A review by kamrynkoble
The Girls We Sent Away: A Novel by Meagan Church

challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.5

4.5 stars rounded up. I’m crying while I write this 😂 I’d never heard of this book, but I felt the urge to go to the library for the first time in at least a year. I found this facing front on the new book shelf. I went in with no expectations and now I am a wreck! I literally devoured this in two days, and didn’t even mean to finish it at 2am. I just couldn’t stop. 

It reads a bit like YA in the way I would recommend this to a high schooler—it sparks so much conversation—but not in a way that was annoying to read as an adult. I’d definitely recommend it for women’s book clubs. 

Spoiler-ie thoughts for the end:
I ache for Lorraine and all of the girls she met. I’m a little devastated that we didn’t get more closure for any of them, and I was desperate for Lorraine to reunite with her baby. Is the one at the party her? Or the little girl in the diner? Does it even matter? It’s just so heartbreaking! And the other girls at the maternity home? Gah! I can’t. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about this one for a minute. And I’m excited to read some nonfiction that the author recommended. 

Also, I’m always impressed when books can make me cry even when there’s no death. I can’t count the amount of times my face crumpled up in the third part.


Overall such a solid, emotional, thought-provoking read. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.
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