I enjoyed reading this book and learning about The Berachah Home. The experiences in life for some of the women were heartbreaking. I was captivated by Mattie and Lizzie’s stories. I will be reading more by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Crown Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Narrated by three women: Cate (2016-2017 & 1998), Lizzie and Mattie (1904-1933), all with secrets in their pasts. Cate's new home and job are near the former site and cemetery of the Berachah Industrial Home in Texas. Her job as assistant librarian in Collections leads her to the archives of the Berachcah Home. She becomes fascinated with the lives of the women. Cate hires an undergraduate assistant who begins to break through Cate's carefully guarded emotional walls with both women revealing themselves to each other. .
Unwed mother's Lizzie and Mattie come to live at Berachah in 1904. As the it stories unfold, there are many parallels - sexual abuse by a family me,bet or close friend, pregnancy, and abandonment. The home uses commitment to religion as a way to start a new life with strict adherence to biblical laws and mores.
As I read it this book, I was reminded so often of my own strict, religious upbringing. I wondered if my own knowledge and baggage were impacting my interpretation and enjoyment. I have concluded that like so many books set in religious communities, this book has an important message of empathy. I will be recommending this book. The characters are well-developed and sympathetic.
Thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in return for an hones review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing book, and I finished it so quickly, but didn't want it to end.

Each chapter is a different character and different time period so it kept it interesting.

Lizzie and Mattie are "fallen" girls during early 1900's - when no one else wants to help them, they find refuge in the Berachah Home which protects girls like them, and welcomes them and their children with open arms.

Cate is a librarian who, a century later, comes across their story and is fascinated by what happened to them. Cate also has a secret of her own, and reading about their stories helps her face the demons in her past.

This was such a lovely story of redemption and how to reconcile our pasts with our present and future.

Highly recommend!

3.75 Stars* (rounded up).

The Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls is a place in Texas where unwed mothers were sent to live and to raise their children. In the early 1900’s, it was unprecedented. Some women stayed and some learned skills which would eventually allow them to find employment outside of the home. All women became a family of sorts.

Lizzie and Maddie both arrive at the home with different stories. Lizzie with her daughter Docie in tow. Desperate and desolate, had she not found a place at Berachah, she and her daughter would most likely have died. The home softens her and gives her something to live for. It also gives her a best friend: Maddie. Maddie is a spitfire. Full of zest for life, Maddie makes the most of everything she learns and doesn’t take anything for granted even when people try to knock her down. Through pain, suffering and tears, Lizzie and Maddie have each other.

In 2017, Cate, a Librarian and her assistant Laurel, come across the archives of The Berachah Home and begin digging into its history. What they find bonds them together, in more ways than one.

The timeline in “The Home for Erring and Outcast Girls” switches back and forth between the past and present day, though personally I preferred the historical timeline (which seems to be par for the course when I read historical fiction). The characters of Lizzie and Maddie evoked more emotion out of me and made me feel what they were feeling while Cate and Laurel’s story was a bit lacking in my opinion.

This is now the second book that I have read by Julie Kibler (“Calling Me Home” being the first (which I adored)), and I can now say that I am most certainly a fan of her writing and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing and Julie Kibler for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 7.3.19.
Will be published on Amazon on 7.23.19.

3.5 stars

The Berachah Industrial Home for Erring Girls in Arlington, Texas that is depicted in this novel was a real place. A cemetery is what remains of this institution founded by a minister and his wife . They were dedicated not just to helping girls and women who “erred” but also their babies, a different approach from other homes for unwed mothers at this time . A quick internet search will lead you to a number of articles and photos of the place which provided a safe haven for so many. The story is comprised of three narratives, two from the early 1900’s, one 2017.

Lizzie Bates and her baby girl, Docie, are living a horrible life after unspeakable treatment and a drug addiction brought on by an evil man. She is hanging on to her life by a thread but hanging on to her daughter for dear life when she is rescued by Christian women and brought to a home. Maddie Corder is living her own hell is trying desperately to save her sick baby boy Cap. She makes her way to the home and the two connect and we see the beauty of friendship and caring as their fate over the years is revealed. Cate in the current story, is a university librarian working on archives whose research connects her to these two women. In the process of piecing together their lives, she finds herself. While Cate’s story was moving in its own right, it really was Lizzie and Maddie’s stories that captivated me more. Perhaps because their stories were based in fact, but also because it took me a while to see how the narratives were connected other than because Cate was researching them.

The author’s note at the end lets us know how well researched the novel is. Many of the characters were based on real people and the Kibler lets us know the places where she has taken liberties. While I admired the strength of these women and appreciated the historical significance of the home, I had a hard time making the connection between the past and present stories, thus the less than four star rating. Having said that, I enjoyed the writing and hope to read [book:Calling Me Home|15793184] as it has been on my list for quite a while.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Crown through NetGalley.

As much as I know about Texas, I was so surprised I had never heard of The Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls that was operating from 1903 to 1935. This book is based on some of the people connected to the home and some that were buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Much of the book is based on Lizzie and Mattie, two women who were rescued by the home. They become close friends, but eventually Mattie leaves the home to make her own way, while Lizzie stays there and works within the home.

There are two timelines presented in the story, one from the 1920’s through the 1930’s that presents the lives of Lizzie and Mattie and a more contemporary version that tells the life of Cate, a librarian that researches the history of the Berachah home, but also has a traumatic past.

I found the historical timeline much more interesting and feel like I would have enjoyed the story just as much without Cate’s present day timeline. Even so, I enjoyed reading and next time I find myself in the area, I’ll be looking for the graveyard with the historical marker.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

The Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls in Texas is the basis for this historical fiction novel. The home provided a safe place for women and their children, for the women to turn their lives around and for the children to be safe and cared for. Two of the main characters, Lizzie and Mattie, are based on real "fallen" women during the period 1903 to 1935. The other two main characters, Cate and River, live during the present day.

The book is filled with both the physical and emotional struggles of women. Their vulnerability and courage - mostly when treated badly by men and by society. The book was fascinating, although a little slow at times. It is definitely an eye-opener to the past as Kibler paints an interesting glimpse into the lives of these women.

Thanks to Crown Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I was drawn to this book by its cover and a synopsis that sounded intriguing. Stories around real historical events are a favorite of mine and this one appears to have a unique twist. Rather than having unwed mothers separated from their newborn they were offered a place to recover, build a new life that included their infant. Usually, babies were separated, adopted out and moms told to forget about them. This home changed that and I was curious to read about it.

Told in dual time periods, it's 1904 when Lizzie and Mattie are introduced and tell of how they ended up at Berachah Home. Their friendship takes off as they get closer and go through a lot together.

Current day we have Cate and I was really interested in her story. Her fascination with the Berachah Home and her mysterious past kept me reading.

The first half of the story had me intrigued but after that, it kinda flattened out, not for lack of plot but maybe because the characters just didn't talk to me anymore or a plot while still interesting but not enough to keep me glued to the pages. It doesn't usually take me 2 weeks to finish a book but I didn't have that burning desire to know the outcome.

I did love the author's descriptions, the amount of research is evident as she vividly portrayed the times at the turn of the century, the poverty, struggles, and hardships that women went through. I know I am going against the flow here, it started out as 4 stars read but even though I am giving it 3 stars still means I liked it. I have heard good this about Julie Kibler's previous book Calling Me Home and will read it at some point.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Following the stories of Lizzie and Mattie, two residents of the Berachah Home in the early 20th century, and Cate a woman in her late 30s in modern times who becomes obsessed with the stories of the women at the Berachah Home. I love historical fiction and I enjoyed reading the stories of Lizzie and Mattie, how they came to the home, the friendship they shared that sustained them through the rest of their lives. Though each took a different course, they were proof that you can turn your life around and start fresh.

Less compelling was the story of Cate. Cate has isolated herself in the world as a result of her own traumatic past and finds a connection in the stories she discovers of the Berachah women. For much of the book, it felt like I was reading two separate books when the narration shifted. Though the link is revealed in the end, it felt weak and almost as an after-thought. I would have enjoyed the story more if it had focused solely on Lizze, Mattie and the other Berachah women and dispensed entirely with Cate.

Ai was initially drawn to this book because it takes place near where I live I. A suburb of Dallas, Texas . In the early 1900s, the two main characters meet at a home for fallen women, where they are allowed to keep their children. Quite unusual for the times. The other thread is a modern woman researching the home where they lived and what happened to it and the girls who resided there

Based on the true story of Berachah Industrial Home in Arlington TX, an amazing read! At the turn of the Twentieth Century life was very hard, especially if you were unlucky enough to be born a female. Being a female now is a privilege and an honor, to myself anyway! Women were treated like second class citizens, it was a harder life if you were a victim of rape, even worse if that rape was incest. This reader shivers at the thought! So many young girls were turned out by their own family. The young women, many still children, had to make it on their own, nearly impossible. The Berachah Industrial Home took in more than three thousand girls in the early 1900's, though it was open only a short time. It then became an orphanage for a short while. Many women lived there their whole lives and dedicated their life to service for the home. This was a very unselfish act, as the work was hard, mentally and physically.
At times this book is heartbreaking. It's an important story and I applaud the author for taking it on!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you so much,Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

When Lizzie Bates and Mattie McBride meet at the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls—one sick and abused, but desperately clinging to her young daughter, the other jilted by the beau who fathered her ailing son—they form a friendship that will see them through unbearable loss, heartbreak, difficult choices, and ultimately, diverging paths.

Written in several timelines, which became confusing at times, Lizzie and Mattie's story was much more interesting and compelling than Cate's story set in current time.

2☆

This book goes back and forth between different time periods and characters. Lizzie Bates and Mattie McBride both come to the Berachah Home in the early 1900s and they form a friendship that will follow them thru some rough times. The present day storyline follows Cate Sutton, a university librarian, who is fascinated in learning more about the home and the women who lived there. Cate has dealt with her fair share of heartbreak herself. My main issue with the book was even though the storyline taking place almost a century ago grabbed me from the start, I had pretty much lost interest by about a third of the way in. Other than a few moments here and there, I just wasn't feeling an emotional attachment to either of the women. And for the life of me I can't figure out why, but I guess the reality of it is not every character I read about is going to work for me. I was more interested in Cate Sutton's backstory and what led her to pretty much being out on her own.

Before I start, I want to say, this is definitely a five-star read for many reasons. The main reason, each chapter begins with the name of who is speaking and the year, that makes a book SO much easier to follow. Second reason, this is a great historical fiction book that leaves you pondering on how hard life was, in the early 1900’s for woman. The way they were treated back then was deplorable, by men, husbands, communities, establishments and even by the law.
The entire story allows us to follow the lives and loves of three woman, Mattie, Lizzie and Cate. Cate is in the present era but she also has secrets and hard times she is trying to overcome. Mattie and Lizzie are both from the early 1900’s with different backgrounds but fall into similar situations that land them in the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls. The description gives an excellent view of what this home does, so I won’t go into that.
What I will do, is highly recommend this book. I won’t give anything away, but there is one story line in here, that I had to stop and go back and re-read because it absolutely made me go, “What, really, I missed that along the way?”. I absolutely loved following Mattie and Lizzie, I could envision their struggles, their activities, even Lizzie’s folks’ home, and all the way down to how they dressed. I think I loved Lizzie the most, she had the kindest heart and could have helped anyone if she could and she by far, overcame to worst of situations. The research of this home, the people and the timeframe were spot on. Well done, Ms. Kibler, well done!!!
This one comes in with 5*****’s. I thank Crown Publishing and Net Galley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book for my honest review.

I knew from the first line of this book that it would suck me in and not let me go until the last word was read. Inspired by the real Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring a Girls, this marvelous work of historical fiction alternate between the stories of Lizzie and Mattie, two residents of the Berachah Home in the early 1900s, and the present day librarian Cate Sutton ( and her student employee Laurel) who is researching the home after finding the remains of its cemetery. Both storylines are compelling and one can’t help but notice the parallels between the women. It is clear that the writer wants the reader to see that some things have not really changed much for women, especially in the eyes of the church. These women’s stories really resonated with me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, as well as those readers who like to read about strong women overcoming less-than-ideal circumstances. Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Readers Copy of this amazing book and for introducing me to this talented author!

3.5 stars, rounded up
Imagine my pleasant surprise to find that this wasn’t the tale of some horrid place, but a place of compassion and love. In 1904, there were few options for ruined girls and unwed mothers. And none that allowed a mother to keep their child. None except the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls. This story encompasses friendship, redemption and salvation. It’s also a sad reminder of how little some things have changed over the years.

Told from the standpoint of two of the girls who find shelter there in 1904 as well as a university librarian in 2017 who is studying the archived material from the Home.

I will admit to being much more interested in the earlier story, just because of the history involved.

One of the sad and constant themes of the book is how often young women aren’t believed when they’re raped, especially if the rapist is someone they know.

The book could have used a better editing job. At times, I felt it dragged. I was interested in the story, but I found I related to it more intellectually than emotionally. The author’s note explained how several of the characters were based on real people. Kibler has her own experience with the “underbelly of church politics” and she draws on it to develop Cate.

My thanks to netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Raw and beautifully written novel based on a true historical home for single mothers and women who had been forced into prostitution or other unseemly professions.

I stopped and started this book so many times. Perhaps it's just not for me. I enjoyed the story when being told in the past tense but did not like the present day story line, it just seemed like added fill in to me.

Since I did not finish it I will not publish anything on public media as I'm sure this book will find it's audience.

This book offered an interesting historical perspective of how pregnant women were treated in the early 20th Century and compares it to modern day. This has a lot of atmosphere but for me, the characters fall flat. They need more development based on the way the story is written.

#HomeForErringAndOutcastGirls #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a solid historical fiction about an important role that the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls in Texas played in supporting and providing a place for women and their children. Similar to other books of this genre, there is a contemporary timeline and a historical timeline (early 1900's). The different women-Cate, Mattie, and Lizzie represent the many women who have experienced trauma and heartache.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is a bookclub contender.

I just wished during my entire reading experience that I could have liked it more. I know, I know, we reviewers often fall back on that line and it might not appear genuine. But this is one of those books that I REALLY wish that I could just rave about and sob into my pillow or have difficulty talking about with a reader friend. Because these characters(in all timelines) really experience hardship.

But I felt the pace was really slow and even though I tried to put it aside and read other books and then try and return to it, I just never reached that place where it was any better than a 2 star rating for me.


No need to throw the rotten vegetables at me. I have already thrown the basket over my head.


Goodreads review 18/06/19
Expected publication 23/07/19