Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko
Description
Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past. Henry’s compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?
Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder–including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.
Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war seeking refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s plans to modernize the family’s wool mill, ignoring the grumblings from local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.
Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with a powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, their village, and their souls—even if it means risking their hearts in the process.
My Review:
You know, any book that reminds me of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, will pull me in. This one had the feel of the time period, even though it was a totally different story. the characters are strong in their own right. The touches of mystery keep you reading and wanting to find the answers along with them.
The romance is light, more in undertones, but with an overall feeling of fighting the fact that there was romance included. The history of the weaving of cloth, the business behind it and child labor makes you stop and think a bit. I would say this book would be a great novel to use in history class as something to pique your interest in the industrial age.
I obtained this book from Netgalley and the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.
The book is on sale from your local booksellers and Amazon.