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Ellen Found
Set in location of Old Faithful Inn, 1903-4. Working in a discouraging café, Ellen escapes an awful situation in rough and tumble Butte, Montana, and goes to work as second in command to a wary cook in the shell that will become Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. She meets Charles Penrose, head carpenter on the massive project of Old Faithful Inn, which is being finished in a harsh Wyoming winter. Will it really open June 1, 1904? Can Ellen start to trust the other workers? What will she learn about the other employees? And Charles. He's a widower with a young daughter there, too. Like Ellen, he wants more.
Ellen Found originally appeared in the Timeless Western Collection: A Wyoming Summer
More Books by Carla
A Naval Surgeon to Fight For
The Lady’s Companion
Regency Glad Tidings
The Wedding Journey
Libby’s London Merchant
One Good Turn
Where Dreams Meet
Her Smile
My Loving Vigil Keeping
The Unlikely Master Genius
The Unlikely Spy Catchers
The Unlikely Heroes
The Unlikely Gunwharf Rats
Calico Ball
A Wyoming Summer
Ellen Found originally appeared in the Timeless Western Collection: A Wyoming Summer
More Books by Carla
A Naval Surgeon to Fight For
The Lady’s Companion
Regency Glad Tidings
The Wedding Journey
Libby’s London Merchant
One Good Turn
Where Dreams Meet
Her Smile
My Loving Vigil Keeping
The Unlikely Master Genius
The Unlikely Spy Catchers
The Unlikely Heroes
The Unlikely Gunwharf Rats
Calico Ball
A Wyoming Summer
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2025
14 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
139 books806 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 11, 2026
3.5 stars. You can't go wrong reading a story by Carla Kelly.
August 15, 2025
Short and sweet offering from Kelly. Full of heart, emotion, and never mawkish. In other words, just what one expects from Carla Kelly.
Kelly takes us to one of her favorite locations and times, Yellowstone National Park in its early years.This is at least her third, following Courting Carrie in Wonderland and Her Smile. This one is concerned with the building of the Old Faithful Inn in 1903-4.
Ellen is a wonderful Kelly heroine. She's alone in the world (except for her cat), escaping a hard upbringing in Butte, Montana. But she's smart, determined to find something better for herself.
And that 'something better' is a job at the Old Faithful Inn as it is being built. She also finds a 'family' of sorts, one that appreciates her for who she is.
Of course, there's a bit of romance. There's the head carpenter, a widower with a young daughter, and a dashing young soldier stationed at Fort Yellowstone. Longtime Kelly fans will have no trouble figuring out who she ends up with.
I loved it and I'm so glad the author decided to re-release it as a stand-alone novella. It first appeared in A Wyoming Summer, which I missed.
Warning for cat lovers--Ellen's cat dies, but it's a hero's death. Keep the tissues handy.
Kelly takes us to one of her favorite locations and times, Yellowstone National Park in its early years.This is at least her third, following Courting Carrie in Wonderland and Her Smile. This one is concerned with the building of the Old Faithful Inn in 1903-4.
Ellen is a wonderful Kelly heroine. She's alone in the world (except for her cat), escaping a hard upbringing in Butte, Montana. But she's smart, determined to find something better for herself.
And that 'something better' is a job at the Old Faithful Inn as it is being built. She also finds a 'family' of sorts, one that appreciates her for who she is.
Of course, there's a bit of romance. There's the head carpenter, a widower with a young daughter, and a dashing young soldier stationed at Fort Yellowstone. Longtime Kelly fans will have no trouble figuring out who she ends up with.
I loved it and I'm so glad the author decided to re-release it as a stand-alone novella. It first appeared in A Wyoming Summer, which I missed.
Warning for cat lovers--Ellen's cat dies, but it's a hero's death. Keep the tissues handy.
June 15, 2025
Solid Carla Kelly. Always a joy and pleasure. CK heroines are always discovering a fount of hidden strength along with a hero who appreciate her strength. Ellen Found is short delightful journey (though it took me a while to finish due to family issues) complete with a compassionate widower and his daughter and a cast of supporting characters to flesh out this story nicely.
Spoiler-y: Plato the cat story shattered my heart because of a personal loss of my best feline friend and boon companion Coenraad during this time. But what CK offers on grief after loss spoke to my hurting heart and helped some.
Highly recommend this book. Because CK just about always delivers good stories and characters.
Spoiler-y: Plato the cat story shattered my heart because of a personal loss of my best feline friend and boon companion Coenraad during this time. But what CK offers on grief after loss spoke to my hurting heart and helped some.
Highly recommend this book. Because CK just about always delivers good stories and characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
This story is really good! It’s all about getting a second chance on life after poverty, a subtle romance that was cute to see bloom, unique characters, and scenes that can reach all us cat lovers. There were also nods toward grief, family and children, feminism, being confident in choosing one's own path, and 1800s Wyoming. I’d definitely recommend it!
March 3, 2026
This one was a bit too sweet and over-the-top cheesy for me. I have enjoyed some books by this author, and thought I would try one of her books set in the US. The setting was quite interesting actually, with it mostly being set in about 1903 during the building of the famous Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone. The MMC was the (fictional) head carpenter, and the MFC was a young woman who had recently begun work in the kitchen, helping to feed the numerous workers doing the construction. After reading the book, I had a look at pics of the actual Inn, and the story seems quite accurate in the setting and events. It also included brief appearances by the real-life architect, Reamer.
Ellen the MFC was a foundling whose mother had been a 'woman of the line' (aka prostitute, I guess?) She was raised in poverty but grew up to become a moral and hard-working young woman. When opportunity knocked, she took the chance and moved to Yellowstone for a better job. Charles the carpenter is a widower with a daughter.
The book follows Ellen as she settles in to her new job, taking great satisfaction in it. She befriends Charles' daughter, and she and Charles slowly grow closer. There is also another nice man who is attracted to Ellen, so there's a bit of a triangle going on. But clearly it's always going to be Charles.
Although it's clearly a romance, this book is a totally clean read with barely a couple of kisses. Even the wedding night is closed door. I don't mind a clean read, but I would have liked a little more overt romance throughout the book. The romance was all a bit too slow-moving and low-key for my reading preferences.
There is a storyline with Ellen's rescue cat, which so cat-lovers beware. This was all a bit OTT for me, Too much for me. Hey, I like cats - I've got two! But in this book it just got a bit too cheesy.
So Ellen and Charles were likeable people of integrity, and they got their well-deserved HEA. But for me they were just a bit too good to be true, especially Ellen, who cheerfully jumped out of bed at 4.30am to make an extraordinary amount of breakfast for the workers, then cheerfully worked all day after that as well. She never even seemed to get tired. Uh huh. I felt tired just reading about it.
I'm sure many will love this book, but for cynical old me it was just a bit too syrupy overall, and a tad unbelievable in parts. I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't a fav from this author for me.
Ellen the MFC was a foundling whose mother had been a 'woman of the line' (aka prostitute, I guess?) She was raised in poverty but grew up to become a moral and hard-working young woman. When opportunity knocked, she took the chance and moved to Yellowstone for a better job. Charles the carpenter is a widower with a daughter.
The book follows Ellen as she settles in to her new job, taking great satisfaction in it. She befriends Charles' daughter, and she and Charles slowly grow closer. There is also another nice man who is attracted to Ellen, so there's a bit of a triangle going on. But clearly it's always going to be Charles.
Although it's clearly a romance, this book is a totally clean read with barely a couple of kisses. Even the wedding night is closed door. I don't mind a clean read, but I would have liked a little more overt romance throughout the book. The romance was all a bit too slow-moving and low-key for my reading preferences.
There is a storyline with Ellen's rescue cat, which so cat-lovers beware. This was all a bit OTT for me, Too much for me. Hey, I like cats - I've got two! But in this book it just got a bit too cheesy.
So Ellen and Charles were likeable people of integrity, and they got their well-deserved HEA. But for me they were just a bit too good to be true, especially Ellen, who cheerfully jumped out of bed at 4.30am to make an extraordinary amount of breakfast for the workers, then cheerfully worked all day after that as well. She never even seemed to get tired. Uh huh. I felt tired just reading about it.
I'm sure many will love this book, but for cynical old me it was just a bit too syrupy overall, and a tad unbelievable in parts. I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't a fav from this author for me.
June 19, 2025
I originally read this as part of A Wyoming Summer and was excited to get to listen to the audiobook. Set in 1903 against the rugged backdrop of Yellowstone National Park during the construction of the now-iconic Old Faithful Inn. The story starts when Ellen leaves a tough situation in Butte, Montana, and takes a job as assistant to a cook at the half-built lodge in the middle of a snowy Wyoming winter. It’s a rough start, but she’s determined to make a new life for herself.
She soon meets Charles Penrose, the head carpenter on the project, and a widower raising his young daughter at the worksite. He’s kind and steady. Their relationship builds slowly, set against the backdrop of the inn’s construction and the close-knit group of workers trying to make the impossible happen: finishing the massive hotel in time to open by June 1, 1904.
The setting is one of the highlights of the book. You can picture the beauty of Yellowstone and the challenge of building something so big in such wild conditions. The details about the inn and the people working on it made the whole story feel real.
Even though it’s a short read, Ellen Found has plenty of emotion, growth, and heart. It’s about starting over, learning to trust again, and finding hope in the most unexpected places. If you enjoy historical romance with a cozy, uplifting vibe and a strong sense of place, this one’s worth picking up.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator--Nancy Peterson is one of my favorite narrators. She does a wonderful job with all of the voices and their emotions.
She soon meets Charles Penrose, the head carpenter on the project, and a widower raising his young daughter at the worksite. He’s kind and steady. Their relationship builds slowly, set against the backdrop of the inn’s construction and the close-knit group of workers trying to make the impossible happen: finishing the massive hotel in time to open by June 1, 1904.
The setting is one of the highlights of the book. You can picture the beauty of Yellowstone and the challenge of building something so big in such wild conditions. The details about the inn and the people working on it made the whole story feel real.
Even though it’s a short read, Ellen Found has plenty of emotion, growth, and heart. It’s about starting over, learning to trust again, and finding hope in the most unexpected places. If you enjoy historical romance with a cozy, uplifting vibe and a strong sense of place, this one’s worth picking up.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator--Nancy Peterson is one of my favorite narrators. She does a wonderful job with all of the voices and their emotions.
June 9, 2025
Ellen Found is a delightful cabin romance set during the building of the Old Faithful Inn, circa 1903-4. Rich in historical detail and filled with appealing characters, this short but sweet novella is a perfect afternoon read.
Orphaned Ellen Found works in a bottom-tier café in the rough town of Butte, Montana. Her situation is difficult, uncomfortable, and, at times, dangerous, as the people she works for and the clients she serves are rough around the edges (and most often, even tougher on the inside). When she sees the ad in the paper looking for kitchen help hundreds of miles away, she experiences her first moment of hope in a long time. A new job would help her get away from the difficulties presented by her present one.
Packing up her cat, Plato, Ellen heads to the interview. It might be a bit unconventional to bring a feline companion while auditioning for a job, but Ellen smoothly presents him as an excellent mouser. Her honesty regarding her current circumstances, life history, and pet impresses Mr. Child, the project overseer. She's hired, hurried on to the train heading to Yellowstone and makes her first friend en route.
Charles Penrose is the head carpenter on the massive project of Old Faithful Inn and is tasked with completing the building during the harsh Wyoming winter so it will be ready for guests by summer. His wife had died several years earlier, but his daughter, Gwen, is accompanying him. Ellie (Ellen) is sweet and helpful as they make their way up to the inn, and Charles finds himself deeply drawn to the lovely young woman and is delighted that Gwen seems quite smitten, too.
However, there is little time for furthering the acquaintance once they arrive at the facility. Ellen is busy cleaning and cooking in the kitchen, slowly thawing the heart of Mrs. Quincy, the cook, and entrancing the building crew with her biscuits, pies, and other culinary treats. After years of suffering neglect and abuse, she's found herself in a place of plenty. She'd never before dared to dream of a future that included love and family, but as she settles into this new life, she wonders if perhaps that little bit more could be in reach.
Orphaned Ellen Found works in a bottom-tier café in the rough town of Butte, Montana. Her situation is difficult, uncomfortable, and, at times, dangerous, as the people she works for and the clients she serves are rough around the edges (and most often, even tougher on the inside). When she sees the ad in the paper looking for kitchen help hundreds of miles away, she experiences her first moment of hope in a long time. A new job would help her get away from the difficulties presented by her present one.
Packing up her cat, Plato, Ellen heads to the interview. It might be a bit unconventional to bring a feline companion while auditioning for a job, but Ellen smoothly presents him as an excellent mouser. Her honesty regarding her current circumstances, life history, and pet impresses Mr. Child, the project overseer. She's hired, hurried on to the train heading to Yellowstone and makes her first friend en route.
Charles Penrose is the head carpenter on the massive project of Old Faithful Inn and is tasked with completing the building during the harsh Wyoming winter so it will be ready for guests by summer. His wife had died several years earlier, but his daughter, Gwen, is accompanying him. Ellie (Ellen) is sweet and helpful as they make their way up to the inn, and Charles finds himself deeply drawn to the lovely young woman and is delighted that Gwen seems quite smitten, too.
However, there is little time for furthering the acquaintance once they arrive at the facility. Ellen is busy cleaning and cooking in the kitchen, slowly thawing the heart of Mrs. Quincy, the cook, and entrancing the building crew with her biscuits, pies, and other culinary treats. After years of suffering neglect and abuse, she's found herself in a place of plenty. She'd never before dared to dream of a future that included love and family, but as she settles into this new life, she wonders if perhaps that little bit more could be in reach.
October 29, 2025
Imagine being a 19-year-old orphan over 100 years ago, living in Butte, Montana, and working as a waitress in a disreputable tiny diner, and with a large stray cat named Plato as your only family.
There is no need to imagine. Carla Kelly presents the scenario, adding details to create a vivid picture, including the cigarette ashes the chain smoking cook drops across the fried potatoes while she cooks.
I like Carla Kelly’s characters. They are everyday people presented with hardships which they overcome with perseverance and character.
Sometime the pathos gets to be too much for me. I like more humorous moments mixed in with the catastrophes life hands out. Humor is part of life too.
Ellie takes charge of her life by landing a job cooking for the crew building the Old Faithful Lodge. There in the wilderness she finds hardship, tragedy, caring friends, and two good men vying for her heart. Old Faithful erupts occasionally in the background.
I like that there are two good men, not the often used trope in which one is good and one is secretly a dastardly villain. Kelly believes there are more good people in the world than bad ones, and so do I.
There is no need to imagine. Carla Kelly presents the scenario, adding details to create a vivid picture, including the cigarette ashes the chain smoking cook drops across the fried potatoes while she cooks.
I like Carla Kelly’s characters. They are everyday people presented with hardships which they overcome with perseverance and character.
Sometime the pathos gets to be too much for me. I like more humorous moments mixed in with the catastrophes life hands out. Humor is part of life too.
Ellie takes charge of her life by landing a job cooking for the crew building the Old Faithful Lodge. There in the wilderness she finds hardship, tragedy, caring friends, and two good men vying for her heart. Old Faithful erupts occasionally in the background.
I like that there are two good men, not the often used trope in which one is good and one is secretly a dastardly villain. Kelly believes there are more good people in the world than bad ones, and so do I.
May 30, 2025
This is a short story in a small book format. I recognized it immediately when I started reading. That's ok, it's a delightful story that takes place in 1903 at the building site of Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.
Ellen Found escapes a horrendous job in Butte, Montana with her mangy, but efficient mouse-hunter cat, Plato. Ellen is readily hired and proceeds to find a congenial group of friends that make her life worthwhile. Both Ellen and Plato are welcome as they work to see the hotel come to fruition. The bonus for Ellen is that she becomes fast friends with manager Harry Child and his young daughter, Gwen.
It's a wonderful heartwarming quick read by my favorite author, Carla Kelly. Even though I've read it before, it's good enough to deserve it's own cover. I'll happily add it to my CK bookshelf!
Ellen Found escapes a horrendous job in Butte, Montana with her mangy, but efficient mouse-hunter cat, Plato. Ellen is readily hired and proceeds to find a congenial group of friends that make her life worthwhile. Both Ellen and Plato are welcome as they work to see the hotel come to fruition. The bonus for Ellen is that she becomes fast friends with manager Harry Child and his young daughter, Gwen.
It's a wonderful heartwarming quick read by my favorite author, Carla Kelly. Even though I've read it before, it's good enough to deserve it's own cover. I'll happily add it to my CK bookshelf!
March 22, 2025
A wonderful story of finding what you’ve always dreamed of
Ellen or Ellie was found by the nuns that ran an orphanage, hence the surname Found. At ten she began working, first at a mansion and now at a rundown diner but now she wanted more and feels a need to escape her current situation. Happening upon an ad looking for kitchen help for the workers building a lodge near Old Faithful, she applies and when accepted to interview, sneaks out in the middle of the night. She takes all she owns in a small carpetbag, along with an alley cat that has adopted her. Thankfully, she interviews and gets the job. Thus begins her journey of finding the unknown, danger, happiness, acceptance, and the family she had never had before.
Ellen or Ellie was found by the nuns that ran an orphanage, hence the surname Found. At ten she began working, first at a mansion and now at a rundown diner but now she wanted more and feels a need to escape her current situation. Happening upon an ad looking for kitchen help for the workers building a lodge near Old Faithful, she applies and when accepted to interview, sneaks out in the middle of the night. She takes all she owns in a small carpetbag, along with an alley cat that has adopted her. Thankfully, she interviews and gets the job. Thus begins her journey of finding the unknown, danger, happiness, acceptance, and the family she had never had before.
March 24, 2025
A Wyoming Summer
Ellen Found By Carla Kelly (5 stars)
Because of Ellen Found, the characters in this story become more ‘finished’, if you will, as the Old Faithful Inn becomes finished. Bit by beautiful bit, these characters become important to one another and to us as their lives intertwine during the building of a monumental dream.
Ellen experiences her own growth and finds that she can make her own happiness by working hard, but also by being kind and thoughtful to the people around her. Soon, this orphan has made a family for herself.
A beautiful story of love and loss during the building of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.
I love how the author uses actual historical facts about the building tied into her narrative!
Ellen Found By Carla Kelly (5 stars)
Because of Ellen Found, the characters in this story become more ‘finished’, if you will, as the Old Faithful Inn becomes finished. Bit by beautiful bit, these characters become important to one another and to us as their lives intertwine during the building of a monumental dream.
Ellen experiences her own growth and finds that she can make her own happiness by working hard, but also by being kind and thoughtful to the people around her. Soon, this orphan has made a family for herself.
A beautiful story of love and loss during the building of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.
I love how the author uses actual historical facts about the building tied into her narrative!
June 19, 2025
This was a beautiful historical love story. A novella that I would have liked to be longer, but I enjoyed the quick and sweet read. It was a history that I knew very little about- the beginnings of Yellowstone National Park. Fascinating information and facts about the building, the timeline, the people, etc..
A hard working orphan girl responds to an ad for a kitchen worker in a city she's never been to. She is treated horrible at her current employment and her living conditions are deplorable. She uses her very small savings to catch a coach to interview for a position. Will they see past her simple looks and the condition of her only dress and shoes and give her the chance she dreams of? Will people in the new place accept her or treat her as she sees herself, barely worth anything?
Having visited Yellowstone several times in my life, it meant a lot to read about the beginnings of it as a National Park and a place we can enjoy. The scenery, the wildlife and the amazing geological happenings are unmatched. I cannot imagine to see them for the first time when you didn't know they existed.
A hard working orphan girl responds to an ad for a kitchen worker in a city she's never been to. She is treated horrible at her current employment and her living conditions are deplorable. She uses her very small savings to catch a coach to interview for a position. Will they see past her simple looks and the condition of her only dress and shoes and give her the chance she dreams of? Will people in the new place accept her or treat her as she sees herself, barely worth anything?
Having visited Yellowstone several times in my life, it meant a lot to read about the beginnings of it as a National Park and a place we can enjoy. The scenery, the wildlife and the amazing geological happenings are unmatched. I cannot imagine to see them for the first time when you didn't know they existed.
March 27, 2025
Got it this morning and now it's read. I loved every single word of it. Ellen didn't have friends at first, other than Plato the wonderful cat, but she gained them as she went along. My only regret is that the story wasn't long enough, but yet it was perfect at the length it was. The setting--Yellowstone in the very early 20th century--was fascinating and I wanted to be there. As a matter of fact, I felt as if I was. I wish I had definitive word for Carla Kelly's writing voice, but I don't. I'll just say you need to read it only once to be totally caught up in the way she has with words, and she has a great backlist!
March 28, 2025
Ellen is an orphan who is ready to leave the harsh boss and working conditions where she's at now. Taking a chance and a leap of faith, she boards the train for the chance to work at the beginnings of what will be the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park.
Such a fun group of characters, especially Charles and his sweet daughter. Full of adventure and building friendships. I loved the sweet romance, especially the journal entries. *Happy Sigh* You're going to be swept away in this story and fall head over heels for Ellen and Charles!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Such a fun group of characters, especially Charles and his sweet daughter. Full of adventure and building friendships. I loved the sweet romance, especially the journal entries. *Happy Sigh* You're going to be swept away in this story and fall head over heels for Ellen and Charles!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 28, 2025
Such a good, sweet story! I loved so many of the characters - Ellen, Plato, Mrs. Quincy, Gwen, Charles, etc. It's a story of making your dreams happen. It takes place in Yellowstone National Park, where a new hotel is being built. I liked the mention of Old Faithful going off, and how it never gets old for those working on the hotel. The workers deal with blizzards and the threat of bears, which we see in a couple of intense scenes. The love story is slow burning and sweet. A great read from Carla Kelly.
June 1, 2025
A sweet, gentle romance with a young orphan who wants a chance at life (and finds it as a waitress) and a widower who doesn't think love will find him again. No dukes, no billionaires, but as with so many of Carla Kelly's romances, it's about good people helping one another. Sometimes, especially in this day and age, that's exactly what I'm in the mood for. I enjoyed this very much (and maybe it was what I needed to read, too.)
November 6, 2025
Carla Kelly is one of my favorite authors because her stories are so full of emotional content. She knows how to tug at the heart strings in an utterly sincere and authentic way. Ellen Found was so emotionally touching that I actually cried, which is not usual for me. And, of course, the historical setting is pitch perfect. This story makes me want to visit the Old Faithful Inn which, fortunately is a real place. And read more Carla Kelly!
March 22, 2025
I loved the main characters. Ellen is remarkable and I loved Charles and his daughter. And the cat. LOVED the cat. There are moments that choked me up and had my eyes watering as well as sweet tender moments. And I imagine the author did a lot of research on Yellowstone and the building of the lodge. I found that part fascinating and it was fun to visualize since I've been there.
March 27, 2025
Yellowstone Redoux
A very heartwarming story. I read this once before when it first came out in an anthology but didn't remember the storyline very well but knew that I had really enjoyed Carla Kelly's Yellowstone stories then and so reread it. It has a little of everything in it and I was so glad I read it again, from the cold fall to the warming up of late spring.
A very heartwarming story. I read this once before when it first came out in an anthology but didn't remember the storyline very well but knew that I had really enjoyed Carla Kelly's Yellowstone stories then and so reread it. It has a little of everything in it and I was so glad I read it again, from the cold fall to the warming up of late spring.
March 23, 2025
This is a wonderful story of Ellen who has has a hard life, but appreciates everything she has. She's a hard worker and touches everyone she meets, including Charles. This is a really sweet, clean romance.
March 26, 2025
It was a wonderful read. Ellen was brave and you really wanted her to succeed, and you want to be brave like her. Charles is a perfect gentleman and you want them to be together. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because it felt like an abridged story. It had the rushed choppy feeling to it.
May 6, 2025
Ms Kelly is one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to get this book for free. I ended up being doubly glad because I would not have wanted to pay for one of the most boring books I have ever read. I usually give this author 4 or 5 stars, not this one.
May 9, 2025
Such a great historical romance!
This such a sweet story about the beginnings of Yellowstone National Park. Those early workers had their trials. It is nice to have romance included.
This such a sweet story about the beginnings of Yellowstone National Park. Those early workers had their trials. It is nice to have romance included.
July 3, 2025
Love her books
This was a wonderful journey I. Yellowstone. I like her books very much. My favorite was one where a young woman graduate of Fanny Farmers school and her adventure serving liver salad to men who only wanted steak and potatoes
This was a wonderful journey I. Yellowstone. I like her books very much. My favorite was one where a young woman graduate of Fanny Farmers school and her adventure serving liver salad to men who only wanted steak and potatoes
August 5, 2025
wonderful
Another wonderful book by Carla Kelly. It has everything I want in a novel - beauty, romance and a wonderful cat. This story made me cry and it felt like I could see how life was in the early days of the west. I feel blessed to have read it. I highly recommend it.
Another wonderful book by Carla Kelly. It has everything I want in a novel - beauty, romance and a wonderful cat. This story made me cry and it felt like I could see how life was in the early days of the west. I feel blessed to have read it. I highly recommend it.
March 22, 2025
Ellen Found is an enchanting tale about the construction of the Yellowstone Inn in the early 1900's. The characters are endearing and their trials evoke so much emotion. Wonderful!
March 23, 2025
I have enjoyed every book by Carla Kelly that I have read but I especially enjoyed this sweet story! Perfect if you are looking for a quick read.
I received an ARC and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC and all opinions are my own.
March 27, 2025
Good western.
Love Ellen’s tenacious spirit. Enjoyed reading her journey. Good cast of supporting characters.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Love Ellen’s tenacious spirit. Enjoyed reading her journey. Good cast of supporting characters.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 7, 2025
Sweet read
Carla takes us a step back in time. Great story about the great lodge at Yellowstone. Good, believable characters and a good story around a growth of a young woman.
Carla takes us a step back in time. Great story about the great lodge at Yellowstone. Good, believable characters and a good story around a growth of a young woman.
July 7, 2025
I love Carla Kelly’s characters, so earnest and kindhearted.
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