Many thanks go to Joanne C. Parsons and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for the copy of this book. Katie O'Neil is sent by her family to America from Ireland for a chance at a better life. She finds lodging and work as a maid and nanny with an affluent family in Boston with her cousin, Moira. But when Moira shows Katie to her room her first night she makes she makes Katie promise to lock her door. And rumors are stirring about why the previous maid left. Mr. Brennan isn't a fan of the Irish, and his wife is never seen outside of her room. Something is off. Can Katie and Moira find happiness and learn to forgive? I think this is a debut novel? What a great start for Parsons! I loved the storyline. So much truth to what she wrote. I know these situations occurred in our country's history. So unfortunate. Moira's sadness was palpable. I look forward to more historical fiction by this author.

Wow I loved this story. Its heartbreaking but I couldn't stop reading the story. I imagined my Irish grandmother and her ancestors who made the terrifying trip to immigrant here in the U S. The story will stay with you long after you close the book. Thank you netgalley fir tge opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own

What a brilliant book. It is horrifying how these people were treated by their employers in 19th century Boston. A well crafted book with a great storyline and characters. Heart rending stuff

We may recall that after the potato famine in Ireland, many Irish immigrated to the United States and Boston became home for many of them. But what was it really like to come over as a young person and make one’s way in the land of opportunity?
This book brings the history and the immigrant story to life, in an engaging and captivating way.

Moira immigrated first and then arranged for Katie to come too, and work in the same wealthy household in Boston as a nanny. Katie loved Ireland and didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way for her to support her family. The ship voyage was a misery, and life in the Brennan house turned out to be horrible, too. How Moira and Katie coped with their new lives made for a fascinating read.

The vivid characters, with interesting backstories, fascinated me. The author avoids stereotypes by digging deeper into the characters’ motivations. Some of the story is told in the third-person and some in the first person.

The author took an even-handed approach to the history of the times and her characters. Yes, the immigrant story wasn’t as rosy as we might want it to be, but the book shows that with love, hope and God’s grace, people can triumph. Highly recommend.