Picked this book out because of the beautiful cover.

The story follows Avery Anderson, who moves to a small Southern town to care for her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. As Avery navigates the intricacies of her new life, she uncovers long-buried secrets about her family’s past and the town’s history of racial tensions.

Mama Letty, in particular, stands out as a fierce, resilient figure whose life experiences provide a poignant commentary on the African American experience in the South. The dynamic between Avery, her mother, and Mama Letty is portrayed with sensitivity and depth, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships.

The revealed toward the end surprised me and was completely not on my radar which made the conclusion interesting but a deeper exploration of its implications would have enhanced the emotional payoff and provided greater narrative satisfaction.

A thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that tackles significant themes with sensitivity and nuance. Despite some pacing issues and the need for a more fleshed-out conclusion, Jas Hammonds has crafted a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.