Against the Tide...Review

About the book:
After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive?

A compelling story about the opium trade in 1891 Boston and one man's quest to end it and one woman's quest to overcome it.  I really liked Lydia.  A spunky, intelligent heroine determined to make a place for herself in the world.  As she was a woman working in a man's world, I enjoyed her interactions with co-workers. Such a colorful addition to the story.  Bane was the harder one for me.  I never did connect much with him and his mysteriousness actually annoyed me.  Oh, it's all explained, but I thought he used Lydia and teased and led her on too much at first.  He had an agenda and nothing, not even love, could get in his way.

At the end of the book, the author notes that you can learn about Bane's story in The Lady of Bolton Hill.  I don't know if Against the Tide is a true sequel or not and the author gave quite a bit of back story in it.  But, seeing how I didn't completely connect with Bane, I think reading the first book could have helped me have more sympathy and like him more, had I known. One of my biggest pet peeves about books is when a book is not clearly marked as part of a series, however minor the character inclusion might be.

The story is captivating, especially towards the end when Lydia must go undercover. Historically rich, the research about opium trading and addiction and addiction withdrawal was well done.  I enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book that explained about the soothing syrup and its use and eventual regulation.

Thanks to Bethany House for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Elizabeth Camden here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

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3/5 Stars

Comments

  1. This is the second review I read of this book, putting it on my radar. I haven't read any of this author's works so maybe I should start with the Lady of Bolton Hill.

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  2. I like the sound of this one, but also would probably like to read the books in order. I can totally get behind your pet peeve about books not being tagged as sequels. Very nice review today!

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  3. This one sounds interesting, and I really like the cover. Maybe I'll check out the first novel and see what I think before trying this one.

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