Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys {A Book Review}

This post contains affiliate links.  Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys was the first book I read by this author.  So many people have recommended  her novels in many book groups, so I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about.  I enjoyed this book and consider it “light” historical fiction because it’s not as heavy as the usual historical fiction I read.

About Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Josie is the daughter of a prostitute.  Even worse, her mother is self-centered and does care for Josie.  Instead, people in the New Orleans community take care of her, including the madam of the brothel where Josie’s mother works and a bookshop owner who lets her stay in a room upstairs from the time she is 12.

Josie is a bright girl who dreams of getting out of New Orleans and getting an education, but with no assets, she doesn’t know how she’ll do it.  Things get worse for Josie when her mom hooks up with a crook and leaves town quickly after the murder of a businessman.  When her mother comes back at the behest of the police so she can be interrogated, she brings danger with her.  Can Josie survive her?  Does she have enough help in The Big Easy to protect her?

My Thoughts on the Book

This was an engaging book that kept me occupied.  It is set immediately after World War II, so it had some historical element to it, but not as much as historical fiction I typically read.

While I liked reading about Josie’s life, I felt the ending wrapped up too neatly, with all the pieces falling into place.  Unfortunately, life is not like that, so the end was unrealistic.

I give Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys 4 out of 5 stars on the Mom’s Plans’ scale.

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