223 Orchard Street by [Ryan, Renee]I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Katie and Shannon O'Connor traveled from Ireland to America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Each of them face a world that is different from the world they were expecting. One discovers a calling through serving those that are ill in the slums while the other goes down a path that may cost her her life.

Whereby, the story line was a little predictable, I still felt my heart tug for the lives of these two girls. I realized that many immigrants went through these same struggles when trying to find a new home in a strange country, including going through Ellis Island. It is a romance but I didn't think it sappy or explicit. It fit just right in the world of Christian books.

I enjoyed this book because it was an easy read. ( )

A heart wrenching love story between a hard working, self sacrificing Irish immigrant seamstress/nurse Katie O’Conner and a compassionate, distressed doctor Titus Brentwood. The story takes place in the New York City lower east side tenements, and Ellis Island. Our compassionate, distraught doctor Ty fought to give good medical care to the poor while dealing with his own personal battles at his clinic in the lower east side and on Ellis Island where he first met Katie. They meet again on the ferry when Katie’s sister Shannon comes to America and their lives become intertwined.

As I read this touching story Renee brought back memories of the stories my grandma used to tell about her and her sister’s parents coming through Ellis Island from Germany. My great grandparents met in the lower east side tenements as teenagers, fell in love and worked hard to give their daughters a better life. Renee portrayed the life, hardships, hopes and dreams of the immigrants of that time who were poor, traveled 3rd class from their homelands, what happened at Ellis Island, and the living and working conditions of the lower east side so much so one could not only see and feel but also smell what they endured daily.

Renee Ryan out did herself with 223 Orchard Street as she transported us to another time reminding us that we would not be where we are today if the immigrants had not fought for their place in this land of opportunity, overcoming overwhelming obstacles with perseverance, faith, and love of family. ( )