Acts of Forgiveness has compelling characters and an amazing premise, but stops just short delivering what it promises. There was so much happening in this book, and while much of it fed into the characterization, at times it made the plot hard to follow. There’s a troubled motivation to Willie that typically love in characters, and a big focus on family history. However there’s many threads that take us into pockets that don’t feel aligned with the main driver of the book, and I was left feeling a bit unsure. Cheeks is a talented writer and I look forward to other books.

Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks is a powerful and moving novel that’s perfect for readers who enjoy stories about complex family relationships, history, and social justice. If you're interested in themes like family, reparations, and the lasting effects of racial inequality, this book will definitely resonate with you.

This was not a book for me. I DNF'd it. I read bout 50 pages, but could not get into the story. The book was very well written but just not for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

So my initial thoughts on this book was good foundation, solid foundation, but what was built on it can only be referred to as unstable.

(I do find it funny that we are a few months away from possible having our first Female President.)

That being said, there wasn't much else that really stood out to me in terms of characters. Willie was anice enough but the story was missing a little emotion for me. +

A beautiful book, I like anything I’ve read before. I loved the characters, plot and writing. I learned a lot as well, just a wonderfully solid debut novel

This was a powerful idea with biting social ideas. I found the idea of reparations fascinating and the dollar amount shocking. I found the struggle of the family to track the lineage so touching. But this one was a bit bogged down in the past. We spent a lot of time juggling the family and I would have loved to have spent more time in the now and how this act affected the people. But there were so many good statements, so many good lines, this was a great audiobook! It made me think and struggle with the right answers.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book

Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks feels so very topical right now. The novel centers on a proposed reparations program for those who can prove that they are descendants of slaves. Cheeks does a very nice job of helping the reader see and understand several different viewpoints held by various characters. This book had been on my to-read pile for too long and I'm glad I finally got to it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Acts of Forgiveness in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now!

This had a really enjoyable premise, but the execution was shaky. There was so much that was left unresolved by the end and so many loose threads of plot that it was disappointing to me. There just wasn't a lot of depth to this, when I felt it could have really benefited from it.

Overall, 3/5 stars.

Acts of Forgiveness had a great premise. Coincidentally when we have a female candidate for presidency, it could have been a very timely story. However, I felt like there was something missing in execution.

When the act was published, Willie was already over her journalism career and taking care of her family's business. Money was tight and this act could have been a band aid she was looking for to put everything in order and get the hell out of her hometown. As always it is the case with "free" money, she had to prove that she was descendants of slaves, which comes with its own baggage.

This Act of Forgiveness reminds me Paycheck Protection Program. You can have the money but you need to prove everything. You need to prove your need. You are already vulnerable but you have to make yourself more vulnerable. Idea is great but money offered for it is comical

This book was interesting, as it is a fictional account of what would happen in America if a Forgiveness Act is passed which allows Black families to claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are descended from slaves.
It shows how even though they "pass this law" in the book, it is still a hardship to get the money. The book has many subplots, and some slow areas.

This book was quite boring and I chose to DNF it since I'm not wasting my time reading about uninteresting characters.

I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book.
It is the story of a black woman who has to make a choice between her career and her family when her parents need help. It brings up some thoughts about what would happen if reparation payments were actually made to people who could prove they had family members who were once slaves.

This is not a story that I would recommend to all of my friends, as they wouldn't all understand it or it wouldn't affect them the way it would others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a thought provoking read that I'm glad I picked up. The character development and pacing were particularly well done, I thought.

I honestly was surprised how much I liked this book. It was very interesting to see how she fought her family to dig up her ancestors to prove they were descendants from slaves. I would definitely recommend this book.

Willie works for her family's construction company in Philadelphia after reluctantly giving up her career as a journalist in Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks. She loves her family and her tween daughter, but she feels like she has another chance to become the person she's always wanted to be. The Forgiveness Act grants descendants of enslaved Black people reparations for the longtime suffering they experienced. If the Act passes, Willie could embark on her own journey and know that her parents have enough money to live well as they did when her father's company was succeeding.

In order to claim the reparations money, families must find documented proof that their descendants were indeed enslaved. This puts Willie on a path to finding out about her family's past history and what that means for her and her family's future. What will she find out from her research and will it provide the solace and backing she needs to move on with her life?

I found the premise very interesting, whether or not you agree with the possibility of reparations. The book isn't futuristic--it's present day and a what-if scenario. I loved the fact that it's set in Philadelphia, partly because the areas sound familiar, partly because much of the country's history took place there. I wasn't sure if that was intentional or not.

The story of Willie and how she grew up and her family life was a good story. In the beginning, the character who happened to be her grandfather experienced trauma from not receiving the veteran benefits he was entitled to and failing to be approved for a mortgage. That was a good background for the rest of the book, but it jumped ahead to Willie and her childhood, and I felt that there were some steps that were missed.

I did feel that the story wasn't very well-paced, though, because it takes until almost the end of the book for Willie to find out the information about her father's and grandfather's slave history. I wanted to also delve into more of the results of the Forgiveness Act from multiple perspectives. It was addressed but not enough to be the center of the story.

Also, suddenly, Willie becomes involved in a relationship that didn't ring true. In fact, the characters seemed to have no chemistry, and it seemed too much of a throwaway relationship. Same goes for the parent of her child--I feel like we needed more information about the situation and moving it into present day with some answers. I did like the relationships that Willie has with her parents and young daughter and friends. All of those seemed substantial and dynamic, so that you understood what drives Willie.

Unfortunately, the epilogue doesn't work for me. It's too far into the future, and it still doesn't properly address what happens for the characters. I felt like it was tacked on although I did like the character it focuses on. Actually, I feel like it could have been done differently and closer to the time period that the book is set in.

Other than that, I found the writing well-done and engaging. I would be willing to try another of the author's books if she publishes another novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

“Acts of Forgiveness” by Maura Cheeks is a poignant and thought-provoking debut novel that delves into the complexities of ambition, legacy, and the pursuit of redemption. Set against the backdrop of a nation on the cusp of a historic decision, the narrative follows Willie Revel, a single mother whose life is a testament to the enduring struggle for identity and prosperity in a world that often seems to have predetermined her place.

Cheeks’ novel is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the intricate layers of family dynamics and the weight of history on the shoulders of those seeking to forge a path forward. The proposed Forgiveness Act serves as a catalyst for a deep familial introspection, pushing Willie to confront the buried truths of her lineage. As she navigates the murky waters of government bureaucracy to claim what is rightfully hers, we are taken on a journey that is as much about unearthing the past as it is about envisioning a future.

The author masterfully captures the essence of Willie’s internal conflict—her dreams deferred and the forgiveness she must grant herself to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Cheeks’ prose is both powerful and tender, weaving a narrative that is rich with insight and brimming with the raw emotions of characters that are as real as they are flawed.

In “Acts of Forgiveness,” Maura Cheeks asks us to consider the price of success and the meaning of legacy. It’s a novel that challenges readers to reflect on their own histories and the lengths they would go to in order to claim a piece of the future. With its compelling storyline and resonant themes, this book is a significant contribution to contemporary literary fiction and a must-read for anyone who appreciates a story that not only entertains but also enlightens.

Cheeks’ narrative is a reminder that sometimes, the act of forgiveness is not just a personal journey, but a collective experience.

Acts of Forgiveness is a moving and thought-provoking debut novel. Maura Cheeks has crafted a beautiful, layered story surrounding a memorable family and set of characters. Willie is an amazing character - to see her grow up from the start of the novel, follow her through the highs and lows of her life as she tries to help her family in every way that she can, even if it means her dream is put on hold and takes a different shape. The subject of reparations and the passage of the Forgiveness Act in the novel was very interesting and done extremely well, showing Willie and others researching their family history to apply, struggling with the harsh reality of the past uncovered, and dealing with a society that pushes back against the law and is unafraid to fight with cruelty and violence. This is a beautiful novel of identity, acceptance and forgiveness, and coming to terms with the past. I really enjoyed reading this novel - definitely recommend! Thank you to Random House, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

Reparations for America’s involvement in slavery have been introduced in various forms. The Forgiveness Act, introduced by Elizabeth Johnson, America’s first female president, would give everyone over eighteen a payment of $175,000 if they could prove that they were descended from slaves. If passed, it could be life changing for Willie and the Revel family. She graduated with a degree in journalism and had a promising career when she moved back into the family home to help run her father’s construction company. Once a successful business, it has now fallen on hard times. Willie sets out to learn the family’s history, but not everyone is eager to participate. Nor do they trust the government’s promises. This is a multigenerational story of family and heritage. The Act provokes controversy as it passes through Congress. It also provides hope to families like the Revels. Maura Cheeks has presented an important story that is beautifully written and gives you characters that will stay with you long after the story ends. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing this book.

Strong Debut novel by Maura Cheeks:

What I loved:
1. A complex and emotional topic.
2. Themes of promise, forgiveness, self-determination and family dominate against the backdrop of slavery's stain on our country.
3. Loved her writing style
4. Would be a great book club book - so much to unpack and talk about.

What I wanted to be different.
1. Felt too political at times at the sacrifice of the family.
2. Wanted to see more of the aftermath of the law and the impact.

I look forward to reading more from Maura Cheeks!


Many thanks to Ballantine Books | Random House for the opportunity to read this book.

I thought “Acts of Forgiveness” started out strong, but then lost some steam towards the latter half of the book. It was a very interesting premise, but I didn’t love the execution of it. I thought it was thought-provoking and timely, but ultimately the story aspect failed to keep my interest throughout. This was a solid read, but not one that I loved. 3 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy for review.