“Before We Were Yours”: Compelling, Emotional, and Beautiful

I knew the general idea of “Before We Were Yours” from friends’ recommendations. I knew I wanted to read it, I knew it would probably make me cry at some point, and I knew it would suck me in from the first page.

I wasn’t ready for there to be a part of me that just wanted to hurry to the next chapter, past the uncomfortable and heartbreaking descriptions, and on to the lighter, modern day stories, so I wouldn’t sob and shake my head at the ugliness of this world. But a stronger part of me needed to read every word, sometimes twice, and let myself feel this amazing novel’s heart.

I had never heard of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society until now, and the fact that it was a real place and there were so many people who allowed these things to happen is chilling.

But I’m glad these stories were told. That we feel that sadness and shock and know it was real, and it can happen, and it did, and it does.

And because of Lisa Wingate’s stunning storytelling, we also get to see the unbelievable strength of an incredible little girl who takes us along on her journey from the shantyboat on the river to the orphanage and into a new life. (Oh, how I wanted to be on that shantyboat with her and her precious family!)

Even with the overwhelming emotion, I didn’t want it to end because I needed to know Rill was OK. I needed to hear more about the cottage on Edisto Island. I needed to know where the children of the river ended up. I needed to know who Avery chose. I needed to know how the past became the present. I needed to cry over the unbreakable bond of sisters I know so well.

It gave me all of that. It was heavy, and tragic, and happy, and beautiful. ❤