The Tide Waits for No Woman

by Richard K. Perkins

Newlywed Abby Anderson is unsure whether to call herself a widow. In July of 1860, as the nation teeters on the brink of war, word comes that her merchant captain husband, Clifford, has been lost to the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Rejecting social expectations regarding proper mourning, Abby agrees to assist in an Underground Railroad operation out of her hometown of Woolwich, Maine. But an early October winter storm catches Abby and the fugitive slave family she's smuggling, and they find themselves snowed in with Bill Boudreaux, an Acadian trapper and farmer, and two Abenaki teenagers in the remote Maine wilderness.

The unlikely companions must work together to ensure their survival through the long, harsh winter and find themselves growing closer, creating an unexpected family few societies would approve of-and leaving Abbey with what feels like an impossible choice. When spring comes, she will continue her quest to see the fugitive family safely to Canada. And then, she must decide where she truly belongs.

330 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2025

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this powerful new historical fiction novel, readers follow Abby Anderson as she copes with the loss of her merchant captain husband at sea. Rejecting society’s expectations around her mourning period, Abby joins the Underground Railroad operation in her hometown of Woolwich, Maine, and starts to help fugitive families escape to Canada. When a winter storm catches Abby and her secret guests off-guard, they are snowed in with Acadian trapper Bill Boudreaux and two Abenaki teens, and everyone must work together to survive the winter and figure out what they truly want and where they belong. Unique and fascinating, readers will love this complicated historical fiction novel and the characters’ found family. Their dynamics and growth over the course of the book will really pull readers into the story, and the complicated political setting of the American Civil War adds a lot of tension to the story and their relationships. Abby is a competent and fascinating protagonist whose narrative arc is intriguing and fun to follow, while the other characters are equally well-written and complex. Brilliantly written and packed with detail, readers will love this complicated and exciting new historical fiction novel set in New England during the Civil War from Richard Perkins.

Thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the advance copy.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This arc was actually a very interesting historical fiction read that takes place during the civil war. We are introduced to a young woman named Abby who lost her husband shortly after they were married. However, his body was never recovered since it was lost at sea so Abby is unsure if she actually is a widow. With the war breaking out she feels that she needs to do something to make a difference.she decides to assist in helping slaves escape to free through the underground railroad.
However, during one assignment a horrible storm breaks out and they are snowed in with a kind Acadian trapper. Bill the trapper agrees to help Abby escort the family to freedom in Canada. However, as Spribg approaches Abby must decide how she wants to move on with her life.

I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely, well written piece of historical fiction. It is set during the American Civil War, in Maine, and features Abby, a young woman whose husband was lost at sea. I really liked her strength of character as she decides to help some slaves escape using the underground railway. There are a few surprises in store on the journey for Abby as she tries to discover where she is going with her life as a widow. A very good read which I would recommend to fans of historical fiction. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Sara Scraps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC
Things I enjoyed in this book- the interesting historical details. The story of Chloe and Ben making their way to freedom. The characters were well-written and I did enjoy the main character,Abby,and her resilience
Things I did not like- there is a lot of extemporaneous “talk” throughout the book. I think this book is written less to be read for enjoyment and more to be discussed after you read it.
I also really did not like the ending. It isn’t an ending at all, nothing is resolved. You literally are just hanging there like what just happened?