ALL WE WERE PROMISED by Ashton Lattimore is a debut novel and a work of historical fiction set in Philadelphia prior to the Civil War. The happenings revolve around three women termed the rebel ... the socialite ... and the fugitive by the publisher. Charlotte is a former slave who has run away and now poses as a housemaid for her white-passing father; she resents the hierarchy in their relationship and longs for true freedom. Many of her efforts go towards befriending Nell, a young and relatively wealthy Black socialite with connections to the local abolitionist societies. Together, they advocate for helping Evie, a young girl who was like a sister to Charlotte and who is now in Philadelphia with her mistress. Aiding an escape for Evie is a dangerous undertaking and Lattimore does an excellent job of subtly critiquing the hypocrisy of Charlotte's father, Nell's family, and other wealthy abolitionists. However, the story's pace was quite slow; that ongoing frustration paralleled the characters' feelings since they, too, had little agency over events.

I wanted to love this but it fell flat for me. The characters felt out of place for the time, I didn’t connect and the overall story was very slow

Another I have to thank NetGalley for putting on my radar, but in the end I listened to the excellent audiobook. I'm not especially fond of Civil War stories, but this is pre-Civil War Philadelphia and gave an interesting perspective on slaves vs free Blacks during this time. We have a slave visiting from Maryland with her master, a father/daughter couple who had escaped that same master and are living free, and the privileged, respected free Black society of the time. Don't skip the Authors Notes which explained what inspired her. I didn't expect her to mention Jean Valjean and his daughter.

A noteworthy debut, to say the least.

This is a poignant and intricately woven narrative set against the turbulent backdrop of pre-Civil War Philadelphia. This novel brilliantly captures the essence of the era, immersing readers in the palpable tension and the fiery spirit of abolitionism that defined the period. Doe’s meticulous attention to historical accuracy paints a vivid tableau of 1830s Philadelphia, providing an immersive experience that both educates and enthralls.

The story centers around Charlotte, a brave young woman who carries a perilous secret and dreams of true freedom, which feels ever elusive even in the so-called land of liberty. Her plight intersects with Nell, a passionate and wealthy abolitionist, demonstrating the complex dynamics and precarious alliances formed in the shadow of slavery. The addition of Evie, a desperate fugitive from the South, escalates the stakes, weaving a narrative rich with suspense and emotional depth.

The storytelling is nothing short of phenomenal. She deftly crafts a narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the relentless quest for freedom. The characters are beautifully developed, their interwoven destinies pulling the reader into a relentless current of intrigue and moral dilemmas.

All We Were Promised is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who fought against the injustices of their time. It is a gripping, beautifully told story that honors the complexity of history and the individuals who strive to shape it. Highly recommended for its compelling characters, evocative setting, and its profound portrayal of courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting take on slavery during that time. It gave me a lot to think about when it came to already free blacks and those that have run away and consider themselves free. Also an interesting look at someone who is not dark enough to be known outright that they're black and they take advantage of that. I liked how the author jumped between the 3 girls and wrote from their perspective.

This is a straightforward, accessible story of free blacks and escaped slaves set in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. The plot moves a bit slowly for my taste, but offers a fresh take on this slice of American history. Readers who enjoy Marie Benedict and other “Women’s Fiction” will likely enjoy this novel. This is the kind of book I could share with my middle grader, mom, or grandma- wide appeal and safe for those who prefer PG.

I am such a big fan of historical fiction novels and love reading about times that are not always written about which is why I requested All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore.

I really enjoyed the three female characters and learning about their history and seeing how their three different lives came together. The characters of Charlotte, Nell and Evie are well written and the emotion in the novel is felt with every page. This one had me feeling the love, anxiety and fear that the characters felt and this is not something that usually happens to me while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

In 1837 runaway slaves James and daughter Charlotte are living free in Pennsylvania, known as America’s birthplace of liberty. James is building a lucrative custom furniture business passing as a white man to the local community. Charlotte still feels trapped inside his home because she is presented to the outside world not as his daughter but as James’s colored maid. Seeking a life of her own Charlotte befriends Nell, a born free young woman who is from a wealthy, privileged black family. Nell is an abolitionist trying to make a difference for all black enslaved people and Charlotte wants to be a part of the movement for freedom for all. At an outing to the local market, Charlotte sees Evie, a young girl who was a slave back at White Oaks, the tobacco plantation that Charlotte and James had escaped from four years earlier. Evie, replaced “Carrie”(Charlotte’s slave name) as house maid to her former mistress. When Evie overhears that she is being sent back down south to god knows what, she is desperate to get away. Together Nell, Charlotte and Evie risk everything to find a way to keep Evie safe and free. This book brings to light the dangers that slaves faced seeking a better life and future for themselves and the lives of their future generations. Highly recommend reading this well written and informative historical fiction book. This ARC was provided by the Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All We Were Promised explored a different side of slavery. What happens once you are “free” and how do you help the friends you left behind? Nell, a black socialite, Charlotte, an escaped slave and Evie, a woman still stuck in slavery come together to try to make a change. In pre civil war Philadelphia, that is not as easy as it would seem. This storyline started off slow but then took off. More than once, I was worried none of the women was going to make it out alive. Sad how humans treat each other.

First let me just say that I cannot believe this is the author’s debut novel. Hats off to her – fabulous job! I absolutely loved the three strong, female lead characters as well as a couple of the male characters. Their passion for trying to make a difference to bring an end to slavery and help those enslaved was absolutely inspiring. The only negative I have is that the spoken words don’t always match the characters’ education level – a prime example would be a speech made at the end that was much more sophisticated and well-spoken than it should have been for that particular character. I still loved the book though.

Please make sure to read the author's note at the back. There are a good number of historical facts and people built into the story that I didn’t realize until reading her notes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books (Random House) for the complimentary copy of this e-book. As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.

All We Were Promised is a wonderful historical fiction novel that takes place in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. What sets it apart is its depiction of the racial tension that often culminated in violence between blacks and whites, and the lack of cohesion and unity among the people of color living in the city. The characters are strongly depicted with clear personalities that emerge as the plot develops. There is Nell, a free black woman of privilege whose desire to fight for abolition grows as she learns first-hand about the evils of slavery. There’s Charlotte, a runaway slave with secrets she cannot reveal, but who has a strong desire for a life on her own terms when she gets a taste of freedom. There’s Evie, a slave from Charlotte’s past whose presence can ruin Charlotte’s life, and James, Charlotte’s father who tries to pass as white and give Charlotte advantages he couldn’t provide before. A cast of minor characters and relationships round out the story. When the former mistress of James and Charlotte is living in Philadelphia, their danger heightens. Will the former slaves be discovered and carried back into bondage, or will they find the support they need, while rioting mobs threaten to undo all the work Nell and her supporters are doing for the cause of abolition?

I feel the author did a wonderful job of transporting the reader into this time of division and unrest in Philadelphia. Even when slavery was banned in Pennsylvania, loopholes in the law created openings for slaveholders to bring their slaves in. The law of having slaves brought in for six months or less temporarily was overlooked, especially in the case of a prominent resident like George Washington. This book taught me facts I did not know. The newly constructed Pennsylvania Hall, a building where much of the abolition activities were set to take place in the story, is barely remembered today except for a line historical marker. Kudos to Ashton Lattimore for shedding light on this era in our history. And even today, when we find ourselves divided as a nation on many issues, it is a stark reminder that we can be stronger together if we work for equality and inclusion. I would also love a sequel as I have lingering questions about how these characters grow and develop in the future.

I was provided a free advanced copy of this book from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Set in 1837 Philadelphia, we meet Charlotte, Nell, and Evie, three black women who come to the city of liberty with different experiences. Charlotte escaped slavery in the south with her father, who is able to pass as white. Now, although she's supposed to be more free, her father's fear and worries about being discovered put limitations on her. Nell grew up in Philadelphia as one of the richest black families in town. Although she participated in the abolition society, she is content to allow the slow movement of politics to lead the movement. Evie, is a slave, currently in Philadelphia with her mistress. Will being in a free city provide her the opportunity of freedom?
When these three ladies' lives collide in a volatile time in the city's history, they will learn from each other, learn how to trust, and maybe learn how to change history!
I enjoyed this one. It did take some time for me to get into, and seemed slow at first. But once we got to the main action it was moving quickly and I didn't want to put it down! I loved the different perspective that I've rarely read about!
Because I'm so far behind on my reviews, this one is already available so go check it out!!
#NetGalley #AllWeWerePromised

All We Were Promised is debut novel that takes place in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. During this time Philadelphia was almost a border city between the North and the South. The story follows three black women during a time of protests and riots alongside political abolition. The story is filled with family secrets, themes of friendship, class, and identity. I haven't read many historical fiction novels that take place during this time period, and Lattimore made me want to learn more. Highly recommend for historical fiction lovers.

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

This was an inspiring story about what people went through for freedom. Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a free state, the story explores the levels of freedom and what people will do to achieve it.

This was a good read. This is a story about civil rights in Philadelphia and the odd chasm between those Blacks who have, those who have not, and those in-between. Nell and Alex part of the moneyed Black elite in Philadelphia. They think they are doing what they can for abolition until they meet actual runaway slaves forever looking over their shoulders. Charlotte finds herself in an odd position as the daughter of a runaway slave who masquerades as a white man whose furniture business has found its way into upper crust circles. She is darker than he is, so she acts as his house girl.
All these lives intertwine in the midst of a fight over right and wrong. The characters are true throughout and the plot is full and compelling. I enjoy historical fiction, especially when I learn about eras that are often overlooked. The descriptions had me googling different areas of the city and historic buildings. The book was halfway over by the time they got to the real business of the book.
Nicely done. I was given a prepub copy of this book for my honest review.

This book was beyond phenomenal. I was truly stunned at the writing, the plot, the history. It’s an easy 5 stars and I can’t wait to share the review with my followers!

A wonderful, engaging read. The more I read, the more I wanted to keep going to see what was going to happen. The characters were strong empowered women who helped each other despite the trouble they could have gotten into. I enjoyed this novel so much and learned a lot about abolitionism in Pennsylvania. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

This was an excellent read!
I learned much from this novel that I had known about before.
I finished this book in a couple of days because I wanted to savor it.
Wonderful characters and plot.

A good historical fiction story of slavery, abolitionists and the pre/Civil war. The dangers, the friendships, the loyalty and human compassion in this time of divide.

I really like historical fiction and the setting of this book was a much different time period for me. I really liked reading the different perspectives of the main characters and learning their stories and how they connected to each other. Highly recommend for any love of historical fiction especially American history.