This is a Southern family saga, not ordinarily my preferred reading, but Emily Sue Harvey weaves a compelling story with a central character who grabs you and won't let go.

Sunny Acklin is a teenager growing up in the "mill hill" village of Tucapau, South Carolina in the late forties as the book opens. Despite the stresses and embarrassments of her parents', to say the least, imperfect marriage, she grows up feeling safe and cherished in extended family of the tight-knit village. Then everything gradually starts to unravel, and Sunny is struggling to hold things together.

Her parents divorce after a humiliating scandal. Soon they're both gone, her mother with her new lover and her father "looking for work" and occasionally remembering to send money home. Sunny, her two sisters, and her brother are dependent on Nana, their aging grandmother, with some help from her other daughter, their Aunt Tina. Sunny's sister Francine is showing all their mother's most distressing personality traits; their youngest sibling, Sheila, is turning into an attention-seeking, manipulative little liar. It's a struggle for them all, but Sunny also has the support of her growing relationship with her boyfriend, Daniel.

It's difficult to say more without major spoilers, but Sunny works to build a moral, upright, and happy life in the midst of major obstacles, often created by the family she loves. Guided and sustained by her faith and her friends, she makes her little corner of the world better for her presence in it.

This is, ultimately, a joyous book.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

For my review please visit my blog: Martin's View: Unto These Hills. ( )

Unto These Hills takes place in the deep south's Tucapau mill hill and gives us the story of Sunny Acklin and her family. Her mama runs off with another man and her father leaves to find work, Sunny and her three siblings are raised by their grandmother. Despite everything Sunny finds love in Daniel. Shortly before their wedding Sunny is raped and Daniel leaves her to face it alone. Sunny knows that nothing will ever be the same but she struggles on to make a life for herself.

I must admit there were a few times early on that I almost gave up on this book and I am so thankful that I did not. Once I got past the getting to know everyone stage this book took off and I could not put it down. Near then end there is a revelation that I did not see coming. I loved the characters and the ending was completely satisfying. I would highly recommend this book. ( )