When the Jessamine Grows

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this novel, since I love all of Donna Everhart's books. This one did not disappoint. The author always does such an amazing job of engaging the reader in the story, setting and time period. I felt that I was living along with the main character, Joetta and everything she was going through. What a wonderful character Joetta is! Ms. Everhart is a master at developing characters. I think I will always remember Joetta and her struggles. Her strength, conviction of her beliefs and her love of her family made her such a memorable character.
This is in no way an easy book to read, but the Civil War was in no way an easy time. This book gives us the very unique perspective of what it was like for families who owned small farms in the south. Most of the novels that I have read have taken place on a southern plantation or in the north. I also have never read a book that was told from the perspective of people who wanted to remain neutral and the backlash that they might experience because of their beliefs. The author also did a wonderful job of ending the novel. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction readers who love books with strong, realistic women characters. I can't wait for Ms. Everhart's next book!

I was drawn to the premise of this book with the main character being a woman in Civil War–era North Carolina who was neutral to the issues dividing the northern and southern states.

I drew so many comparisons of this era to the times in which we currently find ourselves. I could also relate to the isolation the main character faced based on her convictions. As a politically moderate women in such a polarized world, I have also found myself dehumanized, demonized and mocked based on my own convictions. While the circumstances of the story and that time itself were much more severe than anything I’ve ever endured, I could definitely relate.

The American Civil War was a devastatingly divisive period in our history, and I fear if we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it. For that reason, I found the story both extraordinarily sad but also drew inspiration from the tenacity, courage and firm resolve of Joetta.

I laughed and cried and thought about this book long after I turned the last page. I definitely recommend it for historical fiction readers.

My thanks to @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

This will be one that stays with me for a long time. It’s one of my favorite reads this year if not my favorite. Not the typical civil war novel but the story of a woman who stood up for herself and her family and took the blows that came with it. I spent an entire day reading it as I wanted to keep seeing what happened next. Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC. I highly recommend it.