Dramatic historical fiction that is not for the faint-hearted. Be warned; this is a harsh, confronting, realistic yet thoroughly gripping tale of mistaken identity which leads our protagonist to find herself stranded in the worst possible environment: The Willowbrook State School on Staten Island – an institution for people with disabilities. The story seemed Dickensian in its depiction, yet it took place a century later, in the 1970s. It shares parallels with <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.</i>
The story shines a light on the abuse and exploitation of inmates by “care-workers” and the indifference of the public (and parents): out of sight, out of mind.
The story will remain in your thoughts long after you finish reading. A recommended YA read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ellen Marie Wiseman’s newest book, The Lost Girls of Willowbrook, being released August 30, 2022 is a very difficult read. It is also a very difficult book for me to review for several reasons. The first reason is that Wiseman is one of my favorite authors, therefore not rating this book five stars is hard for me. The second reason is that the topic of this book deserves five stars. That being said I am only able to give the book 3.5 stars.

Willowbrook State School on Staten Island was home to 6,000 disabled, unwanted children who were abused beyond anyones imagination. It operated this way from 1947 until 1987. It’s incomprehensible how so many doctors, nurses and staff members could allow such horrendous abuse to go on for 40 years. Some of the most unethical, medical experiments were performed on children at this institution.

My biggest problem with the book is that it was a very serious topic that was told a little too simplistically. I felt like I was reading a young adult novel instead of a serious historical fiction book. That being said I would still recommend this book. I always like when I learn something new and I did not know anything about this State school.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great read! This story kept me on the edge of my chair the whole time. I read it in less than two days! 4 stars- thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

Sage was told her twin sister died from pneumonia, but finds out she was sent to the Willowbrook State School and is now missing. When Sage goes to the school to help search for her sister, she is mistaken for her twin and kept at the school against her will. Sage needs to find out what happened to her sister and protect herself from the horrific abuses that are taking place at the school. This book gives insight into history as the school is based on the actual Willowbrook School on Staten Island, an institution for mentally disabled children that was exposed in the 1970's for its absolutely horrific conditions. The abuse in this book is not easy to read about, but I found it a compelling read as it involves a mystery and explores determination and survival.

All her life Sage has believed that her twin sister, Rosemary died after a severe bout of pneumonia…at least that was what her parents told her. Six years after Rosemary's death, Sage overhears a conversation between her stepfather and his friend, discussing the fact that Rosemary has gone missing from Willowbrook; the state-run facility for the mentally ill with its own myth by the name of Cropsey who wanders the grounds killing the patients.

In a bid to help find her sister, Rosemary takes a trip to Willowbrook and wants to apologize for not going to see her. As she wonders what her sister has been doing this whole time, she fails to pay attention to the fact that her purse has been stolen - along with any identifying information. When she arrives at Willowbrook, those in charge, unknowing that Sage exists, assume she is Rosemary and immediately throws her into a room and sedate her. When she awakens, she sees the horrors inflicted on her sister day after day for the last six years and feels even worse at not knowing she was sent there.

When it is discovered that Rosemary was murdered and Sage is finally released from the facility, the hunt begins for the killer who has been haunting Staten Island and has made the Willowbrook campus his hunting ground.

Willowbrook was exposed by Geraldo Rivera in 1972 when he and a news crew into the facility and showed the world how understaffed the hospital was as well as the conditions of the patients who were suffering from lack of care. This book was well researched and the first few chapters were very hard to read as the author describes what the ward looked, felt, and smelled like; it made me shudder many times over.

Wow. This book is so good! I will say that it is not for the faint of heart. This is a historical fiction novel that depicts the infamous Willowbrook State School on Staten Island.

Sage Winters was led to believe that her identical twin sister died six years ago. She just found out that was not only false, but that her sister was institutionalized all those years ago at Willowbrook State School and has now gone missing. Sage heads to Willowbrook to hopefully aid in the search, but when she gets there she is mistaken for her sister and forced into the institution where she must now survive the atrocities thrown at her. How will she manage this when everyone around her believes her to be delusional?

There is a lot of really heavy, gruesome, gory content in this book. The fact that a lot of this book is based in truth sent me down the rabbit hole researching Willowbrook and I have to say that this book was a decently good representation of what happened there. Obviously, Sage and many of the other characters are fictional, but the things they endured were not. Some timelines were skewed to fit the author’s story.

I was definitely drawn into the story! I was able to predict where things were going toward the end and I did find the story to be pretty repetitive in certain instances, but overall this was a really interesting read!

Sage Winters has believed for the past six years that her twin sister Rosemary was dead, but when she overhears her stepfather's conversation that Rosemary is missing, she learns that truth that her sister has actually been living in an institution called Willowbrook. Determined to help find her sister Sage travels to Willowbrook only to find that when she arrives the staff mistake her for her missing twin sister and Sage soon finds herself a patient of Willowbrook.

Sage endures a lot over the course of the book. After finding out she was lied to about her sister all she wanted to do was help find and reconnect with Rosemary. Sage desperately tries to convince the staff they made a mistake and constantly tries to tell them who she really is, but the staff never believe her and threaten punishment if she doesn't behave. Sage witnesses and experiences firsthand the abuse and deplorable conditions the patients had to endure while living at Willowbrook.

Lost Girls of Willowbrook mixes the events that occur at Willowbrook with the events of a serial killer, all woven into the story.

I've enjoyed all the books by Wiseman that I've read so far and was looking forward to this latest release, which did not disappoint. I've never heard about the institute Willowbrook and was sad to read about the abuse of so many and how it was allowed to happen. While there are hard scenes to read, particularly the abuse of vulnerable patients, this was an enjoyable read.

With this book, Wiseman brings a dark story of the way people with disabilities were treated in institutions up through the '80's in the United States, to light. I had only a little bit of prior knowledge about Willowbrook and through the carefully crafted story of Sage and Rosemary, my heart is a little bit broken, but I also appreciated the way in which this historical piece of fiction was written. Sage finds out that her twin sister hasn't died at a young age, like her (now deceased) mother told her, but in fact has been institutionalized due to her mental issues. Rosemary is currently missing and Sage is devastated. At sixteen, she ventures alone to Willowbrook, to try and help in the search for her identical twin, when she is mistaken for Rosemary and committed. The atrocious treatment of inpatients in this facility is described through the experiences that Sage has. Adding to the plot of the story is the mystery of where is Rosemary and is there a serial killer on the loose. This is a heartbreaking, deep and emotional read but in true Wiseman fashion, she takes a piece of American history and tells the story using research as her guide. I couldn't put this down and won't soon forget it. This is a VERY emotional, descriptive read and may be triggering to some readers. Thank you netgally for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook is a gut churning, heart wrenching and jarring story based on Willowbrook State School on Staten Island. Until fairly recently it was where unwanted children were left to rot at the hands of untrained and unskilled abusers by callous parents and guardians, yet others took their children there truly believing that it indeed was a school for those with mental disabilities and an excellent option. But the public did not find out what went on behind closed doors until it was exposed by Geraldo Rivera. It was not a school but more like the worst of the worst prisons where experiments and all kinds of abuse and even murder occurred. Reading was a sensory overload experience...I could almost taste, hear, see, smell and feel the deep despair, the quaking fear of Nurse Vic, shouting and whimpering, punching and clawing, ice-cold showers, the pit, fetid excrement and runny gruel, restraints and wooden crates. Some of the staff members did care about the welfare of the children but the institution was so massive (it housed thousands of inmates, not "residents" as they had the public believe) that they were in the tiny minority.

Twins Sage and Rosemary were very close and after Rosemary died, Sage was grief stricken. Her mother was killed in an accident and her step father was indifferent to her. Sage basically raised herself. When at sixteen she overheard the stunning news that her sister was indeed alive but missing from Willowbrook she went on a mission to find answers. However, her life-changing search went very wrong and she discovered far more than she had ever imagined possible.

Author Ellen Marie Wiseman writes with a crushing haunting quality that caused me stress throughout. How she captured such detail is testament not only to her copious research but also her skill as a writer. Though distressing to read, such stories are more than just stories but reality to thousands of people who were wrongfully held at Willowbrook and therefore extremely important to be aware of. That's what makes it especially dreadful. These precious lives were and are human beings. This book is not for everyone but I am glad I read it and learned more about the subject.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this engrossing, difficult and compelling book.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of The Lost Girls of Willowbrook. The reason I read historical fiction is to learn something. This book was a tough read because it deals with a real institution and exposes the mistreatment of the patients. There were a lot of descriptions of the patients and what they endured, so much that I ended up skimming because it was so painful to read. I liked the serial killer angle but it was pretty obvious who it was even though I didn’t guess the whole story. The writing was great and I appreciate the research the author did. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This book is fiction but the horrors that went on at the real Willowbrook are not. That's what makes The Lost Girls of Willowbrook so interesting. While it is not a true story, you feel like it could be.

As the book begins, Sage finds out her sister has gone missing from Willowbrook school so she goes there to help find her. Everything picks up speed quickly. Ellen Marie Wiseman wastes no time in getting to the plot and chaos quickly ensues. Sage immediately learns about the disgusting reality of life at Willowbrook and it gets worse from there.

I really thought this would just be a book about a girl looking for her sister but it turned out to be a lot more. It is a story I didn't expect although once it got going I did find some of it to be predictable. I also felt it did drag out a bit in a few places so that's why I gave it 3 stars. If you like suspense you will find this an interesting read.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This book was good. Held my attention all the way through. I’d definitely recommend it to my family and friends

This book was a bit disturbing and not for the squeamish. The author does not hold back in describing the abuses that take place in residential "school" for the disabled. More heartbreaking is that it's based on an actual facility that existed. Proceed with caution.

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman is another book that I devoured in less than a day. It is once again proof of what an incredible writer Ellen is.

What happens in this story reads out like a horror novel in so many ways, most of all because it is based on a real place where the residents were treated in a sickeningly terrible way. I didn't know anything about Willowbrook, so this was definitely an educational experience. There's also a serial killer mystery within this story, but that aspect is revealed at the very beginning.

My heart hurt for everything Sage went through and I was terrified for her! It was so frustrating that no one would listen to or believe her. The whole situation was so traumatizing overall. Ellen's strong use of detail made it easy to see, hear, and smell (unfortunately) everything that was going on at Willowbrook.

My biggest concern was that the story was very similar to What She Left Behind (also by Ellen) in some ways. There were enough differences to keep the books from overlapping though. The story wrapped up neatly, but I wanted that for Sage after everything she went through.

This harrowing and haunting read will stick with you for a long time.

Movie casting suggestions:
Sage: Sadie Munroe
Alan: Marc Menchaca
Eddie: Colton Ryan
Wayne: Jimmy Tatro
Dr. Baldwin: Michael Shannon
Marla: Tichina Arnold

As a fan of EMW I was anxious to dive into The Lost Girls of Willowbrook. The story of Willowbrook State School on which this novel is based is shocking and horrific. EMW does a great job of portraying the facts which are very disturbing, and it's a book that will long remain with me. The premise of the story is good, the writing is excellent, but at times it felt like I was reading a YA novel which I think hurt the overall story. This however will not deter me from reading more from her.

This is a hard book to read, very disturbing, even at the beginning her story was hard and it just got more so as it went on. It could have used a lot of tightening up to make it a strong story. I started skimming through pages as it was more of the same.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman is historical fiction. It's gritty, heartbreaking and not for the faint of heart. The book is loosely based on actual events of 1970 at Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, New York. Wiseman shares shocking details of how the mental institution was exposed as a "dumping ground for unwanted children".

Synopsis:
Even though Rosemary and Sage are identical twins, Sage understands Rosemary has episodes that the family works through. Sage and Rosemary share a close bond that remains even after Rosemary's sudden death at a young age. At sixteen, Sage discovers her family's secret. Rosemary is not dead, she was placed at Willowbrook State School. Sage makes a secret trip to find Rosemary. What happens at Willowbrook when Sage gets mistaken for Rosemary? Will her life be forever changed?

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook reminds me of American Horror Story. It is a riveting novel that may not be for everyone due to the trigger warnings. It is powerful and unforgettable. While the setting and characters are challenging to read about, you can't put the book down. Roughly adapted from true events, it will give you nightmares!

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman is available on August 30th. (4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books, for allowing me to review this powerful book. Your kindness is appreciated.

I was aware of Willowbrook because of American Horror Story: Asylum, which took place at the same location. I had also seen some of Geraldo Rivera's footage from his exposé. I was sure I would enjoy a novel based on this story as well. The Lost Girls of Willowbrook was such an exhilarating read. It was so well paced. I read it in two days--it was that good! I think part of what's so interesting about it was it is my worst nightmare. Sage is on a mission to find her sister, who she believes has been dead for many years, but new information leads her to believe she is possibly at Willowbrook. Sage decides to make the journey to Willowbrook School to look for her sister, and is met with much more than she bargained for.
I liked the way the author, Ellen Marie Wisewan, interwove the story of Willowbrook with other era appropriate plots, and I appreciated her attention to detail and telling the story of how the disabled community was treated not very long ago without sugarcoating anything. There were just so many good stories happening here. I loved this book, and think true crime fans, mystery and suspense readers, and people wanting to know more about Willowbrook in general would love this book. Yes, the author takes liberties with the details, but the book feels true to the real experience of Willowbrook. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Let me preface this review by saying that The Lost Girls of Willowbrook is not for the faint of heart. If you’re on the fence about reading this, might I suggest a quick Google search of ‘Willowbrook State School’? The pictures and news headlines will likely turn your stomach. This book is based on the very real, very infamous Staten Island, New York, mental institution that, for decades, served as a “dumping ground for the broken and insane and unwanted.”

Willowbrook housed thousands of children and adults from 1947-1987. While the institution was called a “school” the only children who received any form of education were those living on the “experiment ward.” And yes, that's exactly what you’re thinking it is.

I usually don’t include much of a synopsis in my reviews, but I think this one calls for a pretty big heads up. The Lost Girls of Willowbrook tells the story of 16-year-old Sage Winters who, like many kids in the early 1970s, grew up hearing about Willowbrook State School. It was the stuff of ghost stories and playground rumors; the place parents threatened to send their misbehaving children. When Sage learns that her identical twin sister, Rosemary, has run away from the school, she’s shocked. Sage had no idea her sister had been committed; her parents told her that Rosemary died of pneumonia six years ago.

When her deadbeat stepfather refuses to care, Sage sets out alone to find her missing sister. What follows is a harrowing and heartbreaking tale of an incredibly brave young woman learning about the extent of human depravity. I have to say, Sage is one of the strongest characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. This was my first novel by Ellen Marie Wiseman, but it won’t be my last. The writing is incredible and it’s clear that Wiseman has done her research. It is a fast-paced and suspenseful story that historical fiction lovers will definitely want to check out.

As someone who works in the psychiatric field, this was a book I knew I needed to read. The exposure of the horrors of Willowbrook in 1971 led to new policies and protections for children and adults in the United States and helped to create the patient-centered care focus we strive for in mental health treatment today. While we still have a long way to go, it's encouraging to see how far we've come.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to be an early reader.