The Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman's Legacy

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3

by Kim Michele Richardson

In this standalone and companion novel to the The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series, our heroine for the ages, legendary book woman, Cussy Lovett, returns home. A powerful testament of strength, survival, and the magic of the printed word, The Mountains We Call Home is wrapped into a vivid portrait of Kentucky examining incarceration and criminalization, exploring the effects on the poor and powerless, and tracing the societal consequences of fractured family bonds, along with nostalgic glimpses of a bustling, multifaceted Louisville, and heartwarming portraits of reading efforts in every facet of life. 

Meticulously researched and richly detailed with a new cast of absorbing and complex characters, this beautifully rendered, authentic Kentucky tale is gritty and heartbreaking and infused with hope, spirit, and courage known only to those with no way out.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Books About Books, Historical, Adult Fiction, American History, Adult

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

The NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kim Michele Richardson is a multiple-award winning author and has written five works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir.

Her critically acclaimed novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a DOLLY PARTON RECOMMENDED READ, a Goodreads Choice award nominee, and has earned the 2020 PBS Readers Choice, 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, Indie Next, SIBA, Forbes Best Historical Novel, Book-A-Million Best Fiction, and is an Oprah's Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection. It was inspired by the remarkable "blue people" of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave Packhorse Librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry, hate and fear during the Great Depression. The novel is taught widely in high schools and college classrooms.

Her fifth novel, The Book Woman’s Daughter, an instant NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and INDIE NATIONAL bestseller, is both a stand-alone and sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Kentucky-born native, Kim Michele Richardson, lives with her family in the Bluegrass State and is the founder of Shy Rabbit, a writer's residency scholarship.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuation of The Book Woman story, the third in what I never knew would become a series …
I was eager to get back to Cussy and also Kentucky.
In this one, Cussy and Jackson are incarcerated simply for marrying…as It was illegal for people of color to marry white!
The time in prison for Cussy was infuriating and scary but after a time she gets an opportunity to be the prison librarian and that position makes a path for her leave the prison.
I will not say any more about the story except that it takes an amazing turn.
Cussy is such a great character with a passion for freedom … for poor hillfolk, and in this book it was illiterate prisoners.
I do hope there will be more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

Publish date April 21

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite literary characters is back in this third novel of the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series . Cussy Mary Lovett brought books and taught people to read and write and brought kindness to so many in Troublesome Creek as part of the Pack Horse Library Project. In spite of the racist treatment she received as a Blue of Kentucky , she is doing the same in this novel for women in prison reading them stories and bringing them books and with a big dose of that kindness . Imprisoned for the “crime of pertinacious heredity” , for “marrying” , for “miscegenation” . She’s a Blue and her husband isn’t . With courage, determination and with a love of reading Cussy endures . “Books: a sanctuary for my heart , “ she says . But the books she brings and stories she tells are also a healing for the souls of other inmates allowing them to connect with their loved ones.

Although, extremely sad and angering to see what Cussy endures , it’s uplifting to read this next chapter in her life where she manages with will and grace to overcome obstacles in her path. Like the first two books, this one is also a tribute to the power of literature, to the women who carried not just books , but literacy to so many . Over and above that this book delves into racism, eugenics, and poverty and at the same time the uplifting beauty of friendship and love of freedom. Those who loved the first two books will certainly be happy to meet Cussy again.

I received a copy of this from Sourcebooks through Edelweiss.

[Marialyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cussy Lovett, is a proud young woman, poor, and loving her husband, her daughter, and her literacy. She was a Book Woman who rode her mule to delivers books to the poor living in the mountains of Kentucky, but her love for her husband put her and her husband, Jackson, in prison for violating the miscegenation laws for Cussy was a blue Kentucky woman while Jackson was white.

While in prison Cussy longs for her husband and the mountains of home. She is asked by the wardens of both the men's and women's prisons to help build up a library in each one. Anxious to pass on the gift of literacy to others Cussy arises to the task and makes a success of the poor libraries giving a precious gift to many. Cussy does witness the brutality and awful conditions of prison life, especially for woman.

When she is loaned out to a pastor and his wife to help the wife, run the library in Louisville, a bustling town, Cussy gets a look at a different way of living. Her observations are touching but her heart yearns for home, Jackson, and providing people the ability to vote because they can read and write.

A lovely, heart warming story that makes one realize the privilege it is to be literate and have a say in the government by a vote.

This book can be read alone, but I do hope you will take on the other two books about the Bookwomen. It is a tribute to these woman and the Kentucky that is beloved by this author.

***The Fugates, commonly known as the "Blue Fugates" or the "Blue People of Kentucky", are an ancestral family living in the hills of Kentucky starting in the 19th century, where they are known for having a genetic trait that led to the blood disorder methemoglobinemia, causing the skin to be blue. (Wikipedia)***

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read the two previous novels this standalone book was based on, so I didn’t know what to expect.

There's tons of history scattered throughout the book. I didn't know about actual lobotomies taking place in prisons, where the word "hushpuppies" originated from, and how people were imprisoned if they dated/married outside of their race.
There is so much rich history here with Kentucky, the prison system, how literacy was so widespread yet woman got together to ensure that people could read and write so they could vote, move forward with their lives, and so forth.
However, I did find there’s a huge gaping hole at the end of this book. And it left me rereading to see if I hadn’t missed something. For those who have read this, do you feel the same way as me?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love this authors books and the life of Cussy Mary. The characters involve soany feelings, whether you love them or hate them. It's hard knowing people can be so cruel, with a lack of regard for human life. If you enjoyed the Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, this is also a read for you.

Thank you to Net Galley and SOURCEBOOKS for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[RebeccaReadsTooMuch 💁‍♀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Bookwoman and Bookswoman’s Daughter books so much, so I was delighted to recently discover that the story wasn’t over. And great news, this one lives up to the others 👏

Ocurring at least partly during the time we were following Honey in Bookwoman’s Daughter, much of this book focuses on Cussy’s incarceration. As you can imagine, there are parts that are emotionally tough to read. Sooooooo many injustices are highlighted for so many marginalized groups.

Fortunately, there is some balance to that with the immense good that Cussy does for others, the hope she inspires, and the relationships she builds with people from all walks of life. My favorite of which is the bond she forms with Mrs Claxton 💄♥️

As usual, Kim Michele Richardson packs her novel with historically important moments, and follows with a thoughtful author’s note explaining her inspiration.

If you enjoyed the other books, especially if you love Cussy’s unique voice, you must read this. If you haven’t yet read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek but find yourself reading this review - get on it, you have time before this releases on April 21, 2026. These meaningful stories will both break and heal your heart. The writing makes them hard to put down. And for the history they share, they deserve to be read widely.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC 🙏🏻

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually start a review like this, but if you’re thinking about reading this book and haven’t read the other two books in this series, stop right now and read those first!
The Mountains We Call Home is the third book in the Book Woman series, and, once again, I was swept up into Cussy’s challenging world. I’m not sure I’ve ever met a braver, smarter, more determined woman than Cussy Lovett, and in this book she must face incarceration and the powerlessness that brings, along with her ongoing struggle against the bigotry that she faces on a daily basis. There are many social issues covered in this book, civil rights and the right to vote at the forefront, with literacy once again providing a means for folks to survive and thrive in an uncertain world.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid companion novel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series. Loved it!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

[Reading Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I might have loved this book more than the first book! The writing and story came along so much more smoothly in this book I thought. I really loved all of the history that I learned . I didn't know anything about Sun Down Towns or the map that guided people of color to safe places.

[SueK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding continuation of The Book Woman story, by Kim Michele Richardson. This continuation of the story covers incarceration, miscegenation, poverty and literacy. It's deeply moving, while also being frustrating. The author's love for her native Kentucky shines through. Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end of the book.

When I read the first, Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, I had no idea it would become a series. I can't help but hope there will be more.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. After reading the first two, I was so excited to see parts left in ambiguity come to a full understanding of what Cussy endures in prison. I loved the historical details that show Kentucky, and the United States’ laws that truly ruined people’s lives based on prejudice and fear. The contrasts between city and rural life, prison and “freedom” are so well done. If for nothing else, the story of Jackson and Cussy is beyond romantic and shows the sheer determination they have to fight with to honor their love and marriage. What a tour-de-force this concluding book offers to the Troublesome book woman.

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michelle Richardson was a fantastic read for me. As someone who loved the other books in this series, I felt right at home returning to this world. Cussy, especially, feels like a friend at this point, I found myself truly invested in her journey and rooting for her at every turn. The way Ms. Richardson writes makes the characters and setting feel so real and familiar, almost as if I’ve spent time in those mountains myself.
What really stood out to me was the range of emotions the novel brought up. There were moments that made me smile and ones that broke my heart, sometimes within the same chapter. The author skillfully the author weaves in several important topics, also while addressing issues of family, belonging and hardship without ever feeling heavy-handed. The characters are truly unforgettable and I know they will stay with me a long time.
Even though this novel can be enjoyed as a standalone, I strongly encourage anyone to dive into the entire series. Each book beautifully builds on the characters and their stories, creating a deeper connection that makes the experience all the more rewarding. This is series that leaves a lasting impact, filled with emotion, authenticity and relevance.
I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Colleen Maclennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book introducing Cussy and her travelling pack horse library in Kentucky. This book finds Cussy incarcerated in a women’s prison and her husband Jackson in a male prison. Cussy ‘s love of books and readings allows her to elevate herself in the prison and later in society. Another booked steep in discrimination, poverty , and the brutal reality of being different. The book seemed to be long winded describing Cussy ‘s prison life and her life in society was hastily recounted . However I wqs happy she and Jackson were able to reconnect and finally live the life they both longed for.

[Betsey Ingraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege it has been to read this newest work by Kim Michele Richardson. If you read and liked ‘The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek’ or ‘The Book Woman’s Daughter’, I highly recommend reserving or preordering a copy of this new book.

[Abby Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance copy of this novel. I was interested to read the 3rd installment of Richardson's Bookwoman Series. Unfortunately, this novel was repetitive and dull. Her prose is well written, just the content was lacking for me. I wanted to finished it only to know how it ended, not to enjoy the story line. 3.5 Stars

[Lisa of Hopewell]

I learned of this book via this post: https://readingladies.com/2026/01/29/...

[Dawn529 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm a bit of an outlier on this book. I Read the first Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and really liked it. Although I enjoyed this book, I didn't connect with it as much as I did with the original. Most of the emotional topics in the book (racism, oppression, abuse, miscegenation, etc.) were unbelievably heavy, but the writing felt a little too light and upbeat. I respect that Cussy was the type of character that would just buckle down and get on with it, but it almost felt like the author was trying to brush over terrible things to minimize them.

I loved the unique historical perspective, and plan to read The Book Woman's Daughter when I have a chance.

Thank you, Kim Michele Richardson, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading: March 24th 2026

"As the years passed, we barely spoke of the mountains we call home. Spoken even rarer these days, but always there, the longing could not stay silenced."

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

REVIEW

I remember really enjoying The Book Woman Of Troublesome Creek back when I read it in 2019, but I somehow never picked up the sequel/companion novel when it came out three years later. When I learned of this third book featuring the same characters, I decided to make both books a priority in 2026. The second book was excellent, and The Mountains We Call Home turned out to be another outstanding piece of historical fiction as well. I was happy to learn more about Cussy Lovett’s story both set during and after the events in book two, as the second book mainly focuses on her adopted daughter Honey instead. Like the first two books, The Mountains We Call Home ended up being a well researched, powerful and at times heartbreaking read.

The Mountains We Call Home is described as a stand-alone and companion novel, but I personally wouldn't recommend reading these books out of order. True, this third book focuses on a later stage in Cussy Lovett's life, but you will miss out on so much character background if you don't read the first two books... And you will also encounter multiple spoilers for the previous books if you read them out of order (especially with the second book, as this book is partly set during the same time as Honey's story in The Book Woman's Daughter). All three books are fantastic reads and well worth your time in the first place if you enjoy well researched and evocative historical fiction.

It's hard to talk about the plot without giving away spoilers for the previous books... So don't read the next bit if you haven't caught up yet. Like I already said before, The Mountains We Call Home returns to Cussy Lovett's story, and it is told through her eyes. It starts after the events that opened the previous book, with both Cussy and her husband being imprisoned. A big part of this story is set inside the prison walls, and it made for some very interesting reading. It's a vivid, harrowing and at times heartbreaking portrait of life in prison... And I could really appreciate the realistic way everything was described. It shows that the author spent a lot of time researching this book, and this really took the story to the next level for me.

I've always liked Cussy Lovett's character, so I was immediately invested what was happening to both her husband and herself. There are also new additions to the cast, who really helped creating a rich and immersive experience and they also helped creating opportunities to shine a light on the problematic situation in 1950s Kentucky. The result is a multi-faceted and beautifully written piece of historical fiction that balances the more serious topics with moments of hope and courage. I can recommend all three books if you like this type of historical fiction! The incorporation of historical facts and the photos at the end are an added bonus.

[Lynn M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As the years passed, we barely spoke of the mountains we call home.
Spoken even rarer these days, but always there, the longing could not stay silenced.”
- Cussy, The Mountains We Call Home

The Mountains We Call Home is the third installment in Kim Michele Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series. The novel takes place between the early 1950’s and the late 1960’s. Cussy, a Pack Horse Librarian in the mountains of Kentucky, lives with a genetic condition called methemoglobinemia that makes her skin blue. Her community ostracizes her and, after an abusive first marriage that left her a widow, she finds love with Jackson. The day they were married the sheriff ripped up their marriage license and put Jackson in jail. The novel opens with Cussy and her husband both being arrested this time and sent to prison for violating miscegenation laws - interracial marriage. This act provides the major angst of the story.

Cussy is considered a person of color and therefore treated as such while in prison and after her release. Despite some harsh treatment from her fellow inmates, Cussy perseveres and eventually is able to use the skills she learned as a book woman within the prison library. Several months into her 18 month sentence, she makes a discovery which leads the prison warden to make a horrifying decision. Given a temporary reprieve from the warden’s determination, Cussy is ‘loaned’ out as a visiting librarian to the Louisville Western Colored Branch of the Carnegie Library, the first black patrons library in the country. During her time working with the head librarian, Cussy is amazed at how unfazed the black community is by her blue color and realizes the similarities they share because of their skin colors. When she and Jackson are eventually reunited, they make their way to Detroit and try to reconcile living in working class industrial city with their innate sense of who they are.

This is a love story on two levels, The first is the love between Cussy and Jackson, the cruel acts they suffer, and the sacrifices they make to be together. The second love story is the love of books and the power of literacy - how it can improve one’s sense of self-worth, provide better economic opportunities, and build community. Reading provides the mind some relief from situations and emotions that are hard to handle as evidenced by Cussy’s literacy efforts in the prison.

The supporting characters are just as wonderfully drawn as Cussy and Jackson. They show a quiet strength, determination to do what is hard but right, and act as pseudo mothers and mentors for Cussy.
The author tackled some difficult topics straight on, realistically and tastefully. One of the things I love about historical fiction is learning new pieces of history - for example the Louisville Western Colored Branch of the Carnegie Library, and West Walnut Street in Louisville, KY. Reading the notes that follow the story, it is clear Ms. Richardson did a tremendous amount of research to ensure that not only the events but the characters were authentic to the time.

While it can be read as a standalone, the reader will have more background and a much deeper investment if they have read the previous works. It is well worth a reader’s time to read the first two books as they do not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jennifer L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I’ve been waiting for, for almost two years! I read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and the sequel, the Book Woman’s Daughter in early 2024 after a friend insisted I read them, claiming they were among the best books she’d ever read. Since she’s a woman in her 70’s and I am twenty years younger, she’s read a few more than I have. I feel for folks who read these books and had to wait even longer than I did, for this third book in the series.

I’m very appreciate to the author, publisher and NetGalley who supplied me with an ARC. I work in a library and am ready to get patrons excited about this one! I read a lot of books but many of them are listened to via audiobook and when listening, I don’t think one quite gets to see the true writing style of an author. Having read physical books for the first two novels, I am happy I continued the method, reading this ebook on my iPad, which gave me the ability to go back and reread some of the exceptionally well written paragraphs of Richardson’s book.

I found in most of this novel, I could almost see the story unfolding before my eyes; the writing is so descriptive! I wish I could capture or identify just what it is that Richardson does to craft such perfect paragraphs, so I could recommend suggestions to a young lady who is entrusting her first manuscript to me , a lowly librarian.

A lover of history, I tend to gravitate to reading books containing the history of my home province of Saskatchewan. By reading the Mountains We Call Home, I am taken away and placed in this unfamiliar setting, where I continued to grow the knowledge I obtained in the first two instalments of Cussy’s story. Knowing very little about the state of Kentucky, I read this book on a snowy afternoon from the comfort of my home in Saskatchewan, Canada. Google maps informs me it’s a 23 hour drive to take me to the setting of the novel but it’s Richardson’s talent for weaving a story that can place me there within minutes of opening this book.

I don’t want to give any of the story away but despite the hardship and injustice that Cussy is faced with in 1953, her strength of character shines on. She is still as passionate as ever, the lover of books and her generous spirit towards those less fortunate than she, is not dampened, despite being thrown in prison in the first chapter.

We are introduced to some wonderful characters within the prison walls and then again when Cussy spends time with the Claxton’s in Louisville.

The ending is a happy one, albeit abrupt. It feels we have reached a conclusion to Cussy’s tale, although I had expected there may be more to be told about Honey’s story. I for one would be happy if another book in the series arrives on library bookshelves one day!

Reading the book was just such a pleasure, an experience that was over far too quickly.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping, engaging, thought provoking, emotion evoking and hard to put down! Kim Michele Richardson has delivered yet again! I have read the other books featuring Cussy Lovett: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and The Book Woman's Daughter and loved this stand-alone/companion book to the series! This book is described as a stand-alone book, but it truly is a continuation of the story of Cussy and Jackson.

Cussy is such a wonderful and empathetic character. She has a love of books and a love for her family. Cussy and Jackson are both arrested and imprisoned for marrying. Cussy, has methemoglobinemia which makes her skin blue. Jackson is white. They fall in love and marry during a time where people of color cannot marry white spouses. Cussy experiences many challenges while in prison but also got the opportunity to share her love of books and reading with other inmates.

As with the other books featuring Cussy, this book showcases reading, injustice, prejudice, family, relationships, hope, and love. I absolutely loved this book. I loved Cussy and her quiet courage, strength, love of reading, and desire to help others. This book made me feel all kinds of emotions while keeping my fingers crossed and rooting for the characters.

It is evident that Kim Michele Richardson did a tremendous amount of research prior to writing this wonderful book. Be sure to read the author's note at the end of this book.

Wonderfully written, moving, well thought out, wonderfully researched, and hard to put down. If you have not read a book written by Kim Michele Richardson, you are missing out!

*A Witches Words buddy read with Mary Beth! Please be sure to read her review as well to get her thoughts on The Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman's Legacy.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC from the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss for an honest review.

If you've read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek or its sequel, you already know Cussy Mary. And if you loved her then, coming back to her world in this book feels like settling into a familiar chair. This is very much a continuation of Cussy's story, and one of the genuine pleasures of reading it is the chance to immerse yourself again in characters you fell in love with before. Richardson has built something rare with this series: a cast that feels truly lived-in, and returning to them is a comfort in itself.

What Richardson does especially well here is her research. The historical detail woven throughout feels deep and earned rather than performative. She examines incarceration, criminalization, and the crushing weight those systems place on people with the least power, and the ripple effects on families and communities are rendered with real care. It never feels like a history lesson dropped into the narrative; it feels like life.

The themes around literacy and books as sanctuary are also genuinely moving. The idea that a book can be a lifeline, that stories can offer a kind of freedom even when everything else has been stripped away, runs through this novel in a way that feels personal and true. Cussy's inner strength carries those themes well, and watching her draw on it amid difficult circumstances is consistently compelling.

There is one area where the book stumbles a bit. The tone occasionally feels too light given the weight of what's being depicted. At certain points in the story, characters find themselves in environments where the racism and oppression they would almost certainly encounter in real life seem softer than history would suggest. It's a little hard to believe that anyone navigating the social landscapes portrayed here would move through them without sharper resistance and uglier moments. The contrast between different worlds and settings is interesting to explore, but when the writing pulls its punches in those spaces, the emotional register doesn't quite match the historical reality.

Still, this is a rich, thoughtful book with a lot to offer, especially if you're already invested in this world. The research is impressive, the characters are as compelling as ever, and the central message about the healing power of literacy lands with real force. Richardson clearly loves these characters and this place, and that love shows on every page.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cussy and her family are back. This book picks up a bit after the beginning of the Book Women’s Daughter because it seems Cussy is new to the women’s prison and she is still sporting a broken arm. We have heard what happened to Cussy’s daughter Honey during this time period, now it is time to hear Cussy’s story. Cussy finds out the prison librarian has gone and she puts in for the job, Cussy shows she has no fear and she will deliver book to sections no one else did like the death row inmates. But what the inmates want most is to hear Cussy read books to them and soon it is very apparent to the guards and there fore the warden is how the inmates are calmed. The warden allows Cussy to start a program to teach the inmates to read (this has also become a requirement of parole) as lon as she does her regular book keeping in the dinning hall (food is much better when she is there). The program is so good the warden of the men’s prison asks and is granted to have some of the men to come as well. Word gets out and a Louisville Librarian asks the governor to allow Cussy to come to her library for a length a time to set up the program there. This is were the story gets interesting, and Cussy finds her champion in her fight for release.
This is such a wonderful book. I can attest that the places the author mentions are very real as I now don’t live far from the women’s prison in Pewee Valley and pass the men’s penitentiary in Buckner on my way to work. I have a friend that worked at the Western branch of the Louisville free public library (LFPL). My kin still live on the Virginia side of the Appalachian and are right next to Letcher County. Growing up I had heard stories of the Blues, but never knew of the awful laws imposed on them in the past, like the horrible mass sterilization of all the women that get into trouble. I love the characters and everything about this awesome book it is so real and heart breaking at the same time. If you have read the other books in this series or maybe you just want to read a wonderful nostalgic book set in Kentucky that is unlike any you have read before, I think you will love this brief trip back in time to a historic place with fictional characters and the stories they have to tell.
PS we still have a picture of a packhorse librarian at my library.

This book was provided by Netgalley

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Mountains We Call Home
Series: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Book #3
Author: Kim Michele Richardson
Publisher: Sourcebook Landmark
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: April 21, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 384

This story can easily be a standalone but it is a companion novel to the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
This story is also a tribute to the power of literature, to the women who carried not just books, but literacy to those living in the mountains.
The main character Cussy Carter is the last living relative of the rare “Blue Skin” ancestry. The blue skin is caused by a genetic blood disorder. I have never heard of it so looked it up. Here is one of the many links.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/blue-sk...

Story first introduces us to Kentucky 1936 with the Book Women riding their horses or mules to deliver books to the mountain folks.
Then moves on to Kentucky 1953 to the hills of Thousandsticks, Kentucky when law enforcement comes to take the Book Woman and her husband.

I LOVED “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek’ not sure what I was expecting with this story. Book #1 was sooo unique – I honestly never heard of the “Blue’ people and immediately looked it up.
Story truly was one of a kind unique experience.
This was good but …. I have to admit it didn’t grab me as Book #1 had.

However, the back of the book is very informative with –‘must reads’:
The ‘Author’s Note, the recipe for ‘’Old West Walnut Street Chili with Tamales’ sound great- plus I always like when a story includes ‘A Reading Guide’ - that has thoughtful questions if you are or aren’t in a Book Club.
Also included many pages of photo- which were great in fact, I wish I viewed earlier in the story as they definitely added to it.
Additionally, Kim Michele Richardson’s ‘Acknowledgements” definitely added to the list of MUST read!

I want to thank NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 21, 2026.

[Donna Krutsinger - Mockingbird Musings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, and I love learning more about America's diverse but many times cruel past. I had read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek when it was first published, but I have not read its sequel, The Bookwoman's Daughter. I think readers would enjoy this new novel regardless if they have read either of the previous two.

In this third novel, we are reunited with Cussie, our packhorse librarian from Troublesome, KY, who suffers from methemoglobinemia (a blood disorder causing the skin to be blue in appearance). It is 1953 now, and Cussie and her husband, Jackson, have both been arrested for miscegenation and each imprisoned. It is at the height of segregation and Jim Crow in the South.

At the prisons (both the women's and the men's), we are shown the injustices of our legal system - eugenics, sterilization, lobotomies, etc. The novel concentrates more on the women's prison as Cussie is the book's main character, and the stark realities of injustices are so prevalent there.

Even though Cussie is shunned by most because of the color of her skin, her character is such a positive presence. No matter how many times discrimination, segregation, and the legal system knock her down, she always rose back up, stood tall, and kept helping others.

Cussie's passion is literacy - getting books into the hands of everyone and teaching anyone who could not read or write. She felt everyone deserved the right to be able to read to better communicate and just to better their own life.

In the novel after successfully implementing reading programs at both the women's and men's prisons while she was an inmate, Cussie is requested to come to Louisville, KY, by a librarian, Mrs. Claxton. Their mission is to spearhead a literacy campaign for the Blacks of the city. Mrs. Claxton becomes such an important secondary character for the story.

The Mountains We Call Home is a book about love, belonging, and literacy. If you are a history buff, definitely read this last installment of the Book Woman's series. It hits shelves April 21st. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Caitlin Barringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start by stating I loved The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and The Book Woman's Daughter. I love the Appalachia history, heritage, and obscure notable people so reading about the Pack Horse Librarians absolutely resonates with me. I have mixed feelings about this book.

While it's advertised as a standalone book, I would argue that The Mountains We Call Home is best read after reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. The Book Woman's Daughter could be read before or after. The Mountains We Call Home try to introduce key people or topics from the other books to help it stand alone but there is less emotion and connection without the full story behind Honey, Angeline, Devil John, Junia, etc.

In many ways, this book feels like a novel + lengthy epilogue. I felt like I was reading a novel up to the time jump to 1963. It was interesting experiencing Cussy's first exposure to many of the modern amenities in the prison that others in the 1950s would have taken for granted. It also touches on real topics from that time period like segregation, racism, female control (i.e. lobotomy, abortion, sterilization). It felt like there may have been an attempt to put too much in Cussy's prison experience. One moment we're focused on Cussy learning to use new laundry presses, and then suddenly she's meeting Sassyann, but then also she's having to fight off Regina. Next thing we know she's furloughed to a black library in Louisville that now accepts all patrons. I'm not educated enough to know if that's historically accurate (the furlough as well as the mixed-race library).

The time jump and subsequent chapters felt rushed. It was like RIchardson was trying to wrap up too much of Cussy's story by fitting 15 years into just a few pages. While I love a good completion story and appreciate knowing that Cussy and Jackson were able to reunite their family in Kentucky, I feel like it could have been a novel all on its own.

While I don't regret reading this, it didn't make as much of an impact as the first two books in this series.

[JerrieGayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-Provoking Historical Fiction

The ‘Mountains We Call Home’ is another compelling installment in the ‘Book Woman’ series, set to be released on April 21, 2026. While it can be read as a standalone, readers continuing in the series will find it especially rewarding as it continues the journey of Cussy Mary Lovett. I began this book first but quickly found myself drawn back to read the original novel to fully appreciate Cussy’s backstory which is a testament to how engaging this character truly is.

Told in the first-person perspective of Cussy Mary Lovett, this story takes place in the early 1950s, seventeen years after the events of the first book. Cussy lives with a genetic condition that turns her skin blue, leading her community to classify her as a person of color. As a result, she and her husband are criminally charged and imprisoned for their interracial marriage—an injustice that sets the emotional core of this novel.

Much of the story focuses on Cussy’s time in prison and the difficult period that follows. The in-depth research of the author shows, and she does not shy away from addressing the harsh realities faced by women and people of color during this era, handling these themes with care and intention. The supporting characters are vividly drawn, many with quiet strength and heroic resolve, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves rooting for those who stand beside Cussy when she needs it most.

This is a powerful and emotionally resonant read, ideal for fans of historical fiction that explores resilience, injustice, and humanity. It also serves as a strong reminder of why this series continues to be worth following—and may very well encourage readers to pick up the other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the free digital Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own and based on an advanced copy, which may differ from the final published version.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get back to Kentucky and spend time with the beloved packhorse librarian!

Cussy and Jackson Lovett have violated miscegenation laws and are imprisoned. If you haven’t read any of the Packhorse/Book Women of Troublesome Creek book series, Cussy lives with methemoglobinemia, a condition that manifests with blue-tainted skin. She’s imprisoned because she loves someone that Kentucky law says she can’t love.

Author Kim Michele Richardson masterfully makes readers aware of the weight of living with this ailment. I wanted to hug Cussy when she told someone that her color feels heavy like grief and her whole life has been a push to abandon her color so that she can live with others who are stuck in their own discomfort and fears over it.

We may not know someone with blue skin, but we all know someone who feels like Cussy. This is a reminder to be sensitive and welcoming for those who are feeling ‘blue’.

Richardson’s focus is on freedom. It plays out on Cussy needing to be free of what others think of her, free of her imprisonment, and free to love whom she wants. While incarcerated, Cussy becomes the prison librarian and experiences a little of the freedom she craves. Like a true warrior and advocate, Cussy champions this freedom for others. In the past, it may have been for the poor hillfolk, but now her focus is on the illiterate prisoners. She loves those who struggle to love themselves and goes out of her way to give them a taste of freedom. I love that Charlotte’s Web became a gateway novel!

I won’t give any more away. If you’ve been enjoying this series, this is one you’ll want to make a priority. If you haven’t heard of the packhorse librarian, you need to investigate. It’s a wonderful series for book lovers, librarians, and historical fiction lovers.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. In The Mountains We Call Home- The Book Woman’s Legacy , Kim Michele Richardson once again brings us into the life of Cussy Lovett, Kentucky woman who we are first introduced to in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. While this book is the third in that series, it can also be read as a standalone book. The author seamlessly fills in any gaps. Having read and enjoyed the first book, I highly recommend it regardless. Like that one, I found myself unable to put this book down.
Born with a genetic condition that makes her skin blue, Cussy has definitely dealt with discrimination over the years. Finding herself taken to prison for breaking a law that prohibits her from being married to the white man (Jackson, also brought to prison) she loves, Cussy must deal with new challenges and try to find her way to freedom. Reading about ways people worked to bring literacy to those who had less, or even no, access to it is heartwarming. I love Cussy’s courage and determination to live a great life despite those who have tried to push her down. The book is very interesting and full of history. I only wish the ending had a bit more to it, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars. Almost perfect! Kim Michele paints a picture of the way people who were different were treated and pays homage to several people lost to history (such as who started the Moonlight School) but who made an important impact on society. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end for more details on the history covered in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Christy Morris-Colley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a lifelong Kentucky girl. I’ve lived in many of the places Mrs Kim Michelle wrote about in these three books! They will stay with me for the rest of my life! The Mountains We Call Home brought me back home to my roots in Jefferson and Oldham Counties and back to Southeastern Kentucky. I truly missed the mountain folk from her last two books but needed the history and story of Louisville and our prison systems in Oldham County.

I read The Moonlight Schools by Suzanne Woods Fischer, when I first got back into reading, so I was familiar with the (1911) Adult Literacy Program created my Cora Wilson Stewart,. but to read about Mrs Kim Michelle’s generosity and love overwhelmed me!!!

Reverend and the Mrs’, Miss Rose, Susan’s sacrifices to help Cussy Mary made me cry and cheer!

There’s just to many things to break down and say that I loved, but of all it’s Cussy’s love for Jackson, Honey, her son, the mountains and books touched me to the core! I appreciate the opportunity to read this arc!!!!! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Mrs Kim Michelle! I’m forever grateful! Truly!

(I add personal information in some of my reviews, because some books bring me so close to home and family. Some books are just escapes from the outside world but others are history of home!!! Such as these books have been. Mrs. Kim Michelle, your research and dedication to the history and lives of historic Kentuckians is remarkable! I wanted to reach out to you especially to Thank You!!! From one Louisville, Oldham County and Harlan Countian to another!!! God Bless!)