Book Review - Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours - A Review

This week, I'm reviewing Lisa Wingate's novel, Before We Were Yours. The novel is one of her latest, and the first of hers that I've read. Wingate's experience as a journalist lends itself here in this thrilling mystery, interwoven with humor, spunk, and many heartfelt moments. You can find more information here or here. Or simply read below the cut.  

Present Day: Avery Stafford, a federal prosecutor has always been close to her family. When her father, an esteemed senator living in Tennessee, is having health issues, Avery is quick to be there. Her role being to offer support and give solutions to any legal matter that may occur.

 It's with a series of dull moments trying to please publicity that inadvertently lead Avery to an older woman with a strange connection to her grandmother. The Stafford family is well known in the area, and Avery is assured that perhaps the relation is due to their political involvement.  The problem is with a picture seen in this older woman's room, a vintage portrait bearing uncanny resemblance to her grandmother. That can't be a coincidence, can it?

The year is 1939. At twelve years old, Rill Fost, is the oldest of her four siblings, responsible for them, and desperate to keep everyone together. Especially after they've been torn from their home and placed into a rotting orphanage without explanation. Rill is terrified. The life they knew before could be described as magical - the five of them along with their parents living happily aboard a river boat, making music, gypsies hidden from sight.

 While in the twenty-first century, Avery continues to press, knocking on doors, asking questions about what her grandmother was hiding.  As fearful as our protagonist is about unveiling a scandal, she is determined to set things straight.  Her love for her parents and sisters, coupled with her relationship with her fiancee causes Avery to question her motives often, proving what family means to her. And her grandmother, who in her addled state has begin to talk about things that prove there's something else. 

 During her investigation, Avery gains the help of the grandson of her grandmother's old friend - Trent Turner, who is a realtor on the coast of South Carolina. His curiosity grows along with Avery's, wondering why his grandfather would intentionally hide these things, working to find missing people. Though while Avery is a woman on her own, Trent has a three year old son to look after. 

They encounter a series of documents revealing evidence of abuse in an orphanage over sixty years before, not only that the children at the the house were mistreated - the self proclaimed children's society was a scam. Theft of a different kind that ran rampant in Tennessee for three decades. Georgia Tann is the perpetrator, both in this fictional story and in real life, 5,000 children taken and sold. While being a fictional character, Rill Fost and her four siblings were terribly abused and undernourished, separated from each other.

A compelling narrative about sisterhood, love, life, and what it means to let people know that they are loved and cared about. Personally, this was one of the main reasons I couldn't put Before We Were Yours down, it wasn't sappy or corny, it was genuine. Genuinely sweet and genuinely adoring the cast.

 Avery Stafford, was an instantly likable character, relentless, stubborn, kind, and while she was aware of the special treatment people may have given her, (in regards to her father's role as senator) Avery knew how to work for what she wanted and did so with respect.
 Our other main character, Rill had me constantly rooting for her. The young girl struggled throughout her story, willing always to put her siblings first, hoping her family would be back together. She had her own fears, her own wants that allowed the reader to emphasize with her. Not to mention Trent Turner was a surprise, envisioned as cranky and entitled, in actuality, he was endearing. Soft, honest, and perfect to work alongside Avery. 

I did not expect that I would have as much trouble as I am now trying to review this - it's terrific, and beautiful, and wonderful, and I very much recommend you read this.