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tatianasv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
debs_shelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
4.0
Lorraine is an only child. An honor student, set to be valedictorian. She wants to go to college and dreams of being an astronaut. It's the 1960s, a time when most girls dream of becoming wives and mothers.
When Lorraine finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she thinks it will mean her dreams get put on hold. She's sure her boyfriend will do the right thing and they'll get married. When he tells her he can "fix it" and if she wants to keep the baby, she will be on her own, her word turns upside down.
Lorraine is sent off to a home for unwed mothers, thinking she can continue her studies there. She feels abandoned by her boyfriend and her parents, and nothing is going the way she thought it would.
This book was heartbreaking, and so well written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When Lorraine finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she thinks it will mean her dreams get put on hold. She's sure her boyfriend will do the right thing and they'll get married. When he tells her he can "fix it" and if she wants to keep the baby, she will be on her own, her word turns upside down.
Lorraine is sent off to a home for unwed mothers, thinking she can continue her studies there. She feels abandoned by her boyfriend and her parents, and nothing is going the way she thought it would.
This book was heartbreaking, and so well written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
ellisnoel's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mattiehatter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
bayleerohde's review against another edition
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
emelizabethe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
julz7799's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
elinorrigby66's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC of this book.
I loved this book. I've already heard about the 'homes for unwed mothers' in passing and also from my mother (who had friends disappear to them), so the premise of this book immediately caught my attention.
Lorraine- soon to be valedictorian of her high school class the next school year and the single child of a well-to-do family becomes pregnant (without really understanding the concept of how one gets pregnant) and gets sent away to not tarnish the family name. I immediately loved Lorraine's character. That being said, Church's development of characters is fantastic throughout the book which is rich with characters from different classes and backgrounds.
The readers get to know the other girls in the home, along with the strict understanding that there is a family ready to adopt each of their babies, so they can go back to their lives as if nothing happened, which is largely how these homes worked back in the 40s-70s.
This book explores the lack of sex education given to young women, the same pressures from men to have sex, and the abandonment from boyfriends when given choice of marriage and raising a child or breaking ties with their girlfriends. The baby scoop era forced so many young moms to relinquish their rights to their babies through lies, parental/societal pressure and the withholding of medical support/treatment.
This was both a fast and tough read. I had to know what happened to Lo and her baby, yet having an inkling of what would happen at the same time. This was one of my favorite historical fiction books I've read in a while. I would highly recommend this to bookclubs as it is one that I desperately want to be able to discuss with others.
I did receive the audiobook of this novel. And Susan Bennett was fine, although a little melodic for my taste.
I loved this book. I've already heard about the 'homes for unwed mothers' in passing and also from my mother (who had friends disappear to them), so the premise of this book immediately caught my attention.
Lorraine- soon to be valedictorian of her high school class the next school year and the single child of a well-to-do family becomes pregnant (without really understanding the concept of how one gets pregnant) and gets sent away to not tarnish the family name. I immediately loved Lorraine's character. That being said, Church's development of characters is fantastic throughout the book which is rich with characters from different classes and backgrounds.
The readers get to know the other girls in the home, along with the strict understanding that there is a family ready to adopt each of their babies, so they can go back to their lives as if nothing happened, which is largely how these homes worked back in the 40s-70s.
This book explores the lack of sex education given to young women, the same pressures from men to have sex, and the abandonment from boyfriends when given choice of marriage and raising a child or breaking ties with their girlfriends. The baby scoop era forced so many young moms to relinquish their rights to their babies through lies, parental/societal pressure and the withholding of medical support/treatment.
This was both a fast and tough read. I had to know what happened to Lo and her baby, yet having an inkling of what would happen at the same time. This was one of my favorite historical fiction books I've read in a while. I would highly recommend this to bookclubs as it is one that I desperately want to be able to discuss with others.
I did receive the audiobook of this novel. And Susan Bennett was fine, although a little melodic for my taste.
nobookendinsight's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pnkern's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5