I thought the beginning was a bit slow for my taste, but I tried it again once I re-checked it out on Libby later in the year and sped right through it. I really enjoyed everything about this — the story, the characters, the writing. There was pain and sorrow, but there was also joy and whimsy. Hairston has such a way with words, it’s truly beautiful. I loved the historical aspects, too, which is interesting because I’m usually not one for historical fiction. I can’t wait to look into the author’s other works.