Review: Interesting and enlightening
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the life journey that Nell chose, and the true growth she showed in the face of the adversities she faced in her young life were handled very well.  A young, pregnant girl of a respectable family didn't have much in the way of choices in 1870.  The picture painted of the Poor Farm seemed quite real.The writing itself was very good, there were none of the major editing misses one often sees in these self published books.  It was a treat to read one by an author who took the editing and rewriting process seriously.The only real weakness in the plot, and this is only my opinion, was the treatment in how Nell actually became pregnant.  I know this was a different time and well bred, unmarried ladies had no real knowledge of "physical intimacy," but from the way it was described--well, let's just say the father of her child was both quick and inept.  I was not expecting a full on sex scene---this wasn't that type of book, but I would have preferred no description over one where our heroine didn't even seem to get that something even happened.Other than that one point, the plot flowed well, there was enough foreshadowing that the big reveal wasn't a complete surprise, but how it all came to a head was executed well.  Loved the way the Great Fire of Chicago was brought into the story.  The author did her research on many aspects of the time and it showed.All of the above being said, I almost gave this 4 stars because I thought the ending could have been about 3 pages longer.  Again, just personal preference, and maybe the author is planning to continue Nell's story.