This book was interesting. The only reading I kept reading it was because I wanted to find out how it ended. It's pretty depressing. ( )

Another great historical fiction book that enlightened me about a piece of history I knew little of. My great-grandparents came to the USA through Ellis Island around the time this story takes place, and I tried envisioning them enduring the journey, and the treatment (one of my great-grandma's was Italian) they may have endured... similar to Francesca and others mentioned in the story.

And the restrictions on Alma, a native New Yorker who works at Ellis Island, reminded me of how far women have come (and how far we have yet to go) in our rights to be treated equal. Her controlling step-father, and his horrendous choice of a husband for Alma painted a too-true situation for women during that era. I especially loved the fierce loyalty and friendship that developed between Francesca and Alma.

It felt like I was on Ellis island at times, hearing the various native languages, the noise, sweat, fear, and hunger oozing in-between the crowded immigration process. I had to keep reminding myself this is how it was for our ancestors who sacrificed everything for a better life... which meant a better life for us.

Thank you to the author for bringing this piece of history to me, and to the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing me a copy of this great story! ( )

What a good historical novel set in the early 1900s where Alma works at Ellis Island as a matron. She meets a lot of immigrants and befriends Francesca who came over from Italy with her ill sister.

She and Francesca become very good friends and Francesca gets a job with a wealthy woman on Park Avenue. Alma has a brother Fritz and Francesca is drawn to him. Things happen at Ellis Island with employees, especially one commissioner who her parents want her to marry who she obviously doesn't especially after finding out things. As for Francesca, she has her own reason for disliking him and is appalled that Alma's parents want her to marry him. It takes her a while to tell her the truth why.

Giving it 3.5 stars. I'm glad the ending was what it was though abruptly for me. I guess the author wants people to imagine what will happen next and I can see why since Francesca leaves New York for Chicago. I won't say what happens with Fritz and Francesca but I know about Fritz and hoping that Francesca lives her dream going to college and being an interpreter which I know she wanted to do. Not sure if she would stay at Ellis Island but it would be the perfect job for her translation needs as she pointed out in the beginning of her job. ( )

“You stand up for what is right, even if you risk losing everything”
“You make friends easily, I’m terrible at it”

This was a remarkable historical fiction novel, set in 1902 Ellis Island, beautifully written by Heather Webb.
Immigrants aren't the only ones who seek freedom in America.

I couldn't stop flipping the pages on this one and finished in two days. Two women, who are dissimilar to all on the outside, forge a bond that is stronger than family. Facing so many atrocities, they gave each other strength and hope as they trudged ahead in a world when women were still only viewed as whores.

There is nothing more powerful than a woman who is courageous, resilient and stands up for what is right.

( )

As another reviewer wrote, it was a slow start, but I'm glad I stuck with it I've read other books where people went through Ellis Island, but this was the first one I've read that focused on it. I liked both the girls in the story and was glad that everything turned out well in the end. ( )