A group of six women from vastly different backgrounds come together with a common goal: to provide access to books for their rural community of Eastern Kentucky. In the small, very conservative, patriarchal, mining town of Baileyville, Kentucky, women are expected to conform to society's standards, all of which are set by men. Being different makes you an outcast, and the packhorse librarians would certainly be considered as such. Alice Van Cleve is British, Margery O'Hare is from a "bad" family and refuses to obey any man, Beth Pinker has a rebellious streak and dreams of the world beyond Baileyville, Izzy Brady has a disability and overbearing parents, and Sophia Kenworth is black. In becoming packhorse librarians, they each find freedom, independence, and relationships they never expected while facing immense personal challenges. This story tells the difficult truths of life for women in this era, while weaving a tale of heartbreak and hope, friendship and family, love and hate, greed and justice.

I devoured this book in two sittings and enjoyed every page. It was my first Jojo Moyes read, but it will not be my last! The character development and plot were solid, though at times perhaps a bit expected. With that said, the way these women relied on and supported each other completely won me over. There was some truly disgusting male behavior that I imagine are quite representative of behaviors of the time. The sadness of that reality really hit me hard, but my heart also soared at the perseverance of the protagonists.