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!

Sold on a Monday
Kristin McNorris
I received this copy from NetGalley for an honest Review:
#NetGalley #SoldOnAMonday
They say 'a picture is worth a thousand words'; well whoever 'they' are they are right about that! This book was a wonderful story about a photo; one that spoke to a newspaperman in the 1930's enough that his first big story came out of this photo that he took of a couple of kids on a porch with a 'children for sale' sign.
The story is a re-imagining of a really photo taken back in the day and the story definitely has twists and turns enough to keep you wondering how the characters and those children make out.
I truly enjoyed the world concept. I loved the characters who were very much what you would expect from that time era with a bit more spunk for the way they lived their lives and the chances they took ignorer to find those 'sold' children.
There's a love story inter-woven, family issues, morals and values.
A truly enjoyable read!

Historical fiction set in 1931 Pennsylvania and inspired by a picture of a mother trying to sell her children during the great depression. Beautifully told and very current given the horrifying US tragedy right now in 2018 where children are separated from their parents at Mexico's border and kept in cages. Worse than having to sell one's children because of poverty, much worse. This thought-provoking novel is a wonderful read, but an underlying message for me is that we seem never to learn from history.

Sold on a Monday by Kristina Mc Morris is a warm touching story about lily and Ellis who work for a. Newspaper in Philadelphia. Ellis writes a story that will jumpstart his career but the photograph that headlines the story is accidentally destroyed. So Ellis tries to recreate the situation but can’t do it so he creates a subsitute which is a lie. Only Lily and Ellis know of the deception. Guilt plaques them and they set out to make things right. There is excellent character development in this story. You gradually find out about Lily, her secret son and her family. And Ellis has a father who seems to only care about the brother that died. They are good people and you can only hope that they will overcome many obstacles and succeed.

"Sold on a Monday" was an old-fashioned sort of book and very readable. It takes place in 1931 in the middle of the Depression. An ambitious and somewhat desperate reporter takes a picture that will affect the lives of the people in the picture and many of those who only see it. The book reminded me a bit of all the Grace Livingston Hill books I read when I was young. They were books that championed characters with strong morals and goodness in their hearts, which is not often written about today. It took awhile for the hero to come around, but in the end, he found what was important in life.

I requested this book because the cover grabbed me, and I'm so glad I did! Great, heart-wrenching story about hard times and families during the depression. It's so horrible to think that this stuff really went on in our history. I did wish the ending had a little more to it. It wrapped up some things, but left a lot undone. It's a book I will definitely be recommending.

Another historic fiction about children for sale, only this time it is a bit misleading. As the reporters unravel the self created story, the mob makes an appearance, the long standing family rift heals, and love finds a way :) It was readable but not gripping.