A tender and hopeful novel about motherhood, second chances, and the courage to build a better life from what’s been broken.
 
For fourteen years, Letty Espinosa has worked multiple jobs to provide for her children while her mother raised them. But when her parents return to Mexico, Letty must step into a role she’s long avoided — becoming a mother in every sense. As she struggles to rebuild her family and give her children the future they deserve, she discovers that love and hope can take flight even in the most uncertain times.
 
In We Never Asked for Wings, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, the bestselling author of The Language of Flowers, weaves an emotionally rich story about love, immigration, and resilience.
Set near San Francisco Bay, the novel follows Letty as she confronts the challenges of motherhood, poverty, and belonging in modern America. Diffenbaugh’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, capturing the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength.
 
With memorable characters, heartfelt themes, and vivid symbolism, We Never Asked for Wings explores what it means to start over — and how, even after years of loss or doubt, redemption is still possible.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A moving, beautifully written story of family and forgiveness.
From the author of The Language of Flowers.
Explores love, immigration, and the American dream.
Poetic, uplifting, and emotionally honest.
Perfect blend of contemporary realism and hopeful storytelling.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of The Language of Flowers and American Dirt.
Readers who enjoy heartfelt family dramas with social depth.
Book clubs discussing motherhood, identity, and second chances.
Anyone who loves redemptive, character-driven fiction.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed We Never Asked for Wings, you might also like:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh — symbolism and self-discovery.
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez — love and immigration.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng — family, community, and belonging.