Detroit, Michigan. Elizabeth Balsam is a reporter aiming for her big scoop. However, life has other plans. A man who has pictures from the historic Detroit riots approaches Elizabeth saying he wants to get them back to the original owner, Nora. Nora is actually Elizabeth's great aunt that she doesn't know. After Elizabeth's big story falls apart, she ventures out to the countryside to Nora's home and begins to learn about the past as well as her own history. But, in addition to THAT, the story goes back even further to Nora's ancestor, Mary Balsam who is struggling keeping her homestead going while her husband off fighting a war that eventually frees the slaves. So, really this is kind of three stories in one: Elizabeth's, Nora and William's and Mary and Nathaniel's.
I can honestly say I was riveted by all three of these women's stories and thought the author really did an excellent job of tying them all together. Some of the descriptions of the riots and the times about the slavery were disturbing and some of the struggles with Mary and Nora were heartbreaking, but in a way that made me think.
This was a very different type of story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the author's next book.
This was a very good story about Sally, Kate and Gisela and their families. They all live in a new development and life seems good. After all, it always is on Facebook and Instagram, right? Kate is holding onto a long time secret, Gisela is struggling with her family dynamics and Sally and her husband, Chris can't agree on major decisions in life. You would never know it from their social media posts. Actually in Kate's situation, her LACK of social media presence raises flags and as the story progressed, the reader is shown that she is hiding from something.
The book was very creative in how it would describe Gisela's and Sally's photos on social media. It also shows how people try to show a happy, perfect life online. It made me wonder is it because we feel we have to, or are we jealous of the other posts we see? Next time you may feel bad about someone's perfect looking life, just remember things aren't always as they seem. Everyone has issues.
I finished the book very quickly as I really wanted to know what was happening with each woman and how their respective situations would turn out. I thought the book was very well written and creative in the way it was told. However, I wish publishers would stop using the word "twist." I get excited thinking something is going to jump out at me - something I didn't expect. Did the women have secrets? Yep. Was it interesting? Absolutely. But, there was no "twist."
I have read one of the author's other books and I enjoyed that a lot as well. In my opinion , she writes in a very engaging manner. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I enjoyed it! Releases in March 2019!
