All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore

Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Pre-Civil War

Did I see Charlotte in the market?

Is that really Evie?

Both Charlotte and Evie had been slaves at the same plantation in a Southern state.

 

Charlotte escaped with her father, and they now live freely in Philadelphia but are hiding a secret.  

Charlotte’s father, a business owner who can pass as a white man, and Charlotte playing his housekeeper live freely hoping their secret will be kept.

It seems as if Charlotte’s father cares only about himself, his business, and his success.  I felt sorry for Charlotte and the restrictions her father kept on her.

Evie came to Philadelphia with Katie her mistress, but she desperately wants to be free and not go back to the South with Katie after she marries.

Evie seemed disgusted with everything and abandoned by Charlotte, and I felt bad for her too. 

Charlotte becomes friends with Nell, a well-to-do black woman who is trying to help Charlotte get Evie out of Philadelphia, but when Charlotte disappears from Nell's life, she becomes worried.

Can Charlotte and her new friend Nell help Evie now that Charlotte has disappeared? If they do find a way to help Evie, will it compromise their lives?

An excellent, well-researched but heartbreaking historical fiction read with endearing characters you will connect with and tension that will have your heart pounding when evil characters come on the scene. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.