Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller. A beautifully, meticulously written story about a sad event during a horrrendous era in our history. This country has much to answer for still.

I enjoyed The Filling Station so much! It was an interesting historical read. The cover drew me in. I enjoyed learning about history and this book didn't disappoint me at all. Everyone needs to read The Filling Station.

Vanessa Miller’s latest novel, The Filling Station is historical fiction that tells the story of two sisters who survived the massacre and how they try to pick up the pieces of their lives left in the rubble. The novel is based on real events and includes a real family, the Threaats, who provided a safe haven for survivors. Older sister Margaret and young sister Evelyn are taken in by the family who owns the only local gas station friendly to Black customers.

Rebuilding after tragedy
When you think about a tragedy or disaster, often the attention is focused on the destruction, but not the rebuilding. The Filling Station focuses not just on the rebuilding of the Greenwood district, but the rebuilding of the sisters’ spirits. One thing that always haunted me about the tragedy is that high school graduation was literally the next day. But by dawn on June 1, Greenwood and been burned and firebombed beyond recognition. Younger sister Evelyn represents the youth that would have graduated.

Margaret, having graduated college and preparing for a teaching position, takes on the responsibility of caretaker for her sister and the legacy of her family. She participates in Greenwood’s rebuilding and feels tied to resurrecting it. Evelyn, whose childhood was effectively ripped from her hands, wants nothing to do with Greenwood or the memories that horrible night holds. She wants to leave for fashion school, but can not now that their fortunes are uncertain.

Faith & Anger
Margaret grapples with her faith in God throughout the book. She asks the question, how could God have allowed this to happen? Elijah, the farmhand that befriends and helps her, provides a foil to Margaret’s anger towards God.

This was a layered book that explores life after experiencing tragedy and trauma. Through each sister, you see how different people react and approach life after experiencing tragedy. Margaret overworks herself, worries and questions her faith. Evie rebels and tries to find her way, but fails several times. The specter of racist violence haunts the girls as they fear something similar happening again. One wants to stand and defend while the other wants to leave and start over. But throughout, their community holds them up as they learn to stand again.

Sibling Relationships
The relationship between the sisters is as interesting as their choices and ways of dealing with the trauma. I appreciate that the book focuses on the recovery and how they rebuild their lives. Where they have to dig in and show grit, there is also grace to soothe them. The dynamic between older and younger; homebody vs wanderer creates interesting situations that both have to deal with. The symbolism of their arriving at a gas station when they felt like they couldn’t take one more step, essentially running on an empty tank, is powerful. The idea of the girls needing to be physically and spiritually filled up before they went out on their own was intriguing.

The Filling Station is a really touching story about family, love, and second chances. It follows a young woman who returns to her childhood home and the family gas station, only to face a bunch of old issues she thought she'd left behind. Miller does a great job of bringing the characters to life, making it easy to feel connected to their struggles. The book is all about forgiveness, dealing with family drama, and finding the strength to move on. It's a great reminder that while our past shapes us, we still have the power to rewrite our future.

Read it, NOW! That’s the post!!

While Evie and Margaret are fictional characters, the Tulsa Race Massacre is NOT!! Historical fiction is my preferred genre, second to nonfiction, and this story does not disappoint. This book tells the story of the Tulsa Massacre through the lives, loves, relationships, experiences and thoughts of two sisters who are very much immersed in and proud of their community of Greenwood.

Vanessa Miller’s writing made me feel present in the middle of this story! I experienced these events along with Evie and Margaret. And I loved that we were able to see the characters experience joy throughout it all, even as both sisters struggled through and processed their trauma and wrestled with their faith. And ooooooh how much do I love Elijah!!

It’s really outstanding to read about something so painful and heavy and yet find that the story was crippling. There was joy and hope and restoration not only of the town but of dreams. And the bonus is that Vanessa shares her research with us for those of us that want to learn more, on her website.

I completed this story as an immersive read using the audiobook ARC and the e-ARC. I’ve never done that before and it was an awesome experience, I really enjoyed the narrator!

5 stars hands down, 10 out of 10!!

Thank you @thomasnelson and @netgalley for both the audio and ebook arc!! 🥰 #TheFillingStation #BlackStoriesMatter

4.5 stars

Vanessa Miller tackles a brutal chapter of American history with honesty and heart in The Filling Station. Sisters Margaret and Evelyn flee the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, finding refuge at the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66. Miller shines a necessary spotlight on Greenwood, Oklahoma, and its violent destruction, a tragic event overlooked by many history books.

Margaret, practical and cautious, struggles with shattered faith. Evelyn dreams of escape and a brighter future. Both women feel vividly real, their flaws and strength equally believable. Miller carefully shows how trauma shapes them differently, making their journey toward healing messy but meaningful.

Some plot points land predictably, yet strong character development keeps the pages turning. Historical quotes woven throughout add depth and authenticity. Faith is central to the story, raising tough questions like why terrible things happen and how grace survives tragedy. Even when Margaret and Evelyn make questionable choices, readers understand their pain and resilience.

Miller’s thoughtful storytelling honors the Tulsa victims by refusing to gloss over their suffering or sacrifice. Despite minor shortcomings, The Filling Station is heartfelt historical fiction, capturing humanity’s ability to rise again.

** Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for complimentary review copies. Opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

I stumbled on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre when I listened to a sermon a couple of years ago but had not found any books that give me more information. Hence, I was excited when The Filling Station popped up on my Instagram Feed as a Black History Month recommendation. It was great to learn about the existence of Greenwood or "Black Wall Street" as it was termed and the success of African Americans that even under persistent racial tensions under the Jim Crow Laws. It was also insightful to learn more about how Black Christians may have navigate their faith in such difficult times. This book is well-researched and worth reading in 2025 as a reminder of the power of community, resilience and love.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction for the e-ARC.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 📗
4⭐️

I knew when I started this book it was going to be amazing. @authorvanessamiller always delivers and tugs at the heart strings while given a full blown history lesson in the process. The story is about life after the Tulsa massacre for two sisters, Margaret and Evelyn. This story was a true reminder of the grit and perseverance of our ancestors. I loved all characters and the kindness from strangers in the midst of disaster. It was times I cried and reflected on what we went through during hurricane Katrina. The hopelessness you feel and the struggle with one’s faith I understood. I had my love and hate moments with characters. Evelyn I thought she was so sheltered and ungrateful at moments then had to remember this generation of children we have currently 🫣. I loved Elijah and how he fought the good fight with true love. I have really enjoyed all of his authors books. I have always had an interest in black Wall Street and the success of our ppl during this time period.

Thank you to @hearourvoicestours for including me in this tour😍.

🏷️#booklover #bookstagram #bookcommunity #books of instagram #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #bookblog #booknerdigans #bookishfeatures #bookphotography #yalit #yabooks #currentlyreading #igreads #instaread #bookworm #booknerd #bookdragons #history #tulsamassacre #tulsa #blackwallstreet

In this book, sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice are residents of Greenwood, a self-sufficient neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. After the gruesome event that we know as the Tulsa Race Massacre, they flee to safety along the infamous Route 66 and end up at the Threatt Filling Station. It’s here that they are able to process their pain and regroup. While one sister wants to stay snd rebuild, the other wants to flee and start over.

This book invokes an array of emotions. Throughout the years, we’ve heard of this Massacre, but @authorvanessamiller has given the readers a relatable story. Racism, escapism, unity and sisterhood are just a few themes that are focused on and left me feeling a sense of pride. Each time the author picks up her pen, she delivers a thought provoking story that stays with you long after the last page.

I’d like to thank @netgalley @thomasnelson and for gifting a copy.

The Filling Station is a touching story of two sisters trying to find hope and endure persecution after the tragic Tulsa Race Massacre. I admit, it took me a bit longer than my usual reading pace to finish this book. It was not an easy read as it dealt with some tough topics as well as depicted the extent of destruction that senseless hatred can cause. Overall, I’m glad I read it; although this book deals with some very heavy topics, I felt there was enough light to balance it out, and I learned a lot.

Margaret, the eldest daughter, was a strong and resilient character whom I enjoyed getting to know. Evelyn on the other hand was a character I struggled to understand, but overall liked. I appreciated the way the author used these two sisters to depict the diversity of grief. Margaret is the “stay and fight” type although she let bitterness overcome her (don’t worry, there’s a wonderful character arc!). Whereas Evelyn wants nothing more than to escape (which was understandable). I loved the way each of their Faith arcs were written, and thought the filling station analogy was quite neat.

I did have some minor qualms with certain plot points, but it was just some small details.

I’d recommend this book to the readers who are not afraid of reading difficult topics and enjoy learning about historical events.

***Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a free digital copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Special thanks to @hearourvoicestours & @tnzfiction for my gifted copy and to @thomasnelson for my gifted ALC‼️

The Filling Station follows two sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice both with future plans in fashion and the other in teaching. When the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre occurs the sisters suffer from a devastating loss as well as the entire Black community of Greenwood. Left with nothing but each other, the sisters flee along what would eventually become iconic Route 66 and stumble upon the Threatt Filling Station, a safe haven and the only place where they can find a shred of hope in oppressive Jim Crow America. At the filling station, they are able to process their pain, fill up their souls, and find strength as they wrestle with a faith in God that has left them feeling abandoned.

The narrative was so captivating yet unsettling the way Miller explored the struggles faced by the community of Greenwood. After destroying everything they worked hard for the community did not let it break them, they didn’t give up, and they refused to leave. Many people would’ve packed up and never looked back but to remain and rebuild was the truest definition of standing on business.

Miller flawlessly portrayed Margaret and Evelyn’s devastating reality and their commitment to survive. Margaret was a very strong character who often questioned God a lot only to marry a man of faith. I loved Elijah for her and the fact he experienced just as much hardship and still stood strong. What they did to his grandmother was unimaginable. I think Evelyn’s character might’ve made me grow a few grey hairs the way that girl had me stressed. The Threatt family was everything those girls and that community needed.

Overall, this book was AMAZING Vanessa Miller does not disappoint. There is so much depth and authenticity in the character development and tension within their personal encounters if I didn’t know it was fiction I’d believe every word. The book was a perfect blend of history, drama, and life-altering decisions that make this story both fascinating and emotionally gripping.

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller was an amazing historical fiction book. This book was very emotional read especially with everything that is happening now! I have learned so much about Black Wall Street that I never knew. The author also has resources for the reader to learn more about this travesty that happened. I will be traveling to Greenwood to see this town. Thanks for this incredible book !!!

I am honestly and voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Vanessa Miller did an amazing job of telling the story of Greenville, North Carolina. Having actual accounts mixed in with created additions made this a good time! Anytime I read stories about the mistreatment of African Americans, I finish the book drained and angry. I was angered greatly by the subject matter, and I had to process all that I had read upon completion. However, I could see the story of hope, perseverance, love, and power.

I had the opportunity to have both the ARC and the ALC of this book, which allowed me to completely immerse myself in it. I really enjoy a good tandem read, especially when the narrator and author are both top-notch!

Angel Pean did an awesome job of bringing each individual character to life, preserving their independence and personal conflicts. I will absolutely look for more books she narrates.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson, and Vanessa Miller for the ALC of this important moment in the history of African Americans!

The Filling Station is a historical fiction account based on the true events of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and the aftermath that this devastating hate fuelled event had on fictional sisters, Margaret and Evelyn Justice, their family, friends and the entire community of Greenwood Oklaholma.

Margaret and Evelyn were two young black women who were raised in the thriving and bustling 'Black Wall Street' community of Greenwood when one night of racially charged violence destroys their community. Buildings are torched and burned to the ground, and residents are gunned down while attempting to flee the carnage.

Survivors of the massacre band together to rebuild, not only their homes, but their entire community and rebuild their lives, dreams, and sense of security.  While devastating, Vanessa Miller masterfully weaves this tragic event with themes of hope, resilience and love. And while Margaret and Evelyn are fictional characters, Miller introduces us to the Threatt family, a real life family who owned one of the only black filling stations in the Tulsa area during this period of time. The Threatt filling station became a haven for many residents fleeing the aftermath of the Massacre.

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

The Filling Station is the story of an often-overlooked piece of American history – the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Vanessa Miller has woven this disgraceful and horrifying event into a novel that revolves around two of the survivors, sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice. The story begins with the massacre itself and then the subsequent years of rebuilding and redemption. Only recently have I become aware of this event, so this book sounded particularly interesting. However, it wasn’t really what I expected.

The writing style and superficial approach seems to be more appropriate for late middle school audience. There’s a lot of redundant material and hardly a page goes by that someone isn’t crying – usually one of the sisters – and right up until the end of the book.

And, speaking of the sisters, I thought Margaret, in particular was a brat and quite unlikable, and Elijah displayed the patience of Job. How he put up with Margaret is a mystery to me. She was consistently ungrateful, illogical, and inconsiderate. It got old fast.

Finally, this book is quite preachy and has a decided religious theme. I don’t really mind that approach but it definitely was unexpected. And, in this case, it was overused and suffered from redundancy as well. Time would have been better spent on more background information about the massacre and the history of Greenwood.

While I’d give The Filling Station five stars for tackling this horrific subject and providing references as well, it’s just one star for its execution and focus. It was disappointing and, in the end, it’s a 2 stars book for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

The Filling Station is an emotionally charged story set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We watch as the Justice sisters endure the horrific events of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the aftermath in this historical fiction novel. The Justice sisters are fictional but there are many historical facts that make up the meat of this story. We know that The Tulsa Race Massacre is a true event and it up ended the lives of many that just wanted something that was their own. However, lies, hate, jealousy and fear destroyed everything they worked to build. We watch as the Justice sister’s slowly heal and rebuild their lives in the mist of everything that was lost. I enjoyed this read it made me shed tears, it made me angry and it made my heart smile. This is a must read.

A compelling, beautiful, eye-opening account of two sisters and how they were affected (emotionally and economically) by the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.

This author skillfully swept me up in the story, and didn’t give easy spiritual answers, but showed a real struggle for the characters to find faith, healing, and attempt to recover from unfair and unjust traumatic events that happened to them.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hey, hey, my favorites 😁

Filling Station by Vanessa Miller

Publication Date: 3/11/25 #happyreleaseday
⭐ Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

A huge thank you to @hearourvoicestours and Vanessa Miller for the gifted copy! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read and review this inspiring novel. @TNZFiction

Vanessa Miller’s Filling Station is a powerful and uplifting story that beautifully captures faith, resilience, and the transformative power of second chances. From the very first page, I was drawn into the lives of the characters, each carrying their own burdens yet finding hope in the most unexpected places. Miller’s storytelling is both heartfelt and engaging, weaving a narrative that reminds us how faith and perseverance can guide us through life’s toughest challenges.

I truly enjoyed this book—it was inspiring, emotionally rich, and had just the right balance of realism and redemption. If you’re looking for a novel that speaks to the soul while delivering a compelling story, Filling Station is a must-read!

This was almost a 5 star read for me: 4.5 stars. The cover is gorgeous. I learned a great deal about the Tulsa Race Massacre. What a shameful even in our nation's history. A White mob invaded and burned down the town of Greenwood after a Black teenager was accused of raping a white woman, and he was later acquitted. Each chapter of the book started off with a little factual detail to focus the reader. This book follows two sisters, Margaret and Evelyn as they try to recover both emotionally and economically from this tragic event.
I think that the only thing that kept it from being five star from me is that there were lapses into what can best be described as soap operaish events in the womens' lives. The story was strongest when it was rooted in the history of what happened. I do understand that when one is focusing on two characters, the author has to give personal anecdotes about them but for me it was the history that was most interesting. That said, I enjoyed the book and will definitely look for other things written by this author.
I listened to part of the book on audio and the narrator was well suited to the tenor of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio and to Thomas Nelson fiction for providing me with copies of the text and audio in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

This book was a heavy read, but I loved the exploration into such a horrific and under-taught moment in this nation’s history. The Tulsa Massacre decimated Greenwood, Oklahoma, and the US has YET to pay reparations for that crime. Experiencing these events through the eyes of Margaret and Evie provided a humanizing perspective that put names and faces on those directly impacted. Miller also allows the characters to feel their rage at seemingly being abandoned by God. Sometimes, “just pray about it” and “God don’t make mistakes” ain’t what you want to hear. But,The Threatt Filling Station provided a much needed life raft during this storm for so many people as they worked together as a community to rebuild. Definitely recommend this book!