Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of The Measure of Silence by Elizabeth Langston!

My honest review is freely provided in return for the kindness by NetGalley and the author/publisher in providing me with this book to review.

This is a novel that book clubs will love. There’s so much to talk about from the relationships between the characters, to the choices made, and the eventual outfall of it all. The attitudes of the 1960’s was well executed because I remember that marry your own kind meant within the Catholic or Christian faiths and not mixing between the two.

Between the parallel storylines, I will admit that Mariah’s story from the 1960’s was the more interesting one. I recall when JFK was assassinated, and how very sad the event was. Seeing the casket on the streets of DC is one vivid memory from the television coverage so her story resonated with me. I can understand the trauma of being there to observe it. For people who remember the event, this will definitely touch off a flood of memories about how this event touch your life.

The investigating the granddaughters are left to do presents the examination of decisions and motivations which was a nice touch to the story. Some in depth thinking leads them on their path toward the answers they seek. I really enjoyed this book.

The Measure of Silence is essentially about two (practically estranged) sisters who are given a bunch of photos, documents, and home movie reels and are tasked with finding out a big family secret after their grandfather has died. The story was easy to get sucked into but the reason the secret was kept secret felt a little over the top.
It’s definitely a good palate cleanser of a book between heavier reads.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for an ARC of The Measure of Silence for an honest review.

I was drawn into this book when I read the synopsis. The assassination of JFK and a family secret pulled me right in. The book is told in dual POV and timelines. Raine and Jessica are given a task from their recently deceased grandpa to learn their family history. He provides three boxes that include information for them to learn family secrets.

Do the secrets tear this family apart or bring them closer together? This story had some beautiful parts and heartbreaking parts. It deals with PTSD, post partum depression and other topics.

This book starts off very intensely right off the bat as the main characters are preparing for the best day of their lives. Instead of ending their day with a wedding as planned, they become witnesses to one of the most horrific moments in presidential history, the assassination of JFK. That one day forever changes the lives of those in attendance and also the lives of generations to come.

The story switches back and forth between past and present day and shows how secrets kept in the past are impacting the lives of those in the present time even many years later. Everything comes to a head when the truth finally comes out!

Overall, I enjoyed this one but it was hard not to be frustrated that so much could have been solved by a simple conversation. While I understand it was a lot more nuanced than that and there were reasons for all parties to hold to their secrecy, I couldn't really believe that people would hold these secrets for so long.

Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. This book is available now!

I didn't care for the premise - grandpa (and mom) maybe could have maybe told the girls what's up at some point instead of saving this big family secret for them to figure out. The two protagonists (and supporting characters) are written in very stereotypical, one-dimensional ways and never become fully fleshed out 3D human beings. Unfortunately I just never got into this one.

The Measure of Silence by Elizabeth Langston is a historical fiction novel that doesn't shy away from tough topics such as trauma, grief and mental illness. The characters were realistic and the premise was interesting. This was my first book from Ms Langston but I can assure you that it will not be my last.

A moment in history that changed the world but also changed a family. The story follows two sisters, who's relationship has become distant, on a quest to find out the truth kept from the family. During their search they cause tension within the family but eventually, it brings everyone closer together.

I love a book set over two time periods, and I love exploring how people's actions can have an impact on the future, so this was a great read for me. I do feel the secret could have been more dramatic, but I loved the tension between the family. Would definitely recommend it.

Two sisters uncover many secrets about their parents and grandparents after their grandfather dies and leaves them the task of piecing together the clues and lies. Lots of issues to unpack here in this emotional novel.

4/5 ⭐️

This it’s a emotional/wrenching read, full of grief, secrets and family drama. I found this book at Netgalley and when I saw the cover and synopsis it got me and cannot resisted to request it. When I started reading , it was nonstop. Definitely it’s one of the best reads of the year. There are characters with disabilities, mental health conditions, and more. It’s a clean historical fiction that will transport you to that time.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity of reading the ARC of this amazing story.

This was a really intriguing story! Heartbreaking throughout but so interesting and hard to put down! I really enjoyed the dual time lines, the sisters relationships and their struggles were relatable. The portrayal of Alzheimers was well done and overall I couldn't put this down once I started! If you like historical fiction with a but of mystery mixed in, this is the story for you!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Elizabeth Langston for the advanced copy to review.

The Measure of Silence is a story of loss, grief, family, secrets, and finding a way to build your life again. At the core, this book is about second chances and relationships.

Set in two time periods, Raine and Jessica are given a task of unearthing a family secret by their deceased beloved grandfather. Mariah is their grandmother, and she has dementia. The story is of Mariah and her life. Mariah has gone through a lot, and will the granddaughters understand and find in themselves to forgive their family members for keeping these secrets?

This story just broke my heart, and it will take some time for me to recover from the grief. Mariah's struggle to come out of terrible situations is endearing, and her struggle in the 60s as a woman is heartbreaking. To witness a horrible strategy, your own life affected by it like a domino effect and see it tumbling without any support is devastating on so many levels. I wanted more, to be honest. I wanted Kenny's viewpoint. I didn't want this book to end. Be prepared to cry because you will.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley, for this book. All opinions are my own.

CW: PTSD, grief, postpartum depression, child abandonment, description of physical assault, a historic tragedy, family secrets, loss

Overall, I really enjoyed THE MEASURE OF SILENCE. The dual timeline format works well, and each of the POV characters provides an entertaining perspective.

The chapters from Mariah's POV are a little bit juvenile, both the character's viewpoint and the writing itself. However, I suppose this may have been intentional to reflect her youth and naive outlook.

Raine and Jessica can be a bit stereotypical at times, more like cardboard characters than real people. But for the most part this didn't bother me.

This is a good story that keeps the reader turning pages, and I appreciate the exploration of family secrets and how they can impact future generations. I was eager to find out what would happen next, and despite my minor quibbles above, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I will look forward to more from this author.

4.5 ⭐️ The Measure of Silence springboards off of the events that happened on November 22, 1963 in Dealey Plaza, Texas, taking the reader on a deep dive into three generations. The struggles, heartbreak, family complications, and perseverance that follows. The author did not shy away from hard topics, but approached them in a gracious manner that did not make it seem overwhelming. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time and one I would love to read again.

Thank you kindly to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advance copy of The Measure of Silence in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Measure of Silence
By: Elizabeth Langston

Genre:
Historical fiction, Women’s fiction,

Red Flags:
Infidelity, Depression, PTSD, Characters with Disabilities, Dementia, Loss,

Summary:
1963- Mariah and Hal are young and in love. On their way to the wedding, Mariah and Hal make a quick stop as President and Mrs. Kennedy’s motorcade stops…and the rest is history. Mariah and Hal embark on a lifetime filled with trauma. Sixty years later, Raine and Jessica are mourning the loss of their grandfather when they receive an unexpected gift, a key to a hope chest filled with family secrets.

Review:
Elizabeth Langston creates a storyline from two different time periods and multiple points of view. This novel is easy to follow, and handles very heavy topics (listed above) in a careful and understanding manner. The overall themes of loss, love, forgiveness and healing are my favorite highlights of Elizabeth Langston’s writing. The story left me wishing for a more personal connection between the main characters and the Kennedy’s, but overall still a great historical read. I can't wait for the next novel written by this author!

Thank you to Elizabeth Langston, Lake Union Publishing, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#themeasureofsilence
#elizabethlangston
#lakeunionpublishing
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions

4.25⭐️

The Measure of Silence is an epic tale that weaves together history, complicated family dynamics, dealing with mental health issues and ptsd and how they shape us, and various women’s issues. I enjoyed it enough to read it more or less in one go, but had somewhat mixed feelings on the resolution.

Thank you Elizabeth Langston, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is an enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction. It starts off with Mariah witnessing the assaisination of John F Kennedy. It jumps forward sixty years to two sisters trying to figure out secrets of their family history.
Many thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Wow. I loved everything about this book. I’m a huge historical fiction reader and have always been obsessed with the JFK assassination. What would it have been like to be there and the trauma it holds for this who were there. Sisters Jessica and Raine have been left clues on their family’s past when their grandfather passed away. I loved following the clues, I thoroughly enjoyed the dual timeline to the 1960’s. I love that the author did her research on this book which added so much more depth. This books does deal with mental health issues and PTSD. You never know what is happening in someone else’s life. This is a good reminder of that.
Thank you Elizabeth Langston, Lake Union Publishing, and Netgalley for the honor of reading an ARC of this masterpiece. .

Emotional read about two lives changed forever after witnessing the assassination of JFK. So many secrets revealed as two sisters dig to find the truth about their family. Papa's last request of the sisters is especially hard when no one wants to talk about the past. Very realistic view of the 1960's. Recommended.

This is such a profound story of family discoveries and trauma. It starts out slow, but by the beginning of the second half, I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know what happened to this family. I think the author did a great job discussing mental health and how trauma affects generations of a family.

Readers of this novel should be aware that there are depictions of the JFK assassination, substance abuse, PTSD, physical and cognitive disabilities, and other mental health struggles. This is a great read for Disability Pride/Awareness month.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC and for the opportunity to review this book. I will post my review on Instagram by or before the publish date (@ellie.reads.a.lot).