Katie O’Connor is such a kind and caring woman! She embodies the concept of self-sacrifice and doesn’t even realize it. I love the way she was compelled to care for those around her and her deep desire to serve the hurting people around her.

Titus, known as Ty to his friends, carries so much guilt and pain. I hurt for him as he grieved over what he considered to be his biggest mistake and did his best to “atone” for it by serving at a medical clinic in the slums of New York. His tender heart and need to protect and rescue made him so endearing.

Author Renee Ryan did such a beautiful job of making the life of the Irish immigrants at the turn of the last century come to life, highlighting the hardships, and yet infusing it with hope. I really appreciated the fact that she didn’t give easy solutions to the problems, but still had things work out well. In many ways her book did with prose what Ty’s brother did with photographs.

The medical aspects of the book fascinated me. She explained the processes without making them gory and gave insight into the state of medicine at that time. I had never even wondered when doctors started performing Cesarean births, and now I know more.

This was a lovely story. If you enjoy historical fiction, do yourself a favor and read it.

I was really hoping for more from this book. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing either. Very sedate, plodding pace, very predictable, and honestly I thought it was completely unexciting. There were so many embellishments which would have made it better considering the time. Most books written in this period concentrate on the rich which is why I thought this book would be so interesting. I didn't feel there was much "struggle" going on. The sister doesn't want to work, fine, don't work, I doubt many poor families could afford such a luxury and keep food on the table, especially when the well paying job of the cousin gets swapped for a "more respectable" shop position which she's already said pays half. It wasn't gritty enough I think was the problem. Kate just sort of floats through everything in a "god will provide" haze when really if she's just been fired she should be panicking about taking care of the family. There's really never any hint that maybe things won't work out rosy and that ticked me off a little. The question of Liam is the most interesting part and that's supposed to be a side story. Great if you want a happy, albeit predictable ending, and simply a way to waste a few hours but I probably wouldn't read this book again.

An interesting novel focusing on those arriving to Ellis Island via third class and the difference in how they were treated as opposed to the passengers that arrived first and second class. This novel have an accurate depiction of what the immigrant experience was like in the early 1900’s.

223 Orchard Street is a wonderfully written inspirational novel set in a historical time period when immigrants came to the USA looking for the American Dream. Renee Ryan weaves a compelling tale of a privileged doctor, who works tirelessly to help the poor to assuage the guilt he feels from losing a patient, but finds his life’s purpose. And the beautiful hardworking Irish immigrant who carries the burden of providing for her family, and fleeing love for fear it with too hurtful. Their paths cross and they discover an enduring love and God’s purpose. One of my favorite things about Renee Ryan's writing is her ability to transport the reader back in time, to enter into a tale so vibrant with detail and emotions. Her characters are well developed, with strengths and weaknesses that made them realistic and lovable. I hope she continues this series because there is a couple I hope have their own story.

The early 1900’s in America was a time when immigrants were flooding into our shores to seek a better life. This book is breathtaking in its scope of showing how it really happened in the eyes of a couple of Irish immigrant girls, Katie and Shannon, along with many others. Starting at Ellis Island, where their journey first begins, it is one of fear, hope, and reality. Katie has arrived first and learned that the reality is not what she hoped. Life is hard. The author paints a magnificent picture of tenement life for immigrants in New York City where all sought a better life but the reality was much less than they dreamed. Jobs are scarce, homes are tenements and thousands of people live in a small area. As I read this book, I was transported to that New York area and felt I was right there! The characters were developed so well that to me, they represented every immigrant. I cried in so many parts! When they were beaten down, I suffered but when they triumphed, I cheered for them! Katie also meets a wealthy, yet disgraced doctor, Titus (Ty), who helps her in many ways and she helps him regain confidence in his medical abilities. I can’t recommend this book highly enough! It’s fantastic and will have you thinking about it long after you finish reading it!

I love books by Renee Ryan. Historical fiction at its best. In 223 Orchard Street, Ryan draws a word picture of immigration in the early 1900’s. As well as a picture of all the immigrants had to overcome. Tying in the stories of immigrants is a picture of the changes in medical science in the area of child birth. I love the way faith and forgiveness is brought into the novel - especially the need to forgive ourselves! I totally recommend this novel! I voluntarily received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. But if I had not received it for free - I would have purchased it because Inlove Renee Ryan’s novels..and this one is so worthy of a read!

223 Orchard Street is a well written historical over. A good plot and believable characters. If you enjoy books set in the early 1900 s I recommend this book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

The arrival of immigrants at Ellis Island and life on the Lower East Side of New York City in the early 1900's is the backdrop for this novel. While the main character in this case is Irish, the description could fit any of the varied ethnic groups entering the US at this time. We learn about the hardships faced by the newcomers as they try to earn livings and assimilate into their new country. In contrast to these difficulties, the doctor (one of the main characters) is well-educated and comes from a wealthy established family.

The book was well written and told a very sweet story. It was a little easy to see where the story was going but getting there was fun.

A romance set against the gritty backdrop of New York City in 1905, featuring a lovely Irish immigrant and a medical doctor seeking redemption.
The author sets the scene well, beginning with the description of a chaotic Ellis Island experience, leading into the sights and smells of the tenement districts of NYC. I liked the main characters, both hardworking and compassionate, struggling with their own pasts and family relationships. I felt for them as they seemed bent on helping others first, while putting their own dreams aside.
The romance was a little more on the swoony side than I like, but the storyline was compelling, and the pacing kept it moving. A satisfying read overall. Fans of love inspired historicals with some faith would probably enjoy this book.
3.5 stars