Jocelyn Green's Widow of Gettysburg took me longer to get into than its predecessor, but looking back, I feel it stronger than Wedded to War. I do not mean to deride the earlier novel; I simply feel Liberty and Bella's stories pair more convincingly than Charlotte and Ruby's. These women have their own stories, but it clear from the beginning that their journeys will unfold together, and I think the tighter composition resulted in a far more satisfying read.

I loved how Green used the heroines of this story to explore the experiences of their community. I was familiar with the battle when I visited Gettysburg, but I was surprised and fascinated by the civilians who weathered the battle and carried on in its aftermath. The town's residents exhibited remarkable fortitude, and I delight in seeing that resilience reflected so clearly on the pages of this narrative.

I could have done without the romantic storyline, but I genuinely appreciated the themes of this piece. Liberty's journey illustrates what it means to love one's enemies in the most literal circumstances, and I am not ashamed to admit I lost myself the thoughts that plot point inspired. Bella's story is equally compelling for its focus on identity, family, and loyalty. That said, Bella doesn't enjoy the spotlight as often as her counterpart, and I couldn't help wishing she'd been allowed to take center stage more often.

I’m not going to say much apart from, I learnt a lot from this book about the history of Gettysburg and the women who where resilient and strong.

Powerful read.