Challenge Corner discussion

From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

End of Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[These first to POV chapters giving us our introduction to our FL is quite interesting. Ruby being overlooked by her Mother and blamed for her attack is mildly familiar. Eleanor being denied by her looks is sadly very real. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[I'm glad Ruby's assault wasn't just shrugged off. The reality is that something like this sticks with you, especially when someone who is supposed to love and support you treats you like the villain. I'm glad she has a supportive aunt who is in the LGBT community!!

The attraction between her and Shimmy is cute, but the time it takes place means this isn't going to go well.

Eleanor with the sorority girls is just another example of mean girl culture, especially since the head of the sorority believes she has dibs on the guy who apparently likes Eleanor. The start of this feels like those Chinese dramas where one girl makes the other look bad to get the boy. I doubt it will follow that path, but boy can girls get catty when they think they deserve something.

The dance, where William was totally flirting with her, was very sweet, and I could 100% picture the sly glint and smile he threw at her with his teasing. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 11

(view spoiler)[I appreciate the symmetry of the chapters between the two girls, the fact that one right after the other they go on dates with various levels of success, then that they both hit snags in those relationships, followed by having to make hard decisions. Additionally, the differences in the reasons their relationships are going to struggle is interesting to compare, one being multiracial, the other being different classes.

I know from the book summary that these two women are destined to meet in the future, it will be interesting to see what happens when they do. (hide spoiler)]

Started this one

Chapters 1-11 (view spoiler)[ So far I’m really enjoying this one. It’s interesting to see their struggles and everything they are going through. The mom’s boyfriend was awful for groping her when she needed bus money. And she ended up being late anyways. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 12-20 (view spoiler)[So sad that she lost the baby. And then the other girl is dealing with loving someone whose mother hates her because of her skin. I can only imagine how she must be feeling going through all that along with finding out she is pregnant. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21-30 (view spoiler)[I feel bad for Ruby because she is stuck in this place and has to give up her child. I can’t even imagine what she is going through at such a young age. And then Elenor lost her baby, which is so sad. Her and William are drifting apart, but I hope they pull through and she doesn’t end up cheating with Bernie. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[Wow! So good! It is crazy that they were forced like that to give up their babies for adoption. I’m surprised that the mother in law actually came around. Also hated that Elenor was putting the blame on herself for not being able to have a baby. And how Ruby decided it would be best for her baby to give her a better life. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12-24 (view spoiler)[ As a woman who's had a miscarriage, that was just heartbreaking. Also, my mother happened to be forced into an unwed mothers home and all that entailed at 16 with my older sibling. While I'm very much the colour of mayonnaise, I'm finding a lot I can relate to in this story. Just, everything is worse due to the addition of racism. (hide spoiler)]

Stomach bug took me out for a few days so almost done.

Chapter 24-35
(view spoiler)[The lies that were told in the houses, both to the people sending the girls there, the girls themselves, and the adoptive parents. It really was such a scam! I'm glad the two girls made it out and hope they don't come back with a horrid fate. That Evelyn and Ruby are connected by this baby, it will be interesting to see what the ultimate result will be for it. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED FINALLY!

(view spoiler)[I was so sad that Ruby had to just forget, that's pretty much what my Mom went through, I only know about her situation because another relative doesn't have a poker face, and she doesn't know I know. Those houses were horrific and I'm glad people are talking about them now. The epilogue was nice, that the Bio and Adoptive mothers meet, and there's an inkling of connection, and seeing that Ruby did in fact make it. I also appreciated the author's note, showing the connection to her family and the amount of research she put into this. Really really great book. (hide spoiler)]