Before We Were Yours: The heartbreaking novel that has sold over one million copies

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As far as ‘storytelling’ goes ( two storylines) - past & present....I enjoyed both stories - so completely different - But all is not doom and gloom......We have two stories that unfold here; while one family is literally being ripped apart, a member of another family discovers truths about herself and an unbelievable family secret....while finding true love. As indicated, I do love a story weaved around a part of history. But what I don't like is when an author just piles on more and more dread and horrible things to happen. It just becomes too much and after awhile, I think the story gets a bit ridiculous (yup, The Nightengale did the same thing) When not disguised as an author, I am the mother of two sons. I wanted girls. I got boys. I never dreamed that boys could be so wonderful. But that is another story.

While this novel is based on historical events and real persons who existed in Tennessee in the first half of the 20th century, preying on poor families and their children, I found that I had great difficulty relating to it, primarily because of the contemporary story and the primary protagonist. My thoughts vary on this book. Some aspects are well done and the expose of the decades-long adoption ring in Memphis is both interesting and abhorrent. But the total presentation still bothers me, particularly the "heroine" of the contemporary story, who might have stepped out of a romance novel. I wonder how this could have been done differently. But, come on, you may say, police officers kidnapping children in 1939 in the U.S. and sending them to orphanages? Arriving at the exact same moment the parents aren’t there? My story begins on a sweltering August night, in a place I will never set eyes upon. The room takes life only in my imaginings. It is large most days when I conjure it. The walls are white and clean, the bed linens crisp as a fallen leaf. The private suite has the very finest of everything. Outside, the breeze is weary, and the cicadas throb in the tall trees, their verdant hiding places just below the window frames. The screens sway inward as the attic fan rattles overhead, pulling at wet air that has no desire to be moved. She is the wife to Briny, and the mother to all seven children stolen and sold away. She elopes and marries Briny at a very young age and loves every bit of it. When she was due for her twin, the delivery becomes so complicated that she is taken to the hospital. Not knowing who are real family is, Judy grows up in a wealthy family, becomes established in life, and marries a senator from the prominent Stafford family. She will later find out who she really is thanks to Trent Turner Senior – who helps her reunite with her eldest sister – Rill, along with a few other siblings.

“Before We Were Yours Quotes”

I absolutely loved this heartbreakingly beautiful piece of writing! I'd give this book 10 stars if I could! "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate grabbed me from the very beginning, tossed my emotions around like a salad, and never let go! I didn't want it to end. At the event, Avery is accosted by a strange old woman whose name is May Crandall (and Rill her birth given name) who calls her by the name Fern and steals her dragonfly bracelet given to her by Judy Stafford, her grandmother. Avery doesn’t notice, but when she gets home she realizes it’s missing. Avery is a central character, but she can’t compete with Rill, so the author wisely fattens up her part of the story with a little romance, which kept her character from simply becoming a means to an end. I did enjoy how the mystery unfolded, which made Avery into a bit of an amateur sleuth. This story was powerful and I loved the way it unfolded in alternating voices and time periods. It was the perfect blend of past & present. Judy Stafford is the grandmother to Avery Stafford and the mother to Wells Stafford – a United States senator. Judy is one of the twin children delivered by Queenie Foss. Following the laborious delivery, Queenie and her husband Briny are lied to by a doctor that their twin babies Judy and Arthur are born dead, but they are in fact stolen and sold to a wealthy family.

Triggers. That's what the psychologist call them on TV shows. Triggers... as if the strike ignites the gunpowder and sends a projectile spinning down a rifle barrel. It's an appropriate metaphor. Too long - so much un-needed commentary could have been removed. Most of this came in Avery's story line. For example, way too much detail on the cab, riding in the cab, etc. After sometime, I just wanted it over. Glancing down at my engagement ring, I think, Elliot and I have what it takes. We know each other so well. We've always been side by side... She is pretty. A gentle, fragile soul. Not the sort who would intentionally bring about the catastrophic unraveling that is only, this moment, beginning. In my multifold years of life, I have learned that most people get along as best they can. They don’t intend to hurt anyone. It is merely a terrible by-product of surviving. Also, he’s somewhat charming and – to cut a long story short – Avery breaks up the engagement with Elliot. Before We Were Yours Epilogue

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When, one night, she goes into labor, Briny has to take her to the hospital and leaves Rill in charge of the children. The audio - the narrators were fabulous! Especially the narrator for Rill. (which helped the rating) This novel has garnered worldwide interest in the publishing industry and is being translated for publication in at least fourteen countries. Why do you think the story drew international attention? What themes in it are universal? Trent Turner Sr, or Stevie, is one of the children unlawfully taken from his real parents to the Memphis children camp. He is one of the children that Rill Foss takes care of and becomes friends with. They both stay in touch even after the Memphis orphanage and hold the secret of their identity close to their hearts. Immediately, the children are thrust into a grim situation. They experience abuse and cruelty at the hands of the people running the "orphanage". Tragedy and loss become all that they know as they are stripped of their former identities. Separated, renamed and adopted out, their lives are forever changed.

I see.” The doctor lays a comforting hand on the heartbroken man, or this is the way it happens in my imaginings. Their gazes tangle.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine & Lisa Wingate for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.