I received a temporary digital copy of A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon from NetGalley, Lake Union and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Deborah Samson, an indentured servant, grows up around a family of ten boys and is constantly pushing herself to do well, learn more and compete with the boys on the farm. She yearns for a life of liberation and adventure. After her indenture is complete, Deborah, disguises herself as a man and enlists in the Continental Army. She is finally able to see the colonies and experience life with more freedom than she ever dreamed, but will she be able to keep up her disguise or will someone see through her?

A Girl Called Samson was a great read based on the real-life experiences of Deborah Samson. The female impact of the American Revolution is so rarely discussed; however, vital to the outcome of the Patriot's success. Samson's experience is inspiring and Harmon does an excellent job telling her story.

Harmon writes good historical fiction. I liked the Revolutionary War time frame.
Deborah had a keen mind and was very lucky to have the referenced supply her with books. The ten sons of the Thompson family provided companionship and competition.
The actual military service got a bit drab but the ending was good.
It wasn’t my favorite book of the author but it was decent.

I could not wait to read this story. It is my monthly appointment to read one Amy Harmon's book. This was a surprise from Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley.
So so many good emotions, hope of better tomorrow but never forgetting of beeing here at the moment. Yes it is a historical book but this heroine is so much before her time. She did things to admire and talk about. I was so so on one hand scared to read about a war I saw a series and not knew a lot. So Amy Harmon make me love also this war, well the story of growing and loving. The book has all I need and want.
I can not wait to reread this book.

5 stars

WARNING: long review ahead (as usual, I have plenty to say about Amy’s book).

She did it again!
Amy really impressed me here! Yet since I follow her from the beginning, I shouldn’t be so surprised by her talent!

A Girl Called Samson is an impressive piece about history! And for Amy’s fans, history comes first, romance second in this book. Yet, the romance will certainly more than satisfy you.

A Girl Called Samson is about so many things!
It’s about finding yourself and your voice. Following your dreams, as unlikely as they might seem.
It’s about freedom. Yearning for that freedom and equal rights for everyone.
It’s about indenture and slavery.
It’s about war and how it tears families apart, shatters hopes and changes men and women alike.
But it’s also about found families, friendship and romance.
And it’s about faith and scriptures.

If you don’t like books with passages about scripture, faith and God then don’t read it.
I on the other hand loved reading about scriptures and the bible in that book, not only because it rang true to the time period but because it was SO AMY! And it made me ponder and wonder at the same time.
One of the quotes I identified most was: “But Romans 12:2 is more to my liking: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”


But let’s backtrack here and talk about plot and characters.

A Girl Called Samson is about Deborah Samson, a girl who dreamt of freedom and equal rights to men.
Deborah or Rob was bound very young to a farmers family.
“At five years old, I was alone in the world. At eight, I became a servant to a widow who treated me like a dog. At ten, I was indentured to a farmer until I turned eighteen. I was only a child then, but being bound out marked me deeply and lit a rebellion in my veins I have never quelled. Maybe that was the moment I became a soldier. Maybe that was the day it all began.”

That will set the tone of the story.
Imagine being placed at ten years old in a family of ten boys to work the whole day helping that family?
Lucky for “Rob” she needed to move all the time, to do things and be constantly occupied to feel well. That made her very valued and liked by the family members. She also aimed to always excel at things she had to do.
That meant running faster than all the ten boys, shooting better than the boys, … everything!
Young Deborah was very smart but the family couldn’t let her attend school. Yet she thirsted for knowledge. And with the help of a reverend, she’ll begin to correspond with the reverend’s niece, Elisabeth, ten years older than Deborah, who will proceed to enlighten and educate her the best she could.
That all made me realize how privileged we are to be allowed to attend school, whatever our gender! We often forget that these are hard won rights.

From Deborah’s childhood spent working all the time, the story gets to the American Revolutionary War.
Being European, I had a vague knowledge of that war. Our history classes focused more on the Secession War and I had no idea the Revolutionary War lasted so many years!
I read to escape but also to learn and learn I did!
I really loved reading about the birth of the war, the different generals, the troupes moves, the schemes, everything! And I think Amy did a solid work researching everything.

As Rob had always been “one of the boys” and with her deprived of freedom since childhood, freeing her country felt very appealing to her. It was a calling. Because the day she turned eighteen and was not indentured anymore, she realized she still wasn’t free to do what she wanted. Because being a woman meant enrolment was impossible.
“But freedom is not left or right, up or down. It exists in degrees. A bird has more freedom than a horse. A dog has more freedom than a sheep, though it might depend on the value—or the lack of value—of the beast. A man has more freedom than a woman, but only a few men have any real freedom at all. Freedom takes health and money and even wisdom, and I had two of the three, but I had no more freedom the day I turned eighteen than I’d had before.”

Yet Deborah needed to pursue her dream, to do her part.
“I do not want to be a wife,” I whispered. “I do not want to be a woman.” Emotion rose and broke, and my reflection became a watery smear. “I want to be a soldier.””
In that silent scream, I felt all of Deborah’s yearning and despair!
It became even more crucial when death from beloved one began to pile up around her.
“If I don’t do this, I cannot continue on,” I said to the silent walls. “I would rather die.” I was not given to histrionics or overexaggerations, but in the very depth of my being, I knew it was true. I had lost my hope, and if I did not pursue it, I would be finished.”

And so, Deborah will realize her plan: cut her hair, band her breast, don a waistcoat, a hat and pretend to be a young boy to enroll.

We will follow Rob in battle, we will fear discovery alongside her. The schemes she had to devise to wash, go to the loo unnoticed as a woman while living in barracks with hundreds of me.
He willpower was astounding.
She walked, shoot, was deprived of sleep. She fought with an empty belly, froze in winter, sustained wounds… everything without complaint, with courage and resilience. She was one of the best soldiers.
And that says it all about the kind of heroine Deborah was.
“No one has ever protected me, General. I have only ever had myself.” He winced, and his shoulders drooped slightly. “That is a tragedy, Miss Samson.” “Please call me Rob. That is what the brothers called me. And no. It is not a tragedy. It is a victory. One I am proud of.””
 THIS! This is Deborah. Heroine extraordinaire. My hero!
Reading her story humbled me.
It made me realize how easy I have it. How privileged I am. And that all these privileges and freedom were hard won by men and women who fought hard before me. Barely reaping the glory but because they wanted her children and children’s children to live in a better world.

I won’t talk about the love story as I don’t want to spoil it.
Just know that it unfurled gradually, with a man worthy of Deborah’s affection. Someone strong yet just and kind.

I could go on and on about that story.
I was so engrossed that I read it while walking in the woods. I just couldn’t stop reading. And I drew astonished looks when I began to cry as some losses felt heavier than other losses. I just was smitten and awed by Deborah’s story.

Thank you Amy for enlightening me once more and for opening my eyes to all the blessings I have while walking through an extraordinary woman’s boots!

I love all of Amy Harmon's books.
She doesn't just write historical fiction stories, she writes life-changing stories.

WOW! This book is an unbelievably fascinating and gripping story.
It's even more fascinating to know that the main characters in this book are real people who actually experienced all of this or almost all of it since part of the story is of course fiction.

This book begins in 1770.
Deborah, the main character of this story is 10 years old.
Her life has never been easy and at the age of 10 the whole ordeal of being forced to be a servant and thus the feeling of not being free began.

What began when she was ten years old has shaped her and her whole life. She has imagined what it would be like if she were free and could do what she wanted, which of course was unthinkable for women at that time.

As the American colonies began to fight for independence, Deborah is 21 years old and can't handle the unfairness that only men can be soldiers and enlisted in Continental Army disguises as a man.
And so Private Robert Shurtliff aka Samson was born.

Yes, it's also a beautiful and unique love story that begins after Samson has been in the army for over a year.

Yes, it's an incredibly spellbinding story, as is the whole life of Samson and Deborah.

I love this book.
I love all the characters.
I love this real, raw and authentic emotional story.
I love that I've learned ones again so much from this book.

Amy Harmon is one of my all time favorite authors. I think I state that in every review I write for her books. I honestly would read anything she writes. I am really happy she decided to write historical fiction because she does an incredible job in bringing the characters and story to life. I do appreciate that she continues to add sprinkles of romance in the story. A Girl Called Samson is based on a real character named Deborah Samson. I was absolutely amazed by Deborah strength, determination and resilience. She is such a great figure to be admired and I am happy that Amy decided to write her story.

“I loved them in different amounts. Small piles and great piles. I do not love you the same way. This feeling is new. It is a mountain, and it has fallen on me. I didn’t know it would feel this way to love.”

This book was a bit slow at the beginning and it took me some time to fully get into the story, but when that eventually happened I was all in. I was rooting for Deborah until the end. A Girl Called Samson had all the elements for a great story. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes, scenes that were light and fun, moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and last but not least it had the right amount of romance. Amy was able to transport me into the story she created and I was present there next to Deborah and the other amazing characters. I already look forward to Amy Harmon's next story.

WOW... there is nothing quite like finishing a book and already wanting to go back to the beginning to start all over again. I tried so hard to go slow, but once I stopped nothing could make me put it down, I read through my tears, and honestly just the thought of this book, makes me tear up - its just that powerful.

“I believe some men and women are blessed to see a bigger purpose, to understand the ripples that extend far beyond their own lives,” I said. “That is what gives me hope, that all of this suffering will be worth something far bigger than any of us. You are one of those men, General. And I want to be one of those women.” - Deborah

Deborah was so fierce, brave and loyal, yet through all her experiences she was still distinctly feminine and I loved that! Even while she had to hide who she was, it just made her appreciate all that makes a man, a man and a woman, a woman. I loved how Deborah's faith made her so strong, the scripture and the way it is weaved through her story, is so poetic and relevant to what she was going through and the things and people she encountered on her journey. She has strength, courage and fortitude that I aspire to have.

John is so honorable and commanding, he’s hard not to love. I loved the way we got to know him and his thoughts and feelings, through the letters and then when we met him in person we already know so much about his character. Especially when he wants to be with Deborah but won’t because he doesn’t want his relationship with Elizabeth to be dishonored because of Deborah’s disguise.

You can’t help but be compelled by this story, and want to be a better person. I love historical fiction because I feel that it is such a great way to learn what those who have gone before us have sacrificed, this book made me want to delve into the history and the people that lived during the time of the Revolution. "What will life look like 150 years from now? I suspect that our descendants will take us for granted, just like we take our ancestors for granted." - John

My life would be lacking without Amy Harmons words and stories - they move me, make me want to grow and learn. I'm already wanted to reread this book, just going on my highlights brings tears to my eyes. It is truly one of Amy's best books she's written.

What a remarkable story! Amy Harmon has become a go-to author for me and "A Girl Called Samson" continues to demonstrate her wonderful talent for bringing vivid characters to life. I loved Deborah Samson (and General John Paterson!), and how she thirsted for and pursued her freedom. I highly recommend this amazing book about the American Revolutionary War!

“I must return to womanhood, and I am not ready. It is not that being a man is a marvelous thing. The truth is, I am not one and never will be, nor do I even want to be one. It was never about changing myself. It has always been about freeing mvself."

A Girl Called Samson is a history lover’s dream! Not only do you get a recap of the American Revolutionary War but also this incredible story of the fearless and headstrong girl, Deborah Samson, who disguised herself as a male so she could enlist as a soldier and help fight for America’s independence.

Deborah, also known as Rob, manages to deceive all of her comrades. She is tough, skilled, respected and loyal beyond measure. There is only one problem. She has fallen in love with her superior. In a moment of weakness, he discovers her facade and it threatens all that they have worked so hard to achieve.

Great job Amy Harmon! 👏🏻 This book was so well researched. More than anything, I loved all the messages about breaking gender roles and and following your true calling. ❤️ These are the stories that often get overlooked in history class. These are the stories that we all need to hear. 🥰

Thank you to @amazonpublishing and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. 🙏🏻🥰 I am honoured to receive an early copy. ❤️

A Girl Called Samson comes out on April 1, 2023.

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