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**This is a sweet historical romance novella written by a 13 year old author - professionally edited and formatted for publishing**

After tragedy strikes her family, 18-year old Darlene is left caring for her four younger sisters, facing hardships and struggles that threaten to take everything away from her. After discovering that she has only a few weeks to get the crop off the field to save the family farm, she has to make decisions that will affect them all.

With help from a man she meets along the way, she works to do whatever she can to save her family. She learns to trust, and she finds a strength she never knew she had.

Could she possibly find love during the most difficult time of her life? And, can she save her family from losing everything they have fought so hard to get?

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2016

143 people are currently reading
70 people want to read

About the author

Morgan Dawson

27 books19 followers

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5 stars
97 (51%)
4 stars
49 (25%)
3 stars
30 (15%)
2 stars
8 (4%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,070 reviews175 followers
July 21, 2016
I LOVE HOW WE CAN ALL MANAGE WITH JUST THE SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER

I enjoyed this extremely emotional and heartfelt story, and I am extremely impressed with the author. Ms. Morgan Dawson has spun a tale of family, life, hardship, despair, unity, and determination. Being a reader and reviewer of over 800 books per year, this young lady has accomplished more in her first novel at thirteen years of age than authors that can lay claim to multiple books.

Her writing takes the reader to a harsher time in life; where she captures life on a homestead, a father with wanderlust to move to another state, the loss and grief this family feels when they lay their mother in the ground and watch their father lock himself inside his sorrow. Even in death, life must go on, and Darlene, being the oldest, pulls her four sisters together to do their best to keep the farm running. Though tragedy and loss try to imprison this family, their resilience is stronger.

The plot of this story is packed full of emotions and takes the reader on a ride of highs and lows, from joy to sorrow, to despair and hope. The characters are well developed; the storyline is told in such a way you can imagine and envision what you are reading. The five daughters are the backbone of this story, how they rally around each other, their dialog is open and honest, even if sometimes what they say in truth hurts.

“Always be kind Darlene and don’t judge someone by who they seem to be when you first meet them—they could have a hidden story that you know nothing about.” Wise words from a mother to a daughter
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,010 reviews40 followers
February 4, 2017
This is a short novella written by a very talented 13 year old author, Morgan Dawson. I very much enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the Carter Sisters series. There were several times through the story that I found myself with tears in my eyes. Dawson does a good job of making her characters come alive so that you can really feel their emotions as you read. Having recently re-read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this book reminded me a bit of those books just because of the time period and the simplicity of the story. Sometimes authors forget that stories don't have to be complicated and convoluted to be good. I definitely look forward to following Morgan Dawson and seeing what she does as she continues to gain experience and writes more in the future!
1,488 reviews27 followers
December 26, 2019
The Wagon

I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this story about Darlene and her family. Their Father goes into a deep depression after the Mother dies. Darlene takes over the care of her four sisters and with the help of Robert who she met on a trip to town manage to save the farm. It is hard to believe that a 13 year old girl is the author of this book. She wrote an interesting story that I could hardly put down until I finished it. She writes better than some seasoned authors. I highly recommend this wonderful story, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Profile Image for Carol.
163 reviews9 followers
September 4, 2017
I would say this is definitely a read for young adults, as one would expect from a young author. The story was very well-paced, had good character development, and embraced good morals and values. Very inspiring and heartwarming. The editing could have been better; there were many mistakes with verb tenses and misuse of pronouns. While grammar was a problem, spelling and sentence structure was very good.

Excellent job by a young author, showing lots of potential.
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,242 reviews36 followers
October 6, 2017
Quite good for a 13 year old author .

A predictable story. But it was well thought out. And written fairly well. There were some timeline problems. Such as people traveling all day long and never seem to stop . Never seem to eat. Just a few holes there .

Had this author not been so young, the rating would have been only three stars. This is an excellent start and I predict we will see more books by this author in the future.
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,036 reviews9 followers
September 13, 2018
The Carter family decides to move and start fresh in Nebraska. When their Mom passes from pneumonia, Darlene the oldest must take over caring for the family when her father shuts down from the world. With the help of a kind stranger named Robert her world begins to show promise. This is a well written, clean, historical romance that deals with tragedy, grief, and real life family issues and will keep you glued to your seat!
Profile Image for gary c lehn.
1,724 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2017
Touching story...

I must say that I'm very impressed with the writing abilities of the author. Miss Morgan Dawson has done a superb job of telling her story, I hope that she does not forget to continue on though school and college and not forget to enjoy being a teenager and a young woman! Happy trails!


154 reviews
October 1, 2018
Middle school level

I admire the fact that this was written by a young girl, and I do hope she keeps on writing. She has potential. However, I am not a fan of novels written in both first person view AND present tense verbiage. Others may find it quite enjoyable. Maybe try a free sample first, to get a feel for this book.
Profile Image for Isabelle D.
448 reviews
June 1, 2020
A sweet historical romance, suitable for teens (which both the author and heroine are too) but not lacking in interest for older people either, as long as you don't mind first person present tense. I quickly got attached to the family and will be happy to catch up with all the girls when I read the next book.
Profile Image for Jeanette Hurrelbrink.
415 reviews7 followers
September 3, 2018
The Wagon

A nice read. I enjoyed the storyline even more when I realized it had been written by a 13 year old author. It was a simple story with both struggles and family love and drama.
Profile Image for Nana Kitteh.
147 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2018
Yep, it was written by a child

The book descriptions mention that this book was written by a teenager and it reads like it. The writing is simplistic, short choppy sentences and it is written in first person present tense which is always word for me.
Profile Image for Cissie Breland.
336 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2018
So sweet

I love reading sweet stories. This story let's you live what the characters are experiencing. There are also strong women with different personalities that use their uniqueness to succeed.
255 reviews
August 26, 2017
Great book

Really like this short and sweet romance. This is book 1 in what looks to be an awesome series! Loved it.
Profile Image for Leona Jackson.
247 reviews4 followers
September 2, 2017
The Wagon

A story of strength and survival. Well written, full of emotion. One wouldn't see that the author was young. It has depth and breadth.
Profile Image for Margie Vickers.
100 reviews38 followers
September 9, 2017
Losses and loves and a very special wagon.

A young stranger helps a family of young girls save their farm when their pa can't. A young love maybe in the future for one of the girls.
Profile Image for Dawn Baffa.
372 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2018
Interesting story

I found the story interesting the main characters develop nicely. Not alot background on Robert the new husband. May read the rest of the books in the series.
6 reviews
September 11, 2018
A story of loving sisters

A beautiful story of a family struggle with hardship and love. Very well written. I look forward to the next sister's story.
59 reviews
February 16, 2024
Spellbinding, so many twists and turns. So good that I finished in one night. Can’t wait to start the next in series.
457 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2017
Very nice reading.

It is hard to put down. I believe this young author is going to go far. For all the difficulty this family goes through, they have become closer. The struggle to survive is what really made this good. Loved the happy ending.
Profile Image for Rocky.
209 reviews9 followers
August 9, 2016
The Wagon

For being only 13, miss Dawson has written an excellent novel. After Darlene's mother died, leaving her and her four sisters and their father. Pa slips into a deep depression and leaves the running of the farm to his daughters. The banker comes to the house and tells the family that they have four weeks to bring in their wheat crop to pay off the loan that was taken out. With the help of a young man that Darlene meets while on her way to buy supplies. Will they bring in the crop on time? Will Pa ever come out of his depression? I gave it three stars because it was poorly edited and there were some places that it actually seemed like a juvenile was telling the story. This was Morgan Dawson's first book and I believe she will become an excellent author.
Profile Image for Janice Sisemore.
1,668 reviews18 followers
July 26, 2016
The wagon

This is a historical that I enjoyed very much. Darlene is so strong and brave. It was a book that was hard to put down. A well written book, I look forward to more from this young new author and more in this series. Darlene has to take over and care for her younger sisters and keep from losing the farm. She meets Robert and he helps her out. Definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Patti Brennan.
269 reviews
July 21, 2016
Wonderful

I enjoyed this very much, the fact that it was written by a young girl is amazing it is a heartfelt story of survival after the loss of a parent. I look forward to following her career as a romance writer




Profile Image for Bonnie.
24 reviews
August 7, 2016
Very go book

I can't believe that a thirteen year old wrote this book. It was very good and kept my interest throughout the whole book. Funny she used tire instead of wheel for the wagon.
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
September 14, 2016
A delight

This book was written by a 13 year old and it is more coherent, more logical and a better read than many that were written by others much older.
I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels as she matures.
867 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this story!This book has wonderful characters and a wonderful plot! Morgan Dawson did a wonderful job on her first book at the age of 13! I had a hard time putting this book down! I am looking forward to reading more books by her!
Profile Image for Pam Massey.
4 reviews
July 22, 2016
Great read

Good job especially for someone so young, keep up the good work and let us know when the next one comes out
Profile Image for Jeannie Turner.
52 reviews
July 23, 2016
Family

Family members staying strong no matter how bad the situation is always showing love. Being there for one another. Always keeping the faith an finding new love .
Profile Image for Glaidene Ramsey.
1,217 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2016
Historical Western Romance

Wow!!!!! Morgan Dawson you are a very good writer!!!! I am definitely going to give you a 5 star rating.
Profile Image for Shelby  Young.
432 reviews
August 2, 2016
Excellent!

This book was very well written. It had a lovely story with great characters. I can't wait for more from this author!
8 reviews
August 2, 2016
OK

Yep. It was written by a 13 year old. So, if you are not 13, don't read it.
Too slow and two predictable. Basically just plain boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews