Monday, January 28, 2013

The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow ~ review


  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0800720393
  • ISBN-13: 978-0800720391

This book is also available as an e-book.


January 1, 2013 Avenue of Dreams (Book 2)  





Charlotte Farrow, maid in the wealthy Banning household on Chicago's opulent Prairie Avenue, has kept her baby boy a secret from her employers for nearly a year. But when the woman who has been caring for her son abruptly returns him, 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 own past and open her heart to a future of her own? Or will life's tragedies determine the future for her?

This compelling story set against the glittering backdrop of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition captures the tension between the wealthy class and the hardworking servants who made their lives comfortable. Author Olivia Newport expertly portays social classes while creating a story of courage, strength, and tender romance.


My take on this book:
After a disastrous marriage Charlotte Farrow finds it necessary to flee her husband in order to keep not only herself but her newborn son safe as well. She becomes a maid for the Banning household, but one of the job requirements was that she be unmarried and without children, so she keeps her son a secret. When Mrs. Given, the lady that Charlotte has entrusted with her young son Henry, has a family emergency and needs to leave town she brings the baby to Charlotte at work.  Charlotte finds herself in a dilemma, if she confesses she will certainly lose her job, but if she doesn't will she lose her son?

While this book is the second in the Avenue of Dreams series I feel like it can be read as a stand alone work, although because the first book was quite engaging I would recommend reading it as well. This book picks up right were the last one left off. I found myself feeling empathy for Charlotte's dilemma, and couldn't imagine being in her position. Lose her job, or protect her son, and not only that there is the hopes of romance, but when or if the truth comes out will it be the end of her hopes for a new beginning? In addition to Charlotte's compelling story we get a very good glimpse the differences between the social classes during this time in history. Also we get a great historical glance of the Chicago's Worlds Fair. Overall, fans of historical fiction will certainly enjoy not only this book but the entire series!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

"Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."



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