Excellent book. Great storyline and characters. A real page turner. I would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This the tragic story of Lilly who is sold to the circus as a child because of her strange "affliction". There are glimmers of hope, but mostly tragedy for Lilly. There is also a second story of Julia which intersects with Lilly's years later. The story starts out very strong, slows a bit in the middle and ends with the "big reveal." An enjoyable read.

The Life She Was Given is beautifully written, with the narration alternating between Lily in the 1930s and Julia in the 1950s. The pacing is quick, and those moments where context is being provided and character development is taking pace feel natural and not at all forced. The result is that The Life She Was Given has a beautiful balance between being a plot-driven and character-driven. Additionally, the descriptions of circus life are vivid and imaginative, and the depth of the feelings and mystery that surround Blackwood Manor are entirely captivating.

The depth of Wiseman’s research shines through as well, and I really appreciated the acknowledgement of some of her more important sources. As someone who spends a great deal of time educating others on Information Literacy and how to properly reference sources, to see this included in a work of fiction makes my heart go pitter-patter. Not only that, the truthfulness and factual basis of many of the big moments throughout the text – Lily being sold to the circus, the elephant execution, and the circus traditions and superstitions – means that these moments are entirely believable and easy to get wrapped up in.

If there is one book that you should read this summer, it should be The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wisemen. Filled with mystery, drama, unexpected plot twists, hope, and heartwarming moments of unconditional love this novel is sure to please lovers of historical fiction, family dramas, and mysteries alike.

Wry engaging characters and situations. Liked the alt ranting voices. Kept my attention throughout. Only complaint is ending too contrived and a bit abrupt.

The Life She Was Given is a gorgeous novel! Alternating chapters tell Lilly's and Julia's stories. Lilly was a young girl who hadn't left her attic room until one night when her mother took her to the circus and sold her to the sideshow. Julia is down on her luck when the attorney for her parents estate finds her and she returns to Blackwood Manor, the childhood home she ran away from. Julia discovers that there are many secrets hiding in the old manor. The most mysterious is the empty attic bedroom.
The weaving together of Lilly's and Julia's stories is very skillful. I
I loved The Life She Was Given - I read it in one sitting.

I was hooked on this book from the very first pages. It is a fast paced, heart-wrenching tale filled with family secrets and lies. Each chapter alternates between the viewpoint of two sisters and their very different lives. The many twists and turns in the story keep you guessing about the identity and motivation of the characters. There were a couple of chapters that were very harsh and may be triggering to some readers. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to lovers of family sagas.

One of the best books I've read this year! I spent all my time thinking about the book when I had to put it down. I plan to buy the other books by this author I enjoyed this book that much

Wiseman once again delivers an emotionally packed character driven novel! I love her detail to her characters and how she pulls you into the story and keeps your interest to the very last page.
Lilly has never stepped foot out of Blackwood Manor and dreams of lives in other places on the day the circus comes to town. Little does she know that her longings are about to come true and maybe not in a way that she expects or wishes.
Set in times from the great depression to the 1950's The Life She Was given takes us from the grand Blackwood Manor to the life of a Traveling Circus. You don't want to miss the story of Lilly Blackwood this different and fascinating girl!
Wonderful novel and I would of given it 5 stars but I felt she tied up the ending a little too fast and neat.

Lilly had been locked away in her parents attic since birth. When the circus sets up nearby, her mother sells her to the circus, determined to send her "monster" child away. Over twenty years later, Julia inherits her parents estate and horse farm. When she finds a hidden attic room and a handful of circus photos, she begins to investigate, slowly unraveling her family's secrets.

This was an absolutely fascinating book. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm leaving my synopsis a bit vague. The alternating story lines between Lilly and Julia worked extremely well. The stories unraveled at a quick pace, the plot interesting from beginning to end. Overall, highly recommended.

Oh, this one was special! The story bounces between two girls and you don't find out until the end how they are connected. An interesting trip through the circus world (years ago). Magical but very heart-wrenching. Had me in tears at the end. A MUST READ!

The reader is thrown into the story with a striking first chapter set in 1931, the Depression era at Blackwood Manor in rural America. The Circus has come ‘to town’ but Lilly Blackwood can only watch from her small barred window of the attic where her parents keep her locked up and away from their neighbours. Lilly has never been outside, never smelt fresh cut grass, never felt the sun on her skin, and all because her mother has told her she is an ‘abomination’ and would scare their neighbours and anyone who saw her. Lilly’s only company is her beloved cat Abby whom she dotes on and curls up with every night.

Ellen Marie Wiseman has written a powerful story, with vivid colours, smells and sounds that traverse the Depression era of the 1930s and the innovation and liberation of the 1950s. Feeling the emotions of Lilly and Julie our story’s dual protagonists, the reader rides the roller coaster of love, loss, friendship, family and beauty. These two characters are perfectly captured in their dialogue and thoughts, and the reader is enraptured and held captive by their journeys – the mystery of how they intertwine through old photos and circus posters, the emergence of a will and the revelation of the past for Julia when the door to the attic is finally found.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was 'un-putdownable'. I highly recommend this for lovers of circus stories, mysteries and storied about overcoming adversity. I will be reading more by this author very soon!

Wow, what deep and moving novel!! When I first read the synopsis for The Life She Was Given I was instantly intrigued! I am so glad I decide to read this book because it was fantastic! I enjoyed the writing style and I felt Ms. Wiseman did a great job with time jumping between Lilly and Julia throughout the novel. Initially I had so many questions, but as the plot plays out and layers are peeled back, everything becomes clear! I loved that we get to read about both the girls journeys and where it lead them. My heart broke for the girls, but I also found so much beauty (which shocked me)!! The Life She Was Given is a solid 5 star read! I look forward to reading more from Ellen Marie Wiseman in the future!