In April 1775, a young doctor, Samuel Prescott from Concord, Massachusetts, finds himself unexpectedly drawn into an alarm being spread and becomes a key part of the effort to warn others of a pending attack on Concord from the British troops. As events of the American Revolution unfold, we follow Samuel and his fiancée Lydia as they separately endure the hardships of war, fueled by their hope to be reunited.

This is a fictional retelling of the true story of Dr. Samuel Prescott, who was a key part of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” and a lesser-known figure in the American Revolution. It is also a love story, a tale of two real-life people who are kept apart by the war and whose sacrifices are not well known. The characters, both real and fictional, are expertly woven together to create a memorable novel. The word “memorable” is key, because many do not know the story of Samuel and Lydia, and their memory should be preserved. The reader follows Samuel, Lydia, and others through important events in history, from the beginnings of war on Lexington Green to the end of the battles and beginnings of peace. The story is told from multiple points of view, including Samuel, Lydia, her family members, and even British leaders. It is well-researched, and the descriptions of battle are quite realistic. The pain and suffering of those who sacrificed and died for their dream of a new country is well portrayed. This is a captivating novel about an important time in American history. Anyone interested in the American Revolution and U.S. History will enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.