Date: 3rd April 2018
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Little Bird Publicity via NetGalley
Rating:
The 2:00 a.m. call is the first time Lexie Vidler has heard her sister’s voice in years. Annie is a drug addict, a thief, a liar—and in trouble, again. Lexie has always bailed Annie out, given her money, a place to sleep, sent her to every kind of rehab. But this time, she’s not just strung out—she’s pregnant and in premature labor. If she goes to the hospital, she’ll lose custody of her baby—maybe even go to prison. But the alternative is unthinkable.
Oh my! What a heart breaking read, so much of it dark and just so sad. Yet... it is very real and at the same time is hope filled.
Lexie is the responsible sister, both herself and her sister Annie have had a tough upbringing after their father died and their mother after months of depression takes them to a closed religious group, whose values are far from mine. And as is sometimes the case hides those who are evil.
Both Lexie and Annie escape, Lexie becomes a doctor and becomes engaged to Sam, a fine young man - a doctor too and so very loving and understanding. All through he supports Lexie in the days that follow after Annie returns pregnant and drug filled. And that's another difficulty because in Alabama that's a criminal offence.
What stands out is the love that Lexie has for Annie and vice versa. Both have had huge issues to deal with, my heart went out to both of them in their pain and struggle. Annie just can't share the shame she feels and Lexie can't ask for help. Both situations are so difficult. And yet amongst all this is the joy of Daisy, daughter of Annie, beloved by both Lexie, Sam and Annie.
The book explores serious issues in a way that for me the reader opened my heart to the characters, it wasn't easy to read in places, it made me feel so sad and yet at certain times my spirit was happy to see certain characters go from blindness to sight.
I don't want to give away the plot so enough.
Sounds interesting, but I will pass on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts and a summary of the book, Kathryn.
Wonderful review thanks Kathryn
ReplyDeleteI had been eyeing this one...and when it released today, I had to download it. This one is not a "wait for it" book, as my other library holds are. The issues are familiar to me, from the many years in social work.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like quite the emotional read. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder what happens....
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about a topic that touches so many people!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a real tearjerker.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this novel. It sounds interesting. Interesting about Alabama.
ReplyDelete