Set in the African American town of West Mills from the 1940s to the 1980s, this novel tells the story of a tight-knit community full of helpers, tangled relationships, and family secrets. The town is really the protagonist here, but there are lots of colorful characters throughout. This is a great book for readers of Frederik Backman, who enjoy seeing conflict and community between neighbors. I really enjoy De'Shawn Charles Winslow's style and look forward to reading more from him.

"In West Mills" was a bit too slow of a read to me which made it kind of a slog. It was a little boring and predictable for me.

It took me a while to involved in this book because it started out kind of of slow. Maybe that's the way a lot of books should start, slow and easy until: They catch you!!! This books catches you and will not let go until you are finished reading it and just blow away. Small town talk, family, and a community gone crazy with the one main character - Knot. Independent, intelligent and the will to get the life she deserves and more.

I'm currently clearing out all of the books that were published in 2019-20 from my title feedback view!

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely glimpse into the lives of a close knit small town in North Car from the 1940s to 1980s. The characters are complicated and honestly portrayed. It is about family and friendships, and how regrets and secrets can shape and transform us. It was emotional, intriguing, and wonderful. I cannot wait to read more by Mr. Winslow.

Wonderful book. I enjoyed the story. The book was written beautifully and the setting evoked memories of old. Great job.

What a great debut! I loved the characters and the story. I love stories with strong independent characters and this book definitely had that.

It's been a while since I read this one but the thing that stood out most for me were the characters. I wouldn't say this book was plot heavy, but the characters got under my skin and kept me reading. It was kind of like a soap opera that I wanted to keep going indefinitely.

The book was good and the story was solid. It reminded me heavily of Sugar by Bernice McFadden. I wish the plot was a bit more original but it wasn’t a bad read.

Powerful book that should be mandatory reading. This book should end up as a classic in time. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on my opinion of this book.

“In West Mills” was a very interesting view of a close knit community. Knot,Otis Lee and Pep form a small “family “.
I enjoyed their interactions and how the author wove the story. It just shows that we all need someone. I would definitely recommend this book.

3.75 stars Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for a chance to read and review this book. Published June 4, 2019.

This was a first time read of anything by Winslow and I am not sure exactly what is was about this book, but I loved it. I think it was a mixture of things.

I am always amazed by a man that can write a woman's part so well. Even if it was a character like 'Knot' - rough and tumble, mouthy and more often with a drink in her hand than not. I liked the southern aspect of this story and also the authentic speech. It was a good story about family relationships, how bad they can get, and how things are carried down thru generations.

Wonderful debut novel by Mr. Winslow! From the first page you just know the book is going to be a good one. The characters are interesting, complex and not always likable, but the more you read the better you understand them for better or for worse.
Miss Azalea Knot Centre is the focus of this novel and she's wonderful, not likable but wonderfully written. She's an ornery drunk, selfish and self-centered, but just like her best friend Otis Lee Loving, you find yourself rooting for her the more the decades pass.

I hope this book wins lots of awards, and I can't wait to read what the author writes next!

West Mills is the story of members of a small fictional town in rural North Carolina from 1941-1987. During that time period we follow the story of Azalea Knot Centre; a young school teacher determined to live life on her own terms. She likes to read books, drink, dance, and take random men to her home for late-night fun.

Of course, Knot’s past times are frowned upon in her small community and in her home town where her Dentist father and disapproving mother live. Ostracized, Knot finds friendship from her neighbor Otis Lee and his family.

Full of life, love, family, and friendship In West Mills is a phenomenal story about a cast of relatable authentic characters that you could find in any town in the world. They felt like family and I wanted the best for each of them especially Knot who I wanted to simultaneously hug, shake, and scream “GIRL GET IT TOGETHER” at the same damn time.

I gave it 5 stars.

Read if you love Kelly from Insecure and I mean who doesn’t love Kelly from Insecure we all saw the Coachella Episode.

This is a definite case of "it's not you, it's me" type of book. This one just wasn't for me.
The writing style wasn't my favorite. It was a lot of description and dialogue but not a lot of getting to know anyone. I felt plunked into a town closer to the middle of the story than the beginning and only got glimpses into the past through memories (and they were rare). Otherwise it's a sweeping story, that involves a few lives in a small town - as each of them make decisions and help each other out.

I didn't find either main character particularly like able but I know, again, the drinking is more my hang up and not something particularly wrong with the story - just not my thing. I wish I'd liked it more.

Two words: Loved it!

In West Mills reminds me of a good home cooked meal after you have been away from home for years. The book follows the lives of Knot and the family she creates while living in West Mills. We travel along with them through their stages of life. I laughed; I sympathized; I rolled my eyes. In short, this book gave me many emotions, as the characters and their histories are familiar and bring back many memories for me.

I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it!

Immediately after finishing In West Mills, I had a nagging feeling that Knot reminded me of someone else. It was right on the tip of my tongue/edge of my brain forever. With the passing of Toni Morrison, it finally dawned on me. Sula gave birth to Knot. By that, I mean, in the same way Sula was her own woman, following her on rules while defying others, birthed the woman that Knot is when we meet her. And like Sula, I don't think Knot ever regrets who she is, she just is. Kudos to De'Shawn Charles Winslow on such a thought provoking character!

I received a review copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Bloomsbury. It’s for sale now.

Winslow’s debut is set in 1941 in North Carolina. Our protagonists are Azalea Knot, an alcoholic school teacher in an African-American community, a woman shunned by her neighbors and kinfolk for her unconventional behavior and obnoxious personality. Otis Lee has family troubles of his own, but seeks redemption by helping Knot, who has two babies out of wedlock at a time when you really could not do that without terrible social repercussions. Otis is a helpful sort, and ultimately, the story becomes one about the family we choose.

I abandoned and restarted this book three times, and in the end, I never did engage with it much. I read the first thirty percent, the last twenty-five percent, and skimmed the middle. The writing style didn’t speak to me, and I couldn’t understand why Otis would care about Knot. But to be fair, Southern fiction has been a competitive genre for several years, and I was reading books by Attica Locke and Jesmyn Ward at the same time I read this.

I have a hunch Winslow is just warming up. He’ll be one to watch in the future.

It took me awhile to get through this book. It was good but didn’t capture me for some reason. I expected to like it a lot more than I did.

This was such a delight to read - such a wonderful debut! Our lead is strong-willed, flawed and frustrating and while it took me a little while to warm up to her, I was so easily consumed by her journey. With a story full of secrets and a lifespan that takes you from the 40's through to the 80's, 'In West Mills' is a strong character driven story that you won't be sorry you picked up.