Coming into this world in Between, Georgia, has not been easy for Nonny Frett. Her birth mother, Hazel Crabtree, was a mere 15 years old when she gave birth to Nonny on Bernese Frett's floor with the assistance of her two sisters, Stacia and Genny Frett. Adding to the pain of labor was the fact that there'd always been conflict between the Crabtrees and the Fretts, but no one really knew why. After Nonny's birth, the "real" feud began and made the war between the Hatfields and the McCoys seem like a playground tussle. According to Ona Crabtree, Hazel's mother, the Fretts were thieves. But Hazel willingly gave her daughter to the Fretts because no one was supposed to know she was even pregnant. And Stacia wanted a baby and immediately began raising Nonny as her own in a very loving environment. But the feud could only simmer so long before coming to an explosive end.

Stacia was born deaf and is slowly going blind. She's a sculptor and a doll maker, and along with Bernese and Genny, operates a Doll House store and museum. Nonny became a successful sign language interpreter and chose to live in Athens, Georgia, away from the feud in Between. But she remained very close to her family and made frequent trips home.

Just a few days before her court date when her divorce will be final, Nonny receives a call from home saying that her Aunt Genny has been attacked by one of the Crabtrees dogs and her mother has been injured as well. Involved in the struggle was Henry, a Crabtree several times removed. He actually tried to help save Genny and Stacia. So Nonny arrives home to help her aunt and mother heal and try to settle the feud with Ona Crabtree.

Physical wounds heal, but Nonny discovers some secrets that if revealed will cause a deeper hurt that may never heal. And as she's trying to smooth over the mess, everyone is worried that she'll miss her court date and never be rid of her loser husband. Included in this is Henry Crabtree, who now is showing a special interest in Nonny. Can she handle another relationship, especially with a Crabtree? And what does Ona Crabtree have up her sleeve?

BETWEEN, GEORGIA is a story about families falling apart and coming back together. Feuds may weaken relationships, but as the old saying goes, the strong will survive. This book had me at the first sentence and I couldn't put it down until I knew what was in store for Nonny. What a great story, and I look forward to reading more by Joshilyn Jackson.

Book Summary

Nonny Frett understands the meaning of the phrase "in between a rock and a hard place" better than any woman alive. She's got two mothers, "one deaf-blind and the other four baby steps from flat crazy." She's got two men: a husband who's easing out the back door; and a best friend, who's laying siege to her heart in her front yard. And she has two families: the Fretts, who stole her and raised her right; and the Crabtrees, who lost her and won't forget how they were done wrong.

Now, in Between, Georgia, population 90, a feud that began the night Nonny was born is escalating, and a random act of violence is about to ignite a stash of family secrets. Ironically, it might be just what the town needs...if only Nonny weren't stuck in between.