I do not like to start a review with “Unfortunately”, but I have to on this one. I started this book at least 3 times, hoping I would be drawn in and the story would take off. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I kept getting drug down by the minute details and repeating of the storyline between the characters.
I found the concept very intriguing and was hoping to have enjoyed this read. I cannot really explain how I lost interest so quickly but there was not enough depth to keep me reading for multiple hours. Even though my experience was not noteworthy, I am sure there will be many others that enjoy this pre–Civil War tale.
Random House Publishing Group along with NetGalley provided this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. This one comes in with 3 stars.

All We Were Promised is an eye-opening look at pre-Civil War Philadelphia with a strong cast of female characters. While the three main characters are all fictional, the events they are involved in are true. I liked how the story was told from all three FMC’s point of view, which allowed the reader to experience the issues from all sides. I learned so much while reading this book. The research that the author put into this novel is evident and her author’s note at the end is interesting. I found it particularly interesting as to how she came about the idea for this novel while listening to the Les Miserable soundtrack (my favorite musical).
The beginning was a little too slow-paced for me but as we got towards the end of the book the events did keep me on the edge of my seat.

3.5 stars = enjoyed/would recommend

Overall, a nice debut from an author I look forward to reading more from.

What an enlightening book. I knew nothing about Free Blacks, slaves and runaways in Philadelphia in the 1830's. This is an interesting look into the classism and racism of the time period. The author has certainly well-researched the subject matter and it shows in her writing. It made me want to go and research more about the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery society. This story has stayed with me even after I finished the last page. I will be looking to read more from this debut author. Definitely recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

This was a great historical fiction novel. My heart was beating so fast in several parts. When dealing with stuff that really happened it is so hard to read. But it is also very important

4.5 🌟

Such a strong cast of women in this historical fiction!

This was such a unique story about the pre-civil war era from a perspective we generally don't read about. Because this story takes place in Philadelphia, black people are free.... or are they? You hear from multiple POVs in this book - all black women who have experienced being enslaved (or not) differently and the fight to help those that are currently enslaved. If you enjoy historical fiction - I'd pick this book up!

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Ashton Lattimore’s Debut novel, “All We Were Promised,” is a fascinating look at Pre Civil War Philadelphia. A young housemaid with a risky secret befriends a wealthy abolitionist and works together to help an enslaved girl escape.

While the characters are fictional, Lattimore has captured Philadelphia at a time when tensions were simmering just below boiling. Each character was well developed and thought out to bring a unique perspective to the narrative. While at times the pacing was a little slow, the book provided a spectacular insight into that time and place. Overall a 4.5 rounding up to a 5. This would make a great book club read given all the characters providing different insights and perspectives.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. All We Were Promised is a pre-Civil War story set in Philadelphia. It is the story of three very different black women, Charlotte--a fugitive slave who ran away with her father; Nell--a well-to-do free black woman who lives in an upper class black suburb of the City of Brotherly Love; and Evie--an enslaved black woman who desperately seeks her freedom. Despite a slow start, author Ashton Lattimore did a fine job recreating the era and detailing the lives of these three women as they come together. Charlotte lives as a housekeeper/servant with her father who now passes as white. She comes across Evie whom she knew as a child and vows to help her escape from the 'missus'. Charlotte also befriends Nell who actively campaigns for abolition, but who has never been enslaved herself. All strong women with differing views due to their life circumstances, they come together to help each other. This is a great story of women's empowerment as well as a history lesson we all should know. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

In this first novel from author, Ashton Lattimore, slavery rears its ugly head. From the point of view of escaped slaves getting their first taste of freedom, free slaves who were born free, and those whites and Blacks who support the concept of abolition, we learn what freedom really means. In the city of Philadelphia we see how tenuous freedom can be if you are a person of color. There are complicated laws that few understand and even fewer are aware of. Through all of this, Ms. Lattimore weaves a wonderful story, with strong, principled characters, who are unsatisfied with the status quo. Sprinkled in are historical figures, tense moments, and even a love story. This book was terrific and I highly recommend it.

I was excited to find this book set in the 1830s with a unique premise. Unfortunately, it was difficult to finish. I was disappointed by the modern feel of the novel, especially the characters' attitudes and speech patterns. The prose was not only too modern but very simplistic and repetitive, almost as though the book was written for a middle grade audience. It was difficult to feel a connection to any of the characters. A third of the way through the book, they are all still insipidly moaning about how they need to formulate a plan. Sadly, this book never delivers on the thrilling story that the description promises, and it certainly doesn't transport the reader to the early 19th century.

My copy received through NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

Thank you Random House Ballantine for my advanced electronic copy. My opinions are my own.

MY REVIEW:
The Philadelphia of 1837 wasn't what I expected. Through the lens of a diverse cast of Black American women, the reader sees firsthand that the narrative that the Northern States of the US were anti-slavery is a myth. The term "accommodationists" was a new one for me, but fit a high percentage of even this "free" state of Pennsylvania who didn't like the growing Black population, whether they be the moneyed elite or people running away from being enslaved elsewhere. In All We Were Promised, we see the same situation through the prism of various perspectives and experiences. We meet Charlotte, posing as a servant in her own father's household where he passes as White (while both live in fear of those who would forcibly return them to their lives of enslavement). We meet Nell, born wealthy, educated, and free, and bound by a different set of expectations, equally unfit for who she wants to be in life. And then we meet a newcomer, who both ladies conspire to help set free in this tinder box of socioeconomic, political, and ethnic differences. And from these vivid, brilliant, strong women, we learn that sometimes it is in our differences that we can unite to find strength.

I very much enjoyed All We Were Promised. It's a great story based on the lives of free and enslaved Blacks in Philly in the 1830s. The details are such that it's easy to picture the city, the homes, etc. I was vaguely familiar with the burning of Pennsylvania Hall but not the specifics. The author obviously did a great deal of research and has written a book that is both entertaining and educational.

Ashton Lattimore's All We Were Promised is a powerful, engaging story! I had a hard time putting it down. This compelling story was based on actual historical events and the work of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society as well as the anti-slavery convention in the city in 1838. I was fascinated by the three women profiled in this story - Charlotte (Carrie), a former slave; Evie, a current slave; and Nell, born free. Though young, these women are wise and passionate. Charlotte had different friendships with Evie and Nell, based on their past and her ability to trust them and protect herself in the process. It was easy to root for them and the work they were trying to do in freeing Evie, despite the hardships they experienced along the way. I admit my history on the actual work of abolitionists and what they could/were willing to do in this time period 30 years before the Civil War is a bit fuzzy, so this was also educational. There were many interesting themes throughout this book revolving around friendship, loyalty, trust, the role of women, and racial issues... as well as a side love story! I really liked this book and the ending. My only complaint was that Charlotte seemed to be criticized a lot for how she trusted/kept things private from her friends. I felt her actions were warranted but in the book everyone seemed to think she should have been more forthcoming about her life than she was. But that's just personal preference I suppose! This definitely a book worth reading, and I look forward to more books by the author in the future.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Set in Philadelphia, a fascinating racial story that spotlights what went on in our country when the south had slaves and northern states, while boasting about being free, weren't necessarily safe for blacks. It covers how far abolitionists could go/were willing to go, to help, wealth in black families, "passing," as well as whites with both good and bad intentions. Based on actual events, this is a wonderful addition to our history and a story that needs to be told an discussed.

Based on the true story of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, and the 1838 convention of anti-slavery advocates at Pennsylvania Hall, this is a moving and suspenseful story that is sure to have readers rooting for these young protagonists, as they each learn from the others important truths about themselves as well as their place in this country's history. Ashton Baltimore's first Novel is a combination of thorough historical research and good storytelling. All We Were Promised tells the story of three African American women in the abolitionist movement , one a slave, one a former slave, and one fully emancipated. Reflections of different socioeconomic classes as well as the willingness or lack thereof in assisting to further the movement to abolish slavery. The writing is good although it does drag a bit in places but with a little tightening up the story would flow much better. There is several themes in the book some more obvious than others but it is interesting and a story which needs more telling.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. #AllWeWerePromised #NetGalley

Charlotte and her father, James flee the South as slaves and settle in Philadelphia in 1837 as a woodworker (he could pass for a white man) and his housemaid. Charlotte is frustrated that she is free but still not free and secretly in her spare time becomes involved in the Abolitionist movement and makes a few friends. One day at the market she sees her best friend, Evie, who has traveled there with their old mistress as she is now widowed and looking for a new husband with money since she was left penniless. Charlotte employs her friend to help her find a way for Evie to escape as the stakes get higher for all involved and tensions build in the city to find a way before the wedding when she’ll go back South without putting her and her Dad in peril. The horrors of slavery are difficult but necessary to help us keep moving forward for change and equality and I loved the perspective of life of the slaves but also the free prominent Black community and how they learned from each other.

Thank you to netgalley and Ballantine Publisher for allowing me to review this historical book. I love historical books and this was a debut novel by this author I hope she writes more books. This book takes place during the precivil war in the city of Brotherly love, Philadelphia. Three main characters all women Nellie, Charlotte, and Evie makes the story worthwhile. while we hear there stories about slavery.
The authors note was something that I suggest you read.

I thoroughly enjoyed All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore. The writing is solid and the plot is well developed. I liked how the story was told from three different perspectives from three very different characters and their unique story lines. Each of the women had their own journey and character arc that was intriguing and real. It was clear that a lot of research went into developing the architecture of the setting of the story. I felt like I traveled back in time and every detail was exceptionally put together and believable. There were several points in the story where I couldn't put the book down and had to keep turning pages to see how things would turn out. It kept me engaged and invested the whole time. The content also made me angry and sad at how things were (and still are) in this country when it comes to race and socioeconomic status. I thought the author did a fantastic job sharing an ugly part of history while showcasing the women who made an impact for change. Well done!

3.5 Philadelphia historical fiction

I liked that this one had a different time period than a lot of the historical fiction that I read. Set in Philadelphia in 1837, this one centers on three different women.

There’s Nell, part of a prominent Black family in Philadelphia. She’s involved in the abolition movement but wants to do more than talk about helping. And we have Charlotte, who’s keeping a big secret—she’s actually a runaway slave. She becomes friends with Nell. Finally, we have Evie, a slave from the same plantation as Charlotte. She’s in Philadelphia with Kate, Charlotte’s plantation mistress.

Even though Pennsylvania is a free state, there is still a lot of resistance to the abolitionist movement. I did enjoy reading about the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and their dedication to building a place to meet, Philadelphia Hall, and, sadly, the riots that followed the abolition conference there.

As Nell and Charlotte plot to help Evie escape from her life of slavery, the stakes get higher, and danger looms.

I liked the historical elements in this one. However, I wished I had connected more with the characters to become invested in them.

All We Were Promised centers around three Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, during the construction of the Pennsylvania Hall. The three women represent different societal roles for the time: Nell, a member of high society in the Black community; Charlotte, a runaway working as a housemaid; and Evie, an enslaved woman seeking freedom.

I loved the historical insight and research put into this book. The protagonists mingle with various historical figures, such as Hetty Reckless and Robert Purvis, and organizations, such as the Philadelphia Vigilant Association and the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Minute details such as street names and neighborhoods are a testament to the author’s thorough and comprehensive research into 1830s Philadelphia. It was clear a lot of time and effort were spent making sure the story was as historically accurate as possible, and I learned a great deal. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end for even more information!

I particularly loved Charlotte’s development over the course of the book. She begins the story quiet and resigned, scared to take risks. However, as she interacts with society, she finds her voice and confidence, and becomes a force to be reckoned with. She cares for her loved ones deeply and will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and well-being. I believe Charlotte will serve as a role model to many young women who read this story.

My main criticism is that the storyline moves slowly for a large portion of the book. The story doesn’t really pick up until the reader is almost 3/4 of the way through, and it was difficult for me to stay focused at times. I found the dialogue could be a bit repetitive as well, particularly the phrase, “That’s all well and good.” I feel that the choice to use an omniscient narrator left almost nothing for the reader to discover and made me feel like an outsider looking from above rather than a part of the action.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven stories in a historical context. I was intrigued by the character descriptions and central conflict, but the writing style was not for me. I do feel that many will enjoy this book, however, and my criticisms are a matter of personal preference for the most part. Thank you Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and author Ashton Lattimore for the advanced copy.

Based in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, where a thriving free Black population coexisted within a city promoting the abolitionist cause while slavery was ever present and anti-Black racial resentment ran high. This story is told from the viewpoint of three women - Charlotte (aka Carrie), Nell, Evie - whose lives intersect during this volatile time. Each character offers a unique view into this time: Nell, as free well-educated Black woman; Charlotte, as both a free Black woman and fugitive slave; Evie, as an enslaved nonresident. Following the story through the experiences of each of these women keeps the pace flowing quickly and weaves the storyline together well. I couldn’t wait to get to the next chapter!
A story of lies, deception, courage and true friendship - All We Were Promised gives us a glimpse into the women and men who risked it all for freedom during this critical period of American history.
With thanks to Random House via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC #AllWeWerePromised #NetGalley