When Pigs Fly

by Krissy Lanier

The most important relationship we need to nurture is the one with ourselves.

The life of Summer James has been anything but easy. The years she spent in foster care have haunted her for as long as she can remember. Now, in her early thirties, she feels light years away from finding a sense of belonging in her world, especially when she is constantly triggered into traumatic memories from her past.

When Summer finds unexpected connections with the people at the piano bar where she works, she starts to believe that she may have the ability to heal and make her own family.

Will the past hold her back from achieving her dreams? Will she learn to forgive, let go, and love herself?

Or will Summer only find peace when pigs fly?

To read Summer’s story is to love her. You will root for her, cry with her, and laugh too. You may even discover a little bit of her within yourself. Equally heart wrenching and heartwarming, When Pigs Fly is a story of grit, perseverance and self-acceptance. Told in dual timelines, the reader gets to know Summer James through her childhood and adolescence in foster care and through the present day as she muddles through healing from her trauma. Songs and sounds trigger her into flashbacks from the past and hinder her from truly healing and living her life to the fullest. It’s connection that Summer needs; what she is desperate for, and it’s up to her to find it.

Genres: Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2023

Reviews

[Ashley Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krissy’s debut novel When Pigs Fly is a true literary gem. Summer’s story is one of heartbreak, tragedy and overcoming one’s past against all odds. Although the story of Summer’s life is tragic and hard to read at times it is juxtaposed with Summer’s present, a present that is filled with chosen family and the hope of moving forward and beginning again. Throughout the story we see Summer move closer and closer to the person she would like to become while being supported by her new found family like never before.
Krissy’s portrayal of trauma and Summer’s pursuit of moving past it is spot on and realistic. I love how she did not rush through or sugar coat Summer’s healing process letting it unfold in such a way that shows the depths in which an individual must reach to overcome childhood trauma and the hard work and perseverance it takes. I cannot wait to see where Summer’s story takes her as she continues to move forward in her healing journey.

I am so honored to be one of Krissy’s ARC readers and could not recommend this book more. Krissy has truly poured her heart and soul

[Teri Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“You are more than the sum of your past.” - When Pigs Fly by Krissy Lanier

When Pigs Fly grabs your attention immediately and doesn’t ever let go. This book is both heart wrenching and heart warming. Summer James story is told in both past and present tense in such a gripping way, you won’t be able to keep yourself from reading “just one more chapter.” The characters in this book you will either grow to love or loath. With an ending so amazingly perfect I promise you will be left with a smile! When you’ve finished smiling, you’ll wish you could read on and find out what comes next! Fortunately, Summer’s story will continue on in Krissy Lanier’s upcoming sequel No Such Thing!!!!

[Amber Bynum · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so hard to find words for this book...

I found myself bawling my eyes out after finishing When Pigs Fly. The ending was probably one of the greatest endings I've ever read. It's honestly hard to say the book was amazing, because the book was HARD to read. It was emotional, it made me mad and sad and happy all at the same time.

Summer is so strong. Her story will stick with me forever. Her story changed my life and I believe it will change how I view each individual person I come across in this world.

10/10 recommend to anyone, no matter what genre you normally lean towards.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t want it to end!

When Pigs Fly was so good, I fell in love with Summer’s character and rooted for her as her story unfolded.
Summer’s story was full of heartache and hope and shows it’s never too late to be who you were meant to be.

[Amy (wildbookstagram) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really poignant and heavy book to read, but one that I feel - whilst certainly showcasing the darker side of life in foster care - should be read. Scarily close to my day job, this book tackled the issues adults face when their childhood trauma builds up and it was dealt with in a brutally honest, but sensitive way.

I enjoyed the dual timeline and loved the characters - something that held a strong contrast against the darkness.

Despite that, the story has so much positivity through the pages, and whilst I found myself thinking about the children now grown up who are experiencing these issues so many times whilst reading, I am glad I read it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So proud of Krissy for writing this story!

[Joanna Bardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful yet heart wrenching journey this book took me on!

[Ashley Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great debut novel and story about the importance of healing from trauma.

[Amanda (aka romcombookreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to have been given the ARC for "When Pigs Fly" by Krissy! This is my honest book review.

Themes in the book:
-Childhood trauma
-Foster care
-Alcohol & drugs
-Homelessness
-Found family
-Mental health representation
-Finding oneself
-Emotional & heavy
-Resilience & perseverance

Trigger Warnings:
-Domestic Abuse
-Child Abuse/Neglect (Mentioned, Not Detailed)
-Loss of a Parent
-Drug & Alcohol Use/Abuse
-Sexual Assault (Not Detailed)
-Foster Care
*This book is a very emotional, heavy read - please take your time reading it.*

Blurb:
Summer has had a very traumatic childhood, & ends up being taken away & put into foster care due to her dad's abusiveness. The foster family is picture-perfect & they are nice at first; however, they treat her like a guest & cause her to feel worse about everything. When she becomes an adult, she becomes homeless, uses drugs to survive, & eventually hits rock bottom. But, her life changes for the better when a lady from a facility visits her in the hospital.

Summer:
Summer is the epitome of resilience & perseverance. She has survived through a lot of terrible things in her life, & just wants to feel like she is loved, safe, & believed, as well as that she belongs. She was never safe at home; she didn't feel she belonged at the foster home; she wasn't believed when rumors were told about her; & she didn't feel loved until she moved far away from her hometown & met an amazing group of supportive friends.

Final Thoughts:
This was such an amazing book! Each chapter alternates between "Then" & "Now," so you understand why Summer is the way she is & how much she had to overcome to get where she is today. Reading about Summer's friend group throughout the book, was probably the most impactful for me while reading. These friends contributed so much to her healing & growing as a person, & it was so beautiful. I can't wait to read the sequel!

[E.E. Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a minute to get into this book. However, wanting to know about Summer’s life and how she ended up where she was made me continue to turn the pages anxiously. Once I hit that point, I couldn’t stop reading.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book like this. I had to shift my mindset to understand it was nearly like a journal entry of a healing process. There were moments I felt connected to Summer, hurting for her, rooting for her. Then there were moments the writing was almost a little off like the dialogue wasn’t quite realistic or things were over-explained (like what she was eating or wearing or doing). Some sentences/sequences repeated and I found myself losing the flow of the reading at times. Summer was also very self aware — which I’m not sure if it was her personality or one of those “see don’t tell” aspects to storytelling.

I think Summer’s story is worth reading. It’s heartbreaking and wholesome. It’s relatable for anyone who’s had a less than perfect upbringing. I’m excited to purchase book 2 and see where Summer’s life ends up. I’d absolutely give this book a shot if you’re searching for a story about healing and growing. Krissy created a beautiful debut novel worth sharing.

[Jensen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓟𝓲𝓰𝓼 𝓕𝓵𝔂 - Krissy Lanier
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️ TW ⚠️
Child Abuse
SA
Mental Health
Drug Abuse
Foster Care

When Pigs Fly is told through dual TL, it juxtaposes Summer’s past with her present, showing how she deals with the aftermath of her life in foster care. One thing I liked about the way Lanier told this story was she did not try to sugarcoat the traumas of Summer’s past. Lanier tackles a tough topic in writing about foster care, but I think she handled it in an appropriate manner. She lets you in on what it can be like to be a foster child, the ups and downs of that life, but shows there is more out there for those children at the same time. They are not defined by those experiences and can be so much more out there for them.

One thing I want to point out… the COVER. It’s perfect and I love how it reflects Summer’s story. ✨

I enjoyed reading Summer’s story and watching her grow along the way. Thank you Krissy for allowing me to read and review your novel.

[Jen Melham · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖What I Loved!💖

✨ Relatable Characters: There was something to love about almost every character. They were all complex and I finished the book knowing just enough about them to feel satisfied, but wanting to know even more.
✨The Dual Timeline POV: This has to be done really well for me to enjoy it and follow it. 😅 And this book does it well! I loved that everything was in chronological order even with the back-and-forth.
✨ The Song and Pop Culture References: This gave me such a welcomed feeling of nostalgia. 💜
✨ A Glimpse Into the Foster Care System: I’m childless but have considered becoming a foster parent one day, and I loved having this glimpse into the heartbreaking realities of kids being in the system. There are beautiful moments in foster care, but this really highlighted the harsh realities in a subtle but important way.
✨ The Ending: 💫 NO SPOILERS 💫 The ending seamlessly brough everything together and gave me goosebumps. It was just the right mix of unexpected and perfect.

[Priscilla G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. At times, we forget what others are going through and how their trauma can be triggered so quickly.

Summer James, a bartender at a local piano bar, is doing the work towards a healthy mental state. As the book progresses, Summer shares her hardships and struggles that she has yet to understand that she thrived through. Every single one of her experiences continues to affect her in daily life. However, she is choosing to see a therapist and get better. Her goal is to "let go" and be free from her past. Summer in this book is a great example of how all of us have some sort of trauma, and that does not define us.

When Pigs Fly made me cry sad and happy tears. It also provided me the opportunity to see into a different point of view of those who struggle with trauma. Definitely recommend it. There are portions that are a slow read, but overall, the moral and theme of the book is rewarding once you are done with it.

Enjoy 💜

[Caitlin Coska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Summer is only in her early thirties but has experienced more pain than most people. She is ready to start opening herself up to the possibility of deeper connections with people and try to find where she belongs.

Thoughts: This book was incredibly well written. I truly felt like I was experiencing all the emotions the main character is going through as the story carries on. It somehow never felt too heavy, even though the subject was. And that could not have been an easy task when writing it.

I absolutely loved the dual timeline and how it felt like you could see Summer blink, take a breath and dive into her memories. This is a very special story and I’m honored I got to read it ahead of it’s release!

Thank you to the author for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Becca Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

you are more than the sum of your past

This book was a roller coaster of emotions for me. As someone who has dealt with trauma growing up, I very very much related to the internal dialogue Summer shows throughout the book.

Krissy took extreme care on the very hard hitting subjects but didn’t skimp on the emotions that would wreck you as a reader.

Watching Summer grow, survivor & THRIVE with the shitty hand she was dealt is a true rags to riches story - but in terms of emotional riches, not financial riches.

I will say, Krissy missed the perfect opportunity at the end to end it something like: “they always said when pigs fly. today, they fly”. Or something to that affect.

Definitely a tear jerker for those surviving their own trauma.

I received WPF as an ARC in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When pigs fly covers the story of Summer James.
Told through now and then timelines we learn of the traumatic events of Summers early years with her parents, care system and present time in Texas.

This book also shows the strength of friends and healing, how we can all struggle but hope and triumphs are possible.
I absolutely loved this book, it was so full of emotion, hard to put down and I was totally hooked from the very start.

The characters were great and Kash oh my gosh! 😍
I loved how ‘when pigs fly’ featured through the book and that ending 🥹🥲

An incredible debut book by the author and I cannot wait for the sequel.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about the strength of the human spirit.

[Brittney Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as part of a tour and for my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored this book! This is my first 5 star read of the year because this was the first book in a while that grabbed my attention and actually kept it.

Summer's life was hard.. like really hard. I smiled, cried and rooted for her throughout the whole book; and I especially loved her character growth.
There are some trigger warnings so if you're a super sensitive reader you may have to put the book down but there aren't any super graphic details of the triggers (this includes domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, drug & alcohol use and mention of rape).

Overall, this is a beautifully written debut novel and I cannot WAIT to read the sequel!

[Jessica (piscesbooklover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very emotional book that’s hard to put into words.

It follows the story of Summer a very resilient girl who survived a devastating amount of trauma both in her home life and in foster care. This book is not for the weak of heart. It is very raw, everything you’ve heard and then some about the foster care system is laid bare in this book.

This book is also told in a “then/now” perspective, so you can see who past Summer and present Summer has changed in some ways and also how she still has some things she still needs to work on. But the support system she has in the “now” is beyond amazing and I cannot wait to see what comes next in Summers story!

TW: domestic abuse, child abuse/neglect (mentioned), loss of a parent, drug & alcohol use/abuse, SA (not detailed)

[Giashouseof6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The book alternates between “now” with Summer as an adult, and “then” when Summer was a child. There are several trauma triggers: physical and emotional child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, foster care/adoption, and rape. Nothing graphic, the author does a good job of giving the emotional aspect without graphic details. You will likely shed some tears. But there will be happy tears when you read about Summer and her best friend’s first conversation.

One of my favorite things is seeing the title worked into the book. This book just might have my most favorite way of doing it when it uses it at the end. So cute.

Can’t wait to read the sequel when it comes out later in 2024!

[Megan H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing debut novel by Krissy Lanier!! When Pigs Fly follows Summer James in a then and now format, sharing her life as a foster child/orphan, growth and journey to finding/healing/loving herself as an adult. Highly recommend, very easy to give this book 5 stars Star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tw for alcoholism, abuse/child abuse, SA and drug use.


Found family
“They are becoming like family to me.A family I never had the luxury of having when I was growing up.”

Self discovery
“We constantly come to forks in the road, and we have to go one way or the other. We’ll never know what was down the path we didn’t take, and I think I’m starting to believe that that’s ok.”

Friendship
“Just like Farrah did, he’s offering to take on my burdens and help me carry the load.”

Self Love
“It’s as if, suddenly, after hearing my soul, their image of me no longer defines me anymore, not even the me who once lived here. I’ve left it all out here on their table and I don’t have to carry this around anymore.”

“Slowly but surely, my wings are expanding, and I’m falling in love…with me.”

[Emelia Cellura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story about past trauma and the path of healing, filled with all its speed bumps and potholes. The story goes from Then to Now about Summer, as we learn more about her life and everything she has endured. It is gut wrenching, while also beautiful. This story showcases how having even just ONE person in your corner who believes in you can make a difference. This story is in no way the same, but the book gave me the same vibes that The Paper Palace and All the Ugly and Wonderful Things gave me. If you enjoyed those books, definitely give this a read.

[Lari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I really liked how the book transitioned from Summer, the main character to, as a child in one chapter, to her as an adult in the next. The transition was very smooth by having Summer either recalling a memory and/or telling a friend about that memory. So you got her feeling or situation when she was young and it was happening as well as her perspective or retelling as an adult, 30ish. I really was happy to see the growth she was making to push on from a difficult/terrible childhood. At times the book was sad, others it was inspirational/happy. I would recommend.

[jasminjustreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Pigs Fly…..MY! MY! What a beautiful story of healing and overcoming! There were moments that brought me to tears but at the end they were happy tears. I don’t even know Summer irl but I connected with her and was so proud of her like she was my best friend!

I cannot wait to continue reading Summer’s journey in No Such Thing!

[Marci Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krissy’s debut novel is one that you cannot miss! You will fall in love with Summer over and over again. When Pigs Fly is a story of adversity, strength and growth and can easily be read in one sitting!

[Casey Pettey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming story of triumph and tribulation & overcoming all the things that happen to you. Summer is dealt such an awful hand but she doesn’t let that affect her and uses her childhood struggles as her motivation to become what everyone said she couldn’t.

[Allie Samberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful healing journey. I loved reading about Summer’s progress and her growth. And I got just enough of a taste of her and Kash that I’m excited for the next book!

Thank you, Krissy, for this beautiful ARC!

[Liz Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very powerful, well written story. While Summer didn’t have the easiest life, she never let that stop her. By going back and forth between time periods in her life, @krissylanier_writes perfectly captured hardships that Summer faced, as well as her strength and growth through them.

[C.A. Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is NOT what I was expecting but in a good way. Think Go Ask Alice but with a much better ending. It was so heartbreaking but filled with so much hope. I felt for Summer as she relived her past to help herself push forward. Amazing read!

[Jill Redding · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wondered if I could get through this book with so much heartache, but it got me hooked emotionally! I became so invested in Summer that I found myself shedding tears and feeling all sorts of emotions both sad and happy.
This is the debut novel by this Massachusetts author.