The title sucked me in right away, and to be honest I thought this was going to be more of a mystery or at least suspenseful in nature. It was none of those things. In fact it was just a tragic heartbreaking story of what happened to young girls during the Baby Scoop Era (starting after the end of World War II and ending in the early 1970s, lots of unwed pregnancies and a high rate of adoption, many homes were set up where girls could be sent off to birth their babies often forced to give them up for adoption so they could return to their life without the "shame")
When I shifted my perspective a focused more on the reality of the situation our main character Lorraine was facing I better understood the book, than when I had my mystery/suspense noggin on.

Lorraine the "good girl" was on the road to becoming valedvictorian (obviously I was not the validvictorian in my class as I cannot spell it despite my numerous retype attempts) and then off to college to study the stars and moon. She is even dating the boy her parents want her to, naivee and innocent she makes a bad decision with the right guy which turns out to be the choice that alters her life forever. Her parents are mortified by her situation and ship her off to one of these homes for young women.

The story unfolds piece by piece of Lorraine documenting her time there. Church not only describes the physical burden the pregnancy brought, but also the intense psychological and emotional games the house mother played with the girls. The girls were vulnerable, isolated from their families and had very little pleasures in life.
I found myself wanting to run to wherever this home was, fling open the door and surround her with loving caring people. Her whole life Lorraine had been treated with such a cold shoulder she did not know love or kindness.
There were moments of hope for Lorraine, but in the end seeing how her experience at the home changed her and her concept of love was stunning.

Now, all that being said, when I finished the book I ached for Lorraine, which is exactly what Church I believe was trying to convey in this novel. The truth behind the Baby Scoop surely is unimaginable. earlier this. year I read The House of Eve by Sadequa Johnson (Do your self a favor and read that ASAP) which also addresses unwed women being sent to homes so their babies could be given for adoption , I enjoyed Johnsons take on the matter more because I liked the characters and plot . This book was a bit long winded and at moments had strong feminist opinions that I do not agree with. This book does not wrap up nice and pretty, there is still some meat left to chew for sure. I do not like how authors, this one included, make Christians out to be. Always stiff, ruthless, hypocrits.

I am giving this book an overall good rating just because I am surprised at how deep to the core Church was able to get me to feel. I am not an emotional person, but whoa, it was a heavy weight. I enjoyed the plot quite a bit and hope to read more novels by this author in the future. I read her debut author and enjoyed Carolina Girl, she is clearly a great writer.

Thank you Megan Church and Netgalley for this advanced copy read of The Girls We Sent Away. I was not influenced or paid for my honest opinion of this book. I look forward to this book being published in 2024.

This is the second time Meagan Church has broken my heart. If anything, this book hurt me more than her first novel. Lorraine is the perfect girl-next-door in every way. She has big dreams for her future and a boyfriend who, if he isn't the love of her life, is at least stable and loving. When she winds up pregnant, however, her perfect life comes crashing down. This book turns a spotlight on maternity homes during the 60s. This was something I'd heard of, but never knew much about. Church writes a set of very flawed but sympathetic characters, and details some of the most tragic and heartbreaking circumstances young girls ever had to endure. I finished this book in only a few days, completely engrossed by the story and the superb writing. I highly recommend this beautiful book to lovers of historical fiction, especially focused on women's history.

I absolutely loved this book even though the subject matter was difficult to digest at times. The story is about a high school senior and a pregnancy that her parents wish to cover up. A similar thing happened to my mother before I was born so this book was relatable to what she's discussed with me. The way Church wrote the characters and drew similarities from circumstances occurring at the same time was inventive. I appreciated how the emotions flowed from one chapter to the next. I couldn't put the book down. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

I found this book so good that I had a hard time putting it down. This was a story of a young girl who seemingly had it all until one night changed her life forever. You will have to keep reminding yourself that it takes place in 1964 or you will get frustrated with the main character Lorraine. I would have rated it five stars if we could have seen the outcome of Lorraine's life in the future. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Girls We Sent Away is poignant, riveting and deeply moving. I was totally enraptured. At the heart of the plot is the 'Baby Scoop Era", a dark part of history not often spoken of, and most would prefer left buried. Meagan Church's story telling solicits empathy for her characters while making you question how things were dealt with in the past compared to how we currently handle unwed mothers. It was easy to love Lorraine and feel rage at how she was treated by all; even her parents, especially after finding out she had actually followed in their footsteps. Considering the trials women have suffered, and even thrived despite how we have been treated is a true testament to our triumph.

Switching POVs between chapters, and sometimes within paragraphs was a little off putting for me and made it harder to follow. It would have been nice if this was done with clear delineations. However, the story was so rich it didn't deter me from continuing till the end.

I'll happily add Meagan Church to my list of 'best authors to follow/read'. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for this ARC. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

I read this novel in a day!
Oh how times have changed!
In the sixties, young girls finding themselves with child, were hidden and sent to deliver their infants in a cold, hard hospital after spending time in a facility for unwed mothers to be.
When Lorraine, a senior in high school, learns she is pregnant, she can only wonder if her dreams will ever come true. Can she graduate school and go to college?
She enters a home for unwed mothers to deliver her baby and "Move forward with her life".
This is facilitated by her parents who are so disappointed in their only child. There were so many plans and goals for their daughter.
Will Lorraine take the advice of her Mom, Dad and people at this home to deliver the child and then be done with this "problem"?
I remember (without dating myself) these days back then and what a horror it was to find a friend or family member "in this way". This story is depicted so very well and well done!
Thank you to @Netgalley and to @Sourcebook Landmark for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

It’s 1964 and Lorraine Delford is pregnant. She’s not supposed to be. She’s supposed to be the first female Valedictorian of her high school class. She’s supposed to be preparing to go to college to study science. She’s hoping to fulfill her dreams of becoming an astronaut. But she’s pregnant and, in 1964, there’s only one solution. Hiding in the back seat of their car, Lorraine is driven to a home for unwed mothers by her ashamed father. This will be her home until she gives birth. “Home” implies warmth and caring but Lorraine finds none here. There are chores, lessons in table setting and loneliness. After three months, Lorraine gives birth to a daughter who she loves. The baby is taken from her and put up for adoption and Lorraine returns to her parents’ house to resume her life.

The Girls We Sent Away makes you wish for another ending but there were no choices for Lorraine in 1964. Today she would have been allowed to graduate with her class. College and single motherhood would be options. We no longer live in the Baby Scoop Era when young women were forced to give up their babies. All of this is too late for Lorraine Delford, a vivid character who will haunt you long after you read the final page of this remarkable novel. S stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Meagan Church for this ARC.

The Girls We Sent Away is a quick read and a good example of historical fiction. In 1964, 17 year old Lorraine’s life is unfolding just the way she planned it. She is the first female lifeguard at the municipal pool, she is on track to be named valedictorian her upcoming senior year and she has a sweet, if somewhat boring steady boyfriend. Clint, the boyfriend, is leaving for college and he plans a special date for Lorraine. The date ends in her losing virginity. Clint leaves for college and she starts her senior year and finds herself pregnant.
Themes of incest, date rape, abandonment and redemption.

3.5 stars
We are back in the 1960s. Lorraine is a really smart girl; she is about to be the valedictorian. But then Clint, her boyfriend, gets her pregnant. This is absolutely not done, and next to the fact that Lorraine now has to give up her school career, Clint also decides that he did not sign up for this and leaves Lorraine behind. Her parents do not agree with this, as it would ruin their social status, and thus, Lorraine is sent away to a maternity home for wayward girls.

The fact that this storyline has actually happened in real life has me shaken. I cannot even imagine my parents doing something like this to me. While reading, I felt so bad for all the girls. She got betrayed by so many people; how can she even form any new relationships after this ever again? I do think it is really important that stories like these get told. Entire generations had to suffer, and in comparison, we have an extremely good life now as women (still not perfect, though). The writing was done very well, I was intrigued to keep reading the entire time. I constantly felt that urge to figure out what was happening next. I still really want to know how everything ended. I need Lorraine to be the happiest woman she can be.

The Girls We Sent Away is a book that draws you straight in and is a really easy read. I loved learning about the character Lorraine and a lot of history/how it was to be a teen mother and have a baby out of wedlock in the past. However I don't feel like I was completely blown away this was a decent read,

A very easy read and I wish it would've been longer. I was easily drawn in with this book, and couldn't put it down once I'd started. You really feel for Lorraine throughout the whole book, hoping for a happy ending. I would've liked to see more in depth explorations of the topic of this book, and there felt like a lot of loose ends at the end, however this is also how Lorraine would've felt. Frustrating but it had the right impact.

Lorraine is pregnant. Her boyfriend…don’t ask…her parents…she is sent away. Even the title of this novel set in the 60’s is sad. I grew up during this time. I had no idea what happened to pregnant girls. Those I knew went to school or dropped out and stayed home. Not so for Lorraine. This talented author has written a cannot put down novel. I liked this book. I really liked this book. I hope there will be more stories from the 60’s. It was an intriguing time to grow up. Meagan Church has become a new favorite of mine. I have texted and emailed friends to look for this book. I have read the book two times already. This is a thought provoking story. Thanks Netgalley.

With beautiful prose and delicate precision, Church transports readers to the tumultuous Baby Scoop era of the 1960s, providing a well-crafted and researched look into the struggles of women during this dark period in history, and evokes a lasting impression of empathy for young Lorraine. Heart-wrenching and thought provoking, THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY is a captivating novel, impossible to put down and one which will be remembered long after you turn the last page.

After reading the author’s debut novel, The Last Carolina Girl, I can’t emphasize enough how much I was looking forward to this book. However, after just four chapters, there was a s*x scene which really caught me off guard, and because of that I’m DNFing this book. I’m so disappointed, but I’m not comfortable or willing to compromise my standards to read content I’m not okay with. I will say that the author’s writing style was lovely and the plot had my intrigued, but I won’t be continuing to read the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Girls We Sent Away. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

I couldn’t put The Girls We Left Behind down, I loved Megan Church’s second novel and will be going back to read her first. This is a beautifully written, intimate telling of the Baby Scoop era in the US, told from Lorraine’s perspective.

Lorraine is an only child, about to enter her senior year, be valedictorian and plans to be an astronaut. Her boyfriend is heading to college and Lorraine ends up pregnant, her church going parents can’t cope with the scandal and pack her off to a “home” for unwed mothers.

The story tells of secrets, relationships, friendships, determination and love.

I can’t recommend this highly enough for a read once it’s published in March 2024.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I absolutely love books like this. Either be fiction or non fiction. Meagan did such a good job capturing what it would be like to be a girl in these times. This story may be a story to us but real to so many others as during the baby swoop era it was very common for unwed girls to go to these homes.

Spoiler Alert:Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I love historical novels and this one did not disappoint. This book follows Lorraine who is still in high school when she finds herself pregnant after a night with her boyfriend Clint. Things were very different in the early 60's and Lorraine's parents were very disappointed and dismayed by what has happened to their daughter. They are afraid about what others would say and they send her to a home for unwed teenagers who are pregnant. Lorraine is faced with a decision of giving up her baby in order to continue on the path to college and a successful future. The book sheds light on the Baby Scoop Era and how many babies were adopted after being given up, most unwillingly, by unwed young mothers. I was not aware of this and did some research afterwards learning a lot about this time frame. Being a social worker I was not happy with the portrayal of the "social worker" at the home and wonder if she really was a professional. Her actions were awful and her motives just horrific. Sadly Lorraine did not get to keep her daughter but the book ends with her in college and with her friend Allan as her boyfriend with a bright future ahead of her. I don't know how she could ever forgive her parents after what they put her through. Especially after she learned she was conceived before her parents were married given the dates and her birth weight not adding up. I look forward to reading Meagan Church's debut novel as well. I would recommend this book for the historical value and the story of a strong young woman placed in an impossible situation.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to advance read and review.

Overall, I enjoyed The Girls We Sent away. it was a heartbreaking story of a young teen, Lorraine who unexpectedly became pregnant by her boyfriend Clint in the 1960’s. Due to the time period, her parents sent her away while pregnant I found it sad to hear how cold her parents were even though it was the 60’s.

I would have liked if Megan Church expanded on more details as to what went on while the girls were in the home rather than keep it broad. It was an easy read, page turner.

This book caught my attention because I just finished season 4 of the handmaid's tale. From my early teens I have also been watching the Teen Mom shows on MTV. The author greatly captured the thoughts and feelings of Lorraine. In the beginning I was a bit annoyed with the naivety of Lorraine, but in the end it fits perfectly with the society back then, especially the privileges one that Lorraine grew up on. I never wish to become a mother so I kept rooting for Lorraine to get rid of the baby, to get her act together, and live her best life. As a thriller reader I also expected Alan to hurt Clint in some way. It was interesting that the author gave some attention to what teenage boy thinks / does when he finds out he got a girl pregnant. All in all this was a fun, quick, and interesting read. I will definitely read the author's debut novel!

Lorraine is beautiful and brainy. By the looks of it, she has it all. The perfect family, on her way to being valedictorian in her senior year of high school, dating a man in her parents social circle, physically fit as the local life guard.

Her man puts a promise ring on her finger. One mistake later ...

I thought about this book all night. Contrasting and comparing what this would look like in today's world (especially in my state).

This book played on my mind all night. I pre-ordered a copy to be delivered to my local library. (The first time I've ever done this.) I read and review well over 100 advance read copies (in exchange for an honest review) per year and am on target to read approximately 175 books in 2023. For a book to really stick with me to this extent is a rarity. I feel that this is going to be a book that will be discussed among book clubs in the coming years.

Meagan Church is one of my favorite new authors. The Girls We Sent Away is her second novel. I began following her on Good Reads after her first book The Last Carolina Girl.

If you are a Barnes & Nobel member, you can pre-order today (9/8/2023) at a 25% discount.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Sourcebooks for providing the opportunity to read the advance read copy of The Girls We Sent Away in exchange for an honest reveiw. Thank you to Sourcebooks for approving my NetGalley request. Thank you to Meagan Church for writing a book that grabbed my heart. As I was reading this book, I really cared about all these young women. Hurting in many different ways. I really want to reach out and see what I can do to volunteer for young women in similar situations.