“With You Always” ~ Book Review

Jun 5, 2017 by Rachel

Welcome back to Rachel’s Back Talk! I’m so glad you could join me again. Today I am reviewing Jody Hedlund’s newest release, With You Always.

As is my custom, if I could ask Jody one question about With You Always it would be — “Why did you decide to write about the orphan train?” And if you want to know why I asked that question, I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

And without further ado, onto Rachel’s Back Talk!

with you always back

From the Back Cover:

When a financial crisis in 1850s New York leaves three orphaned sisters nearly destitute, the oldest, Elise Neumann, knows she must take action. She’s had experience as a seamstress, and the New York Children’s Aid Society has established a special service: placing out seamstresses and trade girls. Even though Elise doesn’t want to leave her sisters for a job in Illinois, she realizes this may be their last chance.

The son of one of New York City’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, Thornton Quincy faces a dilemma. His father is dying, and in order to decide which of his sons will inherit everything, he is requiring them to do two things in six months: build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and get married. Thornton is tired of standing in his twin brother’s shadow and is determined to win his father’s challenge. He doesn’t plan on meeting a feisty young woman on his way west, though.

Rachel’s Back Talk:

5 – award winning covers

I LOVED this book — then again, I love every book written by Jody! One thing I especially liked from this book was the perspective that Jody brought to the book by writing about the orphan train and the many challenges that one had when they were poor and financial crisis struck. I also enjoyed Jody’s rags-to-riches theme and from the story’s plot, the reader doesn’t know what’s going to happen until it actually does (and I’m not going to spoil it for you!). I love it when I am reading through the book and can’t quite predict what’s going to happen next.

Elise and Thornton are probably some of my favorite hero/heroine dues as well! I loved their banter with each other and also their growing affection for one another. It was neat to read about their interaction with each other because Elise literally has nothing and Thornton has everything! This is difficult especially in the 1800’s. But it was neat to see how both of them brought out the other person’s true self — and that is something that love should do!

Jody also deals with a difficult subject regarding prostitution. This was, unfortunately, common in that time period especially for women who had nothing. However, I appreciated how Jody dealt with it in a real light, yet also wove in the lesson of God’s redeeming love and grace for those women.

I received a free copy from the author. No review, positive or otherwise, was required — all opinions are my own.