God Bless the Child by Annet Shaw Heinrich

A huge exhale after reading to the end of this novel! I didn't want it to end but it ended well. Mary Kline has her dream fulfilled becoming a mother in a different way than most. She was able to mother both her mentally challenged friend, Pearl, and Pearl's daughter, Elizabeth. Mary Kline came from an affluent and well-known family in town, yet she was bullied throughout her life because of her large girth. She was able to give love to Pearl and Elizabeth that she felt she didn't receive as a child and in her life. There are other characters that are all intertwined, and secrets revealed. This story is fraught with emotion. The ending helps the reader understand the complicated relationships and how each Thank you to Net Galley and Speaking Volumes, LLC Naples, Florida for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. person processed their guilt and grief, eventually finding peace with themselves and with each other. Be cautioned that this novel regards some deep matter, but I thought it was well written with characters people can either relate to or have a deeper appreciation for.
Thank you to Net Galley and Speaking Volumes, LLC Naples, Florida for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was a strong start to the Women of Paradise County series, it does a great job of bringing the characters to life. I enjoyed getting to go on this plot and was engaged in the time-period. The characters were what I was looking for and worked in this story. Anne Shaw Heinrich has a great writing style and I'm glad it was so well done.