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No One Ever Asked
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When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her pict
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No One Ever Asked challenged me, provoked me, and, I'll be honest, made me uncomfortable - and that's meant as a compliment! Although I don't make it a habit to read stories this heavy often, I trust Katie Ganshert as an author, and I also know enough of her personal story to believe that she would handle such a tough topic well. Not only does she handle the issues presented in this novel well, she also deftly handles three different points of view. While stories with multiple points of view are
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May 06, 2018
Sarah Grace Grzy
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Ages 18+ for mature themes
Shelves:
contemporary,
true-stories,
want-to-own,
adult,
christian-fiction,
cover-love,
my-favorites,
made-me-cry
Wow . . . Just wow. Ganshert pens yet another emotionally moving, grippingly-real story. I can honestly say I have never read another book quite like No One Ever Asked.
Split between the point of views of three different women in vastly different worlds, this book kept me engrossed in the story throughout every page. Each character is so incredibly realistic you can't help but empathize with and relate to them. I think Jen's storyline was probably my favorite, as adoption is a subject very close ...more
Split between the point of views of three different women in vastly different worlds, this book kept me engrossed in the story throughout every page. Each character is so incredibly realistic you can't help but empathize with and relate to them. I think Jen's storyline was probably my favorite, as adoption is a subject very close ...more
Raw, honest, and deep, are just a few words to describe this book. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book.
Ganshert was not afraid to write about a topic we all want someone to stand up and shout to the world about.
I devoured this book and was left wanting more. This is Ganshert's best book and it is one you will not want to miss out on.
I gave this one 5 stars two times and I HIGHLY recommend you preorder your copy!
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for revie ...more
Ganshert was not afraid to write about a topic we all want someone to stand up and shout to the world about.
I devoured this book and was left wanting more. This is Ganshert's best book and it is one you will not want to miss out on.
I gave this one 5 stars two times and I HIGHLY recommend you preorder your copy!
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for revie ...more
"...story is a powerful medium. It speaks to hearts in ways fact and articles cannot. Through it, we get to live someone else's experience. We get to put on someone else's skin and walk a mile in their shoes. Which makes it the best possible breeding ground for empathy.
-Katie Ganshert
No One Ever Asked is a powerful story that resonated so deeply with me. Katie Ganshert has an excellent gift of writing each character's feelings and emotions so tangibly onto each page. Combining past headlines ...more
-Katie Ganshert
No One Ever Asked is a powerful story that resonated so deeply with me. Katie Ganshert has an excellent gift of writing each character's feelings and emotions so tangibly onto each page. Combining past headlines ...more
Jumping outside of my usual genre I read this one for a book club discussion. This novel is perfect for discussion. It's thought provoking in a good way. I was concerned it was going to be stressful but it wasn't. I related to these characters especially the feelings of inadequacy as a mom. I think that's one of the things I'm really going to take away from this book, how EVERYONE has struggles. Another thing is forgiveness. Forgiveness is beautifully woven throughout the last quarter of the sto
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Oh. My. Wow. I knew when I picked up this book that Katie Ganshert would take me on an emotional journey that would challenge my intellect as well as my mind. And wow, oh wow, Ms. Ganshert did NOT disappoint.
No One Ever Asked follows the journey of three very different women, or are they?
But it wasn’t just these three ladies that captured my attention. That kept me turning the page. The secondary characters were so integral to this story. The issues that Ms. Ganshert tackled were nothing short o ...more
No One Ever Asked follows the journey of three very different women, or are they?
But it wasn’t just these three ladies that captured my attention. That kept me turning the page. The secondary characters were so integral to this story. The issues that Ms. Ganshert tackled were nothing short o ...more
Having taught in North Carolina in the late 1960's during the middle of desegregation, I found this book very interesting. I taught in an all black school where the only integration that had taken place was the teaching staff. It was close to a military base and over half the teachers were military wives who would leave as soon as their husbands were transferred which meant some classes might have 2 or 3 teachers in the same year. My husband was discharged from the service in March, but we had m
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Oh, friends. I don't even know where to begin. This is hard stuff. This is powerful stuff! This is an incredible journey from first page to last, but it is not for the faint of heart. This is for the hurting ones. This is for the uncertain ones. This is for all those who want to help and to make a difference, to bless and encourage, but have no idea where to begin. And ultimately? This is for all of us. A story of hard, yet a story of hope! It will make you cringe in places and wish you could hi
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I am only allowed to give this book 5 stars in rating? Why? Why can't I give it 5 stars ten million times? It's that amazing. Yes, yes it is. It is absolutely raw. Utterly captivating. Beautifully written. Heart stoppingly real. Every. Last. Page.
Mrs. Ganshert takes every day questions, and every day situations and puts them into a novel that will consume you. Each of these characters jumped off the pages and told their stories to me like they were sitting right beside me on the couch. Each of ...more
Mrs. Ganshert takes every day questions, and every day situations and puts them into a novel that will consume you. Each of these characters jumped off the pages and told their stories to me like they were sitting right beside me on the couch. Each of ...more
August BookClub Selection!!
This book touched on a major topic that is Relevant in today's society, not only in education but in every industry and every home. Reading this book gave me a chance to get into the heads and hearts of both the Black and White characters. It's really sad when the children are faced with the hate, jealousy, and ignorance that has been passed down from adults who by right may not know any better from their own upbringing. As a Black woman I am taught to forgive people w ...more
This book touched on a major topic that is Relevant in today's society, not only in education but in every industry and every home. Reading this book gave me a chance to get into the heads and hearts of both the Black and White characters. It's really sad when the children are faced with the hate, jealousy, and ignorance that has been passed down from adults who by right may not know any better from their own upbringing. As a Black woman I am taught to forgive people w ...more
Crystal Ridge is a desirable, wealthy community known for it's excellent schools. The adjacent South Fork school district is impoverished and about to loss it's accreditation. The solution is to bus some of the South Fork students to Crystal Ridge. But some in the mainly white white Crystal Ridge district are not thrilled to welcome the black students. One of the more vocal opponents is Camille Gray, PTA president and mother of three. Imagine her surprise when she discovers her daughter's new te
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Such a thought provoking book about the different points of view when a predominantly black school is to be bused to a predominantly white school. The characters within the pages were well described and I felt their emotions of joy and pain.
Although it took me a bit to get engaged in this novel, I was pulled in completely about a third of the way in. So much hurt and heart.
Although it took me a bit to get engaged in this novel, I was pulled in completely about a third of the way in. So much hurt and heart.
I don't think I've ever picked up one of Katie Ganshert's books and haven't loved it. But this one. Oh my goodness, it surpasses any of her others! It's highly appropriate for the current crazy world we live in. I think that I literally read this in about a day. I got completely lost in the story.
I received a copy as part of the Blogging for Books program. Sadly, this is my last review for them as they are discontinuing the program. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opini ...more
I received a copy as part of the Blogging for Books program. Sadly, this is my last review for them as they are discontinuing the program. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opini ...more
"No One Ever Asked" is one of those books that require humility to read. I'm afraid I'm gonna jumble throughout this review, but if you don't remember/understand anything else, please take this to heart: you need humility to read this book .
Each one of us in our day-to-day lives is put in positions of influence one way or another. Honestly, we might not even recognize we're in it, but don't doubt your influence. This is one of the reasons this book can be uncomfortable because, as we relate to ...more
Each one of us in our day-to-day lives is put in positions of influence one way or another. Honestly, we might not even recognize we're in it, but don't doubt your influence. This is one of the reasons this book can be uncomfortable because, as we relate to ...more
I liked this book but it fell far from the "love" section on my scale. It was for the most part pretty well written and had developed characters so if I just sat down and checked off criteria for a "decent" book it would meet all of those expectations. However, where it was lacking was the overall plot, story, and how it made the reader "me" feel. I felt it was a bit unrealistic and preachy. It definitely had an agenda and while I'm not going to say the end result agenda is not correct or worthw
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This is the most relevant to current day issues book I’ve ever read. And honestly, it has only become more relevant since it was written. No One Ever Asked tackles the difficult conversations relating to racism and education and many other topics. Being a public school teacher myself I related even more to this book, but with three main characters and tons of side characters, everyone will find someone to relate to in this book.
No One Ever Asked revolves around the lives of three separate women ...more
No One Ever Asked revolves around the lives of three separate women ...more
I am so incredibly happy to have read this book and sincerely thank WaterBrook & Multnomah publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to review it.
Before seeing this title on Netgalley, I had never heard of this author or this book. The plot summary interested me and I thought it would be something to push my boundaries and make me uncomfortable (in a good way). Not only is this book incredible and a five star read, it is one of my favorite books of the year. Hands down.
The story begins with ...more
Before seeing this title on Netgalley, I had never heard of this author or this book. The plot summary interested me and I thought it would be something to push my boundaries and make me uncomfortable (in a good way). Not only is this book incredible and a five star read, it is one of my favorite books of the year. Hands down.
The story begins with ...more
Meh. A VERY sanitized Book Club novel that tries to cover far too many themes thereby doing injustice to each. The author attempts to weave racial segregation, racial profiling, marital infidelity, marital separation, possession of concealed weapons, gun violence, interracial adoption, attachment disorder, teenage angst/romance, juvenile diabetes, female friendship, and #metoo sexual harassment/rape all together into a very "vanilla" story that ties all of these themes up in a rushed "Happily Ev
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Have you ever read a story that just gut-punched you? One that forced you to hold a mirror up to yourself and ask some hard questions?
Katie Ganshert delivers exactly that with No One Ever Asked. Hold on friends, because I have a lot to say about this one!
The thread that ties each of the three main characters together is one of integrating students from a failing school district—one that’s student majority is black—with the state’s top, predominantly white district. As you can guess, there is som ...more
Katie Ganshert delivers exactly that with No One Ever Asked. Hold on friends, because I have a lot to say about this one!
The thread that ties each of the three main characters together is one of integrating students from a failing school district—one that’s student majority is black—with the state’s top, predominantly white district. As you can guess, there is som ...more
Jun 19, 2018
Larissa
added it
Not sure how to rate this one. I felt like the story was decently compelling, but I felt let down at the end. I expected more than what I got. And I found most of the characters to be largely unlikable. But I did think there were some good points made too, and it was definitely a thought provoking book.
Apr 20, 2018
Fiction Aficionado
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
women-s-fiction,
contemporary-fiction
I have no words. Just tears and a swollen heart. I knew this would be an emotional read when I picked it up, but after having heard so many rave reviews I thought I was prepared.
Not even.
This book undid me so many times—sometimes in the little things, but other times in scenes that will stay with me forever.
In the author’s note at the end, Katie Ganshert says, “Story is a powerful medium. It speaks to hearts in ways facts and articles cannot. Through it, we get to live someone else’s experience. ...more
Not even.
This book undid me so many times—sometimes in the little things, but other times in scenes that will stay with me forever.
In the author’s note at the end, Katie Ganshert says, “Story is a powerful medium. It speaks to hearts in ways facts and articles cannot. Through it, we get to live someone else’s experience. ...more
Full review on Faithfully Bookish
Community. Compassion. Empathy. Love. This world needs more yet can these things truly be achieved without understanding (or at the very least, a desire to understand)? I think not.
No One Ever Asked glows with rich, multi-layered authenticity and diversity. I found myself relating to each of the three main characters in at least a small way yet also learning from each struggle, situation, and background.
We don't understand one another's struggles because we don' ...more
Community. Compassion. Empathy. Love. This world needs more yet can these things truly be achieved without understanding (or at the very least, a desire to understand)? I think not.
No One Ever Asked glows with rich, multi-layered authenticity and diversity. I found myself relating to each of the three main characters in at least a small way yet also learning from each struggle, situation, and background.
We don't understand one another's struggles because we don' ...more
I have loved all of Katie's books and have been anticipating this novel for awhile! This book is SO good but also SO heavy. Get ready to feel and at times feel uncomfortable. Katie did an excellent job in writing current situations and difficulties not just in a school district but what goes on in our homes. Now I will add that there isn't much about religion or a relationship with God. While I didn't mind, I was a tad surprised to find not much about God in the book. I think much of this is in
...more
I was looking forward to this book the moment I heard about it. Katie Ganshert has been one of my favorite authors from the moment I finished her first book, so I knew I could trust her to tackle the sensitive issue of racism with grace, honesty and without preaching. No One Ever Asked is not an easy read. I don't think it should be. It is eye opening and heartbreaking. Ganshert shines a light not only on racism, but with a marriage in crises, sexual harassment, and international adoption. Each
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My main criticisms of this novel:
1. There are TOO MANY conflicts for one novel. There are 3 main storylines, and each one could have been developed into its own novel. As an example, Jen and her husband have just adopted a 7-year-old daughter from Africa, and they work through issues and heartache this brings on. It is a touching storyline that could have been developed deeper and made into its own novel.
2. Each main character has A LOT of baggage/issues/conflicts. Not one of them was likable. ...more
1. There are TOO MANY conflicts for one novel. There are 3 main storylines, and each one could have been developed into its own novel. As an example, Jen and her husband have just adopted a 7-year-old daughter from Africa, and they work through issues and heartache this brings on. It is a touching storyline that could have been developed deeper and made into its own novel.
2. Each main character has A LOT of baggage/issues/conflicts. Not one of them was likable. ...more
Initially I wasn't aware that this is a "Christian" book. I went into it with an open mind. However, I was immediately put off with the primary topic being racism from a white author. I did finish the book because I wanted to see where she was going with the story. I will say that I appreciate her honestly portraying the white perspective, I just couldn't be sure if her African American perspective is real because she isn't one herself.
There were too many sub-plots and characters happening that ...more
There were too many sub-plots and characters happening that ...more
May 04, 2018
Susie Finkbeiner
added it
Katie Ganshert poured her heart out while writing this novel. It's evident on every page. I so appreciated how she navigated the storytelling, how she wrote the characters with authenticity, and how she told the truth without brow beating. Rather, she puts an arm around the reader and says, "Do you see? It's time to learn, time to grow. Let's do this together."
This is no gushy read. It's not soft and easy. In fact, it requires that the reader encounters their own heart, examining it to see in w ...more
This is no gushy read. It's not soft and easy. In fact, it requires that the reader encounters their own heart, examining it to see in w ...more
Had a hard time putting this one down. Very much loved each narrative and it was a great book to help get in someone else’s shoes. Towards the end, I did feel like there was too much going on, too many issues to deal with between the racism, health issues, adoption, marital issues, sexual abuse/assault/abuse of power, school segregation, parenting dilemmas, etc. I wasn’t completely satisfied with the resolution to some of those things and think some of them were unnecessary to the story (especia
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In her note at the end of the book, the author says she hopes readers come away from the story with empathy. I can't think of a more perfect word to describe the heart of No One Ever Asked. It digs about as deep as fiction can go, pulls back the veil on racism, and portrays real life people struggling to live good lives--and some people who aren't as willing to struggle. This story educates, examines, and empowers us all to look deep into our own hearts. It also entertains with an extraordinaril
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“Forgiveness isn’t a pardon for them, it’s freedom for you.”
WOW, just WOW. We read for many reasons: to escape, to learn, to understand. This book was so much more than I expected! You will feel every emotion reading this. You will be able to relate to the majority of the situations and characters. Well written and heart felt. Please make sure you read the powerful author’s note. This is my first 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review of 2019.
This story is told by 3 voices. Camille, mom extraordinare, but at what cost? ...more
WOW, just WOW. We read for many reasons: to escape, to learn, to understand. This book was so much more than I expected! You will feel every emotion reading this. You will be able to relate to the majority of the situations and characters. Well written and heart felt. Please make sure you read the powerful author’s note. This is my first 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review of 2019.
This story is told by 3 voices. Camille, mom extraordinare, but at what cost? ...more
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Katie (K.E.) Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She’s won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun. You can learn more about K.E. Ganshert and these things she writes at her web
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“Stop being weird! She silently shouted.
She wanted to grab her son's book and throw it out of the window, send him outside to play baseball like every other boy in the neighborhood. But she would never do that. She could not pressure her son to be someone he wasn't. She would let him be exactly who God created him to be. She would let him march to the beat of his own drum, even when that marching scared her to death.”
—
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She wanted to grab her son's book and throw it out of the window, send him outside to play baseball like every other boy in the neighborhood. But she would never do that. She could not pressure her son to be someone he wasn't. She would let him be exactly who God created him to be. She would let him march to the beat of his own drum, even when that marching scared her to death.”
“Because all of it made them Real, and when you were Real, you couldn’t be ugly, except to the people who didn’t understand.”
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