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.

This book was just amazing. I love reading books where I learn something I didn't even know I needed to. This book focuses on issues that existed in the south in the 1960d including foster homes for black boy. This book touches on my heart.

Angela Jackson-Brown is one of my favorite contemporary writers, and she has delivered another thoughtful, heartfelt story.

Set in 1967 Alabama, Katia Daniel's is an Executive Director for a boys group home. The boys and her staff have become her family and she tries so hard to save them all, even while putting her own happiness aside. She lives at home with her elderly mother and her twins brothers are off fighting in the Vietnam War.

This story delves into many themes such as family obligations, love, self-discovery, self-love, race, and civil rights. We all wonder where we fit in this world and the path is oftentimes a journey with alot of twist and turns.

If you love historical fiction, I suggest you read Angela's books. She is an amazing syoryteller!

Set amidst the backdrop in 1967 in Troy, Alabama, Untethered follows Katia Daniels, who runs the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys while grappling with personal and professional challenges amid the Vietnam War.

Katia is a deeply compelling character whose resilience left a lasting impression. Her commitment to helping troubled boys succeed, despite the systemic racism of the time, and her desire to have children of her own, is both inspiring and heartbreaking. As she navigates the pressure of family responsibilities and the emotional turmoil of reconnecting with her high school crush, Seth, Katia learns the importance of opening up and leaning on others for support.

Angela Jackson-Brown’s writing is poignant and draws the reader into the lives of her characters. While the book touches on some difficult themes, it concludes beautifully. The inclusion of Nina Simone’s music, the escape into romance novels, the striking book cover, and Karen Murray's narration, which brings the characters to life, are additional highlights that made this book a truly enriching read.

Favorite Quote:
ᥫ᭡  "..I wish I could have been in your life then to take care of you.  If you'll have me, we'll figure out together if you want to be parents.  I learned from watching you with those boys at the group home that there are many ways to create a family.  But the first person I want to create a family with is you."

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher HarperCollins Focus and Harper Muse Audiobooks and the author Angela Jackson-Brown for the complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book! I was so invested in the characters and their stories that the book became very emotional for me. Angela Jackson-Brown is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more from her.

This book is incredible, possibly one of the best books I have read this year. It was so poignant and so beautifully written but it was also thought provoking and evocative. Stunning

The dictionary gives the meaning of untethered as not physically connected to fasted to something to restricted by a tether. However, Untethered is anything but that because you could not tell me that these characters were not linked. I think the author named this book untethered to show us that we are all connected in some way because I definitely connected with Katia. Katia made me face somethings I feel about myself so much that I had to grab for a tissue or two. I love when a book reaches in and touches your soul unexpectedly. I loved this read and will remember Katia and her family by blood and the family made.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐

HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse
Pub Date: 12-3-24

Thank you @netgalley, @harpermusebooks, and @angelajacksonbrownauthor for this eARC.

Just when I thought I wasn’t connecting with the characters, the tears began to flow!

Katia is a selfless woman who, with the support of her mother, invites two boys from the group home she manages to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with her extended family. The bond between Katia and the boys, Chad and Pee Wee, is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Katia also faces the impact of the Vietnam War on her family when her twin brothers are reported missing. One returns home struggling with mental health challenges, while the family continues to hold out hope for news of the brother who remains missing.

While dealing with these heavy responsibilities, Katia reconnects with a handsome, kind man from her past, who offers her friendship while hoping for something more.

". . . I had boys who needed me— yet they weren’t my boys. I only had them temporarily and then they went on their way. But hearing Pee Wee beg me to somehow create a situation where I could parent him and Chad broke my heart wide-open. I wanted it, but this was a dream that had no chance of coming true."

#untethered #angelajacksonbrown #harpermuse #netgalley

This is such a lovely emotion filled book. Katia cares for the boys who lives in the home she runs beautifully. In my opinion Katia is a representation of black women the load that they’re left to hold and the people in their lives they’re uplifting. We’re expected to be strong, uplift the family, and we’re supposed to do it because we love our families even if the giving hurts our hearts sometimes. This is a story about love and so much more!

I’ve already suggested this book to multiple people, and it was an amazing read.

Occasionally I will read a book that so touches my heart that I'm almost afraid to share my thoughts for fear someone else won't feel the same way. Then my rational mind reminds me that the wonder of books is that there are so many great books, and when you love one, you should shout it from the mountains. I absolutely loved Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown. It is set in Troy, Alabama in 1967. The main character is Katia Daniel's, the Executive Director of the Pike County Group Home for Boys, Negro boys ages 8-16. Katia's love and commitment to the boys is the driving force in her life. She is 40 years old, single, lives with her Mama; her twin brothers Marcus and Aaron are serving in Vietnam. The storyline is so well crafted that I felt that I was living the story along with Katia. The love of and commitment to family made me yearn for simpler days, yet sadly the prejudice and fear Blacks in Alabama, and elsewhere experienced still exists today. One sentence really stuck with me, Katia was talking to a Black friend who was questioning the time he served in Vietnam; he lost his leg in service to the USA. She said: "Seth, being a Black person in this country ain't easy. We love America a whole lot more than it loves us, but it's the only country we've got. "
There is too much depth in this novel to adequately share it in a review; I could go on and on. Suffice to say, Untethered, made me laugh and cry. At one point I had to take a quick break just to compose myself. It tells a story of love, honor, disappointment, death, joy and the miracle of living one more day. Thank you very much to NetGalley, Harper Muse Publishing, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Untethered, this review reflects my honest opinion. And to the author, Ms. Jackson-Brown, thank you for writing this wonderful book. 5 stars.

Untetheredf explores the complexities of family, identity, and the weight of responsibility, but with a focus on the struggles of a woman navigating infertility and the constraints of societal expectations.

I cried reading this story. I also have purchased a copy for my trophy shelf. This was a beautifully written piece of literature.

This was a delightful surprise! Jackson-Brown is so adept at portraying this tumultuous time period (1967) and all the emotions and fears of her main character. The children in the story at the Alabaman Home for Negro Boys were portrayed so lovingly and other than the clueless Board, the reader finds herself just wanting to BE a character in the embrace of this community. It's a fine historical novel that anyone could enjoy despite some very sad happenings.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It is simply lovely.