It isn’t within man to guide his own steps—or a woman. Caught between a wagon train and the deep blue sea, Agnes Remington Dalrumple–Remi for short–chooses the overland journey west over crossing the Atlantic with her mother and step-father. Though she’s never been on her own, she decides to go to California and try to find the father she’s never known. Thwarted at every turn, almost every … every effort is dashed until a widower’s thirteen-year-old daughter intervenes on her behalf. How can the headstrong woman place herself under the responsibility of the young girl’s father, a perfect stranger? But if she doesn’t, her journey ends right there in Saint Joseph, Missouri. On the Oregon/California Trail, will her pride and independence deter her from the destiny God has prepared?
Asher Adams, a widower with two daughters and a desire to start anew has sold everything he owns and is headed to California with his recently wed sister and her husband. She and his girls conspire every step of the way, hoping he will find someone to be a companion and friend. Remi fits the bill as far as all the women in his life are concerned, but is it too soon?
more
This is my first book by Caryl McAdoo. Her books came highly recommended and this one did not disappoint. The characters are engaging, the story flows well and her strong faith in God is woven throughout. I will be reading more of this author.
Four stars
Nice book theming you on a wagon train, regular train, and being set up to fall in love. Very nicely done. And yes can we recommend this to my advanced reading preteen friends. And it’s a stand alone so don’t have to read any others to u derstand this one.
What an awesome story! This book highlights the harsh reality of traveling across the United States back in 1853. The story is mostly told from the perspective on Asher Adams’ 13 year old daughter. Remi has absolutely no idea of the hardships she and her bondwoman will encounter. First the wagon master won’t allow single women in the wagon train and that’s how Remi meets Asher. Let the wagons roll and let God lead us to our new home! You won’t want to put this book down!
Can you hear the wagon wheels as they slowly go over rough terrain? Is that dust up ahead whipping in the wind? Will the wagons be safe as they travel to their destination? Those questions are answered in this adventure as we travel along with Remi. Oh how I liked this character so much. She decides to go to California to meet her father for the first time and leaves her old life behind.. I don’t think she will be missed by her mother or step-father when they say they are going to be gone for a very long time. I admired Demi for being so strong and making arrangements for her own wagon and oxen.
I loved reading about the places Remi traveled through and how vivid the descriptions were. The author really did her research on this story as she traveled the Oregon/California trail herself which makes this story so special. Her heart is in this story as she experienced what it must have been like riding through rain and mud. I was very intrigued by the information about oxen. You don’t hear much about these animals, but in the frontier they were in much demand. Their strength and endurance helped Demi as she steered them along the trail. I can’t imagine what it would be like to travel by wagon for months with only what you have packed to survive on.
There is one point in the story where Remi has to navigate her wagon through a very dangerous slope. I held my breath as she looked over the path to plot her strategy. It is so easy to get drawn into the story because the writing makes you feel like you are beside Remi in the wagon. The story is full of surprises and emotional moments. Meeting Asher in the story was refreshing. An honest to goodness gentleman who has a heart of gold. I loved the obvious attraction Remi and Asher have for each other. It will take some time to see where this relationship goes as both have some emotional baggage to deal with. I loved how the author shares God throughout the story and how important it was for the characters to trust Him to keep them safe.
I really enjoyed the story and how much it reminded me of my granddad. He traveled by covered wagon from Kansas to Oklahoma to homestead his land. His stories are very similar to what Remi experienced on her travels. One of the best things about this author is that she makes her characters come alive with poetic words. She brings her readers into the story and gives them a front row seat as the adventure plays out right before their eyes. I didn’t want the story to end because I was enjoying my journey on the trails and feeling like I was part of the amazing adventure. I can’t wait to read the next book in this adventure.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Remi
I could see when I finish the book I need to read the next one in the series. It will be about Samantha who was in this book a lot. I do love these kind of books. The time period when traveling was much different from today. Horseback, stagecoach, ship but no cars yet.
Remi decided she would travel to her fathers place but did not want to by ship. So she has to find other ones going her same way. She meets a lot of different ones with the wagon train. I enjoyed the children that were with them.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive. This is my own opinion.
This is one of my favorite series by this author. These are easy reads and a lot of fun.
All of the characters are well represented and they each have a bit of the story. I like this time period and the wagon trains. I like that there is some romance but not an over abundance. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I enjoyed this read about the struggles that made this country great, the travel across our vast landscape in a wagon pulled by oxen. We get up close and personal with these folks, and our main characters are both woman. One a woman who has a desire to finally meet her father, and the other a bondswoman that she has bought to help her in her journey.
There is a bit of romance here, and the various trials that they meet along the way. Of course, there are some horrible tragedies that are met, and some darling little ones.
Learning to trust, and knowing you are not your mother, is another journey Remi has to overcome.
Do know that all is not answered in this book and you will need to move to the next read in this series to satisfy your answers.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
I’m not sure what was more difficult, the wagon trail, or Remi’s road to love! Remi is so afraid of repeating her mother’s love life, she’s not willing to see what’s right in front of her!
Traveling across the United States in a covered wagon with strangers was quite the experience for this city girl. I enjoyed traveling along with this strong young lady and seeing all her new experiences through her eyes. Animals, children and the hazards of the trail made this an interesting journey.
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
Historical fictions are one of my favorite type of books. Caryl McAdoo takes us into the life or Remi and her bondwoman, Edwina. They are on their way from Saint Joseph, Montana to California to find her long lost father. We see her group of people crossing rough areas such as mountains. No one really allowed women to travel alone in a wagon train. Asher Adams steps in and helps them travel with his family. They find themselves dealing with diseases and tragedies. There is a bit of romance. Is this trip to Oregon/California worth it? McAdoo recounts the hardship of the journey, but also love and happiness.
Remi is an independent woman. When she sets her mind onto something she will do it. She was in a non-traditional upbringing. She may be stubborn and determined, but she is also kind. Throughout we see her battling her inner demons and doubts. Throughout the book, we read lovesick letters from young Samantha. She kept a journal. We read about her optimism and her unique perspective on the wagon train journey.
I have a hard time not letting my doubts take over especially if I want to do a new adventure.
The women in “Remi” are very strong-willed, smart and feminist.
Caryl McAdoo did her research. Because of her details of the scenery and struggles, they faced every day on the trail was very realistic. It was like she was there herself. I loved her writing style. The beginning was a little on the slow side, but once I got past the third chapter I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It was easy to follow. Her characters were relatable. She wove in so many different lessons into the story. The message I got from this book is to not let things get you down and to keep trying. I would recommend this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.”
“…more than anything, she wanted to wake up and be out of that nightmare they called the Oregon Trail.” What a telling statement this is! Remi and her group are crossing a small desert; they have been up and down difficult mountains; seen disease and tragedies. Would this trip to Oregon/California be worth it all? It certainly was not the adventure we sometimes make it out to be in the 21st century. It was drudgery, hard work, and perseverance, plain and simple. In one place I had to laugh, but it was no laughing matter. Caryl McAdoo recounts the hardship of one part of the journey by describing one of the strongest men on the trail: “even his aches had pains.”
Remi by Caryl McAdoo, first caught my attention because it was about, of course, finding love on the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail is such a romantic setting for those of us who are too far removed to be able to understand how awful it was. I have read other books detailing the dangers, but I thank McAdoo for being so forthright in calling it a “nightmare.” That word woke me up a bit to the realization that I have been idealizing that dangerous, uncertain trip. Have you?
Another thing that caught my attention was McAdoo’s writing style. It was easily readable, a loose narrative that left room for thought. What impressed me, though, was that her “writing voice” was really quite different from each of the other two books I’ve read by her. I wonder what her voice in the next book will sound like? And I really do want to find out what happens to Sam and her little sister.
So many different lessons woven into the story. It seems we can learn from each character. And isn’t that what makes a wonderful story? I loved some quotes that I felt could apply to us today. So many times, when tragedy strikes, we tend to feel safer if we find out that we could not be potential victims. But for those on the trail, tragedies hit close to home… “Getting sick then dying is one thing, but an accident…that could happen to any one of us. That seems to make the loss worse.”
Next, another important quote, because I am learning the value of rejecting worrisome and negative thinking. “Though she failed at holding back her thoughts from wandering to her thirst or parched lips, or the sandy, dusty, hot trail she walked, she did force them from lingering there.” We CAN choose to control our thoughts and are encouraged and commanded in Scripture to do so. We can’t stop thoughts from entering our minds sometimes, but we don’t have to provide them permanent residence.
All in all, a book I would highly recommend. It may be a bit slow at first, but it will be worth it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through NetGalley. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.
I thought this was a great book. It was written as a follow-up to Uniquely Common but can be read as a stand alone. I loved reading about Remi’s wagon train journey west. I liked how the author was able to show some of the hardships that people traveling like that went through. I also liked how she showed the inner struggle that Remi went through between her feelings for Asher and what she knew from watching her mother. Edwina’s story was a great one, also. I would recommend this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.
Wagon train story you do not want to miss!
This story was a lot of fun to read! I always enjoy a wagon train adventure, and this one does not disappoint! remind I bit of a pampered young lady who thinks she can travel from NY to San Francisco without any man’s assistance! Boy was she in for a surprise, lol!
What I really liked was how the author did not shy away from the hardship a wagon train faced back then, but all the while the main characters follow God’s leading through out the journey.
I was blessed to get this book as a gift, and all opinions are entirely my own!
It was good to catch up with the Adams family. Caryl McAdoo tells such wonderful stories with interesting characters. In this book we get to meet Remi, Edwina, Dusty and other members of the wagon train. Her descriptions of the trip west make it very real and you almost feel their aches and pains. The only bad thing about this book is how long it is going to be before we get to find out what happens with Samantha and Silas. It amazes me how fast children grew up during this time. I absolutely loved this book.