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  • Before We Were Yours: A Novel
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Before We Were Yours: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Lisa Wingate (Author), Emily Rankin (Narrator), Catherine Taber (Narrator),
4.5 out of 5 stars 150,636 ratings

麻豆区

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THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT - A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly best seller

Look for Lisa Wingate’s powerful new historical novel, The Book of Lost Friends, available now!

“Poignant, engrossing.” (People) “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.” (Paula McLain)

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge - until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents - but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals - in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country - Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Publishers Weekly’s Number Three Longest-Running Best Seller of 2017 Winner of the Southern Book Prize If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection

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Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    14 hours and 29 minutes
  2. Author
    Lisa Wingate
  3. Narrator
    Emily Rankin, see all
  4. Audible release date
    June 6 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B072LBTZD6
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 29 minutes
Author Lisa Wingate
Narrator Emily Rankin, Catherine Taber
Audible.ca Release Date June 06 2017
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B072LBTZD6
麻豆区 Rank

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
150,636 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book excellent, well-written, and easy to read. They describe the story as wonderful, unforgettably tragic, and stunning. Readers describe the content as endearing, eye-opening, and absolutely eye-opening. They also appreciate the effectiveness, saying the author did an excellent job of allowing them to see and hear all. They praise the great character development and historical context as fascinating and shedding light on a dark chapter in American history. Opinions are mixed on the emotional impact, with some finding it powerful and empathetic, while others say it's heartbreaking and sad.

Select to learn more

ReadabilityStoryContentEffectivenessCharacter developmentHistorical contextEmotional
144 customers mention "Readability"140 positive4 negative

Customers find the book excellent, well-written, and easy to read. They say it will open their eyes and is a page-turner.

"Great read - emotionally powerful, shedding light on a dark chapter in American history while exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience." Read more

"Loved this book, a great summer read. One of those books that’s hard to put down." Read more

"Such a great read. I’m halfway through and can’t put it down." Read more

"Great book, could not put it down. Hard to believe it's based on a true story!" Read more

84 customers mention "Story"77 positive7 negative

Customers find the story wonderful, unforgettably tragic, and hard to believe it's based on a true story. They describe the book as well-written, well-paced, and insightful. Readers say the book is heartbreaking, emotional, and exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience.

"Love love loved it! This was such a good book, based on true events, it was an emotional read...." Read more

"...Based on a true story, one of the best i've read in a long time." Read more

"Great story and good characters - a little predictable but enjoyed it anyways" Read more

"Good story" Read more

20 customers mention "Content"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the content endearing, interesting, and eye-opening. They say it's based on true events and they could picture it well in their minds. Readers also describe the book as poignant, heartfelt, and captivating. They describe the story as moving and beautifully written.

"...light on a part of history I never knew of, taught me so much, very moving" Read more

"Captivating and heart-wrenching..." Read more

"...in American history while exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience." Read more

"Absolutely eye opening. Totally recommend. Couldn’t put it down." Read more

10 customers mention "Effectiveness"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective. They say the author did an excellent job of allowing them to see and hear everything. Readers also like the outcome.

"...-jumping storylines is becoming standard for a reason - because it's effective and Wingate nails it...." Read more

"I read this for a book club meeting. The author did a great job of knitting together two female heroines in two different time periods...." Read more

"...The author did an excellent job of allowing us to "see and hear" all the characters very clearly...." Read more

"Liked the outcome ! Sad to hear about the abuse ! Foster care should be more regulated !" Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development great. They say the book will make them laugh and cry. Readers also say the story is well-written and entertaining.

"...The characters are so nuanced and complex I felt like they were real people. The suspense had me hanging on every word...." Read more

"...authors writing, she painted an image in your mind and the characters have so much depth" Read more

"...Great character development makes you feel for the characters. You love some and hate others. Will definitely read more from this author." Read more

"Loved this story?, will make you laugh and cry. Great read" Read more

7 customers mention "Historical context"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the historical background fascinating and shedding light on a dark chapter in American history. They say the book exposes a horrific part of history that they were unaware of.

"Great read - emotionally powerful, shedding light on a dark chapter in American history while exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience." Read more

"...There were no parts that seemed to drag on. The book exposed a horrific part of history that I was unaware of, The Tennessee Children's Home..." Read more

"Interesting story depicting an unknown part of American history. Loved how it went back and forth between past and present." Read more

"Gripping story well told. The historical background was fascinating and the foss girls came to life on the pages. A good read." Read more

21 customers mention "Emotional"14 positive7 negative

Customers find the book gripping, heartbreaking, and empathetic. They say they feel the characters and the story is inspirational. Readers also mention the book brings light on a part of history.

"Great read - emotionally powerful, shedding light on a dark chapter in American history while exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience." Read more

"heartbreaking but insightful" Read more

"so well written, very compelling...hard to put down...very emotional" Read more

"Incredibly written, you feel the characters Brought light on a part of history I never knew of, taught me so much, very moving" Read more

Epic Read!!
5 out of 5 stars
Epic Read!!
Very well written book of historical fiction based on true stories. Follow-up book suggestion at the end of the novel regarding the true stories of some of these the victims. Unforgettably tragic storyline that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat to see what happens next.
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Top reviews from Canada

  • LethargicLass
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, tragic, redemptive.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story, I fell in love with the family from the beginning. Wonderful book, you don’t want to pass it up!
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  • nevine el deeb
    4.0 out of 5 stars A touching, eye-opening read
    Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great read - emotionally powerful, shedding light on a dark chapter in American history while exploring themes of family, identity, and resilience.
    Helpful
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  • Kaylynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book
    Reviewed in Canada on June 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fabulous book! Dark in some ways but such is the story line. I was even unable to read a page or two as it was just too difficult. You are engrossed with the characters tho & hope for the "happy" ending.o
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  • Lisa Adams
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put it Down
    Reviewed in Canada on January 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In Memphis during the Depression, Rill Foss and her four younger siblings are kidnapped from their loving, but poor, Riverboat parents and are sent to the Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage. Told their parents will soon be coming to get them, Rill soon suspects the truth and fights, unsuccessfully, to keep her family together. In present day South Carolina, Avery Stafford, the privileged daughter of high society parents, stumbles across a long-held family secret and is compelled to uncover the truth.

    Going in, I had no idea this book was inspired by actual events. Partway through, I was struck by the intricate detail and decided to check it out. I was horrified. Georgia Tann, who ran the Tennessee Children's Home Society, stole 5,000 children between 1924 and 1950, mostly from poor parents. About 500 children - 10%! - died in her care. Those who survived were adopted out at exorbitant fees, and at times she blackmailed the adoptive parents into paying even more and threatening to take back the children if they didn't. She had judges, police and various political officials in her pocket - at times, she accomplished this by giving them children! Happily, she did get caught and all of her crimes exposed. Sadly, she died before she could face justice. The case did prompt a whole raft of legislation designed to eliminate corruption in adoption, it's just too bad it took such horror for legislators to clue in that a free-for-all market in children was a bad idea.

    Anyhow, regardless of the truth in the writing, the book itself is outstanding. The parallel, time-jumping storylines is becoming standard for a reason - because it's effective and Wingate nails it. The characters are so nuanced and complex I felt like they were real people. The suspense had me hanging on every word. I actually read most of it in an entire day spent curled up in a chair because I couldn't put it down.
    49 people found this helpful
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  • 麻豆区 Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting novel based on a true story of child trafficking in the Fifties
    Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I read this for a book club meeting. The author did a great job of knitting together two female heroines in two different time periods. The settings she used, the Mississippi River shantyboat near Memphis 1939 and the present day low country of South Carolina were excellent. The description of the real life Tennessee Children’s Home Society Orphanage and Georgia Tann were horrifying. The theme of man against man when it’s children for profit is bone chilling. I wish she hadn’t spent so much time setting up the story. I was anxious to get on with it. I wish she had written about where the other children had gone and how they reconnected with each other. She could have elaborated more on the love story. . It was a good ending though and she tied up loose ends well. I enjoyed it and learned something I didn’t know. Nowadays we have DNA to help people reconnect and surrogacy so these problems are a thing of the past hopefully.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • 麻豆区 Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Inspirational
    Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book would not allow me to put it down on several occasions. The fact that it's loosely based on a very real and problematic time in history makes it all the more interesting. The author did an excellent job of allowing us to "see and hear" all the characters very clearly. Many times I found myself holding my breath at what I was afraid might happen next. So well written. Such an awful history.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sandra Rees
    3.0 out of 5 stars A nice beach book
    Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A nice easy read ideal for lazy days at the beach. The character development is shallow and the plot not very deep.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kristina Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book
    Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, what a book! I really enjoyed this one and it kept me enthralled with it the entire time. There were no parts that seemed to drag on. The book exposed a horrific part of history that I was unaware of, The Tennessee Children's Home Society Orphanage. What a terrible life many of the orphans experienced! It is a fictitious novel with some truth to it. I would highly recommend this novel. I rate it as 5+++ stars!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • 麻豆区 Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in India on January 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very good
    Report
  • Anna
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in Germany on December 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a well told story with relevant historical facts. Would definitively recommend this book!
    Report
  • catarina noren strindberg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Before we were yours: a novel
    Reviewed in Spain on September 5, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Well written. As you keep on reading you find out the mystery,the people involved. Until the end you wont have a clue.
    Report
  • オーナーオブ?ロンリーハーツクラブバンド
    4.0 out of 5 stars 一番のショックは……?!
    Reviewed in Japan on July 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    祖父母と孙の両世代に跨ってお话が同时进行、米国南部で暮らしていた5人姉妹は何故お母さんが出产する嵐の夜に孤児院に连れ去られたのか、础惫别谤测が追う闯耻诲测お婆ちゃんの秘密とは……、谜解きで読ませます。
    惭补测と名前を変えさせられた搁颈濒濒の长女ならではの健気さに涙しつつ、まさかこんなことが本当にあった訳じゃないだろうなと読み続けたら、なんと実话に基くフィクション。そこが一番のショックでした。

    つい最近まで、长らく狈驰罢纸ベストセラーでした。
    Report
  • Mariejws
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love & Family
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate is a captivating novel that intertwines past and present, delivering a powerful story brimming with emotion, mystery, and resilience. This book delves deep into the intricacies of family bonds and the dark corners of history that many would prefer remain hidden.

    The narrative toggles between two timelines: one centered around Rill Foss, a young girl living in 1939 Memphis, and the other following Avery Stafford, a modern-day lawyer exploring her family’s mysterious past. The story opens up with young Rill and her siblings, who live a carefree life aboard their family's shantyboat on the Mississippi River until they are abruptly taken away from their parents and thrust into the corrupt Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. Here, they encounter unimaginable hardships while clinging to the hope of reuniting with their loved ones.

    Wingate weaves Avery's journey gracefully alongside Rill's heart-wrenching past. Avery stumbles upon an old photograph that ignites her curiosity, prompting a quest for truth that uncovers long-buried secrets impacting her own identity. Her search serves as a conduit, bringing the harrowing experiences of Rill and her siblings to light, revealing how these past injustices have rippled through generations.

    Wingate’s writing is vivid and evocative, painting each scene with rich detail, which makes it easy to become immersed in the world she has created. The characters are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their struggles and triumphs. The emotional depth of the story pulls you in, evoking a range of feelings from anger and frustration over the historical injustices depicted, to hope and admiration for the characters' resilience.

    What sets "Before We Were Yours" apart is its ability to shed light on real historical events—the scandal involving Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society—while crafting a fictional narrative that is both poignant and inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of familial love and the human spirit’s capacity to endure against all It invites reflection on the importance of understanding our past to better appreciate and shape our present and future.
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