Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Reading is my Superpower, I am sharing a beautifully written time-slip story by Amanda Cox. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery came out last week, and it is sure to tug at your heartstrings!

“Sarah nudged aside last night’s puddle of clothes with her bare foot, the exposed designer label sticking out a bit too much.”

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

The Basics

Title: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

Author: Amanda Cox

Publication Date: September 7, 2021

Genre: Southern Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Present Day. Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home, determined to finally follow her dream of running the family business alongside her mother and grandmother. So when her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that Old Depot Grocery is closing, Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a plan to save the store. But Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons–but she’ll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she’s pregnant with her deceased fiancé’s baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve her family’s reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-time story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

My Review

Amanda Cox is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with the release of her second book! This dual-timeline story introduces us to three generations of women in Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah. From the relatable characters to the small Southern town to the heart-wrenching twists with a hint of mystery, this book has something for everyone. It touches on many issues women face, including mother-daughter relationships across generations, with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and hope.

While romance is a part of each woman’s story, it is a supplement rather than the main point. All three heroes are wonderful complements to our heroines, but Clay in the present day is my favorite. His steady friendship and care for Sarah as someone who had also suffered loss and rebuilt his life allowed her to find her place and grow into her new life. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy women’s fiction with heart, especially fans of Rachel Hauck and Lauren K. Denton!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.