WOW! I knew within the first 20% that this book was something special, and I was not wrong. There is so much heart and heartache in these pages. I couldn't put this book down. I really don't know what else to say other than to give it a try.
Also, this is one of the very few books I have read that is set during the 70s. This is a split-time novel with half of the book in the 40s. I liked the different eras shown.

5 Stars

Content: child out of wedlock (teen parents), gunshot wounds, mentions of infertility and abortion, deaths ( )

The story transpired in 1943 but is being told in 1973. A
slip of paper with his birthday and the name of a midwife was all he had to connect him to his past. Just a short time ago, famed country and western performer, Walker Wylie, had everything a person could want. That is until his father died and his mother had revealed he had been adopted 30 years ago. He is angry, bitter, broken and driven to locate his birth parents.
Why did the reject him? He has questions.
He has to have help. He reaches out to Reese Chandler, a midwife that works in the mountains. She is adopted and was told as soon as she could understand. Unlike Walker she has no desire to look into her past.
Very quickly they find Bertie Jenkins the midwife on the piece of paper. The story that unfolds is captivating and beautiful. Nothing like Walker had imagined. I loved the Jenkins sisters Bertie and Rubie! Bertie’s no nonsense take charger personality and the way she ordered her thoughts with wisdom and simplicity was delightful! Rubie though slow in mind shocked me with her insight and sweet compassion.
The 5 spinster sister’s story of living alone in the hills even after their father died was incredible. Reading about their interaction and family dynamics let me get to know them personally. I especially liked hearing how they managed without much money or no modern convinces. They had a strong family unit even with such varied personalities. Their love and compassion for Walkers young mother who came to them in desperate need was inspiring!
I enjoyed learning about, Songbird, Walkers mom and who she was compared to who he thought she was. Even more so the true reason she gave him up for adoption. It just showed how we can assume so much on how we feel without knowing the facts.
I got so emotionally involved with the sister’s and Songbird’s stories that I couldn’t put the book down! There were two highlights in the book for me. One was Bertie and Rubie being reunited with Walker, whom they loved dearly and thought they would never see again. Second was the change in Walker’s attitude once he learned the truth. Oh and of course the surprise ending but that I will never tell! You have to read the book. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it!
I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own. ( )

I believe that this quote from the book is its theme: “Family don’t always mean blood kin.” ~Bertie Jenkins

This beautifully written adoption story left me needing several days to contemplate all that this heart-wrenching story taught me. A dual-time novel, Shocklee takes you from the 1943 mountain folk of east Tennessee to Nashville and the mountain life of 1973. The characters and storyline are so endearing. They speak to family (good, bad and taken in) and wreck your heart along the way. The timelines and characters are woven seamlessly throughout the book, making the story easy to read.

This book has a beautiful spiritual thread including the sharing of the gospel and a Christian worldview. The prologue includes a young woman giving herself to a man (she plans to marry) before her family moves away. There is not a description of this scene and it is later discussed from a Biblical perspective. So, don’t let this keep you from reading this book. The prologue lays the foundation for the rest of the story.

Caroline Hewitt truly gives the audiobook its voice as she crafts representative roles for the broad array of characters in this tale. From the mountain folk of 1943 to the contemporary phrases of 1973, Hewitt’s narration is distinct, believable and just stellar and that’s saying a lot from this born and raised southern girl who cringes when a non-southerner tries to fake a southern accent.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this ebook from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook version of this title. ( )

This is a beautiful story of love, redemption, family (good and bad) and how God brings it all together. It was emotional…from tears to anger and to pure sweetness.

I loved the characters and how they developed throughout the story. The rural setting in Appalachia in the Smoky Mountains was beautiful. The story jumps back and forth in time from 1943 to 1973 and seeing how the story unfolds is wonderful. There’s midwifery (past and present), adoption, country singer, and so much more.

This is a deeply moving novel that touches your soul and will make you cry from sadness and from joy. It’s redemptive because it shows how God uses all our circumstances for His good in His timing.

One favorite quote:
“Lord,” Bertie whispered… “I can’t see into the future and how this is going to work out, but I trust you. Give me grace to trust you more.”

I highly recommend this book along with Count the Nights by Stars and Under the Tulip Tree. ( )

What a beautiful book! It's filled to the brim with a gripping story, strong characters, deep themes, and an amazing setting.

This is told in two timelines: Bertie's story of being a midwife in the 1940s, and Walker's 1970s story of realizing he'd been adopted as an infant and looking into his past.

Both Bertie and Walker were compelling characters that I enjoyed reading about. I liked the way the two story/timelines eventually came together. The book is also filled with plenty of faith-based moments, and I found it had a lot to say about living as a Christian in daily life. ( )