I’ve had a pretty hectic spring so far, but managed to finish A Tender Grave by Sheri Reynolds. I was pretty interested in this book after reading the premise and it did not disappoint!
Here’s a quick plot—
Dori Baxter runs away from home, at her mother’s insistence, after participating in a hate crime that leaves a gay boy severely wounded. Dori finds her older half-sister and hopes she can start a new life, away from her own culpability and dysfunctional childhood. Teresa has been living ocean side with her wife, Jen, out of contact with their mother for years. Dori was a stranger until she landed on Teresa’s doorstep, seeking a place to stay. Teresa isn’t exactly interested in being in Dori’s life as she is desperately trying to get pregnant and her own past warrants many unresolved emotions, but she soon warms to Dori as their familiar connection grows. The two sisters manage to learn from one another and a captivating story is produced.
The writing in this book really transported you. Setting was strong in every aspect. I could really feel Dori’s discomfort when she struggled to find shelter. The atmosphere around the two characters—Dori and Teresa—was also strong, especially in showing how different they were to each other despite sharing a mother. I had no trouble immersing myself in this world. As they say, God is in the details and Reynolds even gave us the gum on the sidewalk.
I sort of liked that we didn’t get a resolution—something wrapped up nicely with a bow—as this wasn’t that type of book. I did want a stronger confrontation with the conflict, but I think the story is right in not giving us that, which presents an interesting challenge for the reader. Although I sympathize with Dori and understood her character, I wanted her to be further redeemed, but people don’t change that fast and A Tender Grave is nothing but a cut-of-life book. As I’ve said before, I adore reading grey characters and Dori could be seen as such. At only 17 she’s a moral mess with loads of problematic behaviors garnered to help her survive a traumatic childhood, no doubt, but by the end of the story we see her want to take responsibility, which is quite a defining step.
If you’re a reader who enjoys more challenging storylines and redemption arcs, that’s rich in detail and character then A Tender Grave could be for you.