Donna Everhart writes a wonderful historical fiction account of the Civil War. Joetta and Ennis McBride are subsistence farmers with their two sons, Henry age 15 and Robert age 11 on their small farm in North Carolina. Ennis’s dad lives with them on the farm. As the war breaks out, Joetta takes a neutral position of the war. Henry is all for the confederacy and soon takes off to enlist. Soon Joetta convinces Ennis to enlist to find Henry. Because of her position of the war, many of Joetta’s friends shun her.

Soon the war is taking a toll on everyone. The character development of Joetta was fabulous. She was a strong woman and did what she had to to provide for her family while not wavering in her position of the war. She was a caring compassionate woman.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for the advanced reader copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I loved this civil war era fictional account of Joetta McBride, her husband Ennis and their two sons. This story is set in North Carolina, it begins right before the Civil War and continues until the end of this brutally divisive 4-year long, bloody conflict.

I didn't want the story to stop, it was heartbreaking, heartwarming and captivating. The character development was excellent and the plotline was magical, a truly beautiful story, primarily of the family matriarch, Joetta, who tries to remain steadfast and neutral concerning her opinions regarding the war, however her neighbors are only satisfied with 100% support of the Confederates. The McBride family are the recipients of regular violent acts due to Joetta's unwillingness to show blind support to a cause she doesn't believe in.

A wonderfully entertaining book, it is easy to fall in love with the McBride family, and you miss them after you complete this novel.

The story is about pre-Civil War. As her son leaves to fight, her husband runs off to find him and bring him back. The trials and worry Joetta goes through is heartbreaking at times. I enjoyed the story and how it was written.

When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart was the first novel I have read by this author, and I am now eager to read more of her books. The story takes place before and during the Civil War in North Carolina, where citizens were expected to side with the Confederacy. To even speak against it was considered treason and subjected people to disapproval at best and violence at worst.

Joetta and Ennis McBride are just trying to get by on their farm while keeping out of any sort of politics. This becomes impossible with the war approaching and Ennis's father filling their children's heads with grandiose depictions of war. When their oldest son runs off to a war that he is not old enough to join, Ennis goes after him, with both father and son now out of the picture. Joetta does her best to run the farm and preserve her family but she hits one obstacle after another.

This book shines in showing how a mother's love never ends, even when trying to set a good example and stand up for what one believes in. Loyalty plays a huge role, too - to family and country. There is so much tragedy; just when I thought they couldn't take another hardship, one would ensue. Joetta's strength amid adversity was an inspiration. The book is beautifully with a fitting resolution.

I will recommend this to readers of historical fiction who want to learn more about how the Civil War affected families.

This was a strong 4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review

I've read other books by this author and loved this story as much as her other historical fiction books. I haven't read much about the Civil War, and this story focused on a part of the war I'd never thought about. People who were on neither side of the war and who wanted to remain neutral were mistreated because they didn't believe in the "cause."
In this story, we follow Joetta's emotionally and physically challenged world where all she wants is for her family to be safe, home on their simple farm, and stay out of the war. The author does a fantastic job of giving the reader a glimpse into the brutal, horrifying realities of the war for those both on and off the battlefield, and of the fine line people had to walk to appease those who weren't on the same side of the war.
Joetta endures about every trauma imaginable yet pushes on, focusing on loving her family and keeping them safe. And through the tragedies of war, this book shines a light on the kindness in humanity, the empathy, and the hope. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this must-read story!

Donna Everhart has once again crafted an historical fiction that both educated and tugged at my heart.
The McBrides own a small farm in North Carolina. Self sufficient, they believe the succession of the southern states has no bearing on their lives as they own no slaves. But their elder son, fifteen year old Henry, has had his head filled with tales of glory and adventure by his grandfather. He runs off to volunteer. Jonetta is distraught, not proud. But that’s just the beginning of her troubles. Her husband goes off to find him and ends up enlisting as well. Their neighbors see her neutrality as treason to the southern cause. Even the minister singles her out for rebuke. And her father-in-law goes out of his way to put her in harm’s way.
This is a story of the juggling act of standing up for one’s beliefs vs keeping family and self safe. Hart shows there are no easy answers. She also does a great job of showing how both armies decimated the area, leaving the civilians with nothing. There is no honor here.
Hart has done a great job of creating a realistic heroine. But even more, I was so impressed with her depiction of Robert, her younger son. Watching him grapple with his emotions, fear and beliefs was the highlight of the book for me.
It’s a wonderful story about “loyalty, betrayal and family” as Hart herself says. This would make a wonderful book club selection as it’s a very meaty, well researched book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of this book.

When the Jessamine Grows by D. Everhart, published by Kensington Books is an absolute delightful read.
Set in the time of US Civil Ear, the stor paints a picture of new and old, grace and mercy, taking a stand.
This is the story of Joetta McBride, who opens her North Carolina home and farm to soldiers from both sides.
Joetta and her husband Ennis working a small farm, consider themselves neutral, when their 15 year old son Henry, spurred by tales of his grandfather runs off to volunteer for the confedrate army.
Ennis follows looking for his son, but weeks go on and the only thing happening is that soldiers coming to the farm more and more, desperate for help.
A wonderful book, a fantastic story with writing that brings the time and characters to life. I loved it.

This book is the first one I've read by this author, and overall enjoyed it. Set during the Civil War, Joetta is determined to remain neutral while her underage son and husband are gone to war. As a result, the family left behind suffer unimaginable consequences. I liked the the well written yet straightforward storyline that emphasizes familiar and community relationships. Overall a good book.

Donna Everhart brought her A-game with this heartbreaking book about a mother/wife/community member’s struggle during the American Civil War. Everhart has a talent for really getting the reader to connect with the characters. I could definitely put myself in Joetta McBride’s (the protagonist) shoes and feel all the emotions she felt. I felt the frustration, fear, anger, heartbreak, relief, sadness, depression, and hope that’s prevalent throughout the book. I love how strong of a character Joetta was portrayed to be, too.

The book was believable which is something I feel like is important with historical fiction writing. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction books.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this novel, since I love all of Donna Everhart's books. This one did not disappoint. The author always does such an amazing job of engaging the reader in the story, setting and time period. I felt that I was living along with the main character, Joetta and everything she was going through. What a wonderful character Joetta is! Ms. Everhart is a master at developing characters. I think I will always remember Joetta and her struggles. Her strength, conviction of her beliefs and her love of her family made her such a memorable character.
This is in no way an easy book to read, but the Civil War was in no way an easy time. This book gives us the very unique perspective of what it was like for families who owned small farms in the south. Most of the novels that I have read have taken place on a southern plantation or in the north. I also have never read a book that was told from the perspective of people who wanted to remain neutral and the backlash that they might experience because of their beliefs. The author also did a wonderful job of ending the novel. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction readers who love books with strong, realistic women characters. I can't wait for Ms. Everhart's next book!

This is an amazing story set in the Civil War period. I've read a lot of stories about people who were pro north or pro south, but this is the first story that I have read that involved someone who just wanted to be neutral.

Joette McBride and her husband hated conflict and didn't want to take sides. Her father-in-law, who had never been to war, convinced her two sons that war was glorious. He also talked about their views in regard to the war and made animosity with their neighbors. They are now faced with a difficult choice of holding on to their values or giving in to popular opinion.

As with all of Ms. Everhart's novels, the characters are all well developed with intricate relationships. The descriptions of the time and place are complete with detail and easily pictured in your mind. The storyline keeps you turning pages till the end.

When the Jessamine Grows is a fabulous piece historical fiction. I loved it and am giving it five stars.

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e-arc of When the Jessamine Grows, by Donna Everhart.

This is an HF fiction novel. 4*; One unique aspect of the harsh landscape of the South and desperate times, as well as the persecution of the neutral, when it was Union vs. Confederate.

Synopsis: "Talk of impending war is a steady drumbeat throughout North Carolina, though Joetta McBride pays it little heed. She and her husband, Ennis, have built a modest but happy life for themselves, raising two sons, fifteen-year-old Henry, and eleven-year-old Robert, on their small subsistence farm. They do not support the Confederacy’s position on slavery, but Joetta considers her family to be neutral, believing this is simply not their fight.
Her opinion is not favored by many in their community, including Joetta’s own father-in-law, Rudean. A staunch Confederate supporter, he fills his grandsons’ heads with stories about the glory of battle and the Southern cause until one night Henry runs off to join the war. At Joetta’s frantic insistence, Ennis leaves to find their son and bring him home.
But soon weeks pass with no word from father or son and Joetta is battered by the strain of running a farm with so little help. As the country becomes further entangled in the ramifications of war, Joetta finds herself increasingly at odds with those around her – until one act of kindness brings her family to the edge of even greater disaster.
Though shunned and struggling to survive, Joetta remains committed to her principles, and to her belief that her family will survive. But the greatest tests are still to come – for a fractured nation, for Joetta, and for those she loves . . .."

Things I liked:
• The Genre
• The Writing
• The MCs
• The Story
• The ending

Things I disliked (if you can call it that):
• The pace was a little slow to start; however ended strong

To think on:
If you have something in your garden you want covered fast, Carolina Jessamine vine just might be the ticket. In the wild, we spot its yellow blooms peeking down at us from tree branches. It climbs by twining its thin, pliable stems around something, so it needs a support. Jessamine's golden bells usually appear at the very end of winter, borne in such profusion as to completely hide the small, light-green leaves. Carolina Jessamine grows fast, and is winter-hardy, but should not be eaten. ....A reader might think about the title, When the Jessamine Grows, was it picked for the location or the symbolism of the Jessamine in relation to the story?

One thought I ponder is how tight do you hold to values in face of threats? Do you do what is right, or not, when it is a matter of your life vs. another's life? How long do you how to hope?

I recommend this book to any lover of Historical fiction, especially as this is a less-done sub-genre.

I was drawn to the premise of this book with the main character being a woman in Civil War–era North Carolina who was neutral to the issues dividing the northern and southern states.

I drew so many comparisons of this era to the times in which we currently find ourselves. I could also relate to the isolation the main character faced based on her convictions. As a politically moderate women in such a polarized world, I have also found myself dehumanized, demonized and mocked based on my own convictions. While the circumstances of the story and that time itself were much more severe than anything I’ve ever endured, I could definitely relate.

The American Civil War was a devastatingly divisive period in our history, and I fear if we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it. For that reason, I found the story both extraordinarily sad but also drew inspiration from the tenacity, courage and firm resolve of Joetta.

I laughed and cried and thought about this book long after I turned the last page. I definitely recommend it for historical fiction readers.

My thanks to @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

This was my first novel by Donna Everhart. I have obviously been missing some great books. Her writing style is absolutely gorgeous. I loved the setting in North Carolina as well as the timeline of the Civil War. This book just sucked me in from the first couple of chapters. The descriptive writing of farm life made me feel like I was transported through time while reading. My heart just connected with Joetta, and she, as well as the rest of this story, will stick with my for a very long time.

Wow, what an amazing story, Yes depressing and heart wrenching at times but an excellent portrayal of how things were during the Civil war for small family farm owners. Donna Everhart as usual pulls you right into the story. If you like historicals I highly recommend this book.

A beautiful novel!

Let me start by saying how much I love historical fiction. I have learned so much more from this genre than I ever did in school. I enjoy stories of WWII, but they are in abundance, so it was nice to find this read focusing on the events of The Civil War.

This story takes you through the trials and hardships of The McBride Family as they face the reality of impending war. Joetta, a wife and mother of two sons, is struck with the realization that remaining neutral on her opinions of the political climate is simply not an option to keep her family safe. Neutrality equals danger. What choices would you make if faced with such a situation?

As a mom of two sons myself, this story really hit home as we watch Joetta struggle with the reality of her boys growing into men and forming their own political views during this divisive time.

This is a unique and heart-warming story of found family and how the McBrides strive to endure the difficulty of loved ones who are off fighting on the front lines - a family attempting to pull together the pieces of a future after heart-breaking years of death and destruction.

This story will move you. The last 20% stirred up many emotions in my heart. The reminder of how the love and support of just ONE single friend can be life changing was another aspect I really enjoyed. An amazingly well written final page as well. I love it when a novel feels so perfectly tied up and complete at the very end. You don’t always get that from an author.

4-Star clean rating for a small handful of curse words. No sexual content. Overall, a very clean and highly recommended read.

This was the story of a woman and family during the civil war and how she stood for what she believed in at all costs. It will remind you that in war no side is ever the victor and the losses amass on both sides .
This book will rip your soul into and yet it is heartbreakingly beautiful
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

'One either believes in one's morals and convictions, or they do not'.

For Joetta McBride life is good. Life is peaceful. Life couldn't be any better. As subsistence farmers, they work hard and reap their own bounty. She could not want for anything more - except for her curmudgeonly father-in-law's incessant talk with her sons over impending war with the North to cease. As far as Joetta and her husband are concerned, there is no need to take sides and become involved in a war. After all, there are no winners in war. However, when her eldest son disappears in the middle of the night, and her husband chases, desperate to find him, their family is suddenly forced into the fray. As distressing as this is, Joetta remains steadfast in her neutrality. But sitting on the fence is not something the community tolerates, and as one war is fought away from her home, Joetta's war has begun at her gate. 'The divide of the North and South was like a great crack in the earth, a gaping maw of distrust, and the self righteousness and determination that grew with each passing conflict only served to expand the difference'.

I enjoyed reading Joetta's journey of self-discovery and grew to admire her determination in spite of all the adversity and hardship she faced. I also appreciated gaining an understanding of how the Civil War may have affected not only everyday life but also conflicted border states. I have not read anything from Donna Everhart before but she certainly has a way of slowly building stories, and developing characters, until you've become very vested in the outcome.

Readers of historical fiction, particularly American history, and strong women characters will appreciate this book.

Joetta and Ennis are the proud hardworking parents of two sons. Their world is about to be turned upside down in North Carolina as the Civil War begins to beat its solemn drum of destruction. This book, highly entertaining, heartbreaking, and painstakingly researched is hard to read. It tells the story of a woman and her family in North Carolina caught up in the division of the Civil War. It was a war that divided families, towns, and states and caused many to claim loyalties they did not feel to protect themselves. Their fifteen-year-old son Henry, who has been listening to tales of glory of the South from his grandfather suddenly leaves in the dark of night to join the Confederacy. Joetta and Ennis have made every effort to stay neutral. As the story progresses Joetta and other families are forced almost to starvation from the hardships of the war and those that sought to destroy anyone who opposed the beliefs of the Confederacy. Scorned and harrassed, they must make decisions that will forever effect their family. An excellent story written by Donna Everhart, in the style of The Tall Woman and Cold Mountain this story of war is one you will not want to miss. Thanks to #NetGalley#WhentheJessamineGrows for the opportunity to read and review this book.