in the Stilt House|54762315|The Girls in the Stilt House|Kelly Mustian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649687067l/54762315._SY75_.jpg|85425092].
Thanks to #SourcebooksLandmark #RecordedBooks and #Netgalley for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. Also pre-ordered the hardcover.
Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Meagan where we go behind the scenes of the book and this talented author, on pub date, March 28, 2023.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 28, 2023
My Rating: 5 STARS ++
March 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
I loved this book!
At the heart of this novel is a shattering loss that irrevocably changes the lives of many young women. The author expertly unveils the truths and lies that drive this gripping, powerful tale of a dark part of our history.
Set in 1935 in Holden Beach, NC, we meet Leah Payne (age fourteen years old) who lives with her lumberjack father, Harley Payne—he calls her Mouse. She is a smart, vibrant, carefree teen who loves life. Her mom died when she was born, and she loves her dad, a wise man.
She loves living on the coastal shores of NC, surrounded by nature. They are happy in a little shack on Mr. Barna's property and she is dear friends with his son Jesse and their maid, Tulla.
Then a tragedy, her dad is killed in a logging accident. Everything she knows is being taken away from her—her home, her father, and her friends.
She is sent to live with a foster family in Matthews, NC (Mecklenburg County, near Charlotte, NC). She thinks if she is good and works hard, they will like her and be better than living in a group home.
She is supposed to be a helpmate. However, the Griffin family treats her like their slave, especially Mrs. Griffin. She is not a part of this family in any way.
She is mistreated by the woman, embarrassing her in front of everyone. She is a smart girl and this woman is very manipulative.
Mr. Griffin, the daughters, and the son Michael Henry, Eva Jane, and Mary Ann (so sweet) seem to be afraid of their mom. They are nice to Leah. The mom tries to be well-to-do and put on appearances in front of her friends and entertains, but there is something off about her. She is evil, full of hatred and jealousy.
No matter how hard Leah works cooking, cleaning, and serving her master's friends, nothing she does is good enough. She does not even allow her to attend school, so she is stuck in a small bedroom like a closet and treated like a slave.
Mrs. Griffin has a manipulative plan in mind. She goes behind her back with a local Dr. Moses, heading up the Eugenics and sterilization program for young women in North Carolina.
Leah is distraught when she learns what happened to her without her knowledge or consent. Her letters are kept from her, and she cannot communicate with Jesse.
And then, the final family secret is revealed, which is a shocker. Will Leah escape this horrible family and return to the beach and the people she loves? How can anyone ever compensate for the damage to a vibrant young woman.? Forgiveness and forgetting are two different things.
WOW! A haunting tale of how the actions of government agencies ruined the innocent lives of women and their future. A searing and ultimately hopeful novel about the injustices and the importance of learning from history.
Transporting, heartfelt, and atmospheric.
Beautifully rendered, a powerful and unforgettable novel that will linger long after you finish reading. With well-developed characters, I enjoyed the conclusion of Holden Beach, 2006, brimming with hope after tragedy.
What a resilient, strong, and powerful young woman full of heart and love. A spellbinding coming-of-age tale of loss, hope, and perseverance. Leah will steal your heart with strength and courage, gripping you from page one to the end.
Susan Bennett, the audiobook narrator, is utterly captivating, delivering an award-winning performance. You will want to listen more than once. Highly recommend the audiobook!
One of my "TOP Books of 2023" and a contender for debut of the year! As a North Carolina native, I adore novels set in NC with its idyllic coastal and mountain areas—and some of the "best authors" reside in the famous Tarheel state. The author has quickly been added to my favorite author list.
The writing is stunning, and I was utterly captivated by the lush descriptions and the author's lyrical prose. A heart-wrenching page-turner, I read in two sittings. I loved Leah/Jesse. You will be outraged at the devastation of these young women. Thank you for giving these women a voice for often a forgotten untold part of our history.
Meticulously researched, it is heartbreaking the number of useless sterilizations completed - 7,000 in NC and in Mecklenburg county 485, which is 3 times of any other NC county. Very sad when a love of the sea is a reason to question one's sanity.
Inspired by the author's family history, an ideal book club pick. I thoroughly enjoyed the Conversation with the Author and the Reading Group Guide (included). A wealth of information is included.
THE LAST CAROLINA GIRL is perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlain's [b:Necessary Lies|17286747|Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies, #1)|Diane Chamberlain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362226103l/17286747._SY75_.jpg|23845712], Dolen Perkins-Valdez's [b:Take My Hand|55650158|Take My Hand|Dolen Perkins-Valdez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1626449299l/55650158._SY75_.jpg|86778392](two favorites), [b:Where the Crawdads Sing|36809135|Where the Crawdads Sing|Delia Owens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582135294l/36809135._SY75_.jpg|58589364], and [b:The Girls in the Stilt House|54762315|The Girls in the Stilt House|Kelly Mustian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649687067l/54762315._SY75_.jpg|85425092].
Thanks to #SourcebooksLandmark #RecordedBooks and #Netgalley for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. Also pre-ordered the hardcover.
Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Meagan where we go behind the scenes of the book and this talented author, on pub date, March 28, 2023.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 28, 2023
My Rating: 5 STARS ++
March 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023