Kristina McMorris has crafted a moving story with her latest novel “Sold on a Monday”. This book drew me in from the start and I really enjoyed it. I appreciate receiving an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When I first caught a glimpse of this cover and read the corresponding synopsis, I teared up immediately. The cover art tugs at the heart strings of young mommas such as myself, the preposterous thought of selling a child gut wrenching and just plain horrible. I knew right away that reading the book would be an emotional journey- but in the hands of such a skilled author, I also knew it would be a journey well taken.

In SOAM, reporters Ellis and Lily find themselves immersed in what starts as a story line, but ends up a personal mission to right a snapshot gone very wrong. Together, our protagonists delve deep into the world of selling children, and the emotional turmoil that presents for all involved.

Kristina McMorris delivers another exceptionally planned and executed read in Sold on a Monday. Her masterful storytelling is what draws me to her books time and time again, never to be disappointed. Her ability to seamlessly interweave multi-dimensional characters and heavy themes into one story is pure talent and a huge gift to us readers!

The year is 1931 and the country is in the midst of the Depression. Men are scrambling to find jobs and mothers are trying to feed their children. A young newspaper reporter, trying to get his big break, is out in the country near his home taking pictures when he sees two young boys playing and a sign on the house that says "2 Children for Sale". He takes a picture, wishes he could help and then leaves to go back to this job.

Ellis Reed is the reporter and the picture of the two children provide him with his first big break as a reporter. He makes an error in judgement that can't be changed and has to live with the immediate consequences of his actions. As he tries to right his wrong, he is helped by Lillian Palmer, a secretary at the newspaper who has secrets of her own.

The characters in this novel are so well written that the reader is able to identify with them in their quest to make things right again. Even though the idea of selling children is repulsive to us, the author does such a fantastic job of describing what it was like during the Depression that we begin to understand the desperation that drove parents to sell their children and hopefully give them a better life. This is a book that will make you sad but will keep you turning pages to find out if love and family win.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Inspired by a photo from the 30's featuring 4 young children by a "children for sale " sign with their mother hiding her face behind them. Our novel follows the photographer/reporter who takes such a picture and how one subsequent choice changes the lives of all of those involved. It is an interesting look at that time period with relatable characters and an interesting perspective.

SOLD ON A MONDAY by Kristina McMorris is an engrossing story of love, family, ambition and honor. Set in the early 1930s during the Depression when many people had to resort to desperate measures just to have food for their families to eat. A struggling young reporter happens upon a heartbreaking scene where two young boys sit in front of a sign that says “2 children for sale”. He snaps a photograph that ultimately gets submitted to his newspaper for publication. What follows is a gripping tale of how seemingly innocent, well-meaning decisions and actions can have far-reaching and life-changing consequences. The author’s vivid descriptions and outstanding character development drew me in and made me feel I was right there in the story. I could not turn the pages fast enough to get to the book’s dramatic conclusion. To know that this novel was inspired by an actual newspaper photo made it even more touching and heart-wrenching. I will not soon forget this powerful and emotional book and I highly recommend it. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book.

This book was amazing. The story was so sad and so real that I could picture the characters in my head. This engrossing tale is set during the 1930's, during the Depression when people were driven to desperate measures just to have food to eat. Ellis Reed is a reporter trying to move up the ladder but not having much success. He also takes photographs on the side....he stumbles across two young boys on a front porch with a sign posted "2 Children for Sale" and snaps an emotional photo. The photo ends up in the hands of his boss who asks for an accompanying story which he writes with enthusiasm. After an accident, Ellis has to submit a replacement photo in which he uses different children with the same sign. The plot thickens when Ellis goes back to check on the second set of children and bring them money, food and other items that have been sent to them in care of the newspaper. The children are gone after a few visits and Ellis learns that they were in fact sold even though these children had not been for sale. Joining Ellis on his quest to ind these two children is Lily, the secretary to his boss. Following many different clues taking them on quite a path, the two attempt to locate the children and return them to their mother. The story is absolutely mesmerizing. I could not out it down. The characters are so authentic and real as the story pulls you into this time and place, a very sad one but also a very real time in history--tragic and touching at the same time. Do not miss this book! I know that I will be thinking about it for days to come. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Newspaper reporter Ellis sets off a chain of events , even he is surprised by, when he stops to snap a picture of 2 kids in rural Pennsylvania with a sign in the background saying "2 children for sale". That picture takes the newspapers by storm and changes lives forever. Ellis and his friend Lily are drawn deep into a world they didn't know existed, while trying to right the wrongs in 1931. This book takes place in rural Pennsylvania and New York City after the stock market crash amid the Great Depression! I was transported into the world of Model T cars ( crank front ), Governor Roosevelt, and the underworld the city !
I loved Ellis and Lily and I was routing for them all along, their story and their story of the children had me feeling all the emotions! This book has become a favorite of mine and will stay with me long after I turn the last page

I finished this incredible book last night with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. It all started with a picture...Sold on a Monday Is a riveting tale of desperation; of the consequences of even the most seemingly innocent decisions and the ripple effects that follow; of loss and family and ultimately doing what’s right. The most wonderful characters live in the pages of this book; people who are shaped by circumstances and choices in their past, looking for a future which will bring them happiness, love, fulfillment, and redemption. The backdrop of the Depression adds so many layers to this story, and provides readers with an understanding of the how and why as the events in this story unfold. This wonderful book is written with warmth, heart, compassion, and deep emotions.

Another intriguing, enjoyable, fast paced read by Kristina McMorris! 
Newspaper Reporter Ellis Reed takes a picture on a hot summer afternoon of 2 young boys next to a sign, 2 Children for Sale. Lilly Palmer, the secretary for the newspaper notices the photo and shows it to their boss for a story. Set during the Great Depression, the novel unravels a story of tough times, deceit and the human spirit. This story is vividly and beautifully told. I highly recommend this book! 
- this is an honest review.

While broken down on a rural country road, Ellis Reed, a reporter for a Philadelphia newspaper, takes a photo of two children with a sign in front of them reading "For Sale". Lillian Palmer, a secretary at the same paper, sees more in the photo than just a story and submits it to their boss. So begins a tale of secrets and lies against the backdrop of the desperate times of 1931 America. Kristina McMorris once again creates a spellbinding tale that drew me in from the very beginning. The perilous environment of the Great Depression where your livelihood balances on a fine edge between survival and the breadlines, the sacrifices made in the name of family are vividly brought to life in this heartbreaking novel. Inspired by an actual photo, this book sheds the light on a desolate period in our country's history. I highly recommend this book!

I was familiar with the original photograph and the story behind it so I was interested in seeing how this story would play out. Much research went into the writing of this book. I felt that it was very historically accurate. It was very interesting to see the long reaching affects of a decision made in haste. At times I thought it was a bit long and drawn out, often telling things that really didn’t help the story line. Overall, it was a good interesting book and I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

I've seen the famous photograph before, and often wondered about the family's story, so was excited to see this book tackle just that. One of my favorite parts was actually the author's note...where the idea for the story is discussed, along with the follow-up to that (in)famous family photo, and the author's goal in writing this story. It feels very period...with the descriptions and vernacular matching up to the era. There's a bit of a love triangle, and some personal dramas that unfold as the characters work through their own issues. It's amazing to see the butterfly effect, however, of one small mistake (at the beginning)...and how that affects so many other people. It really makes you stop and think.

Though an interesting topic/concept, i found the plot predictable and the characters flat. I was put off by the stereotypical/predictable romance element as well.
However, fans of period pieces will enjoy the historical contexts.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.