The Baby Scoop Era that lasted from late 1940s to the early 1970s, was characterized by many unmarried pregnant women being pressured, or forced to give up their babies for adoption. During that time adoption was considered a more socially acceptable outcome than single parenthood. Told through the eyes of Lorraine, a teenage girl who had limited options due to family and social pressures and expections. This historical fiction novel highlights the harrowing and untold stories of girls who grappled with feelings of sadness, guilt, and solitude during their pregnancies, births, and relinquishments.

Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

"The Girls We Sent Away" by Meagan Church promises to be a poignant and thought-provoking novel set in the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s. The description introduces readers to Lorraine Delford, a character who seems to have it all but finds herself navigating a challenging and unexpected journey.

The story appears to be a compelling exploration of societal norms and the restrictions placed on women during that era. Lorraine's transformation from the "darling girl-next-door" to a young woman facing the harsh realities of pregnancy and societal expectations adds depth to her character. Her journey from a life of comfort to a maternity home for "wayward girls" sets the stage for a gripping narrative that promises to shed light on the darker aspects of the time.

The description hints at themes of autonomy, belonging, and the quest for agency, all of which are timely and relevant in today's context as well. Readers can expect a powerful and affecting story that delves into the complexities of women's lives, the challenges they faced, and their resilience in the face of adversity.

Overall, "The Girls We Sent Away" appears to be a compelling historical novel that not only transports readers to a different era but also provides a lens through which to view the struggles and triumphs of women during a transformative period in history. Meagan Church's storytelling is likely to resonate with those who appreciate narratives that illuminate the strength and resilience of female protagonists in the face of societal constraints.

all lorraine wants is to go to college. she wants to, one day, be an astronaut and go to space. namely, the moon. when her high school boyfriend goes off to college, lorraine starts to expect that she may be pregnant. in the 1960's, unwed girls in high school who became pregnant were unable to attend high school. meagan church faithfully explores this dynamic in this very emotional, very devastating novel about a young woman, pregnant, who is sent away to be hidden for the world to see and treated like she is dirty, damaged goods.

this book is well-written, clear, and to the point. what i wish it had was more visual description. it's a novel that really makes you think about how god awful the 60's were for every minority and historically discriminated against group. the way these girls were treated is inhumane and cruel. the people who run these facilities are pure evil. ugh, it just makes me sick. i was really hoping for deeper descriptions of the facility itself. i wanted to know what lorraine looks like besides her hair. without these descriptions, it's easy to lose the historical aspect and place the characters in the present day.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Strength isn't in the loud and obvious. Strength is often camouflaged in the quiet, reserved places where most people wouldn't think to look. It's grown in the moments when we give up things along the way."

I am still in a state of awe at this book after finishing it yesterday. Church's writing was beautiful and heartbreaking, as you follow Lorraine's transition from teen to teenage mother. I have a personal connection to someone who was a part of what Church notes as The Baby Scoop Era and this was an extremely visceral description of what a young unwed mother could have experienced during that time. The number of young women finding themselves in this situation is staggering, and is not as rare as some might like to believe.

I could not put this book down. Lorraine is an extremely likeable character and you can imagine yourself in her shoes; scared, humiliated, shamed by her family, secreted away, and then the ultimate betrayal of everyone telling you to just forget about what happened and get back to normal. Trauma is trauma and in this situation, the physical, emotional and mental impact was epic. And the quote above about strength being in the decisions you make that are in many cases behind closed doors, are the ones that make you into who you are. You carry those with you, and if you are lucky, they don't break you. Lorraine is an unfortunate example of what women have had to do for eons - shrink themselves, solely take on the consequences of two people's actions, and feel as though she had no choice but to do the things that would please everyone around her.

I wish my book club had read this so that I could talk about it with other women. I'm going to be recommending it to everyone I know and exploring Church's other book. I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve. I am grateful to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a chance to read this book.

This story line didn’t keep me interested and not a lot was going on through out the story. https://www.instagram.com/p/CwsaNJHgcwl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

In this stunning novel, Meagan Church weaves historical research and compelling narrative into an elegant tapestry that brings 1960s North Carolina to life. Lorraine Delford is an endearing and relatable heroine whose indefatigable spirit is sure to win readers’ hearts. Even as others try to direct the course of Lorraine’s future, she is determined to wrest back what control she can. A memorable portrait of a tumultuous time period, I highly recommend THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY for fans of historical fiction.

The book takes place in the 60's and follows Lorraine through her senior year of high school as she and her family deal with her unplanned pregnancy. The story was well written and an interesting insight into life at the time. I appreciate the advanced reader copy.

Set during the 1960's in North Carolina, THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY, tells the story of a teenage girl named Lorraine whose aspirations of becoming an astronaut in the midst of the Space Race unfortunately become thwarted after she becomes pregnant and is forced to live in a maternity home, as was normal during the Baby Scoop era. Though she is at the top of her class and has high hopes, Lorraine is only encouraged by her parents to do what is expected of her, become a wife and eventually a mother. But when the pregnancy comes unexpectedly during her senior year of high school, both Clint, the father of the baby and her longtime boyfriend, and her parents refuse to support or encourage Lorraine. At first, Lorraine attempts a positive outlook, dreaming that she'll be able to come back and finish her studies after the baby is born. She arrives at the maternity home and develops relationships with a few of the girls, which is a bit of a silver lining for Lorraine. After being let down and left completely alone by everyone in her life she thought she could trust, Lorraine gets to know Mirabelle and Denise, her roommates at the home. Soon, though, Lorraine is fighting another battle as decisions are being made for her and her baby with no regard to her wishes or input. Lucky for Lorraine, a young librarian at the public library offers to help her with GED classes so she can continue her education as she so desperately wishes. The only "education" provided at the maternity home is the type of skills for women who only wish to be wives and mothers, basically finishing school. As Lorraine gets closer to her delivery date, she finds herself reexamining what her future could hold, even if she is not likely to be able to make the decision in the end. Descriptive, beautiful prose allow readers to experience the character's pain and heartache, creating a lasting impression of empathy for young Lorraine. Equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting, THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Notable in her prior novel as well, Meagan Church thoroughly explains the history, research, and inspiration behind the story she has created, which adds another layer of richness to the novel. Well-crafted and researched, this timely, powerful novel is a tribute to many lives irrevocably changed by the tumultuous Baby Scoop era.

This was an okay read. I thought that the ending left some things to be desired, but overall, the book was good.