This book is a good example of one of the reasons I have learned to love historical fiction. The Girls We Sent Away transports us back to a time when so many things were hidden- including teenage out of wedlock pregnancy. Lorraine was a good girl in the 1960's who did everything right. Excellent student, valedictorian, over achiever in almost every way, until she got pregnant. Her family reacted the way so many did at the time and went to extreme measures to hide the whole thing.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lorraine is a young girl in the neighborhood who is on track to be her school's valedictorian and attend college. Her parents have high expectations and follow social standards, so when she gets pregnant by her college boyfriend, her world falls apart. Her parents send her away to hide the shame of her pregnancy. Throughout this book, we get a glimpse as to why other girls were sent to this group home and the effects of teen pregnancy on their lives and mental health. This book was interesting in the beginning but lost steam towards the end. I wish we had heard more from the boyfriend and had some interaction after she returned from the group home. The ending was cute, but I wish there was more action leading up to her arrival or once she got home. Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.

In book news, I recently read Girls We Sent Away. It was the story of Lorraine, a teenager in the south in the 1960s who was sent away to a home after becoming pregnant with her boyfriend’s baby. This story was gripping and so emotional. Looking at Lorraine who was the valedictorian of her class with aspirations of being an astronaut being treated as she has done something so wrong and having all of her dreams stripped away was heartbreaking. How the girls and women were treated was horrific, completely abandoned and let down by everyone in their lives was heavy but also kept me fixated. I loved the relationships among the girls at the home and glimpses of hope for them after the strength of being together. It was so important to see how women were treated to ensure and fight to make sure that we never end up there again.

I have been oddly fascinated with the Baby Scoop Era, but didn't realize that was the name of the period of time when pregant girls get sent away to hide their pregnancy in the 1960s.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It is such an emotional story and I highly recommend it to historical fiction fans.

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church takes on a painful portion of our not-too-distant past in telling a story from the "Baby Scoop" era. The plot is a bit predictable (ambitious young woman derailed from her dreams, etc.) but the story is poignant and good at shedding light on the things that were happening far too frequently in that time period. I found the writing a bit stilted at times, and that hampered my enjoyment of the book a bit. I also found myself comparing the story to a somewhat similar one (The House of Eve) that had many of the same themes but with added issues of race that were a bit more compelling for me.

I love a book that makes me feel something and I also love when a book teaches me about a time in history I didn't know about. The Girls We Sent Away delivers on both fronts! The book takes place in the 1960's during the Baby Scoop Era when unmarried, pregnant young women were sent to maternity homes and forced to give up their babies. The story is so shocking for the way society and their own families treated these young women. I finished this heartbreaking book a few days ago and can't stop thinking about it. Lorraine is a character that will stay with me for quite a while.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC.

4.5 rounded up to 5

This was another emotional read by Meagen Church, and I enjoyed it very much.  I read The Last Carolina Girl last year and absolutely loved it. 

Lorraine Delford seems to have it all.  She's about to start her senior year of high school with the chance of becoming valedictorian.  She has supportive parents, the perfect boyfriend, and dreams of one day going into space.  But it's the 1960s, and when she ends up pregnant, her world is turned upside down, especially when her boyfriend wants nothing to do with her and the baby. To hide the shame of her unwed pregnancy, her parents decide it's best to send her away to a maternity home for wayward girls.  There is a darkness in the home and strict rules and not the place Lorraine envisioned having her baby.

This was a compelling read that captivated my heart.  It had me feeling all sorts of emotions.  My heart broke for Lorraine, and I was so very angry at her so-called boyfriend and even her parents.  I honestly didn't know anything about the Baby Scoop Era before reading this book.  The girls were sent off to these homes to have a baby on their own and then deal with all the emotions that follow ALONE.  And they didn't get to keep their babies even if they wanted to. The choice wasn't their's.  I can't imagine the incredible pain they went through while everyone else went on with their lives like nothing happened.  I definitely think this book should be added to everyone's TBR.  Don't forget to read the author's notes.

This is a well-written book in my opinion that follows the story of a young girl in a conservative family with big dreams that falls unexpectedly pregnant. On Goodreads it is categorized as a mystery which is just completely false as there is not a mystery plot, not a mystery subplot in site... which while misleading didn't take away from the story for me. What did take away from the story for me personally, was my lack of connection with the FMC. I genuinely could not see her side of the situation to save my life. As someone who fell pregnant at a time when I was not ready to be a parent, I could not in that position fathom the FMC's desires.. at all. When the story is surrounding having to empathize with a character... it's much easier to do so if you agree with the character, which I did not. I think this book will be an absolute hit for most people but given my own experience with a similar situation, it was a miss for me. 2.5 stars rounded up.

I'm always interested in the facets of history that aren't usually talked about. Even though I was born in a later generation, I know that “girls in trouble” were sent away and came back very much changed. While I knew this book would be sad, I also wanted to read more about a so-called “good girl” who was in the extremely difficult situation of an unintended pregnancy in the 1960's. I feel that this book, while fiction, was pretty accurate to what I imagined really did happen in that era to these young women. I know their partners did not have to deal with the stigma at all and were free to live their lives as they had planned before their girlfriends became pregnant.

I think this story started out extremely well, as we are put into a story that has a lot of foreshadowing. However, I don't feel that the story stayed as strong, but I don't think this is a reason for not continuing the book. I do wish we had learned more about what Lorraine's family dealt with while their daughter was away, ie if neighbors gossiped or they just believed the parents' story. I also would have liked more of a story of what Lorraine's life was like immediately after she returned home.

This was a very fast read for me, and if I had had uninterrupted time, it would have been a one sitting book. I never felt that the story dragged, only that the timeline didn't always make sense, but picking up and putting down the book repeatedly may have caused this. This book is definitely worth your time if you are interested in non-mainstream social history of the 1960's.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a heart-wrenching and important book. As women, we've been sent away, quieted, hidden, and in the not so distant past and currently its getting scary. A pregnant teen sent away to a maternity home for wayward girls in the 1960's. I couldn't imagine this happening, but have heard and read so many stories of this happening. Secrets, very strict rules, and a new "normal" for the "perfect girl next door". I really enjoyed this book. As a teen mom myself, many moons ago, I could relate to Lorraine, and you can really feel the emotions. I read it in two sittings and recommend it highly. A real tug at your heart story. ❤️

What a difference 60 years make! Right now, if you are pregnant and not married (maybe not even have a partner) people think nothing of it, for the most part. A woman can do it all alone if they desire. But back in the 60's, life was different. Oh the shame associated with being unwed and pregnant, let alone a teenager was horrific. Lorraine is going into her senior year when she falls pregnant. Her boyfriend, Clint, had given her a promise ring and they were going to be wed after college. The night he gave her a promise ring she lost her virginity and soon after became pregnant. Her parents were not only ashamed but also disgusted by Lorraine and sent her away to a home for unwed teens. This is a very interesting part of history, especially when you are able to picture how much things have changed since then. Clint's attitude made me want to skewer him. It is interesting how no shame was directed towards him for his part of the pregnancy.
I received this digital ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

Master storyteller Meagan Church (favorite author) returns following her smashing debut, The Last Carolina Girl, with her latest, THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY —a gripping, heartbreaking, and profoundly emotional tale inspired by a dark time in Southern history.

Set in North Carolina 1960s, in the Baby Scoop Era we meet Lorraine Delford, an only child. She has been dating her boyfriend, Cliff, with her parent’s approval for two years, and he’s about to go to college. She is starting her last year of high school and plans to be the valedictorian at Mecklenburg High.

Lorraine is intelligent and interested in science and the space race. As a girl she discovered her love of stars with her father's telescope and wants to be an astronaut. Her parents are all about appearances. She considers herself a good girl. However, one night the trajectory of her life changes.

When Lorraine winds up pregnant, and things do not go as she expected with the father, her parents want to send her off to a home for wayward girls. They want to hide her away and pretend this never happened. They offer no support, love, or sympathy. They drop her off. She is afraid and scared. Her parents make up excuses that she is off caring for her aunt and their babies.

Lorraine hopes she will be able to study and get her degree while away, but the school offers no support except a finishing school to each of you how to fold napkins and housewife duties.

At a loss, she finally meets a librarian interested in her and her studies. One obstacle after another, and the folks at the home do not care if you want to keep your baby. They have families lined up and as a young girl they take away your choices with lies and deceit and destroy your self-confidence. Lorraine never expected her life to turn out the way it did.

Oh, how I loved this book. Lorraine's dreams were shattered and had no one to support her. You will despise the parents and Cliff, the boyfriend. You will root for Lorraine until the end. You will laugh and cry (mostly cry).

I loved this book, and my favorite for March. If you read Meagan Church's previous book, THE LAST CAROLINA GIRL (our interview), you will devour THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY. Meagan is an incredible gifted storyteller and enjoy her writing style—one of my favorite Southern authors.

Set in Charlotte, North Carolina (I am a native— growing up in this same area & time period) during the Baby Scoop Era of the 1960s, the women of a particular condition were swept up in a dark history. They had no voice in the decisions affecting their lives.

It is heartbreaking, powerful, and beautifully written; you will fall in love with Lorraine! A Must-Read (Southern Fiction, historical, coming of age, literary, mothers/daughters, family drama). 5 Stars ++ and Top Books of 2024.

Meticulously researched, rich in detail and history, I enjoyed the author's notes and the sparks that ignited the inspiration behind the book. A book of shame, resilience, courage, survival, finding the strength to pick up the pieces of shattered dreams, and the strength o piece together new ones, and keep moving forward. The book will remain with you long after the book ends. Thank you for telling this essential story.

AUDIOBOOK: I read both books and listened to the audiobooks narrated by the fabulous Susan Bennett (a favorite) —the performances were spellbinding! Susan made the characters come alive!

THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY is ideal for book clubs and further discussions. On sale March 5, 2024, by Sourcebooks Landmark. For fans of her first book, The Last Carolina Girl, Sadeqa Johnson's The House Of Eve, and Diane Chamberlain's Necessary Lies.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
March 2024 Must-Read Books
March Newsletter

Set in the 1960's, senior Lorraine had everything going for her, valedictorian, wanting to be an astronaut and a cute boyfriend. Until the unthinkable happens a teenage pregnancy. Lorraine is sent to unwed mother's home where she will give up her baby. Lorraine wants so much more than learing how to fold napkins and develops a friendship with the town librarian, who helps her study for the ged. Lorraine delivers her baby and return home dealing with the loss of grief of giving up her baby.

Many tears were shed while reading this book. I felt so bad for these girls on how they were treated during this time. I did not want to see the book end, plus I wish there was a better ending. This is my first book by this author and will not be my last.

I was drawn to this story by the synopsis. I can only imagine what women went through back in the day when they got pregnant out of wedlock. This is a touching and moving story of what happened to those girls.

Lorraine is the perfect child and is top of her class. She falls pregnant and feels as if her whole world is crashing down. We go through the story with Lorraine as she juggles this life changing event and what she loses and eventually gains.

This book touches on all your emotions! Anger, sadness, compassion, love and empathy.

Heartbreaking yet riveting! I couldn't put this down, even though many of the adults in this book angered me - these poor girls!!!

Church pens the untold stories of teen pregnancy in the 1960s. Parents and society, at this time, viewed teenage pregnancy as shameful and should be hidden at all costs. Consequently, parents sent their daughters to a home for unwed pregnant teens, where they were often coerced into giving up their babies for adoption. Church examines the experiences of these young girls from diverse backgrounds who had limited choices and autonomy over their bodies, leading to psychological scars. Their stories I found upsetting, challenging, and heartbreaking to read, but I believe that's the exact emotions Church hoped to elicit as she unfolded this unsavory history.

Susan Bennett's narration is excellent! She performs the multiple POVs seamlessly. Her tone and inflection add to the innocence of our teenage girls while also adding to the southern feel of the story.

If you're looking to read about women's history this month, be sure to add The Girl We Sent Away to your reading list.

The Girls We Sent Away is a touching, moving, and heart wrenching story of what happened to girls in the 1960s who became pregnant out of wedlock. My, how times have changed.

Lorraine is destined to be Valedictorian who will one day become an astronaut, until a rendezvous with her boyfriend changes the trajectory of her life forever. We see the horrible conditions girls were subjected to in homes for unwed, pregnant girls. This story is also about love and trust and what happens when those bonds are broken.

Thank you so much @Netgalley for the opportunity to read #TheGirlsWeSentAway. I definitely recommend it.

4.25⭐️

Set in 1960’s North Carolina, this story revolves around seventeen-year-old Lorraine Delford. An only child of dutiful parents who take pride in her accomplishments, Lorraine has a good life at home, is top of her class and has ambitions beyond being a wife and mother as is traditionally expected of women. When an unplanned pregnancy threatens to change everything for her, Lorraine is resilient and makes an effort to accept how her life will change, but her boyfriend abandons her and her parents offer no support instead sending her away to a maternity home for unwed mothers to hide their shame and protect their reputation in their community. Hoping that she would be able to continue her education while there, she is shocked to see the indifferent, uncaring attitude of the housemother and doctors in whose care she has been entrusted realizing that she is expected to return to her former life after she gives birth and gives up her child. She meets others- both like and unlike herself - a reality check that compels her to take stock of her life and reflect on her priorities, the difficult choices she needs to make and the choices that have been made for her fully aware that her life will never be the same even though she is expected to go on as if this episode in her life never happened.

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church is an incredibly moving story. Beautifully written, heart wrenching yet thought-provoking, this novel captures the social landscape of the Baby Scoop Era and the plight of unwed young girls who were forced to succumb to familial and societal pressure to relinquish their rights to their children. Lorraine’s journey is a painful one as she evolves from a sheltered young girl to a young mother forced to face the reality of her situation and the society in which she lives. It was heartbreaking to witness the challenges faced by these young girls, alone with no guidance or emotional support, their choices taken away from them and let down by everyone they should have been able to trust. The author is brutally honest in her depiction of the psychological toll of her experiences and the emotional scars she carries into her adulthood. Granted those were different times, but it is sad to read stories about women who are judged for mistakes for which they alone were not responsible and how easy it was for society, community and their families to shame them into submission. The author has presented us with a powerful story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading this book.

This was my first time reading this author and I'm eager to explore more of her work.
I paired my reading with audio narration by Susan Bennett, who breathes life into the characters and this story, for an absorbing immersion reading experience.

Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the digital review copy and RB Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Happy Pub Day to the amazing, beautiful & talented @mchurchwriter!

Thank you AGAIN for another spectacular story! Thank you as well to @bookmarked @netgalley @recordedbooks for the physical, digital & audio galleys!

Meagan told me early on that this one was “different” from The Last Carolina Girl. And it was, to a certain degree. This story dives into a similar-ish situation, but in a completely different time period and dilemma facing young girls. I absolutely LOVED it!

Meagan has a talent for drawing the reader into her stories. They are incredibly atmospheric & will have the reader going through every single emotion. This was another magnificent, heartbreaking novel that I recommend everyone reading ASAP.

Set in 1960s North Carolina, Lorraine Delford comes from a prominent, upstanding family & dreams of being an astronaut. She is an extraordinary teenager who is destined for amazing things.

Sadly, Lorraine become pregnant after having sex for just the first time with her boyfriend. To a family like the Delfords, this is extremely shameful & not tolerated, so she is sent off to a maternity home under the guise of a finishing school. Young girls & women are sent there to finish out their pregnancy, give birth & go home. But there is more to this maternity home than meets the eye. There are many sinister secrets held within its walls and what happens to these young soon-to-be mothers.

This novel will affect the reader, deeply. Meagan gives us a heartbreaking glimpse into what it meant to be a pregnant teen during this era of our history. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that this is more than just a story. Yes, this specific story is a work of fiction, but it addresses very real issues that plagued young mothers during this time period.

5/5 Stars – Meagan – please tell me Book 3 is underway! I already can’t wait!

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Oh, Meagan Church!!! I see you girl!

The Girls We Sent Away

This book is will put you on a ride of a lifetime and touches on all of your emotions...

Rage, Anger, Compassion, Love, and Empathy.

I was instantly grabbed by the throat and immersed into this book early on. I feel as though I was not able to come up for air until I concluded, and even then I was left "shook".

This book effected me in ways I can not even begin to describe but I can tell you with 100 percent certainty, this is a book you do not want to miss.

Check out this teaser :

A searing book club read for fans of Ellen Marie Wiseman and The Girls with No Names set in the Baby Scoop Era of 1960s and the women of a certain condition swept up in a dark history.

It's the 1960s and Lorraine Delford has it all – an upstanding family, a perfect boyfriend, and a white picket fence home in North Carolina. Yet every time she looks through her father's telescope, she dreams of the stars. It's ambitious, but Lorraine has always been exceptional.

But when this darling girl-next-door gets pregnant, she's forced to learn firsthand the realities that keep women grounded.

To hide their daughter's secret shame, the Delfords send Lorraine to a maternity home for wayward girls. But this is no safe haven – it's a house with dark secrets and suffocating rules. And as Lorraine begins to piece together a new vision for her life, she must decide if she can fight against the powers that aim to take her child or submit to the rules of a society she once admired.

Powerful and affecting, The Girls We Sent Away is a timely novel that explores autonomy, belonging, and a quest for agency when the illusions of life-as-you-know-it fall away.

After I read Meagan Church’s debut novel, The Last Carolina Girl, I knew she was an author I would automatically want to read regardless of what the stories context was. So when I seen The Girls We Sent Away with her as the author listed on NetGalley I knew I had to request it. Although this story is very different from her first it is just as good. This storyline takes place in the early 1960’s when things were very different than they are today. Girls and women had less options or choices and fewer opportunities. Lorraine, the main character, had high hopes of becoming someone in life. She was very intelligent and had dreams of becoming valedictorian and going on to attend college. She wanted to reach for the stars and maybe even become an astronaut if at all possible. But her dreams were put on hold due to an unplanned pregnancy. Her parents who didn’t want to bring shame to the family, like so many others during that time, sent her off to an unwed mothers home to hide her pregnancy and to put her baby up for adoption. This story told what it was like for girls in this predicament and I found it really sad that they didn’t have much say as to what was going to happen to them. It opened my eyes as to what things were like for these young girls and I found myself crying over their pain and loss. This is a book I enjoyed reading but I also learned from Lorraine’s experience. I’d like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark for accepting my request and NetGalley for the arc. It was a great read and it’s one I would recommend to others. This book makes two 5 star reads for me by Meagan Church and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next!