Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate is a profoundly riveting historical novel that uncovers a heartbreaking injustice and connects the fates of two families across generations. Based on a notorious true story, this novel weaves a tale that is both gripping and uplifting, engrossing readers in a hidden saga of stolen children and illegal adoptions.

Avery Stafford, a young woman born into a world of privilege, appears to have everything: a promising career as a lawyer, a loving family, and a devoted fiancé. Her life is meticulously planned until she returns to Aiken to help her father, a U.S. senator, through a health crisis amidst political turmoil. It is here that Avery's path crosses with May Crandall, an elderly woman whose existence unearths long-buried secrets that challenge everything Avery thought she knew about her family.

Avery’s unexpected meeting with May leads her on a poignant journey into the past, uncovering the dark, untold history of the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage. Operated by Georgia Tann, who abducted poor children and sold them to wealthy families, this institution's sinister legacy unfolds through the novel. Determined to piece together May's past and her connection to the present, Avery uncovers chilling truths and discovers a story of resilience and hope that binds generations.

Wingate’s storytelling prowess shines through in this masterfully crafted narrative. Her immersive writing captivates the reader, blending historical fact with compelling fiction to create a story that resonates deeply.

PRAISE

Publisher's Weekly: "Wingate is a compelling storyteller, steeping her narrative with a forward momentum that keeps the reader as engaged and curious."

Huffington Post: "It is impossible not to get swept up in this near perfect novel. It invades your heart from the very first pages and stays there long after the book is finished."

Booklist: "The society seems too Dickensian to be true, except that it was, and its black-market adoption practices caused a stir in the mid-twentieth century. Wingate writes with flair, and her distinctly drawn characters and adept use of the adoption scandal will keep readers turning the pages."

Julie Kibler, International Bestselling Author of Calling Me Home: "Lisa Wingate's heart-racing, heart-wrenching tale of a family ripped apart by the Tennessee Children's Home Society scandal rang so true I couldn't sleep until I knew their fate. Days later, I'm still haunted by the diabolical plot to steal and sell the most vulnerable children to high bidders, sanctioned by high-ranking officials who looked the other way."

Wingate's novel not only tells a powerful story of loss and redemption, but it also honours the real lives affected by these historical events, reminding us that the heart never forgets where we belong. For readers of Where the Crawdads Sing and Orphan Train, Before We Were Yours offers an unforgettable journey into familial bonds and the triumph of the human spirit.