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Five Oaks
In the Arkansas mountains, three generations of fiercely determined young women are poised for self-discovery in a decades-spanning novel about the bonds of family and secrets.
Spending summer away from home for the first time, fifteen-year-old Wren Pritchard and her younger sister, Sylvie, arrive at Five Oaks, their grandparents’ Arkansas lake house. As it was for their grandmother and mother before them, it’s a place for coming of age, first love, triumphs and failures, and keeping secrets.
This year, it’s Wren’s end-of-girlhood season. And Sylvie vows to keep all her Wren slipping away in the middle of the night, the boy on the dock, racing with him on the dark back roads, and slipping quietly into bed before dawn, carrying the scent of adventure. And still, as Wren’s behavior begins changing and the moonlit escapes become more daring, Sylvie holds her tongue. Even when it feels like Wren is speeding toward disaster. Then one night, Wren doesn’t come home.
The halcyon days in the Ouachita Mountains are not what they appear. When the truth comes to light—about mothers, daughters, and sisters—no one in the family will ever be the same.
Spending summer away from home for the first time, fifteen-year-old Wren Pritchard and her younger sister, Sylvie, arrive at Five Oaks, their grandparents’ Arkansas lake house. As it was for their grandmother and mother before them, it’s a place for coming of age, first love, triumphs and failures, and keeping secrets.
This year, it’s Wren’s end-of-girlhood season. And Sylvie vows to keep all her Wren slipping away in the middle of the night, the boy on the dock, racing with him on the dark back roads, and slipping quietly into bed before dawn, carrying the scent of adventure. And still, as Wren’s behavior begins changing and the moonlit escapes become more daring, Sylvie holds her tongue. Even when it feels like Wren is speeding toward disaster. Then one night, Wren doesn’t come home.
The halcyon days in the Ouachita Mountains are not what they appear. When the truth comes to light—about mothers, daughters, and sisters—no one in the family will ever be the same.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 25, 2025
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Southern historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, especially ones set in Appalachia, but this one missed the mark. It's a multi-generational story about three generations of women. Teenager Wren and her little sister Sylvie go to their Grandma's house, Five Oaks, in the Appalachian Mountains. This is a tale about coming of age and, of course, first love.
What didn't work for me was the pacing; it was so slow, especially at the beginning, and I had a hard time getting into the book at first. The story itself was interesting enough, and the book is very descriptive, sometimes overly so. The character depth of the sisters was very well done. I loved Wren and Sylvie's relationship. My sister is older than I am, and I could see us in these girls. Julie Hensley is a wonderful writer, but this got bogged down in all the little details. It's a very character-driven story with many issues and topical matters that were dealt with appropriately. But the ending was unsatisfying and felt unresolved.
Overall, this book will suit those who enjoy literary fiction with a strong sense of time and place. Some readers will appreciate the beautiful prose that I found too wordy. I do commend the author for her ability to capture Appalachian life in such a realistic way. I was missing a dramatic plot and emotional drama, I thought the book would entail, but it deserves recognition for its portrayal of the Appalachian Mountains and its people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
Southern historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, especially ones set in Appalachia, but this one missed the mark. It's a multi-generational story about three generations of women. Teenager Wren and her little sister Sylvie go to their Grandma's house, Five Oaks, in the Appalachian Mountains. This is a tale about coming of age and, of course, first love.
What didn't work for me was the pacing; it was so slow, especially at the beginning, and I had a hard time getting into the book at first. The story itself was interesting enough, and the book is very descriptive, sometimes overly so. The character depth of the sisters was very well done. I loved Wren and Sylvie's relationship. My sister is older than I am, and I could see us in these girls. Julie Hensley is a wonderful writer, but this got bogged down in all the little details. It's a very character-driven story with many issues and topical matters that were dealt with appropriately. But the ending was unsatisfying and felt unresolved.
Overall, this book will suit those who enjoy literary fiction with a strong sense of time and place. Some readers will appreciate the beautiful prose that I found too wordy. I do commend the author for her ability to capture Appalachian life in such a realistic way. I was missing a dramatic plot and emotional drama, I thought the book would entail, but it deserves recognition for its portrayal of the Appalachian Mountains and its people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
December 10, 2025
This is an intergenerational story about three women. The story itself is enjoyable. The writer excels in her almost poetic descriptions of the surroundings, but those descriptions are sometimes overdone. The book did not grab or keep my attention, probably because it is very slow.
May 24, 2025
One of the highest compliments I can give, this reminded me so much of Ann Patchett’s work.
A story about family and summers in the south. About love and life and loss of innocence. It was beautiful and tense and tender and engaging.
“I would remember something a geometry teacher once said back in high school, how a triangle is the most stable shape. How it can transform to accommodate shifting distance and shrinking angles.
In that moment as in so many others over the years, I would be vigilant about the secret currents that threaten the space between us. Like a wide bay that looked serene on the surface but was pocked with the danger of things long submerged.
I would think about the torn envelope.
Sometimes in my memory the white scraps of that letter look like ash as they float away.
Sometimes they look like blossoms.”
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC!
TW: SA both described and implied, kidnapping
A story about family and summers in the south. About love and life and loss of innocence. It was beautiful and tense and tender and engaging.
“I would remember something a geometry teacher once said back in high school, how a triangle is the most stable shape. How it can transform to accommodate shifting distance and shrinking angles.
In that moment as in so many others over the years, I would be vigilant about the secret currents that threaten the space between us. Like a wide bay that looked serene on the surface but was pocked with the danger of things long submerged.
I would think about the torn envelope.
Sometimes in my memory the white scraps of that letter look like ash as they float away.
Sometimes they look like blossoms.”
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC!
TW: SA both described and implied, kidnapping
May 31, 2025
This book was okay. The description seemed more exciting than the book actually was. The writing was stunning and vivid, the author did a wonderful job telling a story. I enjoyed reading about the three generations of women in this family and I liked all the characters.
I love coming of age stories and reading Wren and Slyvie’s experiences as little girls starting to get a taste of the real world kept me engaged.
I kept expecting something big to happen because of how the beginning was written. What happens to Wren at the end is kind of up to the reader to interpret and I think it left me more unsatisfied than wanting to use my imagination. I wish there was more development on the main characters part and the timeline jump would at times get confusing.
I liked this book but I neither loved it nor disliked it.
3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for proving me a copy.
I love coming of age stories and reading Wren and Slyvie’s experiences as little girls starting to get a taste of the real world kept me engaged.
I kept expecting something big to happen because of how the beginning was written. What happens to Wren at the end is kind of up to the reader to interpret and I think it left me more unsatisfied than wanting to use my imagination. I wish there was more development on the main characters part and the timeline jump would at times get confusing.
I liked this book but I neither loved it nor disliked it.
3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for proving me a copy.
March 3, 2025
This one feels very near and dear to my heart. I'm a sucker for coming-of-age stories, multi-generational sagas, and Southern fiction so this feels like it was cooked up in a lab for me. Julie Hensley leaves the reader with that same ache that comes with growing up and realizing that you'll never see the world in the same perspective as you once did. It's not so much the story that stood out to me as the atmosphere. Her descriptions take you back to those same feelings of carefree fun and later crushing responsibility and loneliness.
This novel is perfect for people who never moved on from Steel Magnolias or The Man in the Moon.
Thank you Julie Hensley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This novel is perfect for people who never moved on from Steel Magnolias or The Man in the Moon.
Thank you Julie Hensley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 3, 2025
This book was really just okay. I enjoyed reading the stories of the three generations of women, I just felt there was a little too much description at times. I also felt that I too quickly forgot who was who - maybe I'm the problem there and not the book, I can't decide. However what I really did not like were the depictions of abuse of fish and other animals, and did we really need to read about a trip to a slaughterhouse? That just felt totally unnecessary and added absolutely nothing to the story.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
May 2, 2025
Five Oaks immediately pulled me in with its moody, southern atmosphere and a beautifully layered timeline. The way it shifted between different time periods and perspectives was intriguing. The pacing kept me from fully connecting. The story felt rushed and I didn’t get the chance to truly know some of the characters. I kept wishing the book would slow down and let me stay with certain people or scenes a little longer. I think Five Oaks would be a fantastic movie! 3.5⭐️
May 30, 2025
Julie Hensley's Five Oaks is a luminous, multi-generational novel that unfolds like a carefully tended garden, revealing its secrets layer by layer. Set against the languid backdrop of an Arkansas lake house, this literary fiction masterpiece weaves together the stories of three generations of women, each grappling with the treacherous passage from girlhood to womanhood. With prose as evocative as humid summer air and as precise as a surgeon's scalpel, Hensley crafts a narrative that is both deeply intimate and universally resonant.
The novel centers on the Stone family's lake house, Five Oaks, a place that serves as both sanctuary and stage for life-altering events. When eleven-year-old Sylvie and her fifteen-year-old sister Wren arrive for what should be an idyllic summer with their grandparents, the stage is set for a coming-of-age story that transcends the typical boundaries of the genre. What begins as a seemingly innocent family vacation gradually transforms into something far more complex and dangerous.
The Architecture of Memory and Time
Hensley demonstrates remarkable structural sophistication in her handling of time and perspective. The narrative moves fluidly between 1988 and earlier decades, creating a rich tapestry that illuminates how the past continuously shapes the present. The author's decision to divide the novel into sections marked by Wren's location—"Wren in the Canoe," "Wren on the Dock," "Wren in the Car"—creates a cinematic quality that heightens the sense of impending doom while maintaining the reader's intimate connection to the characters.
The multiple timelines serve not merely as background but as active participants in the story. Georgia's experiences in 1942 Texas, Margaret's time at Five Oaks in the early 1970s, and the central 1988 narrative create a symphony of voices that speak to the recurring patterns of desire, loss, and redemption that define the Stone women. Each generation faces its own version of transformation at Five Oaks, and Hensley masterfully shows how the lake house itself becomes a character—one that holds memories like sediment in its waters.
Character Development and Psychological Depth
The strength of Five Oaks lies not in its plot mechanics but in Hensley's profound understanding of human psychology, particularly the complex dynamics between sisters. Sylvie serves as both narrator and moral compass, carrying the weight of her sister's secrets with a burden that feels almost physical on the page. Her voice—observant, protective, and increasingly troubled—provides the emotional anchor for the entire narrative.
Wren emerges as a character of remarkable complexity, embodying the dangerous allure of adolescent rebellion while remaining fundamentally sympathetic. Hensley avoids the trap of making her either purely victim or aggressor, instead presenting her as a young woman caught in the treacherous currents of her own awakening sexuality and the predatory attention it attracts. The relationship between the sisters feels authentic in its mixture of love, resentment, protection, and betrayal.
The adult women in the novel—Georgia, Margaret, and Mamaw—are equally well-developed, each carrying their own secrets and regrets. Georgia's story, revealed through flashbacks to her nursing training and wartime romance, provides crucial context for understanding the family's patterns of silence and self-protection. Margaret's struggles with postpartum depression and the guilt surrounding Wren's childhood accident add layers of complexity to her character that resist easy categorization.
Language and Atmosphere
Hensley's prose is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Her descriptions of the Arkansas landscape are so vivid they become almost tactile—readers can feel the humid air, smell the lake water, and sense the oppressive weight of secrets hanging in the summer heat. The author's background as a poet is evident in her careful attention to language and rhythm. Consider this passage describing the lake: "The water was inky around me, rippled from the rocking boats. When I pulled myself up the ladder and dried off, Wren called me over to her."
The Southern Gothic elements in the novel never feel forced or derivative. Instead, Hensley creates an atmosphere of unease that builds naturally from the characters' internal conflicts and the weight of family history. The lake itself becomes a metaphor for the unconscious—beautiful on the surface but hiding dangers in its depths.
Thematic Resonance and Social Commentary
Five Oaks tackles difficult subjects with remarkable sensitivity and nuance. The novel's exploration of sexual predation and its aftermath avoids sensationalism while honestly depicting the long-term psychological effects of trauma. Hensley's treatment of these themes is particularly noteworthy for its focus on the ripple effects of such experiences—how they shape not just the immediate victim but entire family systems.
The novel also serves as a subtle examination of class and gender dynamics in the late 1980s South. The contrast between the Stone family's middle-class stability and the more precarious situations of characters like Dixie and Cash illuminates broader social inequalities without resorting to heavy-handed commentary.
The theme of silence—what we choose to tell and what we choose to hide—runs throughout the novel like an underground river. Each generation of women learns to keep secrets, ostensibly to protect those they love, but often perpetuating cycles of isolation and misunderstanding.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While Five Oaks succeeds on most levels, some readers may find the pacing occasionally uneven. The novel's deliberate, atmospheric approach means that crucial plot developments sometimes feel rushed when they finally arrive. The climactic events of Wren's disappearance and discovery, while powerfully written, might benefit from additional development to match the careful buildup that precedes them.
Additionally, while Hensley's use of multiple timelines is generally effective, some transitions between past and present can feel abrupt, occasionally disrupting the narrative flow. The novel's ending, while emotionally satisfying, leaves some plot threads unresolved in ways that may frustrate readers seeking complete closure.
Final Verdict
Five Oaks is a haunting and beautifully crafted novel that lingers in the memory long after the final page. Hensley has created a work that operates simultaneously as a gripping family drama, a coming-of-age story, and a meditation on the ways that secrets shape our lives across generations. While not without minor flaws in pacing and structure, the novel's emotional depth, psychological complexity, and atmospheric richness make it a standout entry in contemporary literary fiction.
For readers who appreciate novels that trust their audience's intelligence while delivering genuine emotional impact, Five Oaks represents both a compelling read and a significant literary achievement. Hensley has established herself as a voice worth following in the landscape of American fiction.
The novel centers on the Stone family's lake house, Five Oaks, a place that serves as both sanctuary and stage for life-altering events. When eleven-year-old Sylvie and her fifteen-year-old sister Wren arrive for what should be an idyllic summer with their grandparents, the stage is set for a coming-of-age story that transcends the typical boundaries of the genre. What begins as a seemingly innocent family vacation gradually transforms into something far more complex and dangerous.
The Architecture of Memory and Time
Hensley demonstrates remarkable structural sophistication in her handling of time and perspective. The narrative moves fluidly between 1988 and earlier decades, creating a rich tapestry that illuminates how the past continuously shapes the present. The author's decision to divide the novel into sections marked by Wren's location—"Wren in the Canoe," "Wren on the Dock," "Wren in the Car"—creates a cinematic quality that heightens the sense of impending doom while maintaining the reader's intimate connection to the characters.
The multiple timelines serve not merely as background but as active participants in the story. Georgia's experiences in 1942 Texas, Margaret's time at Five Oaks in the early 1970s, and the central 1988 narrative create a symphony of voices that speak to the recurring patterns of desire, loss, and redemption that define the Stone women. Each generation faces its own version of transformation at Five Oaks, and Hensley masterfully shows how the lake house itself becomes a character—one that holds memories like sediment in its waters.
Character Development and Psychological Depth
The strength of Five Oaks lies not in its plot mechanics but in Hensley's profound understanding of human psychology, particularly the complex dynamics between sisters. Sylvie serves as both narrator and moral compass, carrying the weight of her sister's secrets with a burden that feels almost physical on the page. Her voice—observant, protective, and increasingly troubled—provides the emotional anchor for the entire narrative.
Wren emerges as a character of remarkable complexity, embodying the dangerous allure of adolescent rebellion while remaining fundamentally sympathetic. Hensley avoids the trap of making her either purely victim or aggressor, instead presenting her as a young woman caught in the treacherous currents of her own awakening sexuality and the predatory attention it attracts. The relationship between the sisters feels authentic in its mixture of love, resentment, protection, and betrayal.
The adult women in the novel—Georgia, Margaret, and Mamaw—are equally well-developed, each carrying their own secrets and regrets. Georgia's story, revealed through flashbacks to her nursing training and wartime romance, provides crucial context for understanding the family's patterns of silence and self-protection. Margaret's struggles with postpartum depression and the guilt surrounding Wren's childhood accident add layers of complexity to her character that resist easy categorization.
Language and Atmosphere
Hensley's prose is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Her descriptions of the Arkansas landscape are so vivid they become almost tactile—readers can feel the humid air, smell the lake water, and sense the oppressive weight of secrets hanging in the summer heat. The author's background as a poet is evident in her careful attention to language and rhythm. Consider this passage describing the lake: "The water was inky around me, rippled from the rocking boats. When I pulled myself up the ladder and dried off, Wren called me over to her."
The Southern Gothic elements in the novel never feel forced or derivative. Instead, Hensley creates an atmosphere of unease that builds naturally from the characters' internal conflicts and the weight of family history. The lake itself becomes a metaphor for the unconscious—beautiful on the surface but hiding dangers in its depths.
Thematic Resonance and Social Commentary
Five Oaks tackles difficult subjects with remarkable sensitivity and nuance. The novel's exploration of sexual predation and its aftermath avoids sensationalism while honestly depicting the long-term psychological effects of trauma. Hensley's treatment of these themes is particularly noteworthy for its focus on the ripple effects of such experiences—how they shape not just the immediate victim but entire family systems.
The novel also serves as a subtle examination of class and gender dynamics in the late 1980s South. The contrast between the Stone family's middle-class stability and the more precarious situations of characters like Dixie and Cash illuminates broader social inequalities without resorting to heavy-handed commentary.
The theme of silence—what we choose to tell and what we choose to hide—runs throughout the novel like an underground river. Each generation of women learns to keep secrets, ostensibly to protect those they love, but often perpetuating cycles of isolation and misunderstanding.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While Five Oaks succeeds on most levels, some readers may find the pacing occasionally uneven. The novel's deliberate, atmospheric approach means that crucial plot developments sometimes feel rushed when they finally arrive. The climactic events of Wren's disappearance and discovery, while powerfully written, might benefit from additional development to match the careful buildup that precedes them.
Additionally, while Hensley's use of multiple timelines is generally effective, some transitions between past and present can feel abrupt, occasionally disrupting the narrative flow. The novel's ending, while emotionally satisfying, leaves some plot threads unresolved in ways that may frustrate readers seeking complete closure.
Final Verdict
Five Oaks is a haunting and beautifully crafted novel that lingers in the memory long after the final page. Hensley has created a work that operates simultaneously as a gripping family drama, a coming-of-age story, and a meditation on the ways that secrets shape our lives across generations. While not without minor flaws in pacing and structure, the novel's emotional depth, psychological complexity, and atmospheric richness make it a standout entry in contemporary literary fiction.
For readers who appreciate novels that trust their audience's intelligence while delivering genuine emotional impact, Five Oaks represents both a compelling read and a significant literary achievement. Hensley has established herself as a voice worth following in the landscape of American fiction.
June 14, 2025
DNF at 20% I just don’t care at all about these people
June 18, 2025
five oaks by julie hensley is the smooth surface of the lake on a lazy summer day, but something heavy lies just beneath the water. outlines the coming of age moments of three generations of women and the time they spent at five oaks in arkansas. it’s a journey of self-discovery, of learning just how much you should tell your mother (as well as how much she already knows), how the bonds of family and friendship prevent us from viewing our loved ones honestly, and the importance of secrets as well as open honesty.
this story is split between three timelines, but it’s not confusing at all and honestly very easy to follow. the main story line, following wren, is told through the eyes of her little sister, sylvie, which truly adds to the plot and characterization immensely. sylvie also reflects back on the lives of her mother and grandmother during some of their most pivotal moments, and this is an incredible plot device to round out wren’s and sylvie’s characters. additionally, five oaks as the setting itself acts as a character, either pushing the women to become more of themselves, or pulling them away from self-actualization.
in my opinion, the best part of this book is how understated many of the plot points actually are. this book is not for those who cannot think critically or read between the lines. almost nothing important is stated directly, which adds to the beauty and impact of the most important parts of these characters’ stories.
five oaks is genuinely one of the best books i have read in a long time. absolutely incredible; i will be reading more of hensley in the future. i was approved for the arc of five oaks by julie hensley literally the day before it was published and honestly, i am so glad it was on net galley. hensley isn’t a particularly well-known author (YET! - i am rooting for her!) so i don’t know if i ever would have come across this absolute masterpiece.
TW: SA of a minor alluded to; abortion
this story is split between three timelines, but it’s not confusing at all and honestly very easy to follow. the main story line, following wren, is told through the eyes of her little sister, sylvie, which truly adds to the plot and characterization immensely. sylvie also reflects back on the lives of her mother and grandmother during some of their most pivotal moments, and this is an incredible plot device to round out wren’s and sylvie’s characters. additionally, five oaks as the setting itself acts as a character, either pushing the women to become more of themselves, or pulling them away from self-actualization.
in my opinion, the best part of this book is how understated many of the plot points actually are. this book is not for those who cannot think critically or read between the lines. almost nothing important is stated directly, which adds to the beauty and impact of the most important parts of these characters’ stories.
five oaks is genuinely one of the best books i have read in a long time. absolutely incredible; i will be reading more of hensley in the future. i was approved for the arc of five oaks by julie hensley literally the day before it was published and honestly, i am so glad it was on net galley. hensley isn’t a particularly well-known author (YET! - i am rooting for her!) so i don’t know if i ever would have come across this absolute masterpiece.
TW: SA of a minor alluded to; abortion
June 10, 2025
This book is for lovers of women’s literature and historical fiction. It follows 3 generations of women in a family across different timelines. The story centered around a vacation cottage named Five Oaks as a touch point for all generations. See how different women found themselves and matured into adults amidst different time periods
While I had a hard time staying interested in the slow pace of the story, I absolutely adored the writing in terms of intertwining each generation’s story while still allowing them to be interesting and dynamic independent of each other. I liked the uniqueness of the plot lines while the common place of Five Oaks. It’s perfect for summer reading filled with vibes of firefly, late nights, and slow lazy days.
I appreciated the twist of Wren being assaulted in the present day plot line, but it felt rushed and unsettled by the end of the story.I think it could've been written in a much more impactful way. I also wonder if I would’ve been more invested with Wren as a narrator rather than Sylvie. Lastly- the character Hollis left a bad taste in my mouth- although admittedly that might have been the intention. He was at best unnecessary and didn't add anything substantial to the plot, and at worst was predatory and creepy.
While I had a hard time staying interested in the slow pace of the story, I absolutely adored the writing in terms of intertwining each generation’s story while still allowing them to be interesting and dynamic independent of each other. I liked the uniqueness of the plot lines while the common place of Five Oaks. It’s perfect for summer reading filled with vibes of firefly, late nights, and slow lazy days.
I appreciated the twist of Wren being assaulted in the present day plot line, but it felt rushed and unsettled by the end of the story.I think it could've been written in a much more impactful way. I also wonder if I would’ve been more invested with Wren as a narrator rather than Sylvie. Lastly- the character Hollis left a bad taste in my mouth- although admittedly that might have been the intention. He was at best unnecessary and didn't add anything substantial to the plot, and at worst was predatory and creepy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 12, 2025DNF at 70%😵💫
May 25, 2025
This coming of age story of three generations of women was well plotted out. The various timelines weren’t confusing and I wanted to find out what happens next. However, the ending left me with so many questions. There were some key loose threads that needed clarification that left me mystified and confused why they weren’t resolved. Because of the incompleteness, the book resulted in not being a hit for me. However, the narration was done very well and I thought she did a fabulous job with the character differentation.
May 21, 2025
DNF. This was not my cup of tea. I tried and got 47% the way through the book and had to stop. The ever changing points of view from different time periods are confusing. Maybe I should have written down everyone's names to keep them straight, but sometimes I couldn't figure out which character was being referred to and whose point of view it was.
I did not enjoy this story for the confusing nature, and it was difficult to get even slightly interested in the characters.
I did not enjoy this story for the confusing nature, and it was difficult to get even slightly interested in the characters.
June 12, 2025
I absolutely loved the premise of this: three intergenerational women from the same family going through simulate experiences in different eras. There were very poignant and powerful moments. However, I felt there was something lacking. Certain things were left unresolved and I found the ending to be disappointing. The first 3/4 definitely made the read worth it though.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Julie Hensley for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Julie Hensley for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2025
Five Oaks Honest ARC Review:
4.5 ⭐️
Well written, poignant and filled with heartfelt accounts of one family over a span of three generations, Five Oaks is one you don’t want to miss.
At times, I felt that each generation of characters were relatable, complex and developed further throughout the novel.
Small tragedies, family secrets and beautiful memories intertwine to allow access into the world of one family of strong, resilient individuals. Each family seems to have a perfect life, until the story unfolds.
I found this to be engaging, entertaining and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing this ARC with me.
December 31, 2024
I love a book with a (largely) all-female cast, so I was super excited to be able to download an ARC copy of Five Oaks on Netgalley through Lake Union Publishing. So, big thanks to both of you.
First, and perhaps most important, I need to give Julie Hensley her flowers for her beautiful prose! This was such a lyrical read; the pages flowed over me so smoothly at times it felt like I was the one rocking in a water-side hammock.
Any sort of sibling bond exploration will always get kudos from me, and this was no exception. I loved the rise and ebb of Sylvia and Wren’s relationship as they tackled growing up female and all the hard things that come along with that.
The only true downside in my opinion was how the story felt a little disjointed as a whole since we are always flipping back and forth between 3 timelines. This could just be a me thing! Maybe I don’t read enough books that are structured this way to fully appreciate it.
Otherwise, I found this to be an engaging, moving read about a family through the warped lens of time.
(This last paragraph may be considered a moderate spoiler. But I felt compelled to but it here for anyone who needs to see trigger warnings before committing to a novel.)
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Something that ended up bothering me a bit more than i realized until I sat down to write this review, is the sexual assault of an underage character…and the sex act that takes place between two minors that ends with one of them throwing up. While this maybe didn’t come completely out of left field, it was jarring to me. Almost triggering. There was also a r*pe kit being performed. None of these scenes are graphic at all, but the implications and suggestions were enough to turn my stomach a bit.
I would just suggest treading lightly with this one if you know these are themes/situations you struggle with.
First, and perhaps most important, I need to give Julie Hensley her flowers for her beautiful prose! This was such a lyrical read; the pages flowed over me so smoothly at times it felt like I was the one rocking in a water-side hammock.
Any sort of sibling bond exploration will always get kudos from me, and this was no exception. I loved the rise and ebb of Sylvia and Wren’s relationship as they tackled growing up female and all the hard things that come along with that.
The only true downside in my opinion was how the story felt a little disjointed as a whole since we are always flipping back and forth between 3 timelines. This could just be a me thing! Maybe I don’t read enough books that are structured this way to fully appreciate it.
Otherwise, I found this to be an engaging, moving read about a family through the warped lens of time.
(This last paragraph may be considered a moderate spoiler. But I felt compelled to but it here for anyone who needs to see trigger warnings before committing to a novel.)
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Something that ended up bothering me a bit more than i realized until I sat down to write this review, is the sexual assault of an underage character…and the sex act that takes place between two minors that ends with one of them throwing up. While this maybe didn’t come completely out of left field, it was jarring to me. Almost triggering. There was also a r*pe kit being performed. None of these scenes are graphic at all, but the implications and suggestions were enough to turn my stomach a bit.
I would just suggest treading lightly with this one if you know these are themes/situations you struggle with.
May 26, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Much thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my gifted e-copy of this book.
Five Oaks is a coming of age story told by a young Sylvie as she spends the summer with her sister at their grandparents house in Arkansas. This house has seen 3 generations grow up to be the women they are today, but the things that take place this summer will change them all.
At it's heart this is really a beautiful nod to growing up and how innocence can sometimes be taken away so quickly. This is a multi-generational story, so not only do we get Wren and Sylvie's story, we also get their mother and their grandmother's story of staying at this same lake house.
Each of these stories separately were detailed with their own heartache. The women in each were strong and resilient.
My main complaint with this is how we flip back and forth between the generations. It was very disjointed and I ended up taking notes so I could remember where each story left off and the next picked up. I do think this is still worth reading, but maybe tread lightly as there are some really tough situations.
TW: rape, abortion, sexual assault of an underage girl
Read if you enjoy:
*Coming of Age
*Multi-generational
*Young Love
*Female bonds
Much thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my gifted e-copy of this book.
Five Oaks is a coming of age story told by a young Sylvie as she spends the summer with her sister at their grandparents house in Arkansas. This house has seen 3 generations grow up to be the women they are today, but the things that take place this summer will change them all.
At it's heart this is really a beautiful nod to growing up and how innocence can sometimes be taken away so quickly. This is a multi-generational story, so not only do we get Wren and Sylvie's story, we also get their mother and their grandmother's story of staying at this same lake house.
Each of these stories separately were detailed with their own heartache. The women in each were strong and resilient.
My main complaint with this is how we flip back and forth between the generations. It was very disjointed and I ended up taking notes so I could remember where each story left off and the next picked up. I do think this is still worth reading, but maybe tread lightly as there are some really tough situations.
TW: rape, abortion, sexual assault of an underage girl
Read if you enjoy:
*Coming of Age
*Multi-generational
*Young Love
*Female bonds
Read
December 28, 2024I have the honor of writing a blurb for this book. Julie is actually mentioned in the title essay of my new book, KIDS WITHOUT HORSES--a piece about HER wedding in Ireland.
I've known Julie since 1999? We were together in our MFA program, and then we actually/truly/shockingly went out there and became writers!
She's always been an amazing writer, radically different from me. I think her "about the author" section refers to her as an Appalachian author. I mean, wow! My Yankee-butt mingles with this writer who simply knows and writes about a world that is foreign to me.
You go, girl!
I've known Julie since 1999? We were together in our MFA program, and then we actually/truly/shockingly went out there and became writers!
She's always been an amazing writer, radically different from me. I think her "about the author" section refers to her as an Appalachian author. I mean, wow! My Yankee-butt mingles with this writer who simply knows and writes about a world that is foreign to me.
You go, girl!
May 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The description hyped me up for the story. I loved Courtney Patterson's narration, she did such a fantastic job with the story and the voices and the country accents that she used while narrating. The accent is a thick Midwestern one, but it was still easy to understand what she was saying.
I'm always a sucker for a good coming of age/generational saga, and this one appealed to me as soon as I read the summary. The story is an intriguing one, but there were several aspects that didn't meet the expectations that I had, and I finished the reading feeling mildly let down.
To start with, I loved the way that the relationship between Wren and Sophie was depicted. Hensley did a wonderful job with creating a believable bond between two girls with a bit of an age gap. The sisterly relationship that Wren and Sophie have is one that changes as the girls themselves change - Wren heading towards adulthood, and Sophie heading towards adolescence. As someone who has a sister with a big age gap between us, the way these two sisters interact reminded me of my own relationship with my sister, or what it could have been if we weren't as many years apart.
The pacing felt uneven to me. The beginning was so very slow that I considered DNFing it more than once. It did speed up a little bit, but the pacing was inconsistent, and the end of the book moved very quickly. One thing that I really struggled with was the flashbacks and keeping them separate from each other. It made it difficult to understand who was experiencing the events without going back to the very front of the chapter to see who was speaking. The literary voices of each of the women sounded too similar to me, and I had difficulty differentiating who was narrating and keeping track of the stories.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't a great one for me. The writing was beautiful and made it easy for me to imagine this story vividly, but that wasn't quite enough to overcome the issues of pacing and character voices sounding too similar to each other. Also, there is a scene involving animal abuse, and I would have appreciated a trigger or content warning, because I always try to avoid reading books featuring that particular content. I'd suggest giving it a try, but take my review with a grain of salt - we are all unique, and experience a book differently, so this might be a book that you enjoy more than I did.
The description hyped me up for the story. I loved Courtney Patterson's narration, she did such a fantastic job with the story and the voices and the country accents that she used while narrating. The accent is a thick Midwestern one, but it was still easy to understand what she was saying.
I'm always a sucker for a good coming of age/generational saga, and this one appealed to me as soon as I read the summary. The story is an intriguing one, but there were several aspects that didn't meet the expectations that I had, and I finished the reading feeling mildly let down.
To start with, I loved the way that the relationship between Wren and Sophie was depicted. Hensley did a wonderful job with creating a believable bond between two girls with a bit of an age gap. The sisterly relationship that Wren and Sophie have is one that changes as the girls themselves change - Wren heading towards adulthood, and Sophie heading towards adolescence. As someone who has a sister with a big age gap between us, the way these two sisters interact reminded me of my own relationship with my sister, or what it could have been if we weren't as many years apart.
The pacing felt uneven to me. The beginning was so very slow that I considered DNFing it more than once. It did speed up a little bit, but the pacing was inconsistent, and the end of the book moved very quickly. One thing that I really struggled with was the flashbacks and keeping them separate from each other. It made it difficult to understand who was experiencing the events without going back to the very front of the chapter to see who was speaking. The literary voices of each of the women sounded too similar to me, and I had difficulty differentiating who was narrating and keeping track of the stories.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't a great one for me. The writing was beautiful and made it easy for me to imagine this story vividly, but that wasn't quite enough to overcome the issues of pacing and character voices sounding too similar to each other. Also, there is a scene involving animal abuse, and I would have appreciated a trigger or content warning, because I always try to avoid reading books featuring that particular content. I'd suggest giving it a try, but take my review with a grain of salt - we are all unique, and experience a book differently, so this might be a book that you enjoy more than I did.
September 1, 2025
Review:
Five Oaks by Julie Hensley is a quietly powerful, multi-generational story that unfolds like the surface of a calm lake concealing depths full of secrets and emotion. The novel follows three generations of women—grandmother Georgia, mother Margaret, and daughters Wren and Sylvie—over several decades, exploring themes of family, love, loss, and the sometimes fragile nature of innocence. The story is anchored around the family lake house, Five Oaks, in Arkansas, which itself feels like a living character, shaping and reflecting the lives of those who spend their summers there.
Sylvie, the younger daughter, narrates much of the story, offering a lens that captures the experiences of her sister, mother, and grandmother. Georgia’s story begins in 1942 Texas, spanning love, heartbreak, and secrets kept from her own mother. Margaret’s life in New England in the 1960s and ’70s shows her navigating trauma and the struggle to forge independence, while Wren’s 1980s coming-of-age at Five Oaks mirrors, in subtle ways, the challenges faced by her mother and grandmother. Hensley masterfully weaves these timelines together, balancing reflection with immediacy, and allowing the reader to uncover family secrets gradually, often in understated but impactful ways.
The writing is evocative and immersive, painting the lake, the surrounding woods, and small-town life in vivid detail. The relationships are nuanced and authentic, particularly the bond between Wren and Sylvie, which feels intimate, messy, and real. Themes of generational trauma, love, and self-discovery resonate deeply without ever feeling forced, making this more than just a coming-of-age tale—it is a meditation on family, memory, and the weight of secrets.
While the pacing is deliberate and the narrative introspective, this allows Hensley’s lyrical prose and character work to shine. Some readers might wish for a slightly more dramatic or fast-moving plot, but those who appreciate literary fiction, layered storytelling, and the quiet power of family sagas will find this book rewarding.
Five Oaks is a thoughtful, beautifully written exploration of women, family, and the hidden depths of our lives. It’s a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page, and I will certainly be seeking out more of Julie Hensley’s work in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Five Oaks by Julie Hensley is a quietly powerful, multi-generational story that unfolds like the surface of a calm lake concealing depths full of secrets and emotion. The novel follows three generations of women—grandmother Georgia, mother Margaret, and daughters Wren and Sylvie—over several decades, exploring themes of family, love, loss, and the sometimes fragile nature of innocence. The story is anchored around the family lake house, Five Oaks, in Arkansas, which itself feels like a living character, shaping and reflecting the lives of those who spend their summers there.
Sylvie, the younger daughter, narrates much of the story, offering a lens that captures the experiences of her sister, mother, and grandmother. Georgia’s story begins in 1942 Texas, spanning love, heartbreak, and secrets kept from her own mother. Margaret’s life in New England in the 1960s and ’70s shows her navigating trauma and the struggle to forge independence, while Wren’s 1980s coming-of-age at Five Oaks mirrors, in subtle ways, the challenges faced by her mother and grandmother. Hensley masterfully weaves these timelines together, balancing reflection with immediacy, and allowing the reader to uncover family secrets gradually, often in understated but impactful ways.
The writing is evocative and immersive, painting the lake, the surrounding woods, and small-town life in vivid detail. The relationships are nuanced and authentic, particularly the bond between Wren and Sylvie, which feels intimate, messy, and real. Themes of generational trauma, love, and self-discovery resonate deeply without ever feeling forced, making this more than just a coming-of-age tale—it is a meditation on family, memory, and the weight of secrets.
While the pacing is deliberate and the narrative introspective, this allows Hensley’s lyrical prose and character work to shine. Some readers might wish for a slightly more dramatic or fast-moving plot, but those who appreciate literary fiction, layered storytelling, and the quiet power of family sagas will find this book rewarding.
Five Oaks is a thoughtful, beautifully written exploration of women, family, and the hidden depths of our lives. It’s a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page, and I will certainly be seeking out more of Julie Hensley’s work in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2025
This book was an absolute delight to listen to. Starting off with Sylvie our FMC and narrator of the story of 5 Oaks located on a lake in Arkansas, a family vacation home for the family stone that spans over 3 generations. Sylvie our FMC tells the story of her grandmother, Georgia, her mother Margaret and her sister Wren. The book touches on the stories of 3 generations of women and how they came to be in the world. Starting off in Texas 1942 with the story of Georgia, how her love for Byron spans a war, how she experiences heartbreak and loss when he goes away to war. How Georgia’s fragmented relationship with her mother leads her to keep a devasting secret. In tandem we follow Margaret in Vermont the early 1970’s in college where she endures a heartbreaking trauma that shapes the rest of her life but she keeps it a secret too. Georgia is Margret’s mother and Wren and Sylvie are Margaret’s daughters. Wren’s story is told in the present day of the year 1988 and is told by Sylvie who goes through her own trials that one year they visit their grandparents at 5 Oaks. The Generational trauma in this book is told with such subtility that I had to concentrate on nothing else but the story whilst listening to these crucial parts. Julie Hensley sure knows how to keep the reader guessing at whether they are on the right track with conclusions. Wren’s story is eerily similar to that of her mother Margaret except the sign of the times is evident even just 15 years into the future. Kids were getting more daring with what they get up to when their parents aren’t looking. The confusing parts were in Wren’s story as I didn’t quite understand what actually occurred. The ending does explain it from Sylvie’s perspective having been present that summer at 5 Oaks and not even she had a grasp on what occurred. All in all, the book does go through some heavy themes and some mild trigger warnings might be needed for this book. I’d give a solid 3.75 stars out of 5. I would have loved to read a copy rather than listen, but for an audio book consumer, the narrator did a good job of getting the accent right for the part of the US, Kansas and Kentucky, that the book talks about. Fantastic read of lovers of subtle story-telling, incredible descriptions of scenery as well as the feelings evoked within the characters of the book. Job well done Julie Hensley.
June 10, 2025
Reading this novel felt like sitting down and looking through a stranger's old photo album, hearing the story behind every single photo—very little dramatic arc, just a retelling of some past family events.
"Five Oaks" tells the life stories of three generations of women - their journey to finding love and the losses along the way. Set in Arkansas in the Summer of 1988, Wren and Sylvie have come to Five Oaks to spend time with their grandparents. Our narrator, Sylvie, tells the story of her sister Wren's coming of age; her mother Margaret's love and tragedy; and her mamaw Georgia's brush with the war and her nursing career. These three have all had a secret they've kept, and the house at Five Oaks has been their anchor through it all.
This book really has potential. It just needs to go back to the table to be hashed out. The stakes and intensity of the dramatic arc need to be raised in all three stories. The dramatic arc is nearly a flat line in the stories of Margaret and Georgia - enough for me to question the purpose of including them at all. I found the idea of using Sylvie as the narrator to be a brilliant idea, especially as we get to see Wren, who is the primary focus (I think), through her eyes. The story of Sylvie and Wren has so much potential. I think Julie Hensley could have had a five-star read for me had it only been a story centered around the two girls - without the photo album approach to their mother and grandmother. It just fell short for me.
A special thank you to NetGalley, Julie Hensley, and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
"Five Oaks" tells the life stories of three generations of women - their journey to finding love and the losses along the way. Set in Arkansas in the Summer of 1988, Wren and Sylvie have come to Five Oaks to spend time with their grandparents. Our narrator, Sylvie, tells the story of her sister Wren's coming of age; her mother Margaret's love and tragedy; and her mamaw Georgia's brush with the war and her nursing career. These three have all had a secret they've kept, and the house at Five Oaks has been their anchor through it all.
This book really has potential. It just needs to go back to the table to be hashed out. The stakes and intensity of the dramatic arc need to be raised in all three stories. The dramatic arc is nearly a flat line in the stories of Margaret and Georgia - enough for me to question the purpose of including them at all. I found the idea of using Sylvie as the narrator to be a brilliant idea, especially as we get to see Wren, who is the primary focus (I think), through her eyes. The story of Sylvie and Wren has so much potential. I think Julie Hensley could have had a five-star read for me had it only been a story centered around the two girls - without the photo album approach to their mother and grandmother. It just fell short for me.
A special thank you to NetGalley, Julie Hensley, and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 5, 2025
The concept of this story is fantastic, a coming of age story across a number of generations of the same family. I loved the eras we’re taken through and the differences between young women’s lives across these eras.
Unfortunately, listening to the audiobook, it was quite difficult to keep track of which storyline we were following. Names aren’t used all that often and although dates and location are used, not having the book to look back on as a reminder made it hard to follow at times. The narrator is fantastic but again, only one narrator is used for the whole story, so it’s hard to differentiate things.
I did feel connected to the characters, especially as a woman who has experienced teenage years of growing up, learning to trust, first love and being a little bit secretive. It was wonderful following along with all the women’s stories. But I found that the author left quite a bit to the reader’s imagination, which can be enjoyable to a degree, but a bit more clarification of the storyline and ending would have been ideal. The descriptions of Five Oaks were fantastic and I could just imagine spending a summer there.
Overall a great story and premise but I felt it just needed a bit more clarity and stronger ending.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book/audiobook
Unfortunately, listening to the audiobook, it was quite difficult to keep track of which storyline we were following. Names aren’t used all that often and although dates and location are used, not having the book to look back on as a reminder made it hard to follow at times. The narrator is fantastic but again, only one narrator is used for the whole story, so it’s hard to differentiate things.
I did feel connected to the characters, especially as a woman who has experienced teenage years of growing up, learning to trust, first love and being a little bit secretive. It was wonderful following along with all the women’s stories. But I found that the author left quite a bit to the reader’s imagination, which can be enjoyable to a degree, but a bit more clarification of the storyline and ending would have been ideal. The descriptions of Five Oaks were fantastic and I could just imagine spending a summer there.
Overall a great story and premise but I felt it just needed a bit more clarity and stronger ending.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book/audiobook
May 19, 2025
🌳 Five Oaks by Julie Hensley
A summer of secrets where roots tangle and truths bloom.
Deeper Dive: Hensley’s coming-of-age tale follows sisters Wren and Sylvie at their grandparents’ estate. Sylvie’s childlike narration—hauntingly lyrical—masks dark family legacies. The Southern Gothic atmosphere is impeccable, though the climax’s revelations feel hurried.
🔹 Thematic Gems:
“Children inherit more than eye color—they inherit silences.”
“Five Oaks’ walls didn’t whisper secrets; they screamed in the language of slammed doors.”
🌟 Star Breakdown
Category Rating Notes
Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sweltering Southern decay.
Sisterhood Dynamic ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wren’s protectiveness vs. Sylvie’s naivety.
Pacing ⭐⭐⭐ Final act races past key reveals.
Overall: 4.3/5
Like fireflies in a jar—luminescent, but trapped by their own glow.
🎯 Reader Match: Devotees of Where the Crawdads Sing’s lush isolation or We Were Liars’ family deceit.
🚫 Avoid If: You prefer fast-paced plots over moody introspection.
🙏 Acknowledgments:
Gratitude to Julie Hensley for Sylvie’s voice, which will echo in my bones for years—a testament to poetic precision.
A summer of secrets where roots tangle and truths bloom.
Deeper Dive: Hensley’s coming-of-age tale follows sisters Wren and Sylvie at their grandparents’ estate. Sylvie’s childlike narration—hauntingly lyrical—masks dark family legacies. The Southern Gothic atmosphere is impeccable, though the climax’s revelations feel hurried.
🔹 Thematic Gems:
“Children inherit more than eye color—they inherit silences.”
“Five Oaks’ walls didn’t whisper secrets; they screamed in the language of slammed doors.”
🌟 Star Breakdown
Category Rating Notes
Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sweltering Southern decay.
Sisterhood Dynamic ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wren’s protectiveness vs. Sylvie’s naivety.
Pacing ⭐⭐⭐ Final act races past key reveals.
Overall: 4.3/5
Like fireflies in a jar—luminescent, but trapped by their own glow.
🎯 Reader Match: Devotees of Where the Crawdads Sing’s lush isolation or We Were Liars’ family deceit.
🚫 Avoid If: You prefer fast-paced plots over moody introspection.
🙏 Acknowledgments:
Gratitude to Julie Hensley for Sylvie’s voice, which will echo in my bones for years—a testament to poetic precision.
July 1, 2025
This book was okay. I found the premise very intriguing, I just think the execution might have been a little off. The novel follows the pivotal moments three generations of women from one family and all the secrets they gain along the way. I enjoyed shifting to different eras and was excited to find out what happened next each time we re-visited the 40s or 70s. At times the story kind of lulled, and by the time we got to what happened to Wren I was a little bored. That, what really should have been the climax of the book, wasn't that interesting and felt like it rushed through. I will say the writing style of the author is absolutely gorgeous. There were definitely times where I felt like I was there or could see exactly what the author was trying to convey. And I absolutely loved the setting of Five Oaks itself and how it was basically it's own character in the book.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book.
June 2, 2025
3.5 Rounding Up
A beautiful snapshot of summer, we follow 3 generations of women as they come of age in and around a family lakehouse. We follow these women as they navigate life’s many trials and make decisions that will change the course of their life.
I did really enjoy reading from the 3 different timeline, and the descriptions were very evocative of the time and setting. This did feel layered when it came to the way each generation made their decisions and how the time and perception would have influenced them. I did want more from the more recent timeline. I felt like I wanted some things explored more and more of a definitive conclusion.
Overall this was a nice summer read and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up this author’s next work.
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A beautiful snapshot of summer, we follow 3 generations of women as they come of age in and around a family lakehouse. We follow these women as they navigate life’s many trials and make decisions that will change the course of their life.
I did really enjoy reading from the 3 different timeline, and the descriptions were very evocative of the time and setting. This did feel layered when it came to the way each generation made their decisions and how the time and perception would have influenced them. I did want more from the more recent timeline. I felt like I wanted some things explored more and more of a definitive conclusion.
Overall this was a nice summer read and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up this author’s next work.
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2025
Sadly, I struggled with this book in many ways. I enjoyed the characters and the generational storyline quite a bit, but it all felt so disjointed, with very little connection between the characters. The writing was descriptive and well-done, providing a vivid picture of the time spent by the various characters at Five Oaks. At times, it felt like this was the story of the home versus various characters, which was a bit of a different (and welcomed) twist. There's nothing particularly wrong with this book, and I wouldn't NOT recommend it. But overall, I had a hard time connecting the dots between the characters, and this ended up as a nice, lovely read that won't stick with me past its finish.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. Five Oaks is the story of three generations of women in one family and is narrated by the youngest granddaughter, with the families’ lake house, Five Oaks, anchoring them all. The author did a great job of describing each woman’s origin story and drawing you in to the actual characters. They are authentic women, each dealing with different challenges of societal expectations, mental health, love and loss. I gave this book a three because at times the story lacked details of some of the more important aspects of the plot that in my opinion really needed to be flushed out.
Trigger warnings: mentions of sexual assault, inappropriate sexual encounter between minors.
Trigger warnings: mentions of sexual assault, inappropriate sexual encounter between minors.
May 21, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an ALC of this novel!
I gave this 3.5 stars and rounded up to four stars. I felt like this was just okay. It did not give me life changing feelings. If it had not been an ALC, I would have DNFed at the abortion scene. I think the author should definitely give a trigger warning for some of the content. However, I did love the Southern vibes and the grandmother reminded me a lot of my own mamaw. In addition, I really appreciated the sister relationship between Wren and Sylvie. I think this is a very realistic depiction of how generational curses impact families. I didn't feel like the characters got the healing they needed based on the ending though.
I gave this 3.5 stars and rounded up to four stars. I felt like this was just okay. It did not give me life changing feelings. If it had not been an ALC, I would have DNFed at the abortion scene. I think the author should definitely give a trigger warning for some of the content. However, I did love the Southern vibes and the grandmother reminded me a lot of my own mamaw. In addition, I really appreciated the sister relationship between Wren and Sylvie. I think this is a very realistic depiction of how generational curses impact families. I didn't feel like the characters got the healing they needed based on the ending though.
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