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The Drifter
Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B074DVJ57T
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps readers away to the past in this classic tale of second chances.
Leah Mundy has spent her life dashing from town to town, one step ahead of her father’s dreadful reputation. Now, she wants to create a home for herself and build a medical practice in Coupeville, a cozy village nestled amid the majestic isles and mountains of Washington Territory. But her neighbors are loath to trust a newcomer, especially a woman doing a man’s work.
On the run for a crime he didn’t commit but can’t deny, Jackson Underhill is desperate when he holds Leah at gunpoint. He needs her doctoring to mend his wounds, but he soon realizes that she is also capable of healing his soul. But Jackson has been hardened by life as an outlaw, and Leah knows that a future together is impossible…unless they confront his past and learn to trust the redeeming power of love.
Originally published in 1998.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs sweeps readers away to the past in this classic tale of second chances.
Leah Mundy has spent her life dashing from town to town, one step ahead of her father’s dreadful reputation. Now, she wants to create a home for herself and build a medical practice in Coupeville, a cozy village nestled amid the majestic isles and mountains of Washington Territory. But her neighbors are loath to trust a newcomer, especially a woman doing a man’s work.
On the run for a crime he didn’t commit but can’t deny, Jackson Underhill is desperate when he holds Leah at gunpoint. He needs her doctoring to mend his wounds, but he soon realizes that she is also capable of healing his soul. But Jackson has been hardened by life as an outlaw, and Leah knows that a future together is impossible…unless they confront his past and learn to trust the redeeming power of love.
Originally published in 1998.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1998
460 people are currently reading
919 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,434 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
October 18, 2020
#RetoRita4 #RetoSusan
Una historia interesante y bastante emotiva.
Nos situamos a finales del XIX en la isla de Widbey, en el estado de Washington. Coupeville es un pueblo junto al mar, con sus sencillos habitantes que viven en ranchos, la oficina del sheriff, la posada y un consultorio médico atendido por una doctora. La ambientación es estupenda y, en ocasiones, algo excesiva para mi gusto, ya que si no entiendes de barcos, da la sensación de que tienes que tener un diccionario al lado, y se pierde un poco la continuidad de la lectura.
La trama está muy bien llevada y construida, sin dejar cabos sueltos al final de la historia; además, en un momento dado, esta da un giro sorprendente que renueva la vitalidad y la fuerza de la novela. La historia tiene un buen comienzo en el que se presenta a los personajes y se plantea lo que será el romance entre estos; después, la autora parece liarse un poco y volverse algo repetitiva en los sentimientos de ambos (para mi gusto, podía haberse ahorrado algunas páginas) hasta que se acaba el tira y afloja y se establece la relación. A partir de ahí, y gracias al giro, la acción se incrementa en intensidad y fuerza.
Los protagonistas de esta historia son Jackson y Leah. Leah es doctora, algo complicado a pesar de estar a finales del XIX, ya que no la aceptan como tal, aunque no tengan más remedio que acudir a ella. Sin embargo, camina con la cabeza alta y orgullosa, porque tiene una personalidad fuerte y un gran temple. Lo que nadie sabe es que esa coraza de frialdad oculta heridas profundas que le han convertido en la mujer que es, con una profunda inseguridad. Algo que cambiará desde el primer momento en que conoce a Jackson. La evolución interior de Leah es paulatina y profunda mientras descubre lo que es el amor. A pesar de todo, y aunque me ha gustado su desarrollo, a veces el personaje me ha parecido un poco exasperante por su cerrazón (que quizás es consecuencia de las páginas que, a mi juicio, sobran).
Jackson es el personaje fuerte de la historia, el que lleva el peso. Es un hombre apuesto, con carisma, pero con una historia trágica a sus espaldas que lo han marcado de por vida. Se ha dedicado a huir siempre, persiguiendo un sueño que sabe que no alcanzará; un sueño que cambia cuando su vida se cruce con la de Leah. A lo largo de la historia, Jackson va demostrando el tipo de persona que es, alguien que dice no saber amar, pero que ama ya sin saberlo. Ese amor le hará cambiar y dejar de huir, enfrentándose a las consecuencias de las decisiones de su pasado. Me ha encantado como personaje, de esos que se van revelando poco a poco, y te ganan el corazón.
El estilo de la autora, en ocasiones exhaustivo, no me ha disgustado; sin embargo, y aunque escribe bien, tengo la sensación de que sus palabras, si bien describen a la perfección la historia pasada de los personajes, no logra transmitir sentimientos profundos que hagan que te encariñes de los personajes o que sufras o rías con ellos. Con todo, me ha parecido una historia muy bien armada, con una trama interesante y un romance bonito en el que triunfa el amor tras una lucha dura que los marca.
Una historia interesante y bastante emotiva.
Nos situamos a finales del XIX en la isla de Widbey, en el estado de Washington. Coupeville es un pueblo junto al mar, con sus sencillos habitantes que viven en ranchos, la oficina del sheriff, la posada y un consultorio médico atendido por una doctora. La ambientación es estupenda y, en ocasiones, algo excesiva para mi gusto, ya que si no entiendes de barcos, da la sensación de que tienes que tener un diccionario al lado, y se pierde un poco la continuidad de la lectura.
La trama está muy bien llevada y construida, sin dejar cabos sueltos al final de la historia; además, en un momento dado, esta da un giro sorprendente que renueva la vitalidad y la fuerza de la novela. La historia tiene un buen comienzo en el que se presenta a los personajes y se plantea lo que será el romance entre estos; después, la autora parece liarse un poco y volverse algo repetitiva en los sentimientos de ambos (para mi gusto, podía haberse ahorrado algunas páginas) hasta que se acaba el tira y afloja y se establece la relación. A partir de ahí, y gracias al giro, la acción se incrementa en intensidad y fuerza.
Los protagonistas de esta historia son Jackson y Leah. Leah es doctora, algo complicado a pesar de estar a finales del XIX, ya que no la aceptan como tal, aunque no tengan más remedio que acudir a ella. Sin embargo, camina con la cabeza alta y orgullosa, porque tiene una personalidad fuerte y un gran temple. Lo que nadie sabe es que esa coraza de frialdad oculta heridas profundas que le han convertido en la mujer que es, con una profunda inseguridad. Algo que cambiará desde el primer momento en que conoce a Jackson. La evolución interior de Leah es paulatina y profunda mientras descubre lo que es el amor. A pesar de todo, y aunque me ha gustado su desarrollo, a veces el personaje me ha parecido un poco exasperante por su cerrazón (que quizás es consecuencia de las páginas que, a mi juicio, sobran).
Jackson es el personaje fuerte de la historia, el que lleva el peso. Es un hombre apuesto, con carisma, pero con una historia trágica a sus espaldas que lo han marcado de por vida. Se ha dedicado a huir siempre, persiguiendo un sueño que sabe que no alcanzará; un sueño que cambia cuando su vida se cruce con la de Leah. A lo largo de la historia, Jackson va demostrando el tipo de persona que es, alguien que dice no saber amar, pero que ama ya sin saberlo. Ese amor le hará cambiar y dejar de huir, enfrentándose a las consecuencias de las decisiones de su pasado. Me ha encantado como personaje, de esos que se van revelando poco a poco, y te ganan el corazón.
El estilo de la autora, en ocasiones exhaustivo, no me ha disgustado; sin embargo, y aunque escribe bien, tengo la sensación de que sus palabras, si bien describen a la perfección la historia pasada de los personajes, no logra transmitir sentimientos profundos que hagan que te encariñes de los personajes o que sufras o rías con ellos. Con todo, me ha parecido una historia muy bien armada, con una trama interesante y un romance bonito en el que triunfa el amor tras una lucha dura que los marca.
August 9, 2016
A generous 1.5 stars because I KNOW Ms. Wiggs can write a better story.
February 4, 2025
I was drawn to this book because it had a premise similar to "The Touch of Fire" by Linda Howard—an outlaw and a female doctor. Unfortunately, The Drifter fell short.
One of the biggest issues is the pacing. The story lacks momentum, making it hard to stay fully engaged. While the setup had promise, it never quite built the tension or emotional depth I was hoping for.
Another misstep was how quickly the backgrounds of both the hero and heroine were revealed. Instead of unfolding naturally throughout the story, their pasts were laid out too early, leaving little room for intrigue or gradual character development. There is no sense of anticipation and this made the book a slog to read.
Ms. Wiggs can be a hit or miss for me, and this one, unfortunately, is a miss. While her writing is solid, the execution just didn’t work for me this time. If you're looking for a similar story with more tension and depth, "The Touch of Fire" does it better.
3 stars.
One of the biggest issues is the pacing. The story lacks momentum, making it hard to stay fully engaged. While the setup had promise, it never quite built the tension or emotional depth I was hoping for.
Another misstep was how quickly the backgrounds of both the hero and heroine were revealed. Instead of unfolding naturally throughout the story, their pasts were laid out too early, leaving little room for intrigue or gradual character development. There is no sense of anticipation and this made the book a slog to read.
Ms. Wiggs can be a hit or miss for me, and this one, unfortunately, is a miss. While her writing is solid, the execution just didn’t work for me this time. If you're looking for a similar story with more tension and depth, "The Touch of Fire" does it better.
3 stars.
January 21, 2014
Fairly predictable story told in 3rd person POV, set on an island off the coast of Washington State in 1894. A female doctor falls in love with the outlaw who holds her at gunpoint to ensure her medical services. This reminded me strongly of The Touch Of Fire, by Linda Howard. The books are similar in other ways, too: In both books the outlaw is innocent and a US Marshall is on his trail. However, there is no paranormal "healing touch" in The Drifter.
Secondary plot threads: Gender bias, daddy complex, white knight complex, smuggling, malpractice, opium addiction, mental illness, small-town community relationships.
I don't much like Wigg's writing style, based on this one book. Too many scenes are interrupted by the heroine's meandering thoughts. Even the love scenes are broken up by her internal dialogue: memories, fears, realizations, etc. I'd say at least 1/3rd of the book is made up of Leah or Jackson's thought life.
On the up side, I liked the scenes with Jackson and the adolescent boy (Bowie) in the wheelchair, and the scenes with Jackson aiding Leah with her medical practice. The buggy hitched to a new gelding is a vivid scene. I sympathized with Jackson -- his life growing up in the orphanage was hell, and his devotion to crazy Carrie misguided but sincere. It was good to see him make connections with the townspeople on Whidbey Island. With his rakish charm, he complemented the socially awkward Leah quite nicely. I liked how he influenced the townspeople to esteem Leah, and pay her for her medical work, and call her by her rightful title, Doctor Mundy. Good to see Jackson making friends and settling down for the first time in his life.
I liked the US Marshall, Joel Santiago.
We never heard what finally happened with Carrie, did we?
Contents: Some swearing and religious profanity, several sex scenes, some violence.
Good narration by Joyce Bean.
Secondary plot threads: Gender bias, daddy complex, white knight complex, smuggling, malpractice, opium addiction, mental illness, small-town community relationships.
I don't much like Wigg's writing style, based on this one book. Too many scenes are interrupted by the heroine's meandering thoughts. Even the love scenes are broken up by her internal dialogue: memories, fears, realizations, etc. I'd say at least 1/3rd of the book is made up of Leah or Jackson's thought life.
On the up side, I liked the scenes with Jackson and the adolescent boy (Bowie) in the wheelchair, and the scenes with Jackson aiding Leah with her medical practice. The buggy hitched to a new gelding is a vivid scene. I sympathized with Jackson -- his life growing up in the orphanage was hell, and his devotion to crazy Carrie misguided but sincere. It was good to see him make connections with the townspeople on Whidbey Island. With his rakish charm, he complemented the socially awkward Leah quite nicely. I liked how he influenced the townspeople to esteem Leah, and pay her for her medical work, and call her by her rightful title, Doctor Mundy. Good to see Jackson making friends and settling down for the first time in his life.
I liked the US Marshall, Joel Santiago.
We never heard what finally happened with Carrie, did we?
Contents: Some swearing and religious profanity, several sex scenes, some violence.
Good narration by Joyce Bean.
February 10, 2009
A Susan Wiggs story is kind of like ice cream---there really isn't such a thing as a *bad* Wiggs Novel, just varying degrees of delicious. This wasn't my favorite, but it was far from my least favorite as well. I liked the setting and the characters tremendously. The pacing felt a bit slow to me, but by the end I was glad for the time to spend with the characters. I would have liked to see a lot more of the secondary characters.
February 26, 2010
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Whidbey Island, 1894. One of the lush, green islands dotting the Pacific Northwest coastline, and home to Coupeville, a sleepy little seaside town. Dr. Leah Mundy, the town physician, awakes in the middle of the night to find a stranger with a gun trained on her, demanding her help. The stranger is Jackson Underhill, a man on the run from a dangerous past, and the patient is Carrie, his childhood sweetheart.
Leah has devoted her life to the study of medicine and caring of patients and even though the circumstances are unnerving, she agrees to treat Carrie, who is suffering a miscarriage and who is also in the throws of wicked withdrawal symptoms from a morphine addiction. Leah and Jackson become closer as they struggle to help Carrie get well. But just when it seems Carrie has turned a corner and is on the road to recovery, she leaves town with another man and Leah learns that all is not as it seemed between Jackson and Carrie.
Jackson has discovered he likes the way of life on Whidbey Island and he likes the serious, yet vulnerable Dr. Mundy. Though he feels his past could catch up with him at any moment, he yearns for the quiet, stable life that has thus far eluded him but could be within his reach. But of course, there are complications: suspicious townfolk, a corrupt sheriff, a smuggling ring and the U.S. Marshall on his trail. I won't go into more detail about the plot because there are some twists and turns and I don't want to give anything away.
Ms. Wiggs has a talent for creating multi-dimensional characters that every reader can relate to and that talent shines through again in this book. It's a better than average romance, with lots of sexual tension, mystery, action and excitement. I have not read her contemporary romances, and of her historicals her Calhoun series is still my favorite. But this one is good, too, and I recommend it to fans of historical romances.
Whidbey Island, 1894. One of the lush, green islands dotting the Pacific Northwest coastline, and home to Coupeville, a sleepy little seaside town. Dr. Leah Mundy, the town physician, awakes in the middle of the night to find a stranger with a gun trained on her, demanding her help. The stranger is Jackson Underhill, a man on the run from a dangerous past, and the patient is Carrie, his childhood sweetheart.
Leah has devoted her life to the study of medicine and caring of patients and even though the circumstances are unnerving, she agrees to treat Carrie, who is suffering a miscarriage and who is also in the throws of wicked withdrawal symptoms from a morphine addiction. Leah and Jackson become closer as they struggle to help Carrie get well. But just when it seems Carrie has turned a corner and is on the road to recovery, she leaves town with another man and Leah learns that all is not as it seemed between Jackson and Carrie.
Jackson has discovered he likes the way of life on Whidbey Island and he likes the serious, yet vulnerable Dr. Mundy. Though he feels his past could catch up with him at any moment, he yearns for the quiet, stable life that has thus far eluded him but could be within his reach. But of course, there are complications: suspicious townfolk, a corrupt sheriff, a smuggling ring and the U.S. Marshall on his trail. I won't go into more detail about the plot because there are some twists and turns and I don't want to give anything away.
Ms. Wiggs has a talent for creating multi-dimensional characters that every reader can relate to and that talent shines through again in this book. It's a better than average romance, with lots of sexual tension, mystery, action and excitement. I have not read her contemporary romances, and of her historicals her Calhoun series is still my favorite. But this one is good, too, and I recommend it to fans of historical romances.
May 16, 2013
Workaholic doctor heroine with Daddy Issues falls for the hero, a wanted man with a White Knight Complex. Loved the west coast setting, a rarity in a historical that isn't a flat-out western. Felt the number of secondary characters could have been trimmed, but an enjoyable read that I inhaled in a couple of sittings.
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November 2, 2023
Not my favorite and I won’t be rereading it because it left me with a blah mood. While it has a dramatic opening, I felt it was unrealistic that this downright nasty outlaw is actually a great guy (although I liked that version of the character) and I found it difficult to believe that the doctor could love someone who treated her so horribly. This was no meet cute or even hate at first sight. I also disliked how their default mechanism was to constantly say hateful things to one another if they felt slighted, or were trying to do the right thing for the other person, then just have sex and move on. Other subplots were not fully developed so they lacked impact and felt like filler or an excuse to make the hero more of a hero. The supporting characters were barely fleshed out. The medical stuff was interesting but I don’t know how much was accurate and I found it unrealistic how she quickly diagnosed everyone correctly and could perform all these amazing procedures with the technology of that era. She was almost a superhero. This was my first Wiggs book but it doesn’t inspire me to check out her other books. Also, both covers seem wrong for the period / character dress and the plot description on Amazon, etc. is actually misleading making it sound like he was injured initially and that she had just moved to town, neither of which is the case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2019
The story moves a little slowly at times until near the end when things get wild. There were some twists at the end but most of them were foreshadowed or at least hinted by what wasn't said. I had a good idea on most of the reveals.
I didn't like either of the leads a lot, but a lot of that was because of their pasts. Both were severely handicapped when it came to love. Leah did not get along well with the community around her because she focused on the science of healing and left out the human aspect. Jackson was branded as an outlaw early on. I hate heroes who kidnap the heroine and besides that he had a bad rep which even he didn't deny. But the man we see through the story is nothing like the reputation.
This is another story by SW where a woman's father stunts her emotionally and that's putting it mildly.
Mature themes: there is mildly explicit consensual sex a few times. There is a trail of murders. Children are abused in an orphanage. It is said that an orphan girl is "adopted" to become a prostitute. A woman deals with drug addiction and some of that struggle is described in detail.
I didn't like either of the leads a lot, but a lot of that was because of their pasts. Both were severely handicapped when it came to love. Leah did not get along well with the community around her because she focused on the science of healing and left out the human aspect. Jackson was branded as an outlaw early on. I hate heroes who kidnap the heroine and besides that he had a bad rep which even he didn't deny. But the man we see through the story is nothing like the reputation.
This is another story by SW where a woman's father stunts her emotionally and that's putting it mildly.
Mature themes: there is mildly explicit consensual sex a few times. There is a trail of murders. Children are abused in an orphanage. It is said that an orphan girl is "adopted" to become a prostitute. A woman deals with drug addiction and some of that struggle is described in detail.
July 8, 2008
THE DRIFTER - Ex
Wiggs, Susan
He wanted to tell her everything. About the lost years that had changed him from a desperate young boy into a man hardened by life. About the night he'd sold his soul for a woman who wasn't worth the price....
Comes a drifter to a windswept island...
But Jackson Underhill said nothing. After all, he was an outlaw, clearly on the run--reason enough for silence.
The truth was Dr. Leah Mundy scared him. She made him want to trust again, to share his burden. She made him want a home, a family. And it was dangerous to want such things. Because the past would find him if he stayed -- and there could be no future with a woman who would not leave.
Woman doctor, outlaw, orphan, addicted woman, sailboat, Washington state. I thought this was very well written.
Wiggs, Susan
He wanted to tell her everything. About the lost years that had changed him from a desperate young boy into a man hardened by life. About the night he'd sold his soul for a woman who wasn't worth the price....
Comes a drifter to a windswept island...
But Jackson Underhill said nothing. After all, he was an outlaw, clearly on the run--reason enough for silence.
The truth was Dr. Leah Mundy scared him. She made him want to trust again, to share his burden. She made him want a home, a family. And it was dangerous to want such things. Because the past would find him if he stayed -- and there could be no future with a woman who would not leave.
Woman doctor, outlaw, orphan, addicted woman, sailboat, Washington state. I thought this was very well written.
April 24, 2013
wish I could say something good about this book. I found the storyline completely predictable. could not relate to the main characters at all.. somehow the love story of a doctor and a convicted killer who turns from a dangerous man to a mushy romantic hero doesn't ring true. overall I would give about 2. and that's generous if you ask me
Read
October 13, 2019Jackson Underhill grew up in an orphanage after his mother left him there when he was 5. He met Carrie there. Others noticed that she didn't seem to have a soul but Jackson made it his mission to save her. Whenever she got in trouble, she ran to him until the day she was sold to a pimp. Jackson tried to get to her but the priest who rand the orphanage hit Jackson and left him with a scar on his cheek.
Jackson's mission for his life was to find Carrie in order to rescue and then protect her. It took about 10 years before he found her in Texas. She acted like she didn't know him at first but after she shot and killed one of her customers, she ran to him. They left town and headed toward Seattle. Jackson had gambled and won a boat. They were on the boat and it was badly damaged. Carrie was sick so Jackson set off to find the doctor. He was surprised to find the doc was a woman but forced her to come with him at gunpoint.
The doctor was Leah Mundy and she convinced Jackson to bring Leah to her boarding house. Carrie was introduced to Leah as Carrie Underhill, Jackson's wife. Carrie was sick from being pregnant and addicted to opiates in a liquid she was given as medicine. Leah didn't understand why Jackson didn't seem particularly upset about Carrie miscarrying the baby but her main concern was to get Carrie off her addiction.
Carrie didn't seem upset about the miscarriage either and set about winning the other boarders to her side. She sat with them and told stories about her life before arriving on the island. She met Adam Alexander, who was wealthy and ran off to marry him.
Jackson liked Leah but did his best to keep their relationship on the friend level. He worked on repairing his boat and helped her when he could. Leah had her own problems. She was a female doctor who had taken over after her father died. She too had issues because her father and her had traveled from town to town to keep just ahead of the law. Her father was a quack and people who took his advice sometimes died. Leah went to school to become the doctor her father never was. Her father had raised her to believe that she was never quite enough.
Jackson was keeping just ahead of the law and had planned on moving to Canada. Leah made him think of settling down. Jackson started to leave when Carrie took off. The boat that Carrie and Adam were on ended up burning on the river. Jackson thought that Carrie and Adam had both perished in the fire. He and Leah became lovers.
Carrie came back one night and Jackson had proposed to Leah. Leah was planning on accepting and telling him she was pregnant until Carrie showed back up. Leah could tell she was back on the opium medicine.
The marshall assigned to find Jackson and bring him back to Texas had arrived in Seattle. He met another female doctor headed to the island where Leah and her were planning on practicing together. Joel fell in love at first sight. He and Penelope went to the island together and found Leah's boarding house in flames. Jackson had rescued Leah but they needed care from the fire that Carrie had set. Carrie was upset that Jackson was going to leave her behind to marry Leah.
Joel arrested Jackson to keep him from escaping before he could be told that he knew that Carrie had killed the guy in Texas. Jackson thought he had taken the blame but there was a witness who saw what Carrie had done. Joel had also learned that Carrie had killed at least 4 other men during the time that Jackson had been searching for her. Carrie was arrested and Adam went with her to see that she was cared for properly.
During the next couple of months, the townspeople rebuilt Leah's boardinghouse. Carrie was taken away to deal with her crimes and her addiction. Leah's pregnancy had become obvious.
The townspeople had come to accept Leah as a doctor due in a large part to Jackson's helping out. He had helped get rid of some pirates who were selling guns out of the caves nearby. The sheriff was one of the gun runners who was caught.
Jackson snuck back to see Leah and found out that she was pregnant. Joel had tracked him down and told him that they knew he was innocent. Jackson was given the job as sheriff and came back to marry Leah and then discovered she was pregnant. Joel was going to stay on the island too. He had fallen in love with Penelope and had no plans to leave. He was tired of constantly being on the move and chasing criminals. He had seen the place and Penelope in his dreams and knew he had come home.
Jackson's mission for his life was to find Carrie in order to rescue and then protect her. It took about 10 years before he found her in Texas. She acted like she didn't know him at first but after she shot and killed one of her customers, she ran to him. They left town and headed toward Seattle. Jackson had gambled and won a boat. They were on the boat and it was badly damaged. Carrie was sick so Jackson set off to find the doctor. He was surprised to find the doc was a woman but forced her to come with him at gunpoint.
The doctor was Leah Mundy and she convinced Jackson to bring Leah to her boarding house. Carrie was introduced to Leah as Carrie Underhill, Jackson's wife. Carrie was sick from being pregnant and addicted to opiates in a liquid she was given as medicine. Leah didn't understand why Jackson didn't seem particularly upset about Carrie miscarrying the baby but her main concern was to get Carrie off her addiction.
Carrie didn't seem upset about the miscarriage either and set about winning the other boarders to her side. She sat with them and told stories about her life before arriving on the island. She met Adam Alexander, who was wealthy and ran off to marry him.
Jackson liked Leah but did his best to keep their relationship on the friend level. He worked on repairing his boat and helped her when he could. Leah had her own problems. She was a female doctor who had taken over after her father died. She too had issues because her father and her had traveled from town to town to keep just ahead of the law. Her father was a quack and people who took his advice sometimes died. Leah went to school to become the doctor her father never was. Her father had raised her to believe that she was never quite enough.
Jackson was keeping just ahead of the law and had planned on moving to Canada. Leah made him think of settling down. Jackson started to leave when Carrie took off. The boat that Carrie and Adam were on ended up burning on the river. Jackson thought that Carrie and Adam had both perished in the fire. He and Leah became lovers.
Carrie came back one night and Jackson had proposed to Leah. Leah was planning on accepting and telling him she was pregnant until Carrie showed back up. Leah could tell she was back on the opium medicine.
The marshall assigned to find Jackson and bring him back to Texas had arrived in Seattle. He met another female doctor headed to the island where Leah and her were planning on practicing together. Joel fell in love at first sight. He and Penelope went to the island together and found Leah's boarding house in flames. Jackson had rescued Leah but they needed care from the fire that Carrie had set. Carrie was upset that Jackson was going to leave her behind to marry Leah.
Joel arrested Jackson to keep him from escaping before he could be told that he knew that Carrie had killed the guy in Texas. Jackson thought he had taken the blame but there was a witness who saw what Carrie had done. Joel had also learned that Carrie had killed at least 4 other men during the time that Jackson had been searching for her. Carrie was arrested and Adam went with her to see that she was cared for properly.
During the next couple of months, the townspeople rebuilt Leah's boardinghouse. Carrie was taken away to deal with her crimes and her addiction. Leah's pregnancy had become obvious.
The townspeople had come to accept Leah as a doctor due in a large part to Jackson's helping out. He had helped get rid of some pirates who were selling guns out of the caves nearby. The sheriff was one of the gun runners who was caught.
Jackson snuck back to see Leah and found out that she was pregnant. Joel had tracked him down and told him that they knew he was innocent. Jackson was given the job as sheriff and came back to marry Leah and then discovered she was pregnant. Joel was going to stay on the island too. He had fallen in love with Penelope and had no plans to leave. He was tired of constantly being on the move and chasing criminals. He had seen the place and Penelope in his dreams and knew he had come home.
December 5, 2017
I absolutely adored this book! From the unusual beginning to the end, it was never once boring. if the story was longer, I honestly can say that I'd have kept on reading and wouldn't have minded at all. This is my third read by this author, but not my last. This is a romance novel, but there is so much more to it. Her characters are strong in their own right, but with a certain vulnerability that instead of making them weak, is enhanced by the strength that comes from the person they fall in love with, which is, I suppose what love does for us all. Builds us up, makes us stronger and brings out the best in us to give of ourselves to the ones we care about.
Dr. Leah Mundy is such a person. Strong in so many ways and very giving of herself to all of those who reside at her boardinghouse and they in turn return that love to her. She's a woman doctor in a time when w0men doctors receive no respect for their professional services, even though she's the only doctor for miles around. The townspeople could care less about her being a doctor, as long as she takes care of their ills. How disrespectful is that! The fact that she's a woman in a "male" profession is the crux of the matter, because she is certainly very competent at what she does.
Jackson T. Underhill and his pregnant wife Caroline are sorely in need of her services when she has to attend to Mrs. Underhill on one rainy and dark night. He doesn't care that she's a woman. All he cares about is that she helps Carrie. She is forced at go with him to their boat that is moored at the dock in town. The events that occur on that night on the boat is what keeps the husband and wife in town and living at Leah's boardinghouse. From that point on there is non-stop action and secrets revealed at every turn in this story right up until the very end.
The boardinghouse residents make up the supporting characters of this wonderful story and are written with such tender care, it's almost as if they're someone you know or would want to be friends with. I liked them all immensely. Added to those are the stuffy town folk. Not all of them, but enough of them who disdain Dr. Mundy's work to imprint their opinion on those who don't voice their thoughts one way or the other and in 1894, this was easy to do.
This was just a wonderful read for me. I tried not to give any of the important things away in this review except the bare minimum, so that anyone who wants to read it in the future will be able to discover what an enjoyable read it is for themselves.
There is certainly a spot waiting for this book on my keeper shelf and hopefully a lot more of this author's books to read and enjoy in the future.
Dr. Leah Mundy is such a person. Strong in so many ways and very giving of herself to all of those who reside at her boardinghouse and they in turn return that love to her. She's a woman doctor in a time when w0men doctors receive no respect for their professional services, even though she's the only doctor for miles around. The townspeople could care less about her being a doctor, as long as she takes care of their ills. How disrespectful is that! The fact that she's a woman in a "male" profession is the crux of the matter, because she is certainly very competent at what she does.
Jackson T. Underhill and his pregnant wife Caroline are sorely in need of her services when she has to attend to Mrs. Underhill on one rainy and dark night. He doesn't care that she's a woman. All he cares about is that she helps Carrie. She is forced at go with him to their boat that is moored at the dock in town. The events that occur on that night on the boat is what keeps the husband and wife in town and living at Leah's boardinghouse. From that point on there is non-stop action and secrets revealed at every turn in this story right up until the very end.
The boardinghouse residents make up the supporting characters of this wonderful story and are written with such tender care, it's almost as if they're someone you know or would want to be friends with. I liked them all immensely. Added to those are the stuffy town folk. Not all of them, but enough of them who disdain Dr. Mundy's work to imprint their opinion on those who don't voice their thoughts one way or the other and in 1894, this was easy to do.
This was just a wonderful read for me. I tried not to give any of the important things away in this review except the bare minimum, so that anyone who wants to read it in the future will be able to discover what an enjoyable read it is for themselves.
There is certainly a spot waiting for this book on my keeper shelf and hopefully a lot more of this author's books to read and enjoy in the future.
November 20, 2022
I'm not going to write a description of the book because there are many good ones already up on this site. I'm just going to give my opinions. There's a lot going on in this book and I think some of it was superfluous and that there were holes in the story.
*****************SPOILERS*****************
Jackson's kidnapping of the doctor was ridiculous. She would have gone with him if he'd just ask. Wouldn't the gun be a last resort? It was totally out of character because Jackson is a actually very sweet guy.
And why lie about being married to Carrie?
The death of Dr. Leah Mundy's assistant's half brother was just touched upon with very little detail of the murder, the gun running, the attack on the settlement and the sheriff's involvement in both the attack and the gun running. The only reason for these incidents seemed to be to show what a decent, brave and upstanding citizen Jackson was and how the town finally got behind their doctor (they hadn't accepted her into their community). Why would pirates attack the town anyway? Did the sheriff tell them he had the guns? More clarity was needed.
Marshall Santana's instant love of Dr. Leah's friend seemed ridiculous to me and didn't add anything to the plot. Was he in a previous story and this was a follow-up? And his arresting Jackson instead of just telling him that he knows Carrie is the killer and Jackson is innocent made no sense to me.
*****************REALLY BIG SPOILER**************
When Anderson's boat burns and it's assumed all on board are dead, don't you think Anderson would have the decency to send a telegram telling the town he and the others are safe?
I think this could have been a much better book if the plot was tighter. And I personally hate when people martyr themselves, which is what Jackson did regarding Carrie.
*****************SPOILERS*****************
Jackson's kidnapping of the doctor was ridiculous. She would have gone with him if he'd just ask. Wouldn't the gun be a last resort? It was totally out of character because Jackson is a actually very sweet guy.
And why lie about being married to Carrie?
The death of Dr. Leah Mundy's assistant's half brother was just touched upon with very little detail of the murder, the gun running, the attack on the settlement and the sheriff's involvement in both the attack and the gun running. The only reason for these incidents seemed to be to show what a decent, brave and upstanding citizen Jackson was and how the town finally got behind their doctor (they hadn't accepted her into their community). Why would pirates attack the town anyway? Did the sheriff tell them he had the guns? More clarity was needed.
Marshall Santana's instant love of Dr. Leah's friend seemed ridiculous to me and didn't add anything to the plot. Was he in a previous story and this was a follow-up? And his arresting Jackson instead of just telling him that he knows Carrie is the killer and Jackson is innocent made no sense to me.
*****************REALLY BIG SPOILER**************
When Anderson's boat burns and it's assumed all on board are dead, don't you think Anderson would have the decency to send a telegram telling the town he and the others are safe?
I think this could have been a much better book if the plot was tighter. And I personally hate when people martyr themselves, which is what Jackson did regarding Carrie.
August 25, 2025
I was a bit disappointed in The Drifter. The plot sounded interesting (female doctor on an island in Puget Sound who deals with prejudice against women doctors falls for a "drifter" - can he put down roots and stay with her). And female doctor, Leah, is an interesting character - she is both knowledgeable and naïve - scientifically, she understands the human body responses, but Jackson Underhill makes her feel things she didn't really know existed. The failing in this story is Jackson - and it is never good when the "hero" is "eh". He is connected to a crazy woman that he has known since they were children in an orphanage together -- when at the wise old age of nine, he vowed to always protect her. When they are separated at 13, he hunts for her for several years, discovers that she has become a prostitute, murderer, and an opium addict, and still tries to protect and save her from herself. All the while he has fallen in love with Leah - but feels he doesn't deserve her. I think the whole protect the childhood friend thing was way to overdone, and Jackson was way too into self-denial and feelings of inadequacy. I believe that a man from that time period, one who had done all of the things he had done, would have more self-esteem and be a more proactive partner for Leah. Honestly, I found him to be sulky and whiny.
Read
June 24, 2021Another 5 stars for me
Ive been binging HR novels for the past week and, Im coming to a conculsion that the original aithors of HR novels are realy quite something. The original way of writing these novels are more captivating in their telling.
Leah and Jackson's characters were told beautifully - the lady doctor with such passion for her work that she even heals for free even with her patient's bad mouthing her and the fast-talking gambler and a wanted man whose past keeps on hunting him, literally hunting and haunting him but every action he does only helps Leah and the townspeople and yet little does he knows this.
I loved how the author showed theif dilemma in the decision making of changing their lives for a chance of happiness. Ot isnt easy but will they do it? I alos loved how they eventualy acknowledged their relationship, not some steamy,lusty sort of moment that recent HR novels seem to tell these moments. But it was a simple opening of the topic and trying to acknowledge what trully is there
Ps. I truly agree how the "villain" was depicted here. They were shown in the most normal and most revered sort of way that most people fail to see what trully is -blinded of what is in the outside
Such a beautiful, wonderful novel
Ive been binging HR novels for the past week and, Im coming to a conculsion that the original aithors of HR novels are realy quite something. The original way of writing these novels are more captivating in their telling.
Leah and Jackson's characters were told beautifully - the lady doctor with such passion for her work that she even heals for free even with her patient's bad mouthing her and the fast-talking gambler and a wanted man whose past keeps on hunting him, literally hunting and haunting him but every action he does only helps Leah and the townspeople and yet little does he knows this.
I loved how the author showed theif dilemma in the decision making of changing their lives for a chance of happiness. Ot isnt easy but will they do it? I alos loved how they eventualy acknowledged their relationship, not some steamy,lusty sort of moment that recent HR novels seem to tell these moments. But it was a simple opening of the topic and trying to acknowledge what trully is there
Ps. I truly agree how the "villain" was depicted here. They were shown in the most normal and most revered sort of way that most people fail to see what trully is -blinded of what is in the outside
Such a beautiful, wonderful novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
What a nice surprise
I've never read this author before but saw this compared to my favorite Linda Howard book, so I wanted to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this! It has an outlaw abducting a doctor at g*npoint, not knowing the doctor is a female. That's about the only similarity. There is OW drama here, which is absent during the middle of the book, but picks up and results in the climax. I enjoyed the immediate attraction but slowburning awareness of Jackson and Leah. They're both broken and have more in common than they think. Heart sings in Crazy On You..."so afraid of one who's so afraid of you.." which basically sums these two up. I liked the easy writing style & being drawn into the community & characters. I'm definitely glad I decided to read this & definitely recommend!
I've never read this author before but saw this compared to my favorite Linda Howard book, so I wanted to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this! It has an outlaw abducting a doctor at g*npoint, not knowing the doctor is a female. That's about the only similarity. There is OW drama here, which is absent during the middle of the book, but picks up and results in the climax. I enjoyed the immediate attraction but slowburning awareness of Jackson and Leah. They're both broken and have more in common than they think. Heart sings in Crazy On You..."so afraid of one who's so afraid of you.." which basically sums these two up. I liked the easy writing style & being drawn into the community & characters. I'm definitely glad I decided to read this & definitely recommend!
April 3, 2024
This book started out promising, then spent a lot of time in the middle with excess "character development" filler and fluff that was really unnecessary to repeat, since we learned the characters' backstories pretty early on (and the allusions to the upcoming "plot twists" were not at all subtle).
Then the ending, while interesting, was very untidy and felt rushed. Like the author said, "oops, I accidentally spent 150 pages on the characters' self-reflection, and now I don't have enough room left to tie all of the weird side-plots together in a compelling way, so I'll have about half of that stuff resolve behind-the-scenes and just have someone TELL the main character about it in the end."
I almost DNF when I was about 60% of the way in. It ended up being okay, but I'm probably going to forget this book in a day.
Then the ending, while interesting, was very untidy and felt rushed. Like the author said, "oops, I accidentally spent 150 pages on the characters' self-reflection, and now I don't have enough room left to tie all of the weird side-plots together in a compelling way, so I'll have about half of that stuff resolve behind-the-scenes and just have someone TELL the main character about it in the end."
I almost DNF when I was about 60% of the way in. It ended up being okay, but I'm probably going to forget this book in a day.
February 11, 2019
I haven't read too many historical novels by Susan Wiggs and think I perhaps prefer her more contemporary tales but I still enjoyed this book which focused on a female doctor in a time where there weren't many female doctors around and those that were had to fight hard for some respect. Wiggs covers some tough topics in this book - including addiction and sex trafficking and the horrible consequences that can ensue for all those affected either directly or indirectly. All in all it was a good read.
September 2, 2022
Dr.Leah Mundy a female physician in 1894, she is dedicated to her profession but many don't accept her as a Doctor. She has given her life to healing. Many days and nights she doctors anyone who needs healing and she is woke up often to medical emergencies. Until one night she is awakened by an outlaw needing her to Doctor his friend. Both the outlaw and Leah,s life will change. Great story again by Susan Wiggs, she never disappoints.
July 1, 2017
Susan Wiggs does a marvelous job in hooking her readers immediately from the start. She then causes them to fall for the characters and care about their fates. I absolutely loved the mix of characters in Dr. Mundy's home. Perfect combination of personalities. Then the ending - how she brings all story lines together marvelously! Really good read.
August 29, 2017
Dr. Leah Munday grew up in a loveless house with her quack doctor father. It left her scared and not knowing if anyone could love her. Jackson Underhill blew into town. He, also, had a loveless childhood, growing up in an abusive orphanage. He likes what he sees in Leah and she wonders what it would be like to have him love her. A decent read!
October 1, 2017
The Drifter
I liked the book but found it somewhat disturbing. The hero had it really hard as a child in an orphanage. The heroine was a bit lost because of her childhood as well. The villain showed that everyone handles childhood adversity very differently. If you enjoy realism in your fiction this book is for you.
I liked the book but found it somewhat disturbing. The hero had it really hard as a child in an orphanage. The heroine was a bit lost because of her childhood as well. The villain showed that everyone handles childhood adversity very differently. If you enjoy realism in your fiction this book is for you.
May 5, 2023
Good. I enjoyed the read. Of course it all works out happily in the last 4 pages, and you can see the drawn out ‘twist’ from before the middle, but made it to page 378. Accurate and gorgeous descriptions of the islands. It makes no indication this is #2 (didn’t know until I scanned it into goodreads).
June 5, 2024
Another great book
This author reminds me a lot of
LaVyrle Spencer. Both authors are different but similar in how they craft wonderful romantic books. This book is sweet and romantic with a hint of mystery.
Read and enjoy, escape from the harsh reality reflected in the news, to a rousing adventure in the past.
This author reminds me a lot of
LaVyrle Spencer. Both authors are different but similar in how they craft wonderful romantic books. This book is sweet and romantic with a hint of mystery.
Read and enjoy, escape from the harsh reality reflected in the news, to a rousing adventure in the past.
July 21, 2019
If a book doesn’t grasp my attention, I don’t read past page 5. Susan Wiggs grabs your attention in the first sentence and has you hooked through the whole book! This was a great introduction into her writing and I can’t wait to read more by her!
August 12, 2019
I loved loved loved this book. Leah is a badass, lady doctor in the 19th century and she’s so prickly. Jackson is her perfect foil, someone rootless and (cur title music) a Drifter. I loved them together. I loved the beautiful setting. I loved it.
August 19, 2022
I loved how the characters were written. I started to dislike Carrie early on. Started to love Leah from the start! I love when book makes me feel emotions like I am really there and when I can see into the characters heads.
November 4, 2024
I really enjoyed the setting of this story. I really liked both characters, Leah and Jackson. They both have pretty tragic back stories that we get glimpses of through out the book. Early on, we see both characters bringing out good in each other. He helps her connect more with the town and she helps realize that he can choose to stop and live life rather than always running.
There were a few things in the end that bothered me a bit. I wish that he chose her first and stuck by her side more. I loved his character for so much of the book and was a bit let down by him towards the end.
There were a few things in the end that bothered me a bit. I wish that he chose her first and stuck by her side more. I loved his character for so much of the book and was a bit let down by him towards the end.
July 13, 2025
Good Read
A spinster doctor and a drifter make an unlikely couple in this romantic novel. It takes place in the scenic northwest. It is well written and moves at a good pace. It does contain profanity and sexual scenes.
A spinster doctor and a drifter make an unlikely couple in this romantic novel. It takes place in the scenic northwest. It is well written and moves at a good pace. It does contain profanity and sexual scenes.
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