Robin W. Pearson has a gift with drawing a reader into the heart of family. The family may not look like yours or it may be exactly what you're familiar with. But even in the familiar, she has a way of pulling truths to the light and coaxing the reader to see a situation in a different light. Her southern style of writing is like a warm blanket on a winter's day and makes the journey all the more enticing. Fans won't want to miss her newest read and newbies will fall in love with the way she explores familial relationships and how they shape us all.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

A contentious relationship with their only son is at the heart of Fred Sr and Paulette’s story. The author always delves deep into the heart of family matters and may make you squirm a bit but I always feel like it is part of the essence of who she is as a mother of a large family. I enjoyed the family dynamics with the fireworks that they sparked and a surprise announcement that caused way more chaos than I would have imagined for this day and age. The story was also layered with a divisive secret that had obviously been kept for quite some time. There was an excellent plot twist towards the end that took me off guard but wrapped things up quite neatly with a very satisfying conclusion.

Robin W. Pearson is wonderful as a southern fiction author and I do always enjoy her novels. I’ve read everything she has published including ‘Til I Want No More and A Long Time Comin’. I highly recommend her novels that always have a different and fresh perspective on life. I always appreciate the author’s faith thread which is always tightly woven throughout her novels.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

This is my first novel by author Robin Pearson, but it won’t be my last. Walking in the Tall Weeds is a story of family history and the reconciliation of a life of injustices. Pearson is not afraid to confront racism—of all types—but she does it within the understanding of true biblical truth and the intimacy of family.

There is great tension between interracial friendships and marriages, with a continual battle between remembering the injustices and remembering the love of Jesus and forgiveness.

There are a few muddy moments in the story where I wasn’t sure where Pearson was going, but they eventually became clear. I learned a lot, especially with interracial marriages in our family. The journey is painful, but powerful and hopeful.

Highly recommend this book for those willing to dig a little deeper into their own hearts, love beautiful writing, and a fascinating story. We promise you won’t have to sit in the “big chair.”

Thanks to Tyndale and #NetGalley for the complimentary eBook of #WalkingTallWeed for my honest review.

Robin W. Pearson is a talented author, and I love how she writes stories off the beaten path and not "the norm" for the inspy-fiction genre.

I struggled to connect with the characters and story in this one; I may pick it up down the line and try again, but for now it's a DNF. I entirely loved her book _A Long Time Comin'_, and would happily recommend that to anyone and everyone as a great starter to her work as an author!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Author Robin Pearson continues to write novels rich in family history and drama. While we “watch” the family struggle to find their way back to each other, we are never left in doubt about their love for one another. Pearson, while not afraid to confront racism that goes both ways, shows us that family is just that. Family.

This book contains a lot of tension due to the subject so don't expect to laugh or relax while reading it. While there are moments of humor, it is often more irony than anything. But it is authentic and will have you reflecting on your life. And there is hope. Always hope.

If you enjoy contemporary fiction that we can all relate to, then I highly recommend Walking in Tall Weeds.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This gripping, and inspiring story will surprise you and make you think as these well-developed, flawed characters search the depths of their souls to face the hard realities of life. I loved how the author gave insight on how there had to be healing in their hearts from wrongs in the past, so they could live fully in the present. This novel is a challenging and perceptive read as questions arise, which made me ask myself what I would do in a similar situation. I liked the natural faith thread that provides compassion, seasoned with well-timed humor, and provided for a hopeful ending

Emmeline, a childhood friend says to McKinley, “What will you do if someone says something out of turn about our relationship?… we can’t go through life on the defensive with everyone else and keep the peace between us…We’re going to have to consciously see our love for each other and for others through our lenses of faith. No matter what.”

Keeping the main thing the main thing was hard on the best of days. I like what the author shared about her faith growing up in note to readers, “While sitting in her grandmothers’ kitchens, Robin …learned about the power of God and how His grace led her grandmothers to care for their large families after their husbands were long gone, a grace that has endured through generations. Robin’s family’s faith and superstitions, life lessons, and life’s longings inspired her to write about God’s love for us and how this love affects our relationships with others.”

Robin shows this in a witty, inspirational, and engaging way. I was emotionally invested from the start as the author digs deep into hard topics such as, racial tensions, forgiveness, seasons of marriage, growth, faith) in a loving, eye-opening way. This is a book you don’t want to miss. It would make for a great book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

A story that is rich in family dynamics, and we are there to witness even the outer edges.

We have a mom and dad, and then junior home after many months. Add to this mixture a aunt who raised the dad, and is now visiting!

Well, you get the idea, no one is really good enough for her nephew, but there are deeper issues here, including race.

The author does a wonderful job of dealing with tough subjects, and at times you will be smiling with the banter that is offered!

This is a roller coaster of emotions, past hurts and grudges, revenge, and the race card, and a page turner looking for how everything will turn out, and maybe healing?

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Full of tension and family drama, this story is not for light reading. Past issues come forward which makes characters contemplate the present. The need to release the anger and misgivings of the past and let God in to heal is a powerful message in this book.

"Frederick, Paulette, and McKinley Baldwin have always been a family of "onlys" in their town of Hickory Grove, North Carolina. An only son . . . married to an only daughter . . . blessed with a one and only child, McKinley." This quote from the book blurb sets the stage for a poignant story of personal struggles and the impact of upbringing on the person we become, and the way we relate to one another.

The title for Robin W. Pearson's latest book is one of the most intriguing we’ve encountered. It’s meant to convey the past baggage we constantly meander back through letting it grow into the present with deeper roots. This book certainly tackles some heavy baggage that is full of tension and family controversy. Pearson’s story confronts racism both ways and brings that struggle on to the printed page vividly.

This book was harder to “enjoy” because of the tension between characters, but an analogy written toward the end made the journey worthwhile. “We have to remember once was to see how far we’ve come and to motivate us to keep goin’. “ Pearson shares that patriarchs of the faith pointed to the past to remind us of God’s power and faithfulness rather than to highlight evil and breed vengeance. She concludes, “We have to let go of the pain if we’re going to heal and do better.” That’s a powerful statement that urges us into the future whole rather than broken. Only the power of God can do that in our lives if we release our “right” to anger and not give the devil a foothold. May we all choose healing.

We've given this book a rating of 3.5 only due to the necessary strife and tension surrounding the topic. It isn't a relaxing read, but it is a worthwhile read. Pearson does an excellent job with her writing in order to capture the racial controversy and character depth representative of the human condition.

3.5 stars.
Full and rich family drama and their dynamics. The author explores this family and their issues well. The reader almost ‘sees’ them as they make their way through their problems.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a copy of this book via Net Galley.

In her latest book, Robin Pearson once again delivers a multi-layered look at family dynamics and legacy. It reads like a recipe, throwing in dashes of experience and dialogue and humor that lead you deeper into the lives of the Baldwins and leaves you craving a bit more. As I turned the last page I wanted to know how things turned out. What became of their relationships and business and families as they moved forward from what had been revealed?

Walking through tall weeds doesn’t shy away from the challenges. Tension drips onto every page as the characters deal with implications of the past and how that is affecting the present. The realities of racial bias and experiences stir solidarity and compassion. Robin doesn’t just write stories to be entertained by; she writes characters for us to know. And in doing so, we get a more authentic look into ourselves. As the book unfolded, I could not help feeling for each member of the Pearson family and wondered what scenarios in my life are motivated by my own personal wounds and filters. I’m going to be pondering this book for a while as I love and engage with my own family. I was provided an advanced copy of the book but all opinions are authentically my own.

BOOK BY: Robin W. Pearson
Walking in Tall Weeds by Robin W. Pearson is women’s fiction at its best. An emotional read takes readers into the southern States, where racial divides still exist, and where faith and love are challenged to trump prejudices.
The main characters are a bi-racial family with a difficult history. Wanting the best for their only child, both Etta and Frederick work hard at providing a different life for Mackenzie. Readers are exposed to the harsh realities that families like the Baldwins face on a daily basis. Frederick is chased by the injustices of his childhood and is determined to right a wrong at all costs. Etta chooses to deal with her past in a different manner, which causes a lot of tension between them.
The Georges are hard-working people who inherited a furniture company. They have a close relationship with the Baldwins, despite coming from “the other side of the tracks”. But the past is still a wedge between them, and will test what’s left of a once-close friendship.
The literary style narrative takes the reader through the present and past memories in a seamless manner, without pulling the reader far from the current conundrum. So much of what happens in the past is relevant to the present-day story that it only makes sense to weave the two together.
It’s a challenging story to read. Readers are left questioning their own prejudices, asking what they would do in a similar circumstance. I appreciate the author exposing the perceived prejudices held by both black and white skinned people. There is a faith thread that provides a hope-filled ending.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

In WALKING IN TALL WEEDS, ROBIN W PEARSON tells the story of a mixed race family and their interaction with their black relatives and their white colleagues. The author gives us very real insight into her characters’ emotions and their family dynamics.
Fred Baldwin cannot forget what his family went through in the past and tries to prove himself to make up for all the hurt and oss. He risks his marriage and his relationship with his only son McKinley, with his greedy ambition and need for revenge angainst those who treated his grandparents badly. He is fiercely loyal towards his Aunt Juju and Uncle Lawrence who brought him up when his mother left his father and him. Aunt Juju is unpleasant and really nasty to Paulette, Fred’s white wife, never missing an opportunity to criticise her for not behaving like a good black woman.
Paulette says of her husband and his family’s obsession with the past “Y’ll still walkin’ in those tall weeds? That’s how you get ticks.” Two other quotations from Paulette are, “Its not what your skin looks like, its the blood running under it that connects us.”….”And the blood Jesus shed for us that saves. That’s the only color I care about. You know that.”
Paulette and McKinley are very close and often leave Fred out. Both parents tend to treat their son as a child, although he is twenty-seven. He is “always a baby in his mama’s eyes; never a man in his father’s”
When McKinley comes home and drops a bombshell, it is time for their family to let go of their prejudices and live out their faith.
Walking in Tall Weeds is a deeply emotional and inspirational read with a strong Christian message of redemption, love, acceptance, and the importance of getting rid of bitterness. As Paulette says to Fred when talking about hatred, “When Moses and Joshua and even Peter spoke to the people, they pointed to the past to remind them of God’s power and faithfulness, not of Pharaoh’s evil.”
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own,