Secrets – should they be brought out in the open or remain in the past? This historical fiction book is based on Georgia Tann, an adoption agency that ripped children from poor families and sold them to rich families. The children that did survive were subject to abuse and hunger. Rill is a child with four siblings that fell into the hands on Ms. Tann. Rill did what she could to keep the children together. Avery Stafford is a prosecutor that returns home to help her ailing father. When a picture and an envelope send her back to Edisto Island, she finds that there are some things about her family that she, and possibly her dad, did not know. The dilemma she faces about bringing those secrets out cross her mind. Decisions have to be made but can she help her demented grandmother while keeping the secret? Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a chance to read and review this great book.

Before We Were Yours is a story about families who suffered the horror most of us cannot even imagine or will be lucky enough to ever experience. Set in the late 1930s sibling children removed from their family to be placed in the Tennessee Children’s Home Society where their situation only becomes even more dire. Based on true events about Georgia Tann who was a child-trafficker that sold her wards to the wealthiest. Those that were not lucky enough to be “adopted” were left to the misery of the home. Deplorable conditions, starved, emotionally and physically abused, some to the point of death. They came from poor conditions to unimaginable horror. The other side of the story were those that were adopted. This story is hard to read because some of these things are so sad to consider but all in all a great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC and I would like to apologize for the lateness of my review.

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a quick, enjoyable read. I would recommend!

In the late 1930s, the five Foss children find themselves entrapped at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. They were collected against the true knowledge of their parents, through the work of Georgia Tann. Ms. Tann for years ran an illegal adoption ring and was in charge of child trafficking. Although the Foss children are a fictional family, the stories their lives hold are based on accounts from children impacted by the scandal. Actually much bigger than a scandal, but oh my.
It's a riveting read as modern day granddaughter who is an attorney seeks to find out and maybe hide the possibly family dirty laundry. What Avery Staffords finds will keep the reader turning pages. In finding the truth behind May's story, Avery is also forced to make personal decisions that will impact her own adult years.
Thanks to Lisa Wingate for another super read! This was a much anticipated, by me, book as I've read and relished her other stories over the years.

I liked the dual timelines and learning more about adoption.

I want to thank Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Wow, what a story. I can't believe that this book was based on true facts from the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage. It's so sad that this actually happened. I thought Lisa Wingate did a great job in creating a fictional story out of the historical facts that she was able to find. What happened to the Foss family might actually break a child, but Rill fought to bring what remained of her family back together again. It was compelling and without giving away the ending I thought it tied things up nicely. I just wish the woman in charge of the orphanage would have gotten the punishment she deserved in real life!

Before We Were Yours is a perfect read! I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about the latest title from author Lisa Wingate.

She delivers a beautifully written story of the bonds between siblings over the course of their lives. Before We Were Yours will pull at all of your heartstrings. A compelling tale of children being taken from their families and sold on the black market, you'll be mesmerized by the sheer amount of both good and evil in this cast of characters.

I was unaware when I first started reading this novel that is is based on the real life story of child broker Georgia Tann. The fact that this novel is based in truth makes it that much more tragic.

Lisa Wingate gives us such realistic characters and their journey will capture your heart.
A definite must read!

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Brief Summary: This dramatic fiction novel based on actual people and events tells two interchanging stories: one of Rill, a young girl in Memphis, Tennessee in 1939, who’s life is changed forever when she is taken away or rather kidnapped from her parents to the Tennessee Children’s Home to be adopted with her siblings; and then of Avery, a young woman in present day South Carolina, trying to find her way and understand her family history.

Highlights: This book gives great perspective on the social justice issues of SES and social class; providing another example of those who are powerful and privileged taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. I absolutely loved Rill’s resilience and resourcefulness in the face of countless obstacles she faced to keep her family together. I usually enjoy when historical fiction is written with two story lines one in the past and the other in the present; but in this book I was intrigued to see how the author would tie them together and it kept me turning pages! I was so fascinated that this was based on actual people and events I did online research to learn more!

Explanation of Rating 4.5/5 Although the pace of this story varied fast at times and slow at others, it made me think about the families torn apart by this scam. It also made think about the difficult choices that parents involved in adoption make today and how open and honest to be about those choices. Avery and Rill will stay with me long after I’ve finished this book. This is a very creative tale based on actual events and people.

Psychology Factors: As a clinical psychologist I will always comment on this. I have already mentioned social justice and resilience in Rill’s story. I also appreciated Avery’s perspective of losing her aging grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease and the emotional toll of that.

Favorite Quotes: “The truth always comes out sooner or later. I’m of the belief that you’re better off knowing about it first.” This could fit in many of my favorite novels, but this captures the importance of truth in these scandal based adoptions and the generations the secrets affected.

Recommended to: Book clubs, those whose lives have been touched by adoption, fans of historical fiction

This was a heart wrenching, powerful, and thought-provoking read! Don’t miss it!

Thank you to Net Galley and the Ballantine Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

This was a difficult book to read at times, especially as it is based on real life occurrences. It never ceases to amaze me how horribly some people treat others, all in the pursuit of wealth or fame.

Before We Were Yours is an engaging richly crafted novel that grabbed me from the first page and kept my interest throughout.

In 1939, twelve year old Rill Foss and her siblings enjoy life on the river, but that is life is ripped from them one night when strangers arrive at the Arcadia. Life as they knew it will never be the same. Now residents of the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage, Rill and her siblings face an uncertain future.

Now, Avery Stafford has returned home to Aiken, South Carolina to fill the shoes of her highly respected and successful political father. During a public appearance at a nursing home facility, she has a strange encounter with an elderly resident. That chance encounter leads Avery on a journey into her family's past to unearth secrets that may be best left buried.

Before We Were Yours is an absolutely riveting story that was a five star read for me. I was so drawn into the characters and the plot line. I was not familiar with Georgia Tann or the Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis and found it shocking the acts that occurred. I also had not read Lisa Wingate's books before and now have added a good amount to my "to read" list.

I received this book courtesy of Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate


Based upon true events, Lisa Wingate tells the story of five young children taken from their home and put up for adoption.
While the journey of the five Foss children and many others who landed in the Memphis Children's Home Society are fictitious, their stories are based upon newspaper articles and oral histories of children and families who were victims of Georgia Tann and her corrupt organization.

A compelling, intriguing, and moving novel. Lisa Wingate tells the story of two women who are generations apart: May Crandall and Avery Stafford. While they meet briefly at an event Avery attends with her father at a nursing home, something draws May to Avery and vice versa. Soon Avery takes a journey into her families past based upon something she finds and something May says to her.

As she is delving in the past and unraveling her family's history, we are told of Rill Foss' story and how she tries to keep herself and her younger siblings together when they land in the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society. As each of the stories progress, the past to the present and the present to the past, what is found may tear apart the lives of those involved or bring them together.

A story of scandal, redemption, family, love hope, truth, honesty, and sisterhood. A riveting novel from beginning to end. Well written, candid, and realistic characters. A powerful plot line that is truthful, honest and captivating.

Lisa Wingate has done an honor to the families and children who were the victims of Georgia Tann and her corrupt treatment and selling of children whom she obtained via multiple illegal methods. A definite 5 star read.

Rating: 5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/2upTO85

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel.

(Any links in this novel may be affiliate links which may provide me with a small commission at no cost to you)

Many thanks to Lisa Wingate, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Before We Were Yours tells the tale of the unlawful abduction of hundreds of children of all ages aided by politicians, police officers, doctors, and nurses by Georgia Tann in Tennessee from the 1920s to 1950 when she abruptly died. It's told using fictional families who suffered by her evil hands.

These children were warehoused in holding facilities where they were physically and sexually abused, starved, and lied to. The birth parents were defrauded; the adoptive parents were intimidated and blackmailed.

The irony is Georgia Tann was known throughout the country as "the Mother of Modern Adoption". Eleanor Roosevelt consulted with her on her adoption reform project. But she probably caused the death of about 500 children.

I had never heard of this corrupt tale on our country's history. This book has led me on a search for more information. Wingate did a great job of introducing this unforgivable chapter in so many lives to the reader. There is boundless sadness hidden in these pages. I must admit I didn't focus much on the main investigative character. I was more tuned in to the elderly women. They are what mattered to me. This is one time when I was satisfied with a happy ending. Now off to the library to learn more about the Tennessee Children's Home Society.

Although this story is fiction, it is based on historical events. As horrific as they seem, these things actually happened. In the 1930s, a woman named Georgia Tann ran a group of orphanages in South Carolina. She found that wealthy couples were willing to pay large amounts of money in "adoption fees" in order to obtain a longed for child. She lied about the source of these children. Often, these children were not orphans at all, but were kidnapped from loving homes, leaving their bewildered parents heartbroken and irreparably damaged. Tann claimed that these children were being well cared for, and had been rescued from terrible conditions. These were also lies. She seemed to think that placing poor children into wealthy homes was justified. The truth is that she was just in it for the money. In the end it is estimated that she made over a million dollars, ten million in today's dollars. Researchers also estimate that 500 or more children died in her homes of abuse and neglect. Siblings were separated and records were incomplete, falsified, or sealed so that these families often couldn't be reunited. The cruelty of it is unimaginable.
The author, Lisa Wingate, imagines the lives of some of these impoverished, but loved children who fell victims to Tann's greed. There are two storylines: the description of the children's capture, subsequent imprisonment and abuse, and the story of a granddaughter of one of these grown children, and her search for the truth about her family's history. Each timeline sheds light on the other until important truths come to light.
I really enjoyed this book. It would make a fine summer read. Although the subject is dark, it is not depressing. The value of life, and the lifelong bonds of love between people are the emphases. The characters are complex and believable, and distinct from one another. The events described, and the characters reactions to these terrible events are believable. The pacing was perfect. At no point was there a lag. This held my attention from start to finish, and I was especially engrossed as secrets were revealed towards the end.
I recommend this book to people who are interested in relationships and their complexities. It would be great for book clubs, as there are many discussion-worthy themes addressed.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was based on true stories about orphanage homes and adoptions of children in late 1930s in Tennessee. The story has parallels between what happened then and how those events affected those families in modern days. I highly recommend this book!

This is a fantastic, heartbreaking, and compelling story. I couldn't put it down!

Great story - I learned about a piece of history I didn't know existed. The writing is a bit uneven. The voice of Rill is compelling and fresh in contrast to the chapters narrated by Avery. Every time we switched narrators I felt a sense of disorientation and loss.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were extremely realistic and all of them pulled on my heartstrings. Wingate does a great job of making you live the lives of the orphans, and I felt like a cheerleader on the sidelines. At times, it reminded me of the movie "Annie." As tragic as the story is, I liked knowing it was based on history in 1939.

This was a really interesting story based on America's most notorious and scandalous woman Georgia Tann who kidnapped children from poor families and sold them to wealthy families all over the country. She had politicians, judges and attorneys in her corner but her and her cohorts actually terrorized, molested, and murdered an unbelievable number of children. Her unfortunate legacy still holds precedent over adoption legislation today such as closed adoption records.

Wingate tells Tann's story from the point of view of some of the kids who were stolen and the impact her blackmail, lies and kidnapping had on families. With alternating chapters you learn the story of Rill and her siblings and parents from their point of view and from the view of one of the granddaughters who is desperately trying to uncover what her grandmother has tried so hard to hide.

Your heart will break for Rill, her siblings and her parents Briny and Queenie whose whole world was destroyed by Tann. Avery Stafford is a granddaughter of one of the stolen children, raised in privilege her father is a senator and she is being groomed to take his seat when he vacates it. But she isn't sure she wants it. There are really 2 stories here..with a common theme of lives that are decided for them instead.

I really enjoyed this book although I did find it a bit difficult to figure out who the modern characters were compared to the ones from the past. Tann liked to change the children's names making it harder for their biological families to find them and it was difficult to figure out who each character was from the past. Eventually I figured it out and there was an aha moment when I figured out how Avery's grandmother fit.

I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and following the characters from two different generations. It was heartbreaking to learn what was done to these children who were taken from parents w ho wanted them. I would recommend this to anyone that wanted to learn about that time not too long ago in our history. The story wrapped up so well and was full of love even through the hardships our characters had to overcome!

BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate
A beautifully written and very disturbing story about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, the woman who ran it, and the children and families who were affected. Rill, a 12 year old “river rat,” and her brothers and sisters are forcibly removed from their home when their parents are away. They fall into the hands of Georgia Tann (a real person) and the TCHS(a real facility).
The characters, real and imaginary, have clear personalities. The action is real and terrifying. The time and place are vividly shown.
If you have children, or work with them, or just know a few, this tale of real events in the not distant past is horrifying. Book groups will have a field day with discussions of family, love, poverty, discipline, adoption, heartache, sacrifice and hope.
5 of 5 stars