Hey, y’all, and welcome to What to Read Wednesday Thursday. I am dying to tell you about this new book that I read the other day. Okay, “read” might not be a strong enough word. “Devoured” is more like it! Books like this don’t come along every day, and I’m so excited that I got a chance to read it.

Coming from the mountains of West Virginia, I love to read good books written about my home state. Sometimes, they seem few and far between. Chris Fabry has written several books set in those beautiful hills. Under a Cloudless Sky is the second one that I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it. LOVED. IT. It is nothing like what I expected, in all the best ways.

Under a Cloudless Sky centers around Ruby Handley, and events that happened to her over 70 years ago, when she lived in the little mining town of Beulah Mountain, West Virginia. Ruby’s father was part owner of a coal mining company. They lived in a small apartment above the company store. Ruby’s best friend was Bean Dingess, whose father was a miner. The relationship between the girls was generally frowned upon–especially since Bean’s father was an out-of-work miner and the other miners had begun to discuss unionizing. Then, one day in 1933, the massacre happened, and their lives would never be the same.

Now, it’s 2004, and Ruby Handley Freeman is getting old. She lives alone in a little house, and rarely goes out, unless it’s to the local grocery store to buy ingredients for the cakes she loves to bake. But, after a small accident, her children decide it’s time to take her keys and sell her car. They don’t know about Charlotte, or the invitation to return to Beulah Mountain for the opening of the Company Story Museum. So, when they return the next day, they’re shocked to find that Ruby and her car are missing. Her daughter, Frances, is frantic, and determined to find her mother. She realizes that their relationship is far from what it should be, and there’s much she doesn’t know about Ruby.



Meanwhile, back in Beulah Mountain, Hollis Beasley is fighting for his land. The CCE mining company is buying up all the land to strip it for coal. Many of his neighbors have already sold out and moved on. But, Hollis is determined to hold on to his one little piece of earth–no matter what it costs him. As the stories slowly intertwine, and the pieces are brought together, the characters will learn a lot of lessons about forgiveness, grace and the love of family.

Believe me when I say that you will never be able to guess what’s going to happen in this story. Just when you think you know, there’s a big twist, and you’re lost again! I love how the story goes back and forth between time and characters, and the story slowly becomes clearer. I love these characters that are so real and deep. It’s not every author who can make you see multiple sides to one point of view.

Another thing I really love about Under a Cloudless Sky are the neat chapter titles. They have titles like “Hollis Confronts a Friend,” and “Ruby Gets a Surprise Visit from the Law.” They just reminded me of children’s books, and I loved the simplicity and straightforwardness of them.

I’m always drawn to books about my native state, and that’s why I originally chose this one. No matter how far I go, I doubt I’ll ever get that coal out of my blood! But, this book is so much more than a story about two girls in a mining town. It’s about forgiveness and family, friendship and freedom. It’s intriguing and exciting, and it left me guessing all the way to the end! Oh, that ending! I never saw it coming!

Under a Cloudless Sky definitely deserves a place on your “want to read” list–and I’m telling you, “Read it now!” It’s a really great story that will leave you pondering its message long after the last page is turned.





I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, and a favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.