Oh this book is so good. Really, really good

It’s 1968. Mairin is in high school, excited about boys, and an overall good kid. Her creepy stepfather makes the wrong move, but Mairin is the one who pays for it when her mother sends her to the Good Shepherd. A reformatory school run by nuns for troubled girls.

Only Mairin isn’t troubled, she was trying to get out of trouble. After multiple attempts to escape the hell she experiences at the hands of the nuns, she makes some unlikely friendships with some of the other wayward girls.

When Mairin realizes her only chance at escape is with the help of a few friends, a grand scheme is created. A life altering decision for those who participate that will affect future generations for decades..

Historical fiction always fascinates me. I’ve read a couple novels about wayward girls and I am just beyond baffled and angry that places like this actually existed. From the start, I knew Mairin was going to be a fierce character and her strength and perseverance was palpable through the pages

I highly recommend you pick this book up. You will be pleasantly surprised by the ending

Set in Buffalo in the 1960’s, a group of young girls find themselves at the Home of the Good Shepherd, where they are subjected to numerous types of mistreatment and abuse.

There are so many threads of history weaved throughout - young women in the 60’s, evil nuns, and the cultural breakthrough of the time period. The themes are very important and interesting. The story does have a final section which is set in the current times where there is some redemption, healing and closure.

The author clearly did meticulous research to write this novel - and the stories are very important to tell. It is informative, powerful, and compelling.

I feel that the narrative leaned very hard into the historical components and tried to do a lot with so many characters. I would recommend more for the topic and historical context than for the storytelling for me personally.

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Susan Wiggs for the advance reader's copy and finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is captivating. It's the story of real girls, told through the lives of fictional characters. The teen girls were sent to a "school" run by nuns and the Catholic Church. They were sent there by courts, or by parents and social workers. Some girls were sent there for safe keeping by their parents, some families didn't have the resources to keep them, some were sent because they were pregnant, or suspected of being gay, or unruly, or to keep them out of the hands of stepfathers who are not fatherly.

The girls were put to work in dangerous conditions, abused by the nuns, and never were provided with an education. Meals and housing conditions were not adequate in any way.

The reader meets the girls when they are young and some are so innocent. They are stunned when they arrive. Some buckle under, some fight back. I experienced so many emotions. Anger, frustration, wanting to lash out at the injustices. And I cheered on these girls who fought to survive. Their bodies and spirits took poundings, but still they survived. The ending chapters, many years later, were satisfying and gratifying. The final outcomes in real life was many years late, but also worth reading about.

Definitely a great read, but not for young or sensitive readers. I have both the e-book and the audio version. The narrator was excellent.

Gripping, evoking emotion thought provoking and brilliantly written; Susan Wiggs has outdone herself with Wayward Girls! I love books that are based on true stories and Wayward Girls is historical fiction based on a true story. It is not always an easy read. I found myself getting angry about the abuse, the brutality, and the unfairness of it all. I was angry at those who did not believe or listen to the young woman and at those who perpetuated the horrific treatment. I was also angry at the nuns who forced the young girls to work hard, who doled out harsh punishments, and failed to provide any form of education. I also found myself being proud of the girls for the bonds they formed, how they formed friendships, and how some never stopped fighting no matter the consequences. I marveled at their quiet strength and determination.

This book tells the tale of six teenage girls: Mairin, Angela, Helen, Odessa, Denise, Janice and that of Sister Bernadette who worked at Good Shepherd. This book showcases the brutality, abuse, hardships, and horrific treatment that young girls who were placed in Good Shepherd, a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Their families had various reasons for turning over their daughters such as teenage pregnancy, being too provocative, too unruly, being gay or for catching the eye of a male family member. The girls were forced to work in a type of magdalene laundry. Many of their parents thought they were doing the right thing for their daughters not fully knowing the abuses the girls in this book would suffer.

I found this book to be beautifully written, well thought out, moving and gripping. I was glued to the pages rooted for the young women depicted in this book. It is evident that Susan Wiggs did a tremendous amount of research prior to writing this book. As I mentioned this book details brutality, abuse of power, and horrific acts. It also showcases bravery, friendship, hope, survival, and love.

If you have not read a book by Susan Wiggs before, do yourself a favor and read this one. This is the 23rd book which I have read by Wiggs, and I look forward to reading many more.

Captivating, evoking emotion, hard to put down and powerful. Wayward Girls is Susan Wiggs best book yet! Highly Recommend!

I feel there are so many books about the wayward girls lately! This was a solid historical fiction and if you don’t know much about the wayward girls, AKA girls who were sent to a catholic institution ran by nuns, you’ll be able to learn a Thing or two. The girls who were usually sent away were pregnant unwed ones. Wiggs writing is beautiful and really enjoyed this story

This was a phenomenal read that was inspired by true life events. Each character is written well and there are different points of views throughout the book. It stars in the present and then goes back into the past to tell the story. I read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls earlier this year and was really wanting something like that book but minus the magic. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It goes into the details of how awful things were like for "wayward" girls but it does show the hope of the characters throughout the book. There's a lot of strength and resilience that those girls had to go through and come out okay at the end. It is a slow paced book but worth it! I felt every tragedy and triumph of Marin, Angela, Helen, Odessa, Denise, Janice and Sister Bernadette. If you are interested in a good historical fiction book that represents the horrors of the group homes girls were placed into in the 1960's, this book is for you.

I'll be honest I was not prepared for the subject matter of this book. I have read Susan Wiggs books for decades and have enjoyed every one. Therefore, I didn't read the book blurb. I'm not saying I didn't like the book. I did. It always impresses me when an author seems to go in a totally different direction and does it well.

4.5 stars. This was a dark book for at least the first half. It is about what can only be described as an institution for girls run by nuns in the 1960's. You know all those stories you've heard about nuns in Catholic schools. Those stories were nothing compared to this. There was abuse of every imaginable kind. It really was hard for me to read

The story was also about the resilience and the spirit to fight back of some of those girls. Mairin was sent to the school to protect her from her step-father. The situation she sent her into was far worse and Mairin was determined to escape, no matter how many times she was caught, taken back and punished. She made friends with some of the girls and they supported each other.

The last part of the book takes place when those girls are grown and on their own. It is much more positive and easier to handle. There was closure for them and the book wrapped up nicely. It was informative and I feel like a better person for having read it.

Thanks to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

This novel really brought to light the historical oppressions of the time in which the story takes place. It's a beautifully written story of friendship, survival, and redemption that has you feeling all the things.

Wayward Girls has been portrayed as Susan Wiggs' opus by author Robert Dugoni after fifty novels. Its powerful storytelling shines a light on the Magdalene laundries in 1960s Buffalo, New York. It is an emotional look at six teenage girls held there for one year or more. Many of the parents and community members had no idea of the abuse and hard labor they experienced at the hands of the nuns. It was known as "The Good Shepherd," a Catholic reform school, but it was the same as the laundries in Ireland and a darker part of our history.

While difficult to read at times, these six girls and a young nun, Sister Bernadette, are fully fleshed out and propel the storyline. Traits and themes of resilience, determination, creativity, friendship, hope, and redemption are woven throughout. I was fully engaged through most of the novel. The last quarter of the book is told in the present, catching us up with what the six women and Sister Bernadette are doing and how they have reconciled their past at The Good Shepherd. The tone of this section changed, and while I wanted to know what was happening with them, it seemed a little lengthier than needed.

I am impressed with the meticulous research by the author to write this novel. It is informative, powerful, and compelling and based on true stories. These beautiful young girls will stay with me for a long time. If you are a fan of historical fiction that is heartfelt with a powerful redemption arc, I highly recommend this book. Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Susan Wiggs for the advance reader's copy and finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I did not finish this book beyond the first 1/3. It is a very important and disturbing story that needs to be told, but like much historical fiction, the writing and character development fell short for me. For most, this will likely be a winner!

A great historical fiction about a real place that starts in the late 60s and spans decades. Marin is sent to an institution run by nuns to keep her away from her step father. The institution is not what it seems and Marin fights it from day one. She meets other girls that are there and they start forming friendships and seeing their resilience through their horrible experience.

The story is about friendship, strength and determination. It spans decades and some parts of it was just heartbreaking to read.

Jane Oppenheimer and Cynthia Farrell did a good job with the narration and I felt the sternness of the nuns and the pain that these girls went through.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks @harperaudio for a copy do this book

Excellent but gut wrenching

Fifteen year old Mairin went on a date, a very innocent date, and then drew the attention of her skeevy stepfather. To "protect" her, her mother sent her to the nuns at Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd, not realizing just how bad of an institution it turned out to be.

This story takes place mostly in 1968 and 1969 in Buffalo, New York and revolves around six girls (including Mairin) who have been sent to the Good Shepherd. Based on true stories concerning the Good Shepherd and the Magdalene Sisters laundries that started in Ireland, it tells a story of the awful things these six girls went through during their time at the Good Shepherd. It also jumps forward to present day to catch the reader up on their lives.

This was an excellent but gut wrenching story. Hard to read.

It reminded me very much of the movie "The Magdalene Sisters." It came out in 2003 in the U.S. but I think the year previously in Ireland? The girl's character that plays Bernadette in that movie Nora-Jane Noone reminds me of Mairin.

I received this Digital Review Copy from William Morrow through NetGalley in the hopes that I would read and review it.

This historical novel revolves around a group of girls sent to a Magdalene laundry, where they face the challenging conditions and harsh punishments imposed by the nuns.
The story captures their struggles and experiences during their time in this "reform school" and also traces their lives as they grow older. It’s an emotional tale of friendship, hope, and bravery in the face of adversity.
This fictional narrative is based on real events and the author's thorough research is impressive.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is based on a true story and makes you wonder about the times in the 1960's. The girls from across the states and different circumstances all meet at Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Buffalo, NY. 6 teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns merely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.

Such an important part of history that needs to be told. Countless “Wayward” girl’s stories could have easily been forgotten. Susan Wiggs gave a voice to girls who were forgotten and abused.

Set in Buffalo in the 1950’s, a group of young girls find themselves at the Home of the Good Shepherd, where the nuns are dedicated to controlling and saving their souls.

As many historical fictions about the darker sides of history, it’s difficult to read at times, but true to our history. Young women in the 60’s, evil nuns, and the cultural breakthrough of the time period, the story is very entertaining. While most takes place in the home with the nuns, we get glimpses of the outside culture, including Vietnam, the protests, and hippie counter culture. I loved that a good portion of the ending was dedicated to closure.

“She was utterly and completely alone now. She didn’t know a blessed soul in this place, and there was nothing about these strange nuns that inspired hope or made her feel safe.”

Wayward Girls comes out 7/15.

Thank you NetGalley, Williammorrow and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Magdalene Laundries”
Oh, my goodness….the horrors revealed in this story are just heartbreaking and intense.
The Wayward Girls gives us insight into what millions of girls suffered at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church.
What atrocities!
This story was hard for me to read and comprehend…it is so emotional and heartbreaking. A story about finding hope and strength to find justice.

My anger and my blood pressure spike every time I hear the words, Magdalene Laundry. I know nothing good is going to be written about it and the same is true for the Home of the Good Shepard. Run by The Sisters of Charity, I knew I would want to throw the book across the room at some point. I controlled myself and my book stayed firmly in my hand. Susan Wiggs does an amazing job of diving deep into 1960s. Vietnam is the focus for most families as their young sons are drafted, the power of music is at an all-time high, feminism is really starting to take hold. For some girls this was not in their mind, and they become wrapped up in the old country's way of life, Irish Catholics will not let these new beliefs or way of thoughts cloud their minds.

Mairin and Fiona are fifteen years old. Working at the local orchard, picking fruit, listening to music, and beginning to notice boys. Fiona already has a boyfriend and is blossoming before her friends' eyes. Mairin has been asked on her first date. She is nervous to ask her mom if she can go. Her Mam is strict and still reeling from the death of her husband. Her second husband is a useless drunk and lets his eyes trail down Mairin. When Fiona finds herself pregnant. Her parents send her to her aunts. Mairin is destroyed that they would just send Fiona away like that. Why doesn't anything happen to the boy? The first day of school Mairin is dressed and ready when her Mam and stepdad stop her and drive her to the Home of the Good Shepard. What is waiting for her is traumatizing and will stick with her for the rest of her life. The nuns hit, pull hair, make you sit in a small closet for hours, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. They work the girls to the bone at the laundry. Mairin is beyond mad, scared, and disappointed. She will do anything to break out of this prison.

This is told in a dual timeline. During the girl's time at the home and fifty years later. The characters are layered, troubled, having to grow up fast. They opened their hearts to me. Their stories wreaking havoc on my mind and soul. Thank you to Susan Wiggs, William Morrow for my gifted copy.

Wayward Girls tells the stories of six young women who, for various reasons, were sent to an institution in Buffalo, New York that was much like Ireland's Magdalen Laundries. These were places were vulnerable young girls, many times the victims of others, were sent when they became pregnant when they were single or otherwise were not conforming to society's rules. Even worse, one character was sent to this hell, when it was her stepfather who was the offending party. The men often seemed to be able to continue as they had been with little consequence for their mistreatment of their victims.

Anyone who wonders about the historic (lack of) rights for young women will be justifiably appalled by what happened to these girls who were further victimized and judged by those who should have helped them. Readers will very much hope that somehow these six young women will be able to go on to better lives post institution. Their friendships should help.

Disclosure: I have worked with birth mothers from this time and know many of their stories. This made a book, that was excellent, very difficult for me to read.

One note: The story begins with a girl who says that she needs a pre-adoption certificate to get a passport. I have never heard of that requirement.

Kudos to Wiggs for bravely showing readers what life was like for some young women. I believe that she hopes that a time like this will not come again.

This is definitely a worthwhile read. It is not all depressing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC for my honest review. This is a very emotional story. It is about young girls in boarding school and the trauma they went through. It will definitely pull at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes. The girls journeys are long and hard. However, they make it with the friendships they make and the support they give each other. So if you like books about injustice….this is the book for you.