I absolutely adored this novel, Kristin Hannah is such a pleasure to read. Her books are always hard hitting, emotional, and place you directly into a time period. This book is no different, taking place during The Great Depression and Dust Bowl the main character Elsa is a Texas girl. Her family believes she will never amount to anything and is too ugly to find a husband. One day she meets Rafe, an Italian, he turns her whole world upside down. Living with Rafe and his parents, Elsa learns to really work on a farm. Flash forward to the peak of the depression and dust everywhere, Elsa picks up her children and traveled to California to help her children have a better life. The perspectives in this story go back and forth a bit from Elsa and her daughter.

This book brought many things into perspective, how a mother’s love can withstand anything. Loreda and Ant her kids are such great characters. Loreda is so strong willed and I can just picture where she would go in life after this story.

I rarely read Author’s notes unless others tell me it is needed, but I read this one. And I am so glad I did. Kristin Hannah talks about writing this at the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 on the rise. I couldn’t help but think back on the story and see how there are so many parallels. Reminding everyone that if the US can prevail through the Great Depression, we can get through this pandemic.

5 stars!!!