This was such a timely read. The story was compelling on so many levels and I really appreciated the author’s note about how the book originated. The dual timelines worked wonderfully and each story was equally powerful. The narrators were perfect for their respective characters. Jessa was the kind of woman we all need on our side and I was rooting for her both personally and professionally. Really well done and I highly recommend this one!

If gripping factually based narratives with a ripped from the headlines feel are your thing, you’ll want to put Jacqueline Friedland’s latest novel on your radar. It is a powerful and compelling fictionalized narrative based on the eugenics practices used in the United States prior to WWII.

COUNTING BACKWARDS tells two stories across dual timelines. The primary plot line features attorney Jessa Gidney. Reeling from a recent miscarriage and being passed over for partner at her firm, her desperation to have a child is placing a wedge between Jessa and her husband. When she is assigned a pro bono case representing a woman held in an immigration detention center, she stumbles upon a horrible secret.

The second storyline centers on real-life Carrie Buck, a young woman who was caught up in and abused by the Virginia foster care system. An unplanned pregnancy results in her being made a ward of the state. What happens from there is horrific.

Friedland merges these storylines to create an important novel that doesn’t shy away from hard topics. For me, the mark of good historical fiction is the desire to do more research into the central themes of the book. I am now well down the rabbit hole of eugenics and the atrocities performed on vulnerable women made possible by a significant imbalance of power.

The audiobook is narrated by Amanda Stribling and Carolyn Jania. They portray strength and vulnerability; and bring this story to life.

COUNTING BACKWARDS is not a comfortable read, but it’s an important one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audio, and Harper Muse for the advance listener and advance reader copies. All options are my own.

Run don’t walk to get your hands on this book! This might be the most important book for the times. Based on real case law and events in 1920s and 2020s America, this book covers women’s autonomy and reproductive rights and the ways that they have and continue to be stripped away. When Jessa, a young and ambitious young lawyer, takes on a pro bono case helping an ICE detainee appeal her deportation she uncovers a pattern of medical abuse at the detention facility that shocks her to her core. Determined to stop the barbaric practices at the detention center, Jessa uncovers a familial connection to a poor young woman from the 1920s who tried to fight a forced sterilization at a facility that deemed her mentally unfit to procreate. At the same time that Jessa is working to gather all the information she can about past and present eugenics practices that took women’s ability to have children away, she struggles with her own fertility challenges and the effects they have on her marriage. This book doesn’t just explore reproductive rights but all the ways women’s rights can and have been controlled both in the past and in the present. The storytelling is layered, nuanced, sensitive, and sheer perfection. This is a novel I will recommend over and over again. The audiobook was fantastic and the narrator gave an emotional and stellar performance. All the stars for this one.

This novel is just incredible. I was immediately drawn into the story and the way it's so beautifully written. I love the dual timelines and the way they emphasize how the past shapes the future even when all is not as it seems. There is a shocking twist that had me turning the pages rapidly to see how it was going end. The author's note provides information on the actual events that inspired the story. Loved the audiobook!

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook via Netgalley.

This is a timely dual -timeline novel based on real events in the 1920s and early 2020s. Carrie Buck is the center of a heartbreaking legal battle over eugenics, and Jessa is a lawyer working a pro bono case helping an ICE detainee appeal her deportation when she uncovers a pattern of medical abuse at the detention facility. As we alternate between Carrie and Jessa, Friedland masterfully showcases the infuriating lack of bodily autonomy afforded to uterus owners in this country. Other themes covered in the novel include immigration, incarceration, reproductive justice, infertility, and medical malpractice. In other words, this book covers very heavy topics. It's illuminating and infuriating as well as hopeful. The novel also spends quite a bit of time on Jessa's personal life, which at times felt like a detour from the main story but ultimately her character growth did add to the story. There is a brief authors note at the end that gives information about the true events that inspired this story, which I appreciated.

Wow, what a difficult, yet incredibly well written story. Two timelines, two characters, centered on the horrific eugenics and forced sterilization programs. The timelines are woven together smoothly- connecting in ways the reader doesn’t see coming. The characters are well developed and real - the emotions are felt through the pages. A complex story, based on truth, that is so important to share. I thought that the author did an incredible job of creating an emotional story that is impossible to turn away from.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

What an amazing story inspired by true events. Jessa Gidney, a lawyer at a high-profile firm, falls upon a pro bono case regarding fighting against a deportation order. While talking to this woman, she finds out that without her permission, she was sterilized. Digging deeper into the facts, Jessa finds out the unimaginable and that her family was involved in the past. Dealing with her own struggles of getting pregnant, Jessa works to bring a class action suite regarding medical malpractice and the practice of eugenics. The story is told in two timelines and two POV tying together nicely throughout. The writing was easy to follow, and the storyline kept me from putting this down. Many important issues were discussed such as the practice of eugenics, fertility, deportation and family secrets. The author’s note at the end showed the amount of research that went into creating this novel and summed everything up. This is an important read that would make great discussion for a book club!

I loved this audiobook! The narrators did a great job embodying the characters are really drawing me into the plot feeling the emotions and the tenseness of the situation many of these marginalized women were feeling.

I finished the audiobook a few days ago and the story still lingers.

Counting Backwards is written in a dual POV and dual timeline. The historical part of this book is based on true events regarding the case of Carrie Buck (if you are not familiar with Buck vs. Bell do not google the case before reading if you don’t want to spoil your reading experience). Present timeline focuses on Jessa - a lawyer with relationship issues who focuses on conceiving a child, which grows into an obsession.

The book talks about really heavy topics of women rights, immigration, deportation, reproductive rights, eugenics, forced sterilisation, and motherhood. The story in the book is really captivating and well paced, in the first half of the book the chapters alternate in between Carrie and Jessa, always ending up on a tiny cliff-hanger, making the book hard to put down. The way the author (a law graduate) talks about these topics shows she really did her homework and made the story not only believable, but a learning moment for the reader.

One aspect of the plot I especially liked (other than the very well executed topics mentioned above) was Jessa’s relationship. In all of its raw beauty, it brought some much needed depth to her character and allowed the reader to see her in a different light, allowed us to see her other form of vulnerability as a woman, as a partner, as a trusting wife. By that she was made human, rather than just a character. I very much loved her choices in the last chapters.

Personally, I am a sucker for the mention of the title in the book itself. Saying that - this title was incorporated into the story with two meanings and both were moving in their own way. 10/10 on this front.

Though I will probably end up purchasing the book as a physical copy if it does arrive to our stores in Slovakia, I highly recommend the audiobook version.

This incredible story is based on true events, and that completely blows my mind. I love it when fiction novels like these enlighten their readers with little-known but extremely important topics. If you're looking for a heartbreaking yet fascinating female rights focused book to read for Women's History Month, make it be this one. It was truly exceptional.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for access to the book in exchange for an honest review.

An incredibly moving dual timeline story about infertility, forced sterilization and the continued fight for women's bodily autonomy that follows lawyer, Jessa Gidney as she takes on a pro bono immigration case only to find herself up against a conspiracy of forced eugenics for profit and also grapples with her crumbling marriage, attempts to get pregnant and learning about a dark family secret.

Based on real events, this book is shockingly relevant, highly emotional and a great example of women's courage to stand up against injustice. Perfect for fans of books like Only the beautiful by Susan Meissner and Take my hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez or the Erin Brockovich case. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy and Uplit Reads for a gifted physical copy. This will definitely be a favorite read of mine in 2025!

CW: miscarriage, infertility, forced sterilization

Yesterday, Jacqueline Friedland released her new novel, Counting Backwards. Divided between the 1910s/1920s and today, it uncovers a horrific story about eugenics, forced sterilizations, and women who have little power over their reproductive health and personal lives. It’s inspired by the true cases of Carrie Buck in 1924 and what’s continued to go on even today in immigration detention centers. These very real issues are brought to the forefront in this powerful and timely novel.

Why I Chose This Book:
When I read the description of Counting Backwards, I knew I had to read this grim but vital novel. I first heard about forced sterilizations in a movie a few years ago and was curious to learn more about this awful practice. I also was drawn to the story of Jessa’s fertility and longing for a child, as well as a spotlight on immigrants.

What I Liked:
- Eye-opening account of forced sterilizations and eugenics. This book puts focus on the horrors of our past… but also of ongoing atrocities committed against woman, especially women of color and women who are immigrants. This will fuel your righteous outrage.
- Discussions around fertility and family. I went through a year-long fertility journey myself, and much of what Jessa is going through here rang true for me.
- Women’s career ambitions versus family goals. Why are women so often pushed to choose between the two, or seen as less than when they try to have both?
- Dual timeline between 1910s and 1920s Virginia versus 2022 New York.
- Inspiration from real life. I didn’t realize until after I’d finished the book that Carrie Buck was a real woman. I appreciated getting to see her story brought to life.

Audiobook:
Amanda Stribling and Carolyn Jania are excellent narraters for Jessa and Carrie. Both bring their respective characters to life, Jessa with her anxieties and trying to do the right thing despite it all, and Carrie with her Virginia accent and optimistic outlook on her own life even in the face of such horrors. The audiobook is thoroughly engaging and adds extra feeling to the novel.

Final Thoughts
Counting Backwards is an excellent novel that shines a revealing light on the evils committed against women for the past century. It’s horrific to see eugenics in practice, harming tens of thousands of women. I loved following Carrie and Jessa’s stories, and despite how dark this goes, it offers some hope for change if more people stand up for each other. Jacqueline Friedland is an author I’m eager to read more from soon.

Thank you GetRedPR and Jacqueline Friedland for my #gifted ARC and thank you Harper Muse for my #gifted Advanced Listening Copy of Counting Backwards! #CountingBackwards #GetRedPR #JacquelineFriedland #JackieFriedland #AmandaStribling #CarolynJania #harpermuse #HarperMuseAudiobooks

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

𝟓★

Counting Backwards was one of the most thought provoking books I’ve read in a very long time. Inspired by true events, and told in a dual time and POV format, it focuses on topics such as immigration, eugenics, fertility, and motherhood. I felt a connection to both of the main characters, and I will never forget this book.

I really enjoyed how Jessa and Carrie’s stories connected more than a decade apart. Friedland is such a remarkable storyteller and I love how she was able to connect bring such difficult yet timely topics together into one book. I appreciated how the title was mentioned within the book and I also appreciated how the cover of the book is subtle but has a very symbolic meaning.

On a personal note, I felt a connection to many of the women in this book. I found myself outraged at times and sympathizing at other times. As someone who experienced years of infertility and then a high risk pregnancy, I felt for Jessa and her experiences in this book. I also felt my privilege when it came to the experience of Isobel and other women who experienced horrible medical treatment while incarcerated. As someone who needed the same surgical procedure they received this past year, I can say with certainty that my experience was nothing like their experience, and I was informed about the risk of the procedure in advance by multiple people. I knew going into surgery what was going to happen and why the surgery was imperative for my health. My medical team included me in the decision making process every step of the way, and while reading this book, I felt outrage for the women who were not given the same treatment.

🧡Dual POV
🧡Dual Timeline
🧡A Blend of Women’s Fiction and Historical Fiction
🧡Strong Female Characters
🧡Themes of Immigration, Fertility and Motherhood
🧡Family Secrets
🧡Timely and Important

🎧I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, which was narrated by both Amanda Stribling and Carolyn Jania. Both narrators were perfect for their rolls of Jessa and Carrie and I loved my time listening to them bring each character to life. Both were flawless!

Posted on Goodreads on March 12, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around March 12, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on March 12, 2025
**-will post on designated date

🚼 🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 🚼

|| 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 by Jacqueline Friedland ||
Pub Day: March 11, 2025

It's no coincidence that I read this book during Women's History Month, as it heightened my awareness of how patriarchy and white supremacy disenfranchise minorities, women of color, and immigrants. 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 provides a stark view of the consequences when women are ensnared by these oppressive systems. This novel is not merely about two women across dual timelines; it powerfully illustrates how both protagonists, Jessa and Carrie, are connected to similar horrors of medical malpractice, unethical sterilizations, and profound loss, whether in 1927 or 2022. If you can read either character's story and remain unmoved, then your sensitivity meter is malfunctioning. Friedland's narrative compels you to finish quickly, research the real Supreme Court plaintiff, and find ways to protect women. You cannot read these stories without feeling deep pain, rage, and sadness for the victims.

Friedland exposes the grim legacy of eugenics and demonstrates how these oppressive principles persist in modern society, where immigrant women are deprived of their rights and their paths to motherhood in ICE detention centers. These women are denied dignity and respect due to their lack of citizenship, their status as women of color, and their absence of insurance. They are subjected to the whims of a flawed government and the pervasive influence of white supremacy, leaving them vulnerable and marginalized. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect and uphold the rights of all women, regardless of their background.

In the context of anesthesia, counting backwards is meant to ease patients' anxiety. However, in this novel, it symbolizes the denial of women's rights to bodily autonomy. Moving forward, we must strive for a society where all women, regardless of their circumstances, can count on medical professionals and the government to protect them fully.

𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 is a novel that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page. I rely on these stories and experiences to inspire change in our world. These narratives, no matter how triggering or traumatic, must be shared to ensure that no other woman suffers the same fate. Together, we can move forward and make a difference.

I participated in an immersive reading experience where I read along in the book while I listened to it on audio. I really enjoyed the clear distinction the narrator made in the different timelines and voices. It was so well done and made the reading experience even greater. I would highly recommend this audio to another follower or friend of mine. Thank you netgalley and harpermuseaudio for the gifted ALC.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks @getredprbooks, author @jackiefriedland, and publisher @harpermusebooks for the gifted copy.

🏷 #CountingBackwards #JacquelineFriedland #historicalfiction #LegalThriller #WomensRights #WomensHistoryMonth #bookreview #Bookish #Bookstagrammer #BookLover #wellreadblackgirl

Counting backwards is the phenomenal story of two women, tied intrinsically together, but living 100 years apart. Jessa is a high-powered attorney who takes on a pro-bono deportation case and begins to uncover cases of medical malpractice at an ICE detention center. This investigation leads her to uncover her own family history involved with Carrie Buck, the first woman involuntarily sterilized under Virginia’s eugenic laws. We are simultaneously told Carrie's story 100 years prior and how she became the first woman involuntarily sterilized. The whole story is heartbreaking and vulnerable.
This novel is incredibly timely, when access to reproduction is at the forefront of our minds. This being based on a true story calls up the horrifying feelings you'd get with a reread of the Handmaids Tale right now.
I truly felt for both of these women and wanted to root for them and help. The growth and full circle moments make the whole thing worth it.
“I had been robbed in all the ways that mattered to me. I had but one thing left, and that was my own heart.”

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Counting Backwards is a powerful, deeply affecting novel that skillfully bridges past and present, shedding light on the enduring struggles for justice, bodily autonomy, and human dignity. Through the intertwining stories of Jessa Gidney, a modern-day lawyer, and Carrie Buck, a young woman at the heart of a historic Supreme Court case, the novel explores how systemic oppression persists across generations.

The novel’s dual timeline structure is both seamless and compelling, creating a sense of urgency and historical resonance. The injustices faced by both women—forced sterilization, the criminalization of poverty, and the dehumanization of vulnerable populations—are harrowingly real, making Counting Backwards feel both timely and timeless.

Ultimately, Counting Backwards is a moving and thought-provoking read that highlights the resilience of women in the face of systemic oppression. It is a novel that lingers long after the final page, urging readers to reflect on history’s echoes and the ongoing fight for justice.

This book is so powerful. It follows two story lines that end up merging. One, a modern woman in a traditional marriage where the husband wants her to reduce work, be a stay at home mom, let him lead and take charge. And secondly, a young woman from decades ago, and how she faced abuse, rape, having her child taken away, being forced legally to sterilization due to eugenics. Our modern woman uncovers how eugenics are still being used, and women in detention centers still having forced sterilization. Our modern woman finds her strength, as she pursues this pro-bono case, and finds the connection to her own dark family secret intersecting with this young woman from decades ago.

Our modern woman struggles through ethics, her own life purpose, how she lives her life, and the dark secrets of her past, and comes into her own. Reclaims her own life, while helping others fight for theirs.

With all the political unrest in the US, I especially appreciated the timing of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to Uplit Reads, NetGalley, and Harper Muse for access to digital ebook and audio versions of Counting Backwards. This book was a fantastic surprise. I truly enjoyed it, and I had trouble setting it down. I started reading it while doing a mini-brewery crawl in Providence, RI, last weekend. I switched and finished via audiobook while cooking dinner after I got home, and the narration was very well done. I wholeheartedly recommend both versions, as this is a top read so far in 2025! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This cover is stunning! Considering a lush pomegranate like this represents fertility, it’s extremely apropos for this book.
I didn’t anticipate my reaction to finishing Counting Backwards - I sat and cried for a solid 5 minutes thinking about what I had just read. The facts on which this novel was based truly upset me, as they had when the author learned them as a teenager. And that something similar could still be happening in the 21st century is just horrifying! I’m being purposefully vague, because I really want you to read this book. And if you have read it, let me know if you had a similar reaction!

COUNTING BACKWARDS is the first book that I’ve read by Jacqueline Friedland, and my gosh, was I ever impressed. I need to seek out her backlist ASAP. It was so well-written and researched, timely, eye-opening, and powerful. The blending of historical and current events was absolutely masterful. It’s based on the Buck v. Bell eugenics case from 1927 and a similar situation at a women’s detention center in Georgia from 2020. This novel broke my heart and made me want to scream in rage. It’s SO relevant to what is going on in the US today, so it quickly made my blood boil. I am so sick and tired of rich white men thinking that they can control women and their bodies. Grrrr! This particular quote from the novel really hit home:

“𝙒𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝘼𝙬𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙖𝙬𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨.”

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Politically-charged novels
- Women’s/reproductive rights
- Feminist undertones
- Immigration cases
- Legal dramas
- Historical fiction
- Dual POVs
- Alternating timelines
- Strong female characters
- Family drama and secrets
- Marriage issues

Two other books that I’ve read about the eugenics movement are TAKE MY HAND by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and NECESSARY LIES by Diane Chamberlain. I highly recommend both of them as well.

5/5 stars for COUNTING BACKWARDS! It’s out now!

Trigger Warning: Miscarriage, Fertility issues, Women’s rights, immigration, deportation, forced sterilization, motherhood, eugenics

Counting backwards is written in dual POV and dual timeline. Present day timeline focuses on Jessa who is lawyer with relationship issues among issues with fertility after her miscarriage, she focuses a lot on trying to conceive and really becomes obsessive over trying to conceive. The other timeline focuses on Carrie Buck and the true events that happened to her.

I found this to be very well paced and really grabs your attention. Jessa as a lawyer took on an immigration case pro bono, where she stumbled upon a horrific pattern of medical malpractice inside the walls of a ICE detention center. Jessa’s investigation to the horrible things being done in this facility leads her to learning more about her family history involved with Carrie Buck.

I could not stop listening to this book. It was really horrifying what was happening to these women. It is a brilliant portrayal of the eugenics movement in the United States and how it really still remains relevant today.

This was released March 11, 2025

Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and Netgalley for the advance listening copy. This is my voluntary reviewed of this book and all words are my own.

A compelling, powerful and emotionally-charged story that will leave you wanting more!

Why am I not seeing this book everywhere? Especially given how relevant it is to current times as we fight for women's reproductive rights.

Jessa is an attorney taking on a pro-bono client at an immigration detention center. She soon uncovers unlawful and barbaric medical practices against detainees at the facility. She is determined to seek justice for all the women who were mistreated and forced into sterilization without their consent. In an alternating timeline in the 1920's, Carrie Buck is a young girl forced into foster care. Subsequent horrifying events lead her to the forefront of a Eugenics case. Based on true events, COUNTING BACKWARDS tells the story of two women whose lives intersect almost a century apart, and the injustices that continue to place women's reproductive rights at risk.

This is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. With heavy topics such as infertility, eugenics, forced sterilization and deportation/immigration mistreatment, it's a heartbreaking yet eye-opening. The narrative weaves part fiction and part historical Supreme Court case into one cohesive and compelling plot. The audiobook dual narration is excellent; I finished in one day. I would've loved more from the viewpoint of the detainees and Carrie's life in the colony and after the ruling. I'll be recommending this book to anyone who will listen!

For fans of TAKE MY HAND, ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL and ERIN BROCKOVICH.

Jessa was passed over for a promotion so she decided to take on a pro bono immigration case. While interviewing Isobel, she finds out that Isobel was given a hysterectomy without her consent. She discovers that this happens a lot in the facility. Nearly a century earlier Carrie Buck is in her foster home when she becomes pregnant, she is kicked out and sent to a State facility where doctors want to sterilize her in order to keep her from ever reproducing

This was a hard story to read, even more so once you get to the author’s note at the end and realize Carrie’s story was based on a true story. While Isobel was fictional, the author points out cases that were similar and not to long ago. I don’t think this book will be for everyone but I think it is an important book to read if you are able to read about heavy topics that are relevant to today.

All I can say is just wow! 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 is one of those books that sinks its nails into your heart and just does not let go. From the very beginning, I could not help but find myself very attached to the main two characters and their at times heartbreaking journeys.

I was drawn into how the story has woven together the eugenics of the past and how it has continued until this day in the United States. But the story itself is so much more than that, since it takes on the truth behind the injustice surrounding women’s reproductive rights along with the strength and resiliency that women have had throughout history.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Dual POV
Reproductive Rights
Infertility
Immigration
Women’s Rights
A story that is so relevant in today’s world

I highly recommend this poignant story and it’s definitely going to be a favorite for this year!

Thank you Harper Muse for this gifted copy in exchange from my honest opinions.

Counting Backwards hooked me from the beginning and I had no idea what the book was about. It’s excellent writing, relevant, historically based storyline and likable characters keep you engaged and processing what is happening around us that we may be unaware of. Loved this book. Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for the Audio ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this ALC!
Wow, wow, wow. I don't even know if I have the words, vernacular, etc. to convey how I felt about this story. There is something truly captivating, saddening and maddening about the plot of the story... May it be that I'm a woman, or that I'm empathetic and angry for what women have gone through? I'm not sure but Ms. Jacqueline Friedland really hit the nail on the head in regards to the palpable feeling of being a woman - it is truly unfortunate that the same base narrative regarding autonomy is still prevalent today.

VIBE: Erin Brockovich but for eugenics, immigration and a woman's fight for autonomy in dual/paralleled timelines over 100 years; and attacks on marginalized communities. Very fitting for our current timeline.

"Years later, when I learned the word 'obliterated', I thought back to that moment with Clarence. That's what he had done to me then, I had felt obliterated... I wish I had fought harder, but I can't go back."

Setting: Parallel timelines over nearly a century; Jessa in current times New York and Carrie in 1927 Virginia. While Jessa is struggling to get pregnant and investigating and fighting a coerced sterilization case in an immigrant detention facility; Carrie is forcefully sterilized against her will after being designated as "feebleminded" and left in a home. (If you're unaware, this was a legitimate law passed and is still 'there' to this day.) The two timelines explore how both of these women navigate their turmoil, and how their stories ultimately intertwine.

"But I knew, too well, that life was a finite gift, I didn't have patience for people who don't try to make the most out of the time they are given."

The gist?
Here we were in 2022, and women were being sterilized against their will.
IMMIGRANTS! BEING STERILIZED! AGAINST THEIR WILL! IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS!??
Does this sound familiar?
I mean... flowers are due to Jacqueline Friedland for this one. Like I stated before, not only is this on par for current events, but the amount of research and empathy to the story done at the end of the day is shown throughout this whole story. The creation of fictional storyline or Carrie Buck, alone, is a feat in itself. It may not be true to Carrie's real life story--but many of us readers may find resonation in her story. Every emotion is palpable throughout the course, and you'll find yourself both angry and sad for her.

"I try not to let my mind wander away with all the what-ifs. Even so, one thought keeps creeping back up on me. If only I'd been born some years later, surely what happened to me would never happen to a young woman today."

Speaking of Jessa's story--the growth, lessons, and realizations this character goes through to become who she needs to be at the end of this story? It is beautiful. It takes a bit to get there, but every single part of this story is worth it, my god. I hate to say 'everything is a lesson...' but sometimes, there is a lesson in everything. Jessa grows through every. single. aspect. of her storyline, and leaves with a new perspective on herself, her job and her relationship thanks, in part, to Carrie Buck and the women she helps as a result.

"And you, my dear, need to work on remembering that loss is a part of life. And we can't live our entire existences focused so intently on everything that has been stolen from us. Sometimes, you need to concentrate less on what has been taken, and more on what you have to give instead."

I'm sure my words don't even do the story justice, to be quite honest. All I can say is read it, listen to it... Whatever you can do to experience this story. You won't regret it.

Inspired by the real-life case of Buck vs. Bell, this historical fiction novel explores eugenics and its devastating effects on reproductive rights. The story is heartbreaking, rage-inducing, and empowering. Did I cry? Yes, but I also felt proud of our (women’s) resilience!

The dual timeline structure is brilliantly executed. The historical timeline—focusing on Carrie Buck and the infamous Buck vs. Bell case—provides essential context for understanding the roots of eugenics in America. Meanwhile, the contemporary storyline offers disturbing yet timely insights into the harsh realities of ICE detention centers and the challenges faced by immigrants in today's system. I enjoyed both timelines equally, as each added depth to the book, making it a page-turner!

Counting Backwards is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of history, reproductive rights, and social justice. As the book blurb states, “Counting Backwards is a compelling reminder that progress is rarely a straight line and always hard-won.” It’s a deeply moving read that will stay with me for a long time, and it is my favorite book for March!

Other highlights: motherhood, infertility, powerful and emotional character arcs, and well-researched narrative

This is a great read for Women’s History Month. There are two timelines: 1920s Virginia and 2022 New York. This is fiction, but both timelines have elements of factual events which is quite unsettling.

The subject is forced sterilization in BOTH timelines.

Each timeline has its own point of view and let me tell you these women will leave a lasting impression.

The 1920s timeline has Carrie Buck who is in a prison of sorts for the mentally inferior.

The 2022 timeline has Jessa Gidney, a lawyer who is representing a woman being detained in an ICE facility.

Jessa finds more than she bargained for during her routine meeting. She also learns that she has family connection to what happened to Carrie Buck.

This book has both legal issues and family drama in the timelines. It would make an excellent book club read.

Jacqueline Friedland's fifth novel, COUNTING BACKWARDS, is a powerful, timely, and riveting must-read. Inspired by actual events, the author delves into America's dark history of eugenics in this gripping dual-timeline novel, a narrative that resonates with the ongoing struggle for women's rights.

Featuring two remarkably courageous women, COUNTING BACKWARDS delves into the essential and complex topics of eugenics, reproductive injustice, immigration law, fertility, sterilization, abortion, adoption, women's rights, and motherhood. Their bravery in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

About...

New York, 2022:
Jessa Gidney, age 31, is a lawyer and has been passed over to be a partner at her Manhattan law firm. She wants to become a mother but has not had any luck. Dissatisfied with her career, she decides to take on pro bono work, and her first case is an incarcerated woman, Isobel, who is fighting against a deportation order.

Jessa soon discovers things about Isobel's health that lead her to a terrifying pattern of medical malpractice within the women's detention facility. Her corporate law firm is not supportive, and her husband Vance wants her to take time off from everything, but her mother is a huge supporter.

She is undecided about diving in with the stress; however, when she discovers a shocking family secret (her own), she knows she must fight for these women.

Virginia, 1927.
Carrie Buck, age 17, Virginia, has not had an easy life. She has dreams and wants to continue school and get an education. However, she is living with a foster family that made her quit school and work for them (unpaid).

She wants a family one day. The foster family's nephew takes advantage of her, and she becomes pregnant. The foster family is unsupportive, and now she is alone and pregnant with no future in sight.

As a ward of the State, she is designated as "feebleminded" and left to the mercy of a corrupt and heartless legal system. Her courageous fight for her destiny leads to a landmark Supreme Court case.

How will the women and their respective cases connect? Will they find the courage to fight for what they deserve against all odds? These questions form the intriguing thread that connects the two timelines in this riveting novel.

"Progress is rarely a straight line and always hard-won."

My thoughts...

COUNTING BACKWARDS is a hauntingly beautiful tale of loss, love, compassion, and hope that resonates with the emotional journey of women's rights. These memorable characters will tug at your heartstrings and remain with you long after the book ends. I loved these women!

As a former whistleblower (first case reaching federal level SOX Sarbanes-Oxley 2022), I love Erin Brockovich-type stories. I am passionate about fighting for the underdog and accountability, especially regarding justice for women and helping those with no voice. I found this novel to be a compelling read and a stark reminder that we still have a long way to go in protecting human rights, particularly women's reproductive rights.

With alternating POVs (two remarkable women) and a compelling dual-timeline, COUNTING BACKWARDS delivers a timely, emotional, and powerful message about the historical and present-day use of women's bodies against them. Inspired by real-life events, this essential read sheds light on a topic that still rings true today.

Thought-provoking, part coming of age, family drama, literary, historical, legal, and women's fiction, the brilliantly written novel exposes shocking revelations of the betrayal of women by governmental institutions and their fight for rights. It balances it with courage and hope with a satisfying conclusion.

It is a powerful, heart-wrenching story of fierce strength, forgotten history, legacy, and empowerment. This well-written novel is an ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. I appreciated the author's note and additional reading resources. My first book by the author, and I cannot wait to read more.

Pomegranates...

I enjoyed the symbolism of Pomegranates with the beautiful cover and more. Pomegranates have diverse cultural-religious significance as a symbol of life and fertility owing to their many seeds,

It is not difficult to see why the pomegranate has traditionally been considered a powerful visual metaphor for fertility. The pomegranate is known for the beauty of its shrub, flowers, and fruit—symbolizing sanctity, fertility, and abundance.

Audiobook...

I enjoyed reading the book and listening to the audiobook performed by the talented Amanda Stribling and Carolyn Jania. It further elevates this emotional story and makes the characters come alive with distinct and engaging voices for a must-listen audio experience!

Recs...

COUNTING BACKWARDS is for fans of the author and those interested in women's rights. Also, for fans of Meagan Church's The Last Carolina Girl and The Girls We Sent Away, Dolen Perkins Valdez's Take My Hand, and Diane Chamberlain's Necessary Lies. (all favorites).

Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted, advanced review and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 11, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Mar 2025 Must-Read Books
March Newsletter

This book deals with women’s physical rights. Presently our government is dealing with women’s rights and this book deals with other sexual rights being violated.. The main character,, a female lawyer, is pursuing the sexual exploitation of immigrants who are incarcerated. Her own family relationship and history is addressed also. A well written fiction novel that is relevant currently as well as in the past.

I just finished listening to Counting Backwards by Jacqueline Friedland. It was such a unique book. I really enjoyed it.

Based on the 1927 case of Buck v Bell, Counting Backwards is a legal, historical fiction set in the 1920s and 2020s. It is narrated from the perspective of Carrie Buck, a girl deemed feeble-minded and the state's test case to forcefully sterilise women. Back in the current day, Jessa is an attorney at a top NY law firm who takes on an immigration case at the local ICE detention centre, discovering a major cover-up of medical negligence and malpractice whilst she grows ever more obsessed with conceiving a child of her own. Whilst the current-day narrative is fictional, this could very well be a true story based on the state of the US at the moment...

Counting Backwards is up there as one of my favourite novels of 2025 so far. The book explores themes of motherhood, family, religion and the lasting legacy of the eugenics movement and the Holocaust. The themes are dealt with excellently, and there is real humanity shown through the character development of Jessa and how it explores what it means to be a woman.

I thought the pacing was excellent and it was very hard to stop reading as each chapter was left on a small cliffhanger. I felt the ending was slightly rushed and would have loved Jessa to discover more of her own family history rather than being spoonfed conveniently by her Grandmother but this is my only criticism.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the audiobook.