Julie Kibler crafts narratives that delve into the complexities of human connection and the enduring strength of the spirit. Her work often explores themes of belonging, loss, and the search for home, imbuing her stories with profound psychological insight. Kibler's powerful and moving prose resonates with readers through its raw honesty and deep empathy. Her distinctive style is both compelling and introspective, inviting readers to contemplate the intricate landscape of the human heart.
Eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle McAllister has a favor to ask her hairdresser Dorrie Curtis: drop everything and drive from Arlington, Texas, to a funeral in Cincinnati. Tomorrow. Dorrie, fleeing problems of her own, agrees. It''s a journey that changes both their lives, as she learns Isabelle''s tale of a forbidden relationship and its tragic consequences-- a tale that just might help Dorrie find her own way.
In turn-of-the-20th century Texas, the Berachah Home for the Redemption and Protection of Erring Girls serves as a beacon of hope for young women trapped in poverty due to various circumstances. Established in 1903 on the outskirts of Arlington, this progressive home defies societal norms by providing faith, training, and rehabilitation to prostitutes, addicts, unwed mothers, and 'ruined' girls, all while allowing mothers to stay with their children. Here, Lizzie Bates and Mattie McBride form a deep bond; one is sick and clinging to her young daughter, while the other has been abandoned by the father of her ailing son. Their friendship helps them navigate through immense loss, heartbreak, and difficult choices, ultimately leading them down different paths. A century later, Cate Sutton, a reclusive university librarian, discovers the hidden histories of these two women while exploring the cemetery on the home's former grounds and sifting through its archives. Drawn by an inexplicable connection, Cate's findings compel her to confront her own painful past and reclaim the life she believed she had lost. With profound emotional depth, the narrative delves into the dark roads that lead to ruin and the journeys we undertake to rediscover ourselves.