Bridget Collins is in dire straits – she needs to get out of New York, fast. With two young siblings under her wing, her options are limited.Her priest sends her as an outplacement agent on the orphan trains that run from New York to out west.With almost forty orphans under her care, she’s relieved fellow and more experienced outplacement agent Carl Watson, is there to guide her. But Carl is … Carl is dealing with his own trauma and finds it difficult to handle the pain the orphans are dealing with.
Through tears and laughter, everyone on the orphan train has a lesson to teach about love, life and loyalty. And Bridget finds a new, unexpected calling. Every child deserves a happy home and Bridget is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that happens. No matter what the cost…
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Orphan Train Escape (Hearts on the Rails #1) by Rachel Wesson is historical fiction based on a program that was set up to help children from the tenements of large Eastern US cities find a better life. The book is well researched, description of the squalor, heartbreak and poverty of children is heartbreaking. Characters are interesting and believable, the plot line is easy to follow and the book is a touching.
This is an absolute perfect time of year to read about the less fortunate and how they are being helped. In this case it is orphans who have no family. The children in this story tug at your heartstrings. Their personalities are all unique, I really felt heartsick at the way many of them had been abused and was glad they had the opportunity to better their surroundings by joining the orphan train. The plight of the outplacement adults was grueling as they had the responsibility of the children not only on the train but also facing potential parents who may or may not be loving and supportive of their new charges. This story also touches on mail order brides for young women who are too old to qualify for adoption but need support and a place to live. As with the case for Bridget, she needed to get away from a particularly sexual abusive employer and the threat of jail time due to Bridget’s fighting back to protect herself. I must applaud Ms Rachel Wesson for delicately dealing with these issues in this book. Those inside these pages, I’m sure, had a happier outcome than probably in real life, non the less, this was a very heartfelt read and I would heartily recommend reading this especially this time of year during the holidays.
Wesson has thoroughly researched the history of America’s Orphan Trains, and spins a tale that is difficult to put down. Her characters are well developed, the story’s pacing is perfect, and those two things combined with an enticing plot makes this a book that is difficult to put down (as I look at the dishes in my kitchen sink and ironing that were both ignored today).
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series to find out what happens to the rest of the Collins clan.
Orphan Trains is a topic I enjoy reading about and there is a good story here. While the storyline is interesting as are the characters, I felt the writing was a bit too easy. Too many things happened ( like the 3 residents of Riverside Springs all being train orphans) that were forced to fit into the story. I started this trilogy with the 3rd book and realized they had to be read in order to make sense. It’s an okay series.
several books into the orphan train series, by different authors I found this one told from the perspective of the ones taking the children on the train very interesting. These stories are always educational & sometimes love stories, too.
What a dark time in our history, from amoral leaders to the people working the land who had a skewed idea of slaves and children as being destined to their station in life without having any education or say in what actually happened to them.
What a heartbreaking, but such a sweet and inspiring story! At the turn of the century, New York is a divided city with mansions of the haves and the crowded and filthy tenement buildings of the have-nots. Women and immigrants have virtually no rights and have to rely on their employers’ goodwill. However, when Bridget refuses to become her employer’s newest plaything and slashes his face in order to protect herself from the assault, she finds herself in a desperate position with no one to turn to. Fortunately, Lily, the benefactress of a shelter for women like Bridget, offers her a solution that will soon change Bridget’s entire life.
“Orphan Train Escape” is not an easy read by any means; you’ll have tears in your eyes at the descriptions of children’s auctions and at the injustice of many policies of that time. But you’ll also feel hope ignite once again when you come across characters who decide to do whatever it takes to change the unfortunates’ lives for the better. Thoroughly researched and written with heart and passion, “Orphan Train Escape” will stay with you long after you close the book. Highly recommended!
Interesting book.
I am reading this entire series. Tragic but with many happy endings as well.
Such compassionate treatment of a time in history when orphans were sent west on orphan trains. From caretakers, to orphans, to the children, all their fears, concerns and disinterest were explored. Could feel their pain and joy as the story really drew me in. Yes there is a romance with a HEA. Good clean romance. Hesitated to read as the topic was not particularly upbeat, but glad I did as the book is captivating.
Really loved this book. Shows how strong women can be in a society where it wasn’t tolerated.
It’s so hard to read ab out our history with orphans, but I think it’s important to understand it. This author has written some excellent books & I’ve enjoyed every one that I’ve read. You really get a feel for what it was like to ride the Orphan Trains, arrange for the placing of children and live in such difficult circumstances.
A glimpse into the dark side of the legendary Orphan trains. The stark reality of the world where these children originated and where they were bound invokes a deeper understanding of the underlying issues.
I have recommended this book to several of my friends. I was not aware of this part of history before reading this novel. Some of the plights of these “orphans” were enough to make one cry, yet the courage of the main characters to make things better was heartwarming and inspirational. I can’t wait to read more in the series.
By much. Read like a Harlequin romance.
romance
I liked it because it taught me something, at the same time giving me a good story with relatable characters.
This was a quick read and I found it somewhat enjoyable, but probably won’t read the rest of the books in this series.
Great story. Worth reading.
I didn’t know much about these orphan trains. Glad to learn a bit
Interesting plot. Story line was fluid with interesting twists and turns. I knew a sweet woman in my youth that came west on the Orphan Train so that made the story even more interesting. It was a good read.