148 reviews for:

Untethered

Angela Jackson-Brown

4.3 AVERAGE

megra17's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

hazelbite90's review

5.0

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racism, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Abandonment, War

lylesgirl2020's review

5.0

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This was such a surprise of a read. I’m still pretty new to historical fiction, and this was my first book by Angela Jackson-Brown—but her writing completely drew me in.

Set in 1967 Alabama, the story follows Katia, a woman who’s spent her whole life showing up for others—her family, the boys at the group home where she works, and just about everyone around her. She’s steady, selfless, and quietly strong. But underneath that, there’s a softness she’s kept hidden for a long time. When someone from her past reappears, it forces her to reckon with the idea that maybe she doesn’t have to carry everything alone.

While there’s definitely romance, what stood out most to me was Katia’s personal journey. Learning to accept love and support after being the strong one for so long? That hit home. Her story was tender and real, and I honestly didn’t expect to be so moved—but I found myself tearing up more than once.

Katia is a character I’ll think about for a while. This book is full of heart, and it made me want to slow down and sit with my own feelings, too.

Can’t wait to read more from this author.

courtneynicol22's review

3.75

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Untethered touches in many important issues in the south in the 1960's. The exploration of missing soldiers, black boys in the foster care system, with bouts of love, racism, loss, grief, family, hope, and being true to oneself. Untethered is a historical fiction you should read.

taneesha34's review

5.0

emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

sharmybooks's review

4.0

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What a sweet story about such strong and impressive woman Katia. In backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels is the Executive Director at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. The narrative follows her as she simultaneously deals with her twin brothers being MIA as Marines in Vietnam, several serious and heartbreaking situations with the boys in her care, and coming to terms with her own infertility while her high school crush has come back to town showing interest in her.

Katia is a protagonist we can all root for- she’s selfless and kind and hearing about the struggles of her life was a beautiful ride. There were some tragic aspects as well but overall the novel ends on an uplifting note.

I enjoyed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book.

bookswithjenn's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful lighthearted reflective

dope_reads's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

steel_city_peach's review

5.0

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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What a Journey 

I bought this book as soon as it was released, but I kept ignoring it. I wasn’t sure if I could stomach a story set in the south during the Jim Crow era. Thankfully, this story was so much more than that traumatic theme. It still evoked rage and heartbreak, though. I am such a bleeding heart for little Black boys. I fell in love with the boys in the group home. I wanted to rescue them! I loved the way Katia loved and advocated for them. She was the quintessential first born girl. She spent her life taking care of everyone, but herself. I wanted her to find her own joy. She drove me crazy shutting down her chance for true love. At the same time, I understood her hesitancy due to expectations of women in that era. There were so many heartbreaking moments in this book, but it was still filled with love. I cried happy tears as I read the epilogue. This was such a great read. 

chasctaylor_reads's review

2.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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There’s good bones in this book, but it desperately needs meat! There are so many emotional aspects that didn’t evoke anything from me. The writing just isn’t as compelling as what’s needed to tell this story. Many aspects were repetitive and ultimately falls into the telling instead of showing narration. 

As someone who’s been in the social work field for 10+ years, I appreciated the perspective of the group home and the kiddos there; however, it was a bit heavy handed. The same points about the group home were hammered home again and again. 

This leans heavily into Christian fiction. The historical aspects are wayyy in the backdrop and could’ve been explored more to balance the story. The book is much more focused on Katia and her personal life.