Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read the ARC of this fantastic new book entitled “Fox Creek by M.E. Torrey. This is a historical fiction book set in the 1800s. This story follows a cast of characters set mainly on the land of Fox Creek. We follow over many years the hardships, struggles, lies and loves of the family as well as their slaves as lines between all of them blur. This is a very character based novel focusing from one chapter to the next through the different POVs. I loved the authenticity of the characters but also their own individual plights. The younger characters battle within themselves to find not only their individual wats and desires but where their place is among their family and community. The heartbreaking realizations of reality are there until the very last page. I cried at the end as I was not able to say goodbye to these characters easily. I know that they will be remembered for many years to come.

What a struggle to get thru this. I read a book a day and this is up to 6 days. I feel like I don’t want to read. Toooooo slow and I am guessing so predictable bi wishes I loved it but I was struggling so much all I wanted was to start another book. I am so dopey this wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed this book set in the Deep South during the slave era. The apt descriptions of the things and mindset of those times is abhorrent. I will never understand how the slave owners actually believed that one group of people is better than another. There was a lot of description in this book. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

I found this book to be a compelling and emotional read. It opens with the story of Monette and Cyrus being sold to the Jensey plantation, but it also thoughtfully explores the lives of William, his wife, and their children. I especially enjoyed Monette’s connection with Kate and Breck. Their relationships felt authentic. Throughout the story, I was genuinely rooting for Breck and Monette. I was hoping to see more development in Cyrus's character, as his role felt somewhat limited. The ending also felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more closure. Overall, though, it was a powerful and memorable story.

Set in the south in the years 1842 to 1851 we read of one of the darkest periods in American history – the slave era. The story centers around Monette, a privileged Mulatto who at age 6 is sold into slavery after the death of her white father. A house slave, Monette initially acts as a playmate to the plantation children and she is hated by the other slaves because of what they see as her privileged status. The story is also told from the viewpoints of the white plantation family and a few of their other slaves. William the plantation owner credits himself with being a loving and compassionate slave owner. Yet if a slave misbehaves in any way, his crueler side comes out. All the characters were well crafted and the story drew me in. Although looking back with today’s lens we can ask ourselves how the horrors of slavery could have happened, the book gives us a glimpse into the thought processes that allowed it to not only exist but also prosper. The fact that both Breck and Kate, the plantation owner’s children initially thought of Monette as a beloved playmate no different from themselves shows us a fact still prevalent today – children are not born prejudiced or privileged but learn it from the adults around them. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An immersive historical novel about plantation life in 1850s America. With a superb cast of characters who have been thoroughly thought out and developed by the author.

We're transported to a bygone era via the authors fantastic crafting of an atmospheric period of time that just felt so real. The pacing was just right to be drawn in, I found myself highly anticipated at what was to come.

The novel has been weaved together to highlight the struggles on each side of the slavery era. Making this a truly profound and emotional story. The author displays the reality for those who became enslaved, including very young children, but also shows us the background of the very people who govern this system.

Themes of legacy, power, resilience, identity, and freedom are a poignant part of the story, giving readers an insight into the past.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fox Creek. It captured my attention from the beginning to the very end, and im fairly certain I felt every single emotion possible.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

Fox Creek is historical fiction set in Louisiana a few years before the American Civil War. Against a historical background of slavery, cotton growing and sugar cane production, the author weaves the story of a young child called Monette.

The mixed race daughter of a French Creole plantation owner, Monette was six when her father died and the privileged life she knew ended abruptly with her being sold into slavery. From here Monette becomes a playmate for the daughter of William Jensey and much of the storyline focuses on these youngsters as they eventually mature into young women. While there are adults in this story and some adult themes, the ages of the main characters kept this book bordering on young adult fiction.

I enjoyed the historical details of the story the most, while the slower paced day-to-day lives, loves and aspirations of the characters were less interesting. I understand that plantation life wasn’t all that exciting, but for the sake of fiction, I was hoping for more from this story.

Fox Creek had a really powerful premise, and I was drawn in by the idea—a young girl sold into slavery after growing up as a pampered child, torn from everything she knew. It sounded like it would be a deeply emotional and gripping story. But for me, it didn’t quite deliver.

The book felt slow and, honestly, kind of meandering. There were times when I wasn’t sure what the actual story was supposed to be. It seemed to jump around emotionally, and I found it hard to stay connected. I kept waiting for something to really happen, or for Monette to come into her own—but she felt passive for most of the book. I didn’t dislike her, but I didn’t really feel invested in her either. She just didn’t leave much of an impression.

Cyrus was a bright spot—his loyalty and quiet strength gave the book some much-needed heart. But even that relationship, which could have been the emotional core of the story, felt underdeveloped. And some side characters felt more interesting than Monette herself, but we didn’t get much time with them.

That said, the setting was vivid and the writing had moments of real beauty. It does try to show the complexity and pain of slavery, and it doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh reality of that time. I just wish the plot had been more focused and the characters more emotionally engaging.

Overall, Fox Creek had the ingredients for a powerful story, but it ended up feeling a bit flat for me.

Set in the antebellum South from 1842 to 1851, Fox Creek offers a vivid and sobering glimpse into life on a Louisiana cotton plantation. With a narrative that unfolds like a journal, the novel gives voice to both the white plantation family and the enslaved people who lived and labored there.

Author M.E. Torrey presents a well-balanced, well-researched story that is both troubling and eye-opening. The plantation owners are portrayed as kind and devout—yet blind to the deep moral wrongs of the system they uphold. Slaves are allowed parties and church attendance, but the injustice of slavery looms large throughout the book.

As the plantation children grow up and individual slaves face challenges, the story weaves in historical context and emotional depth. Fox Creek is not a comfortable read, but it is a worthwhile one—written with care and honesty.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing for the advance review copy. This is my honest review.

4.75. This book was a fantastic novel about living in the south in the 1850’s. Historical fiction at its best. I highly recommend everybody read the author’s note at the end. I only wish it was at the beginning because I do believe that this sets the tone for the entire long novel without giving the story away.

Taking place just before the Civil War, this novel depicts the life on a southern plantation from a great voice in a young “mulatto” girl, Monette, sold into slavery when she was only six years old. This book dives deep into Monette’s life and all aspects of living on a plantation and what it entails. What a fantastic depiction from her point of view - with her wonderment in believing she is part of the White Family through realizing she is truly not. I became so invested in so many of Ms Torrey’s characters - each having a bit of goodness and horribleness in them. The fantastic character development of each person in this novel made me love and hate each of them at one point. This book is a slow journey and really picks up only at the very end to a racing conclusion - which then I thought was too fast and didn’t answer all my questions which is why it’s 4.75 and not 5 stars.

This book was 30 years in the making (from the Author’s Note) but I truly hope she writes a sequel to this novel ASAP because I have to know what happens next for these many characters who live on in my head. Many questions were left at the end for me and I’m left wondering about how the second book could continue.

Thank you to NetGalley, M.E. Torrey and her independent publishing company for the eARC of this wonderfully written book.

Fox Creek is M.E. Torrey’s first book for adults, and the way she wrote enveloped me like the Louisiana bayou humidity, wrapping my heart in the Spanish moss that hangs from the trees. This story follows 6-year-old Monette, and Cyrus. Her much larger and stronger companion as they’re sold to a wealthy family on the Fox Creek Plantation in 1843. Starting as just a little girl carrying her doll, it hooked me and broke my heart from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book to remind us all of the atrocities of slavery, and to dispel the opinion of “some owners treated their slaves well.” Take this devastating and eye-opening ride with tissues in hand, but please don’t miss this. Torrey, you are one talented and transportive writer.

The release date is September 1st, 2025.

Thank you so very much to NetGalley and author M.E. Torrey for the ARC of this very well put together read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Monette's father passes away when she is six, and she is sold to the Jensey family, along with a boy called Cyrus. She is originally a playmate for Kate, the Jensey daughter who is near her own age, but ends up being a house slave. Breck, the Jensey's oldest son, becomes increasingly attracted to Monette, as they grow out of childhood. Knowing it is forbidden, Breck keeps his feelings hidden...
I really enjoyed this book. Two of the things that kept it from being a five star read were a) I thought this book was about both Monette and Cyrus, but he ended up being an afterthought and was only in the beginning and ending and b) I felt like the ending was extremely abrupt, and the story felt incomplete.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Fox Creek isn’t something I’d usually pick up, but I’m so glad I did. The story unfolds slowly, but with a depth that really caught me by surprise. It’s rich in atmosphere, with characters that feel real and a setting that’s almost a character in itself. Torrey’s writing is gentle but emotionally resonant — reflective, warm, and quietly powerful. If you enjoy stories about identity, memory, and the ties that bind people to place, this one’s definitely worth reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can’t even begin to describe how beautifully written this book was and how well it puts the reader at that place back in time as if we are standing in the characters’ shoes. I was aghast at some parts, downcast at others, and felt my heart throbbing at the love story. This was unputdownable! A very moving love story that doesn’t paint over even the ugliest parts of slavery.

Fox Creek is a powerful historical fiction novel that explores the devastating legacy of slavery through the lens of both slave owner and slave. The story follows Monette, a young mulatto girl, sold by her family at a very young age. She is bought by the Jensey family, owners of Fox Creek Plantation, and becomes a playmate to their young daughter, Kate.

Torrey captures the brutal realities of slavery with honesty and respect. Your heart will bleed with the descriptions of trauma, guilt, silence and love. The novel shines with its richly drawn characters and the ways in which the author forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truths.

There were parts of the story that were very slow, and I didn’t love the ending, but the emotional impact of this book will stay with me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.

Fox Creek
by M. E. Torrey

Set in 1843, the story follows Monette, a six-year-old girl who transitions from the privileged daughter of a prosperous sugar planter to a slave. After her father’s death, she is sold into slavery because of her mixed race. During her journey to the auction, she is protected by a boy named Cyrus. They are both brought by the Jensey family from the Fox Creek Plantation in Louisiana. Cyrus is assigned to the fields, while Monette becomes a companion to the planter's daughter, Kate.

The novel stands out with its profound emotional depth and poignant heartache, vividly portraying the experiences and struggles of individuals on both sides of the slavery era. It intricately weaves together personal stories that highlight the harsh realities of enslaved people while also examining the moral dilemmas faced by those who perpetuated the system. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in American history, the book delves into themes of resilience, identity, and the quest for freedom, offering readers an understanding of the complexities and contradictions of this dark chapter in the nation's past.

I was thoroughly engaged in the first part of the book, captivated by the rich characters and intricate plot development. The author’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted dialogue drew me into the story, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story. However, as I progressed into the later sections, my focus occasionally wavered due to some pacing issues and less compelling subplots. Despite this, my overall appreciation for the book remained intact. Nevertheless, I found the ending to be quite abrupt; it lacked the depth and resolution I was hoping for, leaving several key questions unanswered and a lingering sense of incompleteness.

What an entrancing read about the antebellum south. The characters were brought alive by the author and the scenery became a character itself. With a strong central character in Monette, you see her life from childhood as her circumstances change over time. The periphery characters around her are well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book until the ending which I personally thought was abrupt and a bit bizarre. It felt like a longer book was unceremoniously cut in half. I do hope there is a sequel as I really would like to learn more about what happens to all of them.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions in my review are entirely my own.

My reaction to the novel was deeply emotional and enthusiastic. I was captivated by the shifting points of view, the rich character development, and the emotional struggles each character faced. The story moved me to laughter, tears, and joy, and I felt deeply connected to the themes of love, family, friendship, and personal growth. While I found the ending satisfying, I wished the story continued because I was so invested in the journey.

Fox Creek takes place in Louisiana from 1843-1851. Monette was six years old in 1843 she was a loved daughter of a rich man on a sugar plantation. When her father died she was sold into slavery because she was of mixed race. She is sold to another English speaking sugar plantation to a family that started her out as a playmate for their daughter Kate. before Monette had been sold she befriended a 13 year old boy named Cyrus who is also sold to the same platation. Monette is bilingual and speaks french as well as english. She is only allowed to be a "sister" to Kate until Monette is forced to be a house servant. For the next seven years she is forced to keep house and be a baby sitter for the twins who are born shortly after she arrives on the plantation. She slowly forgets who Cyrus the boy she befriended and he becomes a field hand. But Cyrus has not forgotten Monette and he is always watching to keep her safe. I good read that keeps me interested in the outcome of the characters.

ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Sep 01 2025

Rating: 5/5

Knowing the author's previous writing experience I did not come into the novel with too high expectations. This was her first, adult content novel. After finishing I can't wait for her next one. This novel rivals the likes of Yellow Wife. I was pleasantly pleased.

Plot:
Starting in 1843, the story follows an interracial child as she moves from being the pampered daughter of a rich, sugar planter to a slave. While on route to auction, she is protected by a boy, Cyrus. They are purchased by the same family. He is sent to the fields, she becomes a playmate to a planter's daughter, not understanding yet how her life has changed. This story follows her and the lives of those around her as she struggles to find her place in the world. She is between two races and fits in neither.

Praise:
- plot and writing style
- descriptions of environment and characters were easy to picture
- perspectives of multiple characters; seeing things from both sides of the racial divide
- characters easily able to be liked or disliked
- pulls the reader along; limited doldrums
- stimulated emotions, showing connection with characters
- realistic scenarios
- premonitions which leave the reader pondering what they mean
- the ending, everything wasn't wrapped up in a bow; leaves the reader with questions and pondering

Critiques:
- scents were mentioned regularly and I was unsure why

Fav Quote:
“...wondering if life was simply a series of compromises. Dishonest compromises that presented to the world a face of honesty and integrity.”

Would I recommend it to a friend?
Absolutely!