Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In Under An Indiana Sky by Lynne Hugo, Denise Brown balances work, parenting, and the care of her disabled mother when her concern about her sister Angie begins to grow. Angie spends more time with Brock Varon, a man who lives alone in a rural farmhouse and avoids explaining how he earns his money. Denise questions the relationship after noticing Brock’s expensive car and irregular schedule, yet Angie believes he offers her a path beyond the responsibilities of her daily life. While Denise attempts to maintain stability for her children Justin and Julie, Brock’s presence begins drawing Angie into situations Denise cannot fully see or control. As Denise tries to understand who Brock truly is, quiet doubts about his life and intentions begin shaping decisions that affect everyone around them.

Under An Indiana Sky by Lynne Hugo takes its name from the beautiful Midwestern horizon that stretches above rural Indiana, and ties in to the quote by Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong: 'Women hold up half the sky.’ The metaphors are the first indication that this book is special, and it absolutely is. This is a really thoughtful novel with a mix of both heartening and jarring, as we see Denise attempt to find information connected to her sister, while still trying to protect her children from adult matters. I love it when she creates a coded phrase that Julie can send by text if a visit ever becomes uncomfortable. Julie is so perceptive, and through her, the author reminds readers that children are far more informed than we believe. Hugo is gifted in the art of visual descriptions, from a quiet cemetery where winter soil forms a fresh mound beneath bare trees and an open sky, to a snowstorm that blankets the highway as headlights cut through. Well written and with huge twists, this is the perfect book for readers who appreciate Midwestern-set literary fiction. Very highly recommended.