First of all, Martha Ballard was a total badass in a time when women were largely kept down. I'm so happy that the author wrote this book about this amazing woman. The author made these characters jump off the page they felt so real. I know that they were at one time, but for me to feel they were right here with me is just a representation of how well written this book is. I could literally feel the love pouring off the pages between Martha and her husband Ephraim. It's definitely a favorite book of the year.