This novel was ripped from the headlines in the early 1930s, and turned six ways to Sunday. But it is based loosely on a criminal couple who made their name robbing banks, stores, and funeral homes (rather morbid, but it was what happened). In this novel there were a few bank robberies, an overwhelming number of car thefts, one prison break that got several people killed, and several smaller store robberies.

The tale begins ten years prior to Black Tuesday when Wall Street crashed and sent the whole country (if not the whole world) into an economic depression. Beatrice Calloway had been in the pageant circuit since she was a little child, but as she is growing up, the pageants are getting harder and harder to win. Her mother seeks out men who have money to keep her in a lavish lifestyle and finds one Charles Thomas who abused Bea, her mother, and her little sister. His warped sense of who God is set the tone for Bea's opinion of God in a major way.

Bea always knew she was destined for bigger and better things than what she had in her current situation. After her stepfather nearly drowns her, she moves in with her grandparents. Her mother is just as dysfunctional as her stepfather but in different ways. When Bea meets Jack Turner, she knows her ticket to a grander life has been punched. The only fly in the ointment is that Jack doesn't play by any rules except his own. He's not a Robin Hood who steals from the rich to give to the poor, he's an out-and-out thief. Whenever he goes on a caper, he steals a different car to keep suspicion away from himself. The first time he gets caught by the police and sentenced to jail time hardens him and he believes that the police have it in for him and will just pin any crime on him even if he were somewhere else far away. Soon enough Jack and Bea got enough of a reputation that newspapers around the area that they are even nicknamed The Dallas Desperado and his Salacious Sheba. While Bea did not actively participate in any of his crimes, she did aid and abet his crimes, sometimes driving the getaway car or signaled to the ones committing the crimes.

Jennifer L Wright loosely based this on Bonnie and Clyde who both died in a hail of bullets during the commission of one of their crimes. This is an interesting novel to read, with the parallel to historical facts. It was fun to read Jennifer's take on how faith might have entered the picture and changed the outcome for Bea and Jack both. Bea eventually chose her faith, while Jack declined to participate in anything that would remotely hint of faith in anything but himself. It lead to his eventual downfall. I appreciated Jennifer's handling of the situation and how she showed that true, everlasting love comes from somewhere, someone outside ourselves. This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a friend who will lead you home when you've lost your way.

Tyndale House Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely

I really loved the Bonnie and Clyde romance going on, however the Christianity element felt thrown in. I understand that the main character is supposed to be grappling with it, however it feels more like she just randomly thinks about it and hates that she does. Could have been done better.

This is a gripping novel and I was unable to put it down. Such a reminder that God is always looking out for us and that we can speak words of encouragement to others.

This is a fictional account of Bonnie and Clyde's story, but the story isn't really so much about their romance as it is about a young girl from a difficult situation who is forced to make some hard choices. She befriends a Christian woman who tries to guide her, and the undertones of this story are really more about that relationship and a struggle with faith. It comes with a realistic ending, and there are some graphic moments, but I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves being left with something to mull over after finishing a read!

A heavy -handed Christian variation of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.

Beatrice has had a rough life, from her abusive stepfather to her emotionally abusive mother. She lives on the wrong side of Dallas and feels like life will never get better. She meets Jack and he dreams big and isn't afraid to push the past the law for his wants.

The story felt a bit forced at parts. I honestly couldn't get past all of Bea's self-pitying! There was so much depressing narrative and not much character growth from anyone. The Christian themes were contradictory and never fully redeemed in my mind. Overall, a long read with a realistic ending.

Review: The Girl From the Papers
Author: Jennifer L. Wright
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Publication date: August 8, 2023

Christian Historical Fiction involving a woman involved in bank robberies? Sign me up!

This book is based on Bonnie and Clyde, the infamous criminal couple. At first, I was confused as to why this book wasn't doing a deep dive into the crimes. But it is because this book was about SO much more. In fact, it wasn't even really about romance. It was about the MC's relationship with a young Christian girl who refused to give up on her. And in the end, it was about her way of reconciling faith with her actions.

Talk about a book that will REALLY get you thinking about your life. I loved it!