SYNOPSIS: Ruth is a nurse who has worked on the labor and delivery unit for many years. In fact, she is the only black nurse on the floor. So when white supremacist parents Turk and Brit end up with Ruth as their nurse they quickly demand a different nurse to take care of their newborn. When Ruth is left with their baby after a routine procedure, baby Davis ends up going into cardiac arrest. She has a moment of uncertainty as to whether she should care for the baby or not, but then is told to do CPR that does not save Davis, in the end. Because of her actions, Ruth is charged with a crime she may or may not have committed. 

MY THOUGHTS: Honestly I went back and forth on whether I should write this review or not. But when @beverlymomma tells you she’s waiting for a review, you step up and write the dang thing! First of all, this book is classic Jodi Picoult with multiple points of view, controversial topics like race and medical freedom, as well as a twist or two at the end. That being said, this was not my favorite book from this author. 

This story was Ruth’s story and I did not feel as though there was enough from her point of view. I, as a white woman, also can’t imagine writing the story of a black woman dealing with racism and portraying it accurately. Not saying it can’t be done, but I just don’t see how it could be done well. One of the points of view came from the white lawyer that was defending Ruth, and I did not connect with her and in fact found her voice annoying and extremely stereotypical. Picoult did her job when it came to Turk, the white father, because I really did have strong feelings towards him whenever I read chapters from his perspective. That being said, the epilogue had me confused as to how his character could turn out the way he did (without giving too much away). I felt as though I needed more explanation and character development to understand why he was the way he was in the end. 

This book was a page turner (or in my case a very quick audiobook) and is still one I would recommend for the same reason I love all Jodi Picoult books–it incites conversations. If you read this book, make sure you have someone to talk with when you finish!