This was my first book by Tracie Peterson, and I wasn't that impressed. It was just OK. The writing style flowed smoothly, and the idea behind the plot was good. However, there were a couple of elements that were so irritating, that they really affected my enjoyment of the book. First, it is clear from the very beginning who the heroine is intended to end up with, and the characters themselves start to become aware of this fairly early on. The annoying part is that the hero tries to discuss his feelings with the heroine on multiple occasions (I'd say at least five) and each time is interrupted by someone who 'urgently' needs to speak with him. I felt like Ms. Peterson was artificially drawing out the conclusion to that plot line. Second, the heroine was described as a 24-year old woman who was employed by a ladies magazine and seemed to be a character with sense. However, she, again on multiple occasions, puts herself in ridiculously dangerous situations without thinking or seeking assistance. It just didn't feel right that a woman with her experience could be so foolish. I'll give Ms. Peterson another chance, but if her next book is as irritating as this one, I won't be reading any more of her titles.

****minor spoiler****
One final critique that I have; there is a lesser character who, based on the situation of the two main families, is a very important person to the main characters of the story. During the plot he becomes ill and dies. It was a little unbelievable how calmly the other characters take his death, and I still don't understand how that plot line contributed to the overall story, except for providing for another occasion for the hero to be interrupted during his confession of love. *insert eye roll*

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"Born into affluence, Mia Stanley is a winsome socialite with a knack for matchmaking. She's also a write for Godey's Lady's Book magazine, much to the dismay of her family . . .her writing draws her into the world of downtrodden seamen's wives on Philadelphia's docks . . ."

Excellent historical fiction! I'm an avid reader and have enjoyed many of Ms. Peterson's works. This one is a winner and I look forward to more in her new genre - this is her Ladies of Liberty.

It's a "clean" romance, a good storyline, good grasp of history and an all-around good read!

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Mia Stanley is a lady of high regard living in late nineteenth century Pennsylvania fighting for the rights of women and children beyond what her social status believes is appropriate. Tracie Peterson has done it again in my opinion. I must admit that I was not crazy for this book and it's characters as I have been for some of Tracie's stories, but I did enjoy it and will recommend it and perhaps read it again. Mia has a very Emma-like quality about her. She wants to put everyone into a matchmade pair, but when she realizes who she wants to be her other half, it is a little too late as she pushed him away into a pair of his own.

Through this story you get entertainment and romance. There is mystery and suspense. There is a devotion and lesson to be learned. There are matters that affect your own life that you can gain from experiencing the lives of these characters. I have yet to come across a book by Tracie Peterson, except one, that I have not loved and this is no exception. It's great, not necessarily amazing, hence the four stars, but it's great.

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Wonderful book like always from Tracie Peterson! I really enjoyed the descriptions in the book as it really drew me into the characters. I even loved the ending. Highly recommended!!

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Somewhat formulaic but entertaining for light reading. The heroine was supposed to be an intelligent, thoughtful woman, but she made the same frustrating, stupid mistakes over and over.

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Loved all 3 of this series, could not put them down, read them in one week and I work full time too. The story lines are not A typical.

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