In this epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail, a family and their unlikely protector find their way through peril, uncertainty, and loss.
The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man … half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both.
But life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. John’s heritage gains them safe passage through hostile territory only to come between them as they seek to build a life together.
When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Ripped apart, they can’t turn back, they can’t go on, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make terrible sacrifices to find each other, save each other, and eventually…make peace with who they are.
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Beautifully written story of life and trials on the Oregon Trail in the 1850’s. This book is truly inspiring and descriptive of the experiences of people who searched for a better life as well as the experiences of the Native Americans and their experiences in living their lives in their respective traditions and tribal cultures and meeting the challenges in their changing world.
While being historical it also focuses on the lives of The Mays family, their daughter Naomi and their experiences as well as that of John Lowry who’s mother was Native American and father was white.
John and Naomi are drawn to each other and it’s interesting and insightful to read about how things were for them during a time where the volatility and tensions were high between cultures. As well as how John felt and dealt with being from two distinct worlds.
The trials, tribulations, emotions, reactions and resilience of the characters was written in a respectful and non-judgmental manner. I was truly taken by this descriptively portrayed fictional work based on some true familial history.
This is the most wonderful read. Such an emotional journey. So beautifully written.
This epic tale of love and loss has all the feels. John and Naomi’s story will stay with you long after you finish Where the Lost Wander. It’s everything you expect from Amy Harmon and that includes the tears <3
#TwoFeet #FaceWoman
This is the kind of book that stays with you, in your mind and in your heart, for days after reading it. I finished this book almost a week ago and I’m still thinking about it. It took me two days before I could pick up another book and for me that’s crazy talk. haha. I think that Amy Harmon creates such an intense emotional connection to her characters and her story that it all just feels so real and raw. It’s hard to let go of.
First, I will say that I wouldn’t classify this book as clean. Please make sure to read my content disclosure if you are a clean reader or if you are worried about the content.
I don’t think you can write a story set on the Oregon Trail and not expect some gritty and heart wrenching things to be happening. The May family will steal your heart- the whole lot of them. Naomi and John are so interesting. I loved learning about them and I loved feeling so connected to them and their stories. I was pulled in from chapter one and I honestly could not put this book down.
This is the story of sacrifice, love, determination, loss and endurance. It’s not an easy story but it is full and it expands your heart and your mind.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“He suffers when you go”, she says softly.
“That’s not true.”
“It is. It is the suffering of love. Every parent feels it. It is the suffering of being unable to shield or save. It is not love if it doesn’t hurt.”
Content: mild swearing, death, violence (some more graphic in nature), peril, kissing, sexual situations (intimacy with some detail between a married couple, rape with some detail), some innuendo, mention of child molestation.
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
LOVE.
LOVE.
LOVE.
Already one of my best books of the year. You can hear my full gush on the Women With Books podcast but here’s an abbreviated version:
WAGON TRAIL.
HISTORICAL FICTION.
ADVENTURE!
ROMANCE!
CHOLERA!
Okay, that part might not be alluring, but y’all. If you’re part of the Oregon Trail generation especially, you need to pick up this book ASAP.
This is such an amazing book. By far my favorite this year. Epic and beautiful, this is a poignant historical fiction book about the Oregon Trail. It is a beautiful love story set in the rugged and harsh reality of life on the Oregon Trail in the 1850’s. It is filled with history, tears, joy, and love.
I have never read a book by Amy Harmon that I didn’t love, but this one of my favorites for sure!
Thank you, Amy Harmon, for the ARC and the opportunity to fall in love with another of your books!
Rated 4.5 Stars
Where The Lost Wander was a bit slow yet quite a compelling read. I was wholly invested in these characters, their lives, their journey and this story. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. It didn’t make me cry but I ran through the gamut of emotions while reading it. This author’s books are always thought provoking, this one was no different. I loved and hated it. It was brutal. It was real. It was amazing. I highly recommend it.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
Easily 5 stars. From the moment I read the first chapter I knew this book would be a star-studded read. Amy has pricked my heart, broken it, then repaired it back again. Anyone who knows me, knows my affinity for this stellar author. She’s a dynamic writer who pulls at your heart strings, nudging you to listen to much more than the words leaping off the pages. She hits your core, the root of your soul; even challenging you to see a perspective you didn’t think you needed to see or understand.
Where The Lost Wander, was no exception.
This is my 5th book from this author and she has yet to disappoint. WTLW is a story about new beginnings, loss, tragedy and the determination humanity has to never give up when faced with adversity. I loved everything about this book. The imagery. The descriptive references about the Oregon Trail and the beautiful Pawnee people, was amazing in itself. You can tell Amy did her research when piecing this book together.
Final thoughts…
Loved the characters. Naomi May and John’s connection subtly heats up the story adding an element of softness to offset the tragedy they endure. All-in-all, a fantastic read I was lucky enough to read.
*A copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
5+ stars!
I was blow away by this book. I have said it before and I will say it again, Amy Harmon has a way with words. Her ability to transport you to another time and make it all feel real is phenomenal. With Where the Lost Wonder, she has once again given us a historical romance unlike any other. Her writing is superb, the characters are remarkable, the romance is epic, and the journey is everything. I loved this story and it easily makes its way onto my favorites list!
The prologue sucked me in. It pulled at my heartstrings and I was hooked. It is gut-wrenching. I dreaded the moments I would relive those pages but couldn’t stop myself from reading because the writing and story is just that good. I couldn’t put it down even if I wanted to.
Where the Lost Wander takes us on an adventure on the Oregon Trail, and it’s difficult and heartbreaking but it’s an adventure, nonetheless. Everyone is searching for a better life and we see the possibility that comes with dreaming of a new life.
“Regardless of their possessions or their position, it seems everyone has the same dream. They all want something different than what they have now. Land. Luck. Life. Even love. Everyone chatters about what we’re going to find when we get there. I’m no different, I suppose, though I’m more worried about what we’re going to find along the way.”
The journey is full hope and survival. There is new life and growth, and devastation and death. You find family, friends, strangers, and enemies along the way. I felt like I was there with the characters experiencing the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s an experience of love and loss, and more love and more loss.
There is an epic romance that I’ll keep close to my heart. The love is real, but it is not without its trials. With the beautiful comes the ugly, and no love is perfect. However, the love in this novel is a forever love and it was meant to be from the very start. There was no stopping it from blooming and I believed it in.
“One long gaze, one meeting of our eyes, and I was caught. I haven’t been able to look away since.”
I was filled with so much emotion with every page I turned. These words are full of depth and creativity while they bring history to life and I felt what the characters went through as though they were real. I felt like I was living it. Historical romances have become a favorite genre because of Amy Harmon. The people, the landscape, the traditions – everyone and everything is so well researched that I find myself lost in the worlds she brings back to life. They are all just so well done and I cannot wait to see what other pieces of history she choses to give us in the future.
Overall, I lived and loved every part of Where the Lost Wander, even when it gutted me. This story is phenomenal and I find myself thinking of it and the characters often. I want to relive it over and over again, and it easily deserves a place on my top favorite list!
*ARC generously provided by the author*
Long ago there were travelers who braved the perils and triumphs of the Oregon Trail. Naomi May was one of those brave individuals. As a twenty year old, Naomi had already endured the trials in life. As a widow, Naomi knew that traveling with her family in search of a better life was far better option than staying in the Midwest. Adventures of unknown certainty called to the May family.
Nothing in the 1800s was easy. Living life between the world of the Pawnee and white man brought its own set of challenges. John Lowry devoted his life to herding the animals that provided his family the means to a better life. During his journey, John crossed paths with Naomi and the attraction was instantaneous. John was determined to help the May family navigate through the perilous hardships that would challenge even the best traveler.
Sickness and other hardships plagued the travelers as they pushed along their western path. Determination was pushing the duo to seek the life that was calling from the coast. Nothing could have prepared the May family for the tragedy that would shatter their lives. An event that would pull Naomi and John to the farthest reaches of the wilderness. Both are weighed down by the choices that will alter the course of their future. The only thing that either can focus on will be the strength that it takes to survive the hardships that still lie ahead on the trail.
Where the Lost Wander is the latest release from Amy Harmon and its focus is set on the Oregon trail. Based on a bit of fact blended with the tendrils of fiction, Harmon has managed to transport her readers into a place in history that is oftentimes forgotten. It was a time when settlers crossed paths with Indians, and illness could result in a death sentence. This journey centered around a man that was straddling the reality of two separate paths of heritage.
Never would I have imagined finding a book about the Oregon Trail fascinating. The way Harmon weaves fact and fiction into a historical novel amazes me. Each nuance of John and Naomi’s journey can be imagined as if the events were occurring in modern times. The loss and longing of this story pulled at your heart with each turn of the page. How will it all end for these two souls that were clearly destined to create a path through the perils of the trails? Only time will tell where the journey will lead, but one thing I can tell you is this book is an experience all its own. Let the words envelop you. Imagine the dusty and dangerous trail. Let your heart soar as the lost wander through the western trails.
c’est une histoire à la fois lente et pleine de belles choses et de rebondissements que nous propose l’autrice, j’ai aimé découvrir toute cette aventure grâce aux regards de Naomi et de John, ils sont tous les deux attachants et touchants et on ne peut que dévorer les pages pour savoir comment (et si) ils vont s’en sortir, certains passages sont vraiment très durs mais l’espoir reste présent du début à la fin, même quand le pire leur arrive. J’ai dévoré les pages pour comprendre les tenants et les aboutissants, les rencontres qu’ils font ont leur importance et on ne peut que ressentir leur amour grandir et s’épanouir dans les drames. Le final est plaisant et nous donne quand même le sourire et laisse poindre l’espoir encore un peu plus grand.
“It is. It is the suffering of love. Every parent feels it. It is the suffering of being unable to shield or save. It is not love if it doesn’t hurt.”
I’m going to be hung over for quite some time, and probably cry a lot too. All the emotions are hitting me hard now after I finished. Through this book I truly felt that I was on the trail with Naomi and John. I fell in love with them and their family. While I will never realize their struggles, Amy wrote these words in such a way that I feel them deep into my soul.
Each book that Amy writes transports me to a different time. She truly has a gift and I will never tire of her words. Thank you to Amy, Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this early.
Where the Lost Wander is powerful in the most subtle of ways. Amy Harmon takes us on a journey like no other and one I will admit I was hesitant to take. But with a most intense prologue, my interest was piqued in a way I didn’t expect. And before I knew it, I was deep into Harmon’s exquisite writing and just like Naomi Way and her beloved family and their brutal trek west, I wasn’t turning back.
Harmon in my opinion, couldn’t have written a more timely piece. With this worldwide pandemic strangling our very livelihoods, I almost felt a kindredship towards these weary travelers and their new normal. Even with a pretty decent-sized wagon train, leaving behind all that they knew in Missouri for a new life out west, there were still times of loneliness, monotony and extreme doubt that this was still the right thing to do. The May family is strong, seemingly resilient and full of faith that everything will turn out all right. I couldn’t help but feel their inner thoughts and feelings in much the same way I do in this new world of ours, 2020 reflecting some of what they were experiencing in the 1850’s.
The underlying slow burn romance between Naomi May and one John Lowry gave this book the minute ray of sunshine in an oft-times brutal existence. Living in wagons, never knowing what might lie ahead and traveling a treacherous route, I savored the calm Naomi and John would provide to not only each other but those around them. They have this almost spiritual connection with Naomi understanding John almost immediately. His half-breed existence was never an easy one, being a contentious matter for many around him and yet Naomi became his balm from the first time they laid eyes on each other and only saw his beautiful soul from that moment forward.
John’s understated nature and the industrious way about him clearly reflected both his upbringing by his hardworking white father and step-mother and his innate sense that came from his indian mother. He’s quiet yet is a fierce thinker and he proves over and over again, even to those who don’t take kindly to his mixed-race nature that he is worthy of both respect and love. And I just adored how tenacious Naomi was in capturing his heart even as he tried his hardest to resist her. She is a true marvel.
Like most other Harmon books, there is much to digest. And with the time-frame being one I wasn’t too keen about, I was sure that I’d get lost in archaic verbage that would bring the story down. However, I am the first to admit that I enjoyed learning more about that time and just what early settlers had to endure. Even with loss of life, loss of precious goods and the loss of their will, I was beyond impressed at how each person did their best to carry on even when all felt lost.
A true testament to the their strength and grit, I fell hard for this group of characters. It is most definitely Naomi’s story, however, taking us along while she continually takes time to illustrate her loved ones, using that talent to thwart many a threat and keep those she loves most close to her heart. I was forever in awe of how she never wavered in her determination, only breaking when it was beyond her control. But her love of her beloved John was truly a godsend and proved to be her savior time and time again. They held each other up, took each other’s pain and loved each other with all they had. A true partnership in every sense of the word.
Where the Lost Wander touched something in me that I wasn’t necessarily always comfortable with but at the same time gave me a renewed hope that this current situation we are in will eventually pass. I wanted to turn away at some of the more excruciating scenes, but knew it was all part of the history that Americans lived through and I felt privileged to be able to witness some of it ‘firsthand’.
There is an ethereal quality to this book that gave it a magical kind of feel, especially the use of otherworldly dreams whether from the stalwart Winifred May or from the formidable Washakie. When life handed both John and Naomi moments of pure horror and grief those visions were the push both often needed to carry on.
I applaud Amy Harmon for taking a part of her own husband’s ancestry and crafting a story that brings to life a time that I thought of as a bit dry and dusty as the plains the wagon trails traveled upon. I surprised myself at how much I enjoyed it and it has given me a new outlook in these troubled times, knowing we are always stronger than we may think and that this too shall pass.
5+ stars!
Enthralling, moving, and authentic!
Where the Lost Wander is an absorbing story that sweeps you away to 1853 and into the life of Naomi May, a young widow who along with her family embarks on a wagon train journey from St. Joseph, Missouri to California in the hopes of forming a new life. But the prairies are not easily passable, and between the landscape, the elements, disease, and Sioux warriors this adventure is fraught with danger and death from the outset and if not for the help and love of John “Two Feet” Lowry, a mule drive with a foot in both the white man and Pawnee world they would have had little hope for survival.
The writing is eloquent and vivid. The characters are resilient, devoted, and strong. And the plot is a harrowing tale about life, loss, hope, family, grief, culture, hardship, trust, violence, murder, and love.
Overall, Where the Lost Wander is a beautifully written, exceptionally atmospheric novel that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the feelings, personalities, and lives of the characters you can’t help but be affected. It is indisputably one of my favourite novels of the year that reminds us of the rugged beauty of this land we call home and a lifestyle that was savage yet harmonic and respectful.
What an incredible story, my mind is blown! I cannot stop thinking about it. I even dreamed about it! It’s written with such skill and attention to detail. The bravery and fortitude it took for all the families that travelled thousands of miles for a dream of something better, for the generations that followed them. A harrowing journey full of breathtaking beauty and dangers worse than you could every imagine. I loved the characters and their stories were impossible for me to put down. I may be told from the point of view of the two main characters, but they were all loved and cherished and I will honestly never forget the pictures it painted in my mind and they way it made be feel. I wish I could give it more than five stars, but it will have to do, just know that I wish I could give it all the stars!
Amy Harmon sure knows how to tell a story, doesn’t she? I love how diverse her books are in scope, characterization, and genre. Where the Lost Wander is part western, part history lesson, and part romance. Some scenes will rip your heart out, some will leave you a messy tub of gooey warmth, and some will make you swoon so hard that you might keel over.
I’ve loved these sorts of pioneer tales since my obsession with the Ingalls family began in the third grade, so to take this journey with Amy Harmon at the helm is a wondrous treat. Not that I was always grateful. When Harmon made me cry all the ugly cries, I wanted to shake my fist at her. Yet I also appreciated that she doesn’t make this story something it isn’t. Her hero, John Lowry, is half Pawnee, half Caucasian, so in addition to all the worry and suspense as to how Naomi May and her family will survive their westward march, Harmon makes you think about people who have, as John’s mother puts it, one foot in one world and the other in a different one. How do you find space where you feel like you belong?
Of course, that sense of finding your space is a theme of the book. Naomi understands John’s unrest and displacement. She understands how he doesn’t feel a full part of any world because she is in a similar place. At 20, she is a widow, even though she never felt truly married, so much so that she can’t bring herself to be called by her married name. She’s young, yet she could still be a married woman, a mother even. Yet she isn’t accepted as a married woman (because she isn’t one), nor is she viewed as a widow (she’s too young), and she isn’t a mother. Like John, she has a piece of more than one world but isn’t truly of any of them.
Westward expansion mirrors the inner, the emotional, the spiritual, and the psychic in Harmon’s characters. I love the way she plays with different motifs and symbols, and I love the way she makes you see, hear, feel, even smell what she describes. I can forgive the times she made me cry because, in the end, this is a beautiful story.
3.5 stars
It has been a long time since I’ve read historical fiction and the blurb for Where the Lost Wander really caught my attention. I have to start by saying, however, that unfortunately the prologue ensured I spent the majority of my time reading with a sense of dread and foreboding as to what lay ahead. I wanted to emerge myself in the story which, in itself is beautifully written, but I found myself wandering ahead in my mind and just plain worrying about the future lives, or not, of these characters I was becoming invested in.
The traditional romance we have come to expect, or recognise, in more contemporary novels is not as apparent here but it does exist in the love felt between Naomi and John. That love, together with caring and affectionate behaviour, was there, just presented in a more subtle way, beyond the physical as befits the time period. The pride these characters have in each other, the respect, is heartwarming. There was family love too, between parents and siblings, so I would definitely call this a love story, in more ways than one. Just don’t go into this expecting a bodice ripper, not that it claims to be one, as it’s far from it.
It’s an understatement to say that life is not easy on the trail. It’s harsh and cruel, often one step forward, two steps back but I had to admire their tenacity and resourcefulness and sheer willpower. Some of the situations they have to endure seem unbearable, yet they have little choice but to do just that. They deal with it by hard work, determination and fortitude. Like the wagon train itself, the pace of the story is quite slow at times and although I imagine it’s realistic in its depiction, there were moments when I wished it would press ahead a little quicker.
In complete contrast, the last twenty percent is action packed and was without doubt my favorite portion of the book. It’s brutal and emotional and there are certain scenes which, although not hugely explicit, leave us in no doubt as to what is occurring. The implications are obvious and despite the lack of graphic detail, it makes an impact nonetheless. Naomi and John’s bond is strong and it is in this part of the book that we see it come alive. We get more of an insight into John’s cultural heritage, albeit not in great depth, and a clearer understanding of his personality too, which I really enjoyed.
On the whole I liked this story, the later parts more than the earlier, due to the slow pace as I mentioned before. One particular stand out moment for me is one scene right at the end of the book, which is beautiful in its simplicity. It gave me goosebumps and brought a lump to my throat. I found it deeply emotional, wonderfully poignant and thought provoking. Overall, I liked the characters and loved the style of writing, and enjoyed what I would describe as a love story wrapped up in an interesting and well researched lesson on the history of The Oregon Trail.
This is a really good story, with interesting and complex characters. Some of these characters are real individuals and actually some were even part of the Authors family. These people will hold you close, and give you every emotion possible, as we come to see how love, hate, revenge, acceptance are all revolving emotions.
We follow a wagon train crossing the USA on the Oregon Trail on their way to California in the 1850’s.
Two of the main characters are John and Naomi, they fall in love on the trail. John is also called Two Feet as he is half white and half Pawnee, always feeling like he doesn’t belong in either world. John who is also a mule breeder, becomes one of the wagon trails guides across the country.
Naomi is a young widow, traveling, with her family, strong willed and an accomplished artist, who knows what she wants and will do whatever is needed to achieve it.
This was a story that will have you on the edge of your seat as you read about their trials and tribulations on this journey, but also the joys and hopes they all have.
Beautiful descriptions throughout, that let us feel this story even more.
A must read in my opinion.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book.
– 4.5 stars –
I probably mentioned it many times, but I am going to start this review by mentioning it again. Amy Harmon is one of the most versatile authors I know. There are only a few authors I know that have jumped into trying to write other genres and hitting it out of the park. Amy Harmon is most known for her contemporary romance novels, but since then she has written multiple historical fiction novels (set in very heartbreaking times), and even a couple of fantasy novels. The moment I heard she was writing Where the Lost Wander, a historical fiction/romance set on the Oregon Trail, I was dying of excitement because I am obsessed with romance books set in this time period.
Amy Harmon knows how to pull at the heart strings, she already had me crying in the prologue. The characters in this book were absolutely amazing. I fell in love with each and everyone of them. This book was multi-layered and it felt like I was on this trip together with the characters. Even though I have read many books set in this time period, I rarely experienced it like I did with Where the Lost Wander. It was more heartbreaking, raw, and brutal. It is a love story, but also a story about family and finding your place in the world. It is about overcoming hardships and surviving the best you can. I can’t even imagine what the people in those times had to go through, but this book gave me a pretty good idea. It takes so much courage to leave everything you know behind and leave for an unknown land. The people had to be resilient because death was just around the corner. There is no time to properly grief while on the trail.
Amy did not disappoint with this heartbreaking story. It was slow-paced, but I think it fit this story perfectly, because things did move slowly in that time period. It took months before people arrived at their destination. The relationship between Naomi and John was beautiful and I fell in love with both of them. Naomi was pretty brave and persistent in her pursuit of John. He really stood no chance in keeping her away. I also loved the relationships John had with Naomi’s mother and brothers. This book was very emotional, and I cried a couple of times. I fully connected to the characters, so it was very difficult to say goodbye to all of them. I didn’t want the story to end and I wanted to stay with them a little longer. This is another book by Amy I can add to my favorites list.
****** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ******
I don’t read (or listen) historical anything. It doesn’t matter that a large chunk of the story is romance. The story is set in the time when settlers were moving toward the west for land, for gold, for the elusive freedom they were always on the search for since leaving England. So I shouldn’t have enjoyed a single word of this! But… there was a name on the cover that says I’ll listen to everything she writes… Amy Harmon! I always come away feeling as though I learned something powerful, a lesson that she knew I needed.
So you’re gonna look at this book and then read the synopsis and see The Oregon Trail and instantly go to move on…. DON’T, WAIT… read a few reviews, read this review and you’ll realize that Amy Harmon has a lesson to teach. Sit down and grab a box of tissues, yeah, an entire box, you’ll need them. It has been a while since I found myself crying so hard over a book. However, Miss Harmon took me to a shameful time in our countries history and she created family, people… people that struggled, they suffered, they loved, they died, they cried (I sobeed). Goodness gracious was it moving. More than moving though, I was surprised by how very authentic this story felt. This has to be one of Amy Harmon’s most turbulent stories that I have read. It hit me emotionally and it’s one of those books that will leave you reeling, that’ll leave you thinking. Don’t miss it!
The narration by Lauren Ezzo and Shaun Taylor-Corbett was one of the most vivid and plain epic audiobooks that I have listened too. I was purely shocked with how quickly I listened to this nearly 12 hour book. It’s a book that’s over way quicker than you could ever want it to be and largely that’s the story. However, these two narrators play a huge role in my emotional responses… some of those tears are placed solely on their shoulders. They brought these characters to life. The breathed air into a devastating time in American history and told us a story that focuses on two people. They put a voice to these people and added the emotion and tone that made it so balanced it felt like I was watching a reenactment. They both pulled off accents and language that seemed relevant to the 1800s.
I cannot thank Brilliance Publishing enough for sending me a complimentary copy of this audiobook. I was not required to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are just that… my opinions.
Set in 1850’s America, this story follows Naomi May and John Lowry as they venture out west traveling on the Overland Trail. Though Naomi is accompanied by her family, John is traveling on his own to procure business. As John is half-Pawnee and half-white, he knows he must balance between two worlds, but Naomi isn’t one to believe in such boundaries. Together, they face multiple adversities on this trek to California.
“But every day is a lifetime out here. These days we’re living, they’re hard. And they’re heavy.”
From the start, a heartfelt tone is set with the hope and risks these characters are taking in order to make a better life. Told in dual POV, the spirit that propels Naomi is endearing, as she always has a unique way of looking at things. While Naomi outwardly wears her thoughts, John is much more insular and measured in his process. During their journey, it is clear each day is new one with different challenges, but also closer to a new world.
“If nothing matters, then there’s no point. If everything matters, there’s no purpose. The trick is to find firm ground.”
In this novel, the storyline is driven by the tenacity and diversity of these characters. Immediately, John captured my attention because of his inward struggle, while Naomi made me smile with her willingness to voice the truth. The secondary characters also add to the landscape, showing how others view the world in different ways.
Overall, I enjoyed the experiences that made this story compelling, but a good portion lagged for me when it came to the time on the trail. I also have mixed feelings about a certain part that lessened some impact of an important scene. That said, I learned about a poignant time in American history and took comfort in the characters who shared common insight into the future.
Where the Lost Wander is a historical romance centered on the struggle of the time and how lives and cultures irrevocably changed.