I was so engrossed in the plot of this book that I forgot to take notes. McMorris takes on a fast-paced, complicated journey set in the Depression Era US. Her characters are heart-breakingly lovable, her period details are spot on. If I have any complaint, its that the pace is so fast and furious that we don’t have time to linger on the details. I look forward to lots more from this author.

A riveting tale of how everyday choices can have a massive ripple effect for those around us!

Ellis Reed has been working as a reporter in the social section of the Philadelphia Examiner in depression era 1931. He didn’t plan to have this gig; he hoped to be one of the top feature reporters, but he will take what he can get when so many people don’t have work or money. In route back to Philadelphia from an assignment, he sees two kids on a porch with a sign indicating that they are for sale. Troubled by the sight, Ellis takes out his camera and snaps a photo that will forever change his life.

Lily Palmer works at the Philadelphia Examiner as the chief’s assistant. When she collects the photos that Ellis Reed has developed, one photo of two boys for sale breaks her heart. Recognizing the excellent shot, she slips this into the chief who calls Ellis in to write a feature to this story. Even though this become Ellis’s big break, the consequences of the photo become devastating. Lily is distraught by the role she has played in this and teams up with Ellis to try to right what has turned out so wrong.

This was an incredible story that I couldn’t put down. Even the synopsis had me hooked. There is so much at work in this story. Ellis is your typical hard working individual that never seems to get ahead. He finally gets his big break and almost has it snatched away from him, but he still manages to get it, but he has to compromise his values to make it happen. From there it becomes just a little bit easier to keep chipping away at those values until you find that your no better than the people in the story you’re writing about. Once Ellis essentially hits rock bottom in his life, he realizes that the has to turn this back around and make some tough choices.

Lily in much the same way has made some past mistakes that she is making up for in life. Fortunately , she has a very supportive family to help her make her career dreams a reality. She has an ulterior motive for helping Ellis throughout the story, but it is very understandable when it is revealed. Ellis and Lily have an undeniable chemistry throughout the book that isn’t forced, more built up with tension as the reader continues through the story.

There is a mystery that surrounds this story that isn’t revealed until about halfway into the book. At that point, it just adds to the lure of the story and about doubles the reading pace because it’s so intriguing. There is some very mild language throughout the book, but nothing that should sway any readers. This is probably going to be my top pick for historical fiction this year by far!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The power of the press! When reporter Ellis comes across two boys with a sign that they were for sale, he takes a photo of them which was not intended for publication. Coworker Lillian sees the photo and slips in with other photos for publication. When the editor wants to publish it, the negative and photo are missing. Ellis goes back to the area and after not finding the original boys, he does find the sign and "borrows" two other children to recreate the photo.. The photo sets off a trajectory of events for many different people, both personally and professionally. Although set in the Great Depression this book is very relevant to things happening in the press today. The characters are well developed and the story holds the reader's interest throughout. I highly recommend this book.

Also reviewed on B&N and Kobo under the name IrishEyes430

What happens when one seemingly innocuous decisions has a lasting impact on a family?

This story was an emotional journey. It switches between two perspectives - Ellis Reed and Lillian Palmer - as they navigate the consequences of one article and accompanying photo.

There were some parts to this story that I felt were not necessary and did not add enough to the story. But overall the writing moved quickly, and the story kept me engaged.

It is amazing to me that things like this happened in real life, as this story was based on a real photo. The lengths families went to keep themselves afloat were amazing and heartbreaking.

We were immediately drawn into the story with the photo of the “2 Children For Sale” We were intrigued by the photo and the story it held. The children in the photo pulled at our heartstrings and we wanted to know more about them. However, that was not the story told here. The story takes a different turn and becomes about two other children and our main character quest to find them.

What started off as a gut-wrenching story started to lose that emotional pull we really needed and the story started to become a bit predictable for us resulting in how we felt about this story.

In the end, we were left disappointed and wanting more and exhausted from all the drama in this story when we really wanted to be exhausted from our emotions instead.

I think that had we known the story was inspired by the photo and not about the children in the photo we might have enjoyed the story more. This is probably one we shouldn't of went in blind with. Even though we had our issues with this one we still highly recommend this story for readers looking for a lighter story with some drama.

Loved it. This book was outside of my usual genre, but I couldn't put it down! I could feel the internal struggles of both main characters for their parts in posting the picture in the newspaper of the wrong children. I loved the ending, even though I almost wanted her to make the other choice of the two men that were vying for her attention!

While reading this story, I could not help but think about my own mother who was a child from a poor family during the same time period. Many families faced dire circumstances since they did not have the resources that are available today through various assistance programs. I have heard so many stories of adults searching for the siblings they were separated from during childhood. It is especially heartbreaking to learn that so many were taken in by other families for the sole purpose of cheap labor. The author did a masterful job of crafting an emotional and suspenseful story. I will be recommending Sold on a Monday as a future selection for my book clubs as well as seeking out other books by Kristina McMorris. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A very well-written story with a great cast of characters, some flawed but that made it so much more interesting. I didn't realize, or perhaps did not remember, that because of such hard times during the Great Depression, families sold their children not only to make ends meet but also wishing for a better life for their children. Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case. Here, a picture taken by a newspaper reporter and published leads to devastating results. I was drawn in right away and fully engrossed in this story. Some interesting information as well in the Author's Note about how this story came about and the author's research for the book. This is wonderful historical fiction. Highly recommended.

Would you sell your children?

That question alone is what prompted my interest in this book. As a mom to two, I say never. Nothing could ever come to the point of me selling my children. But times were different, and this story was based on a real photograph.

It was another world then. We were just climbing out of the Great Depression and people were desperate. What starts as a story of how a journalist gets his start, quickly turns into a heartbreaking mystery of what happens to these children once they’re sold. Are they safe? What circumstances had their mother experienced in order to make that sacrifice? Answers are needed and answers we will receive.

I picked up this book because the blurb told of story that could turn out to be completely unique and I was not disappointed.
The book is based on an actual newspaper photograph that showed children put up for sale by their mother during the time of depression in 1930s. In the book, the story is told from the perspective of the photographer who takes the picture and his female colleague who was incidental in getting the news printed.
Both the main characters, Ellis and Lily, were expertly developed through the course of the story and their complexity added to the beauty of this book. I especially loved reading about Lily, a woman aspiring to break into the world of journalism, dominated by men at that time, while being a single mom. It was inspiring to read about a woman striving to make a name for herself and all her struggle during that period of time.
The story itself was a compelling page-turner. It did start off slow but gradually the pace picked up and by the middle of it, the story had sunk its hook into me so deeply that I found it difficult to put it down even for eating 😅.
This book has a little bit of everything. Its a human interest story, a story of desperate times where people are driven to do the unthinkable for the lack of sustenance, a romance, a thriller and also a great historical fiction which manages to transport you fully into the America of 1930s.
Its rare to find a book with well etched characters and a gripping plot but this book delivers on both counts. If you are a fan of thrillers or historical fiction, then this book is definitely the one for you.
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

He's a journalist trying to get good bylines and ensuring his job. When he sees two boys offered for sale, it haunts him. He tells his editor about and he sends him back for a replacement picture. The fist family is gone but there's one across the street and he arranges to take their picture with the sign from the other house. He has no idea how much impact that picture will have on his life...

Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published today.

Ellis goes back to check on the family and finds them gone. It seems someone bought the children and the mother went in a tuberculosis sanitarium. He worries if they got a good family and begins tracking them down. The newspaper secretary sympathizes because she has a young son and she joins in his search. They were told the mother died, but she's alive. They find that the children are not together anymore. They also find the woman who has the daughter is mentally unstable.

Ellis and Lily work hard to reunite the family and it's a dangerous undertaking. The depression made many people do things they didn't want to but this story turns out well. This is based on history and it feels like it as you read. There's sorrow and joy and you're not sure how it's going to turn out, so you keep reading to see...

I adore this book. I'm posting reviews today on Amazon, BN, Litsy, and Goodreads. Thank you for allowing me to read it.

I couldn't finish this book. I read half of it and felt no connection with the time period or the characters. I find the depression era and prohibition to be very interesting but this book didn't feel genuine to the time period. Half way through the book and not much has happened, even the scandalous parts (unwed mother, selling children, etc) didn't have an impact.

Kristina McMorris does a fantastic job of doing the impossible, taking the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" and turning it into more than a thousand words. Well written and researched, and tackling an interesting time in the American History, Sold on a Monday is well worth the read

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

A photograph tells a story…but…is that story always the same for every person who sees it? Can the perception impact reality and if so…will it impact for the betterment of others or do the opposite?

Ellis Reed has worked his way up at the newspaper from menial jobs to writing for the society pages. These stories are merely a stepping stone to the future pieces he hopes will one day be FrontPage news. His photographs are used to accompany and enhance his writing but he also manages to take a few that call to him and are for his personal use. One day a photo he takes for himself makes its way onto the front page with a story that is picked up by other newspapers across the USA. That photo and story make a huge difference in not only his life but create a ripple effect that impacts many more.

Set in 1931 during the depression the lives of many hung by a thread. Money was tight, food was scarce, people were jumping from roofs to end it all and sometimes desperate measures were taken to survive. Sometimes one sold their children or sold orphans from an orphanage or became involved with bootleggers or mafia or gangs or sold their souls to the devil to stay alive or climb the rungs of the ladder of success BUT what is the price on pays for that deal with the devil?

Characters of Note:
Ellis: intrepid reporter with a goal and mission…for a short time lost his vision
Lily: Secretary, single mother, Nellie Bly wannabe – dedicated and delightful with a will of steal
Clayton: Lily’s suitor who is out for the story, loves Lily but may love pursuit of the story more
Ruby & Calvin: Children of Geraldine, pawns in the story that may or may not end up with a happily ever home
The Millstones: A man and his wife wanting to adopt – but what lies underneath?

This book gave me the feeling of an O’Henry story but also reminded me of Michael O’Halloran by Gene Stratton Porter…

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourceboks for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

So I give this 3 1/2 stars. The first half of this book is kind of slow and doesn't have much to do with the 2 children in the picture. The second half is a lot more fast paced and has everything to do with the children. This is a sad story about 2 children sold in 1931. The story is fiction but the reality is that it really did happen because people were struggling with the Great Wars. It was interesting to read but hard to imagine because this time period is so different from then.


*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

I really liked this historical novel. It was inspired by a photo that appeared in an Indiana newspaper in 1948. It showed kids on steps with a sign near by indicating they were for sale. A similar photo appears in this novel and sets off events that no one had anticipated.

I like McMorris's writing style. The narrative reads well. The characters are ones I came to care about. I liked Ellis, the one who took the photo, a photo he never intended to see published. When he finds out what he has set in motion, he was determined to set things right. While his initial actions were not quite honorable, he rose to the place of responsibility. His sidekick is Lily. She bares a heavy burden, one that makes her insist she help Ellis set things right.

I like a novel dealing with many issues and this one does. There was the shame of being an unwed mother. There were the desperate conditions of single parents not being able to provide for their children. There is an exploration of how one deals with grief. And perhaps the one that impressed me the most - a single action that might seem harmless at the time can actually set the future course of many people. There is a good Reading Group Guide included so this novel would be a good one for group discussion.

I recommend this novel to readers who like historical fiction dealing with the lives of people during difficult times.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I read this book without any prior knowledge or reading the jacket, therefore I was surprised when the story went in a different direction than I had anticipated based on the book cover and title. I know, I know.... never judge a book by its cover. That being said, I really enjoyed the direction that the author took with the story.
‘Sold on a Monday’ is a story of secrets and the repercussions of one photo taken by a journalist. I don’t want to give anything away, parts of the story become a mystery and the reader is left turning the pages to find out what happened. There are several twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.
Surely Ellis had no idea the consequences that would come about after he originally takes a picture of two brothers on a porch. Lilly also feels responsible since she passed the photo on to her boss.
I enjoyed how the author set up the series of events leading to the ending. I also enjoyed the relationship between Ellis and Lilly and how they worked together to try to set things right.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was how Ellis tried to win the respect of his father. Ellis chose a profession that he was passionate about but it was still very important to him to prove himself to his father.
I enjoyed the strong female character of Lilly, and how she ended up being true to herself and not settling for what was expected of her.
This book is a true page turner that leaves the reader with a lot to ponder.
I received an Advance Review Copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow! Just looking at the books' cover, pulls at your heart! I came into this book blind, having no expectations placed on the author. I do not typically read historical fiction novels, but the cover had me intrigued.

The book is about Ellis Reed, who is a struggling reporter in 1931. He snaps a the infamous photo, which is not meant to be for public consumption. But the photo is the big break of his lifetime, but at what cost? Intertwining, is the story of Lily Palmer, a young unwed mom trying to climb the corporate ladder in the male workforce of 1931.

I connected almost immediately with the character of Lily. As a single mother of a teenager and being Black. I definitely know the struggle! The author does a masterful job of describing the time period and the characters. I, surprisingly, found myself enjoying learning about this time period and viewing it from a different lens. I recommend reading this book! It will make you question certain things about yourself that you thought were easy, but if circumstances where different, what would you really do?

Many thanks to Netgalley for the an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Are not we to be drawn to the book with this beautiful cover and full of meaning? I did not resist and I took it even knowing that it is a style that I read little and usually does not attract me . I have to admit that I did not regret at any moment.
The whole story begins with a photo and an article in the newspaper where Ellis works and wishes to write more intriguing articles rather than write in the social column.
He took this picture without big intentions just because it reminded him of a person from the past, but the picture attracted the attention of Lily, the chief's secretary, who ends up helping Ellis write the article.
But this small act will generate turns in the lives of all involved and it was there that the plot gained new dynamics and focus, leaving me distressed about how everything would end up.
I really liked the author's writing especially about the creative idea she used to start the book with a first person prologue and then the whole book in third person. It was fantastic.
Even with a background romance, what I liked the most was the moments of tension and mystery, the revelations and how she managed to portray the United States of the 1930s very well.