Zoé Matthews

The series is discussing orphans from New York who are brought to Texas to be placed with families there.

1. The author takes a while to get to that part of the story--she first sets the stage with showing how Lydia is sent to Clinton for an arranged marriage and that they tried to have a family of their own.
2. I felt the story suffered from the author telling the story rather than showing the reader. (The narrative would read something like "Lydia felt herself falling more in love with Clinton." rather than showing ways Clinton took care of Lydia or scenes that showed they love each other and little things that people who love each other do for each other.)
3. Though the two main characters were somewhat developed, other characters just sort of pop in and out during the story, seemingly at the whim of the author. (For example--Lydia's "dearest friend" Amanda just sort of shows up partway through the book without us ever having heard of her prior.… (mehr)