This is the story of two sisters in the South in 1964, dealing with all the hate and racial violence and violence against women. It is told in an old fashioned style suited to the times. It was also the story of love of the sisters, of them both discovering their strengths and hearts and courage

Sisters Violet and Marigold each have secrets they’re trying to hide from. Both make their best attempts at running away from them; however, everyone knows you can’t actually run away from your troubles— they always have a way of coming back around…

Another solid race-based thriller from Morris. There was a little bit of a slower part in the middle, but this book absolutely picks up and is worth sticking with. This book was stronger than her first (which I still enjoyed), and I look forward to read future books by Morris.

I really didn't know what to expect from this book. From the premise, it is vastly different from Wanda Morris's first novel. But it is a powerful, important story to tell. The setting is the 1960s in the South. Two black sisters, Violet and Marigold, have two very different stories to tell and reasons for escaping the South to start over. In the choices they made, and the people they encountered, they shared how challenging it was to live during this time. This was a story of racial injustice, of women trying to better themselves, and the trauma they experience. The characters were well developed, the story was well paced, however, the ending left me wanting a little more.

Thank you to William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review.

Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris was a thrilling, historical story about two sisters trying to survive in Jackson, Mississippi during the Jim Crow era of 1964. Sisters Violet and Marigold are both on the run - one from a (justified) crime she committed, the other from the shame of an unintended pregnancy. I was eager to read this book, since I had read the author's first book, and this follow-up did not disappoint.

Violet and Marigold are two likable protagonists, and I felt drawn to each sister's plight. They dealt with adversity from racism and sexism, but they refused to be victims. Violet showed courage from the beginning, and Marigold learned along the way that she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. They knew they needed to save themselves, and their loyalty and love for each other was inspiring.

The sisters are portrayed in a flawed but realistic manner. I liked that even the man pursing them was shown as a well-developed character rather than a stereotyped villain. The way his path merges with theirs leads to a shocking climax that I did not predict.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical thrillers about strong women.

Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I am not much of a thriller reader, so I was a little hesitant on getting an advanced reader copy of Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris. However, this book is more historical suspense than thriller - and I was happy about it!

The novel is set in the Deep South in 1964 and is told from several different perspectives, mostly from two Black sisters on the run from their past. Violet is a beautiful woman who has been brutally attacked - and one who fought back. Now she’s running for her life, looking over her shoulder as she takes a bus to Georgia where she finds a new start. But as we all know, your past has a way of catching up to you.

Her sister, Marigold, also flees their home in Jackson, Mississippi but for a different reason. An aide to those fighting for voting rights, she becomes pregnant by one of the activists, and after being rejected by him, she makes the unwise choice to marry someone she doesn’t love for her baby’s sake. They leave Mississippi for Cleveland, Ohio to start a new life but their old mistakes have a way of finding them.

The book is fast-paced and the different storylines weave together in a propulsive way. I enjoyed both sisters’ perspective, even though it was challenging to read about the brutality and horrific things that occurred to them. The racial tension underlying each character’s decision is hard but realistic and gives us a better insight into the tumultuous history after the Civil Rights bill was signed into law - things just didn’t get better overnight.

I also liked the author’s decision to tell some of the story from the perspective of a poor white man who has been hired to track the sisters down - Mercer. His story was sad and tragic as well, caught in the same tornado of hatred that engulfed the sisters.

The last few chapters do read like a thriller, and I was totally invested in the characters and had to know what happened - even if it brought me to tears. Thanks to Cindy at the Thoughts from a Page podcast for providing the ARC and the author virtual chat. It was so nice to “meet” Ms. Morris and ask her questions about her writing process.

Anywhere You Run comes out on October 25th!

This was a great book. I really enjoyed the authors debut novel All Her Little Secrets and really wanted to read this one. Violet and Marigold are the only sisters left of their family of 5. Their sister Rose died which left their parents broken hearted. Dad died shortly after Rose and then Mom passed away a couple of years later. Violet is a wild child and does what she pleases and Marigold is the older sister who follows the rules most of the time. While walking home in the dark Violet is attached by a white boy and raped. She then hauls off and shoots him and leaves him in the woods. She harbors her secret and decides to leave town with a rich young white man named Dewey Leonard. He was taking her away to Boston where he thought a black and white mix may be more acceptable. Violet has other intentions and while Dewey is getting food at the train station she grabs his wallet and hops on a train to Chillicothe where her cousin lives. She starts using the name Vera and watches her back for anyone who may be on to her. Always running from her past. Marigold, on the other hand has problems of her own. Pregnant with one man's baby she marries another so she won't be raising the baby on her own. Her husband is lazy and dreams of owning a night club. That doesn't put food on the table. Marigold notices someone following her around and finds out he is asking questions about her sister Violet. She is very worried and scared. The sisters are running from different secrets and the author keeps you wondering just how this story will end. Will it be happy or sad? You fall in love with the two sisters who have had such a hard life and you route for them. Being black in the 1960's was not good at all. It always amazes me when I read these types of books just how cruel and horrible life was for black people and in some places that discrimination still exists. I highly recommend this book. It is well written and keeps you turning the pages for more.
Thanks to #netgalley, #williammorrowbooks and @wandamowrites for an ARC of this wonderful read

A cat-and-mouse thriller set in the Jim Crow South featuring a pair of Black sisters? Say less, this description was like catnip for me. I devoured this book and it did not disappoint.

Wanda M. Morris’ sophomore novel does not disappoint. She transports you to Jim Crow South in 1964 and tells a suspenseful story through alternating multiple points of view. Violet and her sister Marigold are young black women who each experience immense challenges in their lives. The tension builds as Violet covertly runs to small town Chillicothe, Georgia to escape a situation left behind in Mississippi, and Marigold leaves Mississippi to begin a new life up north with her new husband, Roger. We hear from both women throughout the story which brings the characters to life.

What ensues is an immersive experience of what it was like at that time in the Jim Crow South through the eyes of these women, the injustices, the struggle for the rights for black people to vote and live in their communities with equal rights. As the reader follows the story through the additional POV of Mercer, a poor white man who decides to take on the job of tracking down Violet to save his own family from illness and poverty, the tension escalates. The story culminates to a jaw dropping finish.

Wanda M. Morris has crafted a novel that I will remember for a long time, as the characters and the 1960’s setting of the South had an emotional impact. If you enjoyed the author’s debut novel, All Her Little Secrets, you will be pleased with the Easter eggs found in Anywhere You Run.

Thank you to William Morrow and Cindy from Thoughts From A Page patreon for arranging the advance reader copy, and to Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

What are the makings of a story that has you turning pages so fast that they smoke? The answer, a story set in Jim Crow-era south, two black sisters hiding secrets and on the run, and the men with motives who chase them. This powerful book was full of heartbreaking and emotionally charged moments that leave a mark on your soul. I found myself questioning society's progress with racial inequality since 1964, as many issues the writer deftly portrayed still remain.. I fell in love with both sisters and my heart was heavy reading the reality of their struggles and seemingly insurmountable odds. The story is well-researched and portrays Civil Rights history in the raw.

I encourage readers to put this memorable book on your 'to read' list. You can thank me later! Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow, and the author, Wanda K. Morris for an Advance Reader's Edition.

This book is fantastic...it will both break you and give you hope.. Set in the 60's during the struggle for civil rights, the two main characters, sisters Violet and Marigold are forced to leave Mississippi for different, but serious reasons. Violet has killed a man after he attacked her and Marigold finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. Violet winds up in a small town in Georgia, while Marigold goes to Cleveland. Eventually, the sisters will reunite. This book is a page turner with mystery, action, and secrets. It's also great lesson in history and the treatment of Blacks in the 60's,, well researched and presented. Both Violet and Marigold are complicated very well-written characters.. There's plenty of black girl magic here. Don't miss this book

I really enjoyed this book about two sisters living in the Jim Crow south in the 1960's. Leaving a trail of love, heartbreak, loyalty, murder and deceit they navigated through these years ultimately receiving what each of them needed. And it's not how I thought it would end. It never ceases to shock me but also fill me with unwavering admiration for our brothers & sisters of color who lived through this time period. I will definitely read more by this author!

Thank you Book Club Girl, NetGalley, and William Morrow for the copy of Any Where You Run. I have been anticipating this book ever since I finished All Her Little Secrets, also by Wanda M. Morris. Of course I read her new book right away, and I was enthralled by the story of Violet and Marigold. The story was paced well and always had an underlying tension. The characters leapt off the pages and came to life and I was completely invested in their lives and wellbeing. I loved the writing because there was not one wasted scene or extra sentence. You should read this book if you love great characters, value amazing writing, and are ready for a riveting story.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. I absolutely loved Wanda M. Morris's first book, All Her Little Secrets. I was under the impression that this new book, Anywhere You Run, was a sequel, so that was the expectation I went into this book with. However, it seems to be more of a backstory, but after 20% of reading I only see the connection of the town of Chillicothe. I am sure there is more to the story that I am missing by not finishing the book, but it is moving so slow for the mood I am in right now, and I just cannot finish it. I am sad because I so enjoyed the first one and I have ready very good reviews of this one. I do hope it finds the right readers!

Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for giving me access to this book. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written I found the characters very well developed. I will be recommending this book. Thanks again for letting me have a chance to read it.

Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris is a fast paced historical thriller. Set in the mid 1960s, it’s the story of Violet, who runs from her home in Mississippi and lands in Chillicothe, Georgia. It’s also the story of Marigold, Violets older sister, who leaves Mississippi with her new husband, and settles in Ohio, believing this will be a better place for African Americans to have the opportunities and equality denied them in the Jim Crow South.

Both sisters have secrets that follow them and threaten to destroy them.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this story. I was fascinated by how the sisters continually face discrimination and are denied opportunities based solely on the color of their skin.

I was able to participate in an author chat as a Patron of the @thoughtsfromapage podcast. Wanda M. Morris was so delightful to visit with! It was such a fun time listening to her describe writing the story and I’m excited now to read her debut novel, All Her Little Secrets.

Thank you to #netgalley , #williammorrowpublishing, and Cindy Burnett for the advanced e-copy of #anywhereyourun!

*Publish date 10/25/22 - Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Thoughts from a Page for the advanced e-copy of this book*

Wanda Morris takes us back to 1964 in Jackson, Mississippi. We meet sisters Rose, Marigold, and Violet (Mama's little bouquet") who are trying to find their way in a changing world. There are family expectations and big personal losses that shape who Marigold and Violet become and where they run. But can they outrun their past? And will Violet ever find out what violets are good for? Ms. Morris does a wonderful job of developing characters that you cheer for and those that you don't along with a mystery that will keep you turning pages. I recommend this book for any who are interested in that time period in the south.

When I read I have multiple purposes: to be entertained, to experience the joy of a well-crafted plot, to escape from my day-to-day "chores," etc. Reading "Anywhere You Run" by Wanda M. Morris didn't fit neatly into any of these purposes, though it was an excellent story. The novel challenged me to sit with a very frightening and uncomfortable reality of two Black sisters living in the south in 1964 and all of the discrimination and injustice that was a part of their lives. Thank you, Ms. Morris, for that challenge. The author created very complex characters in the sisters, and it was satisfying to read about their love for one another and their harsh self-judgments that shaped their decisions when faced with insurmountable odds. I highly recommend this book.

This story set. in Jim Crow Mississippi is about race, but also so much more. We follow two sisters each harboring a secret run away to different parts of the country. The story kept me engaged and I wanted to know how it ended. I loved that although this book covered some awful truths concerning racism, domestic violence, etc it did not have to use many expletives to tell the story. You can feel the pain, fear, anger without relaying on gratuitous swearing. On the down side, I thought that some of the things that happened to side characters did not move forward the plot and came across as heavy handed to me. Thanks to #NetGalley and William-Morrow for this advance copy.. Also thanks to Thoughts From a Page podcast.

1964 in the deep South of the Jim Crow era, we follow two sisters who are on the cusp of moving on in life. Getting married, having babies, getting a job, moving house, moving cities etc. I really enjoyed the initial set up and the back stories of these two sisters!

One sister has committed a crime that she is on the "run" from. The other sister has a secret that she needs to hide or somehow solve before people find out! This book is so easy to read and read fast! It was quite engaging.

What I had a hard time with was the major life events that continued to happen to the characters to a point that it seemed too unrealistic. The characters would make a major life pivot and just abandon their back life...and it just didn't gel well with me, it made the story less dimensional? There was some background history that should've been a major problem, but nothing ever arose from it. I just didn't bye most of the story. So, if you can suspend some disbelief while reading this, you'll enjoy it more.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance e-copy of this book.

Sophomore slump? Not for Wanda M. Morris. ANYWHERE YOU RUN is a historical mystery that follows the lives of two sisters, Marigold and Violet, in the Jim-Crow era South. The sisters head north on their separate journeys in an attempt to outrun transgressions from their past.

The story shines in its rich cast of characters and the alternating POVs of Marigold and Violet. Although the sisters had made mistakes I couldn't help but root for them as they fought tooth and nail for a life that should have been rightfully theirs to begin with.

I’m excited to pick up Morris’ debut, ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS, and to join the author discussion hosted by the Thoughts From A Page Podcast later this month.

If you can’t resist a found family trope or stories of sisterhood be sure to add ANYWHERE YOU RUN to your fall TBR.

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: October 25, 2022

Many thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Thoughts From a Page Podcast Patreon community to an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review will be posted to www.instagram.com/kellyhook.readsbooks in advance of publication date