Historical novels aren’t usually high on my TBR list, and there’s something about the American Civil War that makes me hesitate even more. With my reading being sporadic over the last month or so, I figured I’d try something different to kick start my reading binge and gave this one a try.

Wow. I was impressed – I was completely enthralled with the story and characters.

After the death of her parents and twin brother, Catherine Sampson assumes her brother’s identity as Private Cooper Sampson and joins the 19th Massachusetts Regiment of the Union Army in the early days of the American Civil War. After a brutal battle, Coop is searching the hospital tents for her best friend when she meets Sophie Bauer, a volunteer with the Ladies Aid Society. As slow but sweet relationship begins as the two continue to cross paths and correspond.

This is a well crafted story that depicts the harshness of the Civil War with historic accuracy and at the same time creates a wonderful sense of humanity in the characters. I have to admit that I was shocked at some of the battle scenes – seen through both Coop and Sophie’s perspectives – the carnage and devastation not just to the soldiers but the people whose homes and land were the sites of the fighting. The romance is what lays at the heart of the book – it is a slow burn, complete with a series of letters that make me regret the age of texting and email.

As odd as it may sound, I really had no idea what was going to happen next and that added to the suspense as the story moved along. As I am not an American, I know generally about the American Civil War but I don’t know a lot of the details- I know about the Gettysburg Address, but not what preceded it. This made the book all that more mesmerizing as I was just as unsure as Cooper of whether the Union or the Confederates were going to prevail in the battles, let alone if Coop was going to make it.

Well written, fascinating and thought provoking – this is an excellent historical fiction novel that will draw you in immediately and keep you turning pages well into the night.

RECOMMEND

Well written and researched historical fiction romance set during the Civil War. After her twin brother and parents die in an accident on their farm, Catherine Samson assumes her brothers identity, and fulfills his commitment to serve with the 19th Massachusetts Volunteers. As private Cooper Samson (Coop) is part of many battles including Gettysburg. Coop meets the Sophie Bauer, a member of the Ladies Aid Society, who tends to the needs of wounded soldiers. They correspond for over a year as the war continues and their fondness grows. Sophie isn't aware of Coops secret and the friendship is confusing. She has no plans to marry as she knows she is attracted to women. As the war continues Sophie returns to her family farm in Gettysburg and is there when literally thousands of soldiers battle with her home bombarded from either side.

CF Frizzel delivers an exciting page turning account of several battle skirmishes. She includes the reality that many of the commanders made serious mistakes. I've been to Gettysburg and can envision a wall that Coop was trying to reach or various trees and high grounds on the battlefield. The romance itself is a slow burn but I especially enjoyed the correspondence chapters. They started writing without really knowing if they would ever meet again. The battle of Gettysburg itself takes place over three days and I wish the book was little clearer on timing. There is so much going on in those chapters it felt like it was much longer amount of time.

A quick internet search shows estimates of over 1000 women disguised themselves as men to fight on both sides in the civil war bringing real plausibility to the story. I wish there was an epilogue set after the war but was okay with where the book ends. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a historical novel about the Civil War in the US. There is a lot of detail surrounding the war, so if you like a good historical novel you will love this one.

Cooper is a woman, disguised as her twin brother, living her life as a soldier in the Union. Sophie, is a young woman trying to take care of her family and serve her country. The meet during war and slowly fall in love.

This is a really intelligent piece, but possibly a little too high brow for my liking. I enjoy historical novels, but not necessarily war related. There was romance, but the focus was just as much on the intricacies of the Civil War as it was on the romance aspect.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. The history part of this story focused on the Civil War and in particular the horrific events of a battle that inspired Lincoln’s famous speech, The Gettysburg Address. The romance part focused on the role of women, both traditional and unconventional.

Cooper Samson, 24, enlisted in the 19th Massachusetts regiment. He was all set to go when a freak barn accident took the lives of his parents and twin sister. This was the story told to anyone who asked. Catherine Samson decided to honor her twin brother’s memory by donning Cooper’s uniform and taking up the cause for freedom that they both felt so strongly about.

During one devastating battle, Cooper ventured from one hospital tent to another in a frantic search for his missing friend. Cooper was helped in this search by Sophie, a twenty three year volunteer with the Ladies’ Aid Society. After finding the wounded friend, Cooper and Sophie continued to find time to meet and considered each other kindred souls. Sophie was baffled by her connection to Cooper, especially after they kissed, since she was only attracted to women. After much consideration, Sophie decided to leave her volunteering duties and returned home to help her father and much younger siblings with the harvest. Sophie left the war and Cooper behind never thinking they would both become part of her life in the most dramatic way. Gettysburg, Sophie’s home, was the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War.

It was in Sophie’s home that truths were uncovered and an emotional battle ensued. The author did a good job in showing the internal conflicts of both woman especially when they were apart. I also liked how the author alternated chapters between the battles and Sophie’s life in Gettysburg with her family. This kept the reader engaged with both characters’ lives.

Everything about this story felt authentic. From the descriptive accounts of the battles and loss of lives to the shortage of supplies, poor military leadership, and families torn apart by different political views which often resulted in fighting against each other. I also liked how the author used the opposing views of the Samsons as they tried to persuade the other that their cause was the one worth fighting and dying for.

Overall, this was a well written and well research story with a perfect title. Not only did this devotion reflect those willing to die for a cause they believed in, but the devotion between Catherine and Sophie, in the midst of war and devastation, was extremely profound and heartfelt.


An ARC was given for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Catherine has nothing left after the death of her parents and her twin brother Cooper. She decides to change her identity and pose as her brother and join Massachusetts Volunteers fighting for the Union in the US Civil War. As she tries to find a fellow soldier she comes across Sophie who serves as a army aid.

Sophie and Catherine who Sophie believes is male grow closer despite the fact she knows she only interest in women but what she doesn’t know the Coop is really a she. Catherine feels guilty hiding her identity but if she found out her reputation will be ruin.

I love historical romance and the research the author did because even though we women couldn’t serve it didn’t stop them from serving anyway to make the world a better place.

Historical fiction, US Civil War (especially Gettysburg), hidden identity, romance. As any war-time set book should be, this is NOT always an easy read - I can't tell you the number of times I looked up and said to my partner "fighting in the Civil War sounds awful" - but I was rooting for the two characters from start to finish. Such a good read. I went right out and pre-ordered this book after reading this arc.

After the sudden death by accident of her parents and brother, Catherine Samson has nothing left so she assumes her brother, Cooper's, identity and takes up his commission with the Massachusetts Volunteers fighting for the Union in the US Civil War. While in camp one day, she comes across Sophie Bauer, a volunteer with the women's auxiliary corp. Sophie is as instantly struck by the dashing young soldier as Coop is to her; however, Sophie is confused - Sophie knows she is only attracted to women, so how is it possible for her to feel such things for Cooper. The war plagues both of their lives, eventually arriving on the doorstep of Sophie's family home on the fields of Gettysburg, PA. But if the two can just continue to survive, perhaps a better future is in store.

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I really enjoyed this novel. In it a young woman takes the identity of her deceased twin brother to fight as a soldier for the union army where she meets a volunteer nurse. The two feel sparks amidst the carnage, which confuses the nurse, who is very aware that she is only interested in other women but believes this solider to be male. This is a very specific and niche book but it is a wonderful romance novel. I really enjoyed the story of this love growing in the midst of war. So many historic fiction/civil war romance novels feature a m/f romance but this w/w romance in this setting is refreshing. Add in the character's slight confusion and the historical accuracy that the author brings to the book, and you have a good read. I personally would have liked the realities of war to be slightly more vivid and less background story, but I don't think it detracted from the main plot. It is incredibly clear that the author has a robust knowledge of both the history and the geography that are relevant in this book. As a bit of a civil war nut, I appreciated how easily recognizable much of the key settings were.

A note on historical accuracy: Women were not allowed to serve as soldiers in the American Civil War, however hundreds of women who disguised themselves as men fought in uniform, as one of the main characters does. Historians are unaware of exactly how many women took this route, but a number of women who did left behind ample evidence including memoirs and letters, and the lives of some of the women who fought are very well documented. While I, personally, am unaware of any sapphic relationships developing from such subterfuge, this deception was actually more common than many realize. The author clearly did her research on this and I am including this note to help future readers understand the historic context in case it is something they were unfamiliar with. Also, I would like to thank the author for using this bit of history as a plot device.

Gave some interesting information on the civil war. The army unit Coop was in was an actual unit and did take part in the battles mentioned. From this I assume the description of what happened at the farmhouse during the battle at Gettysburg was fairly accurate as well. Enjoyed the story of the romance between Coop and Sophie and their lives as they coped with the war and separation.

Sophie,, a member of the Ladies Aid Society who assist injured soldiers meets Cooper Samson while he’s searching for a fallen friend during battle.
Sophie doesn’t know Coop has a secret, that Coop is really a she,. Coopers identity has been assumed by his twin sister after his death.
Here’s where it gets tricky for Sophie. She has always known she prefers women and now she is attracted to Coop a handsome solder...how could this be?
Soon enough Sophie is going to learn of the secret. How will she react ? Will they have a future or not?