Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
When struggling journalist Ellis Reed sees two children at the side of the road wearing a sign stating simply CHILDREN FOR SALE he is immediately captivated by the children’s story. Soon he is photographing them and the picture quickly becomes front page news in every paper. Ellis is quickly drawn into a world of backdoor adoptions, mob Mafioso’s and parental desperation and when his journalistic integrity is on the line, Ellis must decide what secrets are worth keeping. When fellow reporter Lillian sees the photo of the children, she instantly immerses herself into the research as well, determined to find out what happened to the “children for sale” while dealing with her own secrets and demons.
This story was based on an actual photo, which adds to the story’s credibility. Not only does this story tell of the desperation felt by families the world over during the Great Depression, but it also delves into the inner workings of the world of journalism in the same era (which I, personally, found very interesting.) “Sold on a Monday” by Kristina McMorris is definitely unlike any story I have read before.
Deemed a historical fiction novel (and appropriately so) this novel is creative, with an inventive storyline, powerful characters and features both the dark and light sides of humanity. Ellis is a clumsy young man starting out, determined to follow his dream despite his father’s protestations and Lily is a career-oriented young journalist who is trying to make it on her own in a man’s world (at a pretty heavy cost).
This novel would not be nearly as enjoyable if did not have such a sweet and just ending. “Sold on a Monday” is powerful, moving and highly entertaining. It is definitely one not to be missed. A thoroughly inventive novel, it will draw you in from the first page and will not let you go until the very last sentence. McMorris’ novel is definitely something I would recommend to anyone looking for something more substantial than a beachy, summer read (without the pretention).

A touching and heart breaking story, but also heartwarming. Who knows what we would do in desperation? Selling children during the Great Depression? Decisions made in desperation, choices made we would never normally even consider.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. It was touching and suspenseful, full of great characters, and a few twists. I recommend it if you like historical fiction.

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris came as a wonderful surprise for me. For some reason I think I selected it based on the cover and assumed that it was non-fiction, a recount of how dire times were during the Great Depression. Instead, to my delight, when I started reading the book I realized that it was actually a beautiful work of historical fiction, set in and around the newsrooms of Philadelphia and New York City in 1931.

Needless to say I couldn’t put it down.

A wonderful, wonderful story! A reporter and a woman aspiring to be one follow their consciences to rescue a pair of children and return them to their mother during the depression. A book club recommendation for sure!

This was a book that could easily tear at you heart.

This book is set in 1931 during the Great Depression when people were unbelievably poor and desperate to survive. It is a fictional story based on a real photo that was printed in several newspapers.

A reporter El;lis is bound to make a name for himself and find the one story that will. After feeling guilty about something he starts a journey to set things right.

Was a good read with a heartbreaking story behind it. I would have liked to learn more about this children.
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This book drew me in from the cover. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down and read it in a day. I've never read anything by Kristina McMorris before, but I'll certainly be reading more of her books. Boy, can she craft a story!

I'm a sucker for stories with wonderful characters and these all had true depth. The "good" characters had some faults and the "bad" characters had some merit, making them so real.

This book was both heartbreaking and heartwarming and hit on so many great topics. McMorris managed to weave numerous heavy themes together seamlessly, where each one had an integral link to the others. Very polished.

It earns 4.5 stars for me. I was happy to receive an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

1931 and the Great Depression was 2 years old. Bread lines, homeless families, desperation! A young journalist, Ellis Reed, stumbles across two boys sitting next to a sign "Children For Sale" and with one flick of his camera sets in motion a drama that will grab hold of your heart. That picture was not meant to be published, by as fate often steps in, what happens next takes you on an incredible journey.

From start to finish this novel just couldn't be put down. Ms. McMorris simply didn't write a story, she brought to life one of the most distressing times of our country. These characters jumped off the pages, giving us glimpses of the 30's....the gangsters, the city life, journalism and the people struggling just to live their lives. Her research was impeccable, her writing over the top. This is a book not to be missed, it is a "must" read. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

'Sold on a Monday' by Kristina McMorris is a heart-wrenching story about a reporter, a picture and a huge secret. Ellis Reed, the ambitious reporter, happen upon a disturbing scene. He saw two small boys on a farmhouse porch next to a sign which read "2 children for sale". Ellis snapped their picture. It was 1931 people were desperate. The chief editor saw this picture and wanted to know this family's story. The original picture that Ellis took of the two boys was ruined so Ellis had to return to the boy's home and take another picture. Oh no the boys are gone and the farmhouse is empty. Ellis in his desperate attempt to fulfill his photojournalist assignment paid two children to model for him so that he could reproduce the original photo. The picture and story of two children went viral, as we would say in today's terms. Ellis became a star overnight. People sent donations and letters of support to the family of the children in his fraudulent photo. Ellis' career was sky rocketed to top, however, he never got over the guilt that he had for using a staged photo. Ellis set out to right his wrongs.
This historical novel based on a true story made me feel like I time traveled into 1931. I thoroughly enjoyed Kristina McMorris' description of the nineteen thirties. As I was reading, I felt the desperation, I visualized the speakeasies, I was right there at Ellis and Lily's side while they searched for answers.
I was given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebook, Inc and Kristina McMorris for sharing this story with me.

This author had a way of writing history that takes you back in time.
I found this portrayed the realities of the depression in a compassionate way and shows the ways many families had to deal with to survive. It is a very well written novel.
Thanks to Net galley anfmd the publisher

This book will break your heart in the best way. When photographer Ellis Reed snaps a picture of two boys in front of their farmhouse next to a sign reading, "2 children for sale," he has no idea how publishing a story with the picture will change all of their lives. 

His life is changed in amazing ways, his career is made with this one piece of writing, but what he didn't realize before he published his article is how it would fracture the family involved. So together, Ellis and secretary Lilian Palmer set out to right a wrong and hopefully put back a devastated family. 

This book was an amazing, sad, beautiful read. It's not a happy, go-lucky story, but it is one that will change your life and stay with you for a long time after you read the last page. It's amazing.

I received this title in exchange for an honest review. The author has an easy,conversational style of writing and the book was very enjoyable to read. It reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks type of movie. Based on a real photograph, it follows a newspaper reporter in his efforts to find out what became of the family he inadvertently played a part in uprooting. I’ll stop there to avoid giving away too much but I will say he, along with a lady-friend, were quite persistent in tracking down the story.

Ellis Reed wants to cover more than society events for the newspaper. When he comes across two children in the country with a sign that says, “Children for Sale” and snaps their picture, he doesn’t realize that this will be the defining moment of his career and maybe even his life. He also has no idea of the horrific consequences he has set in motion by an unethical decision he makes.
This book feels very current in this age where you have to read the news with a discerning eye. News is so often twisted to achieve a desired result. People have easy access to a platform on social media with little consequences for any inaccuracies. Opinions are stated as facts and lives can be ruined undeservedly in this environment. However, this book is about so much more than truth in journalism.
Set in the depression, this book highlights some of the unthinkable hardships that faced families in that day. The fact that a real life picture inspired this novel broke my heart and I applaud the author for wanting to give them a better ending. When Ellis attempts to make things right for this family, he comes against many road blocks and enlists Lily’s help. They have to decide how far they are willing to go to fix things knowing it may cost them everything.
I was drawn in to the story and felt I was going right along with Ellis and Lily on their journey. There was quite a mystery to solve and lots of action and danger along the way. It was a very satisfying read. I’d highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Landmark for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Cub reporter, Ellis Reed is out looking for a story. When he least expects it, he finds an unusual and disturbing sign, “2 Children for Sale”. Seated beside the sign are the two children. How could that be? How could a parent sell a child? It is, however, 1931, after all, and the bread lines are long, and food is in short supply for many. Ellis snaps a picture out of habit, not intending to use it for a story.

Soon, Lillian Palmer, secretary at his newspaper, chances upon the photo, which embroils her in the story. Together, Ellis and Lillian discover how an innocent picture can trap them into an unforgettable adventure and a life-risking struggle to do the right thing.

In this story based on an actual photograph, Kristina McMorris realistically portrays an unfathomable time in our nation’s history. She peoples her story with unforgettable and realistic characters, making her tale both exciting and memorable. She explores how our actions often effect the outcome of events. She also investigates how a person’s desperation can allow the unthinkable to occur.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Overall, this was a good book. It was inspired by the famous photo of children with the sign "4 children for sale" while the mother looks away in shame. Sold on a Monday takes place during the Great Depression when a young journalist sees a sign that says "children for sale" with two young kids nearby. He takes their picture and the story snowballs from there. I wish this story would have perspectives from the children themselves, but it focused on a journalist and newspaper secretary instead. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book.

Sold On a Monday is a story of consequences. Consequences of choices made. Consequences from others' choices. And consequences of the world we live in.
The photo at the heart of this has sparked tales and compassion from Americans for decades. There is so much to this story and still compassion to be felt for the people involved.

What a fabulous read. Sure, the subject of the story is sad, but Kristina McMorris wrote such a wonderful story with characters that you really care for, that you are drawn into this book and you don't want to put it down. I loved the characters and all the layers they possessed. A very, very good book. A must read!!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy.

Sold On A Monday
Kristina McMorris

McMorris’s latest is amazing, historical fiction at it’s finest and based on a real photograph that once upon a time shocked America. This fantastic tale takes readers back to Depression Era East Coast America where a sign announcing “children for sale” draws a floundering reporter’s attention and the consequences that follow his taking the picture. Rich with era appropriate dress, attitudes and dialogue the author weaves a story of intrigue, mystery, tragedy and redemption while taking her audience through prohibition era speakeasies, exposing them to the many ethnic “mobs” of the time period and the tragedies children suffer when the ones who should protect them either can’t or won’t. The storyline is accurately imaginative and with a fluent narrative and realistically good-hearted characters that grapple with right and wrong readers will find it hard to put this best-selling-bound novel down. Fans of both historical fiction and literary fiction will fall in love with this offering. Master storyteller Kristina McMorris hits another one out of the park!
Brava!
SUMMARY:
A picture that never meant to be published starts a chain reaction of events that leads to tragic consequences.
All Ellis Reed ever wanted was to be a newspaper reporter and when his big break, the photo picturing a mother selling her children, was based on a lie he thought along with the advancements in his career he could live with that. When he learns the picture may have come true he needs to know how that happened and how much he’s to blame. He won’t be able to accomplish this alone and hopes he can convince the pretty secretary who befriended him to help.
Lily Palmer hoped to become the next Nellie Bly but being a single mother in 1931 doesn’t allow for that so to keep her son safe she has to keep him a secret and instead of reporting the news she has to be satisfied working as a newspaper editor’s secretary. It doesn’t mean she can’t give an extra budge to a story she thinks her boss will like but when one such story makes her complicit in a tragedy she knows she has to help make it right, she just has to decide how far she’ll go to go that.

Sold on a Monday is another one of those stories that's sure to tug at your heartstrings. The 1930's are certainly known as a difficult time for many in this country due to the Great Depression. Families had to make desperate choices in order to survive. This story was written from the point-of-view of two people who worked for the newspapers. What started out as a simple photograph quickly turned into much more, and Ellis and Lily seek to discover just how much of an impact it made on a small family.

To be honest, this story started out as one that was difficult for me to get into. After the initial photo was taken, part I of the story followed Ellis and Lily as they become more established in their careers. It wasn't until Part II that things really started getting interesting for me when the children were mentioned again. For me, I would have preferred that the story center around the children instead of also following the careers of Ellis and Lily.

Once the children became the focus once again, the story quickly gained momentum and I was anxious to find out what would happen. I was pleased that the answers weren't always easy for the characters, and that they had to actually work for the information they were able to gain. I was also glad that it was also unpredictable. There were moments when I had no idea what would be happening next. I like it when I can't figure everything out before it happens!

I understand that this was a secular book, and therefore had the chance of having some foul language, but I never find it appropriate to use the Lord's name in vain which happened several times throughout the story. I found it unnecessary and offensive.

Overall I enjoyed most of the story, and was even able to be surprised by several of the events. Once the children returned to the story it was one I didn't want to put down. As usual, I strongly recommend reading the author's note at the end. I was shocked how the author got her inspiration. While this story was completely a work of fiction, I was surprised that it was inspired by an actual photo that had circulated the newspapers in the past. It often adds more emotion to a story when you realize it's not entirely made up.

*I received a complimentary copy in hopes of an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

An engaging story with likable characters. There were points in the plot I found difficult to believe, but wanted to keep reading for the sake of the characters. I was invested in them and needed to know what happened next