If you’re looking for a powerful, thought-provoking read, let me put you on to The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller. This book is an absolute must-read, especially if you love historical fiction that brings real, overlooked stories to life.

Miller’s storytelling is immersive and emotional, pulling you right into the lives of two sisters whose world is turned upside down. The writing is beautiful, the characters are so well-developed, and the way she explores resilience, faith, and community is just chef’s kiss.

One thing I love about this book is how it sheds light on an important piece of history that isn’t talked about enough. It’s heartbreaking, but also deeply inspiring. I promise you’ll walk away feeling something.

If you’re building your 2025 reading list, add The Filling Station ASAP. I highly recommend it, and I know it’s going to stick with me for a long time.

This is a story of historical events that I have not heard much about. I have since finishing it read some of the info that this author left at the end. The links that is. This is a very emotionally charged story. It keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know why throughout. At least it did for me. I wish I could say that this country has come a long way and maybe in some ways it has. But in so many ways it certainly has not. So much hatred and bigotry still seems to run this country.

This is the story of what happened in 1921 in a town in Oklahoma. What happened to a group of people who were doing nothing to warrant such hostility and hatred. Simply because of the color of their skin. That is a fact. A very sad fact.

There were many black families living in an area called Greenwood. It was an all black area. All the businesses and homes belonged to these citizens. They were very successful and happy with their lives. But white people didn't like it. They didn't want these black people to be happy and successful. They used an excuse based on a black kid touching a white girl to invade this area and burn them to the ground. To terrorize and hurt these law abiding citizens because they were black and did not deserve to own anything.

In this story you meet two young women who lived in Greenwood District. Sisters. Best of friends. They lived with their father. Their mother had died and he raised his girls. He taught them to respect people. To work hard. To get an education. Then one night they were attacked. A whole district turned upside down and people left with nothing. All they had worked for gone up in smoke. How can people truly be that cruel? I don't understand and never will. Reading this was heartbreaking but also I believe necessary. It's history. It happened. We don't need things like this to keep happening.

These people were given very little help to rebuild their community. And they had to work for that. The Red Cross didn't want to help it seems. They did but the cost was the people's dignity. Not one white man was arrested or reprimanded for this heinous crime. Not one.

The people in Greenwood District did build back. They worked hard. They excelled again. The story is mostly about these two young women but also what happened in 1921 in the Greenwood District to the black people by white people. Isn't it sad that it happened at all?

You meet several families and get to know another family. The Threatt family. They helped people out when they came to them. What this family did for Evelyn and Margaret was beyond what they ever expected. They were two young women alone when they happened upon the Threatt Filling Station. What a perfect name for this book....

Read this one. It's so worth it. It's history that you may not have heard about. It's sad and uplifting both.

Thank you #NetGalley, #ThomasNelsonFiction, for this ARC.

Thank you to @hearourvoicestours , @tnzfiction , and @authorvanessamiller for the beautiful gifted box and book.

📖This is my second novel by this author, and it's clear that she is truly skilled at bringing life to historical stories. This novel centers the race massacre that occurred in 1921, Tulsa. We follow two sisters as their beautiful and prosperous lives are upended, and all the dreams and aspirations of their townspeople are violently destroyed.

This book took me on an emotional journey. I was captivated from the very beginning to the end by the characters and the events they endured. I was moved to tears by the gut-wrenching reality that even though some of these characters were fictional, the basis of this story were real-life events and situations. There was pain, heartache, anger, grief, despair, sorrow, and so much love contained within these pages. I can't fathom the kind of fortitude the real-life residents of this town had to possess to even want to continue, much less the strength and ability to rebuild after such brutality.

There is another part of this story that centers on the relationship with God, love, and sisterhood that truly resonated. The questions some of the characters have are very relatable and are things I've even asked myself. I loved the two sisters and equally related to the elder more responsible Magarate as well as the younger Evie, just trying to figure things out. Elijah, the man that he is, has found a place in my heart. If you haven't read this novel yet, please go add it to your tbr!

Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced copy of the "The Filling Station." The content was difficult to process at times, but Vanessa Miller does a beautiful job of showing the resilience and tenacity of survivors. This historical fiction was an eye-opener for sure. I am grateful that I embarked upon this learning opportunity. I'd rate this novel as high as possible. I am forever changed by this book.

This one will keep you turning the pages!
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 is a historical event that I knew little about, before I read this novel. The Oklahoma town of Greenwood, a thriving place of businesses and home to thousands of Blacks, was destroyed when protests over a proposed lynching caused White men to retaliate. Over much time, despite many setbacks and refusals of aid, the brave citizens of Greenwood managed to restore and rebuild much of which was lost.
A historical novel like this makes me want to read more on the subject! The author’s notes and extensive bibliography at the end will be very helpful.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

This was not an easy read. It was filled with a community who had to survive a horrific night, but not only that isolated night, months of rising up and moving forward even though no assistance was provided and the true guilty party placed blame at their feet.

But it was filled with strong people who did survive, did move forward and through taking it day by day and kept on fighting, were able to heal and come out stronger.

I LOVED all the scripture and the rawness and struggle to trust God. It made this book honest and real.

I was beyond thrilled to read Vanessa Millers new book that is based off the Tulsa Massacre even though it was a a difficult read at times. The heartbreak and struggles that so many successful black families endured was terribly sad, we then get a front row seat following the Justice sisters. It starts off showing the beautiful side of living in Greenwood aka Black Wall St, & how so many black families were thriving until a mob of white people come to destroy& burn the city down. We see the aftermath with the sisters Margaret & Evelyn trying to escape the dangers of that night, finding their father, & rebuilding their home & life. This author did a beautiful job telling this story even though you could feel the terror that the characters faced throughout the story. Very grateful to have read this anticipated read for my complimentary copy.

I don’t believe these are words to truly express how much I just could not put this story down. I absolutely enjoyed the journey that Miller worked soo hard to put together for us. This story was raw, perfect and just what we need to teach students about the terrible Tulsa Massacre and how much the business district in Greenwood that they destroyed. I felt like I was watching this on a big screen. The writing was perfect and the research completed was phenomenal. Completing this novel, you can honestly see that this was well thought and written with her heart. I was introduced to Vanessa Miller through the Woman Evolve book club and have made it a requirement to purchase her other novels. I thought the American Queen was my favorite, no, I think The Filling Station is my favorite as well as my favorite read of the year so far.
My heart will forever keep Evie and Margaret near and their stories as the world deserves to hear about the painful past we’ve endured that has shaped Black History.
Thanks NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read this novel as an Advance Reader Copy.

Although the subject matter is important and the synopsis is intriguing, I found the writing style very difficult to stay engaged in.

Filling Station by @authorvanessamiller was an easy 5 ⭐️ read! This book is about more than the erasure of Black Wall Street. This book is about learning to keep the faith in your God when all else is lost. It’s about grief and how dealing with it is a challenge to everyone but it’s still too important to ignore. It’s about allowing yourself to trust again once you’ve lost faith in the world. This book has earned every single star!

I started The Filling Station and could not put it down. PUT IT IN YOUR FACE.

This book grabbed me from page one and didn't let go until the end. The story of sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice surviving the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 hit me right in the feels. Miller does an outstanding job bringing this painful chapter of history to life. I felt like I was right there with the sisters as they fled their burning neighborhood and found refuge at the Threatt Filling Station. The fear, grief, and determination jumped off the page and smacked me in the face.
What struck me most was how Miller doesn't sugarcoat the brutality and injustice, but she also shows the strength and resilience of the Greenwood community without making it feel like a history lecture.
The audio version deserves special praise. The narrator's performance was spot on, giving each character a distinct personality and handling the emotional scenes perfectly.
I've enjoyed Vanessa Miller's work before, but this novel takes her storytelling to a new level. Her research shines through in every detail, from the vibrant pre-massacre Greenwood to the painful process of rebuilding. I'm already looking forward to her next historical fiction release.

If you want a powerful story that teaches history while touching your heart, The Filling Station is a must-read. It's a painful reminder of our past but also shows how people pick themselves up and rebuild when everything is taken away.

This is a historical fiction story based on the racial riots of 1929 that destroyed Greenville, Oklahoma. It's definitely not an easy read and not for the sensitive reader, as it deals with a heavy subject.
The story is based around two fictional sisters who were late teens, early 20s, and live in Greenville when the riots occurred, experiencing the devastating trauma and tragedy. As they rebuild their lives, they deal with love, the loss of dreams, the loss of freedom, the loss of friends & family, racism, and the loss of trust (in others and God). Well written story and at times felt like I was in the middle of the action.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

"When you're white, you are right, and if you are black, you get arrested for what the white folks did."

"The white man throws rocks and hides his hand while black men get scapegoated for their crimes."

"The Filling Station" is incredibly sad, but it is filled with pockets of hope. When I look on our history in this nation I'm always filled with disgust and horrified by white people's actions. Just because you have the power to do something doesn't mean you should. The heart of these folks is wicked. Vanessa Miller shares the true story of the Tulsa Massacre in a way that makes each character feel real. Margaret and Evelyn's pain felt like it was my pain. I may not agree with the direction these sisters took but I understand that life happens. Especially when your whole life as you knew it is snatched away from you. I absolutely loved Elijah. He was so sweet, encouraging, and a faithful man.

This is an important book that exposes the history that was pretty much buried for a century. Crazy right? I will always look back at my people and admire the strength and resilience it took to survive in this abhorrent environment. Looking on America today, you cannot tell me there isn't a correction or judgement coming. You can't spill that much blood and not expect a reckoning. I highly recommend "The Filling Station". It may make you uncomfortable, but the truth doesn't care about your comfortability.

This is a story of survival, love and faith in God! I only learned about the Tulsa massacre when I was an adult and only minimal facts. This story dives into the persia point of view of two sisters who go through this ordeal, losing everything they have. After they flee the city on foot, they take shelter at a nearby gas station, or filling station that is owned by a black family and safe for black people to use. The sisters have to build their life up again and find the strength to rebuild and carry on. I really enjoyed this book, for the historical content but mostly for the content on finding your faith again. Beautifully written!

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Books for an Arc copy of this book.

Forced to flee from their home and separated from their father, Margaret & Evelyn seek refuge at a filling station.
In the aftermath of the Tulsa Massacre, the young ladies see & face tragedies that affects the way they now interact with the world.
This was a really good and interesting story. Even though I know what the Tulsa Massacre is, it's heartening to hear of the aftermath and how some weren't able to recover. And the continued disregard shown to survivors.

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller is a captivating novel!
I absolutely loved it. It's a rare thing to get a historical fiction that is wonderfully researched, pitch-perfectly voiced and unputdownable, but this is the real deal. A perfectly formed masterpiece. I raced through it
With riveting prose the pages fly and the heart beats for the astonishing heroine. Well-developed character pulls you into the story immediately and stirs emotions within you. This book was masterfully narrated.
This really was historical fiction at its finest, this book made me feel things I haven't felt in some time.

Story is set in the horror of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. I hadn't heard much about this part of history until last summer when some of the lawsuits were revisited.

This story is so moving and really a part of history I didn't know about and was interested in learning more about. Margaret and Evelyn are sisters that run on the night of the riots and lost everything - their father, their home and their business. They end up at The Filling Station and the family there takes them in as they work to rebuild their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Clearly 2025 is the year of Black Historical Fiction because these authors have been putting out nothing but heat with more to come! The Filling Station followed sisters Margaret and Evelyn as they dealt with the devastating effects of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The greenwood neigboread was a Black Mecca filled with thriving Black owned businesses. Residents of the neighborhood created their own slice of heaven where they were able to live freely and in peace without having to worry about discrimination. All of that changed when an angry White mob descended upon the town and burned businesses, homes, and killed and seriously injured many. After escaping unharmed Margaret and Evelyn found solace at The Filling Station. They were taken in by the Threatt family whilst dealing with the loss of the only life they had ever known. This story is a very important read as we saw the disproportionate treatment of Black people during a disaster. Insurance wouldn’t pay and a grand jury refused to indict the mob who caused the massacre.

It’s also a story of resilience, faith, and fighting for your rights. Margaret and Evelyn faced many uphill battles and even when they were both of the verge of giving up, they still pushed through. I enjoyed all of the side characters who contributed to the story and how they also helped the girls. This story will bring out the emotions definitely but the grace of God shined upon these residents and their will to survive and prosper helped them to rebuild their thriving community once more. Add this one to you list if you haven’t! Happy reading!

I think the more Vanessa writes HF books, the better she gets!! This was amazing! I love that I learned while reading and this should be read by all!! I loved the characters she created and hurt for them while they mourned. I loved Elijah and his strong faith— it was so refreshing!

On the night of May 31, 1921 Margaret Justice heads to a movie with her father at the Dreamland. Her sister Evelyn is at graduation practice at Booker T. Washington High School, before heading to design school in New York City. That night the Justice’s family is changed forever. Margaret and Evelyn escape Greenwood and find refuge at the Threatt Filling Station (on what would become Route 66) and try to find ways to carry on after surviving the Tulsa Race Massacre. They debate to go back and try to rebuild Greenwood.

I couldn’t put down “The Filling Station”. I felt panic and anger and also love of community. This is a fantastic book to introduce yourself to the Tulsa Race Massacre if you have not heard of it. I am so glad that Vanessa Miller wrote such a gripping book that takes place during the massacre.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. #TheFillingStation #NetGalley