This book was a beautifully written exploration of the lives of three women in 1830's Philadelphia: Charlotte, who escaped slavery from a plantation in the South, Nell, an intellectual and socialite from one of the city's wealthiest Black families, and Evie, Charlotte's childhood friend who still belongs to her former mistress. The author had clearly done an incredible amount of research, and made the world of that time period come vividly to life. I was sucked in immediately, and was especially invested in Charlotte and Evie's storylines.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

After escaping White Oaks Plantation, Charlotte and her father have arrived in Philadelphia in 1837. Hoping for a bit of brotherly love and liberty, Charlotte is very disappointed to find out that Philadelphia is a city divided.

She is just a different kind of prisoner. A maid to her father who is able to “pass”. Desperate to be free. When she meets Nell, she has hope.

Nell comes from an old and wealthy family. Nell is becoming an abolitionist. Wealthy and free means she can freely advocate for her beliefs and for the first time, Charlotte has hope. For a bit.

But when another girl from her past arrives with her mistress, the ladies are going to help her escape. But in this city, this could cost them their lives, as race riots break out and those fighting for freedom and justice may end up worse than before.

Three women intent on changing the world they live in. This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story.

Netgalley/ RHPG/BALLENTINE April 02, 2024

This had everything that I look for in a historical-fiction novel, it had a strong concept and worked with the idea of that time-period. I felt like the characters belonged in the story and were well written. I enjoyed getting to go on this journey with Charlotte and the rest of the women. It really made you think. Ashton Lattimore does a wonderful in creating the world and wrote it perfect.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was excited to read this book but after getting a little over 10 percent in, I realized that it was not for me. I am not the right reader for this book, but that does not mean this is a bad book at all. I think the author is talented and has an amazing career ahead. I think the right reader will really enjoy this book and resonate with both the characters and the story. I am interested to see what the author does next.

A well-researched debut novel. The author spent a lot of time researching her topic before writing and it shows. This is the story of three African American women who were in "free" Philadelphia, before the civil war, still living in the shadows if they wanted to stay under the radar to maintain that freedom. Always looking over, their shoulder, always wary, trying to do nothing to call attention to themselves, until the day when they have to decide to help another women who is enslaved, risking their own freedom if they do. The author portrayed the time period well. and did a good job of bringing to light a very important period of our history. Thanks Ne Galley for this ARC!

This debut novel by author Ashton Lattimore is exquisite. It tells the story of three black women in pre-Civil War era Philadelphia. The chapters are told in the name of one of the three women; Charlotte, a runaway slave and her father from Maryland who escaped to Philadelphia four years prior; Nell, a free black young women who is active in the abolitionist movement; and Evie, a young slave from the same plantation as Charlotte, who finds herself in Philadelphia with her Missus, who previously “owned” Charlotte.

These women put their lives at risk to help one another navigate the treacherous life of a Black person in a so called free State. They show how the women and men of that time shaped the abolitionist movement by not only keeping themselves free but helping those that find themselves in the State become free at last.

These characters will stay with me for quite some time. Thank you NetGally, Random House and author Ashton Lattimore for the opportunity to read this wonderful book for my honest review.

I love historical fiction. I’m so happy I was able to read an ARC of this book. It was an incredible book.

I liked that readers get the three different characters’ perspectives. I loved how diverse the cast of characters were, especially the main three characters. I really liked so many characters in this book, not just the main characters. I also liked the growth of the main characters throughout the story.

I was so engaged in this story. Towards the end of the book, I could not put it down and I had to know how it ends. Additionally, I learned a great deal of history from this story. I never knew about the PFASS or the sojourner law.

I hope the author writes more books in this genre. I’d be so excited to read more of her work.

All We Were promised by Ashton Lattimore explores the stories of three Black women in 1830s Philadelphia. It was fascinating, heartbreaking, and triumphant. I am in awe of the author's talent and of these women who are representative of real women in our country's history. Highly recommend!

I liked this one told from a different perspective of the civil war and follows three black women and their trials and tribulations during this tumultuous time in history. It was an informative and engaging read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 because it's rare that a secondary character in a book made me want a standalone as much as Darcel's story did in this one.

The story jumps between the viewpoints of the three main characters and does so flawlessly. In the majority of the scenes, I could completely visualize them and felt what the characters were going through, with the exception being some of Evie's chapters, which, for some reason, felt slightly less fleshed out than Charlotte's or Nell's.

Again, however, the standout secondary character was Darcel. I really could feel the ice breaking between Darcel and Charlotte and, while he played such a small role, his guidance was so pivotal to Charlotte's growth in the book.

I'd highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction.

“All We Were Promised” follows the lives of three Black women from vastly different backgrounds in 1837-1838 Philadelphia. Nell is the daughter of a prominent free Black family who have been in Philadelphia for generations. Nell volunteers for Anti-slavery organizations, raising funds and drafting petitions. She realizes that these actions are not enough after meeting Charlotte, who voices her discontent with the inactivity of the groups that Nell has brought Charlotte to meet. Charlotte is a runaway slave who escaped her Maryland plantation with her father, James, who now passes as white and is a prominent businessman using his skills as a cabinetmaker. He treats Charlotte as his house servant, concealing her identity as his daughter. Charlotte keeps this aspect of her history from Nell, not wanting her to look at Charlotte as a charity case.

Evie is visiting Philadelphia with her “mistress”, Kate, from the plantation in Maryland where Charlotte and James escaped. Evie encounters Charlotte by chance at a market in Philadelphia. Charlotte feels guilt and fear after seeing Evie: guilt for having abandoned Evie and her family when Charlotte and James escaped and fear that Evie will bring down the world Charlotte has carefully constructed. Evie plays on this guilt by enlisting Charlotte’s aid in helping Evie escape from Kate.

The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these three women, who over the course of the novel learn to trust and understand each others’ different perspectives on slavery. Nell fights slavery without truly understanding what it is to live as a slave; Charlotte fears being discovered and returned to that life, and Evie is currently suffering as a slave and is desperate to gain her freedom. The novel is well-researched both in terms of history and the laws regarding emancipation in Pennsylvania, and the characters are fully drawn.

While the first and last thirds of the book kept my interest—(the first third because it introduced each character and the last third for the dramatic and tense denouement), the middle third tended to drag a bit as it went into the minutia of the characters’ everyday lives. While this detailed examination did bring the characters to life, it felt a bit drawn out at times.

That being said, I’m glad I read the book as it shed a light on an important aspect of American History of which I knew very little before reading this novel. I recommend this book to those who like historical fiction with well-drawn characters, and who want to learn more about slavery in the United States and the early attempts at abolition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is a breathtaking exploration of freedom, identity, and the relentless pursuit of liberty in pre-Civil War Philadelphia, where three young black women's intersecting lives take center stage.

In 1837 Philadelphia, we meet Charlotte, a former enslaved housemaid who escapes the horrors of White Oaks plantation in the south, only to live in secret as a servant alongside her white-passing father. Their newfound freedom is constantly threatened by looming slave catchers.

Charlotte forges an unexpected bond with Nell, a courageous abolitionist from an affluent black family, sparking a vision for a brighter future. However, their dreams are shattered when Evie, a friend from White Oaks, arrives in Philadelphia, brought by the plantation mistress and desperate to escape.

At its core, the novel portrays the unbreakable bond between these three women, united by their unwavering determination. In a city marred by race riots and attacks on abolitionists, their journey becomes a gripping tale of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound strength that arises from standing together in the face of adversity.

I love reading books before, during and after the Civil War era, especially ones that hold me captive by how well written it is. It definitely gave me an insight as to the trials and tribulations people faced during this time. Ashton Lattimore is a new to me author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

This was a breathtaking journey through the intersecting lives of three young black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. This gripping debut novel is a compelling exploration of freedom, identity, and the relentless pursuit of liberty in a city divided by history and turmoil.

Set against the backdrop of Philadelphia in 1837, the novel introduces us to Charlotte, a former enslaved housemaid who has escaped the horrors of White Oaks plantation in the south. Her quest for freedom takes an unexpected turn as she finds herself hidden away, living as a servant alongside her white-passing father. Their lives hang by a thread, constantly threatened by the looming presence of slave catchers who could shatter their newfound freedom.

As Charlotte’s world unfolds, she forms an unlikely bond with Nell, a courageous abolitionist from one of Philadelphia’s most affluent black families. It’s through this connection that we witness the emergence of a vision for a brighter future. However, their dreams are shattered when Evie, Charlotte’s friend from the White Oaks plantation, resurfaces in their lives, brought to Philadelphia by the plantation mistress and desperate for escape.

The heart of the novel lies in the unbreakable bond between these three women. Lattimore masterfully crafts characters who are vastly different in circumstances yet united by their unwavering determination to fight for one another. In a city engulfed by race riots and attacks on abolitionists, their journey becomes a gripping tale of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound strength that comes from standing together in the face of adversity.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review!

Set before the Civil War, this is the story of three young women whose lives converge in Philadelphia. Charlotte and her father were lucky to escape life on a plantation and have made a fresh start up north. Nell and her family belong to the influential class of black families in Philadelphia. And then there’s Evie…who was left behind when Charlotte made her escape. Pure coincidence that her new owner decides to come to the city along with her house slave. She and Charlotte reunite purely by chance one day. Feeling tremendous guilt for leaving Evie behind, she’s determined to help her escape her life as a slave. And she enlists Nell’s help. A great story for anyone who enjoys historical fiction!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Company for an advanced copy of All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore. This novel powerfully brings to light the resilience and determination of women who emerged from slavery but still faced the challenges of discrimination. It was well written and brought to life the trials faced by individuals who fought for their freedom.

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore is a great 19th century historical fiction that I really enjoyed.

I thought this was a great novel in that it presented three different women, from three different walks of life/situations living near Philadelphia, PA in the 1830s. Reading this novel from three different points of view and having the author weave these threads together to bring out one story, one narrative, really brings the story to another level. I was pulled in from the very beginning, but it really only got better and better as it went onward.

I highly recommend for anyone that is interested in American History, women’s history, and history involving abolitionists and those fighting for the right for freedom and equity.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/2/24.

I’m so confused! Lol. I received this ARC and I’m so happy and honored that I was chosen. But I never requested it. It seems like a great novel but I could only get about a chapter into it. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I only really read thrillers.

1837 Philadelphia, the city of "brotherly love." Except for the fact that Philadelphia was a divided city and the love was neither "brotherly" nor benevolent! The city was made up of a large population of blacks...those who were elite and wealthy, those who were abolitionists, and those who were refugees...runaways from Southern plantations. Within this group we have Nell who comes from a Black wealthy family; Charlotte a runaway from White Oaks Plantation with her white-passing father while she plays his servant hiding their identities from slave catchers; Evie, also from White Oaks Plantation with her plantation mistress. Within the city we find race riots and attacks on abolitionists. With Evie longing for freedom and Charlotte and Nell trying to rescue her, the journey of these 3 women plays out. What are their chances? Will they themselves with their efforts to help Evie cost them their freedom as well?

This book is told from the POV of the three main protagonists. Never really having the freedom they were promised, they are forever looking over their shoulders. Danger, in the form of slavecatchers are ready to take them back South. Never able to freely talk even among themselves, their words can bring more harm than good. Who do you trust, even amongst the Black society? Charlotte's father and Nell's family turn their heads the other way. Staying within the boundary of the Black community, they are segregated as freedom and equality are only words, but not deeds. All this while the white community is trying to keep Black men from voting along with the distress of race riots. Philadelphia, with the Liberty Bell and all that America stands for, is a divided city, where only words speak louder than action. This city is the epitome of the United States in 1837. Yet, if you think about it, how far have we really gotten? Right now, there are Black mothers who worry for their sons, never knowing if they'll come back home when they leave in the morning. This is 2023, and they call that "freedom"

This was an excellent book, well researched and certainly well told. It gives "food for thought!" Highly recommended. To be reviewed on Good Reads.

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish in exchange for an honest review.