Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon

 
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.

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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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.