Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: historical fiction
Pub date: 1/11/22 (out now!)
In one sentence: In Gilded Age New York City, Helen Wilcox just wants her daughters to marry well, but it won't be easy as her husband risks everything to build an elevated railroad.

Historical fiction is a go-to genre for me, and when a friend raved about this one, I knew I had to pick it up! I was intrigued by the time period - I hadn't read much about the late 1800s. I loved the society battles - Gossip Girl has nothing on the book's villain Annabelle van Ormskirk and her tight grip on society. I also enjoyed the train storyline - since public transit is now so important to NYC, it's hard to imagine the city without it! With personal and professional high stakes, I was definitely engrossed in the story.

I think historical fiction fans will find a lot to like about this one!

I really enjoyed the atmosphere that the author created of the Gilded Age of New York! I felt transported to the environment and the beautiful houses of Manhattan as we followed the Wilcox family in their ups and downs while the two daughters of the family navigate coming into adulthood and the societal expectations and rules for them. I absolutely agree with the description that suggests people who enjoy Downton Abbey would enjoy this novel. The glimpse into upper class life in this time period was fascinating and I enjoyed!

Thank you so much for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This book showcases the upper class society in NY and it was so interesting. The character development was really well done and the plot moved at such a great pace!

3.75 stars

At times reminiscent of Little Women and Downton Abbey, Our Kind of People explores the changing mores of New York City society at the dawn of the Gilded Age through the riches to rags back to riches story of the Wilcox family.

I found this book to be immensely entertaining, although it does fall prey to some of the traps associated with these grand sagas. The book covers so many different topics and perspectives, which made the characters feel incredibly distant as the plot took precedent over discovering their inner lives. In addition, there were probably about 50 pages that could have cut in order to condescend both the lengthy period of exposition and the drawn out conclusion. However, Wallace's descriptions are so vivid and the book's middle section is so captivating that I felt that the book was somewhat redeemed.

If you enjoy period dramas or Jane Austen, this would definitely be a good book to add to your shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

This novel exceeded my expectations. I anticipated reading another tale of the Gilded Age, with stereotypical snobs and over the top wealth. Instead, this novel focused on a rags to riches character who marries into old New York society. The family then falls onto hard times and is snubbed by society. But then, fortunes change, and the family has a whole new perspective on their peers.

There's a good bit of social change chronicled in this novel. I also liked that there are multiple protagonists and points of view. This added depth and interest to the plot and characterizations.

This would be a great read for book clubs.

Set in New York City in the late 1800's, Our Kind of People is the story of the Wilcox family and their courting of the city's high society.

Helen Wilcox comes from a family that has long been a part of New York's social elite. She took herself to the fringes of that snobbish, judgy world when she broke with convention and married her husband, Joshua, a tradesman (what was she thinking!?!). Joshua, a good husband and father, if a bit of a dreamer, just doesn't understand the importance his wife and her family puts on the opinions of others.

Their two daughters, Jemima and Alice, are now nearing the age of making their debuts into high society. Helen is still convinced that the fate of her daughters' futures will be determined by how the elite acknowledge them (or don't) and does her best to ensure that the girls have every opportunity to firmly take their own positions among the elite of society.

Ms. Wallace does a fine job of describing the lifestyles and attitudes of the rich during New York's gilded age. Her descriptive characterizations serve the story well. An entertaining and amusing read.

My thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read an e-ARC of the novel via NetGalley. They book was published on 1/11/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely offered.

Oh how I loved Our Kind of People by Carol Wallace. (Happy Publication Day!) This is the exact kind of historical fiction I enjoy and especially on cold January days. While COVID surges and we all need to escape (safely!), let me recommend this gem!

Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, we are drawn immediately into the story of Helen Wilcox, who wants to successfully launch her daughters into society. Although from an upscale family herself, Helen’s unconventional marriage (but loving!) makes her social position (and therefore her daughters’ position as well) difficult. And then her husband takes a risk with the family fortunes that does not ban out…will they be ruined forever? I love both daughters – Jemima and Alice and their stories. I enjoyed how Wallace weaves all the stories together. It was just lovely. Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC.

#ourkindofpeople #carolwallace #netgalley #penguinrandomhouse #historicalfiction #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #whatimreading #ireadtoescape

Jemima Wilcox is coming out into society in 1874 New York City. Her family upheaval may prevent her from finding a suitable husband though. It’s the age of carriages, corsets and Old money. I always enjoy reading about this era and the whole coming out in society to find a suitable marriage. The story was well written and I liked the characters. The polite insults and catty conversation was entertaining. However, the story was too focused on the Elevated Railroad and this part dragged on little too long. It was interesting but I wanted more focus on the girls and their debut season. The ending was fun and we got to see how Jemima grew and came into her own. I think fans of Downton and Bridgerton would likely enjoy this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC for an honest review.

1874 - New York City

Helen Wilcox came from a wealthy family. When she was young, she met and fell in love with Joshua Wilcox whose family did not have the wealth that Helen’s did. However, Helen insisted on marrying Joshua. Her family then sent them on a year-long honeymoon and afterward bought them a home and furnished it. They now have two daughters, Jemima, 17, and Alice, 16. They also have a son, Nick, 13. Jemima is preparing for her come out next year and is taking dancing lessons with other young ladies.

Joshua has worked hard to make money for them and is ambitious man. While he owns a transport company, he has also invested heavily in an elevated railroad concept that may prove to be a failure. Helen has a nest egg of money given to her by her parents but she refuses to loan it to Joshua for his railroad. So, he gets a loan of $50,000 from someone who charges huge interest. When he cannot repay it in time, the Wilcox family loses their house and has to move in with Helen’s mother. Their friends are also snubbing them. Helen and Joshua’s marriage is very fragile right now as she is having a difficult time trying to forgive him.

I loved this book as it portrays the time period and the social “rules” of the day. Money is king and if you have lots of it, you can be a leader of society too. The petty wiles that some women used to get ahead in society was cruel but they also needed to be looking over their shoulder for the next woman who could come along and outdo them. Aside from all of this, there is a story of love that is true and everlasting. So much to be gleaned from this book. Don’t miss it.

Copy provided by NetGalley and Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and

High society in NYC in the mid 1800's calls for doing the right thing, wearing the right thing and marrying the right person. So what happens when you deviate from the expected course? Our Kind of People travels the story of Helen who marries the wrong person, but for love. We learn her story and then we dive into her current circumstances of her daughters ready to be presented to society!

The historical aspect highlights the coming of the elevated railroad in the middle of NYC that Helen's husband is highly invested in, perhaps too much as their family is soon aware.

I was completely invested in the storytelling of the times. The social expectations of the elite are always interesting to learn. I loved the deep dive into each of the girls stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the e-copy in return for my honest review.

Good book! wish more people would read then maybe today's HATE would go away? We sure aways try to be the better person!

In nineteenth century Manhattan, upper-crust society is still clinging to the privilege of breeding and old money. Helen Wilcox came from an old banking family but married beneath herself. Although she is happy, her two daughters still are snubbed by some members of society. Their precarious position is further endangered when their father gambles on his new elevated railway.

Jemima and Alice adore both their parents but begin to rebel against the traditions that make their adoring, hard-working father (as well as the men they are attracted to) less than.

This is an engrossing novel of historical fiction that explores a family’s love and ability to transcend difficulties. It’s a great escapist read that immersed me in old New York. #OurKindOfPeople #NetGalley

I did enjoy this book, but there were times when I asked "when is something going to actually happen?" And when I got to the end, it surprised me. I thought-this is it? I feel this whole book was a slow build to not a whole lot, and yet the message rings true about change, following one's passion, and having grit and moxy in the face of adversity. The book is well written and beautifully detailed in the history of 19th century New York. I could tell the author meticulously researched her subject. And the characters were very likeable and unique in their own ways.
As scandalous as some of the story lines were according to NYC in the late 1800s, it just didn't pack enough oomph for me, but still a lovely read.

Helen Wilcox knows what it means to be a part of New York society. Past choices that she has made make her and her family teeter on the fringe of if they will be truly excepted in the higher society circles. When her husband gambles on what he feels like will be a huge pay off Helen, might lose everything. Her life, home and her good family standing are all at risk. Will she be able to present her two daughters in a proper accepted way or will all prospects of a proper coming out be ruined?

Overall I think that this is a good book. It honestly was not one of my favorites. I feel like there were some areas of the story that were set up and then let go for quite a huge chunk of time, and honestly those were the parts I think I was a bit more interested in. I do like how the book covers the whole family. It just dragged for such a huge chunk of the book, then to finally pick back up and your done with reading the story. Luckily everything was resolved as much as it could be, but I did want more I think of both girls romances. Readers who like historical book about family struggles will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

I very much enjoyed learning about the society in New York among the elite families living there during this time period. I found myself losing interest during some parts, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. Such a delightful story!

I enjoyed peering behind the curtain of NY Society with all of its pretenses and old money versus new money prejudices. Escape from 2021's headlines and spend some time in a different time.

I do like reading about high society people in New York during the latter part of the 19th century. It took me a while to become absorbed in the story. It was a very slow build. I thought too much time was spent on the elevated train project. The author did a good job depicting the stodgy, stuffy, pretentious society members. I did enjoy the polite cattiness they exchanged with each other. The last part of the book was the best, in my opinion.

In 1874, Helen and Joshua Wilcox are preparing for their two daughters to enter New York society. Helen, who comes from a wealthy family, was raised with the traditions of the upper class. Joshua was a working man when he fell in love and married Helen, much to the dismay of her mother. While men of society live off the interest of their inheritances, Joshua is striving to become a self-made man. He is developing an elevated railway in Manhattan which be believes will be in great need as people continue to move north within the city. It’s an ambitious plan with great financial risk which could put the family’s plans for their daughters in jeopardy.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and enjoy stories of Old New York, Our Kind of People is going to be right up your alley. Author Carol Wallace has done an excellent job creating a real sense of the time period when the old guard had to make way for the nouveau riche. Jemima and Alice, the two Wilcox daughters, are looking for love and passion, not just a suitable man with the right pedigree. This is a thoroughly enjoyable trip back to the Gilded Age.

Pub date: 1-11-2022

Helen comes from a prestigious NYC family but marries outside of what society deemed an appropriate match. We follow the ups and downs of Helen’s life and sit front row as her two daughters are presented to society.

Set in the mid through late 1800s, this time period was outside of my norm for a historical fiction. But I very much enjoyed the descriptions of homes and streets and reading about the advancement of public transportation. I also found the way high society functioned to be very interesting. It definitely had the affect of making me appreciate the freedoms I now have as a woman. I truly can’t imagine having a marriage match made for me—I prefer my Jake Gyllenhaal look alike. 😂

This is a more intricate read that I had to take my time with, but I really enjoyed it so much. I can easily recommend this for anyone interested in an immersive dive into the late 1800s New York society.

Big thanks to @Netgalley and @putnambooks for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Wilcoxes are a rising family in 1870s New York City society, until a major gamble changes everything—for better and for worse.

I was so torn over this book. On the one hand, I love for historical fiction. Getting the chance to dip your toes into a time so wholly different from our own—the clothes, lifestyle, setting—is a favorite of mine. But I’m not the biggest fan of character-driven storylines vs novels that rely more upon major plot points. And boy, did I almost DNF this one a quarter of the way through.

The jumps between character POVs sometimes felt jarring and, on occasion, unnecessary. There’s a few instances where I was disappointed that the current POV was cut off to focus on someone else. It felt very “Downton”-esque—fitting for the book (and by extension, for the author). For me that works better on the screen and I definitely see the potential for an adaptation of this novel.

The action and pacing picked up in the latter, and I finally hit my stride with it, to the point that I was wanting more by the conclusion. I would love to know what comes next for the characters, despite the tying of loose ends. I only wish that we had longer POV chapters for the romantic foils. The brief insight into their lives was fascinating, but so limited.

Highly recommend for die-hard “Downton Abbey” and “Bridgerton” fans