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A review by fulltimefiction
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
4.0
4.5 stars
This book was better than I expected. What used to happen in those orphanages not so long is horrifying. There are better reviews to describe this book so I won't discuss the plot much.
This book is told from two perspectives, one in the past: 12 years old Rill and another in the future: 30 something Avery Stafford.
I really admired Rill character and her story was more interesting than Avery's. I did like both characters but the horror was in the past so this part was more gripping. I liked how Rill took such a heavy load to take care of her siblings and tried her best. Strong and determined, she only wanted for them to survive. I usually find authors' characterizations of kids unrealistic. I haven't worked with children much before but reading some books makes me wonder if all the author has encountered is little geniuses (or if they have seen kids at all). This is not how they behave/talk. But I loved Rill because I saw her in some of the 12 yo girls in my town, responsible, strong-willed, and would do anything to protect their younger siblings. All while not being super smart/mature for their age.
It was a good book and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. One of the narrators was difficult to get used to at first (she had a very raspy voice but as if she made it worse on purpose while narrating. It almost disappeared when reading some of the dialogues of certain characters). I'm not trying to be insensitive (I mean raspy voice singing it greaaat) but it really took me some time to adapt to it. By the end, I wasn't noticing it anymore.
I do recommend this book if you're into adult fiction and I encourage everyone to read more about what used the human trafficking that used to happen in those orphanages not so long ago and in a country like the USA.
PS: I love the title (like the meaning) and cover (suitable)
This book was better than I expected. What used to happen in those orphanages not so long is horrifying. There are better reviews to describe this book so I won't discuss the plot much.
This book is told from two perspectives, one in the past: 12 years old Rill and another in the future: 30 something Avery Stafford.
I really admired Rill character and her story was more interesting than Avery's. I did like both characters but the horror was in the past so this part was more gripping. I liked how Rill took such a heavy load to take care of her siblings and tried her best. Strong and determined, she only wanted for them to survive. I usually find authors' characterizations of kids unrealistic. I haven't worked with children much before but reading some books makes me wonder if all the author has encountered is little geniuses (or if they have seen kids at all). This is not how they behave/talk. But I loved Rill because I saw her in some of the 12 yo girls in my town, responsible, strong-willed, and would do anything to protect their younger siblings. All while not being super smart/mature for their age.
It was a good book and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. One of the narrators was difficult to get used to at first (she had a very raspy voice but as if she made it worse on purpose while narrating. It almost disappeared when reading some of the dialogues of certain characters). I'm not trying to be insensitive (I mean raspy voice singing it greaaat) but it really took me some time to adapt to it. By the end, I wasn't noticing it anymore.
I do recommend this book if you're into adult fiction and I encourage everyone to read more about what used the human trafficking that used to happen in those orphanages not so long ago and in a country like the USA.
PS: I love the title (like the meaning) and cover (suitable)