I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and Lisa Wingate for the ARC (advanced reading copy) of "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate for my honest review.
The genres of this novel are Women's Fiction and Historical Fiction. This story has fictional characters but is based on the true scandal with Georgia Tann and the Memphis Adoption home. Children were kidnapped, and disadvantaged parents would sign papers unaware that their children were being sold to wealthy families for profit. There were reported cases of abuse and deaths at this Adoption home. Georgia Tann had many top Politicians and the law by her side, depriving the children of their rights, and treating them as chattel
The timeline and places for this story are in the past, 1939 in Memphis Tennessee, and in the present time in South Carolina.
The characters are described as complicated and complex. Georgia Tann is described as evil, dangerous, manipulative, and corrupt. Most of the employees that worked for Georgia Tann turned a blind eye, and some were sadistic and were bullies.
The author describes the children as innocent, frightened , scared, confused. Some of the children were brave and courageous.
In "Before We Were Yours", Lisa Wingate tells the story about a family that lives in a shanty by the river.The mother is having a difficult time delivering twins, and has to be moved to get medical help. In the time that the parents are gone, the children are taken by the local law officials and placed in the Memphis Adoption Agency.
I appreciate the way that Lisa Wingate writes about the hard times at the adoption home where the children are brought. I could feel my heart break at some of the parts in this story. The storytelling shifts between the past and the present.
Avery is a prominent attorney part of a wealthy and politically active family. Her father is in a political high political position. One of the discussions they are in involve nursing homes, and how the elderly are treated.
At one of the homes that they visit, an older resident calls Avery a different name, and insists that they know each other. This starts Avery on an adventure to discover her family and her self.
I like the way the author writes about betrayal, loyalty, and secrets. The author also describes family, friends, trust, love and hope, The author makes me think, what is the cost for searching for the truth? How could this scandal go on for so long and cause the consequences that it did for many families and children?
I would highly recommend this intriguing novel, and look forward to reading more from the author. There are some Kleenex moments.

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

This fictionalized story is based on the true events of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society which was organized and run by Georgia Tann in the late 1930’s. Rill Foss and her siblings are taken away from their parents and shoved into the adoption scheme of Tann.

This interesting book is well written and kept me wondering how the two story lines of May and Avery would eventually collide. There is much information on line about Tann, because of her the laws around adoption homes were changed.

Good book. 4☆

This is the tenth book of Lisa Wingate's that I've read and I believe it is the best. Lisa has such a talent for weaving stories that beautifully blend past and present narratives and her wonderful writing seems to get better and better over time. Before We Were Yours is a heartbreaking tale of children being treated as commodities for greed and financial gain. This is tough subject matter and hard to stomach because it is based on facts, but also because we know innocents are exploited daily around the world. But this story does have some positive aspects and happiness woven throughout.

It's hard enough for those raised in "normal" circumstances to be who they truly are / want to be. I can't even imagine what it was like for the kidnapped children to have their families and identities ripped away from them. I applaud May, Judy and other characters in this book for creating their adult lives, but also reconnecting and remembering their childhood and beginning in life. I highly recommend everyone read this story, as well as Lisa's other titles, especially Dandelion Summer and The Story Keeper, two of my favorites!

This story may be one of my favorites I've read this year so far. It begins in the thirties with five kids and their parents on a river boat. Amongst a storm, their mother has gone into labor and they have to head to the hospital leaving the five kids to fend for themselves. It's then that they are taken by men claiming they will be brought to their parents but they never are. The story jumps to present day with a young lawyer returning back to her hometown. The story effortless weaves a tale of homecoming between these eras and the characters bringing them together in the end, Knowing the book stems from true life events of many children in this time period is gut wrenching. Yet, as the book professes, secrets shouldn't stay buried forever.
I really enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the beginning. It's well written, the dialectal characters are easy to follow and it gives the book that much more life and realism. It's a definite read again and recommend.

Note: This book will also be reviewed on my blog the week of the 22nd of May,

5 amazing but heart breaking stars.

I have received this novel through the courtesy of NetGallery.
A book such as this one is why I love historical fiction. I so admire an author who can weave a story from what is actually an historical fact. And so it is with this novel.

Ms Wingate has given us the fictionalized story of the Floss family whose life as "river rats" was beloved by their children as much as the children were beloved by their parents. However, the experiences portrayed in this book are actually based on reality. The fact was that in the late thirties up until the early fifties, the Tennessee Children's Home Society which was run by a woman named Georgia Tann (truly evil incarnate) forms the background of what happened to the Floss children. It is a story of loss, of deprivation, of children being stolen from parents and bartered for money by an organization that was not put out of business until the fifties. Many of the children were nothing but chattel. Ms Tamm catered to the wealthy, the Hollywood glitterati, and those in politics. The adoptions brought in numerous amounts of money which of course Ms Tamm pocketed since she had no conscience and no scruples whatsoever.

Woven into this story also was the tale of the wealthy, politically savvy Stafford family and it is through the work of Avery Stafford, the daughter of a senator and granddaughter of a woman suffering the effects of Alzheimer's that the story is pieced together. The chapters alternate between Rill's telling and the determination of Avery to find out what it was that drove her grandmother to be secretive. As Avery discovers the truth, the story of the Flosses is peeled away and brought to its conclusion.

The way in which so many of these children were treated, how they were sold to families is one so bizarre that the reader might feel that they are reading a horror story. While it might be true that the organization did rescue some orphans, it seems like the bulk of the children were taken from unsuspecting parents who oftentimes signed surrender rights in the thought they they were protecting their children. These poor children not only were separated from their parents, treated abominably through beatings, lack of food, and common decency but also, in so many cases, parted from siblings, as was the case with Rill Floss, one of the main characters of this novel. The records of the adoptions were sealed until 1995 and woefully too many years had passed and many of the adoptees were either dead or missing as there were a number of children in the system who perished mysteriously.

For Rill and her siblings the poignant story of trying so valiantly to recover lost sisters and a brother was heart breaking. In the novel, we find out not only what has happened to the Floss family, but also learn that throughout life there are many secrets. Oftentimes the things that one keeps secret are the very things that eventually will set one free.

I can not recommend this novel more highly.

Wonderful story! Couldn't wait to see who was who. So well written with alternating narratives of past and present. This historical fiction prompted me to do some research. Amazing what secrets are hid in our history. A beautiful story of sister love. Love Lisa Wingate and her story telling ability!

Historical fiction at its best!
This story based on real events alternates between history and modern day family
A great read

First let me start by say three things...

1. I am super stingy with 5 star ratings. In my rating system, 5 stars are reserved for the best of the best. Where in my opinion this book belongs

2. I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.

3. Wow, best book I've read in 2017.

Before We Were Yours is a heart wrenching, suspenseful, delightful book, it grabs you and won't let you go. The chapters are told in alternating voice between present day, told by Avery, and 1939 told by Rill. The Foss family was a poor family raising 5 children on a Shanty boat. Life on the river was difficult but all were happy and healthy until Queenie (the mom) goes into labor with twins and needs to be taken to a hospital leaving the children alone.

The Foss children are deceptively taken from their biological parents and placed in the cruel and abusive Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage under the direction of Georgia Tann. Although the story is fictional, sadly the Tennessee Children's Home Society and Ms. Tann are not. I especially enjoyed the dialog, the chapters told by Rill in her "River" dialect were exceptionally well done. Current day and 1939 become entwined as the story unfolds and the suspense keeps you flipping pages faster and faster.

Thanks to Netgalley for the book for my Kindle.
What a tragic story of the lives of many children who were taken from their parents illegally and adopted/given to families with money under false pretenses. An historical fiction novel that will definitely tug at your heart.

Before We Were Yours is an interesting story about Tennessee Children's Home Society "adoption" practices in the 1920s through 1950s. It shifts between the 1900s and present day every other chapter. I found this to be distracting because the early story was so compelling and poignant while the present day story seemed rather mundane. I was far more interested in the children and their story than the senator's family and their political/social/media problems. All in all it is a good story, very good writing and I'm sure many people will enjoy it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Wow, this book was excellent! If you are a fan of Orphan Train, you must read this book. It tells the story of a family of children plunged into a not so ideal foster system in the early 1900's. The story-line was seamless and beautifully built, weaving together multiple generations effortlessly. A bit of history, a bit of mystery, sadness, pain, love and family were all intertwined. This is officially in my top ten favorites. Do yourself a favor and read it already!

I couldn't put this book down! This tells the story of how Georgia Tann, and the Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis, took children away from their biological parents to be adopted for her personal gain. They were abused until their adoptions, and older children were afraid to speak. The narrator is a young woman who tries to find her grandmother's connection, made more challenging by her grandmother's advanced dementia. A fascinating book about a horrendous time and place.

I love this author's books and I was not disappointed in this book. A very well written book based on a true story of The Tennessee Children's Home Society ran by Georgia Tann. This book is heart wrenching .

Before We Were Yours is the story of five children who are taken from their home and placed at the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage. In addition we are also following the story of Avery Stafford, a prominent member of South Carolina society, as she uncovers the truth about her grandmother and their family's past. Prior to reading this book I knew nothing about Georgia Tann and the society she created to kidnap children and sell them to wealthy parents. I was so grieved at what I read and what happened to these families.
From the first pages I was completely captured by this story and it's characters. Lisa Wingate made her characters come alive and I could feel the heartbreak and the fear the children felt as they were taken from their home and placed in the children's home. In addition, I was drawn into to Avery's story as she began to uncover the secrets of her families past and tried to reconcile who she is and who she wants to be. I will place a trigger warning that there is child abuse both physical and implied sexual in the story regarding the siblings.
While the story had many strong points I was disappointed at the ending. Lisa Wingate tied up most of the loose ends; however, it felt rushed and not as thorough as I would have liked considering the detail she put into the fist half of the book. I feel like she could have added 50 pages to the book and created a more well developed ending that left the reading feeling more satisfied.

Found the historical storyline and characters fascinating and heartbreaking. While the modern day character of Avery didn't ring true for me, her romantic soul searching was an unnecessary distraction.

Seeing comparisons to The Orphan Train, a historical fiction book that many of us loved, I knew that Wingate's latest novel would be a good fit. Based on the horrific real-life Tennessee Children's Home Society and the heinous woman who ran it, this is a tale of family secrets, hidden lives, and tragic abuse. Told through dual perspectives, two young women reveal the story. Rill Foss, a young girl who lives in poverty with her family, is taken from her river home in 1939, along with her four other siblings. Highly prized for their blond curls, they are taken in order to be sold to the highest bidders, enduring both physical and emotional abuse at the Home. The story of today is told through Avery Stafford, the daughter of a well-to-do family whose father is a senator and part of a powerful family in South Carolina. As Avery befriends an old woman in a nursing home, she uncovers pieces of the past that may directly impact her own family. Wingate throws in a bit of a love interest for Avery, as well as some introspection of her direction in life. Personally, I could have done without the romance, but the sister-relationship is beautiful and well-developed. My only issue is the one sentence of a highly offensive racist belief that white girls should be scared of black men raping them. I know, it's just one sentence, but really? As the author does nothing in her book to deal with racial issues, which is perfectly understandable in the context of this story, throwing in a one-off that perpetuates a racist stereotype is just unacceptable.

I reserve 5 full stars for books that move me and stay with me long after I have finished them. “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate was one of those books!

The book details the lives of seven siblings. It travels through their births to their elderly years seamlessly telling the story of how they were stolen from their parents and placed in the Tennessee Children’s Home Society where unspeakable acts were perpetrated against children, the birth parents and adoptive parents.

The book begins with Avery Stafford who has moved back home to assist her mother and father, a Senator, with his public life after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Her grandmother, Judy, has just been moved to the memory care unit of a premium care assisted living facility as she has been diagnosed with dementia. The Senator and his staff are trying to juggle that choice, his illness and a scandal involving corporate-owned facilities. Avery attends a meet-and-greet at a facility with her father and meets May, an older lady who mistakes her for both her sister Fern and then her mother, Queenie. While Avery is distracted, May slips an heirloom bracelet from her wrist. When the worker’s retrieve it, May claims it is hers. When Avery returns to retrieve it, she sees an old photo in May’s room. Her curiosity is piqued when she notices the resemblance of the lady in the photo to her grandmother, Judy. When she visits her grandmother to ask her, she tells her to burn all her appointment books/journals at her home.

The resulting story is Avery’s hunt for the truth. “Secrets have a way of coming out. Secrets also make you vulnerable to your enemies, political or otherwise.” Avery must tread carefully; everything her family does or has done is scrutinized. We are reminded that “secrets ain’t a healthy thang, no matter how old they is. Sometimes the oldest secrets is the worst of all”. Is that ever the truth!

Throughout, she begins to question the path she has chosen for her own life. May tells her “a woman’s past need not predict her future. She can dance to new music if she chooses. Her OWN music. To hear the tune, she must only stop talking. To herself, I mean. We’re always trying to persuade ourselves of things.” Such great advice. We often choose someone else’s path for our life. We are reminded to “dance within the music of today, or we will always be out of step”.

It also delves into dementia, assisted living and caring for our loved ones as they age. “This music of old age… it isn’t made for dancing. It’s so… lonely. You’re a burden to everyone.” Wow… go visit your grandmother!

I am the type of reader that loves stores that are based in truth. This one was. The Tennessee Children’s Home Society and Georgia Tann, did exist and committed terrible atrocities. Do a bit of research; you will be appalled.

This story touched me in so many ways. As a child, my sister and I were often shuffled between family members after the death of our mother at ages 2 and 5. I think that we share an even stronger bond because of that. This book describes that bond so beautifully. “The love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse.” Another character said, “The heart still know. It still know who it loves”. Indeed it does!

Read this book. It will make you cry. You will be glad you did.

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction

Cover: Perfect

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thanks you!

Rating: 5 stars

Terrific Book!....will be recommending to my book club. This book is based on a true story of a repulsive organization that existed during the depression era led by Georgia Tann named the "Tennessee Children's Home Society". The main characters are fictional, but as you read accounts online about the children that Ms. Tann (not fictional) stole from the streets, or convinced parents to sign over custody of (when parents needed medical help for their children or just had no clue that they were giving away custody of) and also lied to new mothers that their child had died in childbirth. Ms. Tann then would basically sell the children under the guise of adoption to families who could not have children at an elevated price.

Excellent story going from past to present, following a riverboat family of five children. They were a happy family until the mother had to go to a hospital with problems of childbirth. That is when their troubles started. I was glued to this story until the end and it was so interested to discover that a lot of what was happening had actually taken place during that time period. That hundreds of children had lost their birth parents and could not find them later as records were sealed and names were changed. I was provided an ARC of this book for an honest review by the publisher and author through Netgalley.com. I thank you for this opportunity! I had not previously read books by this author, Lisa Wingate, but will definitely be reading more in the future…..she is fantastic!

I Absolutely loved "Before We Were Yours" from page one to the end. The novel is based on a true event in our history regarding The Tennessee Children's Home Society. Although the facts behind this novel are heart-wrenching and shocking, Wingate does a great job of making this an uplifting and tender story. I highly recommend this book as a must read for everyone in 2017.

I received this book "Before We Were Yours" from Netgalley for my honest review.

Loved this Book!!! I am a follower of Lisa Wingate and I really enjoy her writing. She always has a great story to tell and this one I did not realize was based on true events. The story is heartbreaking and you will just keep reading and reading because you can't put this book down. The story is about the Tennessee Children's Home Society and how they would "steal" children and sell them for a profit! Oh my! I feel so bad for the families that lost their children and for the children who had to put up with abuse from the children's home. This was a very sad story but also joyful because the sisters loved each other so much.