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jryberg's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bargainsleuth's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I've read several books on the Baby Scoop era already, and maybe that's what keeps me from rating this book more highly. If you haven't read anything on the subject, then you may enjoy this book more than I did. It was good, not great.
What we as women have had to put up with because we're the ones who get pregnant is just insane, with little or no consequences for the men involved. This book does a good job of showing society's hypocrisy. And what the unwed mothers went through at these institutions should be taught to every female because sometimes it feels like our country is heading backwards to this era again.
I felt this book was good overall, but a bit long-winded. If it were more tightly written, I might have rated it higher. Some parts just seemed to drag for me, which leads to my overall enjoyment of the book.
I've read several books on the Baby Scoop era already, and maybe that's what keeps me from rating this book more highly. If you haven't read anything on the subject, then you may enjoy this book more than I did. It was good, not great.
What we as women have had to put up with because we're the ones who get pregnant is just insane, with little or no consequences for the men involved. This book does a good job of showing society's hypocrisy. And what the unwed mothers went through at these institutions should be taught to every female because sometimes it feels like our country is heading backwards to this era again.
I felt this book was good overall, but a bit long-winded. If it were more tightly written, I might have rated it higher. Some parts just seemed to drag for me, which leads to my overall enjoyment of the book.
angelaptrice's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
soapiecb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lbarnhill3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
This book absolutely tore my heart open! My mother gave birth to me during her senior year of high school and was briefly sent to a maternity home, so Lorraine really made me think of my mother.
I’m not typically a historical fiction reader, but this was so well written. The story sucked me in quickly and kept me engaged. I found myself so angry with some of the characters. I cussed Clint FREQUENTLY. I wish we got to know more about the other girls as I absolutely fell in love with Denise & Mirabelle.
My only complaint, and it’s a little petty & insignificant, was Lorraine’s high school. As a Charlotte area native, it irked me so much to read “Mecklenburg High School” knowing that South Mecklenburg, East Mecklenburg, West Mecklenburg & North Mecklenburg high schools were all schools in 1964. My mind wanted to give a more precise location. Ultimately I decided she went to East Meck because she mentioned Matthews, NC later in the book.
I’m not typically a historical fiction reader, but this was so well written. The story sucked me in quickly and kept me engaged. I found myself so angry with some of the characters. I cussed Clint FREQUENTLY. I wish we got to know more about the other girls as I absolutely fell in love with Denise & Mirabelle.
My only complaint, and it’s a little petty & insignificant, was Lorraine’s high school. As a Charlotte area native, it irked me so much to read “Mecklenburg High School” knowing that South Mecklenburg, East Mecklenburg, West Mecklenburg & North Mecklenburg high schools were all schools in 1964. My mind wanted to give a more precise location. Ultimately I decided she went to East Meck because she mentioned Matthews, NC later in the book.
royane26's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ltho483's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
anautummbison's review against another edition
I made it through part one, but the book is so bad I couldn't stand to keep reading. If you want to learn what actually happened without Roe v Wade, read something else.
What drew me to the book is my experience as a birthmother. I was coerced into relinquishing my son for adoption against my will as a teenager, so education and advocacy related to vulnerable families in crisis and adoption are very important to me.
I was immediately uncomfortable that th book lifted its title from The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler, a book that tells what actually happened during the baby scoop era using facts. I immediately worried people would be looking for nonfiction and stumble upon this fictional novel instead, once again drowning out the voices of those who actually lost their children during the baby scoop era.
This book is boring cliche after boring cliche. Every chapter ends with a ridiculously heavy handed reference to the fact that the main character, Lorraine, will soon be or already is pregnant. It's juvenile and exhausting. I don't like books that throw the entire point of the book in your face constantly like that as though it's clever.
You would be better off reading a nonfiction book about the baby scoop era or a memoir by a mother who lost her child this way. American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser and Relinquished by Gretchen Sisson are other great books on the subject.
What drew me to the book is my experience as a birthmother. I was coerced into relinquishing my son for adoption against my will as a teenager, so education and advocacy related to vulnerable families in crisis and adoption are very important to me.
I was immediately uncomfortable that th book lifted its title from The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler, a book that tells what actually happened during the baby scoop era using facts. I immediately worried people would be looking for nonfiction and stumble upon this fictional novel instead, once again drowning out the voices of those who actually lost their children during the baby scoop era.
This book is boring cliche after boring cliche. Every chapter ends with a ridiculously heavy handed reference to the fact that the main character, Lorraine, will soon be or already is pregnant. It's juvenile and exhausting. I don't like books that throw the entire point of the book in your face constantly like that as though it's clever.
You would be better off reading a nonfiction book about the baby scoop era or a memoir by a mother who lost her child this way. American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser and Relinquished by Gretchen Sisson are other great books on the subject.
jemmied's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
estrasillarson's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Such an important story about the Baby Scoop Era, which I knew very little about prior to reading this, and this book was so well-written. Very timely topic after the overturning of Roe V. Wade as well. My heart broke for the main character, the situation she found herself in, and how her family handled it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion