The whole world is coming to Chicago.
Charlotte's whole world is coming down around her.
While the rest of Chicago focuses on the enormous spectacle of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, Charlotte Farrow's attentions are entirely on one small boy--her boy--whom she has kept a secret from her wealthy employers for nearly a year.
When the woman who has been caring for her son abruptly returns him to the opulent Banning home, Charlotte must decide whether to come clean and face dismissal or keep her secret while the Bannings decide the child's fate. Can she face the truth of her past and open her heart to a future of her own? Or will life's struggles determine her path?
This compelling story of courage, strength, and tender romance captures the tension between the glittering wealthy class and the hardworking servants who made their lives comfortable.
Charlotte's whole world is coming down around her.
While the rest of Chicago focuses on the enormous spectacle of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, Charlotte Farrow's attentions are entirely on one small boy--her boy--whom she has kept a secret from her wealthy employers for nearly a year.
When the woman who has been caring for her son abruptly returns him to the opulent Banning home, Charlotte must decide whether to come clean and face dismissal or keep her secret while the Bannings decide the child's fate. Can she face the truth of her past and open her heart to a future of her own? Or will life's struggles determine her path?
This compelling story of courage, strength, and tender romance captures the tension between the glittering wealthy class and the hardworking servants who made their lives comfortable.
I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS:
The story moves along so effortlessly, that before I knew it I was almost at the end. I love when I can get transported into a story so deeply that I become lost in the world the author creates and that is exactly what happened with this book.
This book was a real eye opener about the lives of servants in 19 century America. I never realized how confining and demanding their jobs were, they pretty much had to devote their entire lives to their job - working all day, from sun up to sun down...and sometimes even longer! They might have a day off, but if their employer suddenly needed them, they would either have to forfeit that day off and work or they could lose their job! Also, servants usually weren't permitted to marry - only the butler and housekeeper might be allowed to be married!
The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow became an instant favorite and one that I plan on rereading. This book is the second book in the Avenue of Dreams series and Charlotte was introduced in the first book, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, but she had a much smaller part in that one. If you were to read this book without reading the first book, I don't believe you would be confused at all, as it could be read and enjoyed on its own. I highly recommend both The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow and The Pursuit of Lucy Banning to fans of historical fiction. I can hardly wait to read the third book, The Invention of Sarah Cummings, which is expected to be published September of this year!
The story moves along so effortlessly, that before I knew it I was almost at the end. I love when I can get transported into a story so deeply that I become lost in the world the author creates and that is exactly what happened with this book.
This book was a real eye opener about the lives of servants in 19 century America. I never realized how confining and demanding their jobs were, they pretty much had to devote their entire lives to their job - working all day, from sun up to sun down...and sometimes even longer! They might have a day off, but if their employer suddenly needed them, they would either have to forfeit that day off and work or they could lose their job! Also, servants usually weren't permitted to marry - only the butler and housekeeper might be allowed to be married!
The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow became an instant favorite and one that I plan on rereading. This book is the second book in the Avenue of Dreams series and Charlotte was introduced in the first book, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, but she had a much smaller part in that one. If you were to read this book without reading the first book, I don't believe you would be confused at all, as it could be read and enjoyed on its own. I highly recommend both The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow and The Pursuit of Lucy Banning to fans of historical fiction. I can hardly wait to read the third book, The Invention of Sarah Cummings, which is expected to be published September of this year!
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
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BOOK DETAILS:
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0800720393
- ISBN-13: 978-0800720391
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
- Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD
First Chapter of The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, book 1 in the Avenue of Dreams series:
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