Loved it! I mean, it’s very compelling. It’s split between two characters telling the story and I really did not care too much for one of them and couldn’t wait to get past her chapters and onto the good ones.
Had it as an Audio to listen to on my way to visit Grandkids – loved it so much, I couldn’t wait to just listen in the car, so finished it at home!!! An amazing story!!!
I am reading it now and every other chapter I am crying my eyes out for these kids. Don’t know how it will end up yet, but I can’t put it down. So good. Really tugs at your heart.
I got from the library and, being busy reading something else right then, my mother snatched it and proclaimed it great, outstanding. Then it was due, so I still haven’t read it.
My Mom recently read it and adored it. She was reluctant to start it, but I told her I had heard from several people that it was really good. A few chapters in and she was completely hooked! She kept thanking me for encouraging her to give it a try.
It’s definitely intense & made me cry. Lisa Wingate did an a fantastic job of making it historically correct based on the true events of Georgia Tann & the Tennessee Children’s Home.
I completely agree. If you like it and want more information about what really happened you can read The Baby Thief when you are done which is the true story of Georgia Tann. I felt that was a very interesting follow up read to Before We Were Yours. I had no idea this even happened.
I couldn’t put it down. It was painfully sad and it took me a while to feel like I could read another book. The best books always stay with you for a while.
i did. i also knew the history of the childrens home prior. it was a wonderful novel telling a terrible story.. i kinda wished it was nonfiction.. but its still a novel.. telling a real story of how that happened and the reprocutions.
Loved it … read it as our government was tearing children out of the arms of their refugee parents … made it all the more powerful and my anger at our government all the more fierce.
Yes. It was amazing. Lisa Wingate wove a wonderful story around the shocking “well known” and “well protected” ugly business perpetuated by Georgia Tann at the Memphis branch of the Tennessee Children’s Society. Georgia Tann orchestrated and perpetuated the kidnapping of children and their illegal adoptions.
Just finished it. The flashbacks and the modern times were almost like 2 different writers. I enjoyed the flashbacks much more than the modern parts. They were too formulaic.
Great story mostly because it really happened! I do agree with previous poster that the modern parts were not as good as the parts when the girls were young. Intriguing how they tied the two parts together though. Definitely worth the read ???
The family in the book and their particular experience was fictional but it was based on the very real stories of families like theirs during that period of history. Google Georgia Tann.
@Kelly Exactly. Read up on it Eliz. It’s pretty interesting. Well, mostly disturbing. But important for people to know about I think so it doesn’t happen again.
I read it a few weeks ago. It tore apart my heart and I couldn’t stop crying. My husband’s grandmother was adopted by a wealthy family around this time and I suspect that it was probably a situation similar to many of the children in this book. Terrifying.
loved it! If its possible to love a book where families and children are treated horribly by those with means. It is a sad and shameful piece bassed on American history
I read it and suggested to my daughter…..she is adopted. We both loved it. Sad story but great book! So interesting that several celebrities get children from there
Thought it was poorly written. It could have been such a better book. My book club was divided. Didnt like the modern day romance sort of tacked on to the historical story. There is a nin fiction book written about the subject. As an adoptive parent I did find it a heart breaking story.
Yes…. def worth reading. While fiction, the details were drawn from survivor accounts. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Excellent historical fiction.
Read it and really enjoyed it. I too like the historical fiction.
Not yet, but my book club is reading it later this year. Have only heard great buzz about it.
It was a great read…well done
Very good book!
Loved it! Lots of history to back the fiction.
Loved it!
Loved it!!
Loved it. Super depressing to think about
I really loved this one.
Sent me down the rabbit hole reading about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Good read.
Me, too!
Very good book!
Loved it!
4 out of 5 stars. Fabulous historical fiction.
Loved it
Good book.
Great book. I live in Aiken SC and as you know my town has ties in it.
I’m not too far from you. Hi ?? from Spartanburg ?
@Amy!!!! Hey!!!
It’s a story that stuck with me for a long time
It’s a really good book. One of my favorites i read this year.
I loved it!
Liked it! Caused me to do some serious googling!
I loved it too.
The best book. Very moving.
Really lovely and haunting story that prompted me to research the circumstances.
Loved it!!!! Great book, could not put it down!!!
Amazing book! Best book I’ve read in 2018
Loved it!
Middle of reading it for a book club. It started off a little slow but it picked up and can’t put it down.
Ok I’m at that slow point , thanks for saying that. I have restarted it twice.
@Amy It took me awhile to finish it. Just didn’t pull me in.
loved it
Loved it! I mean, it’s very compelling. It’s split between two characters telling the story and I really did not care too much for one of them and couldn’t wait to get past her chapters and onto the good ones.
I have to order it again, I’ve had TOO many good books but I know it will be good from all I’m hearing about it.
I read it just this summer. I couldn’t put it down–I had to find out what was going on!!!
I bought it a couple of months ago but haven’t read it yet.
Loved it.
Loved it. Had to read up on the history of the story after since it’s based on true circumstances.
Great book!
Loved it
Wonderful! Heartbreaking!
I read it this year because, being a Memphian, I had heard of Ms. Tann and what she did.
Loved it
Heartbreaking
Loved it
Great story, based upon a historical truth.
My daughter had to read it for school and wants me to read it
I loved it. It was so much better than I expected it to be!
It was just OK for me.
For me too
Me three. I like the story in the past but hated the one in the present. I’m not crazy about romances and saw no need for it.
Wonderfully written, tragic based-on-truth story that I really liked.
Loved it but hard to read in places.
Great read!
The story of the “orphans” was interesting but I did not care for the interruptions of the second narrative – too many side issues.
An incredible story
Good book
I liked it. It opened my eyes to a part of history I didn’t know about.
Loved it, but the story haunted me for weeks.
In my ‘to read’ pile…. recommended by my daughter-in-law.
Loved it!!!!!
Loved it… I never knew it was based on truth!
Loved it!
Loved it.
On my TBR. I gather it’s good?
Loved it
Loved it! I had no idea this had happened, so shocking.
It’s on my list.
Loved it! I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic!
Loved it!
Fantastic book.
I thought the topic was so interesting, but I didn’t like the writing. I’m not sure why.
Awesome book! Still thinking about it ?
Loved it
Read it and was so sad . It was a good book- just sad.
So good!!!!
Reading it now. Interesting.
Great read
Also loved it
Yes good book
Had it as an Audio to listen to on my way to visit Grandkids – loved it so much, I couldn’t wait to just listen in the car, so finished it at home!!! An amazing story!!!
I was engaged by the story and appalled by the reality of how children can suffer at the hands of utterly unscrupulous adults.
Excellent story. And so relevant right now when we have immigrant children taken away from families and not found.
Excellent
Yes, the story line is good but it didn’t end right in my opinion. It left me wanting a little more. I suggest borrowing it.
Yes! Loved it! Was shocked that this went on for so long. My heart broke for these families.
Yes. It was ok. My sister in law loved it. I gave it to her. Wasn’t for me
I am reading it now and every other chapter I am crying my eyes out for these kids. Don’t know how it will end up yet, but I can’t put it down. So good. Really tugs at your heart.
I loved it. Lead me doing some research on the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and Ms. Tann. Good historical fiction always does that to me!
I did the same!!!
I did as well 🙂
Me, too. What an evil woman! And all those who were complicit in her egregious behavior.
It was good.
So good.
Very good
I rated it 3 stars out of 5 on Goodreads. I loved Rill’s narrative.
Loved it. It was sad though.
I loved it
Loved it!
Outstanding book! I also loved the Carolina Heirloom series she wrote!
I am reading it now. I love it, but it makes me soooo angry.
I know really. I cried a lot.
Liked it a lot. Loved that it was partially true.
Very good!!!
Very sad, heartbreaking b/c it was based on historical events.
It is sooo food
I loved it! Good historical novel! Everyone in my book club liked it too!
I have it but haven’t read it yet. Now that I see all these positive comments I will read it next after I finish my current book
Great read!
Very good
Loved!
I loved it! Interesting story and well written. Weaving past and present.
Loved it! Heartbreaking!
I got from the library and, being busy reading something else right then, my mother snatched it and proclaimed it great, outstanding. Then it was due, so I still haven’t read it.
It really bothered me that that probably went on in our society
Loved it! Cried more than once.
A real five starread based on a true character who you will learn to detest named Georgia Tann….. I see a movie in the future for this one
Great book
My Mom recently read it and adored it. She was reluctant to start it, but I told her I had heard from several people that it was really good. A few chapters in and she was completely hooked! She kept thanking me for encouraging her to give it a try.
Awesome book!
I read it and loved it. I was always intrigued as soon as I saw the cover.
Our book club read it and really enjoyed it. I was unaware of this story until we read the book.
Loved it!
Amazing
Loved it
Excellent book with quite a storyline.
LOVED it.
Loved it. Very moving story!
Wonderful book
Loved
Fabulous!!
Absolutely loved it
Definitely a 5+ for me!
Maybe the best I have read all year !! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved it. So sad & new info for me, I did not know about this
I didn’t either!?
I grew up near memphis and a cousin was adopted from there. Our book club found interesting but disturbing that babies were truly stolen.
loved it but sad
Absolutely LOVED that book. It will be read multiple times. And if you like audiobooks, the narration was very skillful.
Surprised to find out about the real story! Did some research after reading it about the historical background! Very shocking.
Heart wrenching but great!
Agreed
Ditto
Just started it today.
Excellent book!
Oh my gosh, I finished that a month or two ago. What an awesome book, but be prepared. Ot
Loved it ,especially as it was based on real people and events
It’s definitely intense & made me cry. Lisa Wingate did an a fantastic job of making it historically correct based on the true events of Georgia Tann & the Tennessee Children’s Home.
I completely agree. If you like it and want more information about what really happened you can read The Baby Thief when you are done which is the true story of Georgia Tann. I felt that was a very interesting follow up read to Before We Were Yours. I had no idea this even happened.
Yes! An easy page turner for sure. I found myself googling the historical facts behind the book
Totally loved it. Historic fiction of a said period of US history.
I enjoyed it immensely
Amazing read, loved every moment as heart wrenching as it was!
Fantastic book!
Heartbreaking but absolutely fabulous!
I enjoyed it very much.
I couldn’t put it down. It was painfully sad and it took me a while to feel like I could read another book. The best books always stay with you for a while.
Very, very moving story!
Loved it! I love when there are historical facts in a book. It was so sad and heartbreaking at times but so good!
Reading it now.
Listening to it now
Amazing!
I liked it but it took a bit to get into the story. Not on the top of my list but still good.
i did. i also knew the history of the childrens home prior. it was a wonderful novel telling a terrible story.. i kinda wished it was nonfiction.. but its still a novel.. telling a real story of how that happened and the reprocutions.
A sad chronicle of an American tragedy
Great book, a must read book.
Loved it!!
It is our book club selection for October. Enjoying the comments.
I thought it was very good, read a lot about the historical truths in it afterward – pretty amazing!
Loved.
Great book
Amazing story and sad that’s it’s based on true events
Started it but couldn’t get into it. Just didn’t have a “hook” for me. So many people liked it that I’ll try it again at a later time.
Bit of a slow start but so worth reading.
Yes. Beautifully written. Horrifying story.
Yes I read it. Frightening and compelling read. The fact that so much is based on the horrors of orphanages at the time adds to its value.
My book club read it and found it very emotionally charging to read.
It was just ok for me. A bit slow.
Yes…fabulous book!
I live in Memphis and had read reports of this awful practice years ago…sad memories
Loved it! One of my favorites of the summer.
Couldn’t get through it- one of the few books I stopped reading
I thought it was a very good book but extemely disturbing.I was not aware of the story.
My book group loved it. I thought it was pretty good.
Made me angry and sad
Important read
Good book Maybe a little slow at times, but the story behind it is truly disturbing and worth the read.
LOVED IT!!!❤❤❤❤
Loved it!
Very difficult book but very good.
Another disturbing book based on laws in the state of North Carolina just a few decades back that allowed for forced sterilization… Necessary lies
I really liked this one! I love her books!
Loved it!
Interesting history. Didn’t enjoy the writing or the plot ? I’m probably the only one
No, it wasn’t my favorite either. The history was interesting though. Sad
LOVED IT!
It is a great book. Although this story is fiction, it is based upon a true life situation that was happening to children. It is shocking but true..
Loved it!!
I’m reading it now for my book club meeting in September. I’m liking it.
Our book club read it last month. It’s a good book.
Loved it.
I absolutely loved it!!
I loved it. Very well written. such a sad situation.
Yes I loved it!
I thought it was a fabulous read!
Loved it
Great book!!
Overall, liked it. The writing wasn’t my favorite. Terribly sad that this is based off of US history.
Very powerful
I really liked it as well!
Loved it!
Wonderful book!
Oh my goodness! A “4-star” book for sure!!
Knowing the story behind the book made it even better (Georgia Tann and the Memphis Children’s Home).
It was very sad to know that the crimes went on for so long. I thought it was a good book.
I really enjoyed it. The history behind it was totally new to me.
It was terrific!! Definitely can recommend!!
Meh
Loved it!
Loved it!
Didn’t finished. Bleh
I really liked it
Loved It!
It was meh for me ?
I loved it!
Great book, but the story broke my heart.
I loved it! It was our last book club pick. I live not so far from Memphis and had no idea those events ever happened. Interesting and engaging story!
It was incredible and resulted in lots more research on this period in history.
I loved it.
I loved it; I was completely unaware of this shameful part of our past.
I enjoyed it.
Outstanding read
So good.
Just finished it this morning. Loved it!
Absolutely wonderful, highly recommend.
Ok, I missed the Southern heritage aspect.
I liked it.
I loved it… and the movie. ?
There’s a movie?!?! By the same name? I really loved the book.
Loved it
It’s wonderful!
Wonderful!
Good book
It was amazing
Love!
Amazing !
excellent
Loved it. Sad but true.
Terrific!
Listening to the audio book right now! So far I’m loving it.
Loved it.
I loved it!
Great book!!
??
❤️❤️
loved it
I liked it and went to google to read about the complete story
I did that, too!!
Yes, I read it and enjoyed it. It was amazing to learn that this really happened!
Loved it, our book club read a while back
Yes great story about in real life children were taken from their parents and sold
I loved it. I remember hearing about the Georgia Tann children from Unsolved Mysteries when I was a child myself.
?Great Book! One of my top 10?
Great book. Based on true person.
This is a really good book
Memorable !!
Loved it!
Loved it … read it as our government was tearing children out of the arms of their refugee parents … made it all the more powerful and my anger at our government all the more fierce.
Loved it! ❤️?
Yes. It was amazing. Lisa Wingate wove a wonderful story around the shocking “well known”
and “well protected” ugly business perpetuated by Georgia Tann at the Memphis branch of the Tennessee Children’s Society. Georgia Tann orchestrated and perpetuated the kidnapping of children and their illegal adoptions.
Loved it!
I loved it. I couldn’t put it down.
I loved it. I of course looked the story up on the internet.
Ssshhh, I’m just starting it!❤
Heard good things about it.. on my TBR pile
Loved it! Awesome book.
Loved it!!
Pretty good
It was excellent.
Very good…read in 2 days
Sooo good!
Excellent read!
I loved it, great book! Would recommend it definitely.
One of the best books I have read this year. Tragic story based on true events. We need to learn more from history.
So so so so so so good
On my TBR list!
Excellent, disturbing story
I’m actually in the middle of it right now. It’s an excellent yet depressing story.
Heartbreaking but really good.
Just finished it. The flashbacks and the modern times were almost like 2 different writers. I enjoyed the flashbacks much more than the modern parts. They were too formulaic.
I agree with your assessment of this book. The history was fascinating.
Agree
Loved it!!!
Great!
It’s a powerful story and based on a true story.
Fantastic book
Yes… I enjoyed it. A different kind of story.
Loved it!
Great story mostly because it really happened! I do agree with previous poster that the modern parts were not as good as the parts when the girls were young. Intriguing how they tied the two parts together though. Definitely worth the read ???
Loved it!
It was a wonderful read, one that made me check into some of the facts used in the book after I finished it.
Loved it.
Great book. Incredible to think that really happened to kids back then
Just startled it, can’t put it down.
There’s a true story behind it! Those are the best reads
I liked it. Based on reality
It was great!
Liked the historical story much more than the present day story line… but a good read with a piece of history I’d never heard of.
The preface of the book says the story is a complete work of fiction , of the authors imagination. What history?
The family in the book and their particular experience was fictional but it was based on the very real stories of families like theirs during that period of history. Google Georgia Tann.
@Kelly Exactly. Read up on it Eliz. It’s pretty interesting. Well, mostly disturbing. But important for people to know about I think so it doesn’t happen again.
So so good
Very good book
I read it a few weeks ago. It tore apart my heart and I couldn’t stop crying. My husband’s grandmother was adopted by a wealthy family around this time and I suspect that it was probably a situation similar to many of the children in this book. Terrifying.
Loved this book!
I bought it after all the recommendations I saw on here.
Loved it!!!
Good story about real events. Very evocative of the times and place. Hard to forget
Page turner. Heart wrenching but excellent.
Excellent book…stays with you long after you finish reading it!
@Annie loved it…
I agree. A great read.
It was a great book. It was difficult to read at time, but it was an interesting book and worth my time.
I read it a year ago & I still think about it! I recommend it to EVERYONE (once even to a stranger in a bookstore ?)!
loved it! If its possible to love a book where families and children are treated horribly by those with means. It is a sad and shameful piece bassed on American history
Following
Loved loved it.
So good!! Highly recommend!!
Loved it
Loved it!
One of my top five
A sad commentary of “orphanages” back in those days l.
Reading it now – someone needs to get a copy to Reese to make the movie! ?
Listening to it on Audible right now. Love it!!!!!
It is on my list. Have to get it
So good…loved it!
I loved it. It was hard to put down because I was always wanting to know what would happen next.
Was incredible. Stayed with me a long time.
Awesome book!
Yes, I read it and enjoyed it. Passed it on to my friend and it’s making the rounds across America!
Read it, liked it, and was appalled that it happened.
Incredibly moving and disturbing book! Happened in my home state and I really was not aware of this horrible story.
Good read but a tragic story
Outstanding … in a gut-wrenching kind of way.
I enjoyed it, worth reading definitely!
Yes, Read It!
I read it and I really liked. I’ve recommended to others
Amazing story, very well written and based on a lot of research. I really loved it.
Loved it!
Oh I thought it was a great book of a very sad story!
I read it and suggested to my daughter…..she is adopted. We both loved it. Sad story but great book! So interesting that several celebrities get children from there
Incredible!!
Hey lib Lancaster
Great book!
It was a wonderful book! I loved it. I learned a lot.
Fantastic book. It’ll stay with you.
I listened to the audio book and thought it was quite good. Never underestimate the cruelty and greed of the self-righteous.
Loved it!
Thought it was poorly written. It could have been such a better book. My book club was divided. Didnt like the modern day romance sort of tacked on to the historical story. There is a nin fiction book written about the subject. As an adoptive parent I did find it a heart breaking story.
Reading it now…can’t put it down!
Excellent book … and sad.
Loved it!
Loved it!
Loved it!
LOVED it!
Loved it
On my list
It’s my next book …
Very good.
Absolute treasure.
Great book. So interesting and so well written.
I loved it. I learned about a part of our history I hadn’t heard of before.
Reading it right now.
It was a great story, I loved it!
Loved it! So sad to learn it was based on actual events.
On my to read list
I enjoyed this book about a part of American history not so well-known.
A little slow, but worth it
Based on true events made it fascinating. It was well written.
Excellent
Fabulous!!!
Loved it
My sister recommended it and I really enjoyed it
Best read of the year for me.
Loved it!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Excellent
??
Excellent book, but sad.
one of the best books I read all year
Did not like it
Excellent!
Interesting read.
Yes. Sad & difficult because it was true, but lights shine through! Glad I read it.
Just recently read it. It started slowly but once engaged I really enjoyed it. Some terrible times in our past.
I enjoyed it.
So good
I liked it, it’s a heart wrenching story though!
Great book!
Quick read
Great book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved it. 5 ⭐️
A very sad account of a slice of US history I knew nothing about – kept tissues nearby.
Yes…. def worth reading. While fiction, the details were drawn from survivor accounts. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Good read
Good book! Although based on history so makes you upset that those events happened.
Loved it!
i just finished it and omg I loved that book. very sad, but very well written.
Yes! It’s amazing!
Good story. Poor writing.
Exactly!!