This book is brilliant! It’s injustice; heartbreak; love; abuse of power; tenacity; fighting against the odds; and it’s a triumph as the story is incredibly captivating. I love how Rosa Parks’s iconic historical stand has such a profound effect on Mattie’s decisions and life.

There are two POV’s; Mattie’s and Ashlee’s. I was hooked on both in equal measures. The story unravelled at just the right pace and I couldn’t wait to find out how it was all going to end; so much so, I read it into the early hours.

I found myself in a perpetual state of anger at the injustice of how racist and misogynistic a society these characters were living in. I’m even more angry when I think that we still do in many ways and I feel that we should never stop challenging it. If ever there was a story that reminded a woman of the power and abuse of the patriarchy, this is it. I admire the themes tackled and unfortunately, their relevance today is just as strong. The fight to end racism and misogyny goes on.

This story is also heartwarming and heartbreaking in abundance. Ashlee and Mattie’s close-knit family made me smile and there are moments where a few tears were shed.

If you love a powerful, exceptionally told novel with strong and emotive themes that will have you clenching you’re fists, this is it! Excellent top read!

In 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, 16 year old Mattie Banks is one of the passengers on the bus who witnesses Rosa Parks's famous resistance to give up her seat for a white person. Inspired by Mrs. Parks's bravery, Mattie embarks on her own course of resistance and bravery. This book tells Mattie's story in the 1950s concurrently with her granddaughter Ashlee's story in present-day Georgia as Ashlee reads what she thinks is a fictional novel her beloved Nana has written.

The Girl at the Back of the Bus seamlessly weaves in the Civil Rights movement and current racial injustices without being heavy handed. I admit, in all the time I have taught about Rosa Parks as a teacher, and read about her as an American, I never really thought much about the impact her resistance may have had on her fellow passengers. It's a compelling thought and I'm glad Mrs. Harrison has turned that thought into this novel. I enjoyed Mattie's storyline more than Ashlee's, and the way the story was written you knew what to expect from the ending, but it's a powerful book about overcoming adversity and standing up for yourself and what you believe is right.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced read copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Girl at the Back of the Bus by Suzette D. Harrison is a must read for anyone who enjoys multi-generational historical fiction. It is the story of how one woman's decision, during a simple bus ride, will change the course of not only her own life, but the lives of those who will follow as a direct result of her courage.

It is 1955 in Montgomery Alabama and Mattie Banks, 16, boards a bus with the intention of ridding herself of an unplanned pregnancy. What Mattie will witness that day is an event that will be referenced for generations to come. Future civil rights icon Rosa Parks is on the bus that day, and by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, she will alter the course of history. Mattie, of course, will not immediately recognize the act for its tremendous significance. She is, however, emboldened enough by the courage and determination of Ms Parks, so much so that she chooses then and there to keep her unborn child, and it is a decision that will alter the path of her life forever. Told from the alternating voices of Mattie in 1955, and her granddaughter Ashlee in present day Atlanta, the unique fabric of a family's history is witnessed and recorded.

This is a perfectly executed narrative that had me equally engaged with each woman's story. I look forward to reading much more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this ARC.

This book starts out with a story that is well-known to all of us, but then continues on with a fictional character who just happened to be on the bus where it happened. We learn the stories of three generations of black women and how their lives were impacted by their experiences both under and not under their control. It felt a little odd switching abruptly from one character to another, but all in all, the story is very engaging and it is hard not to get caught up in this family. The reader is challenged to put pieces together, but that just added to the experience for me.
I think there are many readers who would enjoy this book and it would be an excellent choice for a book group to read.

What a brilliant book this is!

Mattie is on the bus when Rosa Parks makes history. At first she doesn’t even realise anything is happening as she is so engrossed in her own troubles.

Ashlee is a young, ambitious lawyer who is being overlooked for promotion.

This book follows both of these incredible women as they make their way through a world that doesn’t always behave as it should.

I absolutely loved this story and found it difficult to put down. The characters were real and vibrant. Some infinitely more likeable than others! I loved the relation ships these women created with their families, their partners and their friends. I wanted to sit under mister moonlight and watch the sun set with all of them. Wouldn’t say no to trying those tea cakes too...

I will look out for further works by this author as she has a real skill for characterisation and the book was well written and paced. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

This book is both sad and enlightening and very well written. Told through the voices of Mattie and her granddaughter, the book spans the 1950s and present day. Heartbreaking events of discrimination are well recounted, and the characters and their actions are authentic to the time. I recommend this book to everyone, and most especially to young adults. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this wonderful book. This is the story of how a bus ride changed the future of several generations of a family. The story is written in two different times.. The first one involves Mattie Banks and takes place in 1955 in Montgomery Alabama. It starts with Mattie as a young girl. She is pregnant and boards a bus on her way to get an abortion. The bus just happens to be the one where Rosa Parks decides to fight for the rights of African American citizens. After witnessing this courageous event, Mattie decides to keep her baby. The other story line is in present day Atlanta, Georgia. Ashlee is Mattie's granddaughter and she goes home to be with Mattie, who is now much older and sick. Ashlee finds some letters in her grandmother's things and she reads them to find out about her grandmother's life. This is a great book! I thought it was so interesting how the author used Rosa Parks as a catalyst for this story. This book is well written and the author does a great job of weaving both story lines together. I highly recommend this book!

Harrison writes a thoughtful book about a grandmother/granddaughter. Mattie is a teenager in trouble who endures adversity, but finds the path through it with unwavering support from her family. Ashlee undergoes her own trials, but has the faith and endurance flowing through her heritage. The story switches from modern day to late 1950s. My favorite character was Ransome, especially in the coke bottle scene. It's an engrossing story.