The historical elements were really interesting, from the textile industry to the American Civil War. I initially expected it to be a romance book but it was so much more than that. I enjoyed Jessie's character and I look forward to the rest of the saga.

I enjoyed this book, it was completely different to my expectations and I was really impressed. The only negative I could give was that the amount of characters were quite difficult to remember who was who, however, this did not detract from the tale and I would highly recommend this book.

This book takes place in Lancashire, England during the American Civil War. Jessie Davenport lives on Weavers Row, overlooking the mill town of Gorbydale during the time when Queen Victoria was on the English throne. The town's livelihood is sustained by both the Endurance and Invincible mills. In fact, as the book begins, a spate of weddings are taking place during "Wakes week", a traditional holiday period when the mills are closed. Jessie's brother John is marrying Elsie, as the family joins the procession of townspeople to church alongside other nuptial couples. I quite enjoyed the quaint and simple nature of these weddings, where families would repair to their homes afterward for a lovingly prepared wedding feast.

Like most of Gorbydale's residents, Jessie also works at the Invincible mill, where she is much valued as a skilled employee. She's also a beloved Sunday school teacher. However, when mom Nellie's health begins to fail, Jessie must give notice at the mill to tend to her needs. Yet another crisis is brewing: a "Cotton Famine" arises due to the American Civil War, where the south vows to sell "not one thread" to the English. Gradually the mills close down and everyone is out of work. Things get desperate, yet people still try and help one another in this caring and familial town. Jessie relies on the family garden plot for vegetables to bulk out soups, and her brother Arden travels to neighboring towns looking for work.

Although Jessie is just a "mill girl", she finds herself in a love triangle between two ardent suitors from wealthy families in the mill business. Not only is Jessie a physically attractive girl, she possesses a natural inborn class, loving heart, and sensible nature. Following the death of her mother, Jessie is recruited to teach sewing classes to out of work mill girls in the stately Overdale home, owners of the Invincible Mill. Robert Overdale, the only child of the owner of the Invincible Mill, ships out to America on a dangerous mission to purchase cotton for the mill. When Robert doesn't return from a second mission, Jessie is asked to accompany Robert's cousin Honora to America to find him. By this time, Jessie's brother Arden found work in Liverpool on a steamship's boiler room. His mother's words haunted him: "If you can do anything to release them poor creatures from the whip and the irons, then I'm right proud of you." To that end, once in America Arden joined the Union Army to help fight to free the slaves.

The story sails through New York, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Liverpool, and back to Lancashire, England. This is the first installment to a 3-book saga, which is a very promising beginning.

I found this book a little difficult to start, but it soon became eminently readable. As the Civil War in the Americas goes on, obtaining cotton for the mills in Great Britain becomes more and more difficult. The effect of this on millworkers and millowners alike is challenging to say the least, as the workers are laid off and struggle to survive on little food and no wages. This is a fine first installment, and I look forward to future books.