Sarah Jane Jackson is fifteen years old and pregnant. The father is the son of their Mexican gardener, but he has since left the area. Sarah Jane now has to face her parents alone, who are shocked and unforgiving. There is no way they would welcome someone of a different background, their now-tarnished daughter, or the child into their home. . . Her mother wants nothing to do with her and her minister father is unwilling to help. Sarah Jane is shipped off to an unwed mothers' home to await the birth. Then, according to the law, in this era, Sarah Jane had no choice but to give the baby up for adoption. She was never going home again. Her Aunt Ruthie will bring her up. Then after giving birth to twin daughters, Sarah Jane is heartbroken at having to give up her babies. However, she will try to forget her pain and build a new life with Aunt Ruthie in a new town, rather than try to make her parents understand.

Sarah Jane, now known as Miss Janie, grows up and has a nice life in Birthright. It's a small, friendly town, and Aunt Ruthie is well admired. She gets Janie a job at the local school and in time, Janie becomes the school secretary. Everyone loves her and she gets attached to two teen girls from broken homes.

Kayla Green is biracial (half-black and half-white) and her family left for California telling Kayla they would send for her later. They never did. Teresa Mendoza, because of her mother, was labeled trailer trash, and Teresa had to hide from her mother's constant flow of drunken boyfriends. Miss Janie adopts both girls and they try to become a happy family unit, but not without struggles along the way.

Miss Janie's nephew, Noah, eventually comes to live with them, and earns his keep by taking care of the books and any needed repairs. because of his help, Miss Janie made it possible for Noah to go to collegeand become a lawyer and private investigator. For as long as he was there, Noah had a crush on Teresa and kissed her once. He never forgot it and neither did she.

But when both girls turned eighteen, they left to make their future. They'd send cards here and there, but neither have returned because they were both making disasters of their lives and they didn't want to disappoint Miss Janie. 

Ten years have passed since and Miss Janie has become very ill and is counting her days. She has cancer and Alzheimer's and has trouble with her memory. She begs Noah to find her girls and return them to her so she can spend her final days with them. When they have their reunion, things have changed. With everyone back under the same roof, will they be able to make the most of the time Miss Janie has left?

A bittersweet story filled with emotions and a cast of characters you will love and root for, MISS JANIE'S GIRLS is a pure delight. and her heart is warm and loving.  It is an exciting journey in finding home, healing, and hope, showcased in Carolyn Brown's signature heartwarming way. An excellent story with tears, laughter, and tiny twists along the way to a happy ending.  I loved it and so will you. Another winner for Carolyn Brown. 

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