WHERE THE LOST WANDER BY AMY HARMON
I grew up with Johanna Lindsey‘s historical western romances, as well as Catherine Anderson and Linda Lael Miller, but my favorites are still by Ellen O’Connell. And if you read Where the Lost Wander and loved it you MUST read Dancing on Coals by Ellen O’Connell.
ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ROMANCE BOOKS
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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 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.
WHERE THE LOST WANDER BY AMY HARMON
MY THOUGHTS
This book was not an automatic 5 star for me. The last two books by Amy Harmon didn’t work for me as you can read here and I didn’t even review The First Girl Child. But when I started to read Where the Lost Wander, I knew early on that this one would be one that would be hard to forget.
I’ve read MANY historical western romance over the years, and the plot for Where the Lost Wander isn’t unique, it’s actually a fairly typical plot about a hero that is both, white and Native Indian, and a wagon train going west. But what makes this book so fantastic is that the author took the basics of a classic historical western romance and turned it into a beautiful work of art.
The book was just STUNNING!!! Beautiful, raw, thoughtful, and touching.
And I think what makes it stand out even more is the eye for historical detail, the feeling that these people were drawn from something more. It’s a love story, more than a romance and it comes deep from the heart. Naomi and John’s love for each other was palpable, and transcendent.
Where the Lost Wander isn’t a steamy book. There is actually barely any sex at all in this book. Instead the romance goes much deeper, and the story follows this epic but also at times tragic journey across America, on a wagon train where many will never reach their destination. 1850’s wasn’t a kind period for settlers. Battles between the natives and the settlers, sickness and disease ravaged the country. This book is real, raw and feels entirely authentic.
I fell in love with both, Naomi and John. Both were steadfast, and grounded people. Knowing what they wanted, but also aware of repercussions, and expectations. Naomi had in someway an easier time because she was widowed and had the freedom to chose John without having to worry about what people thought. John, was more circumspect. He knew what it meant to live as neither, fully white, nor fully native. He walked as both but also lived in neither. And he didn’t want Naomi to feel the same. So he had thoughts. I liked that he was a thinker, quiet, peaceful, and hardworking. Naomi was the dreamer, artist, carer. They matched so well, and completed the other in a most touching way.
This book was everything a historical western romance should be. Incredibly well researched, characters that were likable and genuine, and a plot that had heart and soul.
Warning: If you have never read a historical western romance before, please be aware that the relationship between whites and Native Indian’s was volatile and rape of woman was unfortunately something that occurred.
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I received a copy of this book from Lake Union for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
WHERE THE LOST WANDER BY AMY HARMON
What a great review….I love it when authors take a classic well used plot mechanics and deliver such a beautiful story. I haven’t even heard of this one, but definitely looking into this one here.
Her last historical What the Wind Knows was a huge success, like 5,970 reviews on Amazon and 45,199 ratings on GR. I wasn’t as much of a fan, that’s why this one really blew me over. But the woman can write!!! And she is currently being published by Amazon/Lake Union, so her most recent books are available with KU. And if you love YA you should check out Making Faces, until now it was her most popular book.
Great review! I am really looking forward to this, but I can tell that it’s going to be an emotional ride.
Thank you! I hope you’ll love it when you get to it. The topic alone is emotional, and the author tried to keep it authentic, which adds punch, but it’s so worth it!