We Begin at the End

Self-proclaimed Outlaw, Duchess Radley is thirteen-year-old girl who must care for her five-year-old brother, Robin. She should be enjoying her childhood, going to school, hanging out with friends, and having fun. Unfortunately, she is a parentified child who must look out for her five-year-old brother. She makes his lunch, has arranged care for him at school, and has had to resort to stealing to provide food for him. She goes without food so that he can eat. She remembers his birthday when their Mother, Star, does not. She is the one who calls 911 when there is trouble. Her mother does not look out for her, she looks out for her mother. She is the one who stands up for them both when others make fun of them. They are talked about and judged. Their mother and her life choice are the source of the town’s gossip.

Walk, the town sheriff looks out for Duchess, Robin and Star when he can. He has a lot on his plate and his own personal issues. He grew up with Star and still feels the guilt and heartache over providing the testimony that sent his friend, and Star’s fifteen-year-old boyfriend, Vincent King to prison. Vincent going to prison impacted their lives in various ways. Walk, Vincent and Star have never truly recovered. How could they? Walk and Star seem to both be on a collision course of self-destruction. Thirty years have now passed, and Vincent is being released. What will the future hold? How will this further change their lives?

Talk about being dealt a rough hand in life. All these characters should have had bright futures but life, as they say, got in the way. Devastating loss, hardships, life changing and altering events, heartbreak, grief, guilt, burdens, secrets, pain, sacrifice, love, friendship, revenge and family are all throw into the mix in a harrowing way.

This book is gritty, gripping and heartbreaking. Talk about packing a punch. I could not help but root for tough as nails, Duchess. A brave outlaw who does not always make the right choices but is fiercely loyal to her brother and tries to make things better. She has a tough exterior to hide the fact that she is a young girl trying her best to survive. The children pulled on my heartstrings and had me engrossed in their plight. The adults in this story will evoke strong emotion from readers as well.

There will be some twists and turns and a reveal that I did not see coming. The plot was riveting, and I could feel the characters desperation, heartache and pain. This is a story that I will be thinking about for days to come.

Beautifully written and perfectly paced. This was my first book by Whitaker, and I look forward to reading more of his work.

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company 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.