When the Jessamine Grows

By: Donna Everhart

Narrated by: Tiffany Morgan

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Talk of impending war is a steady drumbeat throughout North Carolina, though Joetta McBride pays it little heed. She and her husband, Ennis, have built a modest but happy life for themselves, raising two sons, fifteen-year-old Henry, and eleven-year-old Robert, on their small subsistence farm. They do not support the Confederacy's position on slavery, but Joetta considers her family to be neutral, believing this is simply not their fight.

Her opinion is not favored by many in their community, including Joetta's own father-in-law, Rudean. A staunch Confederate supporter, he fills his grandsons' heads with stories about the glory of battle and the Southern cause until one night Henry runs off to join the war. At Joetta's frantic insistence, Ennis leaves to find their son and bring him home.

But soon weeks pass with no word from father or son and Joetta is battered by the strain of running a farm with so little help. As the country becomes further entangled in the ramifications of war, Joetta finds herself increasingly at odds with those around her—until one act of kindness brings her family to the edge of even greater disaster.

©2024 Donna Everhart (P)2024 Tantor

thoughtful & provoking

I enjoyed the story of Joetta and the situation she found herself in. I was exasperated by her at times but then wondered if I would have the courage of my convictions as she did. Great character development & story line with many twists & turns. highly recommend.

Great story

I almost didn’t finish the book because the narration was odd. At first, I even thought it was a virtual voice. But I kept listening and am glad I did. A heartwarming story of resilience, strength and forgiveness. The author brilliantly conveys the struggles of the characters to the listeners and beautifully portrays how conflict can bring out the best and the worst in people.

I can see why there were so many sides to the war.

The story put you in the shoes of several different people and their view of the Cival War in the 1860’s & the hardships it caused.

A view from inside history.

An intriguing view of symbolic people and how this horrid time in history felt from the home hearth.

Maybe it’s just me, but narration is horrible.

The narration for this is extremely irritating. I finished the book as I used a credit to purchase, but this would have been so much better with a different narrator.

The Narrator Ruined It!

I love all Donna Everhart’s books, but I couldn’t get through this one because the narrator’s tone drove me crazy. I had to stop! I’ll have to purchase a hard copy of this book and finish it that way. I’ll never listen to another book narrated by that person again.

Civil war

Very real story. Great characters - another side of the story. A better understanding of what really happened.

Fabulous Civil War era story

I love all of Donna Everhart’s books of women overcoming adversity, set in different times of American history, this one included.
Unfortunately, the narrator was one of the worst I’ve ever heard, and I’ve listened to hundreds of Audible titles. It’s still worth the listen, but it was painful at times.

Can’t finish

I’m so disappointed. Will have to read, rather than listen. Could not finish on audible. Was narration computer-generated. It is awful. Hope not.

Civil War woman

I really liked some parts and others I did not. Because of the narrator Joette seemed weak. I wanted her to stand up to MrMcbride. Glad Ennis came home! Not much history