Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. This is a historical fiction novel following 3 different women in antebellum Philadelphia. While this was a good story, I found the differing views to be distracting from the heart of the book.

2.5

I wanted to love this and I'm really sad I didn't. All We Were Promised is a debut historical fiction novel that centers three Black women in 1830s Philadelphia. Charlotte is an escaped slave who lives as a maid to her white-passing father. Her friend Nell is a budding abolitionist from the wealthy Black elite of Philadelphia, and Evie is a friend from the plantation she ran from who is in the city with their previous owner.

There is a lot to love here and bones of such a fantastic story. All three protagonists highlight different experiences within the Black community and the time period and location are fascinating. Lattimore does a great job of showing how divided the country was in the lead up to the Civil War and that the issue of slavery (and Black equality) was not as cut and dry as "North = abolition, South = slavery".

Unfortunately, I really struggled with the writing and the pacing. Over halfway through the book, we were still following Charlotte and Nell as they tried to come up with a plan to save Evie. There are situations where I don't mind a plot that seems to meander or take its time getting somewhere, but that was not the case here, probably because we kept getting repetition of the same kind of details. It wasn't even that we were getting too many tidbits of "real" history, it was just that the same thoughts and character motivations kept getting repeated as if Lattimore didn't trust the reader to remember or to "get it" the first time.

While I didn't love this, I seem to be in the minority of reviewers so I think it's worth a shot if it sounds interesting to you, and I did like the concept enough to not write off whatever Lattimore publishes next to see if the writing and pacing complaints I had were simply because it's a debut.

The author's note is worth a read. I definitely did not expect Lattimore's inspiration to be a song from Les Misérables but after she said that I could definitely see it and I loved seeing the real-life inspirations behind this book.

This was an interesting historical fiction book about a topic I didn’t know much about. Set in Philadelphia before the Civil War, it’s told from the point of view of an enslaved woman, a runaway slave, and a Black woman who was born free. Their stories all intersect and come together in a really interesting and gripping way. If you liked historical fiction you will enjoy this book. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest, this was an incredibly boring book. I really thought that the subject matter would be more exciting than it was, but it was just a lot of repetitive family drama, without the denoument one needs for this kind of story. The character development was okay, but transition from character to character was not smooth and it was a little hard to tell one character from the other. Not my favorite historical fiction of the year or even recently but not a horrible book.

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.