This book had all of the makings of something truly powerful. A young and bright teenager who is ambitious and eager to begin her life after high school. She unexpectedly falls pregnant at a time when unmarried youth are sent away so no one knows of their “condition”, and the problem can “go away” out of the public eye.

The truth that is behind so much of the story, especially during that time where it was quite common, is heartbreaking and infuriating. I enjoyed how the story began long before she actually became pregnant, so there was natural progression with the character development. I did feel at times that there were parts where I wasn’t fully emotionally connected to the FMC but other times where I really felt this pull at my heartstrings. The mother-daughter relationship throughout is one that I am sure many daughters have experienced in their lifetime - even if not under the same circumstances. The ending was not what I had expected, but it was fitting considering the reality that this so poignantly lays bare. Not all stories have the perfect happy ending. Some have sad endings, some have endings that are new beginnings, and some are open to some interpretation. I think the ending was fitting considering that this is likely a story that will resonate with many who have lived this and have their own stories to tell.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Meagan Church, and the publisher so the advanced copy of this audiobook. The thought I have shared here are solely my own.

This was a true joy to read. The author tells a heartbreaking story of a lack of control and a loss of innocence. I found myself crying with Lorraine throughout the story. I loved this so much that I would love to see it as a series.

“Drowning doesn’t look like what you think it should”

This book is BEAUTIFUL. It is devastating and heartbreaking and just so well written. Nothing about this book is what I normally gravitate towards, the only reason I wanted to read it was because I’ve been trying to get outside my comfort zone and I love women’s fiction. I am so happy I gave it a chance.
It’s a simple enough story we’ve all heard before, a young girl with a bright future ahead of her that finds herself pregnant. Everyone in her life turns against her, shuns her, her parents even send her away to a maternity home so she can’t bring any more shame to the family. The beauty of this particular story is how Meagan Church creates a character so real and so complex you can so easily fall right into her mind and emotions. I am confident in my desire to not have children but even I was able to feel and understand the choices and emotions Lorraine was facing. The side characters were equally as complex and beautifully written, especially her mother and the girls she befriends at the maternity house. Alongside such wonderfully written characters, there were also so many themes that were woven into the story so beautifully it gave the book almost a poetic feel at times. I truly cannot say enough good things about the writing, I wanted to devour this book as soon as I started it and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it.
I listened to this as an audiobook narrated by Susan Bennett, she did a wonderful job reading. I would absolutely recommend giving it a listen. Just don’t be like me and listen to it at work because I kept having to choke down tears so my coworkers wouldn’t be concerned.

Loved this book! It was a great explanation of the treatment of young women during a very closed minded period of time. The author did a wonderful job describing the tension and difficult choices that were forced on women. TheGirlsWeSentAway #NetGalley.

The year is 1960, the race to space is upon us and young Lorraine Delford dreams of one day achieving her childhood dream of visiting space. Academically she is well prepared and set to be valedictorian of her Senior class. However, there is that one night, in the old farmhouse, that derails her plans and instead she is sent off to a maternity home for wayward girls. This was known as the Baby Scoop era, in which girls lived out their pregnancies and were forced to give up their babies for adoption. Lorraine begins to questions the rules of society and learns many people have secrets, even those people whom you think you know everything about.

The author covered a difficult topic, created a very likeable protagonist and caused this reader to feel many emotions during this book. I look forward to reading other books by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for an audio copy of this book.

A novel about one small choice changing the lives of many in a huge way. Heartbreak and loss, circumstances that fracture a person and relationships never to be repaired to quite the same way as they began. A young girl's dreams of a promising future put on hold and a lifelong friend who helps pick up the pieces and help her find her way. "The Girls We Sent Away" is a touching and emotional look at the pain of growing up too quickly and life after giving away a part of yourself.

**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church is set during the Baby Scoop Era of the 1960s. The story centers around 17-year-old, Lorraine, the quintessential “girl next door.” Her parents raised her to be a good girl, which meant never teaching her about sex. Lorraine finds herself pregnant and is sent to a home for “wayward girls,” with a plan to give up the baby.

The book does a great job of shedding light on life in the 60s and the limitations of women’s choices. The author made it abundantly clear how easy it was for men to walk away in situations of accidental pregnancies. It was also sad to see that maintaining the family image was more important than supporting one’s own daughter.

I found the writing style a bit difficult. The author would change the POV without warning, sometimes in the middle of a thought. I also found the audiobook narrator to be a bit monotone. Perhaps I may have given the book a higher rating if the narrator wasn’t so difficult to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really can’t tell you if I felt more sadness or anger while reading this book.

These poor girls weren’t really given a chance to decide whether or not they wanted to keep their children or the chance to even move forward with their pregnancies.

It’s 1960s in North Carolina…Lorraine has great grades, ambition and the perfect boyfriend….then she becomes pregnant and is sent to a home for unwed mothers and her future is taken away from her. No longer does she have the ability to decide what happens with her body or her baby but she also loses the ability to choose what she is able to do going forward.

Lorraine meets other girls in the unwed mothers home dealing with different circumstances than her so she is forced to grow up and realize that life isn’t exactly as she thought it was



I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion

This centers around a teen, Lorraine, in the 1960's who is sent to a group home after getting pregnant. I really liked the evolution of the main character's thought process about her circumstances. What struck me about this story was the input from the other characters and how, perhaps indicative of the time, everyone felt they knew what was best for Lorraine, with little care for Lorraine. These plans were selfish and often hypocritical but made for a thought-provoking story for the reader.

This is such an unspoken topic and I truly enjoyed listening to the stories of these young mothers. I can't imagine living through what they did or having to give up a child. Very interesting read and story.

I fell in love with Lorraine and her positive outlook on her future. Sadly, her ambitions were halted by her child-like innocence. It’s appalling what authority figures allowed or enabled by removing young pregnant girls from society and believing it was in their best interest. Lorraine quickly learned to navigate her circumstances in an unconventional manner, but her determination would not let her be defeated. The bonds she created in the home for wayward girls are memorable and empowering! The audiobook narration was perfect!

In "The Girls We Sent Away," author Megan Church gently whisks us back to 1960's North Carolina and sets the scene richly, immersing us in the ways of the past: how young girls should be behaving, and also how some of them actually were during that time and the way many parents dealt with the aftermath/"problem" that created. (Trying to keep it vague but if you've read a synoposis you know what I'm getting at lol). I was unfamiliar with what is referred to as "The Baby Scoop Era" which this book showcases through the story of one bright, promising young girl.

Oh how I wanted more for her and others like her.

I was immediatly interested by the premise and the narrator and enjoyed the opening of the book more than I thought even though I was eager to get to the meat and potatoes of the story. I didn't *love* this book but it was an enjoyable listen and one worth the time though it left me slightly underwhelmed (despite a few emotional bits) and also wish it ended differently but that is likely the intent of the author and part of the struggle for our FMC and women/girls of her time.

There were some beautiful moments and stand out lines. "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 particularly loved how our (MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD) FMC wanted to be an astronaut and I loved the bond/relationship with the librarian and yet it was just shy of really wowing me. I haven't read much set in this time period so it was interesting for me and I think especially women both young and, um, "less" young could enjoy this.

Content warnings for: power imbalances, murkey consent or lack therof, loss of decision making, talk of potential miscarriage, weight gain, scales, emotional manipulation, childbirth.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Set in the 1960's, this book tells the story of a pregnant teen, her limited options, and how she was treated by society, her boyfriend, and family when she shares the news.

Lorraine Delford is a senior, with a good shot at being class valedictorian. She's fascinated with space and the stars, dreaming of being an astronaut. Her boyfriend, Clint, planned a special celebration before leaving for college. And Lorraine ends up expecting a child. Embarrassed and ashamed, her parents tell everyone she's helping out a family member and send her off to a maternity home. She is expected to give the baby up for adoption. At the home, she meets other girls with more complicated, and even tragic, situations. Lorraine would really like to keep her baby but runs into the harsh realities of the time.

The story provides an excellent picture of the status of women in the 20th century. Author Meagan Church has done a good job reminding us how morals and standards have changed. Today's teens will find those values hard to believe. Seasoned narrator Susan Bennett believably voices the characters. Recommended for students of women's history and rights as well as those who just enjoy a well-told story.

Note: I listened to the audiobook via NetGalley.

This book tells the moving story of Lorraine's journey from teenager to teen mom. The author's writing is beautiful and sheds light on the struggles many young women faced especially in the 60s. Lorraine's character is relatable, and her experiences are portrayed with raw emotion. The book explores the trauma and strength behind difficult decisions, making it a powerful and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this compelling story.

Oh Lorraine, the innocent that spreads out of this novel from the first pages is so apparent. Soon to be valedictorian, swooned away by her boyfriend with a promise ring that leads to an unpredictable change of events as she becomes pregnant. But how could she disgrace her family? Her future?

The glimpse into this history was eye opening, heartbreaking to see her consider her future and the little life growing in her body. As a mother, I felt for her and was immersed into the story. I recommend it to any woman who wants to jump into this time period where women were expected to save themselves for marriage and live under the household while dreaming of landing on the moon.

A special thank you to NetGalley and RB media for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re looking for historical fiction that’s grounded in reality with a focus on feminist issues, I might suggest this book. The strongest element at play is the effective, lingering development of the friendships between the girls at the maternity home. The weakest is the handling of point of view, which head hops for at least a couple paragraphs in just about every chapter. I think the book could have been improved by writing the entire thing in a less limited third person perspective to eliminate the noticable head hopping. I’m tentatively interested in checking out the author’s backlog and future works going forward.

This is a well-crafted, coherent narrative that sits with the reader and takes its time establishing its roots. The pacing was easy and lingering, taking its time to explore the relationships and emotions Lorraine finds herself mired in at the maternity home. It has a similar understated, effective slowness to the Divorcées by Rowan Beaird. The throughline of autonomy—and the lack of it—is clear and effective. It’s incredibly authentic and potent, committed to the accuracy of the story being told, which mirrors the reality many pregnant people experienced and, in some ways, still do.

The style is consistent and suitable, taking the complicated subject matter at play seriously without stumbling over issues if nuance. Shifts in point of view were occasionally somewhat random and difficult to follow, hence the above criticism of head hopping. Otherwise, the depth of perspective felt clear and appropriate; the consistency in point of view only needs some work. Meanwhile, you can tell the author took care to understand each character’s inner workings undergirding their behavior and dialogue. The girls at the maternity home feel incredibly real. Character dynamics are consistent, making Lorraine’s friendships easy to get invested in and the characters who mistreat her genuinely frustrating.

3.5⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Susan Bennett who is easy to listen to.

Historical fiction exploring the maternity homes of the 1960’s where pregnant girls were packed off to hide their ‘disgrace’ of being pregnant outside of wedlock. In this story we have Lorraine, an exceptionally bright student with big dreams for her future who finds herself in the maternity home. In the US it’s referred to as the baby scoop era encompassing the 1940’s- 1970’s.

She meets the other girls and her eyes are opened to their stories, she also befriends a librarian, I really liked that there was someone trying to help Lorraine. Lorraine is just lovely, and I desperately wanted to change the outcome for her. There are some very moving moments throughout the book.

For me It didn’t have the same impact as the book I read about in the Irish maternity homes/ laundry. I found the story telling slow. It was an enjoyable easy listen.

Lorraine is the small town good girl with the whole world at her feet until she gets pregnant at the start of her senior year of high school. She soon learns how much life can change in just a few short months.

This book was beautifully written, and the narrator did a fantastic job. As someone born to a teenage mom in the 70's, this really opened my eyes to some of what she must've felt, and the struggles she faced. As modern day women, we often take for granted the freedom we have compared to years ago

Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook.

I loved this author's previous book, The Last Carolina Girl and was so excited to be granted the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of her new novel, The Girls We Sent Away. Ms. Church is wonderful at setting the time and place and in developing characters. As with her previous novel, the narrator, Susan Bennett, did a phenomenal job helping the reader connect and care about the main character, Lorraine. The novel was engaging and moved quickly and I finished it in less than 48 hours. The story takes place during the Baby Scoop Era of the 1960's. Lorraine, a 17 year old, high achieving "good girl", finds herself pregnant, and sent away to a maternity home to save her parents "the shame" of having a pregnant daughter. The story is heartbreaking and realistic for this time period, as we follow the challenges and impossible choices that Lorraine and her roommates have to make, during a time when pregnant, unmarried girls were ostracized and had no real choices. This was often a hard book to read, but so well done. Lorraine and this story will remain with me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a little sad and the parents annoyed me but other than that it was really good. I was expecting something dark but glad it wasn’t.