While Untethered does take place during 1967 and certain plot points are directly influenced by historical moments, this story felt like it could have taken place at any point in history and still make sense. Jackson-Brown does an excellent job balancing multiple plot-lines that create a full story and allows for a very real feeling experience. Untethered has nicely balanced moments of humor, heart breath, joy, and despair. Katia is a magnificent character and it was rewarding watching her grow and evolve, even with everything life was throwing at her. Untethered explores what it means to be a Black woman in American society and the many ways in which Black women can and do mother the young even when those young might not be theirs in a biological or conventionally sense. Jackson-Brown celebrates Black community, Black family, and Black love in all forms, and she employs beautiful prose to do so, penning moments that almost brought me to tears or had me grinning from ear to ear.