A review by midwifereading
One Uncovered Summer by J.W. Rose

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Overall, I loved Winnie and her persistent search for what is true. There was quite a a web to untangle, and as it got more and more knotty, I began to doubt the author had enough pages to undo the whole thing.

I was wrong.

Now, I won't say the entire knot came undone, but it's like finally pulling the right bit on that tangled gold chain that lets you see where to go next in the process of untying everything. 

Mary Lynn's thread is particularly messy, because it's entirely believable. I hesitate to say more, for fear of spoilers, but I almost wish we could have an epilogue for her with something more to hang onto. That poor kid! 

The author paved a way through some very tricky territory regarding religion, race, adolescence, and identity that makes room for even the ugly side of the truth. It isn't neat and pretty, but it's real. And it's a path we can navigate without fear of judgment, coercion, or weird messaging. It's a sticky story, well told. It's brutal at times, but refreshing. 

I don't know how to make sense of it all yet. But I loved it. 
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