Keep Sweet

Keep Sweet follows fourteen-year-old Alva Jane Rayne, who lives in the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) community of Short Creek on the Utah-Arizona border. Her life consists of strict religious rules, multiple mothers, and preparation for an arranged marriage, all under the absolute authority of the Prophet. When Alva starts to question her community's practices and the Prophet's declarations, she faces mounting pressure to conform. The arrival of outsiders and exposure to different ways of thinking force her to confront difficult truths about her isolated religious society. Personal loyalty, familial bonds, and individual identity clash with religious obligation in this story of a young woman's awakening. Through Alva's perspective, readers witness the complex dynamics within a closed religious community and the price of challenging established beliefs. The novel examines themes of faith, power, and autonomy while exploring how individuals navigate between tradition and personal conviction. It raises questions about the nature of belief systems and the journey toward self-determination.

Readers note this YA novel offers a stark look into FLDS polygamist communities through the eyes of a teenage protagonist. Reviews highlight the book's educational value in exposing young readers to this subject matter. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced, engaging narrative - Historical accuracy and research - Age-appropriate handling of difficult themes - Character development of the protagonist Common criticisms: - Some found the ending rushed and unrealistic - Secondary characters lack depth - Writing style can be simplistic - Several readers wanted more details about FLDS practices Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ reviews) "A compelling introduction to this topic for teens" - Goodreads reviewer "The author clearly did her homework on FLDS culture" - Amazon review "The ending felt too neat given the serious subject matter" - Library Thing review

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams A teenage girl fights to escape an arranged marriage in a fundamentalist Mormon compound.

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer This nonfiction work explores Mormon fundamentalism, plural marriage, and a true crime investigation into violence within FLDS communities.

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall A first-hand account details a woman's experience growing up in, then escaping from, Warren Jeffs' FLDS community.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff Two parallel narratives connect a modern murder mystery with historical accounts of plural marriage in Mormon communities.

Prophet's Prey by Sam Brower A private investigator documents his decade-long investigation into the FLDS church and its leader Warren Jeffs.

📚 The author, Michele Dominguez Greene, is also a successful actress known for her role in the TV series "L.A. Law" and has appeared in numerous other television shows. 🏜️ The novel is set in the fictional town of Colorado City, straddling the Utah-Arizona border, which closely mirrors the real-life communities where the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) operates. 👗 The book's title "Keep Sweet" refers to a real FLDS motto that encourages women and girls to maintain a pleasant demeanor regardless of circumstances or hardship. 📖 Though fiction, the story draws heavily from actual accounts of life within polygamous FLDS communities, including child marriages, exile of young men, and the absolute authority of religious leaders. 🎭 The author conducted extensive research and interviews with former FLDS members to accurately portray the cultural dynamics and daily life within these closed religious communities.