ARC REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Untethered: Angela Jackson- Brown

Pub Date: 12/3/24

Please check your triggers before and while reading!

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @harpermuse for sending me this ARC to read and review. All opinions in this review are my own.

In Untethered, we meet 40 year old Katia Daniels living in small town Alabama. Katia works at group home for black youth and give her all to the her clients. When life starts to turn upside down for Katia, how will she handle everything being thrown her way?!

I’ll start by saying I really enjoyed this book. I really couldn’t put it down. I loved Katia’s story I felt for Katia. For all the things she had been through and all the things she was going through. I love the perspective of a 40-year-old woman who didn’t quite have it figured out yet who was still learning herself and learning what made her happy and who made her happy. I love the little touch of romance that was included even though it didn’t turn out how I wanted it to. I especially loved Katia’s relationship with everybody that worked at the home for the Negro boys, her relationship with the boys, her relationship with her staff even the parents and the grandparents you knew she was 10 toes down for those boys in that home those boys and they needed that they deserve that. Of course the ending almost took me out. It was heartbreaking. It was so sad but I think of the theme of God always makes you uncomfortable when it’s time to move and I think that’s what God did with Kate’s life. A lot of things had to fall apart so better things could come together.

I think the only reason I gave this book four stars is because I just wanted a little more Especially of Chad’s story. I would highly recommend it for anybody who loves historical fiction but more so women’s fiction. You all should definitely check this one out ✌🏾❤️

Special thanks to the author, @hearourvoicestours & @harpermuse for my gifted copy‼️

𝚄𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍- 𝟷. 𝚃𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚏𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚊 𝚝𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛. 𝟸. 𝚃𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝: 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢. 𝟹. 𝚃𝚘 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚜.

This book was amazing I promise the author never misses with the historical fiction. There is so much power and authenticity in her writing you will not put this down. Literally every book I’ve read by her I’ve loved but I think this one is by far my favorite.

Exploring the consequences of a failed foster care system, irrational decisions, living in a group home, codependency, heartbreak, trauma and how children are placed into situations where they have to protect themselves from neglect and abuse. We follow Katia Daniels a woman torn between doing what’s right against a system that continues to do so much wrong.

Unable to bear children of her own Katia became the mother those boys needed at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. With her personal life already being a struggle she was not only a caretaker for the group home but also her family. Not to mention one brother returned home from war, the other was missing in action, and she also lost her father in the midst of it all.

You’d think things couldn’t get any worse until they do. With the weight of the world on her shoulders Katia eventually spread herself to thin and a mishap with one of the group home boys makes her realize she has more to lose than she thought.

Overall, this book was so worth the read and I highly recommend it. All of the characters were lovable, memorable, and richly developed. Chad and PeeWee will definitely tug at your heartstrings. It was a little unsettling to see some of the things the boys had to endure especially Chad. But if you love historical fiction you won’t be disappointed with this book.

Untethered is a very thought provoking intense read. And not in a bad way. It’s meant to be. Untethered follows Katia, a director in a home for Negro boys in 1967. Katia is dealing with so many hardships and thought they are taxing and draining, she handles it all with so much compassion. With a brother missing in action in the Vietnam war, her own struggles with her personal and romantic life, with how hard her job is. She puts everyone else’s needs above her own.

The book was very intense and like I said before, it’s meant to be. The two main boys we follow, Chad and Pee Wee, pulled on my strings as much as they pulled on Katia’s. I felt like the ending was a little rushed, and we as the reader felt so much heartbreak towards the end just to have small rushed victories at the end. Katia fought a relationship with Seth for the entirety of the book and the repetition of why she did was grueling.

Spoiler zone: I don’t understand how she thought a connection with Zach and starting a relationship with him for the entirety of the book based on the one fact that she had a hysterectomy, she cannot naturally have her own children. She literally would not entertain him and told him that they could only be friends because she was scared to let him know that she can’t naturally have children mind you she is a 40-year-old woman, and there are a lot of difficulties with having a child at that age in general. so if she had put more emphasis on her age as well, it would make sense, but she was so upset with the fact that she was a 40-year-old single woman with no love life and no hope for a love life, but in reality, she was in her way because Seth made it pretty obvious that he wanted to be with her and she friend zoned him.

I was very upset with the decision to to add in that they could not have a proper burial for Chad because they were in fear of retaliation by cobra’s men. That poor boy deserve the proper burial, and I feel like we should’ve gotten to see that we should’ve gotten to felt that.. and I did not like how all of a sudden at the end of the book Pee-wee’s grandma just all of a sudden came to the conclusion that he should be with his family. Katia already lost her job, she should’ve gotten the opportunity to adopt Pee-wee at least that would’ve been the happy ending that I wanted to have seen not just her marrying Seth in the epilogue. The romance was not the most important part of this book in my opinion and making the epilogue at the ending of her marrying Seth was just not what I was looking forward to and it left me very disappointed. That’s the point of the book is that you feel this intensity of the situations that are handed to Katia, but it’s not meant to show you that everything can end in a positive note.


This book really tore at my heartstrings and it made me very frustrated throughout the read so It was a bit of a harder read for me and it took me longer than it typically would take me to read a book. But I do understand if that is the point of this read it just sits very heavy. But it was very thought-provoking. How would you handle the same situation that Kia was put in with her family matters her relationship matters her work matters and the matters with the boys at the Negro, Home for young boys. I know the purpose of the book is to make you feel angry with the circumstances. It’s supposed to frustrate you. You’re supposed to put yourself in her shoes and feel how draining and grueling and taxing this time. Period was for not just. Black boys but for Black people. And how many of the topics that were brought up are still issues that Black people face even to this day with the racism and the stereotypes, and not giving the proper chances of opportunity for young Black children to have a proper upbringing. These are all very important topics that need to be discussed and improved on..

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc and exchange for an honest review

When I read, I like to put on a playlist that is reminiscent of the span of the time in the book, so I put on an old school soul playlist to set the tone for this book. Honey, when I tell you I could not put this book down! Angela Jackson Brown weaves a gripping tale of family connections, love, and loss. The scenes are so vivid and thought-provoking, it makes you feel like you’ve been magically transported back in time. I absolutely fell in love with the Pee Wee character, I just wanted to bring him home with me! The part where her brother came home from Vietnam was like a gut punch for me, I remembered being a small child and one of my uncles was declared missing in action. While the book has some beautiful touching scenes in it, there is also an underlying tone of the gritty reality of drugs and racism, which was also well written. Some of the characters are so relatable (I absolutely love Katia’s mother) and you will love them just as I did. Others, I’d like to take a horsewhip to (Cobra and Lena).
Overall, I’d recommend this book to absolutely everyone!

This was excellent and wasn’t a usual historical fiction where the time period was the main focus. I enjoyed the amount of research that went into this story as well.

Our main girlie, Katia, was the glue that held the many facets of her life together. She really went through a lot and I’m glad she was surrounded by love and those who made her realize the importance of rest for a Black woman. My only issue is that the ending felt a little rushed.

I'm always a bit excited when I get a chance to read the latest from an author with Indiana connections. Such is the case with Angela Jackson-Brown, an Associate Professor in the creative writing program at Indiana University in Bloomington who also teaches in the graduate program at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Louisville's Spalding University.

I saw a reference to "Untethered" on a friend's social media page and knew I wanted to check it out. Just released this week by Harper Muse, "Untethered" introduces us to Katia Daniels, a longtime executive director of Troy, Alabama's Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys whose life has long been defined by the caregiver role for just about anyone and everyone around her. Our story is set in 1967, a couple of years after Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus bridge. In theory, things are improving in the U.S.

In theory.

Jackson-Brown packs an awful lot of story into the pages of "Untethered," immersing us in the lives of people we come to care about like the young boys under Katia's guidance including the likes of Chad, Pee-Wee, and others.

While Katia tries to hold things together at Pike County despite an increasingly resistant and defiant board of directors, her own life seems to be a chaotic tapestry of unmet longings, a lack of genuine connection, and enough family strife to break the strongest soul.

Still, she perseveres.

With "Untethered," Jackson-Brown paints a poignant and often painful tapestry of a personal life that seems to reflect the uncertainties and upheaval of the surrounding world. Her ear for dialogue is remarkable - I could hear these conversations in my mind as I read along and often found myself envisioning the words of Katie, Mama, Marcus, Chad, Leon, Seth, and a host of others. I'm not about to tell you who these people are - you'll have to find that out for yourself.

"Untethered" presents a woman at her crossroads, the world around her changing ever so quickly and the demands of it all seemingly either going to break Katia or set her free.

There are moments of stunning intimacy here followed by moments of genuine suspense and fear.
Jackson-Brown seamlessly weaves in the magic we sometimes find in the smallest things - like the pages of romance novels, it's nurse romance novels for me, and the soothing melodies of Nina Simone. Jackson-Brown understands that relationships don't come easy and even friendships are hard when the world around you has always been unsettled and unpredictable.

Katia is a remarkable woman who doesn't quite realize that about herself, a woman whose soulful love is deep yet a woman relentlessly torn between deep commitment and responsibilities and a heart that craves so much more.

Everything here comes to life vibrantly and with a socially aware honesty that feels truthful, often quite painful, and yet always brimming with a sliver of light not too far removed from that light you always see when you hold a kaleidoscope up to the light.

A wonderful weaving together of familial bonds, cultural awareness, and faithfulness to the times, "Untethered" finds a masterful author immersing us into a world of love, family, self-discovery, and transformation that you won't soon forget.

Set in a small town in Alabama in 1967, Katia Daniels has a lifetime of responsibilities placed on her shoulders at such a young age. She’s reliable and relatable, consistently taking on responsibilities (whether she wants to or not) and leaving very little space for herself. She is the epitome of self-sacrificing, emptying yourself into others without pouring into yourself.

Being a Black woman is amazing, but it can absolutely be exhausting. Nothing shows you that like this story. Katia has been everything to everyone, and it has been burdensome. It made me think about how we are often made to be the strong ones, with very little to no opportunity to be vulnerable. And when we are showing our vulnerability, we must do it silently.

Still grieving the loss of her father, dealing with two brothers in the Vietnam War (one has returned, the other is still MIA), and being the executive director at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, taking care of young boys is a lot for anyone to deal with. At every turn, Katia had me wondering, “How does she do it?!” Not without great difficulty and immense sacrifice.

It's really hard to put what I felt in writing because it was such an emotional book. It was nice to read a story about a 40-year-old woman who doesn't have it all together. There were so many topics that were tackled that, at times, it was overwhelming but necessary.

Jackson-Brown tells this story in such a way that you can't help but root for Katia. Dealing with health issues, both mental and physical, Katia deserved a happy ending. This story was tragic, beautiful, haunting, tragically beautifully and beautifully haunting.

A great story. A story of women. A story of the oldest daughter. A story of heartache. There are a lot of characters and moving parts but the story unfolds in a way that all you want is for everyone to be happy. Katia is a women that is taking care of everyone but herself and when someone comes along that wants to take care of her she finds it impossible because of her insecurities and heartache. The family dynamic consist of relatives and found family and the love is unmatched. The passion that Katie has for her work is a heavy burden and being untethered from it might be the only way for her to truly become the woman she desires to be. If you love historical fiction as much as I do give this a read.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a beautifully written and extremely moving historical fiction novel of love, loss, and family whether by blood or by choice. The story is set in a small college town in 1967, an era of social upheaval in the south, where racial tensions are still prevalent and the consequences of the Vietnam War are being felt at home. This is one emotionally charged tale and I felt completely immersed in the lives of the characters. The main protagonist, Katia, director of a group home for Black boys must balance her own desires and feelings with the heavy burden of responsibility while maintaining objectivity for her young charges as well as her obligations to her family. It was impossible not to care for her and hope she gets the beautiful life she deserves but it is perhaps two of her young charges, Pee Wee and Chad, who caused me to shed more than a few tears throughout. An intensely impactful read, one that will resonate with me for a very long time and one, I have no doubt, I will return to again and again.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours and Harper Muse Books for my ARC copy! This review contains my personal thoughts and opinions.

Untethered is easily the heaviest book I’ve read this year, but it’s also one of the most profound. Angela Jackson-Brown weaves an emotionally charged tale set in the 1960s, centered around Katia, a character whose journey is as heartbreaking as it is relatable.

Katia’s story highlights the immense emotional labor carried by Black women, a weight that remains all too familiar even today. Her struggles to shoulder everyone else's burdens while trying to keep herself afloat are both poignant and eye-opening. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of rest, healing, and learning to lean on others for support.

Chad and Pee Wee’s stories were equally compelling, their heartbreak adding depth to the narrative. I found myself fully invested in their arcs, rooting for them even as their challenges unfolded.

That said, I did grow a bit frustrated with Katia's relationship with Seth. Her tendency to push him away felt understandable but also maddening at times, and the abruptness of how their story wrapped up left me wanting more closure.

Despite this, Untethered is a beautifully written and impactful novel that I won’t soon forget. Angela Jackson-Brown has a way of capturing both the resilience and vulnerability of her characters, making this book an unforgettable read.

Rating: 4.25/5

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Ahhh not me finishing this gem right in time for pub day 🥳 Thank you to the tagged publishers for the ARC 🫶🏾📚

Y’all this book really tried to break me, but I was so locked into the story that I couldn’t look away. This character-driven novel was a very deep and vulnerable look into Katia’s struggles/experiences with family, self-discovery (and acceptance), the pressures of womanhood, love, grief and so much more. If you’re someone who struggles with being everyone’s rock, sidelining your feelings for others, or always pouring from an empty cup, you could easily relate to this character. Or, you could easily see Katia in your mom, your aunt, your sister, your grandmother, or any other Black woman in your life. It’s also impossible to not root for Katia in this story. At about 50% I was thinking “wow is sis EVER gonna catch a break?!” and then it got worse 😭… but by the end I was just hoping she got her happy ending.

I appreciated so much about this one. Set in 1967, this book was emotionally charged and devastating because you feel the weight of all the things Katia carries with her. I loved that this book centered a normal Black woman in her 40s who doesn’t have it all together because I feel like that representation matters, and we don’t see too much of it. I loved the centering of her career in the group home for Black boys + the characters in the group home (despite the sadness it brings). I loved the budding romance that was sprinkled in. This was just really good idk lol.

"I'd that dream again last night. Leeches. Everywhere I turned. I woke up just in time to stifle a scream. Maybe I needed some therapy myself, but who had time for it ? My life was filled with one thing after another. Looking after myself wasn’t top on my priority list."



💭 Katia Daniels is such a strong, impressive and resilient female character and her love and dedication to her work as an executive director at the Pike Country Group Home for boys is very admirable. She is a heroine in her own right. The type of work she does, is very emotionally draining and taxing trying to be a lifeline for others and yet, also rewarding. She is very compassionate and protective of her boys especially to Chad and Peewee and you can't help but to also feel and root for these characters (most especially Peewee! It's hard not to adore the kid.) When you hear about stories like Chad’s and Pee Wee’s, it will make you feel awful for complaining and whining about your life/situation.
Despite dealing with her own family, personal and health concerns, she is determined to do her darnedest to care and protect the boys under her watch, stress and all. They are blessed to have her as their advocate and support. This African American historical fiction book is impactful and influential, poignant, touching, captivating and thought-provoking. The audio narration is fantastic. Highly, highly recommend the audio book version to get the full Peewee experience (his sweet innocence and stuttering charm are both adorable and will most likely steal and thaw even an ice queen's heart) .

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse publishing/Harper Muse audio books for approving both digital and audiobook arc. 🖤

5✨

The title of this book is perfect because what makes Untethered especially memorable is its exploration of the idea of being "untethered"—of feeling disconnected from one’s past yet also yearning for the freedom that comes with forging a new path. This theme resonates deeply in today’s world, where many people feel the tension between how things have always been and personal growth. Angela Jackson-Brown’s writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into Zora's emotional landscape and making her struggles and triumphs feel deeply personal.

Overall, Untethered is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that tackles the issue of pouring from an empty cup with nuance and heart. Angela Jackson-Brown has crafted a story that not only entertains but also invites reflection on identity, belonging, and the human capacity for transformation. It is a compelling read that will stay with readers long after the final page.

How does someone who's always taken on the responsibility of caring for others begin to carve out a life where she can finally be cared for? This is a question our main character, Katia, grapples with, and it’s clear that her journey is just beginning. An unexpected event soon propels her toward someone she never anticipated needing—opening the door to a new chapter in her life that promises growth and discovery.

As I look ahead to my reading goals for 2025, I decided to delve deeper into Black historical fiction, and "Untethered" was a great opener into the genre, showcasing Katia's superwoman mentality and hinting at her transformation throughout the narrative. For anyone curious about getting more into this genre, Untethered is a great starting point.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

In 1967 Troy, Alabama, Katia Daniels balances her role as the Executive Director at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys and her family’s burdens, while longing for children of her own. Struggling with workplace tensions, a lost brother in Vietnam, and personal sacrifice, she finds comfort in romance novels and Nina Simone. When Seth Taylor, a high school acquaintance, reappears, Katia begins to question her choices and dreams amid the challenges of love, duty, and self-discovery in a changing South.

I was stuck in a major reading slump until I got lucky and received this ARC. I binged it in two days! Thankfully, I also received the audiobook, and I'm so glad I did! Karen Murray did an incredible job narrating and bringing each character and their unique traits to life! There was one spot in the book where I would've liked more information surrounding the incident, but other than that, the writing was phenomenal. And the epilogue and author's notes were brilliant!!!!

•𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲: Strong, dedicated FMC, coming of age, found family, and love.
This book made me feel: Sad, hopeful, angry, dedicated, and proud of the main character.
•𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟: Books by Charmaine Wilkerson (Black Cake)
What to listen to: Nina Simone and Dionne Warwick
•Gift/Little Free Libraries/Book Club: Yes on all 3!

This is my second book by this author and I enjoyed this book. I'm also getting comfortable with her writing style and her ability to turn a tragic story into a story of testimony and triumph. I'm glad that our FMC gets a happy ending to her story. I enjoyed the diverse characters and the historical aspects including the Vietnam War. This book is a reminder that we can't be everything for everyone and that we can't pour from an empty cup. Overall, this was a good solid story that I would recommend to others.

This book left me in tears—Angela, Angela, Angela!

As an Alabama resident, I found myself immersed in the vivid settings and authentic atmosphere depicted throughout the story.

Karen Murray masterfully captured Katia's emotions as she navigated her understanding of womanhood and questioned her worth against the world's expectations. It was powerful to see her grapple with her self-image and discover what it truly means to be enough.

This book took me on an incredible emotional rollercoaster. I cried, laughed, cheered, and reflected deeply on its themes. Having acquired the ALC as well, I had the ability to tandem read and wrap myself within the storyline.

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this compelling read!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this remarkable book. I'm also grateful for the ARC provided.

Untethered, is the perfect title for this book, everything about it is untethered and emotional. This book drew me in from the cover and the title alone and that's why I requested the arc. This book is tragically beautiful, informative and so incredibly accurate for so many. Angela Jackson-Brown masterfully tells a deeply emotional and compelling story about identity, resilience, and the complexities of relationships. The protagonist’s journey is heart-wrenching and empowering, and I found myself entirely immersed in her world. This is a wonderful reminder of the strength and love in vulnerability and service to others. If you are looking for a book that has themes of self-discovery and breaking free from past burdens that resonate powerfully. Then you need to pick up Untethered and if you're an emotional person you definitely will need your tissues. Every twist and turn were thoughtfully crafted, leaving me reflecting long after I finished this novel. It is a must-read for anyone who loves beautifully written, character-driven stories that touch the soul. This one is unforgettable and will stick with you as time goes on.

This was my first book by Mrs. Angela Jackson-Brown but it wont be my last, I love books that make you feel, and thank. Books that make you feel like youre living the situations, and lives with the characters on the pages with them.

Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a deeply emotional and moving story centered on Ms. Katia, a kind, giving, and sweet woman who serves as the executive director of a group home for boys. Ms. Katia's life begins to unravel as she navigates the heartbreak of learning her brothers are missing in Vietnam, chaos at the group home, and the sudden reappearance of her high school crush, Seth. These elements weave together a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

Angela Jackson-Brown proves once again why she is a queen of historical fiction. While this novel focuses more on the personal lives of its characters than on historical events, the emotional depth is unmatched. I cried through the final chapters and found myself completely invested in every character. The romance was a delightful addition, and I saw pieces of myself in so many moments throughout the book.

Thank you to Angela Jackson-Brown, Hear Our Voices Tours, and NetGalley for providing the ARC and ALC.

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

Overall, Untethered is a must-read for fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories with a touch of romance and historical depth.

Untethered" by Angela Jackson-Brown is my first read by this author, and it certainly won't be my last. The novel beautifully explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, delving into their emotional struggles and the bonds that both unite and divide them. The dynamics at the home where the protagonist works, especially her interactions with the boys, add another layer of depth to the story. These relationships are portrayed with such nuance and sensitivity, making the characters feel incredibly real and relatable. Katia's experiences, both at home and at the group home where she works, push her to confront her own beliefs, fears, and desires. Through these challenges, she learns more about who she is and what she wants from life. Overall, a compelling and heartfelt read that I highly recommend. #netgalley # untethered