Overview
In 1960s Memphis, a young mother finds refuge in a boardinghouse where family encompasses more than just blood, and hidden truths can bury you or set you free.
Sara King has nothing, save for her secrets and the baby in her belly, as she boards the bus to Memphis, hoping to outrun her past in Chicago. She is welcomed with open arms by Mama Sugar, a kindly matriarch and owner of the popular boardinghouse The Scarlet Poplar.
Like many cities in early 1960s America, Memphis is still segregated, but change is in the air. News spreads of the Freedom Riders. Across the country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. are leading the fight for equal rights. Black literature and music provide the stories and soundtrack for these turbulent and hopeful times, and Sara finds herself drawn in by conversations of education, politics and a brighter tomorrow with Jonas, a local schoolteacher. Romance blooms between them, but secrets from Mama Sugar’s past threaten their newfound happiness and lead Sara to make decisions that will reshape the rest of their lives.
With a charismatic cast of characters, The Two Lives of Sara is an emotional and unforgettable story of hope, the limitations of resilience and unexpected love.
Review
Sara is a new mother finding her way in life. She is living with Mama Sugar at her boarding house in Memphis. But, Sara soon learns she cannot out run her past and secrets really never stay hidden.
Sara and Mama Sugar are two fabulous characters and each are so different. I love Mama Sugar’s wisdom. And…Mama Sugar is not to be messed with! Sara, you just make her mad one time! So, you can just imagine these two together are forces to be reckoned with!
The setting of Memphis in the 60s is spot on. I knew exactly some of the streets and areas she mentioned in the book. Felt like I was right at home!
I love this author’s prose! She has some wonderful sayings that resonate with any reader. I adored her first book, Saving Ruby King. I fought hard to get a signed copy of that book! Now, that being said, this book is very good but it just has a few dead places in it. I wanted it to move much faster than it did.
Need a good read with relatable characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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reecaspieces 
Gorgeous cover……great review.
Too bad it was slow moving.
Yes the cover is fabulous. And yes it did move slow but it did have great characters which kept me from completely abandoning.
Glad the characters saved the day.