The holidays are often filled with Hallmark-style stories of happily-ever-afters, but what if your family story was far more complex? Gail Lukasik, author of the acclaimed White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing, knows this complexity firsthand. After the book’s release, the global attention it received brought Gail more than just accolades and book sales—it connected her to a growing community of individuals who have uncovered shocking truths about their families and identities.

From this expanding network comes What They Never Told Us, a gripping new collection of stories about ordinary people who made extraordinary, life-changing discoveries about their parentage, race, or ethnicity. These revelations shattered long-held beliefs about who they were and forced them to confront profound questions: Who am I? And what does family truly mean?

Blending social history with deeply personal narratives, What They Never Told Us explores the emotional and psychological impact of unearthing hidden family secrets. Each story reads like a mystery, weaving through the initial discovery, the reasons behind the secrecy, and the often arduous—and sometimes heartbreaking—journey to uncover the truth.

To provide context for these revelations, the book also examines the societal pressures and stigmas of past eras, including pre-and post-WWII attitudes toward infertility, adoption, donor conception, racial passing, and unmarried pregnancy.

The collection begins with Lukasik’s own raw and poignant journey to redefine her racial identity, which unfolded under the unforgiving glare of public scrutiny. Honest and unflinching, What They Never Told Us brings to light stories that were never meant to be uncovered, offering readers a deeply human exploration of identity, family, and the secrets we keep.

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