Published by Juniper Ray PublishingDate Published: April 19,2021
Pages: 328
Genres: Southern Fiction, Women's Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Rating:
What if the story you believed about your past was overturned by one shocking piece of news?
There have always been glaring holes in Emily Sharp's family history.
Her mother, Pam, a high-strung attorney, rarely speaks of the father she despises or of the mother she never knew. But when Emily, a journalist for a local magazine, receives an assignment to investigate the sale of an old, sprawling mental institution in a nearby town, Pam reluctantly opens up and shares that her mother, Kora Mitchell, was a patient there and died shortly after she was committed. As Emily digs deeper into the tarnished asylum's past, Kora's voice comes alive, and long-buried secrets are unveiled that shake the foundation of Pam's–and Emily's–existence.
Based on records from a now-defunct mental hospital in the American South, Crazy Free paints a picture of women helping women cope–and even thrive–in confinement during the early 1960s. Contrasted with the roles of women in society today, it compassionately lays bare a time in our nation's history when females were often committed for postpartum depression or other emotional imbalances.
Told from alternating points of view, this novel weaves together three generations of women and their passions, dreams, and losses. As Kora's truth unfolds, Emily and Pam must decide if they will continue to be influenced by the lies of their past or if they will move beyond their haunted ancestry to forge new paths.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
My Thoughts
As someone who battles mental health issues on the daily, I always find myself drawn to books that center around the issues. Starling’s novel, Crazy Free, is beautifully penned and absolutely captivating. I was pulled to the heart of the story almost instantly and wasn’t freed until the last page was reached.
I absolutely fell in love with Emily, Pam and Kora. Their family story is a powerful one, filled with emotions and secrets that truly gripped me. Their story contains ups and downs, taking the reader on a roller coaster ride that explores the meaning of family, the meaning of helping each other and the meaning of being free to live your life despite the unexpected secrets.
I absolutely recommend this page turner with 4 stars and two thumb up. Starling is truly talented, creating a raw, soul gripping women’s fiction novel. I will not soon forget this one and can’t wait to read another stunning novel from this awesome debut author!
About Tori Starling
Always a lover of books, Tori Starling holds a bachelor of arts in journalism, and writing a novel was her lifelong dream. She enjoys reading and writing about strong women who have lost their way due to challenges that we all face. She believes anyone can heal from past traumas if they are given the right support. Her debut novel CRAZY FREE is a women’s fiction family saga with a touch of hope and southern grace.
In addition to writing fiction, she is also the creator of the blog Jake’s Journey with Apraxia, which ran with the help of contributing writers from 2012 to 2016. Tori is married with three sons and two gorgeous fur babies. In her spare time, she likes to read, journal, walk for pleasure, run for stress, chat with girlfriends, watch her boys play sports, and spend time outside with her husband. She is currently studying to be a holistic health practitioner and is passionate about helping others live their best life.
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