The Filling Station strongly aligns with themes I consistently seek out and rate highly, particularly Black historical fiction (like Daughter of the Merciful Deep) and explorations of racism (prominent in Blood Over Bright Haven, James, and Tangleroot). Its focus on sisters navigating trauma and community rebuilding resonates with your appreciation for emotional journeys centered on family and Black resilience, seen in books like Untethered and Tangleroot. While the "sad, informative" mood leans heavier into historical tragedy than the adventurous or romantic elements often layered into my top-rated fantasies and romances. Consider if you're currently in the mood for its more grounded, grief-focused historical lens compared to the frequent blend of dark themes with fantasy/romance elements in your favorites.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Wow. You truly feel every emotion reading this story. I will be completely honest and say I didn't know much detail about the Tulsa Race Massacre but this 10000% brought it to life for me. You can really tell the author gave this the attention it deserved, and this should be a must read for all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
This book was fantastic and how all historical fiction should be done. It was completely immersive, compelling, and handled the emotionality of the massacre age it's aftermath in a very true way.

The narrator, Angel Pean, did a great job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, with what expression/intension.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, NetGalley, and author Vanessa Miller for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Filling Station is out March 11, 2025.

Vanessa Miller's The Filling Station is an unforgettable historical novel that transports readers to one of American history's darkest yet most resilient moments—the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The story follows two young sisters, Margaret and Evelyn Justice, who narrowly escape the destruction of their home in Greenwood, the thriving Black community known as Black Wall Street. Their journey leads them to the Threatt Filling Station, a real-life sanctuary on what would become Route 66. This station, owned by the Threatt family, was a safe haven for Black travelers during an era of sundown towns and racial terror, providing not only fuel but also a place to rest and find community.
What makes this novel especially impactful is its unwavering commitment to the aftermath. This isn't just a story about surviving a massacre—it's about what it means to live in its wake. Miller's narrative not only honors the loss but also the fierce determination to rebuild, inspiring readers with the characters' resilience. Through evocative prose, detailed research, and emotionally complex characters, she captures the pain, faith, and unyielding hope of a people who refused to be erased. Including real historical quotes and people, like the Threatt family, grounds the novel truthfully and reminds us how essential it is to remember and retell these stories.
👍 What Worked Well:
Powerful, immersive depiction of a crucial but often overlooked moment in U.S. history
Emotionally honest portrayal of grief, faith, and resilience through well-developed characters
Explores the long-term psychological impact of racial violence with compassion and nuance
Angel Pean's audiobook narration enhances the emotional resonance of the story
🛠️ What Could Be Improved:
Heavy Christian themes may not resonate with all readers
Some secondary characters could be more developed
More insight into Margaret's later activism would have enriched the ending
Recommendation:
The Filling Station is more than historical fiction—it's an act of remembrance and resistance. Vanessa Miller doesn't just tell a story; she honors the lives, pain, and perseverance of a community that dared to rise again. This is a must-read if you're a fan of historical fiction that doesn't shy away from hard truths and centers Black voices with grace and strength. You'll come away changed and want to tell someone else to read it too.

A captivating journey of two sisters overcoming catastrophic loss! A peak into history and a resilient people! This story is going to stick with me. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was fantastic.

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson Publishing and Zondervan Fiction Audio for allowing me to read and review the e-arc and audio book copy. All thoughts are my own.

Fantastic. Five stars! A truly unforgettable story. This book was absolutely phenomenal. It was very evident the amount of research that went into telling this story. Also, the fact that the story truly starts out right in the midst of the Tulsa Massacre and then addresses so many post event hardships that I hadn’t known nor even considered?? Was heart shattering. I cried, I cried, and I cried a bit more. This book was a one-of-a-kind reading experience, my goodness did this story need to be told. Thank you Vanessa Miller for doing this work and providing such a masterpiece in historical fiction.

The audio was absolutely fantastic. I also appreciated the thoughtfulness to using accents accurate to Black people of Tulsa Oklahoma. I felt with the story at all times and that made it all the more vivid.

Another day, another historical event I had to learn about through a book instead of in school...

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller is historical fiction based on the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. It features sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice, who grew up in the Greenwood district (aka Black Wall Street) in Tulsa, OK. Their lives are suddenly upended when white men set fire to their house (among many others), and they have to run out of town to survive. They come upon the Threatt Filing Station, which acts as a safe haven for them as they try to piece their lives together in the aftermath of devastation.

Wow. This book was heavy, raw, emotional, heartbreaking, yet endearing all at once. It showcases how a community can come together after an unspeakable tragedy. Vanessa Miller fleshes out both of the main characters very well. She has you empathizing with Evelyn's struggles and marveling at Margaret's grit and determination. I appreciated the author's note at the end about the historical events and the characters. A historical fiction novel has done a good job when I'm eager to learn more about the events.

Angel Pean narrates the audiobook. She does a beautiful job. You can really feel the hurt and emotion in her voice as she describes the horrific events. Angel Pean has nuance for each character, which brings them to life in The Filling Station. I'd love to listen to other books she narrates.

Recommended for historical fiction lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC.

Vanessa Miller’s The Filling Station is a stirring, heart-forward novel rooted in the rich soil of history, faith, and love. Known for her uplifting, spiritually driven fiction, Miller delivers a powerful narrative that both educates and inspires, centering on a true story from the Jim Crow South—one that too few have heard, but everyone should know.

Set during a time when racial segregation and injustice were harsh realities, The Filling Station recounts the incredible journey of John and Bertha Thompson, an African American couple who dared to build a safe haven for Black travelers in the 1950s. Their filling station—more than a pit stop—becomes a beacon of hope, love, and resistance. Miller’s gift lies in breathing life into the historical record, transforming dates and names into people we care about deeply.

The novel is rich with historical detail: from the reality of “Sundown Towns,” to the quiet yet powerful role of the Negro Motorist Green Book, the narrative places the reader in the thick of a racially divided America. Yet, this isn't history for history’s sake—Miller uses it to amplify the courage and conviction of her characters.

At the heart of the book is a love story—not just romantic love, though John and Bertha's bond is strong and inspiring—but a love for community, for justice, and for the next generation. Through their struggles, heartbreaks, and triumphs, the Thompsons embody a deep, unwavering love rooted in faith and purpose. Miller’s storytelling captures this with a steady, reverent hand.

One of the novel's most powerful qualities is how it invites readers to remember that change often begins in small places—like a gas station on the side of the road. By spotlighting real people who chose courage over comfort, Miller adds a valuable chapter to American historical fiction that resonates with contemporary relevance.

4⭐
A tragically beautiful and emotional fictional account of What happened during the burning of the Greenwood district - a dark time in African American history.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Vanessa Miller penned a riveting story recounting the tragic events of the Tulsa race massacre. The story had me engrossed from beginning to end. I only heard about Black Wallstreet and what happened in the last ten years or so but I never knew any of the details about that day. Vanessa Miller's ability to retell events of the past in a way that leaves you wanting to know more is uncanny. After reading The Filling Station I want to know more about the survivors and what it was like for them during and after. Angel Pean's narration was superb, expertly portraying every character, every emotion, every detail written in the pages of this novel. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about that fateful time in American history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ALC. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Filling Station
by Vanessa Miller
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for a free copy of this audio book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a fictionalized account of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. When the Greenwood district is destroyed, sisters Margaret and Evelyn learn to rebuild- not only the town, but themselves.

I may have just found my favorite book of this year! This book was fantastic! I learned about a time period in American history that was heartbreaking, but the author was able to put an inspirational tone to it. Although this is tagged as Christian fiction, I didn't feel it was heavy-handed in the approach. The faith of the characters, especially Elijah, lead the reader to ponder the role of faith in his or her life.

The trauma the characters feel, and the destruction of their town, is something that I'm pretty sure would have broken me. However, they find a way to move forward that is awe-inspiring. It is really unfair that this event even happened, and in today's political climate this book is needed to remind us of how far we have come as a country, but how much farther we have to go.

I will definitely read more by this author, and I will definitely read more about the subject of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a book with great character development.

5 Star Book! I have only one word to describe this book: phenomenal 🙌🏾! I went into the book only knowing that it was based on the Tulsa race massacre in 1921, and that's all I needed to know. After listening to the audiobook, I automatically purchased a physical copy because it was so good that I had to have it on my bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for giving me an ARC of the audiobook 🥰❤️!

First, let me say that Vanessa Miller did an excellent job writing this book. From the characters to the plot, I could tell she put a lot of effort into balancing the true events that inspired the book with fictional characters dealing with deep emotional trauma that reflects the pain real-life survivors had to endure.

Before reading this book, I did not know much about the Tulsa race massacre. I knew that a white mob attacked a black community and that many homes and businesses were destroyed. I was shocked (and angry 😡) to learn that after the attack, many of the black residents were put in internment camps, and insurance companies refused to cover the damages. This book should be required reading for all Americans so we know the full extent of the atrocities that were committed during and after the attack.

One part of the story that stood out to me is one character's struggle with their faith in God after the attack. Throughout the story, they question why God would let this happen to their community and whether or not they should continue putting their faith in God. As a Christian, this was such a powerful part of the story, and it raised some of the same questions I've struggled with after a tragedy.

🎧 Should you listen to the audiobook? 100% Yes! The narrator, Angel Pean, does an amazing job narrating this book, and the way she speaks sounds like someone from the 1920s. I highly recommend it!

This a historical fiction based on the events surrounding the Tulsa Massacre. This story shares some of the hardship that the residence had to go through to try and rebuild and get justice for not only the towns people but also the military tried to destroy. This follows the life of Margaret and how she tries to rebuild her life and restore her faith in God. The rejection and loss felt through this book gives a peep eye into what a black family may have gone through back then. If you don’t know anything about the Tulsa Massacre and how the government /military were included this should have gauge your interest in learning further. This journey goes takes you through two sisters Margaret and Evelyn though separate views of rebuilding. Margaret did her big one as a sister and daughter. I loved her strength and the carefulness she tried to show for those around her and sister. That dang on Evelyn though, chilleee. It all comes together at the end one sister sacrifice and fear and another ones rebelliousness and hatred. Stay for the authors note and visit the websites at the end. The narrator did a great job providing the emotions and seriousness to the characters. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook ARC. The narrator Angel Pean.

I love a good Historical Fiction and this book did not disappoint. The store of the Justice sisters and their struggle to gain some normalcy after the massacre was beautifully written. I secretly wished that Mr. Justice would find them again but that may not have been realistic. I would highly recommend this book and hope to read more from this author.

The Feeling Station
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm so glad I read this book. I didn't know anything about this part of history. I learned a lot. This is a book everyone should read. She did a great job telling a hard sad story. The Audio was really good.
Thank you NetGalley

This book moves fast, from the start to the end, you are racing through the struggle, fear, pain and ultimately the triumphs faced by the Justice Sisters and the community of Greenwood, Oklahoma. Growing up in TN, I never learned about the massacre, only when I was an adult did I eventually hear about it. This book places us immediately into the actions of the day leading up to, and into the event. It also explores childhood trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression. This book explores how the events of one night can shape the outcome of generations. It's well written and exposes the stressors of holding a family together against all odds. Lastly, I am grateful for the reminder of faith in God and free will. The reading of this book caused me to explore Maurice Willows and to learn more about the original leaders of the community. Thank you Vanessa for this amazing book.

Title: The Filling Station
By: Vanessa Miller
Pub. Day: March 11, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Historical, African American, Race,
With a dash of Christianity!

Trigger Warnings:
Racism, Violence, Loss, Persecution,

Memorable Quotes:
“Why do they hate us? What have we ever done to them?

Summary/Review:
Evelyn and Margaret are two sisters growing up in Oklahoma in the 1920’s. On one particular evening, the sisters' lives are stuck with tragedy and as the aftermath of chaos ensues the sisters journey to “The Filling Station” for safety and security, until the past haunts Evelyn and Margaret and quickly resurfaces.

This is my first novel by Vanessa Miller and I can’t wait to read her other books. Miller takes the reader on a journey back into an era marked by cruelty and suffering. A harrowingly dark time period of injustice and hatred. Some of the characters were real individuals who truly suffered first hand effects of these injustices. The author delivers a powerful and emotionally raw story that can be tough to take in at times causing me to take this novel in doses. I started the novel on my kindle, however, was given the audio and quickly began alternating between the two versions. The audio was very well done, the narrator brought the story to life, using versions of her voice and tone to create additional elements of the narrative. I highly recommend this novel! It’s written like none other. .

Thank you to Vanessa Millerl, Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

#TheFillingStation
#VanessaMiller
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#ThomasNelsonFiction
#NetGalley

I learned a lot from this book about the Tulsa Race Massacre, and enjoyed the animated narrator! Ultimately I lost steam with the book, but glad I was able to listen to the story and learn some history.

The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller
I learned so much about a tragedy that I had never known about.
In a repulsive time of American History there were few options for Black Americans to get things like fuel for cars or rest during a long drive along Route 66. So much more than a place to buy gas, the Threatt Filling Station was a place to fill up more than an automobile. It was a place to refuel your souls and your spirits. For two sisters, it was a life line during their escape from the tragic 1921 Tulse Race Masacre.
The two sisters struggle with love, loss, racism, and surviving the time they are living in. They face the pain of returning to Greenwood as it is being rebuilt in hopes that the hope they bring will be a catalyst to change things and present solidarity in their community going forward.
This was a heart-wrenching story, so well written, exploring an important event that should never be forgotten. I loved it! The characters were well developed and the story was so well organized and it was excellent!
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of both the e-book and the audiobook.
The audio narration was phenomenal and the voice given to the characters brought them to life. It was a pleasure to listen and read this awesome story and I really appreciate the author bringing this piece of history to the present in such a well written novel! 4.5/5⭐

Thank you Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Filling Station is an emotional journey into the lives of people who survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. While this might have been an event learned through history lessons, Vanessa Miller does a fantastic job of making it real, human, personal and complicated. Each chapter starts with a reading from a news article or official report filed during that time and then the storytelling of the characters dives deep into the realities of their world. It's both dark, deeply emotional and also full of hope as these characters figure out how to live in a world that didn't want to make space for them.