An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
Series: The Loyal League #1
Published by: Kensington
Pub Date: March 28, 2017
Pages: 320
Format: ebook | Source: purchased
Genres: adult, historical fiction, romance
Rating: 

As the Civil War rages between the states, a courageous pair of spies plunge fearlessly into a maelstrom of ignorance, deceit, and danger, combining their unique skills to alter the course of history and break the chains of the past . . .

Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice and an eidetic memory. Trading in her life of freedom in Massachusetts, she returns to the indignity of slavery in the South—to spy for the Union Army.

Malcolm McCall is a detective for Pinkerton’s Secret Service. Subterfuge is his calling, but he’s facing his deadliest mission yet—risking his life to infiltrate a Rebel enclave in Virginia.

Two undercover agents who share a common cause—and an undeniable attraction—Malcolm and Elle join forces when they discover a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy’s favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, and fighting a fiery and forbidden love, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other . . .

An Extraordinary Union was such an excellent book! I love that it’s decidedly a romance but the plot isn’t sacrificed in any way, and is actually enhanced by the romance. I also loved the historical setting- it was so richly and empathetically written. I don’t think anyone but a black woman could have written this story and I’m so glad Alyssa Cole did- she doesn’t shy away from the realities of the Civil War but she doesn’t trivialize the thoughts and feelings of her characters either.

It’s vibrantly written and I liked getting both POVs. I felt like I was reading historical fiction about actual figures- flesh and blood people surviving and falling in love in wartime. The middle sagged slightly for me but the beginning hooked me immediately and the ending made my heart race. I loved Elle so much and thought she and Malcom were a wonderful match for each other. At first I was disappointed that the sequels are more like companion novels but after that ending I want to dive into the next!

Do you like historical fiction mixed with your romance like I do? Have you read this series yet? Let me know!