Thank you William Morrow, #partner, for the finished copy of The Shadows of Pecan Hollow in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: William Morrow
Published: February 8, 2022
Summary:
It was 1970 when thirteen-year-old Kit Walker was abducted by Manny Romero, a smooth-talking, low-level criminal. Longing for the family and security she never had, she allowed herself to be coddled and groomed into Manny’s partner-in-crime. Before long, Kit and Manny became infamous for their string of gas station robberies throughout Texas, making a name for themselves as the Texaco Twosome.
But as Manny’s fatherly demeanor shifts to something darker and more violent, Kit is forced to reconsider their relationship and her own safety. In a flash decision, she leaves Manny at a holdup gone wrong.
Thirteen years after her escape, she has made a home for herself and her daughter amongst the pecan trees and muddy creeks of the claustrophobic town of Pecan Hollow. When Manny shows up at her doorstep a new man, fresh out of prison, Kit’s profound and twisted attachment to him compels her to let him in. Immediately, Kit’s world is transformed and her community is sent into a tailspin.
With its rich landscape, indelible characters, and evocative language, Shadows of Pecan Hollow is a hauntingly intimate and distinctly original debut about the strength and vulnerability of womanhood and the complexity of love–both romantic and familial. This penetrating, gritty, and unexpectedly tender novel ensnares the reader in its story of resilience and the bonds that define us.
My thoughts:
There is something about discovering a debut novel that just hits it out of the park that I love. This is that one and while the subject matter at times is one that gets a little uncomfortable, you just know it’s a book that is going to stay with you and that you want everyone to read because it ultimately is so worth it.
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I needed to read it, but I had heard so many people say it’s a hard read and I fully agree. It’s raw and gritty at times and there are definitely some scenes that make you uncomfortable and angry, but it also made me want to keep reading to see how it was all going to turn out. I became so invested with these characters and how we see that there can be good and evil in some people, depending on the challenges they face. This book portrays toxic relationships and how easy it can be to find yourself in them without even realizing it.
This book is full of heartbreak, yet it also will find a way to warm your heart at the same time. It is full of morally grey areas that just beg to be discussed, making it the perfect bookclub read. And while it is a bit on the longer side, I have to say that once I sat down to read it, I was completely engaged and captivated and read it in two sittings. This is one book you just become completely consumed by and don’t want to put down. The writing is impeccable and I will definitely be quite eager to see what comes next from this very talented writer!
