I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. This was an incredibly good book. It's a historical fiction that tells about the Tulsa race massacre and the filling station through the lens of 2 young women. It was a great way to learn a lot more in detail about those important parts of history. But I also got completely invested in the characters and their stories. Cannot recommend it enough.

Rounded up from 2.5. I have been in my historical fiction bag for a minute but unfortunately this fell flat for me. I just didn’t connect with the sisters at all and I wished there was more information around the Tulsa Massacre. I was happy to get an arc but after reading Queen Sugar and Harlem Rhapsody this was a little weaker.

Emotional and gripping.
Informative of a real time and place in history.

It does have a pretty prominent religious component, keep that in mind if it is or isn't for you.

Would definitely recommend to those who love historical fiction.

The author has done a wonderful job of researching this tragic time and made me truly feel like I was there during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The story and characters were brought to life in this fast paced novel by an author that truly loves telling us stories that matter. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

You can’t change the past. You can, however, forget it. Or bury it so that it is barely spoken of. The Filling Station speaks of a critical ‘lost’ moment in American history with courage, integrity, and grace.

Greenwood, 1921: Just outside Tulsa is Greenwood, a thriving community known as Black Wall Street, where folks not welcomed in the white-owned stores of the city can spend their money at movie theaters and entertainment venues, beauty shops, and clothing stores. It’s a haven for the maids, cooks, laundresses, and other working-class people who help keep Tulsa going. The families there have all prospered, and their children go to college or take over the enterprises left to them by their parents. Margaret and Evelyn Justice are two such young ladies. Margaret has just finished getting a university degree and plans to teach, while her younger sister Evelyn is graduating from Booker T. Washington High School that weekend. Evelyn plans to head to New York to get a fashion design degree after spending a lazy summer having fun with her sister. Both girls are determinedly ignoring all the whispers and agitation around town being caused by the possible lynching of Dick Rowland, a young man arrested for allegedly accosting a white woman in an elevator over in Tulsa.

Pretending the problem doesn’t exist becomes much more complicated when graduation practice is canceled and Evelyn is forced to go home while Margaret, at the movies with her dad, is surprised when the film is turned off midway, and they are forced to leave. Margaret heads back to the house, but her father joins other men on the street who are arming themselves in an effort to protect their families. A white mob descends on the city, and it isn’t long before bullets are flying and buildings are burning. Rather than putting an end to the massacre taking place, police help the rioters, and the once prosperous residents of Greenwood find themselves fleeing with little more than the clothes on their backs, Margaret and Evenlyn among them. The two barely make it out of their home after an incendiary device sets it ablaze.

Their escape from the city is horrifying. They watch the local doctor, unarmed, be shot in front of his home. Old women are yanked off the streets and shoved into cattle cars by the National Guard. After a long night's walk down what will eventually be called Route 66, hiding whenever they hear a car coming, they make it to Threatt Filling Station, where the kindly owner and his wife take them in. Evelyn, her dreams shattered and her soul traumatized, stays behind as Margaret, after a brief rest, heads back to Greenwood to search for her father and help rebuild the community where she was raised. What she finds when she arrives will force her to question all she knows about herself, her family, and her faith.

When we first meet Margaret, she doesn’t seem very strong, but that impression quickly changes once the riot begins. With her father missing in action, she takes on the role of parent and promptly gathers the courage and drive to get herself and Evelyn out alive. As the novel progresses, we see her intelligence and will to thrive rise to the forefront over and over as she faces incredible odds to try to rebuild Greenwood. Margaret refuses to cower, even when it becomes clear that the white citizens of Tulsa do not intend to let their Black neighbors rebuild without a fight. The author carefully folds real history into everything happening around and to Margaret so that her tale reads like that of a genuine survivor.

Evelyn is just eighteen when the story begins. The baby of her family, with artistic leanings rather than the sharp intellectual/entrepreneurial pursuits that are the hallmark of Margaret’s character, she takes what happened a lot harder than her sister. Rather than fight, like Margaret, she wants to choose flight. The fact they no longer have the money for her to attend college is a devastating blow, and that she lost her sewing machine, beautiful dresses, and loving father all on the same night adds to her anguish. Throughout the book, we watch her struggle to regain her footing and discover the path she is meant to be on.

I actually loved that neither sister bounces back perfectly from their terrible experience. Evelyn makes bad decision after bad decision as she tries to figure out how she can turn back time and take the steps she’s always wanted to take, while Margaret becomes rather cold-hearted and loses her faith. Neither has an insta-healing, and neither ever stops mourning the horrible night (and awful days that followed) that they lived through.

The titular filling station is the Threatt Filling Station, a historic landmark in Oklahoma where many of the Black residents of Greenwood went when they fled their homes. One of the few Black-owned businesses along what is now Route 66, it served as a safe-haven for travelers and an entertainment destination for locals. It turns into a second home for Margaret and Evelyn, with Allen and Alberta Threatt treating them like members of their own family.

The story's only flaw is that the romance between Elijah, the Threatt family’s farmhand, and Margaret doesn’t get enough exploration. We see it slowly unfold as he helps her rebuild her home, her life, and then her faith, but I would have enjoyed a more in-depth look at their courtship.

This is an Inspirational, so the examination of where God is when things on earth strongly resemble hell is explored, and the author does an absolutely fantastic job of handling this complex subject with grace, compassion, and wisdom. Margaret is never judged for her doubts nor fed platitudes to heal the anger and hate in her heart. Easy answers aren’t given because they don’t exist. This subject is woven naturally throughout the text and is both historically and culturally accurate.

There isn’t enough space in this review for all the trigger warnings I would need to give. The Tulsa Race Riot was a horrific event, and the first chapters of this novel are filled with violence and terror. The author’s detailed account of the aftermath is also chilling and heartbreaking.

Very rarely would I say that absolutely everyone should read a book, but The Filling Station is one such novel. The rich and vital American history contained in its pages should be known by all, and the story it tells is one that will stay with you long after you have finished it.

First of all, the Tulsa Race Massacre was an absolutely horrible thing for people to have inflicted on their neighbors, merely because of jealousy, hate, and blatant racism. As someone who frequently reads historical fiction and nonfiction and attempts to educate herself about the raw facts of things that happened in our country, as well as how those things affected the people who experienced them, I acknowledge that there is still a lot I need to learn about and recognize. I was truly hoping that this would be a read that further educated me about the impacts of a shameful, racist attack on innocent people that needs to be better recognized in this country.
Unfortunately, “The Filling Station” is simply not that book. There are several reasons why.
I found the characters written to shallow stereotypes of people who lived long ago. The author does not seem to have taken the time to truly understand how people lived and spoke in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. She has merely imprinted them with modern voices and filled the pages with visual references and actions that might have been typical. Evelyn is a talented dress designer and seamstress, who makes beautiful clothes for herself and her sister. We never see her even thinking about her creative process, or what goes on inside her head, Instead, she is a flat, shallow character who frequently demands attention from her sister Margaret, never seems to know what is going on, can’t seem to do anything right, and makes a lot of noise. The reader never knows what’s going on with Evelyn, other than she wants to flee to New York, is generally unhelpful, and doesn’t seem to understand anything about the real world. I wanted to sympathize with her, but she’s a paper doll with no actual character development.
The action in the book focuses around the older sister Margaret, but similarly, we don’t really know much about her either. She moves through the story and most of her character is illustrated through dialogue. What thoughts she has are about what’s happening right in front of her, and when she speaks it is often in trite, predictable platitudes or pleadings. Margaret is buffeted and blown by circumstances, and although the writer attempts to paint her with a stronger brush and seems to want us to see Margaret as the strong, capable one - she is no Elinor Dashwood. And I bring up this comparison because it does seem as if the author is following a similar plot and character types as Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility.” Shockingly, once I realized this I could not I could not unsee it. Evelyn has much of Marianne’s flighty, simplistic and dreamy behavior without her deep sense of feeling. Margaret, as the supposedly more sensible older sister, takes on the role, as did Elinor, of steering the family out of disaster. And in the background hovers the sense that marriage is the way out for both of these characters.
The most frustrating about the book is the fact that we never get any sort of sense of what really happened in Greenwood, either before or after. The terrible night and the experiences of the sisters and their neighbors is described in an almost cartoonish fashion. The confusing and terrifying hours pass quickly, There are incidents that are described without the least understanding of the science of how a building actually burns, the author tells rather than shows constantly, and it throws me out of the story.
Two and three-quarters stars, rounded to three.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Before reading THE FILLING STATION by Vanessa Miller, I knew very little about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, but this account of the tumultuous event and its aftermath left me with a vivid and unsettling knowledge of one of the most devastating periods for black people in America’s history. I know that some individuals refuse to read stories that highlight our forefathers’ struggle, and I understand. Stories like these are painful to read, but, for me, these stories highlight the strength and resilience of a race which even, in 2025, is still fighting for a place in America.
Ms. Miller weaves a story which is powerful and heartbreaking at the same time. At the centre of the narrative are sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice who grow up in Greenwood, a prosperous district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Life is almost perfect, until the night their lives and the lives of the other residents of Greenwood are changed forever. The race massacre which takes place is a wake-up call for the residents who discover that despite the abolition of slavery, attitudes towards blacks have not really changed. The two sisters are as different as day and night and their response to what takes place that night demonstrates those differences. While Margaret is not perfect, she is the mature responsible one while Evelyn comes across as immature, irresponsible and at times selfish. These characteristics guide their individual journey, and neither of their journeys is smooth.
There are several other interesting characters who contribute significantly to the story’s overall message of resilience and faith. Elijah, Margaret’s beau and eventual husband, is a man of faith and provides strong support for a disillusioned Margaret. Miss Pearl, for a part of the story, is the caring mother figure, who helps to offer stability and comfort to the sisters. There are several others who stand out, but I’ll let you discover them when you read the book. Ms Miller creates real, flawed characters, but characters with whom we can identify and empathise.
In the story, the filling station is a safe place and a symbol of the hope where the survivors are able to come to terms with their pain and suffering. It is also a place where they can fill up with the strength needed to fight for a future, despite the struggle with their faith in a god who seems to have abandoned them.
There is so much more I could say about this book. There are moments of heartbreak and sadness, but there is also joy and accomplishment. I listened to the audio version of this story and totally enjoyed the narration by Angel Pean. THE FILLING STATION is a story with a powerful message and one that I definitely recommend.

Henry Justice is a grocery store owner in the Greenwood District, Tulsa, Oklahoma and he has two daughters Evelyn who’s about to finish high school and Margaret a college graduate and she's applied to be a teacher. When a group of white men enter “Little Africa” and the situation quickly gets out of control, they set fire to houses and businesses and hundreds of innocent people are threatened, and try to flee.

Margaret and Evelyn manage to escape and they assume their father went to check his shop and have no idea what happened to him. The sisters stumble upon The Filling Station owned by Fred and Alberta Threatt and here they find a safe place to stay, and Margaret worries about her dad and elderly neighbour and she assumes there will be help and answers to her many questions, an insurance payout and a fair inquiry and more.

The narrative is about what the sisters experienced, during and after the attack and the toll it took on them physically, emotionally, financially, and psychologically and especially Evelyn the youngest who didn't always make the right choices and how Margaret had to be strong for her siblings sake and she loses her faith in God.

I received a copy of The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. A historical fiction story based on true facts about the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood District, Oklahoma which took place over two days and from the 31st of May to the 1st of June 1921.

It’s very obvious while reading the book the author has done extensive research into the tragedy, and it’s a tale about the resilience, determination and perseverance and struggles of the victims and survivors, and hate and racism and the way some white people thought and treated those of colour at the time and were they made accountable and punished for their inhumane actions.

I really admired Margaret and her neighbour Pearl characters, the Threatt’s and Elijah Porter and five stars for this faith based book and I’m keen to read other novels by Vanessa Miller and I highly recommend.

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller is a historic fiction novel which is centered around the tragedy of Greenwood, OK in the 1920. We see events unfold from the eyes of the Justice sisters. The events are portrayed vividly and brutally, as both girls suffer the loss of not only their home, but their father as well. Margaret and Evelyn must put their dreams on hold as they help rebuild their community. This novel is sad, but yet hopeful. The title refers to the famous Threatt Filling Station that sheltered many who lost everything during the riots, but also has a religious meaning. Although the book has a definite Christian overtone, it is not overwhelming to the plot line. I found myself captivated by both the sisters' lives and the story of the rebirth of Greenwood.

Margaret and Evelyn Justice live comfortable lives in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. Their father runs a store, and though they miss their dead mother, they are fairly content. Margaret aims to eventually teach then marry, and live in Greenwood, while younger, high school-aged Evelyn wants to study fashion design. She currently designs her own clothes, and is quite talented.

Then, one night, everything in their lives is upended by violence and tragedy. Whites rampage and begin attacking Greenwood and its residents, destroying everything they can and injuring and killing many, while police do nothing.

Their father rushed off to defend the district, while Margaret and Evelyn barely escape, walking along Route 66 until they come across the Threatt Filling Station, a place where Blacks can safely stop while travelling.

The sisters are taken in by the Threatt family, and are given a place to rest and recover. There is no word about their father, and many others, so the sisters grieve for not just themselves, but the horrors visited upon everyone they know.

Margaret heads back to Greenwood once it's safe, and decides she will rebuild, as Whites are swooping in to take land that isn't claimed. With the help of a kind young farmer, Margaret begins salvaging what she can in Greenwood. Evelyn stays and works at the filling station, but finds herself not coping well at all, and takes up with a boy Margaret does not approve of. The sisters must find some way to sort out their lives, and not lose each other in the process.

Author Vanessa Miller focuses on the aftermath of the Tulsa Race Riot, and the grief and anger of people, but also on the resilience, support and love that enabled people to rebuild their lives.

The sisters came alive as they struggled with the many setbacks; I appreciated how Miller had Margaret close herself off and turn her back on her faith in anger, while Evelyn could not find her footing, and falls into trouble to cope with her grief and disappointments. And though they seemed to not understand what the other was going through, they still ultimately came back together.

It's a powerful story, and Miller's use of real quotes at the start of each chapter powerfully grounds the story, and also highlights the deep research the author did to make this story come alive and have such a strong sense of time and place. (To also know that the Threatts were real and such good people was great.)

This book was wonderful; I went between both the prose and the audio and found Angel Pean beautifully brought the sisters to life in all their myriad emotions, and made me care also for the other characters.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller. A beautifully, meticulously written story about a sad event during a horrrendous era in our history. This country has much to answer for still.

I enjoyed The Filling Station so much! It was an interesting historical read. The cover drew me in. I enjoyed learning about history and this book didn't disappoint me at all. Everyone needs to read The Filling Station.

Vanessa Miller’s latest novel, The Filling Station is historical fiction that tells the story of two sisters who survived the massacre and how they try to pick up the pieces of their lives left in the rubble. The novel is based on real events and includes a real family, the Threaats, who provided a safe haven for survivors. Older sister Margaret and young sister Evelyn are taken in by the family who owns the only local gas station friendly to Black customers.

Rebuilding after tragedy
When you think about a tragedy or disaster, often the attention is focused on the destruction, but not the rebuilding. The Filling Station focuses not just on the rebuilding of the Greenwood district, but the rebuilding of the sisters’ spirits. One thing that always haunted me about the tragedy is that high school graduation was literally the next day. But by dawn on June 1, Greenwood and been burned and firebombed beyond recognition. Younger sister Evelyn represents the youth that would have graduated.

Margaret, having graduated college and preparing for a teaching position, takes on the responsibility of caretaker for her sister and the legacy of her family. She participates in Greenwood’s rebuilding and feels tied to resurrecting it. Evelyn, whose childhood was effectively ripped from her hands, wants nothing to do with Greenwood or the memories that horrible night holds. She wants to leave for fashion school, but can not now that their fortunes are uncertain.

Faith & Anger
Margaret grapples with her faith in God throughout the book. She asks the question, how could God have allowed this to happen? Elijah, the farmhand that befriends and helps her, provides a foil to Margaret’s anger towards God.

This was a layered book that explores life after experiencing tragedy and trauma. Through each sister, you see how different people react and approach life after experiencing tragedy. Margaret overworks herself, worries and questions her faith. Evie rebels and tries to find her way, but fails several times. The specter of racist violence haunts the girls as they fear something similar happening again. One wants to stand and defend while the other wants to leave and start over. But throughout, their community holds them up as they learn to stand again.

Sibling Relationships
The relationship between the sisters is as interesting as their choices and ways of dealing with the trauma. I appreciate that the book focuses on the recovery and how they rebuild their lives. Where they have to dig in and show grit, there is also grace to soothe them. The dynamic between older and younger; homebody vs wanderer creates interesting situations that both have to deal with. The symbolism of their arriving at a gas station when they felt like they couldn’t take one more step, essentially running on an empty tank, is powerful. The idea of the girls needing to be physically and spiritually filled up before they went out on their own was intriguing.

The Filling Station is a really touching story about family, love, and second chances. It follows a young woman who returns to her childhood home and the family gas station, only to face a bunch of old issues she thought she'd left behind. Miller does a great job of bringing the characters to life, making it easy to feel connected to their struggles. The book is all about forgiveness, dealing with family drama, and finding the strength to move on. It's a great reminder that while our past shapes us, we still have the power to rewrite our future.

Read it, NOW! That’s the post!!

While Evie and Margaret are fictional characters, the Tulsa Race Massacre is NOT!! Historical fiction is my preferred genre, second to nonfiction, and this story does not disappoint. This book tells the story of the Tulsa Massacre through the lives, loves, relationships, experiences and thoughts of two sisters who are very much immersed in and proud of their community of Greenwood.

Vanessa Miller’s writing made me feel present in the middle of this story! I experienced these events along with Evie and Margaret. And I loved that we were able to see the characters experience joy throughout it all, even as both sisters struggled through and processed their trauma and wrestled with their faith. And ooooooh how much do I love Elijah!!

It’s really outstanding to read about something so painful and heavy and yet find that the story was crippling. There was joy and hope and restoration not only of the town but of dreams. And the bonus is that Vanessa shares her research with us for those of us that want to learn more, on her website.

I completed this story as an immersive read using the audiobook ARC and the e-ARC. I’ve never done that before and it was an awesome experience, I really enjoyed the narrator!

5 stars hands down, 10 out of 10!!

Thank you @thomasnelson and @netgalley for both the audio and ebook arc!! 🥰 #TheFillingStation #BlackStoriesMatter

4.5 stars

Vanessa Miller tackles a brutal chapter of American history with honesty and heart in The Filling Station. Sisters Margaret and Evelyn flee the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, finding refuge at the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66. Miller shines a necessary spotlight on Greenwood, Oklahoma, and its violent destruction, a tragic event overlooked by many history books.

Margaret, practical and cautious, struggles with shattered faith. Evelyn dreams of escape and a brighter future. Both women feel vividly real, their flaws and strength equally believable. Miller carefully shows how trauma shapes them differently, making their journey toward healing messy but meaningful.

Some plot points land predictably, yet strong character development keeps the pages turning. Historical quotes woven throughout add depth and authenticity. Faith is central to the story, raising tough questions like why terrible things happen and how grace survives tragedy. Even when Margaret and Evelyn make questionable choices, readers understand their pain and resilience.

Miller’s thoughtful storytelling honors the Tulsa victims by refusing to gloss over their suffering or sacrifice. Despite minor shortcomings, The Filling Station is heartfelt historical fiction, capturing humanity’s ability to rise again.

** Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for complimentary review copies. Opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

I stumbled on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre when I listened to a sermon a couple of years ago but had not found any books that give me more information. Hence, I was excited when The Filling Station popped up on my Instagram Feed as a Black History Month recommendation. It was great to learn about the existence of Greenwood or "Black Wall Street" as it was termed and the success of African Americans that even under persistent racial tensions under the Jim Crow Laws. It was also insightful to learn more about how Black Christians may have navigate their faith in such difficult times. This book is well-researched and worth reading in 2025 as a reminder of the power of community, resilience and love.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction for the e-ARC.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 📗
4⭐️

I knew when I started this book it was going to be amazing. @authorvanessamiller always delivers and tugs at the heart strings while given a full blown history lesson in the process. The story is about life after the Tulsa massacre for two sisters, Margaret and Evelyn. This story was a true reminder of the grit and perseverance of our ancestors. I loved all characters and the kindness from strangers in the midst of disaster. It was times I cried and reflected on what we went through during hurricane Katrina. The hopelessness you feel and the struggle with one’s faith I understood. I had my love and hate moments with characters. Evelyn I thought she was so sheltered and ungrateful at moments then had to remember this generation of children we have currently 🫣. I loved Elijah and how he fought the good fight with true love. I have really enjoyed all of his authors books. I have always had an interest in black Wall Street and the success of our ppl during this time period.

Thank you to @hearourvoicestours for including me in this tour😍.

🏷️#booklover #bookstagram #bookcommunity #books of instagram #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #bookblog #booknerdigans #bookishfeatures #bookphotography #yalit #yabooks #currentlyreading #igreads #instaread #bookworm #booknerd #bookdragons #history #tulsamassacre #tulsa #blackwallstreet

In this book, sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice are residents of Greenwood, a self-sufficient neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. After the gruesome event that we know as the Tulsa Race Massacre, they flee to safety along the infamous Route 66 and end up at the Threatt Filling Station. It’s here that they are able to process their pain and regroup. While one sister wants to stay snd rebuild, the other wants to flee and start over.

This book invokes an array of emotions. Throughout the years, we’ve heard of this Massacre, but @authorvanessamiller has given the readers a relatable story. Racism, escapism, unity and sisterhood are just a few themes that are focused on and left me feeling a sense of pride. Each time the author picks up her pen, she delivers a thought provoking story that stays with you long after the last page.

I’d like to thank @netgalley @thomasnelson and for gifting a copy.

The Filling Station is a touching story of two sisters trying to find hope and endure persecution after the tragic Tulsa Race Massacre. I admit, it took me a bit longer than my usual reading pace to finish this book. It was not an easy read as it dealt with some tough topics as well as depicted the extent of destruction that senseless hatred can cause. Overall, I’m glad I read it; although this book deals with some very heavy topics, I felt there was enough light to balance it out, and I learned a lot.

Margaret, the eldest daughter, was a strong and resilient character whom I enjoyed getting to know. Evelyn on the other hand was a character I struggled to understand, but overall liked. I appreciated the way the author used these two sisters to depict the diversity of grief. Margaret is the “stay and fight” type although she let bitterness overcome her (don’t worry, there’s a wonderful character arc!). Whereas Evelyn wants nothing more than to escape (which was understandable). I loved the way each of their Faith arcs were written, and thought the filling station analogy was quite neat.

I did have some minor qualms with certain plot points, but it was just some small details.

I’d recommend this book to the readers who are not afraid of reading difficult topics and enjoy learning about historical events.

***Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a free digital copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.