What do you think?
Rate this book
Untethered: A Novel
Sometimes family is found in the most unlikely of places . . .
In the small college town of Troy, Alabama, amidst the backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels lives a life steeped in responsibility. At the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, she pours her heart into nurturing the young lives under her care, harboring a longing for children of her own. Katia's romantic entanglement with an older man brings comfort but also stirs questions about the path she's chosen.
The weight of her family's history bears down on her; a twin brother is missing in action in the heart of the Vietnam War. Having lost her father to cancer, Katia took up the mantle of caretaker, ensuring her mother and brothers were looked after. Her sense of duty extends to the boys at the group home, creating a web of obligations that stretches her emotional bandwidth thin.
Amidst a power struggle at work with the board, Katia finds solace in the pages of romance novels and the soothing melodies of Nina Simone. When Seth Taylor, a familiar face from her high school days, reenters Katia's life, he brings with him a breeze of nostalgia and a reminder of a time when her dreams felt less tethered. As their friendship rekindles, Katia grapples with the idea of making choices for herself, even as the realization that she can no longer have children weighs heavily on her.
This novel is a poignant tale of a woman torn between the demands of her heart and the responsibilities she's shouldered for so long. Set against the backdrop of a changing South, this novel delves into the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery in a time of transformation and upheaval.
In the small college town of Troy, Alabama, amidst the backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels lives a life steeped in responsibility. At the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, she pours her heart into nurturing the young lives under her care, harboring a longing for children of her own. Katia's romantic entanglement with an older man brings comfort but also stirs questions about the path she's chosen.
The weight of her family's history bears down on her; a twin brother is missing in action in the heart of the Vietnam War. Having lost her father to cancer, Katia took up the mantle of caretaker, ensuring her mother and brothers were looked after. Her sense of duty extends to the boys at the group home, creating a web of obligations that stretches her emotional bandwidth thin.
Amidst a power struggle at work with the board, Katia finds solace in the pages of romance novels and the soothing melodies of Nina Simone. When Seth Taylor, a familiar face from her high school days, reenters Katia's life, he brings with him a breeze of nostalgia and a reminder of a time when her dreams felt less tethered. As their friendship rekindles, Katia grapples with the idea of making choices for herself, even as the realization that she can no longer have children weighs heavily on her.
This novel is a poignant tale of a woman torn between the demands of her heart and the responsibilities she's shouldered for so long. Set against the backdrop of a changing South, this novel delves into the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery in a time of transformation and upheaval.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2024
186 people are currently reading
18254 people want to read
About the author
Angela Jackson-Brown
9 books486 followersAngela Jackson-Brown is an award-winning writer, poet and playwright who teaches Creative Writing at Indiana University in Bloomington. She also teaches in the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. She is a graduate of Troy University, Auburn University and the Spalding Naslund-Mann low-residency MFA program in Creative Writing. She is the author of several novels, including the soon-to-be released, Homeward, and has published in numerous literary journals. Her publisher is Harper Muse, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
December 19, 2024
Untethered by Angel Jackson-Brown was a solid five star book for me. This was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading by this author. All of my emotions were touched as I made my way through this impressive and moving book. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated exceptionally well by Karen Murray. She was able to portray the essence of each character. I was originally drawn to the beautiful cover. It is quite spectacular! The writing, subject matter and way Angela Jackson-Brown portrayed each of the characters, though, was what had me turning the pages and reading far beyond my bedtime.
The year was 1967 and Katia Daniels was still living at her childhood home with her widowed mother in Troy, Alabama. Katia’s twin brothers had enlisted in the Marines and they were serving in Vietnam. She and her mother prayed for their safety constantly. Katia was the executive director of The Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. She took her job very seriously and cared deeply for each of her charges. Katia was strict with her boys and taught them that broken rules had consequences but there was no doubt that the boys in the home had a piece of her heart. Katia had no time or interest in dating. The boys in the home were her life. They were enough for her. There were two boys in particular that had crept into Katia’s heart, Chad and Pee Wee. Katia cared deeply for these two boys. Chad looked out for Pee Wee and had taken him under his wing. Pee Wee had a stutter and the other boys made fun of him but Chad put an end to that quickly. Pee Wee and Chad had not been handed an easy life and they had already experienced so much in their young lives. Both boys’ mothers were addicted to drugs and had been incarcerated. Their extended families were not willing to take either boy in and assume responsibility for their care. Katia was extremely blessed to have an incredible supportive staff but the mostly white board of directors were constantly threatening to fire Katia. Racial tension was still prevalent in the Deep South especially for black women. They had a harder time proving their worth and capabilities. Katia found herself in a constant battle with the director of the board. When one of the boys went missing, Katia couldn’t stop looking for him. Katia was prepared to do whatever it took to find the missing boy even if it meant losing her job.
Untethered also focused on the physical and mental challenges that the soldiers who fought in Vietnam faced when they returned stateside. Katia and her mother had received an official letter from the United States military that her twin brothers were missing in action in Vietnam. When one of her twin brothers was found and sent home he returned as a shell of what he had been. An old school friend of Katia’s had also recently returned from fighting in Vietnam. He had returned home with a prosthetic where his leg used to be. Katia got reacquainted with him when he and his construction company started to do work at The Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. In addition to running his construction company, he also met with and led a group of returning Vietnam veterans in a support group. When he learned about Katia’s brother he offered his help and support to talk with her brother. Many of the soldiers that had returned from Vietnam were having a difficult time. Talking among themselves about the experiences only they experienced was the kind of thing they needed to conquer the demons that they brought home with them. Could he help Katia’s brother recover? Was there a romantic connection between Katia and her old friend?
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown touched on so many important issues that were prevalent in the south during the 1960’s. Firstly, it did an excellent job portraying the broken foster care system especially when it came to Negro boys. Racism, the traumas that returning Vietnam veterans experienced, the realization of just how many POW’s there were and the exorbitant amount of soldiers that were considered missing in action, racism, love, loss, grief, family, hope and being true to one’s beliefs and values were all explored in Untethered. I really admired Katia’s courage, leadership, the examples she set for her boys and her strength. Pee Wee and Chad were also endearing characters for me. I did shed a few tears but I also smiled a lot. I recommend the audiobook highly. If you enjoy a well researched historical fiction novel that will pull at your heartstrings I recommend Untethered highly.
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus/ Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The year was 1967 and Katia Daniels was still living at her childhood home with her widowed mother in Troy, Alabama. Katia’s twin brothers had enlisted in the Marines and they were serving in Vietnam. She and her mother prayed for their safety constantly. Katia was the executive director of The Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. She took her job very seriously and cared deeply for each of her charges. Katia was strict with her boys and taught them that broken rules had consequences but there was no doubt that the boys in the home had a piece of her heart. Katia had no time or interest in dating. The boys in the home were her life. They were enough for her. There were two boys in particular that had crept into Katia’s heart, Chad and Pee Wee. Katia cared deeply for these two boys. Chad looked out for Pee Wee and had taken him under his wing. Pee Wee had a stutter and the other boys made fun of him but Chad put an end to that quickly. Pee Wee and Chad had not been handed an easy life and they had already experienced so much in their young lives. Both boys’ mothers were addicted to drugs and had been incarcerated. Their extended families were not willing to take either boy in and assume responsibility for their care. Katia was extremely blessed to have an incredible supportive staff but the mostly white board of directors were constantly threatening to fire Katia. Racial tension was still prevalent in the Deep South especially for black women. They had a harder time proving their worth and capabilities. Katia found herself in a constant battle with the director of the board. When one of the boys went missing, Katia couldn’t stop looking for him. Katia was prepared to do whatever it took to find the missing boy even if it meant losing her job.
Untethered also focused on the physical and mental challenges that the soldiers who fought in Vietnam faced when they returned stateside. Katia and her mother had received an official letter from the United States military that her twin brothers were missing in action in Vietnam. When one of her twin brothers was found and sent home he returned as a shell of what he had been. An old school friend of Katia’s had also recently returned from fighting in Vietnam. He had returned home with a prosthetic where his leg used to be. Katia got reacquainted with him when he and his construction company started to do work at The Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys. In addition to running his construction company, he also met with and led a group of returning Vietnam veterans in a support group. When he learned about Katia’s brother he offered his help and support to talk with her brother. Many of the soldiers that had returned from Vietnam were having a difficult time. Talking among themselves about the experiences only they experienced was the kind of thing they needed to conquer the demons that they brought home with them. Could he help Katia’s brother recover? Was there a romantic connection between Katia and her old friend?
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown touched on so many important issues that were prevalent in the south during the 1960’s. Firstly, it did an excellent job portraying the broken foster care system especially when it came to Negro boys. Racism, the traumas that returning Vietnam veterans experienced, the realization of just how many POW’s there were and the exorbitant amount of soldiers that were considered missing in action, racism, love, loss, grief, family, hope and being true to one’s beliefs and values were all explored in Untethered. I really admired Katia’s courage, leadership, the examples she set for her boys and her strength. Pee Wee and Chad were also endearing characters for me. I did shed a few tears but I also smiled a lot. I recommend the audiobook highly. If you enjoy a well researched historical fiction novel that will pull at your heartstrings I recommend Untethered highly.
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus/ Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2025
This book y'all! This book! From the very first chapter, I just knew Untethered was going to become a lifetime favorite!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I LOVED every single thing about this book! From the very beginning I became so fiercely attached to each and every character. It’s one of those stories where you feel like you are right there in the pages experiencing everything right along with the characters, so of course I was cheering for their happy moments and crying my eyes out and wanting to embrace them during their hardships. Somehow Jackson-Brown is able to create characters that could literally walk right off the page and you find yourself wanting to have them as friends or part of your family. And when the story ended, I was not ready to each and every one of them go.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
1960s
Strong and smart FMC
Foster Care
Amazing supporting characters
PTSD
Second Chances
A story you won’t want to see end
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
AMAZING!!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
A fast paced story that is very easy to binge.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
This is a powerful story that needs to be told and everyone needs to make this fantastic work of art a must read. Especially since the story resonates with our world today. Even after finishing, I'm still thinking about it. Truly, this is one of those books that will move you in such deep ways. It's amazing, and I highly recommend this to everyone.
Thank you Harper Muse and Libro.fm for this gifted audiobook
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I LOVED every single thing about this book! From the very beginning I became so fiercely attached to each and every character. It’s one of those stories where you feel like you are right there in the pages experiencing everything right along with the characters, so of course I was cheering for their happy moments and crying my eyes out and wanting to embrace them during their hardships. Somehow Jackson-Brown is able to create characters that could literally walk right off the page and you find yourself wanting to have them as friends or part of your family. And when the story ended, I was not ready to each and every one of them go.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
1960s
Strong and smart FMC
Foster Care
Amazing supporting characters
PTSD
Second Chances
A story you won’t want to see end
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
AMAZING!!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
A fast paced story that is very easy to binge.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
This is a powerful story that needs to be told and everyone needs to make this fantastic work of art a must read. Especially since the story resonates with our world today. Even after finishing, I'm still thinking about it. Truly, this is one of those books that will move you in such deep ways. It's amazing, and I highly recommend this to everyone.
Thank you Harper Muse and Libro.fm for this gifted audiobook
March 17, 2025
This is my first book by Angela Jackson-Brown, and yet I knew almost immediately it would not be my last. Told from the perspective of our main character, Katia, this at times heart-wrenching story is about the curveballs life throws at us, and the strength found from pushing forward when you feel you cannot go on.
Katia is a superhero in everyday clothing. Unable to bear children of her own, she becomes head of the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, where she sets out to be the strong matriarchal figure many of these children are missing. As the sister to not one, but two men who have gone to war in service to their country only to end up missing in action, she is the daughter holding up her mother in the face of grief. And within her own potential romantic relationships, she is steadfast in her commitment to finding a partner that will be her equal.
🎧 This is a must on audio narrated by the magnificent Karen Murray.
Read if you like:
▪️Vietnam era history
▪️strong FMCs
▪️found family
▪️friends-to-lovers romance
▪️beautiful writing
Thank you Libro.fm for the advanced copy.
Katia is a superhero in everyday clothing. Unable to bear children of her own, she becomes head of the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, where she sets out to be the strong matriarchal figure many of these children are missing. As the sister to not one, but two men who have gone to war in service to their country only to end up missing in action, she is the daughter holding up her mother in the face of grief. And within her own potential romantic relationships, she is steadfast in her commitment to finding a partner that will be her equal.
🎧 This is a must on audio narrated by the magnificent Karen Murray.
Read if you like:
▪️Vietnam era history
▪️strong FMCs
▪️found family
▪️friends-to-lovers romance
▪️beautiful writing
Thank you Libro.fm for the advanced copy.
January 7, 2025
Grab tissues!!! Deeply sad while fully beautiful. Katia was inspiring in how she handled one crisis after another, always fully professional and proud. A lot of us women can certainly learn from her. But she also frustrated me because, like so many women, she was always putting herself behind everyone else in her life. I was so glad she was surrounded by other women who encouraged her to want more for herself and to be brave enough to face her deepest wants and shame.
The story takes place in Alabama, so yes, it addresses institutionalized racism and sexism. It's not a focal point of the book, but it's also not shied away from. I appreciated the author giving Katia a couple of great white female allies. The sisterhood has to stay strong! Not every white woman was an ally, but it was so important that she had these women in her corner because they were there at critical junctures. Without their presence at these specific moments, it would've been highly likely escalation would've led to greater heartache and violence.
All the youth in the story are so loveable and deserving of love. I want to hug every single one of them and look them in the eyes while telling them that they are worthy and capable.
Leon added little to the story, but my goodness. Ok, so he was actually functional in helping Katia move forward in her life, but that was only after she was forced to let go of him. Her mother's reaction, though, was just so funny to me. Her mother was a great mom. She reminded me of my mom.
My favorite kind of book is when all the loose ends are tied up, and all the loose ends are tied up in this one. Hurray!
The story takes place in Alabama, so yes, it addresses institutionalized racism and sexism. It's not a focal point of the book, but it's also not shied away from. I appreciated the author giving Katia a couple of great white female allies. The sisterhood has to stay strong! Not every white woman was an ally, but it was so important that she had these women in her corner because they were there at critical junctures. Without their presence at these specific moments, it would've been highly likely escalation would've led to greater heartache and violence.
All the youth in the story are so loveable and deserving of love. I want to hug every single one of them and look them in the eyes while telling them that they are worthy and capable.
Leon added little to the story, but my goodness. Ok, so he was actually functional in helping Katia move forward in her life, but that was only after she was forced to let go of him. Her mother's reaction, though, was just so funny to me. Her mother was a great mom. She reminded me of my mom.
My favorite kind of book is when all the loose ends are tied up, and all the loose ends are tied up in this one. Hurray!
May 6, 2025
There’s good bones in this book, but it desperately needs meat! There are so many emotional aspects that didn’t evoke anything from me. The writing just isn’t as compelling as what’s needed to tell this story. Many aspects were repetitive and ultimately falls into the telling instead of showing narration.
As someone who’s been in the social work field for 10+ years, I appreciated the perspective of the group home and the kiddos there; however, it was a bit heavy handed. The same points about the group home were hammered home again and again.
This leans heavily into Christian fiction. The historical aspects are wayyy in the backdrop and could’ve been explored more to balance the story. The book is much more focused on Katia and her personal life.
As someone who’s been in the social work field for 10+ years, I appreciated the perspective of the group home and the kiddos there; however, it was a bit heavy handed. The same points about the group home were hammered home again and again.
This leans heavily into Christian fiction. The historical aspects are wayyy in the backdrop and could’ve been explored more to balance the story. The book is much more focused on Katia and her personal life.
December 6, 2024
Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is a beautifully written and extremely moving historical fiction novel of love, loss, and family whether by blood or by choice. The story is set in a small college town in 1967, an era of social upheaval in the south, where racial tensions are still prevalent and the consequences of the Vietnam War are being felt at home. This is one emotionally charged tale and I felt completely immersed in the lives of the characters. The main protagonist, Katia, director of a group home for Black boys must balance her own desires and feelings with the heavy burden of responsibility while maintaining objectivity for her young charges as well as her obligations to her family. It was impossible not to care for her and hope she gets the beautiful life she deserves but it is perhaps two of her young charges, Pee Wee and Chad, who caused me to shed more than a few tears throughout. An intensely impactful read, one that will resonate with me for a very long time and one, I have no doubt, I will return to again and again.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2024
"I'd that dream again last night. Leeches. Everywhere I turned. I woke up just in time to stifle a scream. Maybe I needed some therapy myself, but who had time for it ? My life was filled with one thing after another. Looking after myself wasn’t top on my priority list."
💭 Katia Daniels is such a strong, impressive and resilient female character and her love and dedication to her work as an executive director at the Pike Country Group Home for boys is very admirable. She is a heroine in her own right. The type of work she does, is very emotionally draining and taxing trying to be a lifeline for others and yet, also rewarding. She is very compassionate and protective of her boys especially to Chad and Peewee and you can't help but to also feel and root for these characters (most especially Peewee! It's hard not to adore the kid.) When you hear about stories like Chad’s and Pee Wee’s, it will make you feel awful for complaining and whining about your life/situation.
Despite dealing with her own family, personal and health concerns, she is determined to do her darnedest to care and protect the boys under her watch, stress and all. They are blessed to have her as their advocate and support. This African American historical fiction book is impactful and influential, poignant, touching, captivating and thought-provoking. The audio narration is fantastic. Highly, highly recommend the audio book version to get the full Peewee experience (his sweet innocence and stuttering charm are both adorable and will most likely steal and thaw even an ice queen's heart) .
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse publishing/Harper Muse audio books for approving both digital and audiobook arc. 🖤
5✨
💭 Katia Daniels is such a strong, impressive and resilient female character and her love and dedication to her work as an executive director at the Pike Country Group Home for boys is very admirable. She is a heroine in her own right. The type of work she does, is very emotionally draining and taxing trying to be a lifeline for others and yet, also rewarding. She is very compassionate and protective of her boys especially to Chad and Peewee and you can't help but to also feel and root for these characters (most especially Peewee! It's hard not to adore the kid.) When you hear about stories like Chad’s and Pee Wee’s, it will make you feel awful for complaining and whining about your life/situation.
Despite dealing with her own family, personal and health concerns, she is determined to do her darnedest to care and protect the boys under her watch, stress and all. They are blessed to have her as their advocate and support. This African American historical fiction book is impactful and influential, poignant, touching, captivating and thought-provoking. The audio narration is fantastic. Highly, highly recommend the audio book version to get the full Peewee experience (his sweet innocence and stuttering charm are both adorable and will most likely steal and thaw even an ice queen's heart) .
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse publishing/Harper Muse audio books for approving both digital and audiobook arc. 🖤
5✨
February 23, 2025
This book made me feel all the emotions! Grab your tissues because this one digs deep. What an incredible story! Set in the 60’s Vietnam era, this one packs a punch 🤜🏽
January 13, 2025
1/5/2025 - OMG! This was good! Need to compose myself… review will come soon.
1/7/2025 Update:
Angela Jackson-Brown has made it to my favorite author list! Her latest book, "Untethered" is a deeply emotional, moving, beautifully crafted novel and an unexpected love story. In 1967, it captures a young woman's struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs navigating love, duty, and self-discovery in a racially charged and evolving Troy, Alabama.
Since Katia Daniels's father died years before, she has found herself tethered to meeting the needs of her mother and twin brothers. When the boys enlist to fight in Vietnam, she continues to live with her mother to ensure she is cared for. Her poignant journey is marked by personal loss, family responsibilities, and the enduring hope of finding her own happiness and purpose.
Katia's role as a caretaker at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys highlights her incredible capacity for compassion, even as her own dreams remain on hold. Her love and devotion to these boys are inspiring, yet you can also see how it is another tether to her life and soul. She gives everything of herself to this job and is on call 24/7. It takes a lot from her physically and emotionally.
The reappearance of Seth, a crush from high school, serves as a catalyst for Katia's introspection, adding a tender and hopeful dimension to her journey and a truly beautiful love story.
The book explores themes like familial duty, the yearning for personal fulfillment, and the pressures of societal expectations. It is deeply compelling. Jackson-Brown's multidimensional characters allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level, making the storylines feel much more intimate and emotional.
Katia's journey to becoming "Untethered" to the things that allow her to discover her true self resonated with me in so many ways. I loved it! Five stars!
Thank you, #NetGalley, #AngelaJacksonBrown, and HarperCollins, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #Untethered.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
1/7/2025 Update:
Angela Jackson-Brown has made it to my favorite author list! Her latest book, "Untethered" is a deeply emotional, moving, beautifully crafted novel and an unexpected love story. In 1967, it captures a young woman's struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs navigating love, duty, and self-discovery in a racially charged and evolving Troy, Alabama.
Since Katia Daniels's father died years before, she has found herself tethered to meeting the needs of her mother and twin brothers. When the boys enlist to fight in Vietnam, she continues to live with her mother to ensure she is cared for. Her poignant journey is marked by personal loss, family responsibilities, and the enduring hope of finding her own happiness and purpose.
Katia's role as a caretaker at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys highlights her incredible capacity for compassion, even as her own dreams remain on hold. Her love and devotion to these boys are inspiring, yet you can also see how it is another tether to her life and soul. She gives everything of herself to this job and is on call 24/7. It takes a lot from her physically and emotionally.
The reappearance of Seth, a crush from high school, serves as a catalyst for Katia's introspection, adding a tender and hopeful dimension to her journey and a truly beautiful love story.
The book explores themes like familial duty, the yearning for personal fulfillment, and the pressures of societal expectations. It is deeply compelling. Jackson-Brown's multidimensional characters allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level, making the storylines feel much more intimate and emotional.
Katia's journey to becoming "Untethered" to the things that allow her to discover her true self resonated with me in so many ways. I loved it! Five stars!
Thank you, #NetGalley, #AngelaJacksonBrown, and HarperCollins, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #Untethered.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 23, 2025
Darn, I thought the premise of this book seemed so interesting. And in fact, the plot was *technically* pretty exciting. But at the end of the day, I felt absolutely nothing for the characters, even when I should have! I felt like DNFing about halfway through but forged on just because it was a fairly short book. The love story in this was the biggest letdown - Seth had almost no personality. And I felt like this book was a classic case of not adhering to the "show don't tell rule." There was too much of the plot and the main character's thoughts laid out on the page for me. And it felt slow and fast at the same time.
Also the subplot about the mom dating her daughter's previous boyfriend? That was just a bit too weird for me.
Also the subplot about the mom dating her daughter's previous boyfriend? That was just a bit too weird for me.
April 6, 2025
I wanted to hug EVERY single character (okay, except for 2). Oh my soul.
December 9, 2024
4.5 rounded up
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
Thank you #partners @harpermusebooks & @librofm for my #gifted audio copy.
Untethered
Angela Jackson-Brown
Available now
📖 In Untethered, we meet Katia (pronounced "Kasha") Daniels in the late 1960s in Troy, Alabama. Without children of her own, Katia runs the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, and pours her heart into her work and the boys in her care. In addition to the stressors of her job—like running interference with meddling social workers, and keeping her boys safe from a system that devalues their Black lives—Katia has an elderly mother at home, and two brothers in Vietnam. Her plate is full, and she's no stranger to worry. So when a man from her past comes back into her life, she's not sure she has the space to let him in. Not when she's carrying the burdens of so many. But if Katia could learn to lean into the help being offered, and let her walls down, she might find her happily ever after, even if it looks a bit different from what she'd once envisioned.
💭 I loved this engaging blend of historical fiction with a romance subplot! I was a huge fan of Jackson-Brown's last book, Homeward, but I think I love this one even more! I was hooked within the first chapter. Katia is such an admirable, loveable protagonist; readers can't help but become invested in her story. She's strong, caring, level-headed, and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. She represents so many women, always putting the needs of others above their own. I was glad to see her embrace vulnerability and let her walls down. A touching story that sheds light on a true piece of history. Highly recommend!
🎧 Narrator Karen Murray is outstanding! She was perfectly cast for this role. She voiced Katia exactly how she sounded in my head. And her range is so impressive. There's a child character with a stutter, and Murray performed his parts brilliantly and believably. A five star audiobook performance!! 👏🏼
📌 Out now!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
Thank you #partners @harpermusebooks & @librofm for my #gifted audio copy.
Untethered
Angela Jackson-Brown
Available now
📖 In Untethered, we meet Katia (pronounced "Kasha") Daniels in the late 1960s in Troy, Alabama. Without children of her own, Katia runs the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, and pours her heart into her work and the boys in her care. In addition to the stressors of her job—like running interference with meddling social workers, and keeping her boys safe from a system that devalues their Black lives—Katia has an elderly mother at home, and two brothers in Vietnam. Her plate is full, and she's no stranger to worry. So when a man from her past comes back into her life, she's not sure she has the space to let him in. Not when she's carrying the burdens of so many. But if Katia could learn to lean into the help being offered, and let her walls down, she might find her happily ever after, even if it looks a bit different from what she'd once envisioned.
💭 I loved this engaging blend of historical fiction with a romance subplot! I was a huge fan of Jackson-Brown's last book, Homeward, but I think I love this one even more! I was hooked within the first chapter. Katia is such an admirable, loveable protagonist; readers can't help but become invested in her story. She's strong, caring, level-headed, and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. She represents so many women, always putting the needs of others above their own. I was glad to see her embrace vulnerability and let her walls down. A touching story that sheds light on a true piece of history. Highly recommend!
🎧 Narrator Karen Murray is outstanding! She was perfectly cast for this role. She voiced Katia exactly how she sounded in my head. And her range is so impressive. There's a child character with a stutter, and Murray performed his parts brilliantly and believably. A five star audiobook performance!! 👏🏼
📌 Out now!
February 1, 2025
Troy, Alabama. 1967. Katia Daniels is a 40 year old plus size Black woman of faith and director of a group home for young Black boys. Her younger twin brothers are away fighting in the Vietnam War. Her father died years ago, leaving her and her mother to share the family home alone. She puts her everything into her work, and treats the boys and her coworkers like family, advocating fiercely for their best interests and safety with pure intentions. When she’s not working, she delves into the worlds in romance novels and Nina Simone’s music. When she finds out her brothers are missing in action, the safety of one the boys she cares for is in jeopardy, and her time as director of the boy’s home is on the line, an old familiar face (and her high school crush) comes back into her life to support her.
🏡📚🕯️📺🪖⛪️🌥️🎼💐😭🪽💍🫀
This book tore me up!!! (in a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ kinda way) I cared so much about each of these characters, and could not stop reading! … I really tried to stay on schedule y'all but I HAD to know what happened. I love that the representation of Nina Simone inspired Katia to embrace her afro. My heart broke for her desire to be a mother and how she truly loved the boys as her own. Chad and PeeWee were such memorable and lovable characters, just sweet and smart little boys who didn’t deserve all the suffering life had handed them 💔 When Seth came in Katia’s office, with a warm spirit calling her “Kat,” I knew a second chance romance was on the horizon. But Katia fought their connection so hard. She felt that she didn’t deserve him because she couldn’t have babies 😢 although he constantly showed that he would keep choosing her. I cried so much with sadness and grief but then the happy (but still sad) tears at the end made it all so worth it. I could not recommend this book enough!
🏡📚🕯️📺🪖⛪️🌥️🎼💐😭🪽💍🫀
This book tore me up!!! (in a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ kinda way) I cared so much about each of these characters, and could not stop reading! … I really tried to stay on schedule y'all but I HAD to know what happened. I love that the representation of Nina Simone inspired Katia to embrace her afro. My heart broke for her desire to be a mother and how she truly loved the boys as her own. Chad and PeeWee were such memorable and lovable characters, just sweet and smart little boys who didn’t deserve all the suffering life had handed them 💔 When Seth came in Katia’s office, with a warm spirit calling her “Kat,” I knew a second chance romance was on the horizon. But Katia fought their connection so hard. She felt that she didn’t deserve him because she couldn’t have babies 😢 although he constantly showed that he would keep choosing her. I cried so much with sadness and grief but then the happy (but still sad) tears at the end made it all so worth it. I could not recommend this book enough!
March 1, 2025
Set in 1970s Alabama, Angela Jackson-Brown’s UNTETHERED follows Katia Daniels, the director of a group home for young Black boys. Katia is dealing with a lot: her younger brothers are missing in action in Vietnam, she aches to be a mother but recently underwent a hysterectomy, and her job at the group home brings constant heartbreak and struggle as both she and the boys in her care come up against a racist system.
The characters and relationships in UNTETHERED are easily its greatest strength. Pee Wee and Chad, two residents of the group home who become particularly special to Katia, highlight the many ways we as a society fail to protect young Black boys. The love and support Katia receives from her friends, family, and coworkers creates a sense of community in the story that I haven’t often seen on the page. There are dozens of characters in this book, but Angela Jackson-Brown juggles them well, and even those we don’t see often are richly drawn.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past the writing. This book is written like a journal entry, with no attention to craft or storytelling (e.g., ‘this happened, then that happened, and this is how I’m feeling about it...”) It’s bogged down with unnecessary detail, often bringing otherwise interesting scenes to a grinding halt (like when Katia stops in the middle of a huge turn in the plot to explain why she knows someone’s phone number). Any time something of interest happens, it’s followed by several pages, sometimes entire chapters, of Katia informing everyone in her life what has happened. It made for a very tedious read.
While some of these characters will stick with me (Pee Wee, you have my heart), ultimately this was a miss.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus (Harper Muse) for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The characters and relationships in UNTETHERED are easily its greatest strength. Pee Wee and Chad, two residents of the group home who become particularly special to Katia, highlight the many ways we as a society fail to protect young Black boys. The love and support Katia receives from her friends, family, and coworkers creates a sense of community in the story that I haven’t often seen on the page. There are dozens of characters in this book, but Angela Jackson-Brown juggles them well, and even those we don’t see often are richly drawn.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past the writing. This book is written like a journal entry, with no attention to craft or storytelling (e.g., ‘this happened, then that happened, and this is how I’m feeling about it...”) It’s bogged down with unnecessary detail, often bringing otherwise interesting scenes to a grinding halt (like when Katia stops in the middle of a huge turn in the plot to explain why she knows someone’s phone number). Any time something of interest happens, it’s followed by several pages, sometimes entire chapters, of Katia informing everyone in her life what has happened. It made for a very tedious read.
While some of these characters will stick with me (Pee Wee, you have my heart), ultimately this was a miss.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus (Harper Muse) for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 15, 2025
UNTETHERED by Angela Jackson-Brown
3.5 stars
I paired the ebook and audiobook read by Karen Murray who does a nice reading of this.
First of all, the book cover design on this is so beautifully done.
Untethered is a beautiful and deeply emotional read…
Set in Alabama in the 1960s, Katia Daniel’s, is the director of a group home for neglected and abused black boys. She is also caretaker at home for her mother and twin brothers. You can feel the weight Katia carries with her on a daily basis. She is now forty years old, not married, no children and a brother MIA in Vietnam. Katia shows love for all the boys at the group home, but has a special fondness for two of the boys. We get glimpses of the suffering these kids have experienced in their lives and how they fall through the cracks of a broken system.
Untethered is written in simple prose, but delivers powerful messages of hope, love, and compassion. A good read even though predictable.
3.5 stars
I paired the ebook and audiobook read by Karen Murray who does a nice reading of this.
First of all, the book cover design on this is so beautifully done.
Untethered is a beautiful and deeply emotional read…
Set in Alabama in the 1960s, Katia Daniel’s, is the director of a group home for neglected and abused black boys. She is also caretaker at home for her mother and twin brothers. You can feel the weight Katia carries with her on a daily basis. She is now forty years old, not married, no children and a brother MIA in Vietnam. Katia shows love for all the boys at the group home, but has a special fondness for two of the boys. We get glimpses of the suffering these kids have experienced in their lives and how they fall through the cracks of a broken system.
Untethered is written in simple prose, but delivers powerful messages of hope, love, and compassion. A good read even though predictable.
December 8, 2024
This is the first book that I have read by Angela Jackson-Brown and I am so glad that I read this book. This book was phenomenal. Now mind you there were plenty of heart breaking moments, but I think that's how to me this book is so realistic. This book is set between the years of 1967-1968 during the Vietnam war and we are following the main character Katia who lives in Troy, Alabama, runs a group home and take care of her mother. For just one person that is a lot and we see that Katia is trying to remain strong but closer towards the end of the book she becomes vulnerable and shows her frustrations with every thing. Overall this is a fantastic book where it shows you how today the foster care system is still broken and needs to be fixed. I highly recommend that everyone should read this book.
January 1, 2025
3.5 rounded up. 3.5 stars rounded up. I have mixed feelings about this one, but I’ll start by saying I’m excited to read more from Jackson Brown. This book convinced me that whenever I’m in the mood for a character-driven story, I’ll be reaching for her work.
What this book does well is dive deep into the life of its protagonist, Katia—a grieving, vulnerable, and, at times, self-loathing woman. She’s relatable and recognizable, while also displaying immense strength and care for those around her, often to both her benefit and detriment.
The story tackles heavy topics, including grief over losing her father, supporting her mother, longing for her missing twin brother, and caring for her other brother, who has returned from war. Katia is also the director of a foster home for young Black children, all while navigating her dating life and grappling with her inability to have children. I expected heavy themes, especially with the foster care system and the systemic failures that often affect children.
While I was drawn to the these deeper topics, the execution left me torn. By the end, the heavier moments didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped, and some felt underexplored. The story leaned heavily on Katia’s feelings of inadequacy, particularly around motherhood and her relationships, which sometimes felt repetitive. When a character dies, for example, it felt rushed and almost unnecessary to the narrative making it hard to fully grieve them.
I also struggled with the genre blending. At times, it felt more like a romance novel disguised as something else. The ending—a sappy romantic resolution—felt out of sync with the rest of the book. While some readers will find relief in seeing Katia finally appreciated by someone who recognizes her value, it didn’t entirely work for me.
That said, Katia’s connections with the young boys in her care, her family, and her friends are deeply felt. I just wish we’d gotten perspectives from other characters, like her brother Mark, whose experience with war and its aftermath is only shown secondhand. The same goes for Mason and Chad, whose voices brought innocence and vulnerability to the foster care storyline.
Lastly, the historical fiction aspect didn’t always feel convincing. Without a few dated references, much of the story could have taken place today. While the author touched on racism and abuse in Katia’s work environment, as well as the stacked challenges faced by Black children in foster care, I think there was room to expand on these themes and firmly ground the story in its intended era.
Overall, while I didn’t love the book, I did like it. It’s rich in emotion and complexity and would make an excellent book club pick. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you much to NetGalley for this egalley!
What this book does well is dive deep into the life of its protagonist, Katia—a grieving, vulnerable, and, at times, self-loathing woman. She’s relatable and recognizable, while also displaying immense strength and care for those around her, often to both her benefit and detriment.
The story tackles heavy topics, including grief over losing her father, supporting her mother, longing for her missing twin brother, and caring for her other brother, who has returned from war. Katia is also the director of a foster home for young Black children, all while navigating her dating life and grappling with her inability to have children. I expected heavy themes, especially with the foster care system and the systemic failures that often affect children.
While I was drawn to the these deeper topics, the execution left me torn. By the end, the heavier moments didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped, and some felt underexplored. The story leaned heavily on Katia’s feelings of inadequacy, particularly around motherhood and her relationships, which sometimes felt repetitive. When a character dies, for example, it felt rushed and almost unnecessary to the narrative making it hard to fully grieve them.
I also struggled with the genre blending. At times, it felt more like a romance novel disguised as something else. The ending—a sappy romantic resolution—felt out of sync with the rest of the book. While some readers will find relief in seeing Katia finally appreciated by someone who recognizes her value, it didn’t entirely work for me.
That said, Katia’s connections with the young boys in her care, her family, and her friends are deeply felt. I just wish we’d gotten perspectives from other characters, like her brother Mark, whose experience with war and its aftermath is only shown secondhand. The same goes for Mason and Chad, whose voices brought innocence and vulnerability to the foster care storyline.
Lastly, the historical fiction aspect didn’t always feel convincing. Without a few dated references, much of the story could have taken place today. While the author touched on racism and abuse in Katia’s work environment, as well as the stacked challenges faced by Black children in foster care, I think there was room to expand on these themes and firmly ground the story in its intended era.
Overall, while I didn’t love the book, I did like it. It’s rich in emotion and complexity and would make an excellent book club pick. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you much to NetGalley for this egalley!
January 6, 2025
Angela Jackson-Brown's 'Untethered' is a powerful historical fiction novel that stays with you. As a Black social worker, I connected with Katia Daniels' role as both a caregiver and a woman so many loved ones depend on. Set in 1967 Alabama, it explores the heavy responsibilities Black women carry in our personal and professional lives.
Katia works at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, showing deep care for the boys she protects. Her protective instincts often come with personal sacrifices, even putting her in danger. Jackson-Brown's research into child protective services and the Vietnam War is evident throughout the narrative. Katia's grief is deeply felt: the loss of her father, a missing twin brother in Vietnam, and dreams of motherhood left unfulfilled. Yet she's portrayed as fully human, finding moments of comfort in romance novels and Nina Simone's music.
Her bond with her mother is beautifully written, showing how grief can unite a family and provide us with sustenance during uncertain, painful seasons. The novel doesn't wrap everything in a neat bow, but healing is shown as messy and ongoing. I rooted for Katia's happiness, even when it took unexpected forms. The boys in her care feel just as real and precious as Katia herself. Jackson-Brown handles themes like sexual abuse, addiction, gun violence, and death with consideration for the reader. This book is a testament to the strength and love of Black women and the complexities of caregiving in our families and communities. It's a reminder that love and healing often arrive in surprising ways.
'Untethered' is a compassionate, thoughtful novel that reveals the depth of Katia's strength without making her a martyr when it's all said and done. I was relieved despite the hurt she endures, she does find her own unique happy ending. As a therapist, I appreciated the portrayal of emotional vulnerability and personal growth. This is a book that lingers, inviting reflection on both personal healing and social change.
Katia works at the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, showing deep care for the boys she protects. Her protective instincts often come with personal sacrifices, even putting her in danger. Jackson-Brown's research into child protective services and the Vietnam War is evident throughout the narrative. Katia's grief is deeply felt: the loss of her father, a missing twin brother in Vietnam, and dreams of motherhood left unfulfilled. Yet she's portrayed as fully human, finding moments of comfort in romance novels and Nina Simone's music.
Her bond with her mother is beautifully written, showing how grief can unite a family and provide us with sustenance during uncertain, painful seasons. The novel doesn't wrap everything in a neat bow, but healing is shown as messy and ongoing. I rooted for Katia's happiness, even when it took unexpected forms. The boys in her care feel just as real and precious as Katia herself. Jackson-Brown handles themes like sexual abuse, addiction, gun violence, and death with consideration for the reader. This book is a testament to the strength and love of Black women and the complexities of caregiving in our families and communities. It's a reminder that love and healing often arrive in surprising ways.
'Untethered' is a compassionate, thoughtful novel that reveals the depth of Katia's strength without making her a martyr when it's all said and done. I was relieved despite the hurt she endures, she does find her own unique happy ending. As a therapist, I appreciated the portrayal of emotional vulnerability and personal growth. This is a book that lingers, inviting reflection on both personal healing and social change.
September 6, 2024
Talk about a book. Immediately when I first saw this, I had an idea of what to expect from the synopsis alone but I was obviously wrong. Katia is someone who is very relatable and someone that I see myself in. Very giving, can sometimes self sabotage, and worry about others before themselves (I used to be like that really badly, but I’m working to unlearn those bad habits). But despite the rollercoaster of emotions I felt, I’m rooting for Katia in wherever life takes her. She deserves it more than anyone else.
January 29, 2025
I did not enjoy this book. The writing was too simple. It read like a YA or even a middle grade book. A lot of “telling” and not enough “showing”. Some of the language and mental health concepts were relatively modern and didn’t seem to fit in 1967. There was a lot of Christian god, prayer and Bible references—maybe too much. Overall, I found the book predictable and boring. I really wanted to like this book.
January 11, 2025
This historical fiction book is a little different from many I've read. It involves historical events more tangentially rather than front and center, which makes it a little quieter and slower-paced story. However, that approach means that we get to know the main character, Katia, really well. She exemplifies the plight of so many women, especially Black women, who work ceaselessly in service of others. She is the director of a group home for young boys and runs it with integrity and love. She is a daughter who is trying to live her own life while respecting her mother's sensibilities. She is a sister whose twin brothers are missing in action in Vietnam. She she is a woman who takes her responsibilities very seriously, like so many women do. We see how much she is bonded to the boys in the group home when some of the boys go through difficult, life-altering events. Along with all that she is carrying, she has a desire to find love and be a mother, and it seems like that desire will go unmet. The author protrays the realities of gender, race, and socioeconomics of the time in a way that puts the reader right in the middle of the story. I listened to the audiobook, and I enjoyed the narration. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy.
February 18, 2025
It's 0558. It is well worth the "all-nighter." Loved this book. 4.9 *
April 28, 2025
my first Angela Jackson-Brown book and it definitely won't be my last! loved this!
November 6, 2025
I liked this! Full review is on http://instagram.com/chelseahudsonreads
November 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the protagonist is incredibly relatable to me because we work in similar fields, but on the other hand, she can be frustrating and overwhelming. Like Katia, I also work with young boys who have been failed by the system or come from families dealing with their own struggles. These boys make tough choices just to survive, even if those choices are dangerous. And as an adult who wants to protect and nurture them, it’s easy to lose yourself in the work—so much so that you forget to take care of yourself.
Katia is a strong Black woman in her 40s, still living at home, stuck in a half-hearted relationship, and never really given the space to grieve. She's the rock for her family and the executive director of a group home where she cares for troubled young boys, guiding them toward success. She constantly reminds them that being a Black boy in today’s world will make them a target, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t save them all. On top of everything, her two brothers go missing in Vietnam, and only one returns.
Katia’s self-esteem is shattered, and her view of herself is harsh. She’s convinced she lacks beauty or value, especially because she can't have children. With a love interest she ignores, two boys she feels she can't save, a mother with no boundaries, a job where the racist owner wants to see her fail, and the weight of all her worries, Katia is like a ticking time bomb. No one can carry that kind of load forever.
While I appreciate how the book addresses the trauma and tough decisions young men face—things that need to be discussed—the repetition of Katia’s struggles was a bit much. The book covers a lot of heavy themes: abuse, trauma, death, love, nourishment, and the power of prayer. Losing faith and hope is a recurring theme, but through it all, the support, and prayers from those around her provide a constant sense of comfort. There’s a beautiful focus on the complexity of faith and the journey of understanding versus questioning God.
Despite all of Katia’s struggles, there’s an undeniable beauty in her character—one she’s reluctant to see but deeply deserves to feel. She may be far from perfect, but she’s fighting for something better, and by the end of the book, I truly hoped she would find a happy ending.
I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the protagonist is incredibly relatable to me because we work in similar fields, but on the other hand, she can be frustrating and overwhelming. Like Katia, I also work with young boys who have been failed by the system or come from families dealing with their own struggles. These boys make tough choices just to survive, even if those choices are dangerous. And as an adult who wants to protect and nurture them, it’s easy to lose yourself in the work—so much so that you forget to take care of yourself.
Katia is a strong Black woman in her 40s, still living at home, stuck in a half-hearted relationship, and never really given the space to grieve. She's the rock for her family and the executive director of a group home where she cares for troubled young boys, guiding them toward success. She constantly reminds them that being a Black boy in today’s world will make them a target, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t save them all. On top of everything, her two brothers go missing in Vietnam, and only one returns.
Katia’s self-esteem is shattered, and her view of herself is harsh. She’s convinced she lacks beauty or value, especially because she can't have children. With a love interest she ignores, two boys she feels she can't save, a mother with no boundaries, a job where the racist owner wants to see her fail, and the weight of all her worries, Katia is like a ticking time bomb. No one can carry that kind of load forever.
While I appreciate how the book addresses the trauma and tough decisions young men face—things that need to be discussed—the repetition of Katia’s struggles was a bit much. The book covers a lot of heavy themes: abuse, trauma, death, love, nourishment, and the power of prayer. Losing faith and hope is a recurring theme, but through it all, the support, and prayers from those around her provide a constant sense of comfort. There’s a beautiful focus on the complexity of faith and the journey of understanding versus questioning God.
Despite all of Katia’s struggles, there’s an undeniable beauty in her character—one she’s reluctant to see but deeply deserves to feel. She may be far from perfect, but she’s fighting for something better, and by the end of the book, I truly hoped she would find a happy ending.
December 10, 2024
As soon I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. The book is set in Troy, Alabama, which happens to be the birthplace of one of my favorite Civil Rights Legends, Representative John Lewis. It’s also not too far from my hometown so you know I was locked in! (Plus, Me 🔑 + Southern Fiction🔒 = 🔐) This was my third Angela Jackson-Brown book in just a few months. She’s definitely one of the reasons why I’ve been stuck in my historical fiction reading streak. This was different from the others and I think this might be my favorite of hers. Katia runs a group home for boys and she’s very protective of them, as she should be. She is also burdened with a load of professional and personal problems. I know that life all too well, especially working with children myself. Those problems can be particularly hard to leave at work. I loved seeing her take a few moments to herself to enjoy a few pages of her favorite books, a few spins of her treasured albums, or a quiet, calming bath. We have to find joy and peace whenever and however can. Although this story takes place in 1967, it still rings true today and it’s more important than ever now. Black women it’s our time to rest! You should pick this one up if you if need that reminder in historical fiction form.
Rating: 4.5/ 5 ⭐️
Thanks to Hear Our Voices Tours, Harper Muse Books, and Angela Jackson-Brown for my gifted ARCs and ALC!
Rating: 4.5/ 5 ⭐️
Thanks to Hear Our Voices Tours, Harper Muse Books, and Angela Jackson-Brown for my gifted ARCs and ALC!
December 7, 2024
This cover is so beautiful. & I love a good historical fiction book. I did go into it blind. So I hadn’t read the synopsis . It kind of gives romance. Which I’m
Not a big romance reader. But I like the way the author introduces the romance to us. With multiple relationships through the book.
Some parts were super repetitive. Her not being able to have children kept coming up. That’s a trigger & struggle for women this day and age. — so I understand it was probably 5x worse back in the 40s-60s. I personally was not a fan of how it was continuously brought up as a crutch for the female main character . But she does finally in crutch herself from it. Which is amazing. The growth of the main character really made the story so much better. I loved her loving & supporting her family is.
There is also a death, that I wish didn’t happened. That kind of hurt.
Thank you partners @hearourvoicestours, for the gifted book and ARC
#Untethered #AngelaJacksonBrownAuthor
Not a big romance reader. But I like the way the author introduces the romance to us. With multiple relationships through the book.
Some parts were super repetitive. Her not being able to have children kept coming up. That’s a trigger & struggle for women this day and age. — so I understand it was probably 5x worse back in the 40s-60s. I personally was not a fan of how it was continuously brought up as a crutch for the female main character . But she does finally in crutch herself from it. Which is amazing. The growth of the main character really made the story so much better. I loved her loving & supporting her family is.
There is also a death, that I wish didn’t happened. That kind of hurt.
Thank you partners @hearourvoicestours, for the gifted book and ARC
#Untethered #AngelaJacksonBrownAuthor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
This was definitely a really hard read with back to back to back tragedies. I don’t know if I just wasn’t in the mood for it but it fell flat for me. I am a huge lover of historical fiction but I just couldn’t get into this one until the very end. It also felt repetitive in some areas. Overall, I do enjoy the author’s writing.
December 12, 2024
Occasionally I will read a book that so touches my heart that I'm almost afraid to share my thoughts for fear someone else won't feel the same way. Then my rational mind reminds me that the wonder of books is that there are so many great books, and when you love one, you should shout it from the mountains. I absolutely loved Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown. It is set in Troy, Alabama in 1967. The main character is Katia Daniels, the Executive Director of the Pike County Group Home for Boys, Negro boys ages 8-16. Katia's love and commitment to the boys is the driving force in her life. She is 40 years old, single, lives with her Mama; her twin brothers Marcus and Aaron are serving in Vietnam. The storyline is so well crafted that I felt that I was living the story along with Katia. The love of and commitment to family made me yearn for simpler days, yet sadly the prejudice and fear Blacks in Alabama, and elsewhere experienced, still exists today. One sentence really stuck with me, Katia was talking to a Black friend who was questioning the time he served in Vietnam; he lost his leg in service to the USA. She said: "Seth, being a Black person in this country ain't easy. We love America a whole lot more than it loves us, but it's the only country we've got. "
There is too much depth in this novel to adequately share it in a review; I could go on and on. Suffice to say, Untethered, made me laugh and cry. At one point I had to take a quick break just to compose myself. It tells a story of love, honor, disappointment, death, joy and the miracle of living one more day. Thank you very much to NetGalley, Harper Muse Publishing, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Untethered, this review reflects my honest opinion. And to the author, Ms. Jackson-Brown, thank you for writing this wonderful book. 5 stars.
There is too much depth in this novel to adequately share it in a review; I could go on and on. Suffice to say, Untethered, made me laugh and cry. At one point I had to take a quick break just to compose myself. It tells a story of love, honor, disappointment, death, joy and the miracle of living one more day. Thank you very much to NetGalley, Harper Muse Publishing, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Untethered, this review reflects my honest opinion. And to the author, Ms. Jackson-Brown, thank you for writing this wonderful book. 5 stars.
January 8, 2025
Wow. Untethered by Angela Jackson-Brown is an absolute masterpiece. This book grabbed me by the heart and didn’t let go—not even after I finished it. From the very first page, I was drawn into Katia’s story, and let me tell you, I felt everything. The heartbreak, the hope, the strength—I was right there with her.
The writing is so powerful and immersive that it felt like I wasn’t just reading about Katia’s life—I was living it alongside her. Every emotion, every struggle, every triumph felt personal. It’s the kind of storytelling that leaves a lasting impression, making you see the world and its people a little differently.
This book had me in tears more times than I can count (seriously, keep tissues handy), but it’s not just sad—it’s powerful. Katia is one of those characters you bond with so deeply, you just want to reach through the pages and give her the biggest hug. Her journey is raw, real, and unforgettable.
Starting 2025 with Untethered was the best decision. This book isn’t just a must-read—it’s a top book of the year FOR ME. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, this is it.
The writing is so powerful and immersive that it felt like I wasn’t just reading about Katia’s life—I was living it alongside her. Every emotion, every struggle, every triumph felt personal. It’s the kind of storytelling that leaves a lasting impression, making you see the world and its people a little differently.
This book had me in tears more times than I can count (seriously, keep tissues handy), but it’s not just sad—it’s powerful. Katia is one of those characters you bond with so deeply, you just want to reach through the pages and give her the biggest hug. Her journey is raw, real, and unforgettable.
Starting 2025 with Untethered was the best decision. This book isn’t just a must-read—it’s a top book of the year FOR ME. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, this is it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews