Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs

Be prepared to find the truth about these schools known as the Magdalene Laundries where they sent girls back in the 60s for many different reasons.

Some were sent there because of pregnancy - others were sent there just because their parents wanted them out of the house or they couldn’t afford them, but most of the reasons were not really legitimate to keep them.

They didn’t educate them.  They used the girls as free labor for doing laundry for local businesses and treated them like prisoners.

These schools were run by nuns with many strict rules, very little nutritious food, horrible punishments, and with the outside world thinking the girls were being treated well and being redeemed.

We meet Mairin, who was dragged there by her mother.  While she is there she befriends other girls, but tries to escape every chance she can.

The girls become close and realize they need each other to endure what goes on.

You will love the characters and the lifelong friendships they made, but your heart will break for them.

WAYWARD GIRLS is another marvelously researched, pull-you-in book by Susan Wiggs that will also have you shedding tears.

Be sure to add it to your TBR.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.