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On Her Way Home
It is 1923 and Montana is slipping into a state of decline and depression long before the rest of the country will follow suit. Drought and bootlegging are up and cattle and crops are down. Stowing her grief and insecurities neatly away in her luggage, with a hopeful heart, Jo Swenson boards a train on the Great Northern Railway, headed to a remote cattle ranch along the Northwestern edge of rugged Montana to seek out Leif Hawkins, the man advertising for a new ranch hand.
She thinks her journey to the ranch is serendipitous, but after only one week of back-breaking labor, the boss arrives at the ranch and isn’t pleased to find a woman inserted under his roof and into his solitude.
Jo had traveled a thousand miles from home, and not one person, including her family, had guessed her true motivation for leaving the farm, but after two minutes in the room with her new boss, he starts digging at her vulnerable spot. Her past has left her bitter and cautious, so when she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him—a cold, solitary man who is burying secrets of his own—Jo is at a crossroads. The warning sentry of her heart and the compelling voice in her soul each fight for their path.
During the long, hot summer filled with demanding work, riotous laughter, and solemn discovery, will Jo find the courage to become the woman she was always meant to be or will she discover once again that the worst pain is the pain she doesn’t see coming—life stolen away without preamble, without preparation for mind or heart?
She thinks her journey to the ranch is serendipitous, but after only one week of back-breaking labor, the boss arrives at the ranch and isn’t pleased to find a woman inserted under his roof and into his solitude.
Jo had traveled a thousand miles from home, and not one person, including her family, had guessed her true motivation for leaving the farm, but after two minutes in the room with her new boss, he starts digging at her vulnerable spot. Her past has left her bitter and cautious, so when she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him—a cold, solitary man who is burying secrets of his own—Jo is at a crossroads. The warning sentry of her heart and the compelling voice in her soul each fight for their path.
During the long, hot summer filled with demanding work, riotous laughter, and solemn discovery, will Jo find the courage to become the woman she was always meant to be or will she discover once again that the worst pain is the pain she doesn’t see coming—life stolen away without preamble, without preparation for mind or heart?
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
436 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 14, 2019
This book is one of the best I have read in a while. I thought the author did a great job with her characters. I grew so attached to them I was sad the book ended. The book is very funny, clever and sweet. It is a clean romance which can be hard to find. I may be a bit of an emotional person, but I had to wipe tears off of my kindle as I read parts of this story. I am very impressed. Highly Recommended!
May 23, 2014
I liked the book from the start. The setting was in a time that I wished I could have lived in and that captured my interest. The characters are easy to relate to. There is a wittiness to the dialog between characters that makes it fun to read. I found myself laughing often.
April 3, 2015
A very enjoyable story. I hope there are sequels so we can find out what happens to Leif & Charlie. Oh, and little Sam, too.
I must add an addendum to my comments: while I read this about a month ago, I find that the richness of the story has stayed with me. Something about it has a glow that keeps catching my eye--or perhaps my heart. It has the feel that it was written in that time, not just about that time. Mmmm . . .very satisfying.
I must add an addendum to my comments: while I read this about a month ago, I find that the richness of the story has stayed with me. Something about it has a glow that keeps catching my eye--or perhaps my heart. It has the feel that it was written in that time, not just about that time. Mmmm . . .very satisfying.
July 1, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the imagery, the storyline, the characters, everything. Definitely one of the best historical fiction I have read in a long while. It is a must read. I couldn't put it down!!!
August 10, 2016
What an amazing accomplishment. I wish nothing but success for this new author and her family.
June 3, 2014
Loved this book. I didn't want it to end.
January 28, 2019
Cute story
First I need to say that the writer needs to learn the difference between there, their, and they’re (or get better proof readers). It is a cute story. A little predictable and somewhat corny, but really not bad for a first novel.
First I need to say that the writer needs to learn the difference between there, their, and they’re (or get better proof readers). It is a cute story. A little predictable and somewhat corny, but really not bad for a first novel.
February 19, 2023
I love the characters and the history and the story. However, it did kind of drive me crazy that the author kept switching the perspective of which character was thinking or speaking with no warning.
November 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this sweet story. I grew to love the characters and the beautiful landscape she described.
July 28, 2020
A sweet, clean, nice romance. Just my taste!
July 1, 2014
On Her Way Home by Sara Petersen
ISBN: 978-1499330595
Published: May 2014
Published by: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Trade Paperback, 364 pages
In search of a new path in life, Jo Swenson, a young school teacher from Illinois responds to an ad for a ranch hand on a remote cattle ranch in rugged Montana. Mac, the ranch owner is a tough, hard-working, aloof man who resents the intrusion of a woman on his ranch. As the summer of back-breaking work progresses, Jo and Mac are drawn to each other, but both of them have secrets from their past that keeps them apart. I felt like I was watching an old-time Western movie, replete with horses, cattle branding, and dusty cattle drives.
The author is obviously familiar with that part of the country as she writes that “Montana was a rugged heaven with its giant evergreens cresting jagged mountain peaks and hiding sky clear lakes. Unique wildflowers and bright green grasses flowed over the ground, their melodious waves of light and color disappearing into wooded forests. This country was like a battery for the soul, charging and energizing the spirit of a person, with its strength and beauty.”
The character development is so well done that the reader is captivated by each of the people in this story. They are “real” people that the reader can identify with. I cared about what happened to each one, especially lovable 5-year-old Sam.
There is enough drama, excitement, and intrigue in this novel to appeal to a wide range of people. And once again, it confirms my view that it is possible to be an excellent storyteller without resorting to profanity and/or explicit sex. I believe that the story reflects the author’s elevated values.
I loved this debut novel and highly recommend it.
ISBN: 978-1499330595
Published: May 2014
Published by: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Trade Paperback, 364 pages
In search of a new path in life, Jo Swenson, a young school teacher from Illinois responds to an ad for a ranch hand on a remote cattle ranch in rugged Montana. Mac, the ranch owner is a tough, hard-working, aloof man who resents the intrusion of a woman on his ranch. As the summer of back-breaking work progresses, Jo and Mac are drawn to each other, but both of them have secrets from their past that keeps them apart. I felt like I was watching an old-time Western movie, replete with horses, cattle branding, and dusty cattle drives.
The author is obviously familiar with that part of the country as she writes that “Montana was a rugged heaven with its giant evergreens cresting jagged mountain peaks and hiding sky clear lakes. Unique wildflowers and bright green grasses flowed over the ground, their melodious waves of light and color disappearing into wooded forests. This country was like a battery for the soul, charging and energizing the spirit of a person, with its strength and beauty.”
The character development is so well done that the reader is captivated by each of the people in this story. They are “real” people that the reader can identify with. I cared about what happened to each one, especially lovable 5-year-old Sam.
There is enough drama, excitement, and intrigue in this novel to appeal to a wide range of people. And once again, it confirms my view that it is possible to be an excellent storyteller without resorting to profanity and/or explicit sex. I believe that the story reflects the author’s elevated values.
I loved this debut novel and highly recommend it.
ISBN: 978-1499330595
Published: May 2014
Published by: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Trade Paperback, 364 pages
In search of a new path in life, Jo Swenson, a young school teacher from Illinois responds to an ad for a ranch hand on a remote cattle ranch in rugged Montana. Mac, the ranch owner is a tough, hard-working, aloof man who resents the intrusion of a woman on his ranch. As the summer of back-breaking work progresses, Jo and Mac are drawn to each other, but both of them have secrets from their past that keeps them apart. I felt like I was watching an old-time Western movie, replete with horses, cattle branding, and dusty cattle drives.
The author is obviously familiar with that part of the country as she writes that “Montana was a rugged heaven with its giant evergreens cresting jagged mountain peaks and hiding sky clear lakes. Unique wildflowers and bright green grasses flowed over the ground, their melodious waves of light and color disappearing into wooded forests. This country was like a battery for the soul, charging and energizing the spirit of a person, with its strength and beauty.”
The character development is so well done that the reader is captivated by each of the people in this story. They are “real” people that the reader can identify with. I cared about what happened to each one, especially lovable 5-year-old Sam.
There is enough drama, excitement, and intrigue in this novel to appeal to a wide range of people. And once again, it confirms my view that it is possible to be an excellent storyteller without resorting to profanity and/or explicit sex. I believe that the story reflects the author’s elevated values.
I loved this debut novel and highly recommend it.
ISBN: 978-1499330595
Published: May 2014
Published by: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Trade Paperback, 364 pages
In search of a new path in life, Jo Swenson, a young school teacher from Illinois responds to an ad for a ranch hand on a remote cattle ranch in rugged Montana. Mac, the ranch owner is a tough, hard-working, aloof man who resents the intrusion of a woman on his ranch. As the summer of back-breaking work progresses, Jo and Mac are drawn to each other, but both of them have secrets from their past that keeps them apart. I felt like I was watching an old-time Western movie, replete with horses, cattle branding, and dusty cattle drives.
The author is obviously familiar with that part of the country as she writes that “Montana was a rugged heaven with its giant evergreens cresting jagged mountain peaks and hiding sky clear lakes. Unique wildflowers and bright green grasses flowed over the ground, their melodious waves of light and color disappearing into wooded forests. This country was like a battery for the soul, charging and energizing the spirit of a person, with its strength and beauty.”
The character development is so well done that the reader is captivated by each of the people in this story. They are “real” people that the reader can identify with. I cared about what happened to each one, especially lovable 5-year-old Sam.
There is enough drama, excitement, and intrigue in this novel to appeal to a wide range of people. And once again, it confirms my view that it is possible to be an excellent storyteller without resorting to profanity and/or explicit sex. I believe that the story reflects the author’s elevated values.
I loved this debut novel and highly recommend it.
September 7, 2014
I loved On Her Way Home by Sara Petersen because it was not a typical love story. Set in 1923, the book follows Jo Swenson as she travels west to find a job, a meaningful life and herself. She is hired on as a ranch hand, a very nontraditional job for women, and finds satisfaction in the hard physical labor. Soon she finds herself butting heads with ranch owner and World War I veteran Mac Hawkins, who is furious that his brother would dare hire a woman. Jo's tenacity and faith in God is a source of confusion and admiration for Mac. The story unfolds gradually without revealing all of the tension and secrets too early. I found myself drawn through the gamut of emotions, fiercely hoping that the past wouldn't defeat a hopeful future. This is a book I plan to read again and again. I thank Sara Peterson for sharing a complimentary e-book with me--I will be looking for more excellent books from her.
June 23, 2014
Amazing book! I couldn't put it down! I loved the imagery that the author was able to portray. This is the perfect 'summertime relaxation' book. A beautiful love story set in a wonderful (sometimes forgotten) time. I know that this is a book I will be reading over and over again, and I can't wait to read more from this author! If you are looking for a great book that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with- read this!
August 9, 2014
A great historical fiction! Loved the setting and character development. Would love a second book to take off where this one ends.
August 27, 2014
A sweet story
this was a predictable love story----clean language and no offensive sexual activity. it had enough twists and turns to keep me interested..
this was a predictable love story----clean language and no offensive sexual activity. it had enough twists and turns to keep me interested..
January 9, 2015
I mostly enjoyed the story but found myself liking Mac's brother more than Mac. It took me a while to finish it. I just kept picking up other books. I would try another book by the author.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews