Very intriguing story about the early 1900s when children were sometimes sold because families couldn't afford to fit them. Only this has a twist, and you aren't sure how it will turn out until the very end. Another book I could not put down.

An unidentified narrator says in this historical fiction’s opening pages, ‘It started with a photograph.’ Two young news people carry the narrative along—Ellis, a reporter, and Lily, with ambitions to rise above her role as the boss’s secretary. What starts as a newsroom account turns to a mystery about the fate of two children seemingly ‘for sale’ in 1930s Pennsylvania.

Story imagined from a real photograph seen by the author. Good, not great, read. Writing a little stilted, characters a little predictable, some situations a little implausible.

I got three quarters of the way through this and finally gave it up. It was a rather boring story. None of the characters struck a fancy for me. I can predict what happens. He makes up with his Dad, he gets the girl and he redeems himself by reuniting the mother and the kids. That was another thing. This was nothing like I thought it was going to be about. It said historical fiction but it didn't seem to ever get to the history of these children being sold by their parents during the depression. I may be way off and probably am, in addition to shamefully writing a review about a book I didn't even finish. I will say though, that I found the author to tell a spin quite well. It just didn't grab me the way I like to be.

Well written. Parts of history are not always pleasant. A gentle reminder of difficult times and what was recorded as part of it. Good read.

Starts slow but does get oh soooooooo much better.

Somewhat of a sleeper. The book gets better as it goes, but it took some discipline to get to the point of wanting to keep reading. I was expecting better.

Not up to my expectations!

While I really liked the story line of this book, I did get a little bored with the author’s writing style. She seemed to have a checklist of things from that decade such as including mobsters, prohibition and speakeasies. She also became very repetitive with explaining how every room was smoke filled. When it came to the actual story of the children I was very interested, I was less interested between the report and the newspaper secretary lives and their strung together romance was a little incredulous as well.

The concept of a mother being so desperate that she offers to sell her children is heart-breaking, so I put off reading this one. But, with all the libraries being closed due to the Coronavirus, I finally gave in and I'm so glad I did. It had some sadness, but the real story is about two caring reporters, determined to ensure that the children are safe. It's a wild ride and you won't want to put it down.

Terrific story, terrific author.