This was a fantastic book with just the right amounts of every component of a good story. It is based on the true story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society which from the 1920-1950s took poor children away from their families, abused them and sold them into adoption as if they were orphans. The chapters here alternate between the story of two women: Rill/May who in 1939 is living with her parents and siblings on a riverboat when the children are all captured and taken to the TN Children's Home Society. They are separated and sold off to wealthy families and she fights to keep them together. The other story is of Avery in present day. Avery is 30, a sharp and well educated powerful attorney from a prominent political family. Her beloved grandmother has dementia. When visiting a nursing home another woman seems to recognize her and Avery sets out to investigate why. Great characters, family secrets, a compelling story with true history mixed in, and even a little side romance. Satisfying read.
