Thornton is tired of standing in his twin brother’s shadow and is determined to win his father’s challenge. His father is dying, and in order to decide which of his sons will inherit everything, he is requiring them to do two things in six months: build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and get married. The son of one of New York City’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, Thornton Quincy faces a dilemma.

Even though Elise doesn’t want to leave her sisters for a job in Illinois, she realizes this may be their last chance. She’s had experience as a seamstress, and the New York Children’s Aid Society has established a special service: placing out seamstresses and trade girls. When a financial crisis in 1850s New York leaves three orphaned sisters nearly destitute, the oldest, Elise Neumann, knows she must take action. Read on for more about the book, my review, and an interview with Jody Hedlund! With You Always by Jody Hedlund tells a fictional story based on the journeys many women took to provide a better life for their families. This was especially hard on immigrant families, and subsequently children AND women were sent west to find a better life, on what is now known as the Orphan Train. In this case, the time period is 1850s New York to Illinois, during a challenging economic downturn. Often, there is nothing more fascinating that real life.

I ALWAYS love it when a novel shines light on a lesser-known historical fact, era, or event.