Lilly had been locked away in her parents attic since birth. When the circus sets up nearby, her mother sells her to the circus, determined to send her "monster" child away. Over twenty years later, Julia inherits her parents estate and horse farm. When she finds a hidden attic room and a handful of circus photos, she begins to investigate, slowly unraveling her family's secrets.

This was an absolutely fascinating book. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm leaving my synopsis a bit vague. The alternating story lines between Lilly and Julia worked extremely well. The stories unraveled at a quick pace, the plot interesting from beginning to end. Overall, highly recommended.

Oh, this one was special! The story bounces between two girls and you don't find out until the end how they are connected. An interesting trip through the circus world (years ago). Magical but very heart-wrenching. Had me in tears at the end. A MUST READ!

The reader is thrown into the story with a striking first chapter set in 1931, the Depression era at Blackwood Manor in rural America. The Circus has come ‘to town’ but Lilly Blackwood can only watch from her small barred window of the attic where her parents keep her locked up and away from their neighbours. Lilly has never been outside, never smelt fresh cut grass, never felt the sun on her skin, and all because her mother has told her she is an ‘abomination’ and would scare their neighbours and anyone who saw her. Lilly’s only company is her beloved cat Abby whom she dotes on and curls up with every night.

Ellen Marie Wiseman has written a powerful story, with vivid colours, smells and sounds that traverse the Depression era of the 1930s and the innovation and liberation of the 1950s. Feeling the emotions of Lilly and Julie our story’s dual protagonists, the reader rides the roller coaster of love, loss, friendship, family and beauty. These two characters are perfectly captured in their dialogue and thoughts, and the reader is enraptured and held captive by their journeys – the mystery of how they intertwine through old photos and circus posters, the emergence of a will and the revelation of the past for Julia when the door to the attic is finally found.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was 'un-putdownable'. I highly recommend this for lovers of circus stories, mysteries and storied about overcoming adversity. I will be reading more by this author very soon!

Wow, what deep and moving novel!! When I first read the synopsis for The Life She Was Given I was instantly intrigued! I am so glad I decide to read this book because it was fantastic! I enjoyed the writing style and I felt Ms. Wiseman did a great job with time jumping between Lilly and Julia throughout the novel. Initially I had so many questions, but as the plot plays out and layers are peeled back, everything becomes clear! I loved that we get to read about both the girls journeys and where it lead them. My heart broke for the girls, but I also found so much beauty (which shocked me)!! The Life She Was Given is a solid 5 star read! I look forward to reading more from Ellen Marie Wiseman in the future!