This book is having such an emotional impact on me so far. Reading about this young woman’s life during the civil rights movement really triggers all of the feelings. It’s crazy that this time period is not very long ago. Jackson-Brown’s prose has this way to eliciting so many emotions from me. This is such an important read and even more so with our current political climate. We truly do not want to go back.

Thank you so much @hearourvoicestours for this beautiful reminder to honor my ancestors through reading!!

Homeward came right on time !!

I will have in the comments, the playlist that I’ve created for this novel and the songs that not only represent the characters’ journey, but our ancestors as a Collective!!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SwynGUCVGPqxIB6bq0ExS?si=weEDdhxjR-qi2SLmXPczFw&pi=u-TzWa4w_JRcqF

#Homeward #HearOurVoices #HOV

What a wonderful book Homeward was. The journey that this book takes the reader through is nothing short of amazing. Homeward was such an impactful read. It deals with many emotions, all of which were wonderfully written. A well written book that becomes an enjoyable read.

In 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, Angela Jackson-Brown brings readers into a powerful journey through history, family, and social justice. At its heart, the novel is a profound tribute to the resilience of African American families.

I absolutely loved the way Rose's family came together to support her through some difficult moments. The family aspects of this book were heartwarming and relatable.

As the story progressed, we got deeper into the fight for civil rights. Each character’s journey reflected the courage it took to fight for one’s rights while honoring the legacy and sacrifices of those who came before.

While this book started off strong, the midway it slowed down just a bit. Overall, this was an enjoyable read & I'm looking forward to her newest book 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥. 3.5 stars rounded up.

The Civil Rights Act was not passed too long ago, so this was an emotional journey for Rose and me. Rose deals with love, loss, and the Civil Rights Movement; the reader takes that journey with her. While I would have preferred a little more focus on the CRM, I don’t know if I would have been able to mentally handle that.

This was an emotional journey for Rose and me. I (obviously) didn’t have to navigate all that she had to endure, but Jackson-Brown’s writing is so vivid that I felt like I was with Rose every step of the way. This made me think of the play “Too Heavy For Your Pocket,” in which they both dealt with personal relationships and the cost of getting involved in the movement or, in some cases, not getting involved.

The writing was excellent, and the story was heavy at times. The first quarter to a third of the book is a little slow, but it’s worth it. Its slow build makes the rest of the book intense and fast-paced. The story is educational and timely. As someone born with the right to vote, I am forever grateful.

Rating: 4.25

I enjoyed this story and seeing Rose grow into the woman she was destined to be. Sometimes the road isn't always straight and it's in those times that we discover our purpose. I adored the relationship between the main character and her family. I loved how even in grief, they remained hopeful and supportive. The historical fiction aspect of this book reminded me that perseverance and determination are key to change. This story also has a religious undertone and some great quotes to live by. Overall, this story was engaging and well-written from the very first page.

Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.

I went into this book blind and glad that I did. This story was read within 24 hours. It had my full attention. The following was mentioned in the story, and I would have to say that I had the same feeling.
🍑 It was like we were all going through the emotions together. Grief. Anger. Bewilderment.

Thoughts:
💭Even though Jasper did what he did, in the end, he took on the responsibility.

💭Chapter 8 broke me. That's all I'm going to say.

💭I do not like a bully. There are some still doing unlawful things today.

💭Lawrence and Ellena played no games.

💭Rose went through so much. I couldn't have imagined being in her shoes. In the end, I was so proud of her.

Quotes:
🍑If you old enough to make grown-up decisions, you old enough to deal with the aftermath.
Rosebud, grace doesn't come to us because we earned it. It comes to us because we need it.

🍑The pull to be with them was stronger than the pull for me to stay.

🍑There ain't no worse feeling for a man than knowing he ain't got the power to protect his own family.

🍑For the first time in a long time, my soul began to release some of the turmoil and heartbreak I had been carrying. I wasn't at peace, but I was in a better place, and that meant everything to me.

🍑We had the right to fight for our rights, and I was determined, no matter what that tomorrow I would exercise that freedom.

Reading this story during the election hit home. It brought so much to mind, which caused me to shake my head.

This was a great read for me.

CAWPILE
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Writing: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10

Angela Jackson-Brown’s Homeward casts a poignant light on the Civil Rights movement through the lens of the Perkins family in Little Parsons. Raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring, the novel captures Rose’s journey as her family faces profound changes amidst a transforming community. This book is truly written for those who may not fully understand the power of their vote. As someone who feels deeply hurt by brothers and sisters who choose not to exercise their right to vote, this story hit me hard. From the very first page, Jackson-Brown builds a strong connection to the characters of Parsons, Georgia. The Perkins family feels like my family, so down-home and familiar it almost hurts. I’m incredibly proud of these characters and even more appreciative of my ancestors and their relentless commitment to freedom. This story serves as a powerful reminder that we cannot sit still when the going gets tough; as VP Harris has said, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and fight.

Thank you, NetGalley for the gifted copy. This book was a great read..the twists and turns were unexpected. I recommend this read.

I read my first Angela Jackson-Brown book, When Stars Rain Down, back in September and I knew that had to read more. So when I saw this book tour, I jumped on it even though I told myself no more book tours this year.
(Spoiler Alert: I'll be right back here next month on tour discussing her newest book, Untethered.) I love Southern Historical Fiction and that's why this book did it for me. I was skeptical with this one by the way we started. Rose comes back home pregnant by a man who is not her husband. I was like “what kind of historical fiction soap opera is this?” And Lord my girl, Rose, continues to go through it. We get to see some of our favorites from Parsons (When Stars Rain Down) several years later as well. I didn't really know what I was getting into but Rose's journey was amazing!
I surprisingly loved seeing her alongside these civil rights icons. She even taught me a few things. Like Charlayne Hunter-Gault, I knew she was an author but I had no idea she was responsible for integrating the University of Georgia. Plus, I loved that SNCC was such a big part of this story. This book really hit the spot right in the midst of the presidential election. I knew about voter suppression tactics but I don't think I really understood the extent of it. Listen, I may have all of these degrees but I could not walk in and take one of those literacy tests without being adequately prepared!
I saw a video recently where someone talked about the poll taxes being equivalent to the weekly pay from these menial jobs that a lot of black people held then.
The system was determined for us to not have these voting rights! They are still using dirty tactics to try suppress many people's vote. That's why I will always exercise my right that my ancestors fought so tirelessly to obtain. This book really hit the spot!

Rounded up from 4.5 ⭐️

This was a very moving, well written story that captured me from the very first page and kept me engaged.

As someone who does not usually read historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. I felt an array of emotions reading this story. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired, I felt anger. I went through it all and at the end, I gained a sense of strength. While reading this book, I reflected on the fact that though we have come so far as a country and as a society, there is still more that needs to be done. Though this story is set in the 1960s, during the Civil Rights Movement, we see that many of what was fought for is still at issue today. Sometimes, with everything going on, some of us want to give up with the thought of being tired of fighting the same old fights. But after reading this, I have a renewed strength and am motivated by Rose's story story to keep moving and to never give up. Activism, fighting for what one believes is right and just, is always pertinent.

Outside of the historical aspects of the story, I felt that this was a story about tragedy, loss, love, redemption, family, and overcoming. I just loved Rose's family (the Perkins) and how they were just always there for each other. They never allowed her to fall too far into the darkness of depression or pain, despite everything that she had to go through (from the loss of her husband, to the loss of her daughter), her family was always there for her. The Perkins family was just so inspirational. I really enjoyed the scenes with her mom, her dad, her sisters, and brothers, her grandmother. Those were my favorite scenes!

The world building was exceptional in this story. The author, through her descriptive writing, was able to create a realistic world that was immersive. I could see Rose's childhood home and the home she lived in with her mother-in-law and husband, and the town, the church, it was all so realistic and I was able to recreate it in my mind. As I read, it felt like I was watching a movie; I was fully immersed in Rose's world.

As someone who reads a lot of romance, I really enjoyed the different aspects of Rose's relationship with her husband Jasper. From their quick courtship, to their rush to get married, to Rose realizing that life would not be what she thought it would be with her husband, to her stepping outside of her marriage, and then the way Jasper just loved her and accepted her through it all. My Goodness, I fell for that man. He was not perfect but he was a good man!

I really wish we were given more of Issac and Rose's story. I felt like it was cut off at the end and I wanted more of them and their blossoming friendship and possible love story. I have to say that I was sad to leave the Perkins family. This was such a great read that it left me wanting more!

Overall, I really really really enjoyed this story and I would HIGHLY recommend it. This was my first Angela Jackson-Brown read and I am really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the gifted copy.

I absolutely loved this book and had a fantastic time reading it. The first line of the synopsis "Rose Perkins Bourdon returns home to Parsons, GA, without her husband and pregnant with another man's baby" Immediately grabbed my attention but this book is so much more than a messy love relationship.

This book tackles the topic of grief in such a palpable fashion that had me on the verge of tears many times. Coupled with the non-linear journey that Rose undergoes while learning to forgive herself for past mistakes and realizing that her misfortunes are not punishments from God, this has become one of my top reads of the year. There is also a secondary slow-burn romance of sorts that did not detract from Rose, becoming a full expression of herself that I truly enjoyed.

Beyond the interpersonal relationships of Rose and her family (which I adored), we also experience a re-imagining of the very real circumstances of racism, discrimination, and pain that existed in 1962 Georgia. The members of this family, like the rest of society, must reckon with the price they're willing to pay for their rights and freedoms.

"I understand y'all want to fight, but look around this room and tell me, who are you willing to lose next? Who among us are you at peace to bury in that cemetery? Because that is what will happen. This ain't about singing gospel hymns and marching. Y'all say you are willing to die for your freedom. Well, these white folks here in Parsons, Georgia, are willing to help you into your early graves."

I really liked that the characters in this novel are fully realized and multidimensional. I especially loved Rose's relationship with her parents and father in particular, as we got to see him navigate being a soft place for his daughter and wife, while also being that stern and caring protector. Their family was very close-knit and a joy to watch the interactions. I liked that the author presented the dichotomy that several characters faced while dealing with the situations presented in this book. The topics highlighted in this novel were at times very heavy, but as a reader, I did not feel weighted down, which can only be a testament to the skill of the author.

Even if you're not a typical historical fiction reader, I recommend adding this novel to your tbr.

The first half of this book reads like a Friday night primetime drama or soap opera. This is a story of love. This is a story of life's choices.. This is a story of womanhood . This is a story of civil rights. This is a historical fiction that is true. Rose is a young woman that is a wife and soon to be mother who has lot of growing up to do. Throughout the story she carries a lot of guilt, shame, and embarrassment, I was hoping that by the end of the story that she would mature and make peace with herself. What I appreciated about this story is the family support, they disagreed on many things but when it was time to come together they did. The pacing of this story fell flat at times. Aside from wishing there was more growth from Rose i enjoyed this book, the characters and, the story. If you are like me and love historical fiction,I recommend this book.

Rose is teetering on the edge of decisions, not the least of which is being PG by someone not her husband. Not the first time in the world that has happened, but it's still a sticky place to be. And, she's in Georgia, in 1965. . .a very prejudiced world if you happen to be a person of color.

For me this read beckoned because of the civil rights issues, combined with women's right issues in a region that has a troubled past on both counts. As it turned out this book is really more about Rose herself, a woman just trying to make it through life, and all the additional hoops put up by those who mightily enjoyed their season of situational power. She overcame and moved on. I longed for a smoother transition at the end from story to done, but maybe in the next book.

*A sincere thank you to Angela Jackson-Brown, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Homeward #NetGalley

"Homeward" was a very solid read about one woman's journey to navigate the aftermath of grief amid the progression and fight for civil rights in the 1960s. There was tenderness and heart here that I really appreciated, and I savored the descriptions of family, food, and community, especially as a kind of refuge against a tough historical backdrop.

Grief is hard, and I empathized with Rose's loss in the face of national turmoil on both a foreign and domestic level. It is hard, but necessary, to witness history that allowed Black individuals to fight for their country in the Vietnam War but not achieve full civil rights and autonomy at home.

One of the most gripping parts of the novel is actually the debate within the different characters on how they should push to reach this level of equality, with real-life historical figures like John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr. making appearances. There was also a great blanket of faith enveloping the novel, and I also enjoyed Rose's inner monologues. All in all, I enjoyed the read and look forward to exploring more by this author!

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown. Rose is a young black woman in Georgia and Mississippi in the 1960’s. She starts out with a very traditional life, but as time goes on, and she faces hardship and tragedy, she gradually becomes more progressive, and gets involved in some of the cultural and political issues of the day. Good historical fiction. #homeward #angelajacksonbrown #netgalley #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #arc #historicalfiction #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

This was an excellent book! I love reading Historical Fiction, and this book fits the bill. I love how the characters tie in to her previous book.
I am looking forward to her next book.

This is such an emotional and poignant read. I will be honest I skipped class to carry on reading this book and I am not even sorry. Absolutely beautiful

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown is definitely one of the best historical fiction books that I have read this year. The book made me really care about the family, who were very close and supportive. Homeward gives the readers a sense of what it was like to grow up as a family of color in the south during the 1960s. This book is one I will read again and I hope that the author writes more books of this caliber.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this e-ARC. This review comes from my heart.