This is a story of family, heartbreak, loss and healing, and life in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as it begins, but moves to Parsons, Georgia in 1962. It is a time when racism was rampant and everyday, not that it has stopped. A time when those whose job was to protect people from harm were only available to those whose skin was the ‘right’ color. That’s how they saw it. When the color of your skin dictated if you could sit at a counter in Woolworth’s without being arrested, but were happy to give you the opportunity to put your life on the line to honor your country, even when those you fought alongside didn’t keep you in return.

But it is also so much more than that. It is a story of love of family, love of place, fear, war, death, and grief. It is also a story of navigating grief, and allowing oneself to honor the deceased by living fully, once again. Ultimately, it is a story of love, and finding a way to live and love despite the past.

1962 and mainly set in Parsons Georgia and the struggle for civil rights. For those of us who grew up in that era, the tragic events around that period will be familiar. The central character is Rose, a young lady, and with her we experience grief (a stillborn premature baby) tragedy, in the death of her husband in Viet Nam, the strength of family bonds, and her maturation, not only in terms of her evolving views on racial equality, but as a woman ready to love again and to fulfill a life long career dream.
Multifaceted, and well depicted, how even the black people who passively accepted their role became gradually fierce advocates for equality.
For young people unfamiliar with the struggle for racial equality a very good “history lesson” related in the form of an engrossing novel.

Absolutly breathtaking. Different from anything I’ve ever read and def something I’ll never forget! Wow just wow

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown is a novel that has the setting of the south during the Civil Rights Movement. The characters are well developed and the reader becomes immersed in their lives. There are family struggles as well as struggles of many of the citizens in this town. This novel entertains and informs. Thank you to Angela Jackson Brown, Harper Muse Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

5 stars

Homeward is a beautifully written book about love, loss, faith, family, hope, and courage. I like how the Perkins family were close and respectful to each other. Rose made a mistake in her marriage, but she had a loving and forgiving husband.

Many times in her life Rose had to pick up the pieces of what was left and move on. She showed resilence and strength in the face of all she went through. She then found her calling in the Civil Rights Movement. She made history and forged new friendships and relationships.

Throughout her life, Rose overcame the odds and all that was stacked against her. She found the courage to follow her dreams. The only down side to this book was the ending. I wanted and felt that an epiloque was needed. I know Rose had an amazing future, but I wanted to read about the beautiful life she finally got to have.

Such a great book! Beautifully written. Impacting. Soul searching. Truth telling. The nineteen sixties in Parsons, Georgia was a hard place to live as a person of color. Come back to it and see Opal and Cedric. Meet their families. They were in the previous book by Angela Jackson Brown. You don’t have to read it to follow this one, but if you haven’t, then you should. Completely absorbing. Loved it!

The reader is engaged in the civil rights fight to register black voters and achieve equal treatment for blacks in Parsons, Georgia. I was transported back in time to the tumult and anxiety of the early 1960s. Brown gave me the opportunity to view things through the eyes of a black family, to understand that not all blacks were opposed to protests and civil disobedience, and to witness the injustices inflicted on fine black people who were simply trying to build a better life for themselves and their children..

This historical fiction novel was a page turner. Following young Rose through mistakes, loss, and eventually finding her own voice amid the din of the civil rights movement across the South. Important educational information is touched upon, as well as the reactions and feelings of a family torn between wanting to be patient and quietly wait for their rights to come to them, or make themselves heard in their small town, while facing great unfairness and even abuse at the hands of the law. Well written story by Jackson-Brown, I will recommend it frequently..

A beautifully written book about a Black family in Mississippi in the early 1960s. This is the kind of story that will transplant you smack into the middle of a family's life. As you read, you'll feel like you are there with them on the front porch and at meal times. Each member of the family has a distinct personality and approaches solutions to rampant racism differently. In the end they all come together to create change in their own town.
The author really captured all the different feelings a person might have had in this place and time. Be it hesitation, fear, cautious enthusiasm, unbridled enthusiasm, indifference etc. These are memorable characters and a few are even unusual characters. I think this is a wonderful read and also a read that sheds light on some moments in history that are in danger of being forgotten.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's so well written and fascinating to get a glimpse into this time period and this wonderful family.

A thoughtful emotional novel about a young woman in the South during the fight for civil rights. Rose loses so much- a child, a husband, intangibles- and yet she keeps picking herself up and moving forward. The civil rights movement not only inspires her, it become her life's purpose and the way to happiness. She's a well drawn character as are the others, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, A good read and one that's especially important for younger people.

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brow was a good book- in my opinion, it really cements Angela Jackson-Brow as one of the best American writers to come out of the last few years. It is epic and entertaining all at once, and so skillfully done. Angela pulls off the task of making each character of the story equally compelling.
A wonderful story of family, heartbreak, loss and healing.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Homeward by Angela Jackson Brown
#historicalfiction
#civilrights
#NetGalley published 10/10/2023
#harpermuse

This book takes place a generation after #WhenStarsRainDown. The first book of AJB's that I read and LOVED. It starts during the Vietnam War. Before President Kennedy's assassination. One of Opal's 5 kids is the center of this story. Rose got married early in life and unfortunately it was not a good decision. He life is filled with grief. Her baby sister, Ellena and the rest of her family helps her find her way out of her hole of grief.

I loved the closeness of the large family. I loved the way this book linked back to the When the Stars Rain Down. The book also mentions several well known events and people from that time. I loved hearing about the civil rights activists that didn't only include "Negros" as she called them in the book. It was the time. To the character's relief they were no longer called "colored". This author is now an auto-buy for me. I love the way she narrates her books with the dialogue of the time and region. It really makes me feel like I'm there.

#multiculturalinterest
#womensfiction
#homeward
#angelajacksonbrown @angelajacksonbrownauthor
#blackauthor
#bookstagram

Where to start with this novel! Homeward is definitely one of my favourite reads this year. It's absolutely breathtaking. No review I write will do this book justice, but I'm going to try anyway.

Georgia 1962, and Rose returns home pregnant with another man's baby after being unfaithful to her husband Jasper. He's away a lot with the Air Force, and Rose married young to a man who wasn't so honest about the way he could provide for her. Jasper still loves her and wants her back and agrees to raise the baby as his own. Forgiving her means being a family, and that's all both Rose and Jasper ever really wanted.
When Jasper returns back to duty, Rose's life is about to be turned upside down. She's about to face the worst things a woman can experience, but can her family and faith pull her through.

A beautiful novel about heartbreak and healing, family and faith, I can't adequately explain how this book made me weep. I absolutely adore the way family is portrayed with the perkins family as loyal and loving as they are. From segregation and fighting for the right to vote and be treated as fairly as white people, Homeward has so much depth to it. I can't recommend this book enough. It's one that will stay with me forever. I need it to be made into a movie now, please.
Ultimately, it is a story of resilience and love. I'm so pleased Rose got the beautiful ending she deserved.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the situation in which they find themselves, the entire story.
Grief is a hard lesson to swallow and to learn from, however, Rose must give into sorrow and build her way up from it.
In the meantime, the Civil Rights movement is happening.
Will she join?

This book is beautifully written and I did not want it to end.
It gave me a new perspective on the Civil Rights movement.

THe only criticism that I have, and its so small....is there was a point in the book where Mama said Rose would be rewarded ten fold for everything that she lost...yet that did not come to fruition.
I am HOPING that the author does a sequel and it will be revealed then.

OVerall a wonderfully written book that I screamed with outrage over some of the incidents therein.

This touching narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the southern United States during the civil rights movement. As a Southerner, I resonated with its warmth, as the familiar diction evoked a sense of home. The tale skillfully navigates themes of grief, loss, and racism, yet remains a powerful testament to the enduring values of family and community.

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown tells the story of Rose a young woman coming of age in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. The stand-out parts of this book are that it allows Rose and her family to change and grow during the story AND that it takes you into the hearts and minds of those who were on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, I understood the fear that was present in upending the white supremacist society. So often characters are portrayed as fearless and heroic but in this case, it felt far more heroic to move ahead despite the fear; The author also gives the reader a strong sense of the abuses suffered by the Black Community over time before the Civil Rights movement.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Homeward in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now and I highly recommend it!

This author is amazing how she tied a story. About 2 girls named rose and her sister. Elle NA.. I like how she loves a story about these two girls growing up in the sixties when things were changing, and how she corporated historical facts into the book. Arose married man named J, Asp ER. This was not a really good fit for her. But she wanted to do it anyway.. Rose was very close to her family. Especially her dad and things happened to him, too.. Her sister e l l e n a was a student at spellman college She started to change as well. She got involved in the movement to sit at counters. And voting rates as well.. Her sister made some mistakes by getting pregnant by another man, and she came home. Because she could not face her husban They patched things up. But tragedy struck her again by losing her husband and her daughter.. She started to get involved in the movement with her sister, and she made a man named isaac. Family lived in a small town just outside atlanta georgia. Discuss a lot of different issues in this town. And however, but it treated everybody differently. The father was very concerned, too. Because things can happen to black women. And that time, and he tried to get Eleanor out of jail because he was really worried about her safety.. I like how she tied different things in the book. And this really helped clarify the book. It's a really good book to read.

I listened to the narration on audio by Joneice Abbott-Pratt who does an outstanding job. I thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

“My husband and child haven’t even been dead a year. I can’t think about any relationship beyond Jasper. He is my husband and I plan to remain true to him.” She was only twenty two years old, that she was still in her good graces with her grandmother in heaven, but more importantly, in the good graces of God. For the first time in a long time, Rose’s soul began to release some of the turmoil and heartbreak she had been carrying.

I adored the warmth of the family. A close knit family that hugged, kissed foreheads, linked arms, gave squeezes, and had laughter in the house. Opal (Mama) taught all of her children, the boys and the girls, how to make Great-Grandma Birdie’s peach jam as well as other food items. Rose liked helping her Dad at the store and he loved her being there with him.

The antisemitism so prevalent in this current day and time, it’s magnified by the Jewish faith, culture, and beliefs that the author presents in the novel. The characters in the novel for reference are a reflection of our current time and situations. The reference to the inequality of the black soldiers who served in the Vietnam War was touched on by the author.

The characters and the storylines were reminiscent to ‘Soul Food’ the movie, but set in a different era, and more religiously infused. During the civil rights movement era, blacks needed the help of whites to get through the fight. The civil unrest is in this country, has resurfaced in recent years all around America, back in the civil rights movement it was most prevalent in the south, places like Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama.The novel has drama, romance, second chances, historical significance, and courage, Living in small rural town of a martyre (Jimmie Lee Jackson) who died during a push for black Americans to register to vote, brought me instant relatability to this story. This is a great southern fiction sprinkled with raw and truthful accounts of our history that needs telling and retelling so that history does not repeat itself.

#NetGalley #Homeward

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown is definitely one of the best historical fiction books that I have read this year. The book made me really care about the family, who were very close and supportive. Homeward gives the readers a sense of what it was like to grow up as a family of color in the south during the 1960s. This book is one I will read again and I hope that the author writes more books of this caliber.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this e-ARC. This review comes from my heart.

This is such an emotional and poignant read. I will be honest I skipped class to carry on reading this book and I am not even sorry. Absolutely beautiful

This was an excellent book! I love reading Historical Fiction, and this book fits the bill. I love how the characters tie in to her previous book.
I am looking forward to her next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the gifted copy.

I absolutely loved this book and had a fantastic time reading it. The first line of the synopsis "Rose Perkins Bourdon returns home to Parsons, GA, without her husband and pregnant with another man's baby" Immediately grabbed my attention but this book is so much more than a messy love relationship.

This book tackles the topic of grief in such a palpable fashion that had me on the verge of tears many times. Coupled with the non-linear journey that Rose undergoes while learning to forgive herself for past mistakes and realizing that her misfortunes are not punishments from God, this has become one of my top reads of the year. There is also a secondary slow-burn romance of sorts that did not detract from Rose, becoming a full expression of herself that I truly enjoyed.

Beyond the interpersonal relationships of Rose and her family (which I adored), we also experience a re-imagining of the very real circumstances of racism, discrimination, and pain that existed in 1962 Georgia. The members of this family, like the rest of society, must reckon with the price they're willing to pay for their rights and freedoms.

"I understand y'all want to fight, but look around this room and tell me, who are you willing to lose next? Who among us are you at peace to bury in that cemetery? Because that is what will happen. This ain't about singing gospel hymns and marching. Y'all say you are willing to die for your freedom. Well, these white folks here in Parsons, Georgia, are willing to help you into your early graves."

I really liked that the characters in this novel are fully realized and multidimensional. I especially loved Rose's relationship with her parents and father in particular, as we got to see him navigate being a soft place for his daughter and wife, while also being that stern and caring protector. Their family was very close-knit and a joy to watch the interactions. I liked that the author presented the dichotomy that several characters faced while dealing with the situations presented in this book. The topics highlighted in this novel were at times very heavy, but as a reader, I did not feel weighted down, which can only be a testament to the skill of the author.

Even if you're not a typical historical fiction reader, I recommend adding this novel to your tbr.

This was a very moving, well written story that captured me from the very first page and kept me engaged.

As someone who does not usually read historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. I felt an array of emotions reading this story. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired, I felt anger. I went through it all and at the end, I gained a sense of strength. While reading this book, I reflected on the fact that though we have come so far as a country and as a society, there is still more that needs to be done. Though this story is set in the 1960s, during the Civil Rights Movement, we see that many of what was fought for is still at issue today. Sometimes, with everything going on, some of us want to give up with the thought of being tired of fighting the same old fights. But after reading this, I have a renewed strength and am motivated by Rose's story story to keep moving and to never give up. Activism, fighting for what one believes is right and just, is always pertinent.

Outside of the historical aspects of the story, I felt that this was a story about tragedy, loss, love, redemption, family, and overcoming. I just loved Rose's family (the Perkins) and how they were just always there for each other. They never allowed her to fall too far into the darkness of depression or pain, despite everything that she had to go through (from the loss of her husband, to the loss of her daughter), her family was always there for her. The Perkins family was just so inspirational. I really enjoyed the scenes with her mom, her dad, her sisters, and brothers, her grandmother. Those were my favorite scenes!

The world building was exceptional in this story. The author, through her descriptive writing, was able to create a realistic world that was immersive. I could see Rose's childhood home and the home she lived in with her mother-in-law and husband, and the town, the church, it was all so realistic and I was able to recreate it in my mind. As I read, it felt like I was watching a movie; I was fully immersed in Rose's world.

As someone who reads a lot of romance, I really enjoyed the different aspects of Rose's relationship with her husband Jasper. From their quick courtship, to their rush to get married, to Rose realizing that life would not be what she thought it would be with her husband, to her stepping outside of her marriage, and then the way Jasper just loved her and accepted her through it all. My Goodness, I fell for that man. He was not perfect but he was a good man!

I really wish we were given more of Issac and Rose's story. I felt like it was cut off at the end and I wanted more of them and their blossoming friendship and possible love story. I have to say that I was sad to leave the Perkins family. This was such a great read that it left me wanting more!

Overall, I really really really enjoyed this story and I would HIGHLY recommend it. This was my first Angela Jackson-Brown read and I am really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

CAWPILE
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Writing: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10

Angela Jackson-Brown’s Homeward casts a poignant light on the Civil Rights movement through the lens of the Perkins family in Little Parsons. Raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring, the novel captures Rose’s journey as her family faces profound changes amidst a transforming community. This book is truly written for those who may not fully understand the power of their vote. As someone who feels deeply hurt by brothers and sisters who choose not to exercise their right to vote, this story hit me hard. From the very first page, Jackson-Brown builds a strong connection to the characters of Parsons, Georgia. The Perkins family feels like my family, so down-home and familiar it almost hurts. I’m incredibly proud of these characters and even more appreciative of my ancestors and their relentless commitment to freedom. This story serves as a powerful reminder that we cannot sit still when the going gets tough; as VP Harris has said, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and fight.

I went into this book blind and glad that I did. This story was read within 24 hours. It had my full attention. The following was mentioned in the story, and I would have to say that I had the same feeling.
🍑 It was like we were all going through the emotions together. Grief. Anger. Bewilderment.

Thoughts:
💭Even though Jasper did what he did, in the end, he took on the responsibility.

💭Chapter 8 broke me. That's all I'm going to say.

💭I do not like a bully. There are some still doing unlawful things today.

💭Lawrence and Ellena played no games.

💭Rose went through so much. I couldn't have imagined being in her shoes. In the end, I was so proud of her.

Quotes:
🍑If you old enough to make grown-up decisions, you old enough to deal with the aftermath.
Rosebud, grace doesn't come to us because we earned it. It comes to us because we need it.

🍑The pull to be with them was stronger than the pull for me to stay.

🍑There ain't no worse feeling for a man than knowing he ain't got the power to protect his own family.

🍑For the first time in a long time, my soul began to release some of the turmoil and heartbreak I had been carrying. I wasn't at peace, but I was in a better place, and that meant everything to me.

🍑We had the right to fight for our rights, and I was determined, no matter what that tomorrow I would exercise that freedom.

Reading this story during the election hit home. It brought so much to mind, which caused me to shake my head.

This was a great read for me.

I enjoyed this story and seeing Rose grow into the woman she was destined to be. Sometimes the road isn't always straight and it's in those times that we discover our purpose. I adored the relationship between the main character and her family. I loved how even in grief, they remained hopeful and supportive. The historical fiction aspect of this book reminded me that perseverance and determination are key to change. This story also has a religious undertone and some great quotes to live by. Overall, this story was engaging and well-written from the very first page.

What a wonderful book Homeward was. The journey that this book takes the reader through is nothing short of amazing. Homeward was such an impactful read. It deals with many emotions, all of which were wonderfully written. A well written book that becomes an enjoyable read.

Thank you so much @hearourvoicestours for this beautiful reminder to honor my ancestors through reading!!

Homeward came right on time !!

I will have in the comments, the playlist that I’ve created for this novel and the songs that not only represent the characters’ journey, but our ancestors as a Collective!!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SwynGUCVGPqxIB6bq0ExS?si=weEDdhxjR-qi2SLmXPczFw&pi=u-TzWa4w_JRcqF

#Homeward #HearOurVoices #HOV