Series - Orphan Train Book 1
Author - Jody Hedlund
Title - With You Always
Format - ebook, paper
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When a financial crisis hits New York City in the 1850's, thousands of immigrants are left without work. These immigrants came to the US in hopes of a better life. Instead, they find themselves crammed into tenements, working for pennies, and forced to find ways to support themselves. Elise Neumann finds herself attempting to care for her sisters when her job as a seamstress is suddenly gone. With no where else to go, Elise accepts a position with the Children's Aid Society to go work in new towns in the west. Thornton Quincy is the son of one of New York's wealthiest families. His father is dying, and he has issued a challenge to both Thornton and his brother - whichever son can build a successful town and marry for love in six months will become the new head of the family business. Thornton is tired of being in his twin's shadow and is determined to win the contest. Yet when he meets Elise, he soon finds himself questioning all he's been brought to believe. Will the west be a place of new beginnings for both Elise and Thornton?
My thoughts:
I was so excited to see a new series by Jody Hedlund. I remember growing up adoring the Joan Lowry Nixon Orphan Train books. And now to read more about that period of history by one of my favorite authors as an adult, well, let's just say that I was pretty much over the moon.
I knew that the Children's Aid Society placed children, orphans or not, in homes in the west. Yet I didn't know that they also found jobs for women. I also found the idea of building a town around the railroad fascinating.
I loved both Thornton and Elise. I loved how her suggestions were things that he actually took into consideration. I loved how he wanted to protect her and to provide for her. Watching them fight their feelings for each other was fun.
I am looking forward to the rest of this series. I am hoping for both Marianne's and Sophie's stories.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Jody Hedlund, Karen Witemeyer, historical fiction, orphan trains
Rating - 4 stars
I suspect Marianne and Sophie are going to be the heroine's of Jody's next books - and well they should be. :) She created a family who we are eager to know more of, not to mention a time in history that's fascinating. (I haven't seen or read much of this period.) Like you I enjoyed this book. :)
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