This is a wonderful historical novel, very educational, with enough romance to satisfy your heart. Many of us have no idea of what the freed slaves suffered. Contrary to history, many were no more welcome in the north than in the south. Pulling themselves up from the boots of slavery to a better life through education was, for some, just a dream.
I really enjoyed the relationships and descriptions of the struggles of those at Fisk University. I know from growing up in the south that there are those of us who believe in treating a person as Jesus would have no matter the color of their skin and I know those who do mistreat others for the color of their skin.
As for the romance, the story of Alexandra Jamison and her sacrifices to become a better person and of Sy Rutledge, a man of integrity, striving to clear his father's name and treat his memory with honor--tugs at the heart strings and is very believable as the relationship takes time to build. It is a page turner with an ending worth waiting for.
I received this novel from netgalley for an honest review. Like most of Ms. Alexander's novels I highly recommend this for your keeper shelf.
