After reading Salt to the Sea, I purchased all of Ruta Sepetys' books and am working my way through them all. This book is set in New Orleans during 1950. Having grown up in the heart of New Orleans, with a terrible mother, Josie Moraine has been on her own since she was twelve. She has friends who have looked after her and helped her to dream of getting out of New Orleans and into an elite college. ( )

Josie Moraine, the daughter of a brothel prostitute, is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld in New Orleans. It is a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. This is a character driven book and I especially liked Josie's character. Her mother was a prostitute but she was not going in that direction. The plot was one that led me to read the book to the sad ending. I look forward to reading more from this author as I really liked this book. If you like heartfelt books then you will love this book. ( )

osie, the seventeen-year-old daughter of a French Quarter prostitute, is striving to escape 1950 New Orleans and enroll at prestigious Smith College when she becomes entangled in a murder investigation.

After falling in love with Ruta Sepetys' most recent book, "The Fountains of Silence," I knew I had to give another book a try! And I am so so glad I did.

This book, "Out of the Easy," takes place in the French Quarter, New Orleans, in the 1950's. Josie is a girl who longs for more--she has a head for books and wants to go to college. She really wants to go to college outside of New Orleans. Her mother is a prostitute and an absentee one at that. In fact, Josie is more raised by the madame and the other women of the brothel. Her escape is working in the local bookstore.

Mystery ensues after a recent bookstore customer ends up dead. So many people are questioned--including Josie's mother and her evil boyfriend, Cincinnati. Who is to be believed? What's the truth? And will Josie find her way to better her life?

Ruta Sepetys always has a way with words. Her historical fiction narratives are very much welcome and needed in YA. I appreciated seeing a whole different aspect of history and the South than usually portrayed in books. ( )

I really loved this book! ( )