WHEN I LAST SAW YOU by Bette Lee Crosby

 

From USA Today Bestselling Author Bette Lee Crosby comes a powerful southern saga based on a true story… Betrayal and secrets tore her family apart decades ago, now a lonely widow must search for the pieces of her broken childhood.

WHEN I LAST SAW YOU

Georgia, 1968 - Margaret Rose McCutcheon has just buried her husband and must now name a beneficiary for their estate in case of her demise. She is hard-pressed to do so because there is no one. No children. No family. At least none to speak of. At one time, she had two sisters and six brothers, but the lot of them were scattered to the four winds, with no one knowing where the others went. In the hope of finding at least one of her siblings, Margaret hires a detective and sets off on a journey to uncover the truth of why the family broke apart as it did.

West Virginia, 1901 – When Eliza Hobbs gives birth to her sixth child, her husband is not there to welcome his daughter into the world. No surprise, because Martin is seldom there. He works in Charleston and returns to Coal Creek only when he has a mind to. Yes, he sends money on occasion, but seldom enough to make ends meet. Although Eliza believes each new child a blessing, he sees them as yet another responsibility on his already overloaded shoulders. When he discovers another child is on the way, he demands she get rid of it. he stops returning home and there is no more money.

Left with the children, a mountainside patch of land, and a house in sorry need of repair, Eliza seeks help and turns to someone powerful enough to hold sway over Martin and force him into providing for his family. Pushed to the brink, Martin does something unforgivable and the family is forever torn apart.

Now, after all these years, will Margaret be the one to find the pieces of her broken family?

MY THOUGHTS:

Bette Lee Crosby has outdone herself with this one. It's the most beautiful, heartbreakingly, wonderful, sad, endearingly, written book to date. So full of raw emotion and tenderness. Yet very brutally sad and painful too. 

Margaret Rose's husband of over fifty years dies and she is at a loss as to what to do with her life. He had always dominated their life. He was the love of her life and the source of her happiness. So she thought. While he was a good husband and great provider he also didn't give her the thing she wanted most in life, a family. Children to love and cherish. 

Eliza was a humble young lady who fell in love with Martin and all his promises. He worked as an electrician and told her many stories of how much he would have one day. He promised her so much. Eliza was a good woman. She was not loud or outgoing. She didn't ask for much. As the children started to arrive Martin started changing. He was a bit of a self-centered, arrogant, want things his way kind of man. He didn't care for children and wanted Eliza to stop having them. Of course that was a bit impossible with the demands he made on her. 

Margaret Rose set out to find her siblings after finding out her late husband hired a PI many years earlier. She finally after much trying got in touch with Tom, the PI, and talked him into helping her. They went on the trip of her life. So many disappointments and false leads later she found hope. 

This book is full of so much. A family who lived so poor yet seemed so happy. A woman who lost her husband only to find her family and possible love again. What these people went through it is amazing how strong and resourceful they were. How well each child turned out. How they never gave up hope. Eliza was a great mother. One who did what she had to to save her children. To give them a life that would give each a chance. 

I loved the characters in this book. Except Martin. I utterly and completely despised him. But he was part of the story so I had to tolerate him. Eliza was in my opinion the best mother I've ever read about. She was strong even though she thought herself weak. She was so loving, forgiving, and caring. She put up with so much in her life but never ever wavered in her love for her nine beautiful children. 

This is one book you have to read. It's a very emotional one that will pull you in and not let go. You will love most of the people and despise a few. But through it all you will root for love, happiness, and togetherness.

Thank you Bette Lee Crosby for this awesome book. This is my own true feelings about this beautiful book.

5/5 stars and even more if it was possible. I highly recommend reading this. Best book ever!