Philadelphia, 1837, Charlotte escaped from the run down plantation, White Oaks, down south, she thought it would feel different, better. It isn’t turning out that way, her father is passing as a white man and has her playing the role of his servant. They have to hide in plain sight from the slavecatchers, who are constantly looking for slaves that have escaped.
Charlotte wanting to get out from her father’s hold, befriends Nell, a young black woman, who is finding her own way in the abolitionist movement. The two, become fast friends and they find a common cause in freeing one of Charlotte’s fellow slave from White Oaks. She was brought up to Philadelphia to help her widow mistress of White Oaks. They want to help her escape before the widow gets remarried and moves back south. This was such a great read. I loved the characters and how the author developed the girls friendship. I also loved how each girl, in their current situation, worked together to help each other. They had a large task to accomplish and they never seemed scared or deterred by it. This was a four star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley, Ashton Lattimore and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for my copy of All We Were Promised, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore. Pub Date: April 2, 2024. Rating: 4 stars. Set during the 1800s during pre-Civil War America, this story follows three young women who come from different lifestyles but all connect for the same mission. One woman is more elite, one woman is an escaped slave turned house worker and another is a slave who recites with the escaped slave and wants out of her current situation. The story follows all three women in their strength, fierceness and ability to endeavor whatever they need to in order to survive and live how they want to. I really enjoyed this debut and think it is the perfect read for historical fiction readers. Thanks to #Netgalley and #randomhousepublishinggroup for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I love the lesser told stories in historical fiction, hearing aout the abolitionist work that was being done in Philadelphia during the Civil war. The different perspectives were well done. I appreciated the historical accuracy and research, and the characters were strong.

This was an interesting book, and I liked learning more about pre-Civil War Philadelphia. The story is told from the points of view of three black women - one from a wealthy family, one escaped slave, and one slave longing to be free. The three women had different voices and different problems. It was also interesting seeing the varying perspectives of the abolitionists - everything from "throw money at the problem but don't get too close!" to "help them escape at the risk of my own life." Ashton Lattimore did a nice job on this book.

I liked this book but I read a couple other similar books this year that I liked better, so unfortunately to me it didn't rise to the top in a pack of similar recent books. There wasn't really one thing I could point to to do better on and if it had been a different season I might have had higher feelings for it.

This is a story is an interesting look at Philadelphia before the civil war. It is bout three Black women. They are telling there story about what is happening in their world. It was interesting as they are supposed to be living in a free state , however it is not free for all of them. It really opened my eyes about the history.
I enjoyed this book!

Set during the 1800s, ALL WE WERE PROMISED features themes of friendship, courageous women and well developed and memorable characters.

I loved the authors note at the end too!

I paired the book and audiobook for a truly immersive reading experience and loved to be whisked away to this time period.

*many thanks to Ballantine Books/PRH, prh audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Charlotte “Carrie” and her father James escape from a plantation and make their way to Philadelphia. The book opens with their new life in Philadelphia where James, an accomplished carpenter, is passing for white and Charlotte is his house slave for her own protection. Charlotte meets free black woman Nell and the two join the anti-slavery movement. Evie is still enslaved but travels to Philadelphia with her mistress and encounters long-lost Carrie at the local market.

A wonderfully crafted text that portrays an integral (yet underrepresented) aspect of history. A must read for historical fiction lovers and those who appreciate strong, brilliant characters.

3.5 stars adjusted to 3 Goodreads stars. I really wanted to love or at least really like this book. The premise is great with it taking place in the early pre-Civil War years with the 3 main characters being women of color: a slave who wants to escape, a former slave who escaped when she was young with her father, and a free black woman who belongs to the black upper class in Philadelphia. I listened to this and felt somewhat confused at times Basically, the book is not bad; it probably is better to read than listen to on audiobook.

I was excited to learn more about this time in history. I liked the characters and think they were well developed. The history was interesting and well researched. There were parts that felt very repetative. I really liked the author's note and finding out this was inspired by a lyric from Les Mis. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I was drawn in right away by lattimore’s great writing. This book was well written, steeped in history, romance, and mystery. This was a gripping tale of women and freedom as they were bound to forge their own destinies in a society of injustice and inequality.

Set in Philadephia just before the US Civil War, All We Were Promised gives us a glimpse into lives of 3 young Black women. Dell is from a wealthy family and is active in antislavery groups. Charlotte has escaped slavery and started a new life as a free woman. She's trying to find her place in society and navigate her changing relationship with her father, who has made their escape possible by passing as White. Finally, we have Evie who is still enslaved. I think this book would be an excellent introduction to historical fiction for a young girl. It has a good mix of actual historical events in an unforced way. I really enjoyed it.

Charlotte and her father escaped a plantation four years ago. He is able to pass as a white man and makes exquisite furniture while using Charlotte as a housemaid. She's not content to clean their Philadelphia home, though. She manages to join an abolitionist group and meets free high society Nell. Nell's parents sit idly by (and even move more toward their elite circle) while white folks lash out violently at the city’s growing free Black population. And her friend Alex's parents are tied up financially and socially with white folks and always careful not to rock the boat. But slave catchers threaten Charlotte's safety. And she's especially at risk when her former colleague Evie finds her and asks for escape. Can the women convince the abolitionist to support them in their fight for freedom?
The premise of this book is important. Despite living in a free city, Philadelphians in the 1830s did not support escaped slaves. Indeed, a slave could live there for a day under six months, be moved back south and continue in enslavement. And anyone who tried to speak out against the laws could be killed.
The violence of the time also surprised me. As a society, we perpetuate similar violence today, almost 200 years later. That's unacceptable.
The pace of this book moves a bit slowly fo my taste. However, I did appreciate the message about the social vibrancy, activism, political engagement, and diversity of Philadelphia’s Black community. As the author says, "In telling this story, I hoped not only to resurrect the fascinating history of Pennsylvania Hall but also to shine a light on the often-overlooked agency and ingenuity of the Black women and men who helped shape Philadelphia and the abolitionist movement during the critical pre– Civil War period of American history."

In the heart of volatile pre-Civil War Philadelphia, a narrative unfolds that is as much a testament to the indomitable spirit of women as it is a gripping tale of the fight for freedom. “All We Were Promised” weaves together the lives of three distinct women, each bound by their determination to forge their own destinies against the backdrop of a society rife with injustice and inequality.
The novel introduces us to Charlotte, a former enslaved housemaid who carries a dangerous secret—a lineage that could spell her doom in the hands of relentless slavecatchers. Her escape from the South leads her to Philadelphia, a city heralded as the cradle of liberty, only to find herself ensnared in a different kind of servitude, one that requires her to conceal her true identity even from those she serves.
Charlotte’s path crosses with Nell, a young abolitionist born into one of Philadelphia’s affluent Black families. Nell’s passion for justice and equality ignites a friendship between the two women, providing Charlotte with a glimpse of the freedom she yearns for. However, it is the arrival of Evie, Charlotte’s friend from the White Oaks plantation, that sets the stage for the ultimate test of courage and loyalty. As Evie’s desperate plea for help reaches them, Charlotte and Nell are drawn into a perilous mission to secure her freedom.
The author skillfully captures the essence of an era marked by tumultuous race riots and vehement anti-abolitionist sentiment. Through vivid historical details, readers are transported to 19th-century Philadelphia, experiencing the palpable tension and danger that pervaded the city. Yet, amidst this chaos, the novel shines a light on the power of female solidarity. The protagonists, each embodying strength and intelligence, navigate their treacherous reality with a sense of agency that is both tragic and uplifting.
“All We Were Promised” is more than just a story of friendship and deception; it is a celebration of women crossing boundaries in the name of freedom. The characters’ resilience and strategic cunning underscore a narrative that is not only engrossing but also deeply inspiring. Their journey is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the risks taken by those who dared to challenge the status quo.
As a reader, one cannot help but be moved by the depth of the characters and the complexity of their struggles. The novel does not shy away from the harsh truths of its setting, yet it manages to infuse hope into the darkest of circumstances. It is a beguiling story that resonates with the ongoing quest for equality and justice, making it a compelling read for anyone captivated by historical fiction and the enduring power of human connection.
In conclusion, “All We Were Promised” is a remarkable work that captures the essence of an era and the unyielding spirit of its women. With strong female characters at its core, the novel is a tribute to those who take their lives into their own hands, despite the insurmountable odds they face. It is a story that stays with you long after the last page is turned, a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for freedom and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

I was intrigued by this book’s unique angle during pre-Civil War America – told through the lens of a fugitive slave woman, a Black woman born free in Philadelphia, and a teenage slave girl still in bondage. While I was aware that some free, Black families rose to prominence in Pennsylvania back in the 1700s and earlier, Lattimore presents additional historic facts from the 19th century that readers will delight in. (They will love her author’s note about the genesis of the story, as well).

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at history but, sadly, didn’t connect on an emotional level with any of the main characters. In many instances – especially toward the last quarter of the book – it seemed the storytelling was focused solely on throwing obstacle after obstacle in the way (after the first three-quarters being a slow, slow burn). The other difficulty I had with the last quarter were the choices being made by the characters – which mostly felt implausible (the characters also making assumptions that just didn’t seem realistic, thinking unrealistic thoughts - and the characters being thrown into unrealistic scenarios). Evie's petulance (and even her vernacular) seemed out of place for me - she read more as a current day, annoyed teenager rather than someone desperate for her freedom.

That said, I enjoyed the book, overall – for shining a light on the courageous, articulate, intelligent Black women who fought for their freedom. All women owe these women a debt of gratitude for being exemplary models of strength.

All We Were Promised
By Aston Lattimore

This book is set in Philadelphia in the 1830s. It is the story of the early struggles of blacks – born free, escaped slaves, and all those somewhere in between – to win and keep their freedom. It is also the struggle between southern whites who wanted to hold onto their "property" and their way of life and other whites who found slavery an abomination.

James Vaughn and his daughter Carrie – now called Charlotte – were escaped slaves from a plantation in Maryland. Because he could (and did) pass for white, James and Charlotte – now his housekeeper – have lived for four years in peace in Philadelphia as he as built his business as a master furniture maker. But when the abolitionists come to town for a convention – and Miss Kate (their old owner and nemesis) also shows up, things get dangerous.

Because the anti-slavery laws at the time were so vague and contradictory, being black in Philadelphia could be a challenge. Through this story, the author explores all the different points of view and difficulties blacks and whites were trying to work through – often with violence. This book is a real eye opener.

In this complicated mid-nineteenth century historical fiction novel, readers visit 1837 Philadelphia where Charlotte and her father have escaped slavery in the South and now live as a free man and his housemaid in the city. Desperate for independence and freedom away from her father and her guise as a housemaid, Charlotte’s new friend Nell, a wealthy Black abolitionist girl, draws her into abolitionist circles. When Charlotte runs into her friend Evie, who had also been enslaved at White Oaks, in the city, Charlotte and Nell’s desire to help her escape outweighs their fears of their mistress. With an increase in attacks on Philadelphian abolitionists, Charlotte, Nell, and Evie are caught up in dangerous social circumstances which put them all at risk. Lattimore brings the complicated Northern racial politics of nineteenth century America to life in this novel, providing more information about the gray areas and ambiguity within white and Black communities. Also highlighting the wealth gap between different groups of free Black people in the nineteenth century, Charlotte, Nell, and Evie’s characters are all incredibly distinct with unique personalities and situations which impact their decision making processes throughout the novel. A complicated yet immersive book, Lattimore’s latest novel is a fascinating work of historical fiction that places Black Americans and their roles in abolitionist work at the center of the story.

I finished this book weeks ago and it has been simmering ever since. I wanted to write something important - as important as this book, but all my words fell short and did not begin to do justice to this important piece of writing. I learned so much, felt so much and anyway I tried to explain what I felt and understood came off as if I was pandering.

Young black women in pre-civil war Philadelphia come together to attempt to accomplish the unthinkable, the impossible and all they are willing to sacrifice so much to have their voices heard. Meticulously researched, historically important, set in a tense conflict, the writing and story kept me turning pages and wondering whether the “free Black population” was ever really free.

Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy.

In 1780, Pennsylvania took a step to address the barbaric practice of kidnapping and enslaving humans by adopting An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery. The devil is in the details, the saying goes, and the “gradual” concept is an elephant-sized detail. The notion that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness can be doled out in trickles either accepted some on-the-ground reality that this task would need to unfold slowly to be successful, or it demonstrated a lack of legislative backbone. In this novel, we will read an envisioned account of how life unfolds for two women living in this half-hearted reality and what bravery and commitment to change actually look like.

Charlotte and her father escape enslavement at White Oak Plantation and are living undercover, so to speak, in Philadelphia. The father, who has fair skin, builds a new life as a white business owner, but Charlotte is forced to serve as his staff. This strategy allows her father to build a new, financially secure life for both of them and protects Charlotte from the nefarious slavecatchers, yes, but it is a bitter pill for her. How did she arrive in the land of the free and find herself back where she started—a servant?

The city has erupted in violence, with race riots exposing the ugly face of exclusivity. It is in this period of heightened danger that Charlotte encounters an enslaved friend from White Oak who begs Charlotte to help her escape. Charlotte seeks the help of her friend Nell, the daughter of a wealthy black family, and Nell agrees to the task. Both of them know the price they will pay if they are caught will be too heavy to imagine.

This book presents a view of the Antebellum period above the southern state lines, which have traditionally been the focus. The pacing is boggy at times, but the story is a worthy read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this eARC.