In Philadelphia in 1837, Charlotte had escaped from the crumbling White Oaks plantation down South, she’d expected freedom to feel different from her former life as an enslaved housemaid. Philadelphia is supposed to be the birthplace of American liberty. Instead, she’s locked away playing servant to her white-passing father, as they both attempt to hide their identities from slavecatchers who would destroy their new lives. Longing to break away, Charlotte befriends Nell, a budding abolitionist from one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest Black families. Just as Charlotte starts to envision a future, a familiar face from her past reappears. Evie, her friend from White Oaks, has been brought to the city by the plantation mistress, and she’s desperate to escape. Charlotte and Nell conspire to rescue her, but they soon discover that fighting for Evie’s freedom may cost them their own.

The three main characters are women in vastly different circumstances—the rebel, the socialite, and the fugitive—risking everything for one another in an American city straining to live up to its loftiest ideals. This was a very well-written debut novel. I was really enlightened as to what the Black people during this time encountered in their daily survival. Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for allowing me to read this novel.

In her debut novel, All We Were Promised, Ashton Lattimore sets her coming of age tale of three Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia 1838, a year of societal and political unrest. Inspiration struck the award-winning journalist while listening to Les Misérables Jean Valjean singing, "Who Am I?" Victor Hugo’s masterpiece set in Paris tells of the redemption of ex-convict Jean Valjean. He went to prison for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread, and when released is secretive, street-wise, and hard of heart. He begins to soften and wants to do good in society. He has success in work and politically, even becoming town mayor.

But Valjean's past haunts him. Relentless police inspector Javert hunts him down. Valjean hides his identity with the alias, Monsieur Madeleine. Inspector Javert accuses another man in front of "Monsieur Madeleine," saying he's the convict, Valjean. Valjean wrestles with this, and in the end, he can't let this other man take his place. He thinks of others first, especially the lives of his adoptive daughter Cosette and husband Marius. He turns himself in. Hugo said of his novel's structure that the story "[progresses] from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, from night to day, from appetite to conscience, from corruption to life; from bestiality to duty, from hell to heaven, from nothingness to God. The starting point: matter, destination: the soul. The hydra at the beginning, the angel at the end."

I saw something similar in the world Lattimore built around her characters. Philadelphia in 1838 is a place of good and evil, justice and injustice, lies and truth, appetite and conscience, but also fear in solitude and faith in union with others. Pennsylvania had laws with loopholes. Slaveowners were allowed to bring their slaves with them even though it was a free state. They could only stay 6 months. After that, the servant would be slave no more, which is why the owners would send the person back down South. Abolitionists saw hope for the future on the horizon in 1838 when their new venue Pennsylvania Hall opened May 14, only for an anti-abolition mob to burn it to the ground on May 17, 1838. S

In this coming of age story, three women's separate stories merge and become a study on the meaning of freedom and equality. Nell Gardiner is the daughter of wealthy Black parents. She has experienced racism, but not captivity. Nell enjoys her work with the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society, as well as the Wheatley Literary Association. She feels a kinship with a true historical figure, Hetty Reckless, founding member of the PFASS. Hetty escaped her captors and worked with others to help slaves escape as part of the Underground Railroad. Nell petitions door-to-door to find others to join the abolitionist cause. The abolitionist group has both Black and white members who hold meetings, fairs, and conferences. But Nell soon sees lack of action in those groups. Ending slavery only exists on paper. People condemn slavery in writing and in speeches, but the group hasn’t yet helped slaves escape that life.
Nell draws the interest of Carrie, known as Charlotte Walker, after she canvases her street. Carrie/Charlotte is a former slave on the run with her father Jack, known as James Vaughn. They escaped Kate Murphy (Jackson) of White Oaks plantation in Maryland. In Philadelphia, her father passes for white. He is known for his exquisite artistry in woodworking and business is booming. He early on hired Black workers only to distance himself from them when the mob came after him. The wealthy see having items with the "JV" stamp as a status symbol in their homes. James also hides his daughter Charlotte’s identity saying she is his servant. He wants to protect them both, he says, but only Charlotte is confined. She feels trapped. She meets Nell, and the two become close friends. She attends both the literary and anti-slavery group meetings and starts to see the good she could do in the future. She finds keeping her secrets that much harder as the story unfolds, especially when she sees a familiar face at the market one day: 16-year-old Evie.

Evie and Carrie were as close as sisters at White Oaks, so her heart broke when Carrie and Uncle Jack left. Kate brings Evie with her to Philadelphia. When Evie sees Carrie and James again, she errs in thinking they are free and living the posh life. But they have invisible chains. Charlotte wants to help Evie escape, but her father learns of her abolitionist activities and keeps her home to work with Haitian chef Darcel so he can keep an eye on her. Her absence leads Evie to feel abandoned once more. Kate becomes engaged to a man who sees dollar signs when he looks at Evie. The plan is for Evie to marry someone down South, he tells Kate. She will conceive children he can put her to work. When she hears that she will live in the Carolinas, Evie is reminded of all the stories she has heard about men raping young women and fathering children. She's in deep trouble.

All We Were Promised is a story of how secrets and subterfuge both help and hurt us and the soul's freedom we have when we let people in and tell the truth. Characters like Charlotte and James changed their names and identities to avoid capture and ruin. Charlotte wanted to tell Nell the truth. They had become good friends, but she didn’t know how to tell her. Fear keeps people captive. Charlotte's father tries to keep her safe by hiding her away, but this just makes her more determined to break free. What is hidden will be brought to light. Charlotte, James and Evie’s pasts are outed in what feels like a powder keg about to explode.

But they now have a community who will rally around them. It’s not over yet. Bringing truth into the light is a risk that takes great courage, which is why I became so invested in these women's lives. I knew I was reading a bestseller when I couldn’t stop myself and skipped ahead with a racing heart to see what happened to these three ladies. When this fateful meeting happens – past arrives in the present – I had to learn the fallout and the future of Charlotte, James, Evie, and even Nell. I felt deeply invested from the start of the review copy I received of All We Were Promised and can't wait for this historical fiction novel to release.

I have only a few 5 ⭐️ reads a year.

This book had so much to offer. The characters were well developed. What does it mean to be free? Are my actions actually helping or just making me feel I’m contributing? A case of mistaken identity? These are some of the questions raised throughout this book.
Set in Philadelphia, a free state, in the abolitionist movement.
Very impressed that this is a debut author. I will definitely read her future books.

CW- mistreatment of slaves, whitewashing, violence

Won’t post review elsewhere until pub date

I have learned a great deal about the difficulty freed slaves encountered in the early 1800’s. This story is told by three young black women, all from different stations in life.

Charlotte and her father escaped their enslaved lives on a plantation to start anew up North, though Charlotte had to maintain the pretense of being a slave to her fairer skinned father for her own protection. Nell comes from a wealthy black family and never had to endure the injustice of slavery. Evie is a young slave who is brought up North by her mistress. The lives of these three remarkable women converge as they all fight for anti-slavery laws pre-Civil War.

Based on the true story of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, this book is incredibly informative and superbly written. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC.

A well researched and beautifully written debut by Ashton Lattimore. I look forward to reading more by this author!

Escaped slaves James and Charlotte have sought refugee in Philadelphia. James, able to pass as white has built up a furniture making business, leaving his daughter Charlotte to pose as his maid. Unhappy with her limited life, Charlotte begins making friends with Nell, a free black abolitionist.

This was a well written and paced book. I enjoyed reading about a time period and perspective that I know little about. I did think that Nell felt a bit stereotypical and predictable. She was not as well rounded or developed as the other characters. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

What a fantastic debut! Enriched with history three women from very different stations in life come together to secure freedom for Evie. Bravery and courage are the skills these women possess to help make change in a dark time in history. Fantastic character development and relationships. Based on the true story of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and the 1838 convention of anti slavery advocates At Pennsylvania Hall this book will have you hooked and invested until the very end

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore will be released on April 2, 2024. This historical novel provides an interesting perspective about what life was like for blacks living in Philadelphia in the 1830’s. During this time, there were free blacks who were never enslaved, freed and runaway slaves, and slaves who could be brought into Philadelphia by southerners. These social classes among the blacks were not without conflict. Each group had their own fears, concerns, and survival techniques. Follow the journey of Nell, Evie, and Charolette as they navigate life as friends in their different, yet similar lives. I really enjoyed this novel, and had a deeper understanding about abolition, survival of blacks in the north, pre-Civil War, and that freedom for blacks didn’t really mean freedom in many instances.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore from Net Galley. This is a debut book and I really enjoyed reading it and give it 4 stars. The book takes place in Philadelphia before the Civil War. Charlotte was born into slavery and with her father escapes to Philadelphia. Nell has grown up in Philadelphia, the daughter of a wealthy black family. Evie is a young black slave belonging to Kate who has come to Philadelphia to find a husband. The story is about abolitionists, runaway slaves and slaves trying to get away and all these characters are brought together. Sometimes the book is a bit slow (especially in the beginning), and the end was a little rushed. It is based on some true events that I did not know about, such as the burning of the Philadelphia Hall. I definitely learned some things about this period of history. The next book I am going to read is of a similar time period. Stay tuned for that one in a few days or weeks!

It’s hard to believe this novel is the author’s first. It is a very well written historical fiction with lots of facts and actual happenings. I like the way the book is narrated by 3 black women, giving the reader a good view of happenings from each perspective as well as their emotions. Set in Philadelphia in the 1930s and 1940s this book is clearly well researched. Most of the characters are likable and real. I think everyone needs to read this book to get a clearer idea of what was going on in Philadelphia during that time period. I learned many things. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Very well-written and interesting novel of three black women in pre-civil war Philadelphia. Nell was born a free woman, Charlotte is an escaped slave, now living as a free woman, and Evie is an enslaved woman taken to Philadelphia by her enslaver. The book is suspenseful, educational, and engaging. I learned a lot about black life and the abolitionist movement in this era. All of the characters are well developed, including the supporting characters, and you'll root for their well-being throughout.

Startling, inspiring and well grounded in actual history, All We Were Promised tells the story of three young black women in Philadelphia in the late 1830’s. Charlotte is a former slave, who fled the plantation with her father James when the plantation owner began selling off slaves. Nell is the privileged daughter of a well to do black family well established in Philadelphia. And Evie is a young woman left behind when Charlotte and her father fled, who has been brought to Philadelphia by her mistress on a last trip before the mistress marries. From this beginning All We Were Promised tells the story of abolitionists, freed slaves, former slaves and those opposed to feeing slaves, and the active political dialogue and violence surrounding the efforts to eliminate slavery. The book is well researched and while it is fiction it incorporates real people and real events, giving it the feel of history. I was immdiately drawn into the lives, drama and trauma of the young women living in this time. Well worth the read!

A little slow to start, but once started, fascinating. Good job Ashton. Looking forward to more from you.

This was a great book. Started a little slow, but by the end I didn’t want it to be over. I enjoy historical fiction books, especially that era. It’s almost like the author could write another book about the main character’s lives before Charlotte’s escape. Thank you to NetGalley for change to read this prerelease copy for an honest review.

This story was about 2 woman that were slaves
Carrie and her father escaped and started living in PA
He was living as a white man building furniture
Carrie met a woman in town at the market named Nell that was working with a group the help free slaves
They work together to try and free carries old friend

It took ,era little bit to get into the story but once I did it was a good read.

'All We Were Promised' by Ashton Lattimore is a captivating historical fiction novel that follows the lives of three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. The story weaves together the lives of these women, each from different backgrounds, as they face unexpected challenges and dangers. Lattimore's writing effortlessly transports the reader back in time, immersing them in the rich and complex world of 19th-century Philadelphia. The characters are well-developed and their struggles and triumphs are both relatable and inspiring. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the forgotten stories of Black women in American history. Lattimore's powerful storytelling will leave a lasting impression on readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

Ashton Lattimore's first novel is an excellent combination of thorough historical research and good storytelling. She narrates the story in the voices of three main characters: Nell, the daughter of a well-to-do family of free Blacks who had lived in the city for generations; Charlotte/Carrie, a young woman who escaped with her father from enslavement on a Maryland tobacco plantation; and Evie, a still-enslaved young woman brought to Philadelphia by her mistress. Three women from very different circumstances come together at a time when the fever of abolition was running high in the city, but also up against an equally fervent push from those who wished to see the "peculiar institution" continue.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books Publishing for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.♥️

In this stunning debut novel, the author masterfully weaves together the stories of three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, crafting a tale that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. With a keen eye for historical detail, Ashton Latimore transported me to the streets of Philadelphia, where the promise of freedom and liberty rings hollow for Charlotte, Nell, and Evie.

I was drawn into the lives of these three women, each with their own unique struggles and dreams. Charlotte's longing for a life beyond the confines of her father's household resonated deeply, as did Nell's fierce determination to use her privilege to fight for justice. And Evie's desperate bid for freedom left me on the edge of my seat.

The writing is evocative and immersive, with characters that leap off the page. The story is at once a searing indictment of slavery and racism, and a testament to the strength and resilience of Black women in the face of unimaginable oppression. I found myself rooting for these women, and the pages flew by as I turned through the story.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction, and especially for those who want to understand the lived experiences of Black women during this era. It's a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality, and a tribute to the unsung heroines who fought for justice in the shadows of history.

An excellent historical fiction debut novel! The setting is pre-civil war Philadelphia and the story centers on the evils of slavery and the enduring human spirit. I became very attached to the characters and I appreciated the research that went into this book. It felt real without being sensationalized. I highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This is an outstanding novel that deals with slavery, slave catchers, Pennsylvania Hall, the anti slavery Society, abolitionists and much more. The story is based on real people and events that happened in the 1830’s in Pennsylvania and the south. Charlotte and her white looking father are runaway slaves who escape to Philadelphia seeking freedom. Evie is a young black slave who is left behind to do Charlotte ‘s chores. Nell is a free black young lady who lives a very rich and cultured life In Philadelphia and she is involved in helping to end slavery. James is Charlotte’s father who becomes a very successful furniture maker and passes for white in society. I learned a lot about slavery in the 1800’s and the 1780 Act which phased out slavery in Pennsylvania. The plot is well developed and the characters are interesting.