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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In The Place, E.B. Sullivan tells the story of Luella, who is a child when the novel begins but grows into a young woman navigating survival and self-worth in 19th-century Placerville. After a desperate act sends her down an unexpected path, she finds herself in a world shaped by wealth, vice, and rigid expectations. Now known as Lula, she moves forward with quiet resilience, though often burdened by self-doubt. Her choices are rarely easy, but each one shapes the woman she’s becoming. The novel blends historical detail with emotional depth, capturing a time when women had to fight for even the slightest bit of autonomy. Along the way, Luella’s relationships, especially the slow-building bond with Jess Trainer, reveal the many layers of her character and the courage it takes to trust again, even when a controlling “boss” voice in her head tells her not to. Sullivan’s novel is both unflinching and tender, offering a strong sense of time, place, and the complex people in it.
As a fan of historical fiction, I was drawn to this story right away, and it didn’t disappoint. What stayed with me most was how hard Luella/Lula was on herself and how she couldn’t always see the strength and decency that were so clear to others. Those moments were heartbreaking at times and made me feel sad for her. Still, she kept moving forward and did what she had to do, and I really respected that. Her relationship with Jess developed slowly, but that made perfect sense given all she’d endured, and it felt more genuine because of it, even though at times it was frustrating. After all, I wanted them to be together, because I just knew it would be good for both of them. I also loved that she ultimately pursued medical school, which added another layer of empowerment to her journey. E.B. Sullivan’s writing is immersive and sincere, and this novel truly left a lasting impression.
