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March's Group Buddy Read is With You Always by Jody Hedlund!

GR Summary:
One of the many immigrants struggling to survive in 1850s New York, Elise Neumann knows she must take action to care for her younger sisters. She finds a glimmer of hope when the New York Children's Aid Society starts sending skilled workers to burgeoning towns out west. But the promise of the society's orphan trains is not all that it seems.

Born into elite New York society, Thornton Quincy possesses everything except the ability to step out from his brother's shadow. When their ailing father puts forth a unique challenge to determine who will inherit his railroad-building empire, Thornton finally sees his chance. The conditions to win? Be the first to build a sustainable community along the Illinois Central Railroad and find a suitable wife.

Thrown together against all odds, Elise and Thornton couldn't be from more different worlds. The spark that ignites between them is undeniable, but how can they let it grow when that means forfeiting everything they've been working toward?

As I own this I’m going to try squeeze it in but probably won’t finish until the second half of the month.

I started this and am enjoying the characters and historical references.

I read this book last year and really enjoyed it. I love historical novels that educate as well as entertain. I only knew a little about the orphan trains before reading this. I thought Thornton very swoon-worthy! :-)

Even though the book was slow for me at first, it quickly picked up speed through the last half. I really enjoyed the book overall.

about 100 pages in and really enjoying this.

I read this back in 2017. It's not my favorite of Jody's books, but I still really enjoyed it and thought it a great series opener.

Are any of your guys fans of Jody Hedlund prior to reading this book or is this your first book by her?

This was my first book by Jody Hedlund. The plot sounded really good...

No this wasn't my first by Jody Hedlund. My mom loves her books, and is our church librarian, so the library has several by Jody. I'm not sure which one I read first. I agree that it was a great series opener.

this my first read of Jody Hedlund, and enjoying this book. I do have more of her books in my TBR shelf.

Linda wrote: "No this wasn't my first by Jody Hedlund. My mom loves her books, and is our church librarian, so the library has several by Jody. I'm not sure which one I read first. I agree that it was a great se..."

Do you have a favorite by her, Linda? :)

I've never read any books by Jody Hedlund, but I very much enjoyed this book. I don't care much for Romance-only books, but I found the addition of adventure and history in this one very engaging. I'm afraid I'd never heard of the Orphan Trains before this, so they were also educational for me. In fact, I was so hooked, that I went on to read the other 2 books in this series, finishing all three in 4 days.

I enjoyed this book. I started and finished it in 48 hrs. I wish it had more of the faith struggle, but I enjoyed it non the less. The sisterhood and real struggles that happened in those times. Overall a good book and will continue the rest of the series.

Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "No this wasn't my first by Jody Hedlund. My mom loves her books, and is our church librarian, so the library has several by Jody. I'm not sure which one I read first. I agree that it ..."

I think Together Forever, is my favorite. The plot line of Marianne joining the society to look for her sister provided a lot of tension, and the relationship between Marianne and Andrew who brought so much baggage (no pun intended) to the table was well-done (and I LOVE Andrew). The pain both struggled with was realistic, and the characters have stayed with me long after reading the story.

At the very beginning this moved a little slowly even though I was enjoying it. I'm about to start chapter 15 and enjoying it even more!
I am a fan of Jody's books and is my favorite. Two other 5-star books I've read by her are a and ....so far!!

Quite enjoyable, although I am not usually a historical fiction/romance fan. I do plan to read more of this series.

This is my kind of book and I am really enjoying it.

I just finished this. It didn't "knock my socks off" but I liked it and will finish the series.

Christine wrote: "I just finished this. It didn't "knock my socks off" but I liked it and will finish the series."

I wasn't really impressed either, but something to told me to read the 2nd book in the series...Together Forever was so much better.

Good to know Linda and Tiffany. I enjoyed Marianne's character, so I bet that book is definitely good as you both say. Thanks for the heads up!

I think what threw me at first is that this one wasn't about the orphans as much as I thought. I still enjoyed the story after realizing that but I had to adjust my expectations a little bit. Together Forever focusing more on the orphan side of things.

Not sure I've ever read this author, but I did enjoy the story. I preferred the scenes in Quincy to NYC. Finished this one yesterday and started the second.

i'm about 2/3 rds through the book and enjoying it.

MKay wrote: "Not sure I've ever read this author, but I did enjoy the story. I preferred the scenes in Quincy to NYC. Finished this one yesterday and started the second."

MKay, I love her books! She's one of my favorite authors if I'm looking for historical romance.

I agree, the scenes in Quincy were my favorite parts of the story. Glad you enjoyed the book!

Carolyn wrote: "i'm about 2/3 rds through the book and enjoying it."

Hope you enjoyed it, Carolyn! :)