Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Brooks Whitney Phillips’ The Grove is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of 1960s rural Florida. The story follows two sisters, Pip and Sissy, whose deep bond is tested when Sissy falls for a charming carnival performer, leading to secrets and heartbreak that will change their lives forever. Through vivid prose and an immersive setting, Phillips captures the tension between sisterhood, personal ambition, and societal constraints.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmospheric storytelling. The orange groves, the dusty carnival grounds, and the small-town landscape come alive with rich, sensory detail, making the reader feel fully transported to Pip and Sissy’s world. Phillips also excels at crafting complex, deeply human characters. Pip’s yearning to find her own path while living in the shadow of her sister’s beauty is both relatable and heartbreaking, while Sissy’s impulsiveness and longing for escape add layers to her character. The novel’s themes—family duty, dreams deferred, and the limitations imposed by class and gender—are woven seamlessly into a gripping narrative.

Phillips doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult topics, including economic struggles, classism, and racism, but she does so with nuance and care. The relationships in the book, particularly the sisterly bond at its core, feel authentic and raw, making the story both heartwarming and bittersweet.

With its lyrical prose, rich setting, and poignant exploration of family and self-discovery, The Grove is a deeply moving novel that lingers long after the final page. Fans of historical fiction and character-driven narratives will find much to love in this beautifully crafted debut.

It's kind of funny to me that right before I started reading this, I had an obsession with oranges. Maybe it was foreshadowing?


The Grove is set in 1960 and follows Penelope Bean (Pip), a fifteen-year girl who lives and works on an orange grove with her parents and older sister. Pip and her sister, Sissy, are in charge of running a roadside stand giving out souvenirs and fresh orange juice. Every winter, the two girls wait impatiently for the carnival to come to town. This year in particular it brings new surprises that cause a drastic change in Pip and Sissy's lives. The effects of the carnival haunt them for months to come and we watch as Pip's relationships change and grow, some for better and some for worse.


This is such a beautiful novel inside and out. The writing was so comforting, and it was so easy to sink into the story. There were a few serious topics discussed, such as racism, which was done very well. Phillips did a wonderful job showcasing how racism is something that is learned, not something you are born with.


Pip's way of seeing the world is something I'll keep with me for a long time. It was incredible getting to see her grow and how the dynamics between her and the other characters grew as well. I especially how Pip's relationship with herself grew as well and how she was able to grow more confident, no longer seeking the approval of others.


I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this book, and I definitely recommend picking it when it comes out! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.

This was an amazing. Ya historical fiction book. Is was very deep and emotional and it made me feel so many emotions.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
No matter how hard she tries to escape the groves, something always pulls her back.
1.5/5
When I first started reading the book I was very excited for the 1960s setting and for the sisters story. Surprisingly, the book was very fast paced which was nice, but with that the writing style was very new YA. Which I personally didn’t enjoy that much. I just went through the book but it wasn’t until I had less than 100 pages left where I felt things finally really picked up. Granted there were some scenes I enjoyed, and the complexities of the relationships, but it was the writing style I really couldn’t get past.

I binge-read this novel over 24 hours—the absolute definition of unputdownable. This is one of the most beautifully written, emotionally unsettling YA books I've ever read. A hope-filled yet honest gut punch of a novel that doesn't shy away from the idea of consequences, yet openly embraces the concept of brighter beginnings if we're brave enough to walk into them.