A soaring debut interweaving the story of a heartbreaking, forbidden love in 1930s Kentucky with an unlikely modern-day friendship
Eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle McAllister has a favor to ask her hairdresser, Dorrie Curtis. It's a big one. Isabelle wants Dorrie, a black single mother in her thirties, to drop everything and drive her from her home in Arlington, Texas, to a funeral in Cincinnati—with no clear explanation why—tomorrow.
Dorrie, fleeing problems of her own and curious whether she can unlock the secrets of Isabelle's guarded past, scarcely hesitates before agreeing, not knowing it will be a journey that changes both their lives.
Over the years, Dorrie and Isabelle have developed more than just a business relationship: they are friends. But Dorrie, fretting over the new man in her life and her teenage son's irresponsible choices, still wonders why Isabelle chose her.
Isabelle confesses that, as a willful teen in 1930s Kentucky, she fell deeply in love with Robert Prewitt, a would-be doctor and the black son of her family's housekeeper—in a town where blacks weren't allowed after dark. The tale of their forbidden relationship and its tragic consequences makes it clear Dorrie and Isabelle are headed for a gathering of the utmost importance and that the history of Isabelle's first and greatest love just might help Dorrie find her own way.
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"I loved this book! Julie Kibler is an amazing first time novelist! I hope she is busy writing her next book, because I can't wait to read it! I hesitated to spend $12 on a kindle book, but it was so worth it! I have to say the first third of the book was a little slow, but midway through, I couldn't put it down. I felt attached to Dorrie, & especially Isabelle. I was drawn to this book, after being in an interracial relationship myself, years ago. I had a taste of how hurtful people can be towards couples of different races. This special story brought tears to my eyes more than once. the relationship between the two ladies as they traveled together was heartwarming. It reminded me of a couple of elderly lady friends I have grown to love. I will recommend it to my friends."
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Carole (5 out of 5 stars)