Reading the title of this book we knew that Caroline is a widow, but we also meet her husband, and the realities of this horrible war, a tear is all that he is offering, and your heart breaks a little.
Most of this story takes place in Pennsylvania, and we put faces, thanks to the author, to what life might have been like during this horrific time in the history of our country.
I was quickly drawn into this story, and was soon hiding in the secret room with those that needed not to be seen.
There is also offered up some sweet romance in the trying time, but here you will have to read to the end to see how all of this is pulled together, and see who survives to live on.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin/Mira Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, I usually like Linda Lael Miller but I wasn't sure about this book. It turns out I truly enjoyed the book. It wasn't about sex but romance in the past. It showed a variety of views on the war that I found interesting. The horror, the friend fighting friend, the futility, she includes it all. I rate this book a 4.

Terrific romantic historic fiction that doesn't spare details- just what you expect from Linda Lael Miller. Caroline Hammond's husband Jacob was so young and they had so much ahead of them when he joined the Union Army and was, sadly, shot at Chancellorsville. He did, however, survive long enough for Caroline to be able to say goodbye in Washington. The detail- graphic and sad- of what happened is well done. Her chance meeting with Rogan, long time friend of Rebel Bridger, leads all three of them through the battle of Gettysburg, where her farm is located, and after. The atmospheric are wonderful. You get a real sense of how Enoch, a freedman, feels about his life, and Jubie, the escaped slave. You get Caroline's conflict as she finds herself attracted to Bridger (remember that she's only 21). The thump of the cannon and the smell of the carnage left behind make this more than a romance. It's an excellent read. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. Highly recommend for Miller's fans and for historical fiction fans.

The carnage that was the American Civil War and the bravery of United States citizens who fought on both sides is graphically portrayed in Linda Lael Miller’s The Yankee Widow. Caroline receives word that her husband, Jacob, is injured while fighting in the battle of Chancellorsville and has been taken to Washington, D.C. for treatment. Caroline travels alone to Washington in hopes of locating Jacob – not knowing what she will find. She returns shortly after to her young daughter, Rachel, and their small farm outside of Gettysburg amidst warnings that the War would soon reach them. Thus unfolds a rich story of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, a story that illuminates the impact of the Civil War on individuals and communities, personalizing many issues that surrounded that period in American history. Runaway slaves, women and war, free black men, friends that have become enemies, and Civil War battlegrounds are woven into this rich tale of love and war.

This book just seemed too depressing and slow. Usually her books suck me right in but not this one. I could see where the story was going but I just couldn't make myself invest that much time.

A very realistic glimpse into a sad time in our history. This story shows many aspects of the Civil War from different character's voices. Both sides, North and South are represented along with a slave and free man by credible stories. Caroline's strength and courage rang true as did all the main characters in this book. Highly recommended!

I enjoy the historical aspect of the novel personal I find war a hard subject to read but I enjoy this book and have a few customer I will be recommending this book to.

This book is a little different for me but I've read quite a few by this author and still really enjoyed it. The pace was a little slow to start but it picked up for me. Very good read. Recommended!

I love historical fiction, and Linda Lael Miller's Civil War story is a great read for that genre.
When Caroline learns that her husband has been wounded fighting for the Union she leaves for Washington DC. She returns home a widow, and is faced with raising her young daughter and maintaining the farm on her own. She is managing with the help of a loyal freed slave (who has troubles of his own) and the advice of her grandmother when the Battle of Gettysburg happens and her farm ends up as a Union field hospital.
This book re-imagines the issues of the day without being stale. Books about the horrors of the Civil War (slavery, North vs South, friend vs friend, homes being overtaken by troops) isn't a new concept, but I was never bored or felt like I'd heard the same story before.
Miller's female characters are strong, as women had to be during that time to get through day-to-day life. It's very enjoyable to follow Caroline's journey to discovering who she is after the loss of her husband, with a love triangle to add some spice to the story line.
Overall this book was an enjoyable escape to another time, portrayed through realistic characters (male and female) with strength and grit. The drama isn't overdone or forced. My favorite aspect of Miller's writing was the relationships between the main characters. Even during times of disagreement they stayed loyal to each other while being true to themselves. I will definitely be purchasing this in hardcover.
Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for this ARC.

I was very disappointed in this book, especially since the author is well established. When I read historical fiction I was to be transported to the time and I want to learn what it would have been like to like then and there. This book did not satisfy either of those expectations. I felt that Ms. Miller had a list of facts about the Civil War that she wanted to incorporate into the story and she formed them into sentences and inserted them in the proper time frame. The characters were flat, very little dialog. Just too wordy. I would not recommend it at all.

As the title suggests, Miller's current novel tells the story of a young woman living during the American Civil War. She finds herself trying to survive with a small child and no husband in Gettysburg. Soon the war is at her doorstep and she finds herself caring for a Union officer and his Confederate friend.

From the title of the book, I knew when the book would take place, but I enjoyed how the author brought to life some of the many trials faced by women during the war. I found the characters endearing. I loved the innocence of Rachel and the strength of Caroline.

I am assuming by the way the book ended this is a first in a series. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

My only complaint is I wanted to read more about their characters life after they became a family. I wanted to read more about their life together rather than the long build up to the wedding.

I loved this book! I will not give away the story, but I will tell you that, contrary to another reviewer, the setting is not the South. So put away your sweet tea and mint julep and delve into a good historical novel set mostly on a small farm outside of Gettysburg, PA.

The writing is lovely. I read most of it on a plane ride home from Barcelona, and my fellow travelers must have thought something terrible was awaiting me in New York. Tears often ran down my cheeks, not just from sadness, but from the author's ability to reach into depths of human feeling and put that into words. This is one of those books that is underlined and noted over and over.

While not the same depth of writing and story, there is a feeling of Cold Mountain, The Widow of the South, and The Second Mrs. Hockaday. There is a little more romance than I like, and the story ties up a bit too neatly, but it was a very satisfying read. I can see someone making a very moving film from this book, and it must have Bradley Cooper as Bridger!😉

I liked the concept of this story, but the pace was very slow. Far more description than dialogue and I had trouble relating to the characters because of it.

I am a big fan of Linda Lael Miller's novels so I can tell you that I think this is the best book she's ever written. I always appreciate her attention to detail but this story is so rich and the characters so well defined that it feels like you're there. The horrible trials of the Civil War, the strength of Caroline, the Widow, as she adapts to her situation and tries to move on, the suffering of the men on both sides and the plight of the slaves, brings history alive to the reader. Caroline's experience of love and loss and conflicted feelings of possible love again are realistically portrayed and bittersweet. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I highly recommend this novel.