DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

This was a decent book I feel like the written has potential but just isn't there yet. I would not necessarily recommend this book but I would encourage the writer to keep writing there's a good voice it just needs to be polished

This was the first book I have read from this author and will definitely not be the last. This author has an amazing grip on imagery and dialogue that made this book a delight to read. In the book, Lennie has lived a life on the run after she suffered a loss in her early adulthood. After her father passes, she returns home and reunites with her brother John and tries to make sense of her loss. They take a road trip that changes everything. There is an immense amount of heart in this book and I feel blessed that I had a chance to read this. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Comparisons to Where the Crawdad's Sing are risky, as that book was a one-of-a-kind and incredibly well done. This book, too, I found to be well done but I didn't enjoy it in the same way. This is the second Appalachian story I've read recently (Betty by Tiffany McDaniel being the other) and I didn't like it as well as the other. Bad timing for me, but this book will have an audience that enjoys it.

I really don't know where to start with this book but I'll begin with my feelings after reading it... bereft, happy and I absolutely need to see it made into a film!

The story revolves around the protagonist, Lennie, who is found asleep in her beloved family station wagon (affectionately named Louise) by a local cop. Back in her hometown, Mosely, Tennessee, after living a largely nomadic life, Lennie is back to see if she can change her future.

She ran away from home at seventeen after getting pregnant and being forced to give up her baby by her father, she believes she is ready to make amends with him. Unfortunately this is cut short by an unexpected phone call from her estranged brother, John. This begins the journey for Lennie and John.

This book is contemporary fiction with the sub genre of magical realism... i.e, right up my alley and oh boy, did I love this book!

I cannot tell you how beautiful this book is - I adored Lennie. I wanted so much happiness for her and her journey broke my heart. I enjoyed the plot so much and absolutely bawled crying in a few spots. Honestly, this book made a wreck of me. I feel like a part of me will always carry a little bit of Lennie.

I don't want to give too much away but there are difficult themes in the book including domestic abuse and rape. I though Schreiber did a fantastic job writing a female character - she was so tenderly written. Male writers writing female parts can be dubious at best but this was an immaculately written character.

I could go on and on and on about the book but honestly, I could never do it enough justice. Just please read this book. It's heartbreakingly endearing.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lennie flounders in life after being pressured to give up a baby in her youth. She returns to her hometown after traveling the country to make peace with her family and her past.

The book began strong, but there were many times I was confused by what was happening. I liked the setting and conflict. The characters were well developed and nuanced.

I would have enjoyed the story more if the author hadn't kept the reader in the dark. I was left trying to figure out what was going on and not in a good way.

All in all, I do think this book has an audience. It won an award from the Women's Fiction Writer's Association. My reactions probably are more about reader preference than the novel itself.

Lennie & John are estranged siblings, and then their father dies. Lennie was hoping to reconnect with her father right before this happens, as she has many secrets she wants to unbury. Lennie learns of a possibility to connect with her deceased parent and her and John set off on a road trip to do so (John not believing in any supernatural or spiritual abilities)

This is an interesting story that takes the reader on a journey through navigating family conflict, grief and trauma. It absolutely delves into regrets, guilt, love, and the work it takes to mend broken relationships after many years.

What I loved:
The general plot of the story, the spiritual and supernatural themes of connecting with those who have passed and believing and having faith in the impossible. I also absolutely loved Lennie as a character. She was so full of hope and love despite all that she had endured. I loved the sibling journey, a road trip to reconnect their relationship and grow together. The last half of the book I couldn’t put down, and the ending was extremely satisfying.

What I didn’t love:
The story was really hard to get into, once I got to about half way through then I was invested but until that point I struggled. I really did not like John as a character. He was so pretentious and condescending and there was minimal growth before he just suddenly got better. I didn’t always enjoy the dialogue either, sometimes felt awkward.

This book had great potential and was an amazing story. I always love stories that delve into connecting with afterlife and supernatural (not in a ghost story scary way)

Started out wonderfully and built characters you could really care about but then, went off the rails and I found it impossible to follow. I have no doubt that there is a great story somewhere in this book but I was unable to find it.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Lennie Riley's life was destined for rock bottom the day her mother died delivering her forty-one years ago in the remote foothills of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains."

I had a tough time getting into this story, it went down some wandering rabbit trails that were distracting.

2☆