Charlotte and her father escaped a plantation four years ago. He is able to pass as a white man and makes exquisite furniture while using Charlotte as a housemaid. She's not content to clean their Philadelphia home, though. She manages to join an abolitionist group and meets free high society Nell. Nell's parents sit idly by (and even move more toward their elite circle) while white folks lash out violently at the city’s growing free Black population. And her friend Alex's parents are tied up financially and socially with white folks and always careful not to rock the boat. But slave catchers threaten Charlotte's safety. And she's especially at risk when her former colleague Evie finds her and asks for escape. Can the women convince the abolitionist to support them in their fight for freedom?
The premise of this book is important. Despite living in a free city, Philadelphians in the 1830s did not support escaped slaves. Indeed, a slave could live there for a day under six months, be moved back south and continue in enslavement. And anyone who tried to speak out against the laws could be killed.
The violence of the time also surprised me. As a society, we perpetuate similar violence today, almost 200 years later. That's unacceptable.
The pace of this book moves a bit slowly fo my taste. However, I did appreciate the message about the social vibrancy, activism, political engagement, and diversity of Philadelphia’s Black community. As the author says, "In telling this story, I hoped not only to resurrect the fascinating history of Pennsylvania Hall but also to shine a light on the often-overlooked agency and ingenuity of the Black women and men who helped shape Philadelphia and the abolitionist movement during the critical pre– Civil War period of American history."

In the heart of volatile pre-Civil War Philadelphia, a narrative unfolds that is as much a testament to the indomitable spirit of women as it is a gripping tale of the fight for freedom. “All We Were Promised” weaves together the lives of three distinct women, each bound by their determination to forge their own destinies against the backdrop of a society rife with injustice and inequality.
The novel introduces us to Charlotte, a former enslaved housemaid who carries a dangerous secret—a lineage that could spell her doom in the hands of relentless slavecatchers. Her escape from the South leads her to Philadelphia, a city heralded as the cradle of liberty, only to find herself ensnared in a different kind of servitude, one that requires her to conceal her true identity even from those she serves.
Charlotte’s path crosses with Nell, a young abolitionist born into one of Philadelphia’s affluent Black families. Nell’s passion for justice and equality ignites a friendship between the two women, providing Charlotte with a glimpse of the freedom she yearns for. However, it is the arrival of Evie, Charlotte’s friend from the White Oaks plantation, that sets the stage for the ultimate test of courage and loyalty. As Evie’s desperate plea for help reaches them, Charlotte and Nell are drawn into a perilous mission to secure her freedom.
The author skillfully captures the essence of an era marked by tumultuous race riots and vehement anti-abolitionist sentiment. Through vivid historical details, readers are transported to 19th-century Philadelphia, experiencing the palpable tension and danger that pervaded the city. Yet, amidst this chaos, the novel shines a light on the power of female solidarity. The protagonists, each embodying strength and intelligence, navigate their treacherous reality with a sense of agency that is both tragic and uplifting.
“All We Were Promised” is more than just a story of friendship and deception; it is a celebration of women crossing boundaries in the name of freedom. The characters’ resilience and strategic cunning underscore a narrative that is not only engrossing but also deeply inspiring. Their journey is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the risks taken by those who dared to challenge the status quo.
As a reader, one cannot help but be moved by the depth of the characters and the complexity of their struggles. The novel does not shy away from the harsh truths of its setting, yet it manages to infuse hope into the darkest of circumstances. It is a beguiling story that resonates with the ongoing quest for equality and justice, making it a compelling read for anyone captivated by historical fiction and the enduring power of human connection.
In conclusion, “All We Were Promised” is a remarkable work that captures the essence of an era and the unyielding spirit of its women. With strong female characters at its core, the novel is a tribute to those who take their lives into their own hands, despite the insurmountable odds they face. It is a story that stays with you long after the last page is turned, a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for freedom and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

I was intrigued by this book’s unique angle during pre-Civil War America – told through the lens of a fugitive slave woman, a Black woman born free in Philadelphia, and a teenage slave girl still in bondage. While I was aware that some free, Black families rose to prominence in Pennsylvania back in the 1700s and earlier, Lattimore presents additional historic facts from the 19th century that readers will delight in. (They will love her author’s note about the genesis of the story, as well).

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at history but, sadly, didn’t connect on an emotional level with any of the main characters. In many instances – especially toward the last quarter of the book – it seemed the storytelling was focused solely on throwing obstacle after obstacle in the way (after the first three-quarters being a slow, slow burn). The other difficulty I had with the last quarter were the choices being made by the characters – which mostly felt implausible (the characters also making assumptions that just didn’t seem realistic, thinking unrealistic thoughts - and the characters being thrown into unrealistic scenarios). Evie's petulance (and even her vernacular) seemed out of place for me - she read more as a current day, annoyed teenager rather than someone desperate for her freedom.

That said, I enjoyed the book, overall – for shining a light on the courageous, articulate, intelligent Black women who fought for their freedom. All women owe these women a debt of gratitude for being exemplary models of strength.

All We Were Promised
By Aston Lattimore

This book is set in Philadelphia in the 1830s. It is the story of the early struggles of blacks – born free, escaped slaves, and all those somewhere in between – to win and keep their freedom. It is also the struggle between southern whites who wanted to hold onto their "property" and their way of life and other whites who found slavery an abomination.

James Vaughn and his daughter Carrie – now called Charlotte – were escaped slaves from a plantation in Maryland. Because he could (and did) pass for white, James and Charlotte – now his housekeeper – have lived for four years in peace in Philadelphia as he as built his business as a master furniture maker. But when the abolitionists come to town for a convention – and Miss Kate (their old owner and nemesis) also shows up, things get dangerous.

Because the anti-slavery laws at the time were so vague and contradictory, being black in Philadelphia could be a challenge. Through this story, the author explores all the different points of view and difficulties blacks and whites were trying to work through – often with violence. This book is a real eye opener.

In this complicated mid-nineteenth century historical fiction novel, readers visit 1837 Philadelphia where Charlotte and her father have escaped slavery in the South and now live as a free man and his housemaid in the city. Desperate for independence and freedom away from her father and her guise as a housemaid, Charlotte’s new friend Nell, a wealthy Black abolitionist girl, draws her into abolitionist circles. When Charlotte runs into her friend Evie, who had also been enslaved at White Oaks, in the city, Charlotte and Nell’s desire to help her escape outweighs their fears of their mistress. With an increase in attacks on Philadelphian abolitionists, Charlotte, Nell, and Evie are caught up in dangerous social circumstances which put them all at risk. Lattimore brings the complicated Northern racial politics of nineteenth century America to life in this novel, providing more information about the gray areas and ambiguity within white and Black communities. Also highlighting the wealth gap between different groups of free Black people in the nineteenth century, Charlotte, Nell, and Evie’s characters are all incredibly distinct with unique personalities and situations which impact their decision making processes throughout the novel. A complicated yet immersive book, Lattimore’s latest novel is a fascinating work of historical fiction that places Black Americans and their roles in abolitionist work at the center of the story.

I finished this book weeks ago and it has been simmering ever since. I wanted to write something important - as important as this book, but all my words fell short and did not begin to do justice to this important piece of writing. I learned so much, felt so much and anyway I tried to explain what I felt and understood came off as if I was pandering.

Young black women in pre-civil war Philadelphia come together to attempt to accomplish the unthinkable, the impossible and all they are willing to sacrifice so much to have their voices heard. Meticulously researched, historically important, set in a tense conflict, the writing and story kept me turning pages and wondering whether the “free Black population” was ever really free.

Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy.

In 1780, Pennsylvania took a step to address the barbaric practice of kidnapping and enslaving humans by adopting An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery. The devil is in the details, the saying goes, and the “gradual” concept is an elephant-sized detail. The notion that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness can be doled out in trickles either accepted some on-the-ground reality that this task would need to unfold slowly to be successful, or it demonstrated a lack of legislative backbone. In this novel, we will read an envisioned account of how life unfolds for two women living in this half-hearted reality and what bravery and commitment to change actually look like.

Charlotte and her father escape enslavement at White Oak Plantation and are living undercover, so to speak, in Philadelphia. The father, who has fair skin, builds a new life as a white business owner, but Charlotte is forced to serve as his staff. This strategy allows her father to build a new, financially secure life for both of them and protects Charlotte from the nefarious slavecatchers, yes, but it is a bitter pill for her. How did she arrive in the land of the free and find herself back where she started—a servant?

The city has erupted in violence, with race riots exposing the ugly face of exclusivity. It is in this period of heightened danger that Charlotte encounters an enslaved friend from White Oak who begs Charlotte to help her escape. Charlotte seeks the help of her friend Nell, the daughter of a wealthy black family, and Nell agrees to the task. Both of them know the price they will pay if they are caught will be too heavy to imagine.

This book presents a view of the Antebellum period above the southern state lines, which have traditionally been the focus. The pacing is boggy at times, but the story is a worthy read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Congratulations to Ashton Lattimore on a great debut novel!

What I liked about the book:
1. Debut author who gives us a well-researched historical fiction which a lot of emotional moments.
2. I loved the characters and how they were fleshed out and made real to us.

What I wished was a little different:
1. Some additional editing to help with the pacing of the book - it caused me to put it down a couple of times but in the end I needed to know what happened to the characters and where their lives were going to end up!


Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel told through the eyes of three Black women in 1830’s Philadelphia. Lattimore clearly did her research and I learned a lot about this often u told period of time. The way the women worked together to save Evie was inspiring, even as they put their own freedom at risk. I also thought the unusual relationship between Charlotte and her father was layered and poignant. A great debut novel!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity the read and review this ARC.

This is a novel about an important period of time. The history of free Black citizens, slaves, women and the city of Philadelphia in the early 1800s is not something g that was covered in my history books. I’m grateful to be learning now. I had a really hard time getting into this novel. The pace is slow and the writing repetitive in the first half. It did gain momentum and I’m really glad I finished it. These characters are going to stick with me

Excellent read. Truly captures the tension and danger in the early days of “free slaves” in Philadelphia. The mixing of classes, the old south, abolitionists, and loyalties creates a moving story and one that triggers reflection and new insight.

I can't rave about this enough. I cried and and I learned. I felt truly bonded to these women. I would love to talk about this in a book club. This was absolutely amazing writing!

The story had promise, but moves much too slowly for the average reader. Being a native Philadelphian, I wanted to like this book. We need more empathy for the characters and a tighter narrative line, in my opinion.

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore is the story of the abolition movement in Philadelphia prior to the Civil War. Charlotte, Nell, and Evie are the characters who bring the various experiences to life and the read is a compelling one. Many readers will learn a lot about the abolition movement through this debut novel. I enjoyed this story and look forward to future books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion. All We Were Promised is available now.

Charlotte is an escaped slave from the White Oaks plantation, living with her father in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was in a free state but borders Maryland, which was a slave state. Charlotte’s father has passed as a successful white merchant, while she poses as his servant. She looks forward to her free time to meet her friend Nell, the daughter of a wealthy Black family. Nell supports the abolitionists, while Charlotte lives in fear of being discovered. It is a city where slave catchers actively hunt escaped slaves and even free Black citizens may be snatched. When the mistress of White Oaks arrives in the city, she is accompanied by her slave Evie, who hopes to escape while there. The three young women work together to free Evie, putting themselves in danger. This story takes place prior to the start of the Civil War. The conflicts with the abolitionists, the slave catchers and the general attitude of the public made this a story well worth reading. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for providing this book.

I really enjoyed this book because of the setting. I never knew about this incident. The action was fast paced and the characters were compelling.

Good book regarding the lives of three women in pre-Civil war Philadelphia...all with differing roles.

The book revolves around themes of friendship, sacrifice and courage. All We Were Promised is a thought-provoking story with well-written characters. It was impressive that even the unlikeable ones were well written. The author brilliantly captures their idealism, vulnerability and desperation.

A very good book. I would read more by this author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Ashton Lattimore for allowing me to read this powerful historical fiction novel. This book is based on real events and is a unique time period in history that is often not written about in historical fiction novels. We need more books like this one. I loved that this book had multiple points of view, plenty of family drama, and powerful female friendship storylines. It was a tad slow in the beginning and a bit repetitive, but it is beautifully written. I am excited to read more from his author in the future. Thank you so much for allowing me to review this book.

This is an interesting story set in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. Charlotte disguises herself as a housemaid for her passing father so that they can maintain their hard-won freedom. When she meets Nell, who is canvassing for a women's abolitionist group, she starts to see the world differently and wants to exercise her freedom. This becomes especially true when Charlotte bumps into Evie, who was also a slave with her on the plantation. Charlotte swears to help free her, too. To make her plan work, she ropes Nell into helping her, which completely changes their lives forever. It's heart-wrenching and moving.

All We Were Promised excels at immersing the reader in the historical setting. Lattimore has done extensive research, and the book meets my standard for historical fiction. The characters are well-crafted, each unique yet similar in their struggles and growth.

The story is a slow burn until about halfway through, but when it picks up, it's truly captivating. Lattimore's skillful writing and deep understanding of the era make this a compelling read for fans of historical fiction.