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Not Yet Lost
- GenresHistorical Fiction
312 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2025
3 people are currently reading
3603 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 7, 2025
Not Yet Lost by Janis M. Falk follows Florence, a quiet cigar factory worker just trying to get by until low wages, dangerous conditions, and a whole lot of injustice push her too far. Her best friend Basia is already ready to riot, but Florence? She’s still figuring out how to stand up especially when the biggest threat might be inside her own home.
Her husband wants to keep her quiet. The labor movement needs her voice. And somewhere between the smoke, strikes, and survival, Florence has to decide what kind of future she’s willing to fight for.
This one’s raw, powerful, and full of heart. If you love underdog stories with strong women, fierce friendships, and a dash of historical fire you’ll want this on your shelf.
Her husband wants to keep her quiet. The labor movement needs her voice. And somewhere between the smoke, strikes, and survival, Florence has to decide what kind of future she’s willing to fight for.
This one’s raw, powerful, and full of heart. If you love underdog stories with strong women, fierce friendships, and a dash of historical fire you’ll want this on your shelf.
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September 16, 2025Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending this gifted book my way to read and enjoy.
When I saw this book I thought it looked and sounded so interesting. I enjoyed learning more about working conditions (or what they could have been like) in the 1930’s and our main character standing up to it. The exploitation of immigrant workers is atrocious and crazy to think it happened. I liked that we had a Polish words and phrases page at the beginning of the book. It was very interesting. And kept me wanting to keep reading.
I would recommend this book to others and I have some I’m thinking of already that would enjoy it.
When I saw this book I thought it looked and sounded so interesting. I enjoyed learning more about working conditions (or what they could have been like) in the 1930’s and our main character standing up to it. The exploitation of immigrant workers is atrocious and crazy to think it happened. I liked that we had a Polish words and phrases page at the beginning of the book. It was very interesting. And kept me wanting to keep reading.
I would recommend this book to others and I have some I’m thinking of already that would enjoy it.
November 15, 2025
Florence and her friend Basia find themselves in the middle of a strike for a union in the mid 1930s Detroit. They find themselves up against their bosses, the government but also their own community. They along with their polish community stick together to survive the Great Depression and the results of a strike.
I ended up taking my time reading this book. I enjoyed the complexity of the community, i liked the sense of fighting for yourself and others. I will say it was slow at first but the pace did pick up.
I ended up taking my time reading this book. I enjoyed the complexity of the community, i liked the sense of fighting for yourself and others. I will say it was slow at first but the pace did pick up.
September 12, 2025
Not Yet Lost has been an amazing adventure and a rich historical fiction full of so much information. It had me look up events and people at every turn to know more, all while unfolding a beautiful story of a polish immagrant woman who just wanted fair wages for her hard work.
Set in Detroit during the 1937 Labor strikes, Not Yet Lost is a story not just about immigrants and workers rights, but it tells a story of friendship, resilience, and overcoming adversity both in the world and in the home. "During a time when their choices were between bad and worse, this is an underdog story of a woman who must search for her voice in order to lead a labor movement against her husband’s violent efforts to silence her."
It honestly had me on the seat of my chair, trusting no one and hoping for better the whole story. And it's amazing storytelling was made even better with the inclusion of so many small, intricate, real historical details from conversation on the Jewish deportation from Ellis Island, the Black legion, the purple gang, and Diego Rivera's famous Mural commissioned by Henry Ford's son to tell the story of a blending of cultures in an industrial setting, among so many other pinpoints in history.
I was so inspired by this story and how it weaved that mural's creation into its very center that I made a special trip to the DIA to see it, and it was pretty awe inspiring.
So pick this one up today ( thank you @booksparks and @janismfalkwrites for the gifted ARC, this is definitely a story that will stick with me.
#newbook #historicalfiction #booksandart #fallpopup
Set in Detroit during the 1937 Labor strikes, Not Yet Lost is a story not just about immigrants and workers rights, but it tells a story of friendship, resilience, and overcoming adversity both in the world and in the home. "During a time when their choices were between bad and worse, this is an underdog story of a woman who must search for her voice in order to lead a labor movement against her husband’s violent efforts to silence her."
It honestly had me on the seat of my chair, trusting no one and hoping for better the whole story. And it's amazing storytelling was made even better with the inclusion of so many small, intricate, real historical details from conversation on the Jewish deportation from Ellis Island, the Black legion, the purple gang, and Diego Rivera's famous Mural commissioned by Henry Ford's son to tell the story of a blending of cultures in an industrial setting, among so many other pinpoints in history.
I was so inspired by this story and how it weaved that mural's creation into its very center that I made a special trip to the DIA to see it, and it was pretty awe inspiring.
So pick this one up today ( thank you @booksparks and @janismfalkwrites for the gifted ARC, this is definitely a story that will stick with me.
#newbook #historicalfiction #booksandart #fallpopup
September 21, 2025
As always, historical fiction teaches me something new every time. While in school, I disliked history and found it boring. Now as an adult, I wish I paid attention more back then because now I find it fascinating.
During Depression-era Detroit, Polish immigrants Florence and her best friend Basia are fighting against worker oppression, for increased wages and improved working conditions. Many support their cause, but many also do not, including Florence's own husband, whose opposition is so strong, he resorts to violence to silence her and her co-workers.
What I loved most about this book is how it spotlights the strength and resilience of women. How, despite the denials and rejection of their demands, the misogyny, and the threat of arrest, they persevered and stood their ground, together. Without these women and the other protests and strikes, the labor force would look very different today.
The pace did feel a little slow at times but overall I still enjoyed this and would recommend to those looking for an introduction to the workers' rights movement of 1930s USA.
Thank you to booksparks amd she writes press for my gifted copy.
During Depression-era Detroit, Polish immigrants Florence and her best friend Basia are fighting against worker oppression, for increased wages and improved working conditions. Many support their cause, but many also do not, including Florence's own husband, whose opposition is so strong, he resorts to violence to silence her and her co-workers.
What I loved most about this book is how it spotlights the strength and resilience of women. How, despite the denials and rejection of their demands, the misogyny, and the threat of arrest, they persevered and stood their ground, together. Without these women and the other protests and strikes, the labor force would look very different today.
The pace did feel a little slow at times but overall I still enjoyed this and would recommend to those looking for an introduction to the workers' rights movement of 1930s USA.
Thank you to booksparks amd she writes press for my gifted copy.
September 1, 2025
Thank you to Book Sparks and Janis M. Falk for my complimentary copy of Not Yet Lost.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not Yet Lost is a historical fiction novel set in 1930's Detroit.
It is the story of Florence and Basia (and their families), best friends who work in the squalid working conditions of a cigar factor in downtown Detroit. Fed up with the working conditions, and determined to make a better life for themselves, they stage a sit in. What follows is a tense, yet heartwarming story that showcases all the sights and sounds of post-depression Detroit. It is but a glimpse into the harsh reality that shaped the lives of the Polish Immigrants.
It seems appropriate I finished reading Not Yet Lost over Labor Weekend.
The story encompasses all that is Detroit:
Grit
Hard working
Dedication
Family
Immigrants
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not Yet Lost is a historical fiction novel set in 1930's Detroit.
It is the story of Florence and Basia (and their families), best friends who work in the squalid working conditions of a cigar factor in downtown Detroit. Fed up with the working conditions, and determined to make a better life for themselves, they stage a sit in. What follows is a tense, yet heartwarming story that showcases all the sights and sounds of post-depression Detroit. It is but a glimpse into the harsh reality that shaped the lives of the Polish Immigrants.
It seems appropriate I finished reading Not Yet Lost over Labor Weekend.
The story encompasses all that is Detroit:
Grit
Hard working
Dedication
Family
Immigrants
September 4, 2025
Not Yet Lost is set in 1937 during the depression and the time the labor movement took place in Detroit. It explores the harsh working conditions, poor pay, and the injustices that the factory workers had to deal with. Florence and her husband Alex are Polish immigrants living in Detroit and both working in factories. Florence works at a cigar factory with her best friend Basia. While Florence wants to stand up for better working conditions, her husband Alex does everything he can to stop her. This is such a powerful story. It's a story about friendship and about seeing the underdog find her voice. You can tell that Janis M. Falk put an incredible amount of research and care into writing her book and characters. If you are a fan of historical fiction with strong women, make sure to add this to your tbr.
September 11, 2025
I have truly fallen in love with historical fiction, Not Yet Lost, is yet another example as to why. Set across ~6 months of 1937, this story focuses on two strong women that were part of the labor movement driven by Polish immigrants in Detroit that worked in the cigar industry.
This was the first time I’ve read about this movement. I always appreciate learning about the brave women that lead the way for those of us today. Janis Falk describes this era in such detail that you can envision the poor work conditions and feel the tension.
I cannot imagine the amount of research that was done to bring this story to life. Thank you Janis Falk for sharing Basia and Florence with us, and thank you to Book Sparks for the opportunity to review this book.
This was the first time I’ve read about this movement. I always appreciate learning about the brave women that lead the way for those of us today. Janis Falk describes this era in such detail that you can envision the poor work conditions and feel the tension.
I cannot imagine the amount of research that was done to bring this story to life. Thank you Janis Falk for sharing Basia and Florence with us, and thank you to Book Sparks for the opportunity to review this book.
October 21, 2025
Once again, a historical fiction novel has introduced me to a part of history I knew little about—and one that unfolded right in my hometown of Detroit.
I knew of the Purple Gang but had never heard of the Black Legion.
This is a compelling story about the Polish community in Detroit, about friendship, and about the efforts of women in organizing labor strikes.
Set in the late 1930s, the story follows Florence and her friend Basia as they work under horrendous conditions in a cigar factory. Basia influences Florence to fight for workers' rights, which puts Florence at odds with her husband, who, incidentally, is a model for Diego Rivera's mural at the DIA.
I knew of the Purple Gang but had never heard of the Black Legion.
This is a compelling story about the Polish community in Detroit, about friendship, and about the efforts of women in organizing labor strikes.
Set in the late 1930s, the story follows Florence and her friend Basia as they work under horrendous conditions in a cigar factory. Basia influences Florence to fight for workers' rights, which puts Florence at odds with her husband, who, incidentally, is a model for Diego Rivera's mural at the DIA.
November 18, 2025
I was drawn to this historical fiction novel for its strong female lead and the injustice she and her best friend face while working in a cigar factory in the 1930s. Falk writes dynamic, tense scenes while keeping a page-turning pace driven by well-crafted dialogue and characters. The narrative is well-researched, and the pivotal moments make the book a satisfying historical read. Highly recommended for readers who like books about outspoken resistance, women pushed to their limits, and the impact of workplace injustice.
October 5, 2025
A fantastic novel about an unknown corner of the American labor movement - I see this having the potential to be a film one day.
October 22, 2025
Thank you BookSparks and Janis Falk for the gifted book.
I am on a historical fiction role. I love reading historical fiction in the Fall. I feel like the vibes fit. These books tend to be a little more serious and make you think. I really enjoyed Not Yet Lost. Typically, I read WW2 fiction, but this one was set between the two world wars in Detroit during the Great Depression.
It dives into the labor movement, which I did not know a ton about prior to this book. There was a huge movement for better work conditions, better pay, and better treatment of employees in Detroit. They were trying to create unions for better conditions, but many times were viewed as communists. Detroit was such a large hub because of all the automobile manufacturers located there. However, we got a look into a cigar factory where women were also fighting for their rights. It was fascinating.
This book focused mainly on Polish immigrants and their struggle to improve working conditions. You get multiple POVs in this book, which I appreciated seeing things from different points of view. We mainly follow Florence, who works in a cigar factory, her husband, Alex, who works for Dodge, and her best friend Bastia. However, there are a few other characters that give us glimpses into their lives, struggles, and involvement in the workers’ rights battle.
If you want to learn more about US history, some of the struggles new immigrants faced during the Great Depression, and get a glimpse into how some of the major industries worked towards unionizing this is the book for you. I liked that it was very informative, somewhat emotional, and a pretty easy read. It doesn’t go too deep, but there are parts that will probably get your in your feels some.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
No spice
I am on a historical fiction role. I love reading historical fiction in the Fall. I feel like the vibes fit. These books tend to be a little more serious and make you think. I really enjoyed Not Yet Lost. Typically, I read WW2 fiction, but this one was set between the two world wars in Detroit during the Great Depression.
It dives into the labor movement, which I did not know a ton about prior to this book. There was a huge movement for better work conditions, better pay, and better treatment of employees in Detroit. They were trying to create unions for better conditions, but many times were viewed as communists. Detroit was such a large hub because of all the automobile manufacturers located there. However, we got a look into a cigar factory where women were also fighting for their rights. It was fascinating.
This book focused mainly on Polish immigrants and their struggle to improve working conditions. You get multiple POVs in this book, which I appreciated seeing things from different points of view. We mainly follow Florence, who works in a cigar factory, her husband, Alex, who works for Dodge, and her best friend Bastia. However, there are a few other characters that give us glimpses into their lives, struggles, and involvement in the workers’ rights battle.
If you want to learn more about US history, some of the struggles new immigrants faced during the Great Depression, and get a glimpse into how some of the major industries worked towards unionizing this is the book for you. I liked that it was very informative, somewhat emotional, and a pretty easy read. It doesn’t go too deep, but there are parts that will probably get your in your feels some.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
No spice
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews