A solid sequel to the The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek with many of the same themes as the first book. I enjoyed being immersed in another time and way of life as well as learning more about Packhorse Librarians. I found the ending to be a bit disjointed but overall a very enjoyable read. This book will not disappoint the fans of the first book.

"Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container." (Unknown)

Honey Mary-Angeline Lovett has a story as long as her name. Honey grew up in the mountain country of Kentucky during a time when poor actually meant poor and richness was found in the land and in the people who populated the small rural communities.

Honey's mother, Cussy Mary, was one of the original Book Women back in the 1930's and '40's who were part of the Pack Horse Initiative granted by FDR within the WPA. These women rode on horseback or on mules to deliver books to the country folk. Literacy was in high need during these trying times of the Great Depression and the coal mine wars. Mining seemed to be the only source of work and this work was brutal and life-threatening.

I would encourage you to read the first book in this series that focuses on Cussy Mary. Cussy Mary's people first came to Kentucky from France in 1820 with a rare blood disorder. These individuals suffered from prejudice and isolation because of the blue cast to their skin. "The Blues" could not marry into society as it was against the law. The book actually opens with Honey's parents being arrested for intermarriage and taken to prison to serve time.

Kim Michele Richardson has Honey's feet hitting the ground in a rapid run to protect herself from the unfairness of these laws here in Troublesome, Kentucky in 1953. The social worker is hellbent on placing Honey in Children's Prison until she is twenty-one years old. At the age of sixteen, Honey needs a guardian.......immediately if not sooner. And now begins the quest for Honey to be validated as a young woman seeking her freedom.

The Book Woman's Daughter is guaranteed to "rile your innerds" as the story unfolds. We'll meet up with some low-lifes who have the audacity to question Honey's moral character throughout this storyline. What's at the core of all this is the resilience of Kentucky women who were subjected to the cruelest conditions where their voices were stamped out and nearly silenced. Richardson implements the phrase "manful interpretations" of the role of women. There is much triumph here mixed with the reality of pain. Speak out until you are hoarse. There's power even in a whisper.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Sourcebook Landmark and to Kim Michele Richardson for the opportunity.

After thoroughly enjoying "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" I was ecstatic to see a sequel. As she did with "Book Woman," Kim Michele Richardson immediately pulls the reader into the Kentucky life of Book Woman's teenage daughter. The hardships are many, the racism is cruel, the strength and courage of Honey and her allies is amazing. Richardson tries to balance the goodness of men with the absolute cruelty of many of the male characters. Sometimes it is overwhelming for this emotional, older, white woman from an altogether different world. I must admit that I have many prejudices against the state of Kentucky's laws and those who persist in the continuation of hatred against the people and ideas they don't understand. But Richardson shares so much history and folklore, so much love for the Kentucky hills and its inhabitants, that readers begin to fill with admiration for them. "The Book Woman's Daughter" is instructive and entertaining; it is suspenseful and dramatic. This historical novel is one more step in breaking down the barriers that separate us from one another.

I received a free digital ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. This second book follows Cussy’s daughter, Honey Lovett, age 16. After her parents are incarcerated because of miscegenation laws, Honey travels back to the familiar home of Troublesome Creek to avoid being sent to a house of reform. Honey makes some new friends and gets a job as a Packhorse Librarian following in the footsteps of the mother who raised her. Honey is worried about her parents, figuring out how to navigate the justice system, and avoiding people who look at her as less than the strong woman she aims to be.

Overall, if you enjoyed The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek this is well worth a read to go back to the familiar Appalachia landscape. Honey makes new friends and has new enemies. The story is atmospheric as well as empowering. Recommended historical fiction, especially for book lovers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book. Being from Kentucky, it is neat to read about the hills of eastern KY. In her first book about the horseback librarians, after reading the book it made me research more about the program that was the start of the modern day book mobile. In this second book, she also introduces the horseback nurses which is also a commendable profession. The strong female characters of the park ranger and the mine worker were also introduced and I am hoping her future books will delve more into these characters. The way of life in eastern Kentucky is like a different country in some ways. I am a big nature lover and I enjoyed her description of the flowers and wildlife throughout the story. The quote towards the end by the judge was one of my favorite literary quips in the book. If she comes out with another book in this series, I will definitely read it.

Kim Michele Richardson did it again with THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER. A wonderful continuation of the life and times of the people of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. Discrimination of any kind is horrid, but when you separate people who love each other, who are kind, never bother anyone and have a beautiful daughter who they must leave behind because of their different colors makes a beautiful, bittersweet story. I hope this tale continues. Books are so important in our lives. They take us places and help us see more life. That is what the daughter of the book woman continues to accomplish as her mother and father are in prison. And accomplish it she does.

Really great read. Just finished The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and was thrilled to be able to read The Book Woman’s Daughter right away. Richardson does a wonderful job portraying the people of Kentucky. A book that continues to promote reading and really makes it clear how much people wanted the books has to be a fan favorite for readers. I look forward to following Richardson as she continues writing and look forward to reading her earlier books.

The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

Honey is just coming into her own when her whole world is turned upside down due to backwards laws made by men. With help from her community, can Honey save herself and win her freedom?

Kim Michele Richardson does it again with this beautiful sequel to the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. What I love about her books is there's the perfect mix of everything: adrenalin pumping moments, love, education, coming-of-age, and female empowerment. Lyrical and meaningful--one of the best representations of the true heart and soul of my home, Kentucky.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.

Book Woman's Daughter goes on sale 5/3/22 so mark your calendar 📅!

4.0 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Kim Michele Richardson, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. I had heard SO much about the first book and was pleased that I loved it - I am one of those readers who doesn't always like the most popular books. Historical fiction is what I love and this was perfect. It was a great continuation of the original story while adding in a whole new cast of characters and stories.

The biggest thing that was the takeaway from this book is that we really haven't learned a lot from our history. We are still making the same mistakes that they did in 1953 when this book is set. However, this novel really did give me hope.

RECOMMEND - If you have read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, then this is for you when it comes out. If you haven't read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, read it first and then read this book!!

I absolutely loved this book and I'm so grateful to have received the opportunity to read it. It was raw and beautiful. Honey is an incredible, inspiring heroine who I won't forget anytime soon. I will gladly recommend this book to friends and family. Thank you!

Those of you who loved The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek will be just as taken with this new release that comes out May 3. This one focuses on Cussy’s daughter Honey who is now sixteen. You will get a little backstory of what has happened since the last book and you’ll get to revisit with a couple characters but you’ll also be delighted to get to know Honey and the new characters introduced.

Following the success of her first book in this series and spurred on by her fans, Kentucky author Kim Michele Richardson’s second book, The Book Woman's Daughter, will arrive in stores in May. Cussy Mary, the beloved book woman, takes a backseat in this story as the protagonist is her daughter Honey Mary-Angeline Lovett.

When Honey’s parents are arrested for violating miscegenation laws, 16-year-old Honey must survive without them in the rugged Kentucky mountains or else be caught and sent away to the orphans’ home or to the House of Reform, neither a kind option. With a lawyer’s help, Honey can stay in Troublesome Creek with a guardian designated by her parents.

Blue-skinned like her biological parents and Cissy Mary because of a genetic condition called methemoglobinemia, Honey can cover up the blue with socks and gloves, as those are the only areas on her body that turn blue. While those who know her love her, Honey is an outcast among others.

When Honey’s guardian Loretta passes away, Honey decides she must show the courts that she can take care of herself. Turns out, the old packhorse library route is to be started up again, and with Cussy Mary’s faithful mule Junia, Honey secures the job delivering books to those living remotely in the Appalachians.

The husband of one of her patrons soon proves to be the villain of the story as he not only runs Honey off his property, threatening her so she does not bring reading material to his abused wife, he also preys on two women in Troublesome Creek, one a miner working to support herself and her child after the death of her husband and the other a troubled young girl with a pet rooster.

When the state challenges Honey’s status as someone her age trying to become emancipated, the decision for Honey to be on her own or sentenced to the House of Reform until she is 21 is in the hands of a judge.

Kim Michele Richardson, best known for The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, brings history to life as she is inspired by both the “blue people” of Kentucky and the brave packhorse librarians who contributed to increased literacy levels among those isolated in the hills.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting February 1, 2022.

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was one of my favorite reads back in 2019, so the minute I saw the ARC for The Book Woman's Daughter, I knew I had to read it.

Much like the original, the book does not disappoint. Cussy and Jackson have been settled for years, raising their adopted daughter, Honey. When they are sent to prison for violating the terms of their probation on miscegenation laws, Honey returns to Troublesome Creek, resuming her mother's role as a packhorse librarian, delivering books and hope to rural Kentuckians, while fighting to ensure she can stay free to live her own life.

For fans of the first book, it makes a wonderful sequel, yet it could stand alone for those just meeting the characters. Definitely my first 5 star read of the year.

I absolutely loved this story, the follow up to the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek! Although I did read the previous novel, I don't think you'd necessarily need to have read that book to enjoy this one.

In this book, we are following Honey Lovett, the teenaged daughter of Cussy Mary Carter-Lovett. in Appalachia in the 1950's. When Honey's parents are arrested, Honey goes to live with her former babysitter, Retta, back in Troublesome Creek. It's not long before Honey is on her own. Honey understands that she needs to become self-sufficent in order to stay out of the work camp for orphans, so she takes a job as a pack horse librarian, like her mother before her.

Widely appreciated by the people in remote area, Honey soon has a full book delivery route. Honey's story is a good coming of age story, at times heartbreaking and other times heartwarming. I really did love this book and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fiction book.

I received an advance copy of this book through the publishers and #NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the story of the book woman and loved this way to continue the story. I look forward to more in the series!

A sequel that takes you right back to the tone, setting and characters you loved in the first book is a treasure! The Book Woman's Daughter reminds us of the story of Cussy Mary and her husband Jackson and helps establish a now 16 year-old Honey Lovett, a character every bit as strong and resilient as her mother.

This novel takes us on Honey's journey to free herself from the child dependency system in Kentucky where she is in danger of being sent to the Children's Prison. We meet a rich cast of "sisters", all strong Kentucky women dealing with a patriarchal system the best ways they know how to do.

The mood, language, and character development of this sequel rivals the original and I did not want to put it down, so engrossed was I in Honey's situation and solution. You will love this story when you are able to get a copy on May 3, 2022.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Absolutely loved this sequel to the BWTC! I loved reading about all the same characters 16 years later with a few new ones thrown in. This time period and subject matter is so fascinating and Richardson is such a great storyteller!

Wow! Kim Richardson has done it again. This book was so good. I loved hearing about the characters in the first book and the story continuing.

This follow-up to The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek doesn’t disappoint in the least. Cussy Mary is no longer a packhorse librarian but is facing prison because she and her husband have been found together. Their interracial marriage is against the law in Kentucky and both face imprisonment. Miscegenation laws do not distinguish between what categorizes one as non-White so Cussy, who’s Blue because of a medical condition, is the same as any other “colored” person.

Honey is Cussy’s daughter and under age so the government is prepared to send her to live in a juvenile detention center and forced to do hard labor. With the help of others, Honey tries to avoid the government’s plan but her efforts to stay out the clutches of the authorities, becomes even more complicated. Luckily the local library is looking for help with their outreach program. They want to send librarians out into the hills with books for their remote patrons. So Honey follows in her mother’s footsteps and brings reading materials to folks in the far reaches of the hills.

Like Cussy, Honey runs into some opposition but most folk are appreciative of her providing reading material. These are people who would never have the opportunity to procure books and articles for themselves. In a life of drudgery that’s filled with hard work and little else, books, magazines and newspapers are a welcome respite.

The government once again becomes the heavy in this book. They are determined to prosecute any who are different – even someone who is blue colored. They perform horrific procedures to prevent the spread of blueness and they are prepared to treat an innocent girl as a hardened criminal, because of her familial connections.

Not only is Honey a loveable girl but her friends will leave an indelible mark on readers. Those who support Honey show courage and great kindness. This sequel is as fascinating as the first book and will remind us why we fell in love with the brave women who delivered reading materials to so many. It reinforces the idea that reading is a gift that entertains as well as instructs. But there’s also the importance of friends that makes life worthwhile. A heartwarming and delightful book that will touch all who read it.

I had a hard time getting into the story at first, but found it almost as good as it’s predecessor. Well-written historical novel with strong female characters.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.