This was such a beautiful story! I loved the writing and the way the characters wove together. When I Last Saw You will pull you back in time and take you on a journey of family secrets and reunions. It was a wonderful trip!
The story is told through two timelines. We have the 1968 story where Margaret’s husband has passed away, and she is cleaning out his office. She finds some old information about an investigator that her husband hired. She finds out that her husband had hired the investigator to track down all of her siblings that she hasn’t seen since she was a child. The second timeline is in the early 1900s telling the story of her family. We learn about her mother and father’s relationship, and her family dynamic between the siblings and parents.
I really enjoyed the story from both timelines! I loved watch Margaret come out of her shell and take charge of her life a bit. It was a joy to see her learn about her family, and make changes for the better. The historic story was so interesting, and of course, the mystery that is told through that plot was fascinating!
I highly recommend this story for readers that enjoy historical fiction and family dynamics! It’s beautifully written, and completely draws you into the story!
Where to Find This Book:
Georgia, 1968 – Margaret Rose McCutcheon has just buried her husband and must now name a beneficiary for their estate in case of her demise. She is hard-pressed to do so because there is no one. No children. No family. At least none to speak of. At one time, she had two sisters and six brothers, but the lot of them were scattered to the four winds, with no one knowing where the others went. In the hope of finding at least one of her siblings, Margaret hires a detective and sets off on a journey to uncover the truth of why the family broke apart as it did.
West Virginia, 1901 – When Eliza Hobbs gives birth to her sixth child, her husband is not there to welcome his daughter into the world. No surprise, because Martin is seldom there. He works in Charleston and returns to Coal Creek only when he has a mind to. Yes, he sends money on occasion, but seldom enough to make ends meet. Although Eliza believes each new child a blessing, he sees them as yet another responsibility on his already overloaded shoulders. When he discovers another child is on the way, he demands she get rid of it. he stops returning home and there is no more money.
Left with the children, a mountainside patch of land, and a house in sorry need of repair, Eliza seeks help and turns to someone powerful enough to hold sway over Martin and force him into providing for his family. Pushed to the brink, Martin does something unforgivable and the family is forever torn apart.
Now, after all these years, will Margaret be the one to find the pieces of her broken family?
Just the Facts:
When I Last Saw You by Bette Lee Crosby
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 329 pages
Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing
Pub Date: May 4, 2021
Bette Lee Crosby is the USA Today bestselling author of twenty-four novels, including The Twelfth Child and the Wyattsville series. She has been the recipient of the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal, Reviewer’s Choice Award, FPA President’s Book Award and International Book Award, among many others. Her 2016 novel, Baby Girl, was named Best Chick Lit of the Year by Huffington Post. Her 2018 novel The Summer of New Beginnings, took First Place in the Royal Palm Literary Award for Women’s Fiction and was a runner-up for book of the year. Her novel, Emily, Gone is the winner of three literary Gold Medals, and the Benjamin Franklin Award. Her newest release When I Last Saw You is a historical saga based on a true story.
Crosby is a wife, mama, grandma and dog lover who specializes in heartwarming family fiction. She credits her mom for giving her such a love of Southern storytelling and laughingly admits to being a night owl and a workaholic. Her guilty pleasures are iced latte, chocolate, and late-night chats with fans and friends on Facebook.
Author Links:
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I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
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