Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a captivating novel!
A well written story that was so hard to put down.
I loved everything about this novel!
Mesmerizing!

Katia was such a ray of light, despite the world crumbling around her. The passion that she had for her job, the boys, and her colleagues was beautiful to read through. I really enjoyed Chad and Pee Wee’s characters. They were both so young, but had the souls of little old men. Wise beyond their time. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this book.

Set in 1970s Alabama, Angela Jackson-Brown’s UNTETHERED follows Katia Daniels, the director of a group home for young Black boys. Katia is dealing with a lot: her younger brothers are missing in action in Vietnam, she aches to be a mother but recently underwent a hysterectomy, and her job at the group home brings constant heartbreak and struggle as both she and the boys in her care come up against a racist system.

The characters and relationships in UNTETHERED are easily its greatest strength. Pee Wee and Chad, two residents of the group home who become particularly special to Katia, highlight the many ways we as a society fail to protect young Black boys. The love and support Katia receives from her friends, family, and coworkers creates a sense of community in the story that I haven’t often seen on the page. There are dozens of characters in this book, but Angela Jackson-Brown juggles them well, and even those we don’t see often are richly drawn.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past the writing. This book is written like a journal entry, with no attention to craft or storytelling (e.g., ‘this happened, then that happened, and this is how I’m feeling about it...”) It’s bogged down with unnecessary detail, often bringing otherwise interesting scenes to a grinding halt (like when Katia stops in the middle of a huge turn in the plot to explain why she knows someone’s phone number). Any time something of interest happens, it’s followed by several pages, sometimes entire chapters, of Katia informing everyone in her life what has happened. It made for a very tedious read.

While some of these characters will stick with me (Pee Wee, you have my heart), ultimately this was a miss.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus (Harper Muse) for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Heartfelt and haunting, delving deep into the complexities of personal and societal change during a turbulent era. Highly recommended.

3 predictable stars with a strong, Godly presence
Some things I really liked about the book. Katia is a great role model for how to react in times of crisis (Breathe) and how to take care of others. I enjoyed references to old TV shows and books, popular when I was a teen and ‘getting records through the mail.’

There was a lot of crying in the book. It leaned towards being sappy. Sometimes the writing got a bit repetitious. I noted, “lots of crying and praying” and “lots of breathing” too. Some of the characters were “too good to be true” and were not very nuanced. Other comments I wrote down, “predictable and sappy” and “gaack. Cloyingly sweet.”

Untethered could be the right book for some people. It was not for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very powerful story, unfortunately it was not formatted properly for my ereader so I was unable to read it fully. Of what I did sample, this is an incredibly powerful read written and executed brilliantly. It is a difficult read, but I struggled to put it down.

Thank you for allowing me to read this with a free eARC. This is my honest feedback I am leaving voluntarily.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, this book is a must read. Although fiction, it gives provides historical truths and realities that African Americans had(and still do) face. Katina’s resilience is admirable. She was such a blessing to those she encountered, I would’ve loved to see her finally overcome her insecurities and fully explore her worth.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I am a fan of Angela Jackson-Brown, and her latest release UNTETHERED did not disappoint. The story is around the Director of an at-risk home for black boys. Katia Daniels loved her "boys" and her job. She took pride in knowing that she is doing everything within her power for each boy to succeed in life. She gives each on special attention to foster their growth and has a wall of former residents who have gone on to do amazing things despite the odds. Her personal life is somewhat mundane yet stressful. Her mother is encouraging a relationship that she knows will go nowhere. She and her mother has also received word that one of her twin brothers who are both off fighting the war in Vietnam is missing.

When Katia connects with a former schoolmate, Seth Tolbert, she is able to develop a sense of calm in her chaos. Seth is very supportive of her work and encourages her to make bold decisions about what she wants in life. When tragedy strikes, Katia's role as protector of all is challenged.

I really enjoyed this book. I cried for several days after reading it which speaks to the emotions in Brown's writing. This is a tale of hope, liberation and new beginnings.

This was my first novel by Angela Jackson Brown. From the first page, I was drawn in. Katia was a strong & caring woman when it came to her boys at the group home. She always had to put on a happy face to the world but on the inside, she was falling apart. At times she frustrated me with her uncertainty & lack of self confidence.
I enjoyed this thought provoking novel. Many heavy subjects were touched on but it didn’t make the story depressing.There were some sad parts. Overall i enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially if you like historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My thoughts:
💭I really enjoyed reading this book mainly because of how Angela Jackson wrote Katia’s story for these reasons:
💭Katia is a kind, loving and selfless woman who cares for everyone in her life.
💭She has a loving mother and twin brothers who are- at the time Vietnam marines serving in the war, but M.I.A.
💭The author weaves in the post traumatic experience Vets face after coming home from the war- forever changed, mentally, emotionally and/or physically.
💭Katia girl, don’t you know this man tryna get with you?
💭My heart weeps for the boys in her life.
💭As a teacher, I feel you Katia, they my babies too even if I ain’t birth em’
💭One of my students had a crisis theee same day I started reading & I saw myself in Katia in how she always chooses to interact with her boys- 😢🥹❤️

I highly recommend this if you want to FEEL the feelings of love, family, and hardship as - our experiences are bring us together ❤️

Have you ever read a book, slept on it because you had a hard time putting into words how it affected you, and hours later, still having a difficult time? Thats how I felt about this book. I finished it around one this morning, and was so captivated by the story and the characters, couldn't fall asleep until after 3 am. This book was absolutely mesmerizing and amazing. The character had such a hold on and still does. As much as I've been through, it takes a lot to make me cry these days, but I was constantly heartbroken and spilling tears throughout this story. This was not my first read, and it surley won't be my last. I rarely do a top 10, because I read so much (although I do have a top list listed by genre ), but if I did, this would be one of the books.

This book took me by surprise! I absolutely loved this story of Katia who runs a Group Home for Negro boys and pours her whole heart into her boys. When one of her wards disappears for fear of his life, Katia does all she can to find him, rescue him and preserve the job and the center that she loves so much. Her struggles with the Board and beaurocratic red tape will leave you frustrated! Excellent narration and a must read historical fiction.

Angela Jackson-Brown has made it to my favorite author list! Her latest book, "Untethered" is a deeply emotional, moving, beautifully crafted novel and an unexpected love story. In 1967, it captures a young woman's struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs navigating love, duty, and self-discovery in a racially charged and evolving Troy, Alabama.

Since Katia Daniels's father died years before, she has found herself tethered to meeting the needs of her mother and twin brothers. When the boys enlist to fight in Vietnam, she continues to live with her mother to ensure she is cared for. Her poignant journey is marked by personal loss, family responsibilities, and the enduring hope of finding her own happiness and purpose.

Katia's role as a caretaker at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys highlights her incredible capacity for compassion, even as her own dreams remain on hold. Her love and devotion to these boys are inspiring, yet you can also see how it is another tether to her life and soul. She gives everything of herself to this job and is on call 24/7. It takes a lot from her physically and emotionally.

The reappearance of Seth, a crush from high school, serves as a catalyst for Katia's introspection, adding a tender and hopeful dimension to her journey and a truly beautiful love story.

The book explores themes like familial duty, the yearning for personal fulfillment, and the pressures of societal expectations. It is deeply compelling. Jackson-Brown's multidimensional characters allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level, making the storylines feel much more intimate and emotional.

Katia's journey to becoming "Untethered" to the things that allow her to discover her true self resonated with me in so many ways. I loved it! Five stars!

Thank you, #NetGalley, #AngelaJacksonBrown, and HarperCollins, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #Untethered.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Untethered is absolutely beautifully written. Katia runs a boys home with a loving heart and open mind but she always manages to maintain that professional line. Then thanksgiving comes and with it much heartbreak and a rekindling love connection.

Angela Jackson Brown us such an amazing author. Her writing pulls you directly into the story. Untethered is my second book by this author & it won't be my last.

The characters were key in this story. MC Katia always put everyone else first. I lived how she cared for the boys at the group home. Peewee & Chad were so sweet. I know a few boys just like them so I really connected with them.

This story was heartwrenching. I couldn't put it down. No spoilers, but be prepared to feel all the feels. Thank you to the author & Netgalley for my ARC.

This historical fiction book is a little different from many I've read. It involves historical events more tangentially rather than front and center, which makes it a little quieter and slower-paced story. However, that approach means that we get to know the main character, Katia, really well. She exemplifies the plight of so many women, especially Black women, who work ceaselessly in service of others. She is the director of a group home for young boys and runs it with integrity and love. She is a daughter who is trying to live her own life while respecting her mother's sensibilities. She is a sister whose twin brothers are missing in action in Vietnam. She she is a woman who takes her responsibilities very seriously, like so many women do. We see how much she is bonded to the boys in the group home when some of the boys go through difficult, life-altering events. Along with all that she is carrying, she has a desire to find love and be a mother, and it seems like that desire will go unmet. The author protrays the realities of gender, race, and socioeconomics of the time in a way that puts the reader right in the middle of the story. I listened to the audiobook, and I enjoyed the narration. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is an emotional masterpiece that reaches into your soul and refuses to let go. It’s been a long time since a book made me cry crocodile tears, but this story pulled them clean out of me. The depth of the characters, the rawness of the emotions, and the beautifully woven narrative hit me in ways I wasn’t expecting. Brown writes with a sensitivity and honesty that brings her characters to life, making their struggles and triumphs feel personal. If you’re looking for a book that will break your heart and heal it in equal measure, Untethered is the one. A powerful, unforgettable read!

Katia: a young black woman that was the executive director of a group home for young black boys. When she loved you, she loved to and she gave you her all. Katis was like this with her family, her friends and the boys at the group. She invested all that she was into those that she loved in spite of what she was going through and what she needed.
Katia dealt with a number of issues surrounding her family, a gentleman caller, boys at the group home, most notably Chad and PeeWee, the board at the group home, and her brothers. Katia presented herself as the epitome of strong black beast womanhood in this work of historical fiction.
Thank you, let Netgalley and K. C. Mills for allowing me to read this ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up. I have mixed feelings about this one, but I’ll start by saying I’m excited to read more from Jackson Brown. This book convinced me that whenever I’m in the mood for a character-driven story, I’ll be reaching for her work.

What this book does well is dive deep into the life of its protagonist, Katia—a grieving, vulnerable, and, at times, self-loathing woman. She’s relatable and recognizable, while also displaying immense strength and care for those around her, often to both her benefit and detriment.

The story tackles heavy topics, including grief over losing her father, supporting her mother, longing for her missing twin brother, and caring for her other brother, who has returned from war. Katia is also the director of a foster home for young Black children, all while navigating her dating life and grappling with her inability to have children. I expected heavy themes, especially with the foster care system and the systemic failures that often affect children.

While I was drawn to the these deeper topics, the execution left me torn. By the end, the heavier moments didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped, and some felt underexplored. The story leaned heavily on Katia’s feelings of inadequacy, particularly around motherhood and her relationships, which sometimes felt repetitive. When a character dies, for example, it felt rushed and almost unnecessary to the narrative making it hard to fully grieve them.

I also struggled with the genre blending. At times, it felt more like a romance novel disguised as something else. The ending—a sappy romantic resolution—felt out of sync with the rest of the book. While some readers will find relief in seeing Katia finally appreciated by someone who recognizes her value, it didn’t entirely work for me.

That said, Katia’s connections with the young boys in her care, her family, and her friends are deeply felt. I just wish we’d gotten perspectives from other characters, like her brother Mark, whose experience with war and its aftermath is only shown secondhand. The same goes for Mason and Chad, whose voices brought innocence and vulnerability to the foster care storyline.

Lastly, the historical fiction aspect didn’t always feel convincing. Without a few dated references, much of the story could have taken place today. While the author touched on racism and abuse in Katia’s work environment, as well as the stacked challenges faced by Black children in foster care, I think there was room to expand on these themes and firmly ground the story in its intended era.

Overall, while I didn’t love the book, I did like it. It’s rich in emotion and complexity and would make an excellent book club pick. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

3.5 rounded up

Untethered is a thought-provoking exploration of faith, duty, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a racially tense 1967 Alabama. Katia Daniels, the protagonist, has dedicated her life to caring for others—first her family, and now the boys at the Pike County Group Home. Her struggles with love, loss, and a deeply rooted sense of obligation unfold in a story filled with emotional depth and historical context.

While I appreciated the book's focus on faith and its examination of trauma, I had trouble fully connecting with the characters and the narrative. The writing sometimes felt awkward, and the story lacked cohesion, which made it hard to stay engaged. Repetition throughout the book became frustrating, and despite the intriguing premise, the pacing often felt too slow.

That said, the novel shines in its portrayal of Katia’s resilience and the complexity of her relationships, particularly as she navigates her connection with Seth, a figure from her past. The narrative beautifully weaves together themes of faith and healing, lending the story an emotional weight that lingers.

Ultimately, while Untethered didn’t fully capture me, it’s a reflective read that touches on important topics. For those who appreciate historical fiction with introspective characters and a strong faith element, this novel might resonate more deeply. My rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up.

** Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary advance copy. The opinions are my own.