Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
It was an awful story (not the writing). I was upset by the events but all around the book didn't do it for me. Ellis was not especially great (not unlikeable just meh). He takes a picture of kids for sale, then needs another picture as it was destroyed, uses 2 other kids with the sign that was left. He ends up bringing money and some things. Eventually the kids are gone. They were actually sold.

There are 2 sides of the story and 2 point of views.

It was well written.

After completing his assignment for the society page, reporter Ellis Reed stops to take some personal photos of the area. One of these photos, that of a boy and girl next to a sign saying “2 Children for sale”, inadvertently ends up on the editor’s desk. The editor decides to use the photo and asks for an accompanying article. Before the original photo can be used, it is inadvertently destroyed. Ellis tries to find the children in the original photo and retake it. He learns they are no longer there but the sign is. He makes a decision to ask the mother of two neighboring children for permission to use her children and the sign. No one could imagine the far reaching consequences this would have. The mother, who believes she is dying, sells her children to a banker believing she is giving them a chance at a wonderful life after she is gone. The reporter, who moves to a new job in New York, continues to be plagued by the switch in photos unaware of what they set in motion. He and Lily Palmer, a young woman he met at his first job, and the one who mistakenly brought the photo to the editor’s attention in the first place, discover the mother is still alive. Not only is she alive but she had been misdiagnosed and now wants to be sure her children are being cared for and loved. This request sets in motion a quest to find the children; a quest that will be fraught with danger and will involve lies, mental illness and the world of the mob. Set during depression era America this read will make you ponder what you would do if you thought you were dying and the opportunity arose to give your children a good life after you were gone.

I was intrigued by everything about this novel; the photo, the title, and definitely the book description. I knew that I would love it and I was 100% correct!

It was such a wonderful read full of history, emotion, and substance. I fell in love with the characters and felt so many emotions towards each of them. My heart yearned for all four of those children, especially Ruby and Calvin.

I highly recommend this book, it is a perfect discussion or book club read. I was captivated when reading it and devoured every word. I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this advance reader copy!

This was such a great story. I was spellbound from start to finish. I will definitely have to go back and read Kristina’s previous novels. So glad that I got the opportunity to read this and be introduced to Kristina McMorris.

Very good book. A reporter Ellis stumbles onto sign 2 children 4 sale. He had been out taking pictures anyhow so stopped a took some of these 2 boys. . A Mother who was the editor unknowing gives picture to the chief and its lost. Ellis is instructed to fix the mistake. The first 2 boys are gone so can not get the picture redone but just down street is 2 dirty looking kids with same sign. Hw is confused but takes pictures anyhow as reporters need to do things to get stories in. Things go wrong the kids was not to be sold That Mother had thought she was very ill but doctor was wrong. Lilly the editor helps Ellis fix the wrong. The children are in end back with real Mother and Ellis and Lilly are together. . Very good, I would recommend this

What a wonderful book! It was heartwarming, rich & captivating.

Inspired by an actual picture of children being for 'sale' during the Great Depression, reporter/photographer Ellis Reed snaps a photo of such a case. One hasty choice sends a cascade of falling dominoes that impacts not only Ellis' life & the lives of his photo subjects, but so many others around him...namely a coworker named Lily.

I found this story completely engaging. The characters were laden with virtues & flaws that gave each voice a richness & authenticity. For me it was a page turner, wondering where Ellis & Lily's investigations & efforts would lead them next & what kind of people they would encounter; and would those people aid or hinder their endeavors? The setting is perfect & it reminds the reader to view things not through modern lenses but those of the 1930's.

I have seen some reviews complaining that the story doesn't focus on or delve into the realities, struggles, hardships & hopelessness of the Great Depression & hence a lower rating. I don't agree with this assessment. Ms. McMorris' novel is 'set' in the Great Depression, not 'about' the Great Depression. There are elements brilliantly woven throughout that depict what society was like for all different kinds of and classes of people. It needs to be stated this is a character driven novel & that's where the focus lies. As someone with a Bachelor's in History, if it is the former you're looking for, I suggest you seek out a history book on the subject matter, not historical fiction set in the time period.

This is a wonderfully written tale. An enthralling story, with believable 3-D characters. Highly recommend.

What a heart-wrenching story. I love books that take place during the Great Depression and this one didn't disappoint. What I never considered is that families might have to sell their children in order to survive. This book is well written and it took me back to a time that I need to learn more about.

The Great Depression was a difficult time for many. Down on their luck, some people were quite desperate and unable to care for their children. Even knowing this, Ellis Reed was shocked when he saw a sign advertising the sale of the two boys, prompting him to snap some photos. Little did he know that his editor would see the photos and order him to write a story about it. When the photo is ruined and his boss sends him out to take more photos, Ellis finds himself in a dilemma as the children are no longer available. This leads Ellis to be creative in writing his story, unaware that it would have unforeseen consequences for both the family in his story and for himself.
Sold on a Monday is a brilliantly written historical fiction that captures the despair of the time and questions what people are willing to do to survive. It has wonderfully fleshed out characters and lots of action that keep you wanting to read more. I would love to read a second novel that continues on from the ending because I feel there is much more to tell about Ellis and Lily.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book, the opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks, I received an ARC of Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris in exchange for my honest review and I have to say, this was a fabulous read, especially if you are an enthusiastic fan of historical fiction such as myself! First, I just have to say that I loved McMorris’ writing style, which was tender yet vivid and her portrayal of the characters was really wonderful.

Set in Philadelphia and New York City during the early 1930’s, The Great Depression and prohibition has made life interesting, stressful, and chaotic, which provides an endless supply of story material for people in the newspaper business. Ellis Reed, and up-and-coming reporter spends all of his time trying to find “that story” which will help propel his career to the next level. When he photographs two children accompanied by a “Children for Sale” sign, he seems to have found just the story he was looking for. Ellis’ successful story advances his career right away, but also leads to many unforeseen consequences which affect many lives in many ways. Ellis must grapple with his choices and teams up with a friend harboring a secret of her own, Lily Palmer, to get to the bottom of things when it seems the children in the photos may be in trouble.

This story was great not only because of the mystery and historical elements, but also had romance and even a little bit of mobster activity (I mean come on, 1930s New York City!). What I found most interesting, however, was that McMorris wrote this book after seeing a REAL newspaper photo from Chicago 1948 depicting a mother, children, and a “Children for Sale” sign. After finishing the book, I read about the original photo further was so moved and surprised about this piece of American history.

4 out of 5 stars for Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris, which will be published on August 28th, 2018 and is available for Pre-order now!

I found this book to be too bland. I like historical fiction and expected this book to have more substance but it was the usual tale of 2 people falling in love with some references to places in Pennsylvania. It reminded me of a sepia film of the 1930s. It needed tinting to bring out the emotional colors of the individuals in the story. It would be a better tv script than a book.

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I chose this book, because I like historical fiction in general and this depression era story grabbed my attention. Ellis Reed a reporter for a local Philadelphia paper captures a picture of two kids on a bench with a sign “2 children for sale “ representing the desperation of families to feed their children, stay alive. However, but by the time the story appears in the newspaper, the photograph is different from the original. In spite of this fact, Ellis’s career skyrockets after publishing the “fake news” story. The rest of the book centers around Ellis’s effort to undo the heartbreaking damage that resulted from his story. He is aided in this effort by a colleague, Lily, a single mother who has her own secrets to hide.
In spite of the many four and five star reviews, I found the story totally contrived, couldn’t understand why Ellis and Lily did their own separate investigations until the end without the mother’s involvement rather than doing it together. The romantic part of the story was completely predictable, the Mafia involvement unnecessary, etc.
Overall, I feel generous giving this book 3 stars. One good lesson learned from this story, the devastating effects of “fake news”stories.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is a story of desperation and what mothers were forced to do and the lengths they will go to for their children. I loved the story!

Fantastic read! It was rich with all the things I want to read...history, romance, strong characters, intrigue, a bit of mystery, a couple of mobsters (because I who doesn’t love that!) and redemption. It was pure enjoyment from less-than-auspicious beginning to satisfying end!!

I devoured this book. Whilst it is a work of fiction it depicts the desperation of so many families during the depression. A worthwhile read

When I found out this novel was inspired by a photograph of children for sale, to say I was intrigued is an understatement. See that picture now and we’d probably wonder if it were fake, but then, there was hardship and a Depression and the newsrooms were buzzing with all kinds of tales.

I love what the author has done with this story. Taken the essence of that photograph and brought it back to life, not to mention the story of the children and mother in that picture. Recreating 1930s Philadelphia has been done really well so you feel the chaos of the newsrooms, the boy reporters in their suits and trilby hats chasing the next big story. The shouts of ‘read all about it’ etc. Very atmospheric and really evocative.

The novel examines a lot of things about what we see and read, how life was back during the Depression and how a photograph really can speak a thousand words. I was thoroughly intrigued throughout and to enter this time and place, to spend time on such a fascinating and compelling case was a treat. The author note puts lovely finishing touch on the reasons for writing the book but don’t read this until you’ve soaked up the story for yourself.

Read all about it! Sold on a Monday is one compelling read.

3.5 stars

“Photography is the art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. -Elliott Erwitt

August 1931

Families in America are still struggling since the market crashed in 29.

Every day, children are are being sent away because their parents don’t have the money to feed them, or keep them warm.

But, Ellis Reed, reporter and photographer had not ever seen a sign like the one he was now looking at.

2 Children For Sale

He takes a picture of the jagged sign and the two brothers on the porch, that the sign refers to for his personal collection.

But when Lily, the bosses well-meaning secretary, turns it in, the boss decides he wants a feature story on the family for the newspaper. It feels wrong, but it could lead to his big break...and, maybe something good for the family too...

Ellis and Lily could’ve never imagined the consequences that would occur from the photo and feature that are eventually printed.....

This story is about those consequences and their mutual desire to make things right.

Although this story was an imagined one, it was inspired by a photograph that first appeared in the Vidette-Messenger in 1948.

If you have enjoyed historical fiction books such as Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline, then is is the next book for you! It will be available soon (August 28th, 2018) so pre-order now!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author, Kristina McMorris for the ARC provided to me for a candid review!

The book was dedicated to the children in the picture....

What an interesting concept for a story. Based on a photograph which once published has many repercussions which do not become apparent until well into the book. I found it rather slow going and sometimes there was too much description and discussion around a simple moment. However overall the story was fascinating and the fact that it is based on a real picture makes it all the more poignant. Make sure you read to the appendix at the end to hear about this.

Knowing the plot of this book is inspired by a real photo makes this heartbreaking, moving, chilling story haunting. Featuring complex and well-drawn characters and heart-racing suspense, this is a great read for lovers of historical fiction. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. This is my unbiased opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I have found a new author to enjoy with this title. Sold on a Monday drew me right in from the first page. Set in the times of the prohibition, a young journalist is trying to make a name for himself and takes a photo that is bound to garner some attention. I won't give any spoilers, but that picture, and the story behind it, causes a whole domino effect for several people...some good, some bad, and some trying to find their way. I felt the author did great justice to this story, and I was just as intrigued with the back story included at the end, explaining how she got the idea for this novel, and the background behind an actual photo with similar circumstances. Do yourself a favor, read this book. I think you'll love it.

Life was hard in the 1930’s. A random photograph of one family’s desperation sets a series of dramatic events in motion. The journalist who took the picture, conscience will not let him forget about the outcome of his newspaper story. Great character’s with morals that has the reader rooting for their success. I could not put this one down!