The Old Eve Tree by JS Fairchild is a profound and heartbreaking LGBTQ story. It is set in 1952 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and follows seven-year-old Tilly Harris, an intelligent girl who does whatever she feels like doing. Tilly lives on an apple orchard with Momma2 (her grandmother) and Junie Bird (her mother). She can't understand why her mother is the way she is—so silly. Tilly spends her days doing her chores and dealing with her mother. One day, two strange women arrive at the orchard. They say they are sisters and that they're looking for work. Momma2 hires them. However, shortly after, another two men are hired, and things change for the worse. Tilly is about to learn that there is nothing unnatural about loving and what horrible things some people do in the name of belief.

The Old Eve Tree by JS Fairchild is a gripping and deeply absorbing novel that is superbly written. At times, it's hard to read, but harder to put down. It speaks of the challenges and difficulties queer people faced and still face in society. I loved that this powerful story is told through a little girl's eyes. It contains valuable life lessons about real love, standing up for what you love and what is right, prejudice, cruelty disguised as righteousness, and segregation. I enjoyed watching the women in this story form strong friendships and develop the strength to overcome life challenges. The Old Eve Tree will delight both newcomers and regular readers of books featuring queer romance. You cannot not love Momma2. I highly recommend it.

The Old Eve Tree is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, sociocultural issues, and slice-of-life subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience as it contains moderate violence and references to racism and homophobia. Penned by author J.S. Fairchild, this complex tale is set in the summer of 1952, where seven-year-old Tilly Harris navigates life on an apple orchard in rural Arkansas. Blissfully unaware of the prejudices and intolerance surrounding her, Tilly spends her days exploring and fishing with her family: Momma2, her grandmother; Junie Bird, her developmentally delayed mother; and Zeke, a black hired hand. However, when two single women claiming to be sisters arrive at the orchard seeking work, Momma2's decision to hire them sets off a chain of life-altering events. Through Tilly's innocent eyes, the story unfolds, revealing the prejudices against differences, the need to conceal truths, and the strength found in standing up for what is right.

Author J.S. Fairchild has crafted an immersive and emotive work that expertly captures the essence of rural life in the 1950s South, portraying the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of navigating societal norms. I was especially impressed by the close narrative skill that is worked into Tilly's perspective, with unique ways of thinking that characterize her perfectly as a unique, innocent soul. It was a delight to view the world through her eyes and to see the harsh lessons of prejudice for what they truly are, with larger-than-life characters drawn in warm, vivid descriptions and original dialogue touches that make them leap off the page. This accomplished narrative balance offers a poignant lens through which to explore themes of prejudice, compassion, and resilience, reminding readers of the importance of empathy and understanding in a world often marked by intolerance. Overall, The Old Eve Tree is a touching and thought-provoking read that resonates long after the final page. I would highly recommend it to readers seeking an immersive journey into a bygone era, rich with vivid descriptions and authentic characters.

Tilly, independent and determined, always brims with creative ideas, though she knows she hasn't figured everything out yet. Fortunately, Momma2 is there to guide and care for her. Alongside Momma2, her grandmother, Tilly resides on the farm with Junie Bird, her mother, and Zeke, their farmhand. When two sisters, Kate and Essie Lou, arrive at the farm seeking work and shelter, their presence sparks positive change. Kate proves herself a reliable worker, while the younger Essie Lou brings boundless cheer to their lives. However, their newfound harmony is shattered when Kate is found badly injured where the sisters are staying. It is 1952 in Arkansas, a time when hate crimes were more prevalent.

The Old Eve Tree tells a story through the refreshing perspective of a child. It serves as a tale of returning to oneself, embracing youthfulness, and encountering the harsh realities of life. JS Fairchild skillfully evokes the essence of country life through adept world-building. Each page teems with vibrant imagery, inviting readers to immerse themselves fully in the narrative. With a leisurely pace, the story ensures that every detail is savored and each of the well-written characters is explored. Momma2 is a personal favorite as she shines as a beacon of wisdom, kindness, and strength—a true angel to her family. The Old Eve Tree emerges as both a poignant coming-of-age tale and a celebration of love in its myriad forms—a powerful reminder that love is the most beautiful force in the world, one worth defending and embracing without reservation.

The Old Eve Tree by JS Fairchild is a heartwarming and timely novel addressing vital topics such as legal rights for same-sex couples, ethics in law enforcement, and the idea that the families we build for ourselves are every bit as legitimate as those related to us by blood. Set in rural Arkansas in 1952 and narrated in the first person by soon-to-be-eight-year-old Matilda Mae “Tilly” Harris, The Old Eve Tree invites readers into a halcyon world of the Harris family apple orchard – a world free from but surrounded by the narrow-mindedness and prejudices of the residents of nearby Siloam Springs. In various ways, they represent the obstructionist mindset regarding racial and gender equality inherent in the attitudes of the wider world, then and now. Tilly’s family consists of her grandmother, Momma2, Zeke, the family’s black, long-time live-in orchard manager, and Junie Bird, her child-like, mentally compromised but achingly beautiful mother. The memory of Tilly's grandfather, Poe, is present throughout the story, making him seem like an additional family member whose wisdom Momma2 and the rest rely on. Under Momma2’s loving but no-frills care, Tilly lives a blissful existence until, one day, Kate and Essie Lou show up in a bright red convertible claiming to be sisters and looking for work. Momma2 takes them on and offers them lodging in the slave house, which the sisters greatly improve with their personal touch.

It does not take long, however, for the true nature of Kate and Essie Lou’s relationship to reveal itself, with dire consequences that cause a quantum shift in the Harris’ quality of life. Along the way, Tilly learns that the world is not as benevolent as she believes, that love often requires one to make hard choices, that perceived friends can turn out to be villains, and a host of other vital life lessons swaddled in the care and wisdom of the members of her family-of-the-heart. The messages pieced into The Old Eve Tree’s quilt of love are perfectly buoyed by Tilly’s absolute innocence, Momma2’s fierce protectiveness, Kate and Essie Lou’s unconditional love, Zeke’s tireless devotion, and Junie Bird’s childlike presence, which requires the whole family to share in her care and Tilly to realize that mothering is a hard job. The narrative is written in a familiar Arkansian dialect, warm as honey. This is a cautionary tale that manages to be informative and nurturing at the same time. Its vital messages are delivered gently and with an incontrovertible real-world authority that makes them seem like truths from old friends. May we all be so lucky, one time in our lives, to know the kind of transformative bond that Tilly and her unique family share! The Old Eve Tree by JS Fairchild is an unforgettable, truth-laden homage to all who are and have been brave enough to challenge the status quo in the name of progress and human rights.