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No Names to Be Given
“A gorgeous, thrilling, and important novel! These strong women will capture your heart."—Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas
1965. Sandy runs away from home to escape her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Becca falls in love with the wrong man. And Faith suffers a devastating attack. With no support and no other options, these three young, unwed women meet at a maternity home hospital in New Orleans where they are expected to relinquish their babies and return home as if nothing transpired.
But such a life-altering event can never be forgotten, and no secret remains buried forever. Twenty-five years later, the women are reunited by a blackmailer, who threatens to expose their secrets and destroy the lives they’ve built. That shattering revelation would shake their very foundations—and reverberate all the way to the White House.
Told from the three women’s perspectives, this mesmerizing story is based on actual experiences of women in the 1960s who found themselves pregnant but unmarried, pressured by family and society to make horrific decisions. How that inconceivable act changed women forever is the story of No Names to Be Given, a heartbreaking but uplifting novel of family and redemption.
1965. Sandy runs away from home to escape her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Becca falls in love with the wrong man. And Faith suffers a devastating attack. With no support and no other options, these three young, unwed women meet at a maternity home hospital in New Orleans where they are expected to relinquish their babies and return home as if nothing transpired.
But such a life-altering event can never be forgotten, and no secret remains buried forever. Twenty-five years later, the women are reunited by a blackmailer, who threatens to expose their secrets and destroy the lives they’ve built. That shattering revelation would shake their very foundations—and reverberate all the way to the White House.
Told from the three women’s perspectives, this mesmerizing story is based on actual experiences of women in the 1960s who found themselves pregnant but unmarried, pressured by family and society to make horrific decisions. How that inconceivable act changed women forever is the story of No Names to Be Given, a heartbreaking but uplifting novel of family and redemption.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2021
36 people are currently reading
2380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
January 26, 2022
Absolute Worst Read of 2021 Award
I am calling it a day with this one. Also rating it a one although the writing is amateurly passable.
3 hard luck paper dolls in 1960s America become pregnant. They end up in a home for pregnant single women in Louisiana.
I stopped at 19 percent.....like reading a 1960s housekeeping magazine without the gelatin meatloaves.
I trust this is well intentioned but I am bored out of my gourd!
Thanks to Netgalley, Admissions press and the author for an ecopy. This was released August 2021.
I am calling it a day with this one. Also rating it a one although the writing is amateurly passable.
3 hard luck paper dolls in 1960s America become pregnant. They end up in a home for pregnant single women in Louisiana.
I stopped at 19 percent.....like reading a 1960s housekeeping magazine without the gelatin meatloaves.
I trust this is well intentioned but I am bored out of my gourd!
Thanks to Netgalley, Admissions press and the author for an ecopy. This was released August 2021.
August 6, 2021
No Names to be Given is a fictional narration of the stories of three women who meet in the most critical stage of their lives and get bound together by secrecy and everlasting friendship.
The story starts in 1965, times where pregnancy out of wedlock was taboo (still is in some places) and shameful. We take a roller coaster ride that spans over decades describing the pain of mothers who have been forced to give away their babies, by society, family and also by themselves.
I knew I had to read this book when the blurb stated - "Today's young women won't understand how our families made us feel shame so intensely we surrendered our first-born children to strangers. - Faith Reynolds. "
The book talks about child abuse, racial discrimination, adoption, fear and a sense of hopelessness that forces three women to change the course of their lives and the lives of their babies.
I would recommend it to readers who would like to know the challenges faced by unwed mothers and the consequences faced by them and their children in times where these situations were not only unforgivable but in some cases also punishable.
No Names to Be Given is a debut novel by the author, Julia Brewer Daily. Although fictional, the story is inspired by the author's own story who was adopted from a maternity home hospital in New Orleans. It also mirrors other adoption stories around 1960's.
I loved the author's writing style, the way the stories were laid out and presented in different parts.
It was easy to connect with the characters and albeit spanning over a long period of time, I was hooked till the very end.
Thank you Netgalley and Julia Brewer Daily for the ARC.
The story starts in 1965, times where pregnancy out of wedlock was taboo (still is in some places) and shameful. We take a roller coaster ride that spans over decades describing the pain of mothers who have been forced to give away their babies, by society, family and also by themselves.
I knew I had to read this book when the blurb stated - "Today's young women won't understand how our families made us feel shame so intensely we surrendered our first-born children to strangers. - Faith Reynolds. "
The book talks about child abuse, racial discrimination, adoption, fear and a sense of hopelessness that forces three women to change the course of their lives and the lives of their babies.
I would recommend it to readers who would like to know the challenges faced by unwed mothers and the consequences faced by them and their children in times where these situations were not only unforgivable but in some cases also punishable.
No Names to Be Given is a debut novel by the author, Julia Brewer Daily. Although fictional, the story is inspired by the author's own story who was adopted from a maternity home hospital in New Orleans. It also mirrors other adoption stories around 1960's.
I loved the author's writing style, the way the stories were laid out and presented in different parts.
It was easy to connect with the characters and albeit spanning over a long period of time, I was hooked till the very end.
Thank you Netgalley and Julia Brewer Daily for the ARC.
April 29, 2022
3.5*
This was a story about three birth mothers, Faith, Becca, and Sandy who must stay at the New Orleans Maternity Home under harsh conditions and each is basically forced to give her child up for adoption. The mother is not even awake to see her baby and does not even know the sex of the child she is giving up. This creates a strong bond with these 3 young women, as each gives birth on 8/28/66. They vow to stay in touch each year on this anniversary and are bonded forever. This part of the book I enjoyed. It would be quite a traumatic event to go through and to have the support of another woman who understands would be profound.
I do wish the book focused more on the development and feelings of Faith, Sandy, and Becca. They alternate chapters and tell us about their lives, but I felt I deeper understanding of each would have been better. Also, the success level that each reaches and doesn’t falter seemed unrealistic to me. These were very young, abused women without family support or the birth father in their lives. There just was more to flesh out of their life stories.
The last part where a mysterious blackmailer comes in, I wish was completely skipped. It was unnecessary and overdone. The heart of this book is these 3 mothers, their lives, their bond, and the lives after giving a baby away for adoption. That needed to be a bit better focused on. Still, the message was strong about the effect this caused girls and women during this time period where they were stigmatized and often shunned by their own family and communities.
Thank you NetGalley, Julia Brewer Daily, and Admission Press for a copy of this book. I really appreciate it.
This was a story about three birth mothers, Faith, Becca, and Sandy who must stay at the New Orleans Maternity Home under harsh conditions and each is basically forced to give her child up for adoption. The mother is not even awake to see her baby and does not even know the sex of the child she is giving up. This creates a strong bond with these 3 young women, as each gives birth on 8/28/66. They vow to stay in touch each year on this anniversary and are bonded forever. This part of the book I enjoyed. It would be quite a traumatic event to go through and to have the support of another woman who understands would be profound.
I do wish the book focused more on the development and feelings of Faith, Sandy, and Becca. They alternate chapters and tell us about their lives, but I felt I deeper understanding of each would have been better. Also, the success level that each reaches and doesn’t falter seemed unrealistic to me. These were very young, abused women without family support or the birth father in their lives. There just was more to flesh out of their life stories.
The last part where a mysterious blackmailer comes in, I wish was completely skipped. It was unnecessary and overdone. The heart of this book is these 3 mothers, their lives, their bond, and the lives after giving a baby away for adoption. That needed to be a bit better focused on. Still, the message was strong about the effect this caused girls and women during this time period where they were stigmatized and often shunned by their own family and communities.
Thank you NetGalley, Julia Brewer Daily, and Admission Press for a copy of this book. I really appreciate it.
August 13, 2021
Set in a 1960s home for unwed mothers, No Names To Be Given is the story of three young women who gave up their children, and their lives after that. Becca is a wealthy white girl who falls in love with Zeke, who is black. The reaction of Becca’s family to their relationship and Becca’s pregnancy is shocking but very true to the time. Faith is the daughter of a famous Christian minister who is raped by one of her father’s employees. Sandy is an exotic dancer who gets pregnant by a married mobster. All three of them meet at Magnolia Home Hospital and become roommates.
The book follows the lives of all three women and their children. Each chapter has a changing point of view, but is not confusing. The writing is beautifully descriptive and the story is riveting and rich. I would recommend this novel to fans of stories about family and adoption.
I received a free copy of this book via HistFic Virtual Book Tours. My review is voluntary.
The book follows the lives of all three women and their children. Each chapter has a changing point of view, but is not confusing. The writing is beautifully descriptive and the story is riveting and rich. I would recommend this novel to fans of stories about family and adoption.
I received a free copy of this book via HistFic Virtual Book Tours. My review is voluntary.
September 1, 2021
5☆ An Unputdownable, Poignant and Thought Provoking Read!
No Names to be Given tells a story of 3 very different young women who find themselves in the same place giving birth, only to have their baby taken away.
Each story has taken me back in time as I learn about each of their heartbreaking stories and how they come to be at Magnolia Home Hospital at the same time and their journey after.
Sandy, Becca and Faith's stories are so very different but one thing stands out is their strength and determination to survive.
Some of the subject matters the friends face are very sensitive and some readers might not find it an easy read, as it delves into racism, rape, religion, abuse, adoption to name a few.
But it is an outstanding read, it’s very Poignant, Gripping and thought provoking and most definitely got under my skin.
Would I recommend reading this amazing book.... Without a Doubt....100% Yes!
Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...
No Names to be Given tells a story of 3 very different young women who find themselves in the same place giving birth, only to have their baby taken away.
Each story has taken me back in time as I learn about each of their heartbreaking stories and how they come to be at Magnolia Home Hospital at the same time and their journey after.
Sandy, Becca and Faith's stories are so very different but one thing stands out is their strength and determination to survive.
Some of the subject matters the friends face are very sensitive and some readers might not find it an easy read, as it delves into racism, rape, religion, abuse, adoption to name a few.
But it is an outstanding read, it’s very Poignant, Gripping and thought provoking and most definitely got under my skin.
Would I recommend reading this amazing book.... Without a Doubt....100% Yes!
Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...
August 17, 2021
This story touched my heart in so many ways. From the struggles that the three women went through to how it affected the children that they never knew until much later in life.
We meet Becca, Sandy, and Faith - three young women that find themselves pregnant in 1965 when being unwed and pregnant was frowned upon. Each of these young women has a story to tell and the chapters alternate between the three as we learn about their families, struggles, beliefs, and so much more. On top of the women being unwed, Becca is involved in an interracial relationship. She doesn't see anything wrong with this because she grew up with multiple races at home. Granted, they were employees and not family members, but there was a close bond between them. Faith also has demons to battle when she is raped by someone that is supposed to be close to the family. I thought it sad that she couldn't tell her father the truth because she feared he wouldn't believe her and he probably would not have believed her. Sandy left home and ended up finding her way into a gentleman's club. Since this is the 1960s, it was very tame by today's standards. Obviously, she can't perform if she is pregnant hence why she ended up at the home.
These women come together in a maternity home in New Orleans and end up in the same room. While they don't share all of their past, these do become fast friends especially when their children are all born on the same day. I liked how they pledged to remember August 22nd and to say a prayer and light a candle each year. The home was quite interesting and the couple that ran the home did care about those that crossed their threshold. They kept impeccable records which will come in handy later in the book because none of the women know if they had a boy or a girl since that was the time when they would put women under while delivering the baby.
The book does jump forward a decade later and we see how the three women are faring in life. Have they accomplished their dreams? Is there more that they want to do in life? What does the future hold for them? I have to admire the entrepreneurial spirit of Sandy and Becca's drive to fight for desegregation and the rights for all people to be treated the same. Faith has her own issues with her career and her guilt. We also get a glimpse of another character that will become pivotal near the end.
We then jump forward another decade and we start to meet the children. There are a few surprises along the way, along with some tragedies. I like how the author introduced DNA testing as one way they connected. This is old school since it is the mid 90s and reports were mailed. I can't imagine the overwhelming feelings of finding out who your birth parents are and how this situation came to be for each of them.
Overall, I loved the story and it was even more poignant when I read in the author notes that she was also adopted and this journey could have been her own in seeking her birth parents. I'm so glad that times have changed and it isn't taboo to be an unwed mother. There are so many women that probably wish they could have done something differently or had other options. I enjoyed how the author wove social issues of the times into the character's lives and made them appear as someone we might all know. Some of the revelations regarding the children were mindboggling, at least for some of these characters. The actions and reactions of these three women and their families felt authentic because we know that these situations can be emotionally charged and everyone will react differently.
We give this book 5 paws up.
We meet Becca, Sandy, and Faith - three young women that find themselves pregnant in 1965 when being unwed and pregnant was frowned upon. Each of these young women has a story to tell and the chapters alternate between the three as we learn about their families, struggles, beliefs, and so much more. On top of the women being unwed, Becca is involved in an interracial relationship. She doesn't see anything wrong with this because she grew up with multiple races at home. Granted, they were employees and not family members, but there was a close bond between them. Faith also has demons to battle when she is raped by someone that is supposed to be close to the family. I thought it sad that she couldn't tell her father the truth because she feared he wouldn't believe her and he probably would not have believed her. Sandy left home and ended up finding her way into a gentleman's club. Since this is the 1960s, it was very tame by today's standards. Obviously, she can't perform if she is pregnant hence why she ended up at the home.
These women come together in a maternity home in New Orleans and end up in the same room. While they don't share all of their past, these do become fast friends especially when their children are all born on the same day. I liked how they pledged to remember August 22nd and to say a prayer and light a candle each year. The home was quite interesting and the couple that ran the home did care about those that crossed their threshold. They kept impeccable records which will come in handy later in the book because none of the women know if they had a boy or a girl since that was the time when they would put women under while delivering the baby.
The book does jump forward a decade later and we see how the three women are faring in life. Have they accomplished their dreams? Is there more that they want to do in life? What does the future hold for them? I have to admire the entrepreneurial spirit of Sandy and Becca's drive to fight for desegregation and the rights for all people to be treated the same. Faith has her own issues with her career and her guilt. We also get a glimpse of another character that will become pivotal near the end.
We then jump forward another decade and we start to meet the children. There are a few surprises along the way, along with some tragedies. I like how the author introduced DNA testing as one way they connected. This is old school since it is the mid 90s and reports were mailed. I can't imagine the overwhelming feelings of finding out who your birth parents are and how this situation came to be for each of them.
Overall, I loved the story and it was even more poignant when I read in the author notes that she was also adopted and this journey could have been her own in seeking her birth parents. I'm so glad that times have changed and it isn't taboo to be an unwed mother. There are so many women that probably wish they could have done something differently or had other options. I enjoyed how the author wove social issues of the times into the character's lives and made them appear as someone we might all know. Some of the revelations regarding the children were mindboggling, at least for some of these characters. The actions and reactions of these three women and their families felt authentic because we know that these situations can be emotionally charged and everyone will react differently.
We give this book 5 paws up.
August 3, 2021
In a Nutshell: An interesting debut novel that fulfils its purpose mostly well.
Story:
The three main characters are quite distinct from each other and this keeps the story interesting as you find something appealing within each of their stories. Other than these characters and a couple more names, the rest of the characters aren’t much well-developed. Knowing the whats is good, but knowing the hows and the whys makes a big difference in the reading experience. For such a touching story, I didn’t feel any emotion at all. And that shows that there was something missing in the way the situations were presented before us.
As happens sometimes with a debut work, the writing has hits and misses. There are some inconsistencies in the story, a few of the plot points are left unexplained, and some of the time jumps happen without any warning. But the content is such that your attention will be more focussed on the plot than the delivery. The first half of the book flew by very quickly. With short chapters from multiple characters’ perspectives, you get an inside view of the mentality of 1960s America in terms of racial discrimination, class hierarchies, and social and familial pressures on premarital pregnancies. The story becomes a bit farfetched in the second half, especially after the 65% mark. Too many coincidences and many incomplete story arcs will leave you dissatisfied. But the ending is decent, and that saves the book somewhat.
One thing I appreciate is that the author herself was an adopted child from one of these maternity homes. She has used her personal knowledge to create a very realistic picture in the historical part of the book. The author’s note at the end is quite touching to read.
If you are looking for a quick and emotional read that spans the historical and contemporary timelines, this book is worth a try. It may not have repeat value but it is certainly a good one-time read. For a debut work, it is pretty good.
3.5 stars from me, rounding up.
Thank you, NetGalley and Admission Press, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
The story spans multiple decades, beginning in 1966 and ending in 2000.
1966, New Orleans. Sandra, Rebecca, and Faith. Three young girls who have nothing in common with each other except for one thing: they are pregnant and they can’t keep their babies. They meet each other in a very unlikely place: a maternity home for unwed mothers. After giving birth, they are expected to give up their babies (without ever seeing them or knowing their gender, forget holding them) and continue with their earlier lives. Twenty five years later, this decision comes back to haunt them as they are faced with blackmail and public humiliation, which two of them cannot afford because of their status in society. How will they deal with this unexpected attack?
The three main characters are quite distinct from each other and this keeps the story interesting as you find something appealing within each of their stories. Other than these characters and a couple more names, the rest of the characters aren’t much well-developed. Knowing the whats is good, but knowing the hows and the whys makes a big difference in the reading experience. For such a touching story, I didn’t feel any emotion at all. And that shows that there was something missing in the way the situations were presented before us.
As happens sometimes with a debut work, the writing has hits and misses. There are some inconsistencies in the story, a few of the plot points are left unexplained, and some of the time jumps happen without any warning. But the content is such that your attention will be more focussed on the plot than the delivery. The first half of the book flew by very quickly. With short chapters from multiple characters’ perspectives, you get an inside view of the mentality of 1960s America in terms of racial discrimination, class hierarchies, and social and familial pressures on premarital pregnancies. The story becomes a bit farfetched in the second half, especially after the 65% mark. Too many coincidences and many incomplete story arcs will leave you dissatisfied. But the ending is decent, and that saves the book somewhat.
One thing I appreciate is that the author herself was an adopted child from one of these maternity homes. She has used her personal knowledge to create a very realistic picture in the historical part of the book. The author’s note at the end is quite touching to read.
If you are looking for a quick and emotional read that spans the historical and contemporary timelines, this book is worth a try. It may not have repeat value but it is certainly a good one-time read. For a debut work, it is pretty good.
3.5 stars from me, rounding up.
Thank you, NetGalley and Admission Press, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
September 4, 2021
It's the 1960s and three girls in their late teens find themselves pregnant and unwed, definitely scandalous for that time period. The girls come from different places in the United States, from completely different backgrounds. One is financially privileged, so much so that her family's name is present in a university hall. One comes from a spiritual family with a preacher as her father. The last comes from a very modest upbringing, without solid stable adult role models.
Despite their differences, they all find themselves in a maternity home where they are forced to give up their child.
Told from all 3 POVs, following their lives for many years afterwards, this was a heartbreaking story. Even more heartbreaking is that similar situations actually did exist, and the author was relinquished for adoption in a similar home.
It's hard to believe this was a debut and it's obvious how personal this writing journey was for her. I appreciate her sharing this with us.
If I could change one thing, I would have liked it to be longer. I especially would have liked more development of the bond between the 3 women while they were together in the maternity home together. So much time is covered "after" as well, and I think this could have been a longer book to really get into the heads of the 3 women.
Despite their differences, they all find themselves in a maternity home where they are forced to give up their child.
Told from all 3 POVs, following their lives for many years afterwards, this was a heartbreaking story. Even more heartbreaking is that similar situations actually did exist, and the author was relinquished for adoption in a similar home.
It's hard to believe this was a debut and it's obvious how personal this writing journey was for her. I appreciate her sharing this with us.
If I could change one thing, I would have liked it to be longer. I especially would have liked more development of the bond between the 3 women while they were together in the maternity home together. So much time is covered "after" as well, and I think this could have been a longer book to really get into the heads of the 3 women.
August 22, 2021
This is a fictional but all too real story about three women from different walks of life that meet at a maternity home in the 1960's. A time when it was shameful to get pregnant without being married. The racial tensions and the views of society at the time were much different than they are today. These women were sent away to have their babies, like many women were. They become connected by this life changing event and all hold a painful secret the rest of their lives. For these three women that painful secret comes back to haunt them later in life in a big way. The author brings this story to life so well and real. The author was a child who was adopted from a home for unwed mothers. I felt for these women and all the women who have went through this. I really enjoyed following these three women. The author did a great job telling this story.
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
June 11, 2021
I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review ...I Loved this book and think the topic is so important, especially at this point in time. The first half I felt moved a bit slowly, but the second half more than made up for it as by the end I really wanted to keep following the characters, I definitely wanted to keep reading. I don't want to give away the plot by going into more detail, I but can recommend this book as it opens up a topic in our society that we should be discussing openly and honestly.
August 1, 2021
WOW! This novel was so well written and that it was based off a true story makes it that much better. This story follows three teenage girls who all became pregnant during the mid 1960’s and find themselves all rooming together at a discreet, nondescript house for unwed mothers. This was how their “problem” was being taken care of, by those who decided that was what was best for their situation.
Faith, Sandy and Becca all learn to rely on each other while going through what is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. The carrying and birth of a new child. But these three, having found themselves pregnant all out of wedlock have been shipped off until the “situation” is over with. They find that they are the only ones who can rely on each other, support each other, understand each other and be that friend that will always be there, as they are all going through the exact same thing.
This novel really opens our eyes up to what happened in these situations, not that long ago and how often the woman was not able to make the decision herself, but the decision was made for her and she was told to learn how to deal with the consequences of her action- whether she was fully to blame or not. I am glad that there were houses like the one in the novel to help those women through this, as well as give those babies to a family who could not conceive and wanted a child.
I loved how the author had a different situation for all three women, and how they all tied together through the novel. It was also a great read in that she also expanded the storyline to the outcomes and decisions in their lives moving forward after this and how things played out through their lives. I really enjoyed this novel, and thank you to HFVBT for the invite, and the author for the free book. This is one I will be recommending!
Faith, Sandy and Becca all learn to rely on each other while going through what is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. The carrying and birth of a new child. But these three, having found themselves pregnant all out of wedlock have been shipped off until the “situation” is over with. They find that they are the only ones who can rely on each other, support each other, understand each other and be that friend that will always be there, as they are all going through the exact same thing.
This novel really opens our eyes up to what happened in these situations, not that long ago and how often the woman was not able to make the decision herself, but the decision was made for her and she was told to learn how to deal with the consequences of her action- whether she was fully to blame or not. I am glad that there were houses like the one in the novel to help those women through this, as well as give those babies to a family who could not conceive and wanted a child.
I loved how the author had a different situation for all three women, and how they all tied together through the novel. It was also a great read in that she also expanded the storyline to the outcomes and decisions in their lives moving forward after this and how things played out through their lives. I really enjoyed this novel, and thank you to HFVBT for the invite, and the author for the free book. This is one I will be recommending!
August 26, 2021
The year is 1966. Three young women, Faith, Sandy, and Becca are all pregnant and not married. The circumstances of each “oops” are different. Faith, the daughter of a successful Evangelical Preacher was raped by a man working for her father. Sandy gives her heart, and her virginity, to a man she thought could be hers, only to find out he was already married. And Becca is pregnant with a child by Zeke, the man she met in college and fell in love with. Unfortunately for the times, their being a couple is not accepted in most social circles because he’s Black.
Through alternating chapters, and alternating points of view, the reader learns of the families and backgrounds of each girl, and as I read, I wished that some of those chapters had been combined. As a reader, I like to learn about a character in a few longer chapters rather than so many short ones. Still, other readers may not find that an issue, and the women’s backgrounds and family of origin all play an important part in the development of each girl into young adulthood, as well as what happens to them immediately after the pregnancy is known.
My initial interest in the book stemmed from the fact that I, too, was an unwed mother in the 60s, so some of what these women experienced rang true to me. Making that choice to give a baby to someone else for whatever reason is the hardest decision a woman can make, and when that decision is taken away because of social and family pressure, I think the trauma would be even worse.
The reader gets tastes of that trauma in this story, but doesn’t always get the full plate. What I mean is that while I could relate to what these women went through at the Maternity Home, I didn’t always feel their pain, especially as they left the home and their babies. They felt numb, and while that is one of the myriad of feelings on that day, there is so much more that could have been shown for a heart-to-heart connection with the reader. There is some of that later, and what came later is a true portrayal of the lasting grief and guilt. The scenes with Faith where I connected with her anguish were the most telling.
It’s obvious that the author did her research, and she does a nice job of relating information about family and social reactions to an unwed mother, as well as the conditions in a home for unwed mothers. It was interesting to see how a privately-owned home is run, and I did enjoy the visit to New Orleans.
No Names Given has quite a few surprises in the second half of the novel, and I found the complications most interesting, even though there were a few coincidences that make it a bit difficult to maintain my suspension of disbelief. The way the lives of the three women came together again after many years apart was a good way to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.
While reading a book, I often highlight lines that make me pause and smile for the concise way they move a story along and illuminate a character. This is just one that I highlighted in this book. It’s from Sandy when she was thinking about the Lafitte brothers who were notorious pirates who smuggled goods into Louisiana in the early 19th century. Sandy was in the bar where the brothers had often gone to drink. when she muses, “New Orleans was a place where one could disappear or become infamous. She was halfway between the two.”
No Names Given is a good book to read for those who want to look back on a time and a culture that still branded women for sexual conduct that was almost expected of boys to become men. It was not a good time for women, especially for those who became pregnant without the wedding band on their left hand.
Through alternating chapters, and alternating points of view, the reader learns of the families and backgrounds of each girl, and as I read, I wished that some of those chapters had been combined. As a reader, I like to learn about a character in a few longer chapters rather than so many short ones. Still, other readers may not find that an issue, and the women’s backgrounds and family of origin all play an important part in the development of each girl into young adulthood, as well as what happens to them immediately after the pregnancy is known.
My initial interest in the book stemmed from the fact that I, too, was an unwed mother in the 60s, so some of what these women experienced rang true to me. Making that choice to give a baby to someone else for whatever reason is the hardest decision a woman can make, and when that decision is taken away because of social and family pressure, I think the trauma would be even worse.
The reader gets tastes of that trauma in this story, but doesn’t always get the full plate. What I mean is that while I could relate to what these women went through at the Maternity Home, I didn’t always feel their pain, especially as they left the home and their babies. They felt numb, and while that is one of the myriad of feelings on that day, there is so much more that could have been shown for a heart-to-heart connection with the reader. There is some of that later, and what came later is a true portrayal of the lasting grief and guilt. The scenes with Faith where I connected with her anguish were the most telling.
It’s obvious that the author did her research, and she does a nice job of relating information about family and social reactions to an unwed mother, as well as the conditions in a home for unwed mothers. It was interesting to see how a privately-owned home is run, and I did enjoy the visit to New Orleans.
No Names Given has quite a few surprises in the second half of the novel, and I found the complications most interesting, even though there were a few coincidences that make it a bit difficult to maintain my suspension of disbelief. The way the lives of the three women came together again after many years apart was a good way to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.
While reading a book, I often highlight lines that make me pause and smile for the concise way they move a story along and illuminate a character. This is just one that I highlighted in this book. It’s from Sandy when she was thinking about the Lafitte brothers who were notorious pirates who smuggled goods into Louisiana in the early 19th century. Sandy was in the bar where the brothers had often gone to drink. when she muses, “New Orleans was a place where one could disappear or become infamous. She was halfway between the two.”
No Names Given is a good book to read for those who want to look back on a time and a culture that still branded women for sexual conduct that was almost expected of boys to become men. It was not a good time for women, especially for those who became pregnant without the wedding band on their left hand.
December 31, 2021
Obviously given the subject matter this book may not be for everyone, but the topic was handled very well and truthfully. I'm a sucker for a story with multiple narrators, so that was a plus for me right away. I love reading the different perspectives and how their stories intertwine and build on each other. I would have given it 5 stars, but I thought some parts of the story felt a bit forced. Overall a very gripping and intriguing read!
August 3, 2021
I devoured this book. I read it over a couple of days and really loved how the stories within the book intertwined.
No Names to Be Given follows three young girls, with drastically different upbringings, as they discover their unwanted pregnancies and are sent away to a maternity home in New Orleans.
Throughout the book, as the women are made to forget the children they gave birth to, we watch their lives unfold with twists and similarities and then watch as they all come together again at the end.
This book touched on so many topics, ones that were not easy to overcome in the 60’s. Things like unwanted and teenage pregnancies and those out of wedlock, interracial relationships, and the incredible racial tensions made this entire novel the delight it was to read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want to thank @juliadailyauthor and @shannon_rrbooktours for@giving me the opportunity to review this book!
No Names to Be Given follows three young girls, with drastically different upbringings, as they discover their unwanted pregnancies and are sent away to a maternity home in New Orleans.
Throughout the book, as the women are made to forget the children they gave birth to, we watch their lives unfold with twists and similarities and then watch as they all come together again at the end.
This book touched on so many topics, ones that were not easy to overcome in the 60’s. Things like unwanted and teenage pregnancies and those out of wedlock, interracial relationships, and the incredible racial tensions made this entire novel the delight it was to read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want to thank @juliadailyauthor and @shannon_rrbooktours for@giving me the opportunity to review this book!
September 2, 2021
Several parts of this story resonated with me deeply. From the struggles that the three women went through to how it affected the children that they never knew until much later in life. A group of women from New Orleans end up in a maternity home together. When their children are all born on the same day, even though they have different pasts they do become fast friends. As part of their pledge, they use August 22nd as a day to remember, say a prayer, and light a candle every year. There were an array of interesting things going on in the home, and the couple who ran it really cared about their guests. In the early days of this book, they kept impeccable records of their deliveries so that they could tell later whether the babies were boys or girls since they were put under during delivery. The idea that these situations were common not that long ago and that the people who made the decisions were often women, is explored in this novel. These women were not able to make the decisions for themselves, so those decisions were made for them. The novel establishes a house like that in the novel that helps pregnant women through that difficult time and gives those babies to families that otherwise wouldn't be able to have children. In the 1960s, it was hard to overcome so many topics addressed in this book. There are a lot of factors in the novel that made it a delight to read, such as teenage pregnancy, pregnancies out of wedlock and interracial relationships.
August 15, 2021
In the 1960's it was taboo to have a child out of wedlock and girls were often sent to homes for unwed mothers early in their pregnancy so that it could remain a secret. When they gave birth, the baby was taken away and given to a family for adoption. The girls weren't told if their baby was a girl or a boy and they never got to hold them. This sounds cruel by today's standards but girls who had babies out of wedlock were shunned by family and friends so it was always better for them and their families to keep it a secret.
This novel starts in 1964 and is about three very different girls who find themselves pregnant and unmarried. They are strangers who become friends and roommates at Magnolia Home Hospital in New Orleans while they are waiting for their babies to be delivered.
Sandra ran away from her home in Illinois due to her treatment by her step-father. She managed to get a job as an exotic dancer in New Orleans where she became the dancer that everyone wanted to see. She fell in love with a married man and he refused to help her. Her main goal after her baby was born was to return to New Orleans and get back her job at the club.
Becca lived in NC and attended UNC. She was more liberal than her parents and most of society at that time. When she became pregnant with a totally unacceptable person, her family sent her to New Orleans. Her goal after she had her baby was to find the father of the baby and start their relationship again.
Faith lived in Tennessee, the well-to-do daughter of an evangelical traveling preacher and was a singer at his events. She was a singer and songwriter who enjoyed her life... Until a friend of her family raped her and she became pregnant. She refused to tell her parents who the father of her baby was and they sent her to Magnolia hospital as soon as possible, Her goal was to get back to her career after her baby was born.
Three very different girls became roommates and friends and even delivered their babies on the same day. With chapters told by alternating girls, we follow their lives until 2000 as they keep the secret of their babies...until someone starts to blackmail them and threatens to expose their secrets.
This is a debut novel from Julia Daily who was adopted from a hospital in New Orleans. She managed to create three well written women and show how society put pressure on unmarried women. I grew up in the 60s and can tell you that this book accurately presented the views towards women at this time. This well written story was unforgettable and I look forward to future books from this author.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.
This novel starts in 1964 and is about three very different girls who find themselves pregnant and unmarried. They are strangers who become friends and roommates at Magnolia Home Hospital in New Orleans while they are waiting for their babies to be delivered.
Sandra ran away from her home in Illinois due to her treatment by her step-father. She managed to get a job as an exotic dancer in New Orleans where she became the dancer that everyone wanted to see. She fell in love with a married man and he refused to help her. Her main goal after her baby was born was to return to New Orleans and get back her job at the club.
Becca lived in NC and attended UNC. She was more liberal than her parents and most of society at that time. When she became pregnant with a totally unacceptable person, her family sent her to New Orleans. Her goal after she had her baby was to find the father of the baby and start their relationship again.
Faith lived in Tennessee, the well-to-do daughter of an evangelical traveling preacher and was a singer at his events. She was a singer and songwriter who enjoyed her life... Until a friend of her family raped her and she became pregnant. She refused to tell her parents who the father of her baby was and they sent her to Magnolia hospital as soon as possible, Her goal was to get back to her career after her baby was born.
Three very different girls became roommates and friends and even delivered their babies on the same day. With chapters told by alternating girls, we follow their lives until 2000 as they keep the secret of their babies...until someone starts to blackmail them and threatens to expose their secrets.
This is a debut novel from Julia Daily who was adopted from a hospital in New Orleans. She managed to create three well written women and show how society put pressure on unmarried women. I grew up in the 60s and can tell you that this book accurately presented the views towards women at this time. This well written story was unforgettable and I look forward to future books from this author.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.
August 23, 2021
This book had me interested before the first page. How is that possible, you may ask? The dedication had such a poignant message that alone was enough for me to jump into the book.
The book embraces the latest trend to give you a dramatic and engaging scene and then, in the next chapter, take you back in time to allow you to discover how the characters reached that scene and even carries you beyond.
I have dear friends who have gone through the adoption process from both sides and two who have experienced open adoptions with a continuing relationship with the birth family. This gave me a curiosity as to the adoption process at the time period when I was born.
The author captured each woman’s experience with delicacy. Even though they were all going through unplanned pregnancies, each had a different story and background that directly impacted the way they handle their situations.
I really enjoyed getting to know all three women and felt their angst as they went through this incredibly difficult plight. As the story carries on the reader gets a view of the next generation and the continuing ripple effect adoption has on all their lives.
While there is a bit of an idealistic view of the character's lives, it is an enjoyable read.
The book embraces the latest trend to give you a dramatic and engaging scene and then, in the next chapter, take you back in time to allow you to discover how the characters reached that scene and even carries you beyond.
I have dear friends who have gone through the adoption process from both sides and two who have experienced open adoptions with a continuing relationship with the birth family. This gave me a curiosity as to the adoption process at the time period when I was born.
The author captured each woman’s experience with delicacy. Even though they were all going through unplanned pregnancies, each had a different story and background that directly impacted the way they handle their situations.
I really enjoyed getting to know all three women and felt their angst as they went through this incredibly difficult plight. As the story carries on the reader gets a view of the next generation and the continuing ripple effect adoption has on all their lives.
While there is a bit of an idealistic view of the character's lives, it is an enjoyable read.
August 1, 2021
No Names to Be Given is the story of three women from three very different walks of life: Sandy, Becca, and Faith. In three different circumstances, each of the women becomes unexpectedly pregnant and goes to Magnolia Home Hospital to have her baby in secret and place it for adoption in 1966.
Sandy is a runaway, currently working as a stripper, when she meets her child’s father, a mob boss by the name of Carlos. However, Carlos goes to prison and it’s revealed that he has a wife and two children already.
Becca has fallen in love with a black man, Zeke, but when their love affair is revealed, they lose contact. Becca finds herself pregnant in the aftermath.
Faith is sexually assaulted by someone who works for her father, but has to hide her pregnancy as her father is a famous Christian minister.
This book chronicles each of the women’s lives, from teenagers to middle age adults, where some will meet with the children they placed for adoption as eighteen-year-old women. We even eventually meet some of the children.
I really like the premise of this book but I don’t enjoy the execution as much as I had hoped. I really wish there had been more detail about the girls’ lives while in the home, and more around the time they meet their children. I felt that the emotion was lacking a bit, especially considering the depth of the feelings each of the women had to be having. I liked the knowledge Daily included at the end; I had no idea homes for mother’s even still existed in the United States!
Though I wished for more from this book, I am still glad I read it and I look forward to reading more of Daily’s work.
Sandy is a runaway, currently working as a stripper, when she meets her child’s father, a mob boss by the name of Carlos. However, Carlos goes to prison and it’s revealed that he has a wife and two children already.
Becca has fallen in love with a black man, Zeke, but when their love affair is revealed, they lose contact. Becca finds herself pregnant in the aftermath.
Faith is sexually assaulted by someone who works for her father, but has to hide her pregnancy as her father is a famous Christian minister.
This book chronicles each of the women’s lives, from teenagers to middle age adults, where some will meet with the children they placed for adoption as eighteen-year-old women. We even eventually meet some of the children.
I really like the premise of this book but I don’t enjoy the execution as much as I had hoped. I really wish there had been more detail about the girls’ lives while in the home, and more around the time they meet their children. I felt that the emotion was lacking a bit, especially considering the depth of the feelings each of the women had to be having. I liked the knowledge Daily included at the end; I had no idea homes for mother’s even still existed in the United States!
Though I wished for more from this book, I am still glad I read it and I look forward to reading more of Daily’s work.
August 21, 2021
I literally just finished this novel and I absolutely loved it! The way times have changed floors me every time I read about a subject such as this. Unwed mother’s in the 60’s were so shamed and frowned upon, which left them without choices. Hence why these homes were formed where they could slip off for 9 months, have the babies and return to their homes. All while giving their babies up for adoption.
How truly sad that anyone would ever be put in that position though. A position without support and being forced into giving your child, that grew inside of you for 9 months, up to people you didn’t even know.
I enjoyed this read, it had sad points but, in the end it was a beautiful story. I enjoyed the setting, New Orleans and the south. I also liked the way the 3 women formed a bond together and were able to be there for each other. The story read well and was easy to follow. It’s definitely a good weekend read.
Thank you to Julia and Kate Rock for having me on the tour. I highly recommend this read!
How truly sad that anyone would ever be put in that position though. A position without support and being forced into giving your child, that grew inside of you for 9 months, up to people you didn’t even know.
I enjoyed this read, it had sad points but, in the end it was a beautiful story. I enjoyed the setting, New Orleans and the south. I also liked the way the 3 women formed a bond together and were able to be there for each other. The story read well and was easy to follow. It’s definitely a good weekend read.
Thank you to Julia and Kate Rock for having me on the tour. I highly recommend this read!
September 4, 2021
When I first saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I had my daughter very young and had I been born in a different decade, I could have had a similar experience to the characters in this novel.
No Names to Be Given was a heartbreaking read. Knowing that this happened to so many women, and that as young unwed women they had no choice what happened to them - they never even got to see or hold their babies... I can't even begin to imagine. The author herself, was adopted from a maternity home in New Orleans and has since been able to find her birth parents.
While I enjoyed this book and found it to be a fast and easy read, I would have preferred more depth to the characters and their relationships.
Thank you Kate rock book tours for including me on this tour and for my gifted copy.
No Names to Be Given was a heartbreaking read. Knowing that this happened to so many women, and that as young unwed women they had no choice what happened to them - they never even got to see or hold their babies... I can't even begin to imagine. The author herself, was adopted from a maternity home in New Orleans and has since been able to find her birth parents.
While I enjoyed this book and found it to be a fast and easy read, I would have preferred more depth to the characters and their relationships.
Thank you Kate rock book tours for including me on this tour and for my gifted copy.
August 18, 2021
No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily is a fascinating story filled with every human emotion, especially fear, desire, distress, and confusion. Daily pulls you in from the first chapter as we meet the three young girls on the day that they each give birth to unplanned babies. For 1965, you couldn’t meet a threesome as different as Sandy, Becca, and Faith. I really admire the lengths that the author goes to, gently pulling each girl’s story like taffy, making us feel like we know each girl intimately and the people that either influence or directly control the path that they have taken. Rich or poor, sweet or abrasive, you cannot help but empathize with the three and you are anxious to see how not only their lives turn out, but those of their children as well.
In school, we learned about the social issues that took place during the 1960s. Daily has clearly done her research to portray a time period where women don’t have control over what happens to their own bodies and African Americans are still discriminated against. Sadly, 60 years later, we are still at war with these social injustices. I don’t know if that sad fact is part of the reason that Daily wrote this novel, but the message of caution, the call to action, and the hope for change are very timely and needed in our country today.
As someone who has grown up in the South, in a traditional Filipino family, and raised as a strict Baptist, I could relate to the shame of not fulfilling certain expectations and the pressure to live a certain life. As I take my own destiny in my hands, it has been truly inspiring to hear how these three girls rose above their circumstances and forged lives that no one else could have predicted they would be capable of creating. You might scoff and say that this is a work of fiction, so how can I be inspired? This book is loosely based on true stories that Daily found during her research. And in my experience, even the most fantastical tale can be found in the real world if you dig deep enough.
I think that many readers will enjoy this well-crafted story, but I think it will especially speak to those who are adopted, who plan to adopt, or are debating whether to put a child up for adoption. And if you don’t fall in any of those categories, I think you will find value in the story of perseverance, friendship, and self-love.
In school, we learned about the social issues that took place during the 1960s. Daily has clearly done her research to portray a time period where women don’t have control over what happens to their own bodies and African Americans are still discriminated against. Sadly, 60 years later, we are still at war with these social injustices. I don’t know if that sad fact is part of the reason that Daily wrote this novel, but the message of caution, the call to action, and the hope for change are very timely and needed in our country today.
As someone who has grown up in the South, in a traditional Filipino family, and raised as a strict Baptist, I could relate to the shame of not fulfilling certain expectations and the pressure to live a certain life. As I take my own destiny in my hands, it has been truly inspiring to hear how these three girls rose above their circumstances and forged lives that no one else could have predicted they would be capable of creating. You might scoff and say that this is a work of fiction, so how can I be inspired? This book is loosely based on true stories that Daily found during her research. And in my experience, even the most fantastical tale can be found in the real world if you dig deep enough.
I think that many readers will enjoy this well-crafted story, but I think it will especially speak to those who are adopted, who plan to adopt, or are debating whether to put a child up for adoption. And if you don’t fall in any of those categories, I think you will find value in the story of perseverance, friendship, and self-love.
September 16, 2021
No Names to Be Given is such a unique book telling the stories of three pregnant and unwed young women who were forced by 60s society to place their babies up for adoption. Though different life experiences, circumstances, and upbringings, their three troubled lives collide at the Magnolia Maternity Home in New Orleans, where they develop friendships, reveal personal stories, and share the pain of never meeting their child. Sandy, Faith, and Becca are intriguing characters who are easy to empathize and sympathize with.
Sandy has a rough life with a tough exterior and a hidden soft heart. She confuses lust for love and finds herself in an unexpected pregnancy and a man unwilling to go the distance.
Becca experiences a pure yet forbidden love and once her parents find out she is pregnant and that her lover is black, they are outraged and send her away to hide their shame.
And then there’s Faith. Young Faith is a sweet and innocent preacher’s daughter, singing praise songs in hopes of sharing her joy of the Lord with the world, when a wolf in sheep’s clothing forces his way with her.
This is the first book I’ve read (listened to) written by Julia Brewer Daily. She’s a wonderful storyteller, engaging readers with the lives of these interesting and memorable characters. These stories are revealed through three unique perspectives and cover over twenty years of their lives.
Reagan Boggs, the audiobook narrator, does a fine job with the varying personalities, accents, and inflections, even with the male characters. Her voice is pleasant and engaging.
I am moved and wounded by these young women’s heartbreaking stories and how the cruel, prejudiced, and judgmental societal pressures of the 60s changed their lives forever. Racism, rape, forced adoption, politics, and blackmail are themes in this book. Though each are dealt with in a sensitive and sympathetic way, these are potential triggers to some readers.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
Sandy has a rough life with a tough exterior and a hidden soft heart. She confuses lust for love and finds herself in an unexpected pregnancy and a man unwilling to go the distance.
Becca experiences a pure yet forbidden love and once her parents find out she is pregnant and that her lover is black, they are outraged and send her away to hide their shame.
And then there’s Faith. Young Faith is a sweet and innocent preacher’s daughter, singing praise songs in hopes of sharing her joy of the Lord with the world, when a wolf in sheep’s clothing forces his way with her.
This is the first book I’ve read (listened to) written by Julia Brewer Daily. She’s a wonderful storyteller, engaging readers with the lives of these interesting and memorable characters. These stories are revealed through three unique perspectives and cover over twenty years of their lives.
Reagan Boggs, the audiobook narrator, does a fine job with the varying personalities, accents, and inflections, even with the male characters. Her voice is pleasant and engaging.
I am moved and wounded by these young women’s heartbreaking stories and how the cruel, prejudiced, and judgmental societal pressures of the 60s changed their lives forever. Racism, rape, forced adoption, politics, and blackmail are themes in this book. Though each are dealt with in a sensitive and sympathetic way, these are potential triggers to some readers.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
June 5, 2021
I was given an advance copy of this author's debut novel and I was blown away by how much I cared about the characters and was still thinking about them and their choices long after I finished (in one day).
Three very different young ladies in the 60's South come to be pregnant through different circumstances. As was very common at the time, they end up at a maternity home where they will give birth to their children and be forced to walk away. The records of these homes were sealed but many years later the ladies begin receiving blackmail notes regarding their abandoned children.
With decades of story to tell for three main characters, some of the climactic moments felt a little rushed, and I would have loved more exposition - especially surrounding Sandy's story. No spoiler, but I really wanted Sandy to have more closure with certain aspects of her past. I am sure the current climate of political correctness will lead to doubts about some of the decisions the characters made, but readers have to remember that the story takes place from the 60's to the 90's. I loved that the author was adopted herself from a home in New Orleans. She obviously has a deep understanding of what these characters would have been feeling and going through. I found it to be a fascinating subject, and since there is adoption in my family, it really made me think about some sides of the topic that I had never considered. For a first book, the author really created 3 different characters that actually stay with you. Please, write a sequel or standalone Sandy book!
Three very different young ladies in the 60's South come to be pregnant through different circumstances. As was very common at the time, they end up at a maternity home where they will give birth to their children and be forced to walk away. The records of these homes were sealed but many years later the ladies begin receiving blackmail notes regarding their abandoned children.
With decades of story to tell for three main characters, some of the climactic moments felt a little rushed, and I would have loved more exposition - especially surrounding Sandy's story. No spoiler, but I really wanted Sandy to have more closure with certain aspects of her past. I am sure the current climate of political correctness will lead to doubts about some of the decisions the characters made, but readers have to remember that the story takes place from the 60's to the 90's. I loved that the author was adopted herself from a home in New Orleans. She obviously has a deep understanding of what these characters would have been feeling and going through. I found it to be a fascinating subject, and since there is adoption in my family, it really made me think about some sides of the topic that I had never considered. For a first book, the author really created 3 different characters that actually stay with you. Please, write a sequel or standalone Sandy book!
June 15, 2021
I just finished reading an advanced copy of this book and loved it! It left me wanting more! I hope there is a sequel….would love to know what happens to the children and how their futures pan out. As a mother of four adopted children, I was deeply touched by the characters and their stories- all interwoven yet unique. Adoption always begins with tragedy. This book captures the loss as well as the hope of these children without names. Highly recommend!
August 26, 2021
"Goodbye. Why did that word begin with good? Did anything good ever come from leaving someone?"
No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily is an unequivocal jewel of literary fiction that tells the heartbreaking story of three young girls in the mid-1960s who were forced to make a maternal decision that will ultimately affect their relationships, careers, and lives for decades, for better or for worse.
In 1965, Sandy, Faith, and Becca, all from different backgrounds and regions of the United States, arrived at the Magnolia Home for unwed mothers in New Orleans to await the birth of their babies conceived out of wedlock. In this by-gone era, the scandal of premarital sex, forced or otherwise; illegitimate pregnancies; or an interracial relationship were considered scandalous and cause for the potential ruin of all involved. All three girls gave birth on the same day, and all three left the home without their babies, consenting to give them up for adoption without ever seeing them or holding them even once. Their secret shame is securely hidden, and the ties to their unknown children are completely severed, or so they thought.
Julia Brewer Daily’s debut novel, No Names to Be Given, ranks right up there with novels from seasoned authors because it is extremely polished and unique and delivers a robust literary punch. The plot and these extraordinary characters will definitely linger in your thoughts for some time. The pacing is not too fast or too slow, building at the right speed and introducing twists and surprises at the right moments to keep the reader engaged, interested, and hanging on every word. Sandy, Faith, and Becca are roommates at Magnolia Home during their confinement and form a bond that remains unbroken, strengthening as the years go by. Decades later, in the 1990s, they all receive mysterious letters from someone who knows their long-past secret. These women, who are all now successful and well-known in the public eye, wonder why someone would have access to their information and want to use it against them. The truth will astound and horrify you!
"The Big Easy was a city with many secrets."
In today’s context, it can be difficult to remember that unwed mothers and interracial relationships were still considered taboo, shameful, and improper in the 1960s. Young girls had to abide by their parents’ decisions or made their own hard decisions so they could survive in a cruel and fractured world. The overall topic throughout may be a difficult one, but the language is not harsh, and the sexual encounters in the beginning are not explicit. Portraying the girls’ fear and betrayal after these intimate encounters without any gratuitous details or strong language takes immense talent. Hats off to Julia Brewer Daily for drawing in the reader and keeping said reader fully enraptured to the very end of No Names to Be Given. Whether you can sympathize or empathize with the plight of these three girls, you will find yourself wanting to comfort them, cheer for them, and even know them for the strong women they become, even as they continue to cling to their heartbreak, sense of shame, and loss.
A quirky quotable nugget of a line crops up toward the end that is more at home in a cozy mystery than a literary fiction, but it is worth sharing for its unexpected moment of levity in an otherwise serious tale. Upon reflection, however, this sentiment actually does fit quite well with the overall motif of the story: "On the menu today are marinated lies, served with a side of dread."
The Epilogue is a perfect amalgam of closure and affirmative change that will bring forth a tear or two and offer a bit of hope that positive things can arise from remaining strong and true, always moving forward, and allowing the good and precious to overshadow the sorrow.
"Our own choices and those forced on us defined each of our paths."
No Names to Be Given is an excellent choice for readers who love literary fiction with hefty amounts of mystery and suspense, made even more dynamic with the overall theme of women emerging triumphant from adversity and stigma. This book is also a must read in today’s volatile landscape of prejudice against others who are different, who have fallen from grace, or who conceal a past deemed shameful by an intolerant society. In addition, the overarching theme of adoption and its perceived abandonment and the often inevitable reckoning is strongly presented as well, providing the other side of the adoption narrative. No Names to Be Given will hit you straight in the heart, even as you eagerly wait for the next fantastic novel from this amazing author.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily is an unequivocal jewel of literary fiction that tells the heartbreaking story of three young girls in the mid-1960s who were forced to make a maternal decision that will ultimately affect their relationships, careers, and lives for decades, for better or for worse.
In 1965, Sandy, Faith, and Becca, all from different backgrounds and regions of the United States, arrived at the Magnolia Home for unwed mothers in New Orleans to await the birth of their babies conceived out of wedlock. In this by-gone era, the scandal of premarital sex, forced or otherwise; illegitimate pregnancies; or an interracial relationship were considered scandalous and cause for the potential ruin of all involved. All three girls gave birth on the same day, and all three left the home without their babies, consenting to give them up for adoption without ever seeing them or holding them even once. Their secret shame is securely hidden, and the ties to their unknown children are completely severed, or so they thought.
Julia Brewer Daily’s debut novel, No Names to Be Given, ranks right up there with novels from seasoned authors because it is extremely polished and unique and delivers a robust literary punch. The plot and these extraordinary characters will definitely linger in your thoughts for some time. The pacing is not too fast or too slow, building at the right speed and introducing twists and surprises at the right moments to keep the reader engaged, interested, and hanging on every word. Sandy, Faith, and Becca are roommates at Magnolia Home during their confinement and form a bond that remains unbroken, strengthening as the years go by. Decades later, in the 1990s, they all receive mysterious letters from someone who knows their long-past secret. These women, who are all now successful and well-known in the public eye, wonder why someone would have access to their information and want to use it against them. The truth will astound and horrify you!
"The Big Easy was a city with many secrets."
In today’s context, it can be difficult to remember that unwed mothers and interracial relationships were still considered taboo, shameful, and improper in the 1960s. Young girls had to abide by their parents’ decisions or made their own hard decisions so they could survive in a cruel and fractured world. The overall topic throughout may be a difficult one, but the language is not harsh, and the sexual encounters in the beginning are not explicit. Portraying the girls’ fear and betrayal after these intimate encounters without any gratuitous details or strong language takes immense talent. Hats off to Julia Brewer Daily for drawing in the reader and keeping said reader fully enraptured to the very end of No Names to Be Given. Whether you can sympathize or empathize with the plight of these three girls, you will find yourself wanting to comfort them, cheer for them, and even know them for the strong women they become, even as they continue to cling to their heartbreak, sense of shame, and loss.
A quirky quotable nugget of a line crops up toward the end that is more at home in a cozy mystery than a literary fiction, but it is worth sharing for its unexpected moment of levity in an otherwise serious tale. Upon reflection, however, this sentiment actually does fit quite well with the overall motif of the story: "On the menu today are marinated lies, served with a side of dread."
The Epilogue is a perfect amalgam of closure and affirmative change that will bring forth a tear or two and offer a bit of hope that positive things can arise from remaining strong and true, always moving forward, and allowing the good and precious to overshadow the sorrow.
"Our own choices and those forced on us defined each of our paths."
No Names to Be Given is an excellent choice for readers who love literary fiction with hefty amounts of mystery and suspense, made even more dynamic with the overall theme of women emerging triumphant from adversity and stigma. This book is also a must read in today’s volatile landscape of prejudice against others who are different, who have fallen from grace, or who conceal a past deemed shameful by an intolerant society. In addition, the overarching theme of adoption and its perceived abandonment and the often inevitable reckoning is strongly presented as well, providing the other side of the adoption narrative. No Names to Be Given will hit you straight in the heart, even as you eagerly wait for the next fantastic novel from this amazing author.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2021
No Names to Be Given is a beautiful, haunting novel about three very different women who find themselves in the same maternity home in New Orleans in the mid-1960s. Sandy, Faith, and Becca couldn't be more different - one is escaping an abusive home, one suffers a horrible attack, and one falls in love with someone that society says she shouldn't, but all find themselves alone and pregnant at a time when women were pressured to make horrible sacrifices in order to maintain the expectations of American culture in a time that is both bordering on free, and still holding onto the even deeper social structures of earlier times.
Julia Brewer Daily chose to write this book so that the point of view alternates between these women a chapter at a time, and in doing so, she first lets readers learn who they are and where they come from. In another author's hands the story might have ended when they met, but Daily's tale is far from over at that point. Rather, we get to see the devastation each experiences, and then we get to jump into the future and meet the older versions of the the women's babies, and see how they grew up, and how (or if) they reconnect with their birth mothers.
Daily does a great job of setting the time period. Her scenes in the 60s are full of the social issues of the day, including racism and the civil rights movement, and as she moves into later times, she enhances her storytelling by mentioning then-newly-developed DNA testing as a means of connecting mothers and the children they were forced to part with.
Issues of adoption and single motherhood run through the entire novel, of course. As the daughter of a single mother, who nearly faced the same ultimatum, but ultimately chose to keep me, it's a story that really resonated with me. It was obviously a very personal story for the author, as well, for she was adopted from a maternity home.
It's this personal connection that makes this story sing. Each of the women is compelling and interesting. It's easy to like them, to be concerned when they make poor choices, and to root for them when they find success in any aspect of life. While the stigma of unwed motherhood has lessened somewhat today, echoes of it do remain, and this book made it clear how it felt to be in that position.
Well-written and well-paced, I feel this novel is more than entertaining. It's a gripping story that is as much social commentary as compelling fiction. It is intensely female, but deals with universal subjects. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the culture of America in the 1960's, as a counterpoint to all the stories about free love and wild adventures (not to invalidate those stories), and make it required reading for anyone in a women's studies program.
Goes well with: a shrimp po'boy and sweet tea.
Julia Brewer Daily chose to write this book so that the point of view alternates between these women a chapter at a time, and in doing so, she first lets readers learn who they are and where they come from. In another author's hands the story might have ended when they met, but Daily's tale is far from over at that point. Rather, we get to see the devastation each experiences, and then we get to jump into the future and meet the older versions of the the women's babies, and see how they grew up, and how (or if) they reconnect with their birth mothers.
Daily does a great job of setting the time period. Her scenes in the 60s are full of the social issues of the day, including racism and the civil rights movement, and as she moves into later times, she enhances her storytelling by mentioning then-newly-developed DNA testing as a means of connecting mothers and the children they were forced to part with.
Issues of adoption and single motherhood run through the entire novel, of course. As the daughter of a single mother, who nearly faced the same ultimatum, but ultimately chose to keep me, it's a story that really resonated with me. It was obviously a very personal story for the author, as well, for she was adopted from a maternity home.
It's this personal connection that makes this story sing. Each of the women is compelling and interesting. It's easy to like them, to be concerned when they make poor choices, and to root for them when they find success in any aspect of life. While the stigma of unwed motherhood has lessened somewhat today, echoes of it do remain, and this book made it clear how it felt to be in that position.
Well-written and well-paced, I feel this novel is more than entertaining. It's a gripping story that is as much social commentary as compelling fiction. It is intensely female, but deals with universal subjects. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the culture of America in the 1960's, as a counterpoint to all the stories about free love and wild adventures (not to invalidate those stories), and make it required reading for anyone in a women's studies program.
Goes well with: a shrimp po'boy and sweet tea.
August 22, 2021
Oh boy – this book grabbed me right from the beginning and wouldn’t let go! From the very start, I was so deeply and emotionally involved in the lives of these three women. Each of them were from vastly different walks of life, yet they all had a story and they shared the same heart-wrenching situation. I am so sad and angry over the limited choices women back then had, along with the intense shame and secrecy that unwed mothers faced – even from their own families. It was no different for sexual assault victims, who suffered in silence and had their lives ruined while their assailants moved on unscathed. Some of this still exists today, but not to the same degree. When unthinkable decisions had to be made, the unyielding social norms and pressures of the 1960s took priority over everything else – including people. Family structures were rigid with roles and expectations firmly in place. The effects of trauma were overlooked as blame, shame and a focus on appearances took center stage. No Names to Be Given provides a detailed, insightful and authentic look at life for women in the 1960s, and it shook me to the core.
The plot line is fast paced, yet clear, smooth and well developed. I loved how this book spanned across fifty years, allowing the reader to follow the life of each character across time. Daily did a magnificent job detailing the evolvement of each woman, and the painful aftermath that remained decades after they were forced to relinquish their children. Also presented later on were the lives of their long-lost children, and how each of them fared after being adopted. Some outcomes were positive, but sadly, others were not. This novel is multi-themed – addressing issues of racism, politics, sexual assault, love, loss, grief, family, adoption, and forbidden relationships. Adoption is so complex and emotional for all parties involved, and Daily handles these issues poignantly, honestly and realistically. No Names to Be Given is extremely well-written, engaging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this book and loved Daily’s captivating writing style. I look forward to reading more from this talented author!
I received an ARC of this novel from HF Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
“Today’s young women will not understand how our families made us feel shame so intensely: we surrendered out first-born children to strangers.” Faith Reynolds, No Names to Be Given (Julia Brewer Daily)
The plot line is fast paced, yet clear, smooth and well developed. I loved how this book spanned across fifty years, allowing the reader to follow the life of each character across time. Daily did a magnificent job detailing the evolvement of each woman, and the painful aftermath that remained decades after they were forced to relinquish their children. Also presented later on were the lives of their long-lost children, and how each of them fared after being adopted. Some outcomes were positive, but sadly, others were not. This novel is multi-themed – addressing issues of racism, politics, sexual assault, love, loss, grief, family, adoption, and forbidden relationships. Adoption is so complex and emotional for all parties involved, and Daily handles these issues poignantly, honestly and realistically. No Names to Be Given is extremely well-written, engaging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this book and loved Daily’s captivating writing style. I look forward to reading more from this talented author!
I received an ARC of this novel from HF Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
“Today’s young women will not understand how our families made us feel shame so intensely: we surrendered out first-born children to strangers.” Faith Reynolds, No Names to Be Given (Julia Brewer Daily)
June 26, 2021
“A glimpse into the lives of three women forced by society to gift their newborns to strangers.” This line from the synopsis of No Names to Be Given drew me to read about the unique perspective of ‘gifting’ a newborn. How could such a tragic choice be an everyday kindness from one woman to another? What happens when a woman entrusts the gift of life with another person? How were these three women brought together? The trauma of being left alone in a home for unwed mothers is the shared experience that connects these women for life.
The story of three young women who came of age in the same decade as this reviewer reveals the inhumanity, shame, and pain suffered by unmarried pregnant women. Many women of this generation witnessed the denial or outright lies that explained the absence of a friend, a cousin, or a sorority sister. Julia Brewer Daily reveals the anguish women experienced when they chose (or were expected to choose) to give birth away from family, friends, and support. Women were forced to give the child up for adoption and then return to their lives. It’s not easy, as the reader learns.
Sandy is self-reliant, yet teetering on the edge of the “world’s oldest profession” after she leaves home to escape emotional and physical abuse. Becca was raised in a family of privilege and wealth. She resists her family’s expectations and their prejudices towards their employees and plans to use her university education to have a challenging career. Faith was raised by her father, an evangelical minister who spoke to thousands of people, and a controlling mother. Faith’s greatest dream is to sing on the stage with her father during his events. Her parents shelter her in many ways, especially from the facts of life on sexual matters.
The author develops each character’s response to the pain of hiding the fact that she gave birth to a child. What happens when lifelong secrets are discovered and shared?
Women with unplanned pregnancies have more control and choices today. Woven into the story are the changes brought by science to help adoptees find their families. When Sandy, Faith, and Becca learn what happened to their babies, the reader learns the innocent have had their own challenges.
The author’s background as an adopted child, her research and sensitivity, make this a compelling read. The story is well told and timely, but the book needed more professional editing for the chapters presenting the "gifted" children's points of view.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Eileen Harrison Sanchez for this review.
The story of three young women who came of age in the same decade as this reviewer reveals the inhumanity, shame, and pain suffered by unmarried pregnant women. Many women of this generation witnessed the denial or outright lies that explained the absence of a friend, a cousin, or a sorority sister. Julia Brewer Daily reveals the anguish women experienced when they chose (or were expected to choose) to give birth away from family, friends, and support. Women were forced to give the child up for adoption and then return to their lives. It’s not easy, as the reader learns.
Sandy is self-reliant, yet teetering on the edge of the “world’s oldest profession” after she leaves home to escape emotional and physical abuse. Becca was raised in a family of privilege and wealth. She resists her family’s expectations and their prejudices towards their employees and plans to use her university education to have a challenging career. Faith was raised by her father, an evangelical minister who spoke to thousands of people, and a controlling mother. Faith’s greatest dream is to sing on the stage with her father during his events. Her parents shelter her in many ways, especially from the facts of life on sexual matters.
The author develops each character’s response to the pain of hiding the fact that she gave birth to a child. What happens when lifelong secrets are discovered and shared?
Women with unplanned pregnancies have more control and choices today. Woven into the story are the changes brought by science to help adoptees find their families. When Sandy, Faith, and Becca learn what happened to their babies, the reader learns the innocent have had their own challenges.
The author’s background as an adopted child, her research and sensitivity, make this a compelling read. The story is well told and timely, but the book needed more professional editing for the chapters presenting the "gifted" children's points of view.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Eileen Harrison Sanchez for this review.
August 11, 2021
"But good things can come from pieces of a broken heart patched back together."
Quick Synopsis: This story follows the lives of three women - Sandy, Faith, Becca - who meet at the maternity home hospital in New Orleans in 1965. After giving up their babies for adoption, they promised to remain friends before going their separate ways. Now many years later, they become successful and no one knows their secret until a letter arrives threatening to expose their past.
My thoughts: This was a heartwarming story about friendships and hardships, forgiveness and sacrifices, joy and grief. I absolutely loved these three ladies. They each come from different backgrounds yet they formed such a strong bond under the unfavourable circumstances they were in.
This story is told from three different POVs from 1960s to 2000 and the story moves really fast. I enjoyed following their journey in the different eras, and I think the most intense era was in the 1960s when Jim Crow laws still existed.
I liked the overall plot and the characters are endearing. There were however some scenes I felt ended abruptly and I wish for a deeper connection with the characters.
Overall, I am glad I read this book and I appreciate the author for sharing her adoption story and pictures at the end of the book.
***Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours and author Julia Brewer Daily for this gifted reading copy and for having me in this tour! All opinions expressed are my own.***
Quick Synopsis: This story follows the lives of three women - Sandy, Faith, Becca - who meet at the maternity home hospital in New Orleans in 1965. After giving up their babies for adoption, they promised to remain friends before going their separate ways. Now many years later, they become successful and no one knows their secret until a letter arrives threatening to expose their past.
My thoughts: This was a heartwarming story about friendships and hardships, forgiveness and sacrifices, joy and grief. I absolutely loved these three ladies. They each come from different backgrounds yet they formed such a strong bond under the unfavourable circumstances they were in.
This story is told from three different POVs from 1960s to 2000 and the story moves really fast. I enjoyed following their journey in the different eras, and I think the most intense era was in the 1960s when Jim Crow laws still existed.
I liked the overall plot and the characters are endearing. There were however some scenes I felt ended abruptly and I wish for a deeper connection with the characters.
Overall, I am glad I read this book and I appreciate the author for sharing her adoption story and pictures at the end of the book.
***Thank you Kate Rock Book Tours and author Julia Brewer Daily for this gifted reading copy and for having me in this tour! All opinions expressed are my own.***
December 18, 2021
No Names to Be Given is written concerning a subject I feel is important and definitely touched on very little. To this day there are still struggles and, although nowhere near what there used to be, stigma surrounding “unwed” women or women considered to be “to young” to get pregnant. To keep a child or not to keep a child is a deeply personal decision and every choice should be tailored specifically to the individual who is doing the deciding. This book follows three young women who made the only choice they felt was available to them. “Will you ever forgive us ? Will we ever forgive ourselves ?” I feel sets the tone for this story and is one of the main things these women asks themselves, almost daily. No Names to Be Given was deeply personal to the author and it showed in her writing and the care she showed the girls despite the adversities they were struggling with. I enjoyed the story and came to care about Becca, Sandy, and Faith. I absolutely loved when Faith’s mother finally came to her aid in the end after kind of snubbing the situation to that point. This was not an edge of your seat thrill ride to the end but it was a story that plucked at your heart, taught you, and made you feel. I think, especially being the authors debut work, that she is well on her way to greatness.
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