Wayward Girls
A Novel
by Susan Wiggs
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Pub Date Jul 15 2025 | Archive Date Sep 09 2025
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Description
"After decades of bestsellers, Wayward Girls might be Susan Wiggs' opus. A gut-wrenching story of survival, friendship, and justice. Masterful."--Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
"The magnificent Susan Wiggs takes a leap into the history of women..a page-turner, replete with mystery and suspense."—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption. Set in the turbulent Vietnam era in the All-American city of Buffalo, New York, six girls are condemned to forced labor in the laundry of a Catholic reform school.
In 1968 we meet six teens confined at the Good Shepherd—a dark and secretive institution controlled by Sisters of Charity nuns—locked away merely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.
Mairin— free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants, committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.
Angela—denounced for her attraction to girls, sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.
Helen—the daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, she saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.
Odessa—caught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, she found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.
Denise—sentenced for brawling in a foster home, she dared to dream of a better life.
Janice—deeply insecure, she couldn’t decide where her loyalty lay—except when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency.
Sister Bernadette—rescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her.
Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice.
"Wayward girls is all about the power of female bonds...this isn't just a moment in time—it's a cautionary tale."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780063118270 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Andrea D, Reviewer
Wayward Girls by New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs is a poignant and deeply moving novel inspired by true events, set against the backdrop of 1960s Buffalo, New York. Wiggs crafts a dual-timeline narrative that delves into the lives of six young women confined to the notorious Catholic reform school, Good Shepherd. Their stories weave a haunting tapestry of survival, friendship, and redemption in the shadow of systemic oppression.
In 1968, Mairin, Angela, Helen, Odessa, Denise, and Janice find themselves sent to the Good Shepherd, each for reasons that echo the societal injustices of the era. Mairin, spirited and defiant, is placed there by a mother who seeks to protect her from a predatory stepfather. Angela, condemned for her attraction to girls, suffers devastating abuse. Helen, the daughter of intellectuals imprisoned in Communist China, endures an indefinite stay. Odessa’s strength is tested after she’s swept into a racial incident, while Denise dreams of escape and a brighter future. Janice wrestles with insecurity and loyalty, particularly toward her friend Kay, whose childlike dependence defines her.
Through richly developed characters, Wiggs unveils the harsh realities of Good Shepherd—a place where the nuns’ rigid control often masked cruelty. Yet, amid the oppressive environment, these young women forge bonds of solidarity, finding resilience and moments of hope. Their journeys unfold with complexity and depth, capturing the fierce determination to reclaim their lives and demand justice.
Told in dual timelines, Wayward Girls not only follows their harrowing experiences at Good Shepherd but also their futures, as the women confront the scars of their pasts and fight for the truth to come to light. Wiggs’ evocative prose brings the era to life, shedding light on the systemic challenges faced by women deemed “unruly” for simply defying societal norms.
Fans of Before We Were Yours, Orphan Train, and The Berry Pickers will find much to admire in this masterful blend of historical fiction and heartfelt storytelling. Wayward Girls is a celebration of courage, sisterhood, friendship and the unyielding strength of the human spirit.
#WaywardGirls #SusanWiggs #HistoricalFiction #SistersOfCharity #DualTimeline
Reviewer 1157702
This was such a powerful story of friendship and survival. The writing was spectacular and really brought out so many emotions as I was reading. I did not want to put this book down and wanted redemption for all of these girls. I highly recommend this book!
Mary K, Librarian
Great story! Susan develops her characters from young adults to mature, aged adults. The story follows6 girls during their stay at the Good Shepherd, an institution controlled by Sisters of Charity. The story shows the girls strength, maturity, and hope for their future.
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