This book left me in tears—Angela, Angela, Angela!

As an Alabama resident, I found myself immersed in the vivid settings and authentic atmosphere depicted throughout the story.

Karen Murray masterfully captured Katia's emotions as she navigated her understanding of womanhood and questioned her worth against the world's expectations. It was powerful to see her grapple with her self-image and discover what it truly means to be enough.

This book took me on an incredible emotional rollercoaster. I cried, laughed, cheered, and reflected deeply on its themes. Having acquired the ALC as well, I had the ability to tandem read and wrap myself within the storyline.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this compelling read!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this remarkable book. I'm also grateful for the ARC provided.

Untethered, is the perfect title for this book, everything about it is untethered and emotional. This book drew me in from the cover and the title alone and that's why I requested the arc. This book is tragically beautiful, informative and so incredibly accurate for so many. Angela Jackson-Brown masterfully tells a deeply emotional and compelling story about identity, resilience, and the complexities of relationships. The protagonist’s journey is heart-wrenching and empowering, and I found myself entirely immersed in her world. This is a wonderful reminder of the strength and love in vulnerability and service to others. If you are looking for a book that has themes of self-discovery and breaking free from past burdens that resonate powerfully. Then you need to pick up Untethered and if you're an emotional person you definitely will need your tissues. Every twist and turn were thoughtfully crafted, leaving me reflecting long after I finished this novel. It is a must-read for anyone who loves beautifully written, character-driven stories that touch the soul. This one is unforgettable and will stick with you as time goes on.

This was my first book by Mrs. Angela Jackson-Brown but it wont be my last, I love books that make you feel, and thank. Books that make you feel like youre living the situations, and lives with the characters on the pages with them.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a deeply emotional and moving story centered on Ms. Katia, a kind, giving, and sweet woman who serves as the executive director of a group home for boys. Ms. Katia's life begins to unravel as she navigates the heartbreak of learning her brothers are missing in Vietnam, chaos at the group home, and the sudden reappearance of her high school crush, Seth. These elements weave together a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

Angela Jackson-Brown proves once again why she is a queen of historical fiction. While this novel focuses more on the personal lives of its characters than on historical events, the emotional depth is unmatched. I cried through the final chapters and found myself completely invested in every character. The romance was a delightful addition, and I saw pieces of myself in so many moments throughout the book.

Thank you to Angela Jackson-Brown, Hear Our Voices Tours, and NetGalley for providing the ARC and ALC.

CAWPILE Ratings:
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 9
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 10

Overall, Untethered is a must-read for fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories with a touch of romance and historical depth.

Untethered" by Angela Jackson-Brown is my first read by this author, and it certainly won't be my last. The novel beautifully explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, delving into their emotional struggles and the bonds that both unite and divide them. The dynamics at the home where the protagonist works, especially her interactions with the boys, add another layer of depth to the story. These relationships are portrayed with such nuance and sensitivity, making the characters feel incredibly real and relatable. Katia's experiences, both at home and at the group home where she works, push her to confront her own beliefs, fears, and desires. Through these challenges, she learns more about who she is and what she wants from life. Overall, a compelling and heartfelt read that I highly recommend. #netgalley # untethered

Untethered is a beautifully crafted exploration of identity, resilience, and the intricate tapestry of human relationships. From the very first page, her lyrical prose draws readers into a world that is both familiar and profoundly moving, as the protagonist navigates the complexities of her past while striving for an authentic future. Jackson-Brown's keen insight into the emotional landscapes of her characters makes them relatable and deeply human, with sharp, authentic dialogue that adds depth to their relationships. The pacing is expertly handled, balancing moments of tension and reflection, while vivid descriptions transport readers into the carefully constructed settings. Ultimately, "Untethered" is not just a story about personal growth; it is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of connection, reminding us that while we may feel untethered at times, it is through our relationships and experiences that we find our way back to ourselves. This poignant and inspiring read will resonate with anyone grappling with their sense of self and is a must-read for those seeking a heartfelt and thought-provoking journey. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this book by Angela, Untethered was a time
Will definitely be recommending to other readers

Untethered indeed. My emotions, that is, from this tragically beautiful book. I don’t know how you write this without tears falling on your computer keys or good old fashioned paper. The writing is exquisite; the development and depth - perfection. I love when a book doesn’t go my way and leaves me with so many uncomfortable feelings; life doesn’t always go the way we plan. This is a wonderful reminder of the strength and love in vulnerability and service to others. In the second chapter I literally said out loud “I like her” in reference to the main character. I wish she were in my corner of life. I absolutely cannot recommend this enough!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


I truly identified with Katia, she was someone who truly to pride in and understood the responsibility of the work that she was doing with the young people. How she identified with those young people is how I identified with the young people I used to work with. She also was a person who was trying to figure out her family life and social life, and lets be honest who isn't! This book was all in all a great read and I loved this story line.

Engaging story! The author really tried to tackle a lot of issues. Which is very realistic, as we often get dealt blow after blow. I liked the aspect of the group home. However, I felt that she tried yo cover too much and it bogged the story down. Again, I still enjoyed it, I just wanted more.

There's a particular storyline that broke my heart and I really REALLY don't get why authors need to go that route. Like, yes it pulls at the heartstrings but really? This is why I play in romance so much. Listen, the book is fine, just fine. Well written, complete story, good pacing, relatively satisfying ending. I just... that one storyline, man.
I got an audio ARC and it was very well performed.

Wow!! What a precious and beautiful story of care, hope, and resilience. This is the second novel I've read by this author and she continues to excel beyond an expectation I could have had. In this story, we meet Ms Katia who has a heart of gold which she has invested into running a home for negro boys, in 1967 Alabama. Amisdt all the challenges that come along withhaving a leadership role in an environment that is heavily dominated by men, she also has to content with the Child Services department and the lack of concern shown towards the overall well being of these boys. Here we meet two very precious boys in her care, Chad and Pee Wee, who see her as the mother they never hard. The story of these two boys werw very emotionally touching, and literally had me fighting back tears on sevearl occasion. Katia is also burdened by her own personal problems in her dating life, the question about her likelyhood to get married and have kids, as well as the trauma of having her twin brothers leave for war. Overall, this was a beautiful and heart wrenching series, and I have since purchased another book by the author to enjoy even more of her story telling skills. This was a very memorable read and I can't wait to see what she does next.

This book is about loss, grief, low self esteem, racism and faith. It is also a book about love, self sacrifice, helping others, family and friends. Katia is a 40 year old black woman who is the director of a group home for boys who have gotten into trouble and have no family willing to take care of them. Besides being a caring director, she is strict and instills manners into her charges. She also takes them under her wing and sometimes becomes too attached. She has a very low self image of herself. She feels she is unlovable and overweight. Other people see her as an attractive, voluptuous woman. She lives with her mother and has twin brothers. One of those brothers came home from Vietnam after being MIA while the other brother is still MIA. This has been a source of grief for the whole family. Her father died when she was a young girl and she still misses him immensely. The book is told in Katia's POV and she does tend to harp on her lack of value all through the book which did become a bit depressing. The story is a good one. It has some heart break and some joy. All in all I am glad I read it. It enlightened me to the hardships young black men face on a daily basis.
Thanks to #netgalley, #harpermuse and @angelajacksonbrownauthor for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A heartwarmer-and a heartbreaker. Katia has devoted herself to the boys at the group home and she's especially fond of Chad and Peewee. Her twin brothers have gone MIA in Vietnam and she's, well a bit untethered as she worries about them and pushes off her mother's suggestions for a husband (who seems humorless at minimum but just wait). And then her brother Marcus comes home a shell of himself at almost the same time that Seth, the boy she tutored in high school, turns up to do work at the home. He's a veteran who has his own issues but he's devoted to helping other. Katia brings Chad and PeeWee home for Thanksgiving and it's wonderful until....no spoilers. This is a hard emotional read in spots that doesn't pull punches. If the epilogue seems like it ties things up too abruptly, that was still ok by me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC This is a good one.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a deeply moving exploration of family, identity, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. Jackson-Brown’s writing is poignant and vivid, capturing the complexities of the human experience with grace and authenticity. A powerful and thought-provoking read that will resonate long after the final page.

A heartbreaking story about family, love and self discovery set in Alabama during 1967 and the height of the Vietnam War.

Kate serves as the director at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys when she learns her twin brother are MIA. As she grapples with the uncertainty of her brother's safety, she also struggles to care for and protect the boys in her care, especially Chad and Pewee.

My heart broke often while reading this novel but I think this is a powerful and moving reminder of the power of love and community.

Trigger Warnings: racism, child abuse, death, grief and loss, PTSD

Thank you Harper Muse for the ARC

This beautifully written novel had some emotional moments that made me think I couldn’t continue, but I finished and am glad I did.

DNF'd @ 26%.

Thank you HarperCollins Focus and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was super excited to read this book. It just wasn't for me. I would encourage people to read this. Don't be discouraged by this review!

What a sweet story about such strong and impressive woman Katia. In backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels is the Executive Director at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. The narrative follows her as she simultaneously deals with her twin brothers being MIA as Marines in Vietnam, several serious and heartbreaking situations with the boys in her care, and coming to terms with her own infertility while her high school crush has come back to town showing interest in her.

Katia is a protagonist we can all root for- she’s selfless and kind and hearing about the struggles of her life was a beautiful ride. There were some tragic aspects as well but overall the novel ends on an uplifting note.

I enjoyed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book.

This is a. The arc. It was a good read. If you're looking for something that dives into the past and will keep you included in the story.

Angela Jackson Brown's work just keeps getting better. Set in 1967 in the small town of Troy, Alabama, Katia Daniels, unable to have kids of her own, pours her love into the boys at Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. This story resonated deeply with me due to my own experiences with raising and loving a foster child. The emotional depth of the story, highlighting the neglect and abuse of two boys to whom she was particularly close, made it impossible not to become attached to the boys and admire Katia's immense heart for them.
Aside from looking after the boys, she also assumes the role of caregiver for her family. PTSD is another significant theme in the book, with her twin brothers missing in action during the Vietnam War. Katia has given up hope for a true romantic relationship, settling instead for a comfortable friendship with an older man. I was jumping for joy when her high school crush came back into her life. I was wildly rooting for them to become more than friends! Although the story has big moments of suspense and drama, it is really a story about love, not only for others but for oneself.