Wow! All We Were Promised, by Ashton Lattimore I felt myself transported back to the pre civil war era after the first page. This story is full of brave female characters written in a fresh perspective. I read this book in one sitting, because I could not put it down. Fabulous book!

This was definitely not a book I was expecting to love as much as I did! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It’s a must read can’t put down!

If I was allowed to give 3.5 stars, I would! I admit I struggled to get into the story int he first 100 pages or so. It was a lot of 1830s socialite drivel, frustratingly boring meetings and women about town. However, things start to pick up towards the middle and I am very glad I stuck it out. There were a few points in the sub-plots that irked me, but overall, All We Were Promised is a compelling story.
Can we agree that James is the villain here? James, and, obviously, slavery.
Not a time period or location (1830s Philly) that gets much Historical Fiction written about it, and I appreciate reading Black stories from Black authors.
Thanks NetGalley and Ashton Lattimore for access to the ARC!

This story takes place in Philadelphia, in 1837. It is told from the perspective of 3 different Black women, Charlotte, Evie, and Nell. Charlotte fled the White Oaks plantation down South where they were slaves and have been living in Philadelphia for years now - her father has been passing as a white man and pretending she is his maid. Evie, who is Charlotte's cousin, was also a slave at the same plantation, and she has just arrived in Philadelphia with their owner, who is set to remarry and plans to take her back down South as soon as she is wed. Evie has no intention of going back and has enlisted Charlotte and Nell in her plea for help in escaping. Nell is also Black, but her family has lived in Philadelphia for generations and their family is one of the wealthiest Black families in the area, so she has always been free. She is sympathetic to their cause, and has been working tirelessly with other abolitionists. As Nell and Charlotte work to get Evie out of Mistress Kate's house and to somewhere safe before they can send her on her way up North, the tensions are escalating all around the city. It becomes blatantly obvious that the mission they are attempting is not only more dangerous than they realized, but might have unintended consequences as well.

This book was so good. I was captivated by their story. The author did such an excellent job, I felt like I was actually there in the midst of it all, watching it all unfold. Charlotte & Evie's stories were heartbreaking, and the entire setting was hard to read about. It was an emotionally charged book, that will stay with me for a long time to come. This book would be excellent for book clubs, as it would spark a lot of conversations, I feel like. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to put this on the top of your TBR pile. You are going to love this one!

All We Were Promised is a complex and suspenseful, pre-Civil War story told from three perspectives. Charlotte and her father have escaped from a plantation down South. To avoid detection by slave catchers and hide their identities, her father passes as white and Charlotte, who is darker, portrays herself as his servant. Nell is a young black woman of privilege who is passionate about the abolitionist movement. Her path crosses with Charlotte whom she befriends. Evie is a slave who Charlotte knows from her previous life, and Evie’s household is visiting Philadelphia from the plantation. Charlotte and Nell conspire to rescue Evie. This dangerous escape plan is further complicated by race riots and attacks on abolitionists. All their lives are in danger.

The author immerses us into 1830s Philadelphia as she introduces us to three young black women navigating the complexities of the “free” north and the polital turmoil of the time. We experience the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and the 1838 Convention of Anti-Slavery Advocates at Philadelphia Hall (and the fire).

I love a complex, multi-layered, page-turning, well-told story! As mentioned in the summary, we are introduced to three young black women who face different challenges but work together to achieve a common goal. The early part of the story spends time introducing us to the three main characters. Eventually, these characters connect and the story’s intensity and suspense accelerate. This is a perfect example of a balanced plot-driven and character-driven story. My very favorite!

I appreciate the three perspectives presented in this story: an escaped slave, a current slave, and an abolitionist. Each perspective is compelling and their elaborate and daring plan drives the story’s pace as the story progresses. Each perspective is well-presented and we root for all three women.

Thought-provoking themes include friendship, women supporting women, passing as white, strong convictions, family loyalty, the complications and complexities of a “free” north, slavery, and racism.

All We Were Promised earned a place on my 2023 Most Memorable Reads of the Year List. (I read an arc) I’m enthusiastically recommending this for fans of thoughtful, riveting, well-researched histfic with a side of suspense. This is an impressive debut from Ashton Lattimore, and I look forward to reading more by her. If you enjoy supporting authors of color and thoughtful storytelling, you will want to add this to your TBR.

Thanks #NetGalley @RandomHouse #BallantineBooks for a complimentary eARC of #AllWeWerePromised upon my request. All opinions are my own.

"All We Were Promised" is the first novel by Ashton Lattimore and it is definitely a page turner. The setting is Philadelphia in the 1830s which was a tumultuous time in its history.

It follows the life of three resilient women, each with a different perspective on the slavery issue. Philadelphia in the 1830s was a turbulent time with convoluted laws concerning slavery. Abolitionist groups were working diligently to change the laws and free the slaves in the city, while many pro-slavery groups were pushing to keep people enslaved. This led to a tinder box atmosphere and a very dangerous time for the black community.

Ms. Lattimore does an outstanding job with character building and storytelling. Her three main characters are well developed and the storyline is believable. She accomplished what a good historical fiction novel should be, she tells an interesting story and also inspires you to research and learn more. I'm looking forward to reading many more novels by this talented author.

"All We Were Promised" by Ashton Lattimore is a well researched historical fiction novel set in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, where, even though Pennsylvania was a 'free state,' loopholes abounded and slavery flourished alongside freedom. The idea for this book was good, but I am in the minority that found it wanting. The writing was simplistic, which gave the novel a very YA feel. Perhaps because of the author's journalism background, there was too much telling and not enough showing. As much as I wanted to connect with the characters, I found them to be one dimensional and they did not come alive to me. Due to the writing style, I had a difficult time becoming invested in the story and found myself skimming large parts of it. The first 75% of the story moved much too slowly and could use some streamlining. The book improved during the last 25%, but I don't know if I would have read that far if not for receiving an ARC from NetGalley. I think the best writing was in the author's note at the end, which is definitely worth reading.

I do appreciate the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book though and thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher.

Charlotte and James escape from the White Oaks plantation to be free in Philadelphia. Freedom isn't all that 'Carrie' was promised as her white-passing father builds a new life for himself but due to her darker skin, she becomes her father's servant. Losing her home and father, this new world that from appearance promises equality, is threatening to tear its façade.

Charlotte forms a friendship with Nell, the daughter of a wealthy black businessman. Nell's always been free and Charlotte hides her dark secret from her new friend. Book clubs and freedom fighting bond the two and Charlotte although kept in servitude has the illusions of freedom. That is until the past comes back to haunt them and threatens their house of cards. Will they be safe or forced to return to the south?

Thank you to #NetGalley for the early edition of #AllWeWerePromised in exchange for an honest review. Without giving anything away, Nell's storyline is eye opening. While James is passing for white, what happens if you're free and society has the power to take that away? Charlotte's relationship with her father is heartbreaking. She sees him enjoying all that north promised but she's a secret he locks away in the attic and forces her to serve him. Which is worse, being enslaved by society or treated as one by your family?

The author tackles family dynamics, race and skin color in this historical fiction novel that publishes today. The messaging was my favorite part of the novel but while an impactful story, the writing didn't keep my interest. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this new version of 'Black Like Me.'

All We Were Promised-a standalone

By Aston Lattimore- debut author

Rating: 4/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐  

📙 Page Count: 359 kindle

🌎Setting: Philadelphia, PA -1837 pre Civil War

Publication 4-2-24,  Read 3-25-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Random House/Ballantine for this ARC🧡! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect: 

☑️ Multicultural/AA Interests
☑️women's/historical fic
☑️ slavery/abuse
☑️racism/classism/colorism
☑️secret identities
☑️good vs evil

Summary: Three black women in the 1830's at different stages of the pre Civil War. Charlotte has escaped the plantation and now works as her "passing" white father's housemaid. Nell is her friend, a socialite from one of the wealthiest black families. Evie is in Philadelphia with her plantation mistress longing for freedom. It's a journey of female friendship in a world of race riots, secrets, and bigotry.

My Thoughts: This was a beautiful story tackling different aspects of slavery. It humanizes, entertains, and provokes thought about the past. I loved that it was set in Philadelphia which is filled with records of liberty and independence.

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore is a captivating story that follows three Black women who find themselves torn between the promises and threats of a seemingly liberated Philadelphia before the Civil War. A captivating read that stayed with me long after reading.

In 1837, Charlotte has escaped her life as a slave only to serve as a housemaid to her white-passing father in Philadelphia. Longing for more freedom but afraid of slave-catchers, Charlotte befriends Nell, an up-and-coming abolitionist from a prominent Black family. When Charlotte's former mistress arrives with her slave Evie in tow, Charlotte and Nell risk losing everything to help Evie gain her freedom.

Ashton Lattimore's promising debut is a solid historical fiction with a great setting and interesting characters. I especially enjoyed the look at racism and classism, especially within the Black community. However, All We Were Promised was a bit rough around the edges. The slow plot would have easily been improved with heavier editing, cutting the length and needless repetition down. However, my biggest complaint was that the narration always keeps you at a distance; I saw the characters struggles but never truly felt them myself. I do think Lattimore's novels will improve with time and I'm excited to see what she has in store in the future.

This is a really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction. It takes place in Philadelphia in 1837. This is a part of history that I am not very familiar with. Nell comes from a wealthy Black family. Charlotte is a runaway slave living with her father who passed as White. Evie knew Charlotte from the South and came to Philadelphia with her mistress. Nell and Charlotte race to free her from the bonds of slavery.
The author did her research for this book. You will come away not only with a great story, but you will learn more about American history. Many thanks to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This debut novel by Ashton Lattimore tackles a serious subject that you don't often read about in popular fiction. The story takes place in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. Pennsylvania was a free state then, and Philadelphia was a bustling city where black people were considered to be free. Still, there was danger for them, and this book brings that story to life. It focuses on three different black women. Nell is a member of an upstanding well-to-do family. She's something of an activist, supporting abolitionist causes. Charlotte is her friend, a housemaid who is hiding a dangerous secret. And Evie is a house slave. Her mistress is in town long enough to find a rich husband, and Evie's frustration to find a way out in this free state before they head back to the South is mounting. I found their stories to be compelling as I learned more about the time just before the civil war broke out in a state that was considered free, but with conditions. At times, the events seemed to unfold slowly, but I suppose that is how it was back then when so much of the planning to smuggle someone out of a bad situation depended on reliable communication that had to be kept secret. And who do you trust? This book is worth the read and publishes today. Thank you you to #netgalley and #Ballentine Books for my early copy.

This was a great historical fiction set in the 1830s that depicts the life of three black women, Nell, Charlotte, and Evie. Nell is from a wealthy elite family. Charlotte is a runaway slave that is pretending to be the housemaid of her fair skinned father who is mistaken for white. Evie is currently a slave seeking freedom. Their lives intersect and they work to secure freedom for Evie. The challenge is will securing freedom for her be at the expense of their own freedom. This book explores classism and highlights how black folks were “free” yet still lacking true freedom. It was an illustration of none of us are free unless all of us are free. This was an incredible debut book. I am interested in reading more from this author.

Thank you to netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This a first time read by Ashton Lattimore, new author to this reader. “All We Were Promised” is an exceptional and well-written debut novel for Ms. Lattimore. It has well-developed characters…an abolitionist who is wealthy, Nell; Charlotte who is a fugitive slave; and a slave, Evie whose lives somehow intertwined in Philadelphia pre-Civil War. Their story will captivate you, as it did me and I found it hard to put this book down. Usually, I have shy aware from reading multiple POVs, however although there are three in the book, interest clearly comes from Charlotte’s and Nell’s POVs.

This story delves into the lives of the wealthy, Black citizens…those passing and/or slaves wanting to be free members of society. The three Black women in this story bring to the pages their personal choices and views…more importantly their involvement in a female society for antislavery. Ms. Lattimore is adept with bringing her characters to life and the risks that they face during that era pre-Civil War. This book will immerse you with feeling the experiences of the people of that era, especially Nell, Charlotte and Evie. My caution to readers is the backdrop on race related events while reading as it brings a bit of reality to this novel. A recommended historical read that I truly enjoyed and thought again was well-written and worth the read.

I voluntarily listened and reviewed an audio of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: April 2, 2024
Pages: 352

The lives of three Black women -- a wealthy abolitionist (Nell), a fugitive slave (Charlotte), and a slave (Evie) -- intersect in pre-Civil War Philadephia. Charlotte has escaped from a Southern plantation and started a new life in Philadelphia. Then she sees Evie, a friend from the plantation, who is still enslaved by the same mistress that Charlotte escaped from. Can Charlotte with the aid of her new friend, Nell, help Evie gain her freedom?

As I read All We Were Promised, I found myself completely captivated. The story has three POVs, but Nell's and Charlotte's dominate. It was interesting to see slavery through their eyes. Black families of wealth aren't often the subject of pre-Civil War books, so Nell's perspective was especially unique. Additionally, having well-developed characters' viewpoints gives the reader a complete picture of the era.

The most intriguing aspect of this story is the setting. Pre-Civil War Philadelphia was home to a large and very politically active free Black community. In a city on the edge of social upheaval, these women must grapple with the question of what is freedom for all--and what risks are they willing to take to help others gain it. All We Were Promised also touches on passing, class disparities, and feminism.

I was thoroughly impressed with this debut novel! Historical fiction fans will enjoy this compelling, character-driven story of life in a free state before the Civil War. All We Were Promised would also make a great selection for book clubs as there's a lot to discuss.

Thanks to Ballantine Books for the gifted copy.

All three main characters in this book are so fully developed and it makes for a really great reading experience. No one was entirely a savior or a victim, and they were allowed to work through their flaws and toward freedom. This was a read where I learned so much and enjoyed the storytelling. I would love to know where the MCs go from here!

What a debut! This book takes you back to Philadelphia, 1837 and into the lives of the wealthy, free Black families, citizens that were passing, and slaves who wanted to be free. Nell is from a wealthy Black family and wanting to be a bigger part of the abolition movement and meets Charlotte who is an escaped slave hidden away by her passing father but who wants more to her life. The two of them are working toward a better future until Evie shows up. Evie knows Charlotte from the plantation days down south and is in Philadelphia with her mistress. Charlotte wants to help free her friend Evie, but obstacles keep getting in the way. The book takes you on a journey of their capture and they find the inner strength to carry on until they can be rescued.
I found myself invested in the characters and rooting for their safety and freedom. The supporting characters of their families gives depth and background to the choices Charlotte, Nell, and Evie make. While I found the first third of the book a little slow, you are rewarded by the end by a beautiful story of friendship and family. The story dives into lives of the wealthy families that enjoyed freedoms that only money can bring and the lengths one will go to make sure others can experience the freedom beyond their skin color. The events experienced by the characters, both pleasant and violent, make you really reflect on the past and how we can do better.
If you are looking for a character driven, pre-Civil War historical fiction book, I definitely recommend this one.
Thank you Random House - Ballantine and Net Galley or a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
#AllWeWerePromised #NetGalley

All We Were Promised gave information about black women in pre-Civil War in Philadelphia and how they were all treated differently according to their walk in life. There are many books about how life was for slaves in the south and not many in the north. Even though I love historical fiction, I felt that the story was monotonous and could have been cut down a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a free e-ARC for my honest review.

"All We Were Promised" is a captivating historical fiction set in Philadelphia during 1837, centered around the lives of three young girls: Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. Charlotte and Nell form a deep bond through their involvement in the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society. Nell hails from one of the city's most affluent Black families, while Charlotte, who fled a southern plantation with her father—who is now passing as white—finds solace in her newfound friendship with Nell. Meanwhile, Evie, once Charlotte's closest companion on the plantation, yearns for freedom and seeks refuge in Philadelphia with her owner. Determined to assist Evie's escape to freedom, Charlotte and Nell navigate the complexities of secrecy and trust, with Charlotte guarding her identity as an escaped slave from everyone, especially Nell.