The premise of this book was that of a family drama, and being courageous enough to step out from your past's shadow. I tend to love books like this, but unfortunately, this one became way too political for my taste. Having a running social commentary -bent to one side- throughout the book distracted from what could have been a compelling story.

an emotional rollercoaster…

my lesson learned is that you must acknowledge your past, forgive yourself and others before you can move forward, heal and love. The past is part of who we are but does not define who we might become. I loved this book- thank you Joy Castro

A fun but slightly predictable read. As a Chicagoan it was interesting to read and discover some parts of the city that are for the upper class residents. As a first-generation college student, it was quite the tale of returning home that offered a new twist to the well-used trope. This was a quick and satisfying read.

Isabel Morales is a successful Chicago sculptor hiding a brutal family history—one not even her husband knows. After decades of turning her back on her past, she’s forced to return to Appalachia when she receives news of her estranged mother’s death.

But going back means revisiting the traumatic childhood she escaped—and the family that cast her out when she needed them most. Back on the land she has inherited, she’s flooded with memories of the forest where she once roamed free, of her beloved lost brother, and of the old house in the West Virginia hills where she grew up. Her mother has left her another legacy, too, which reveals secrets that Isabel is only beginning to understand.

As forces bear down and threaten to take what she has left, it’s time for Isabel to step into her power, reclaim her roots, and finally confront the painful memories that have kept her from the life she truly wants.

Overall this was a fun, exciting book that gave me several hours of escapism and enjoyment. Id definitely read other books released by this author.

I loved this book and its hopeful ending. Castro blends trauma and social issues in overlapping ways that do not feel like an agenda, but like real life. I could not put this book down.

Jpy Castro has a great book in this one. She’s a great syotyteller and she tells this story very weel.

This book, the writing, the characters, their flaws, are all incredibly beautiful. Castro’s writing floats over the border between prose and short story writing. It’s the perfect mix to tell Bel’s heavy story. I couldn’t figure out why I was sad to see her possibly walk away from Jon and the ending made me realize why. Jon and Bel are flawed like her perspectives on the people back home. Joy Castro has created a timeless piece of art that I honestly did not have high hopes for, but am so thankful I found.

What an interesting anx moving read. I loved this story. So many subjects were touched on that are important, valid, and needed. I appreciated her talks about race, consent, and abuse.

An emotional, honest, and compelling novel. One I was unable to put down once I started it. Isabella fights demons the best way she can and the only way she knows how and I pulled for her from Page One until The End. Highly recommended for those who appreciate a novel of hope.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I was struggling hard to enjoy it, had considered not finishing, and once politics entered the picture, my decision was made for me. I don't believe authors need to bring politics into the book unless it's a political book. I read for enjoyment and relaxation and there is far too much divisiveness in politics to have it brought into fiction, imo.

𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭!

Intense, strong and complex female hispanic character, full of secrets, this beautifully written story about forgiveness and healing was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Authors for this gifted copy.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

One women's story of finding her footing to rise above the torments of her youth as desolate child in the Appalachian mountains.

Isabel has it a all, a condo on Lake Michigan, a husband who is a doctor, art that is sought after by collectors and money she never dreamed she'd ever have. She's worked her whole life to never look back until she gets the call, her mother has passed away in prison. Secrets she's been harboring surface, straining relationships and forcing her to face her torments from West Virginia.

Flight Risk is a smart, emotional story of one women's struggle to come to terms with her upbringing and how she reconciles it into her current life. This novel is truly a compelling story.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. #FlightRisk #NetGalley

I wanted to like this- really I did. It's got a great blurb but the book itself is meh, at least for me,. The writing has been described as lyrical but I saw it as purple, There are stereotypes, there are tropes, there is an unexpected detour into politics (yes, 2016 is a fact of life but I wasn't in the mood). Sorry but I DNF. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Lake Union Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

After escaping the past, returning to it can only be complex. Is it best left buried or should you face the ghosts you tried hard to leave?