Reviews

This book easily shot to an all time favorite. The terror and tragedy of slavery and the US Civil War. The repeated failures of white people to recognize their privilege and do something with it. The reality of facing the person you’ve become. Running away from the closest thing you’ve ever had to a sanctuary. Reckoning with the past. Wanting desperately to be a full piece of your family. Confronting enemies. Falling in love.

The intimacy the MCs explore and ultimately commit to is so well developed I could write an essay about that alone.

WHEW, beyond impressed.

Content Warnings

mweis's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

✨The vibe: An American history lesson with heaping sides of spying, tension, and “I want you but I can’t have you.”

In my search for historical romances set outside of England/Scotland, I recalled that Alyssa Cole had a series set during the Civil War. A Hope Divided is book two in the Loyal League series, but it stands on its own. This book is mix of a character and plot driving the story forward.

Marlie Lynch, the FMC, while being somewhat protected by her family’s status and wealth, is nonetheless still a Black woman in the south during an extremely tumultuous time. She is doing her part to aid the war effort by passing along information gathered at the local prison camp to the Loyal League. It is through her acts of volunteerism and charity that she encounters Ewan McCall. Ewan is a Union soldier working in counterintelligence. His immediate draw towards Marlie is rooted in her intelligence and empathy. When he finds himself in need of aid after an injury incurred during his prison escape, it is Marlie who puts herself at risk to help him.

I really enjoyed this story. It was full of romantic tension because of the characters’ forced proximity and embedded with intelligence and realism when it came to discussing the possibility (or futility) of their relationship. Ewan is more of an idealist when it comes to the pair being together. While he is an intelligent abolitionist, he’s also a YT man. Marlie understands the realities all too well.

rachelslacey's review against another edition

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5.0

AMAZING! I loved this book every bit as much as An Extraordinary Union. This series is so nuanced in so many ways. It really makes me think, and feel, and well, you should really just read them for yourself! :)

topy_loving_books's review against another edition

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2.0

I struggled reading it, more than the previous one. I managed to finished because I listened to the audio-book.
The hero being under the spectrum was interesting, specially to see how it impact his interactions. Even more when romance gets in the mix with the heroine.
But the story was too much about spying stuff and I missed the romance.
The story was heavy, due to the context of the Civil War and slavery, and I appreciate that it brings awareness about the struggle of living back then for a person of color, even freed.
But it was too much for me, as I need my romance books to bring me joy and the chance to escape reality.

tajah's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

daffz's review against another edition

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3.0

I really like these books as historical romance in an interesting and important setting, and this was a good book in the series. But it interested me a bit less than the previous one. I think this book showed less of the time and setting, which is what interests me most about the books. The romance was sweet, but I was hoping for a bit more plot around it. All in all, it was a nice easy book, and Marlie was a fun protagonist, but I didn't like it overall quite as much as I hoped.

I still definitely recommend this series for anyone interested in historical fiction or historical romance. It is a well written series with substance.

menshevixen's review against another edition

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5.0

Even more delightful than the first, especially if you (like me) have a weakness for slow burn and very serious heroes.

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