The Longings of Wayward Girls is a psychological thriller- a book where the reader is never quite sure where the author is headed. By the end of the book, the reader has been given some answers and left with many questions. Perfect for discussing.

Set in an ideal New England town, a town where nothing bad happens, until it does. Years earlier, a girl disappears from town after leaving a friend’s house to head home. While police do not suspect foul play at first- after some time- it is considered. The townfolk tell their children to stay out of the woods that are around the town, as parents are trying to be cautious with their children.

Sadie, a precocious girl, has imagination. She likes to create plays and play-act with friends and kids in the neighborhood.  She and her friends ignore the parent’s warning about the woods and continue to play there. One day, Sadie’s mom, Clare, makes her play with another girl named Francie- a child that does not fit in too well in town. Sadie and Betty decide to play a prank on Francie- and they begin leaving her notes from a fictional character that Sadie has created (although the character is based on a boy in town). The prank continues- until one day, Francie is never seen again.

20 years later, Sadie still lives in town. Married, with 2 kids, Sadie has suffered from a loss of her own. When she sees Ray, the boy she had a crush on when she was a kid, she finds herself drawn to him. As their time together continues, Sadie’s life is changed in ways that she never would have expected. Being with Ray reminds Sadie of that summer 20 years ago- and brings up memories.

Told in alternating tales of the summer of 1979 and year of 2003- Sadie begins to figure things out about 1979 and sees how the summer of 1979 influences her choices of 2003.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

The Longings of Wayward Girls is a book that the reader is never quite sure what to expect. As the story happens, the reader begins to understand what happened that fateful summer of 1979 and how it lead to the events of 2003. Interesting read and one that is highly discussable.

If you enjoyed my review, be sure and check out this: Interview with Karen Brown and Author Spotlight: Karen Brown.

*This book was won as part of Goodreads First Reads program. As part of winning, you are asked to consider giving a fair and honest review- although you are not required. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.