Bred to be the perfect Southern belle, Chloe faces the young 20th century and becomes more than she ever imagined~Born at Carlyle Place, the plantation her family has held for over two hundred years, Chloe Kimball was raised to be the perfect Southern lady. Still, she resists being the prize that her parents—an ambitious society maven and an equally ambitious politician—war to control. Surprising … control. Surprising even herself, she breaks free. America has just entered the First World War and Chloe learns how to make her own way in 1917 New York City–a place nothing like home.
Soon Chloe is swept up in the heady tides of change in the young 20th century. The NAACP moves forward in the midst of race riots, women’s fight to gain the vote is at its peak. Chloe becomes the independent woman she never thought possible. But then the unexpected forces her to return home. Yet even in the South, the 1920’s are roaring with flappers, speak-easies and the Charleston, and for a time Chloe loses her way–a reluctant member of the “Lost Generation” in postwar America.
She loved one man and lost him and now is pursued by another but will she ever be able to connect with the one she hopes could help her make sense of her life? As she recalls the woman she once was, she strives to become the woman she wants to be. Will she succeed? PG13
The Carlyle Women-four generations,
each facing the challenges of her time
and each harboring her own painful secret~
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I couldn’t put this book down! A girl grown up in an unhappy home has still a gentle and strong spirit. Chloe doesn’t know it though. She becomes a war bride, WW1 and blacks joined in the war, racial unrest, the repression and loss of many spiraling down. But Jesus is even in the midst of their lives and always there when they turn to Him.
Someone needed a spine
The story spans over a decade in the lives of young men and women around the time of World War 1. Chloe marries a young soldier that she persuades herself she loves to escape her impossible home life. What’s a pregnant young widow going to do when her husband’s family wants nothing to do with her?
Despite her escape from home with the aid of a nearby neighbor, Chloe returns home to have her child. Read the story to find out what happens to Chloe’s family and the people who are supposed to love her.
This story depicts the desperate gaiety young people embrace during and after the war. It also touches on the despair that comes from allowing circumstances to dictate one’s life. This despair lasted through much of the book. Unfortunately, I really did not like the spineless main character.
Lyn Cote’s books are always exceptional and a great read.
Meant for Me was a powerful novel that followed the turbulent life of a young lady named Chloe. I felt so sorry for Chloe and the way she had been raised. She may have had all of the earthly treasures available to a wealthy family, yet she was never truly loved by her parents.
Something Chloe struggled with throughout the entire novel was the desire to escape. Many of her decisions were based on trying to escape some situation that was unpleasant. As Chloe tried to manage everything herself and ran away from things that were hard, she ended up with a whirlwind of ups and downs in her life.
This was a very interesting and riveting novel that I would definitely recommend to historical fiction fans.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Meant For Me ( The Carlyle Women #1 )
By: Lyn Cote
Meant For Me is book one in a new series by Lyn Cote in The Carlyle Women. I enjoyed the story it was well written and flowed smoothly. The characters were well developed. I really did not care for Chloe’s father. He was a man that like to control. Chloe loved and lost to the war. Will she ever break loose from her father and find her own way? Will she ever reconnect with her friend whom she seems to have lost . There were tears in my eyes most of the time while reading Meant For Me. This is a very heartwarming story that will touch your heart.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that i had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.