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Charlotte
When the least likely person in your life becomes the one who means the most.
Charlotte’s father left her alone on the prairie with the wagon, a team and the mare. She was to wait for Ellis Gray and the wagon train he was leading. Charlotte understood that her father was paying Ellis Gray to see her to Fort Randall where she would meet her uncle and go to live out in the desert with a new husband. That she didn’t want a new husband didn’t matter. They were going to hang you, her father said. She knew this was true.
Charlotte joined the wagon train at the back where they meant for her to stay. She made molasses bread in her tin oven at night and passed it out to the small hands that reached for it. She befriended Ada, the wild-haired barefoot girl too young for the burdens placed on her, and Fiona, whose husband Charlotte knew just by looking at his hard face.
Then members of the tribes appeared along the ridge, a line of them sitting astride their horses, wrapped in blankets, looking old and sad. Charlotte’s fate was sealed when Ellis rode out to meet them.
Because one of them was neither old or sad.
Charlotte’s father left her alone on the prairie with the wagon, a team and the mare. She was to wait for Ellis Gray and the wagon train he was leading. Charlotte understood that her father was paying Ellis Gray to see her to Fort Randall where she would meet her uncle and go to live out in the desert with a new husband. That she didn’t want a new husband didn’t matter. They were going to hang you, her father said. She knew this was true.
Charlotte joined the wagon train at the back where they meant for her to stay. She made molasses bread in her tin oven at night and passed it out to the small hands that reached for it. She befriended Ada, the wild-haired barefoot girl too young for the burdens placed on her, and Fiona, whose husband Charlotte knew just by looking at his hard face.
Then members of the tribes appeared along the ridge, a line of them sitting astride their horses, wrapped in blankets, looking old and sad. Charlotte’s fate was sealed when Ellis rode out to meet them.
Because one of them was neither old or sad.
264 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2020
1829 people are currently reading
1456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
July 16, 2020
TL;DR Meh. Prose + snappy dialogue = unrealistic generic story.
I'm going to go with these categories: world building, pacing/structure, characters, character relationships, dialogue, and author voice.
World Building: Ok so the setting was pretty quick to understand, but none of the rules for the universe were dripping with hyper realism. Obviously, generic replacements for things were created to make it more fantastical and non restrictive. Like the primary religion spoken about wasn't real (from what I could research) but I'm pretty sure it was based on the LDS faith. A lot about the Native American's featured felt underplayed or pushed aside as less important. Any Native American culture inserted was generic and spoke little of a culture of a specific tribe. Details of how the world everyone lived in worked was either assumed, implied, or ignored and rarely was detailed directly. Where the hell is this story even set? Location is vague. Three places are consistently mentioned: Oregon, Missouri, and the East. Some of it was intentional vagueness to help the narrative, but some description was left out in a confusing way. State vs Territory was missing. Dates also meant nothing which greatly impacts the reality. So little time was spent on setting up rules, laws, morals, I was left guessing or assuming most of the time. 3/5
Pacing/structure: Biggest of sighs. The pacing was bad. Time moved in unpredictable ways. Time was spent on insignificant things and then larger things were glossed over or just straight up left out. Little to no time was spent developing characters beyond their dialogue. I couldn't figure out the rules of the universe which made picking out story structure near impossible. I cannot for the life of me, tell you the climax of this story. I could tell you exactly what happened in the story, but the timing of the events and how much was put into them made no sense. The story was bookended by thoughtful prose that in no way shows up consistently and everything in between was just dialogue. 2/5
Characters: Could not describe a single character to you physically. I don't know what anyone looks like other than Charlotte's hair was chopped off. That's it. Character individuality was on the low end. There were like 8 or 9 types of characters and everyone got put into that box. Practically no time was spent on anyone's emotional state. We got a line or two of insight into everyone's head and it gave me no insight into the character whatsoever. Everyone felt generic. Their names and knowledge were their only defining characteristics. Everyone felt rough in ways that didn't make sense. Charlotte liked collecting and could hold her own in a saloon, anyone else of youth was just so naive it hurt, the people seen as opposition never actually did anything, Chace was insert boy character A but make him Native American. There was nothing really memorable about any single character (with Ellis as a maybe exception) 1/5
Character relationships: All of them either pre-existed or were slapped together in a see it works kind of way. I genuinely didn't see why anyone cared about anyone in this story. The romantic pairing of Charlotte and Chace was built on time spent? A bond over...something? Sharing one secret each? Boy and girl have hots for each other? It just doesn't make sense. I can see somewhat why Ada thinks fondly of Charlotte but I don't really see what it's built on. A few days with the crazy lady no one talks to is barely enough to make a big impact on a kid, even with gifts involved. I know Ellis and Charlotte are supposed to be casual friends quickly, but it happens so fast off of nothing, I'm left confused. I had no reason to root for characters to agree or get along. 1/5
Dialogue: While not perfect, the dialogue was good. The back and forth between Ellis and Charlotte was beyond enjoyable. I think the children spoke beyond their means in terms of language, but it wasn't jarringly out of place. There was a lot of swearing coming out of a young lady's religious mouth that I forgive for the story's sake, but it reeked of habitual nature that shouldn't theoretically exist for Charlotte. The only other thing I disliked was a lot of characters spoke almost too similarly to each other. The characters themselves fit within a box and their dialogue reflected that. The dialogue carried the story far further than it should have. If you remove the dialogue, you don't have much of a story. 4/5
Author Voice: The author's voice wasn't very visible. I didn't see something to draw me to their other works. There was no narrative voice. No descriptions to give me an idea of what the author thought important to tell me, the reader. Everything sat in either dialogue or what the characters were eating/going to eat. Also the story was in third person, which ya know great, but we were constantly shifting perspective. One minute we know how Charlotte reacted, the next Ellis, then Ada time. I didn't have time to even connect to anyone because it was constantly bouncing around. 3/5
This book reads like a FFN search and replace story. Children, marriage, impending doom that turns out to be pretty chill, previous trauma, and zero time spent describing the physical appearance of a character minus their accessories/clothes. I feel bad shitting all over the story because I can tell the author really tried to craft it with love but it just fell flat to me. There were a lot of metaphors and symbolism that were either so obvious it felt weird or so out there it didn't make sense. Some big time yin yang symbolism with no follow through. Like why spend the time making the comparison by using a feather as a symbol and then make the feather be the only thing of value while disregarding the symbolism.
I'm frustrated because I wanted to like it, I just couldn't. Parts felt tone deaf to reality and were in juxtaposition to overly detailed descriptions of minimal things. The story flow was good enough to keep up with, but I didnt come away with anything from the story. Other than I liked Ellis. That's about it.
Overall: 2 (2.3)
I'm going to go with these categories: world building, pacing/structure, characters, character relationships, dialogue, and author voice.
World Building: Ok so the setting was pretty quick to understand, but none of the rules for the universe were dripping with hyper realism. Obviously, generic replacements for things were created to make it more fantastical and non restrictive. Like the primary religion spoken about wasn't real (from what I could research) but I'm pretty sure it was based on the LDS faith. A lot about the Native American's featured felt underplayed or pushed aside as less important. Any Native American culture inserted was generic and spoke little of a culture of a specific tribe. Details of how the world everyone lived in worked was either assumed, implied, or ignored and rarely was detailed directly. Where the hell is this story even set? Location is vague. Three places are consistently mentioned: Oregon, Missouri, and the East. Some of it was intentional vagueness to help the narrative, but some description was left out in a confusing way. State vs Territory was missing. Dates also meant nothing which greatly impacts the reality. So little time was spent on setting up rules, laws, morals, I was left guessing or assuming most of the time. 3/5
Pacing/structure: Biggest of sighs. The pacing was bad. Time moved in unpredictable ways. Time was spent on insignificant things and then larger things were glossed over or just straight up left out. Little to no time was spent developing characters beyond their dialogue. I couldn't figure out the rules of the universe which made picking out story structure near impossible. I cannot for the life of me, tell you the climax of this story. I could tell you exactly what happened in the story, but the timing of the events and how much was put into them made no sense. The story was bookended by thoughtful prose that in no way shows up consistently and everything in between was just dialogue. 2/5
Characters: Could not describe a single character to you physically. I don't know what anyone looks like other than Charlotte's hair was chopped off. That's it. Character individuality was on the low end. There were like 8 or 9 types of characters and everyone got put into that box. Practically no time was spent on anyone's emotional state. We got a line or two of insight into everyone's head and it gave me no insight into the character whatsoever. Everyone felt generic. Their names and knowledge were their only defining characteristics. Everyone felt rough in ways that didn't make sense. Charlotte liked collecting and could hold her own in a saloon, anyone else of youth was just so naive it hurt, the people seen as opposition never actually did anything, Chace was insert boy character A but make him Native American. There was nothing really memorable about any single character (with Ellis as a maybe exception) 1/5
Character relationships: All of them either pre-existed or were slapped together in a see it works kind of way. I genuinely didn't see why anyone cared about anyone in this story. The romantic pairing of Charlotte and Chace was built on time spent? A bond over...something? Sharing one secret each? Boy and girl have hots for each other? It just doesn't make sense. I can see somewhat why Ada thinks fondly of Charlotte but I don't really see what it's built on. A few days with the crazy lady no one talks to is barely enough to make a big impact on a kid, even with gifts involved. I know Ellis and Charlotte are supposed to be casual friends quickly, but it happens so fast off of nothing, I'm left confused. I had no reason to root for characters to agree or get along. 1/5
Dialogue: While not perfect, the dialogue was good. The back and forth between Ellis and Charlotte was beyond enjoyable. I think the children spoke beyond their means in terms of language, but it wasn't jarringly out of place. There was a lot of swearing coming out of a young lady's religious mouth that I forgive for the story's sake, but it reeked of habitual nature that shouldn't theoretically exist for Charlotte. The only other thing I disliked was a lot of characters spoke almost too similarly to each other. The characters themselves fit within a box and their dialogue reflected that. The dialogue carried the story far further than it should have. If you remove the dialogue, you don't have much of a story. 4/5
Author Voice: The author's voice wasn't very visible. I didn't see something to draw me to their other works. There was no narrative voice. No descriptions to give me an idea of what the author thought important to tell me, the reader. Everything sat in either dialogue or what the characters were eating/going to eat. Also the story was in third person, which ya know great, but we were constantly shifting perspective. One minute we know how Charlotte reacted, the next Ellis, then Ada time. I didn't have time to even connect to anyone because it was constantly bouncing around. 3/5
This book reads like a FFN search and replace story. Children, marriage, impending doom that turns out to be pretty chill, previous trauma, and zero time spent describing the physical appearance of a character minus their accessories/clothes. I feel bad shitting all over the story because I can tell the author really tried to craft it with love but it just fell flat to me. There were a lot of metaphors and symbolism that were either so obvious it felt weird or so out there it didn't make sense. Some big time yin yang symbolism with no follow through. Like why spend the time making the comparison by using a feather as a symbol and then make the feather be the only thing of value while disregarding the symbolism.
I'm frustrated because I wanted to like it, I just couldn't. Parts felt tone deaf to reality and were in juxtaposition to overly detailed descriptions of minimal things. The story flow was good enough to keep up with, but I didnt come away with anything from the story. Other than I liked Ellis. That's about it.
Overall: 2 (2.3)
September 19, 2020
I wanted to like this book, but I struggled with everything. Dialogue was vague and confusing as to who was speaking. There was no background for Charlotte, just implied history. Absolutely no character depth for anyone. The idea that this woman would give up the love of her life to adopt 4 children she barely knew, seems extremely far-fetched. She was only with the wagon train for 5 days!
It could have been a great book, if the writer developed the characters (what they thought and felt), background ( help the reader understand “the family”-what it was, why Charlotte was a trial to her father, more about Chase and Ellis and their life with the “tribes”, and the children), even the setting was vague ( a ridge, some trees, a trail, a fort... describe it to your reader).
It could have been a great book, if the writer developed the characters (what they thought and felt), background ( help the reader understand “the family”-what it was, why Charlotte was a trial to her father, more about Chase and Ellis and their life with the “tribes”, and the children), even the setting was vague ( a ridge, some trees, a trail, a fort... describe it to your reader).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
I couldn't put down this book!
I don't usually take the time to review a book, because my typing is difficult and tiring. I love stories of the wagon trains, mail order brides, life in the old West. I was however, tiring of the same old plots, same old trials and tribulation. What a pleasant surprise! A story with a different approach to a journey having been made beforehand by many people with many different lives. This story is beautifully written about a strong woman who has a droll sense of humor that will make you smile and each person involved in her life, you won't want to forget. I am looking for more stories by this author and I can highly recommend this book to anyone. I give it 5 stars. Truly wonderful!
I don't usually take the time to review a book, because my typing is difficult and tiring. I love stories of the wagon trains, mail order brides, life in the old West. I was however, tiring of the same old plots, same old trials and tribulation. What a pleasant surprise! A story with a different approach to a journey having been made beforehand by many people with many different lives. This story is beautifully written about a strong woman who has a droll sense of humor that will make you smile and each person involved in her life, you won't want to forget. I am looking for more stories by this author and I can highly recommend this book to anyone. I give it 5 stars. Truly wonderful!
April 8, 2021
What a wonderfully satisfying read! Loved everything about it and looking forward to more by this author. The dialog is soooo good. Readers who enjoyed News of the World and One For the Blackbird, One for the Crow and Where the Lost Wander and Where the Crawdads Sing should enjoy this story and writing. Although some have called it a Romance (and there certainly is romance in it), I would classify it Historical Fiction of the "can't put it down" variety.
April 26, 2023
Всеки път, когато отварям книга за Дивия Запад и за годините на преселение по американските територии, се връщам в юношеските си години. Тогава впечатлителната ми натура се пренасяше в пустинята на Запада, сред дивите райони на езерото Онтарио или по Орегонската пътека. Онези приключенски книги ме запалиха по четенето като единствен начин да живея сред местните племена и да видя как заселниците са извоювали правото си да се установят върху земите на индианците. През годините се вижда една промяна на ъгъла на авторите, от който гледат на тези исторически събития. От хвърлянето на цялата вина върху племената до признаването, че Белият човек е дошъл, за да унищожи всичко и всеки местен, които биха му попречили да докопа земи, животни, води и природни ресурси. Оцелелите индианци съществуват в резервати, обречени на асимилация и изчезване.
В Charlotte има по малко от всичко. Любимият ми приключенски сюжет с фургони, преминаващи през непознати територии, укрепления, изпитания за издръжливостта на характерите и на ценностната система на хората. Герои с минало, белязано от битката между белия и червенокожия човек. Тук J.S. Anthony ни среща с една силна млада жена, която отстоява правото си на живот и щастие с цената на противопоставяне на нормите на пуританската общност. Оттам нататък всичко се случва според нейните стремежи и спрямо средата, в която попада. Силата на жената не е от вчера. Използвайки всичко което знае и може , Charlotte оцелява и поема грижата за четири осиротели деца. Придобивайки в движение нови знания, тя изгражда собствения си свят от руините на старото си съществуване. Среща любовта там, където никога не е и мислела че съществува - в лицето на мъж, който служи като мост между двата свята в тогавашната действителност.И от оставена сама на произвола на живота, Charlotte се превръща в център на малко, но сплотено семейство.
В Charlotte има по малко от всичко. Любимият ми приключенски сюжет с фургони, преминаващи през непознати територии, укрепления, изпитания за издръжливостта на характерите и на ценностната система на хората. Герои с минало, белязано от битката между белия и червенокожия човек. Тук J.S. Anthony ни среща с една силна млада жена, която отстоява правото си на живот и щастие с цената на противопоставяне на нормите на пуританската общност. Оттам нататък всичко се случва според нейните стремежи и спрямо средата, в която попада. Силата на жената не е от вчера. Използвайки всичко което знае и може , Charlotte оцелява и поема грижата за четири осиротели деца. Придобивайки в движение нови знания, тя изгражда собствения си свят от руините на старото си съществуване. Среща любовта там, където никога не е и мислела че съществува - в лицето на мъж, който служи като мост между двата свята в тогавашната действителност.И от оставена сама на произвола на живота, Charlotte се превръща в център на малко, но сплотено семейство.
June 10, 2021
Pleasant, uplifting read about a young woman left by her strict, fanatically religious father, on a wagon train to meet up with her uncle and next arranged husband. The thing is, she was battered and beaten by her former husband, whom is now dead, by her hand. If she does not get out of town after that, she could be hung for killing him.
This woman is witty, has a lot of spunk and common sense and her experiences on the trails are interesting reading. She is very resourceful and gives back where and when she can. Where she ends up at and with whom are a good story. I do enjoy reading these early pioneer tales.
My only caveat with this book was that some of the characters “spoke” in more of a modern day tone instead of the style in the 1800’s.
This woman is witty, has a lot of spunk and common sense and her experiences on the trails are interesting reading. She is very resourceful and gives back where and when she can. Where she ends up at and with whom are a good story. I do enjoy reading these early pioneer tales.
My only caveat with this book was that some of the characters “spoke” in more of a modern day tone instead of the style in the 1800’s.
July 15, 2020
Amazing story!
With so many books available on my kindle, I am extremely glad to have downloaded CHARLOTTE.. This story had depth. It played on emotions! It was difficult to put aside to take care of my homemaker commitments! As an avid reader, blessed by a mom who set the example of escaping a tough life raising eight children, she set forth the treasure of stepping away from her often drudgery to step into the pages of a book to experience a new life.
God bless my mom! Long gone, but always in my heart and soul. I am, in many ways my mother's daughter.
Traveling with a wagon train is always eye opening. The characters you meet, the sorrow found, are encapsulating ! Charlotte's life was extremely difficult. Yet, her strength through what life wrought leaves a desire to find strength in my own life!
This book was so devouring that I did not sleep last night. I had to get to the last page. For awhile a couple of days, I was living Charlotte's life...a challenge!
Patricia
With so many books available on my kindle, I am extremely glad to have downloaded CHARLOTTE.. This story had depth. It played on emotions! It was difficult to put aside to take care of my homemaker commitments! As an avid reader, blessed by a mom who set the example of escaping a tough life raising eight children, she set forth the treasure of stepping away from her often drudgery to step into the pages of a book to experience a new life.
God bless my mom! Long gone, but always in my heart and soul. I am, in many ways my mother's daughter.
Traveling with a wagon train is always eye opening. The characters you meet, the sorrow found, are encapsulating ! Charlotte's life was extremely difficult. Yet, her strength through what life wrought leaves a desire to find strength in my own life!
This book was so devouring that I did not sleep last night. I had to get to the last page. For awhile a couple of days, I was living Charlotte's life...a challenge!
Patricia
September 7, 2020
Lost interest half way through...
Beginning of book kept my interest. Charlotte was determined and tough. As book continued and she became caretaker to the orphans, I began reading another Kindle book and periodically returned to Charlotte. At times book became difficult to follow due to who was talking, random sentences without stating who was talking. I did finish, but not sure why...
Beginning of book kept my interest. Charlotte was determined and tough. As book continued and she became caretaker to the orphans, I began reading another Kindle book and periodically returned to Charlotte. At times book became difficult to follow due to who was talking, random sentences without stating who was talking. I did finish, but not sure why...
January 2, 2021
Meh characters underdeveloped
June 8, 2024
I picked up Charlotte after reading this author's other book, Sarah Mayfield. Charlotte travels West alone West to avoid a hanging after she shot and killed her abusive family. Her father puts her on a wagon train after paying the wagonmaster to take care of her until dropping her off with her uncle. Charlotte's family is part of a cult like group known as The Family in which women are seen not heard. On the trip west, Charlotte is turned out of the wagon train and left to travel in the company of a Native American man who speaks perfect English. The journey is long, the chemistry hot. No spoilers but I'll say read this one if you love western romance and stories about strong, stubborn women who know their own mind.
February 13, 2021
Great book
Loved this book!! I absolutely did not want it to end. I wanted to keep on reading about Charlotte and her family.
Loved this book!! I absolutely did not want it to end. I wanted to keep on reading about Charlotte and her family.
May 14, 2024
3.5 ⭐️🏹
There was so much here I loved.
Initially, I didn’t want to put it down.
But after a time, it did drag a little.
Plus, while I loved the unique and humorous speech patterns, it felt wrong that all of them sounded so similar. Would have liked some greater variety.
Last issue, is one of personal preference, and nothing to do with talent or quality.
Too much melancholy and sadness. It had plenty of good moments, even some touches of humour.
But mostly, it was a drama, with little to no ‘romance’ (meaning falling in love, heated glances, laughing, learning, etc.).
It had a love story of sorts, but it all felt very practical, very stoic. I don’t even remember them ever saying they loved each other…
No steam at all for my recollection, though some touching moments.
For information purposes, this is a closed door romance
The cultural references and information was brief, but well done.
It’s obviously not intended to be the focus, but also isn’t ignored.
This is a beautiful and eloquent story, with writing that is intelligent and thought provoking.
If you enjoy a heavier, emotional story, set within a western historical, I highly recommend!
There was so much here I loved.
Initially, I didn’t want to put it down.
But after a time, it did drag a little.
Plus, while I loved the unique and humorous speech patterns, it felt wrong that all of them sounded so similar. Would have liked some greater variety.
Last issue, is one of personal preference, and nothing to do with talent or quality.
Too much melancholy and sadness. It had plenty of good moments, even some touches of humour.
But mostly, it was a drama, with little to no ‘romance’ (meaning falling in love, heated glances, laughing, learning, etc.).
It had a love story of sorts, but it all felt very practical, very stoic. I don’t even remember them ever saying they loved each other…
No steam at all for my recollection, though some touching moments.
For information purposes, this is a closed door romance
The cultural references and information was brief, but well done.
It’s obviously not intended to be the focus, but also isn’t ignored.
This is a beautiful and eloquent story, with writing that is intelligent and thought provoking.
If you enjoy a heavier, emotional story, set within a western historical, I highly recommend!
October 26, 2022
DNF, I enjoyed this story but just not enough to finish it.
December 27, 2020
I totally judged this book by it’s cover. It looks cheap and like it’s probably not well written. But it sounded interesting and it was cheap...and I very quickly realized that I was going to love it.
I don’t even know what to say about it. The writing style was amazing, the characters dynamic and lovable, the dialog sarcastic and humorous. I loved it. And while I’m not a fan of series (for the most part), I wish there was a sequel to this one so that I could know what all happened to this unlikely family later.
There were a couple scenes that I would rate as nearly R, but they were easy to pass over and weren’t too graphic.
This book gets the privilege of being my favorite book of 2020 and I’m going right away to check out what else this author has.
I don’t even know what to say about it. The writing style was amazing, the characters dynamic and lovable, the dialog sarcastic and humorous. I loved it. And while I’m not a fan of series (for the most part), I wish there was a sequel to this one so that I could know what all happened to this unlikely family later.
There were a couple scenes that I would rate as nearly R, but they were easy to pass over and weren’t too graphic.
This book gets the privilege of being my favorite book of 2020 and I’m going right away to check out what else this author has.
October 16, 2021
dnf at 10
boring
boring
October 12, 2022
Loved this book because it was a bit predictable and a good love story. Just what I needed plus I enjoyed reading historical fiction.
December 25, 2020
Wonderful, quick read filled with great descriptions of life as the West was settled. Warm, real characters that I want to know more about.
August 9, 2020
Wow! What a Good Read!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this book. I found the picture of the wagon on the front and the title Charlotte and I just had to buy it and started reading it immediately. I was not familiar with her the author but discovered this is her first book.
Charlotte was a young lady whose parents arranged a marriage for her without giving her a chance for input. She did not love the man, but apparently that did not matter to her parents. She and her husband did not get along very well. He was abusive and she feared he would kill her. One night her beat her badly and she grabbed his gun and shot him. He had bruised her face and she was unrecognizable.
The People, the religious group in which she had been raise, sentenced her to death by hanging although her face was battered and bruised from the beating. The People took knives and cut her hair in a very short ragged cut so that everyone would know that she had sinned. Her father, who was a leader in the church, arranged for her to be banished to a group of The People who lived in the southwest desert where she would serve her punishment.
Her father took her to a grassy meadow where she would eventually meet a wagon train. She had food, blankets, and water, but no idea when the wagon train would arrive.
The story continues with her being shunned by wagon train people. Read to learn how this worked out.
I found her spirit to be commendable. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. This author has written another book. I plan to read it soon.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this book. I found the picture of the wagon on the front and the title Charlotte and I just had to buy it and started reading it immediately. I was not familiar with her the author but discovered this is her first book.
Charlotte was a young lady whose parents arranged a marriage for her without giving her a chance for input. She did not love the man, but apparently that did not matter to her parents. She and her husband did not get along very well. He was abusive and she feared he would kill her. One night her beat her badly and she grabbed his gun and shot him. He had bruised her face and she was unrecognizable.
The People, the religious group in which she had been raise, sentenced her to death by hanging although her face was battered and bruised from the beating. The People took knives and cut her hair in a very short ragged cut so that everyone would know that she had sinned. Her father, who was a leader in the church, arranged for her to be banished to a group of The People who lived in the southwest desert where she would serve her punishment.
Her father took her to a grassy meadow where she would eventually meet a wagon train. She had food, blankets, and water, but no idea when the wagon train would arrive.
The story continues with her being shunned by wagon train people. Read to learn how this worked out.
I found her spirit to be commendable. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. This author has written another book. I plan to read it soon.
March 7, 2021
"That's why it's just a book. It's hard going through", Charlotte says at one point in the book. While this doesn't make real sense or clarify, it is how I felt about this book- hard to get through. The conversations, attitudes, situations even the romance seemed forced and contrived. Is this supposed to be a western about a wagon train? It didn't feel like it with the modern words and the men are either tyrants or even more strangely woke. The ending didn't seem to fit the rest of the book either.
February 10, 2021
I’m really struggling between a 2 star and 3 star review, but am giving three. I feel there is so much potential in this book and I didn’t hate it. However, the characterization was so thin that it felt like the characters often acted impulsively and their interactions felt very surface-level. Like the author wanted them to have these deep, meaningful conversations, relationships, etc., but there was no story building or character building so the characters ended up just telling their tragic stories, secrets, etc. in the middle of random conversations that felt very childish and undeveloped. For example, Charlotte is apparently only part of the wagon train for five days but Ellis and Charlotte formed some super close relationship in that time. She talks to Miller Dawson maybe once and then kisses him and tells him what a nice person he is before she leaves? She barely knows him! Same with Ada. She had two conversations with her? I think? And then when her parents die all of a sudden Charlotte is the only person who can help them? As far as I’m concerned, she’s an acquaintance the children made for a few days while traveling. And then the relationship between Charlotte and Chace is practically non-existent. They travel together for a few days, have strange conversations that don’t make a lot of sense, and all of a sudden they’re madly in love.
Combine this with quite a few large plot holes: If Charlotte was raised in such a strict religious household and given the time period, I imagine she would be a lot more obedient, wouldn’t swear so much, etc. There was never really more reason given for the way that she is except for “that’s just Charlotte!” And then her pregnancy was oddly accepted by practically everyone, including her father. Which again, didn’t seem realistic given the time period and the religious background of her father. Same with her marrying Chace. There was no real mention of his being an Indian and everyone just accepted they were married which doesn’t seem realistic for the time period.
And then story lines got wrapped up very oddly and hastily. Her father decides he’ll just start over with another child? Why? And where did that come from? “Oh well. This one murdered her husband, left the religion, ran off, adopted four children, got pregnant, and married an Indian guy. Guess I’ll try again, better luck next time!” And then Ada marrying Jenkins McPherson felt incongruent after all the mentions of Ada and Miller liking each other. Who was this Jenkins anyway? All of a sudden he just showed up. And what happened to Miller? He’s just “somewhere” at the end?
Overall, it wasn’t awful, but I feel it could have used more development, both in characterization and in plot. Another thing that really threw me off is that it’s unclear when and where it takes place (1800’s? Oregon trail, West, Fort Randall? But that’s in South Dakota and there was a lot of talk about the desert after Fort Randall which wouldn’t make sense for South Dakota). I like the idea of the book, but I feel there are a lot better developed, more polished versions of this story out there.
Combine this with quite a few large plot holes: If Charlotte was raised in such a strict religious household and given the time period, I imagine she would be a lot more obedient, wouldn’t swear so much, etc. There was never really more reason given for the way that she is except for “that’s just Charlotte!” And then her pregnancy was oddly accepted by practically everyone, including her father. Which again, didn’t seem realistic given the time period and the religious background of her father. Same with her marrying Chace. There was no real mention of his being an Indian and everyone just accepted they were married which doesn’t seem realistic for the time period.
And then story lines got wrapped up very oddly and hastily. Her father decides he’ll just start over with another child? Why? And where did that come from? “Oh well. This one murdered her husband, left the religion, ran off, adopted four children, got pregnant, and married an Indian guy. Guess I’ll try again, better luck next time!” And then Ada marrying Jenkins McPherson felt incongruent after all the mentions of Ada and Miller liking each other. Who was this Jenkins anyway? All of a sudden he just showed up. And what happened to Miller? He’s just “somewhere” at the end?
Overall, it wasn’t awful, but I feel it could have used more development, both in characterization and in plot. Another thing that really threw me off is that it’s unclear when and where it takes place (1800’s? Oregon trail, West, Fort Randall? But that’s in South Dakota and there was a lot of talk about the desert after Fort Randall which wouldn’t make sense for South Dakota). I like the idea of the book, but I feel there are a lot better developed, more polished versions of this story out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
I liked the book, the story and the characters to an extent.
But it was so… dry. Every character had the same sense of humour and manner of speaking - the 20 year old white woman who grew up in a cult, the ?? Year old Native American who speaks perfect English, the 13 year old girl and the 11 year old boy.
We never get an insight into what the characters are feeling or thinking. There’s no hint that the h is falling in love with the H. One day she just gets close and kisses him and lets him know she wants him and that’s it.
There’s a lot of dialogue but many times there’s no indication of who’s saying what. I had to go back a few times and count lines to see who was saying what (again with the identical voices).
This book can’t be considered historically accurate. A single woman living in a military fort and suddenly she’s pregnant and no one bats an eye. There seems to be a never ending supply of bacon. And wool for socks, even though they are basically at the end of a supply chain.
I did like Ada though, and her interactions with Charlotte and reactions to everything were very funny.
But it was so… dry. Every character had the same sense of humour and manner of speaking - the 20 year old white woman who grew up in a cult, the ?? Year old Native American who speaks perfect English, the 13 year old girl and the 11 year old boy.
We never get an insight into what the characters are feeling or thinking. There’s no hint that the h is falling in love with the H. One day she just gets close and kisses him and lets him know she wants him and that’s it.
There’s a lot of dialogue but many times there’s no indication of who’s saying what. I had to go back a few times and count lines to see who was saying what (again with the identical voices).
This book can’t be considered historically accurate. A single woman living in a military fort and suddenly she’s pregnant and no one bats an eye. There seems to be a never ending supply of bacon. And wool for socks, even though they are basically at the end of a supply chain.
I did like Ada though, and her interactions with Charlotte and reactions to everything were very funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2020
Totally enjoyable, unique plot, western romance
Choose book only to work out a technical issue with purchasing kindle books. Once started, hard to put down. I thought author found a marvelous zone not only creating a great story line, but portraying relatable and developed main and supporting characters: Chace from the Tribe, Charlotte from "The Family". Charlotte's father a respected leader of a religious sect places her on a wagon train to avoid legal repercussions from her shooting her abusive husband. However, she is forced to leave the wagon train as the leader responsible for her must accompany an aging, tribal grandfather to Washington to try again to save the tribes from starvation if not from further slaughter. Chace the grandson, living between the dying Indian culture and white frontier movement is charged with keeping her safe and delivering her to an uncle from "the Family" and her next preselected husband. She has no intention of being delivered anywhere to anyone . Her time with Chase draws to a close as she's reconnected with now orphaned kids from the wagon train. I loved the character delivered through the dialogues between Chase and Charlotte and Charlotte and the wagon train orphans Ada and Brewster. Thought book had rare and tight dialogue. And how the author resolves the bonds between Charlotte and Chase, Charlotte and the orphans and the Tribe and The Family! Wish this story could go on and on!
Choose book only to work out a technical issue with purchasing kindle books. Once started, hard to put down. I thought author found a marvelous zone not only creating a great story line, but portraying relatable and developed main and supporting characters: Chace from the Tribe, Charlotte from "The Family". Charlotte's father a respected leader of a religious sect places her on a wagon train to avoid legal repercussions from her shooting her abusive husband. However, she is forced to leave the wagon train as the leader responsible for her must accompany an aging, tribal grandfather to Washington to try again to save the tribes from starvation if not from further slaughter. Chace the grandson, living between the dying Indian culture and white frontier movement is charged with keeping her safe and delivering her to an uncle from "the Family" and her next preselected husband. She has no intention of being delivered anywhere to anyone . Her time with Chase draws to a close as she's reconnected with now orphaned kids from the wagon train. I loved the character delivered through the dialogues between Chase and Charlotte and Charlotte and the wagon train orphans Ada and Brewster. Thought book had rare and tight dialogue. And how the author resolves the bonds between Charlotte and Chase, Charlotte and the orphans and the Tribe and The Family! Wish this story could go on and on!
September 4, 2020
Initially, I judged this book rather harshly. There is a lot of dialogue and the author has chosen not to attribute much of it with "said so-and-so." So at portions in the beginning it was difficult to track who was saying what. Especially because the author's style is to have the character's speak in witty, quick, back and forth sorts of ways that are probably quite true to real life. I (wrongly) assumed that this was because the author was amateur. Shame on me. After finishing this story, I think quite the opposite. The author artfully tells a story that is both deep and entertaining. The dialogue gets easier to follow as the reader gets used to it and the scenes with characters are not clunky at all. I enjoyed the storytelling and appreciated the risks Anthony took in employing this method.
I wished there would have been an afterword with a little more historical background on "the Family," as I was completely unfamiliar with this sect and felt confused for much of the book trying to figure out what was going on with them.
I'd love to see a book come out about Ada returning West to marry Miller ;).
I wished there would have been an afterword with a little more historical background on "the Family," as I was completely unfamiliar with this sect and felt confused for much of the book trying to figure out what was going on with them.
I'd love to see a book come out about Ada returning West to marry Miller ;).
October 2, 2020
DNF 32% FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited UK
Lost interest by 32%, and couldn't finish it. The h was getting on my nerves. It started well, but I got the feels it wasn't going to end well.
Lost interest by 32%, and couldn't finish it. The h was getting on my nerves. It started well, but I got the feels it wasn't going to end well.
December 26, 2024
Funnily enough, the only part of this book that interested me was the middle section where Charlotte and Chase have their summer fling in the prairie. As soon as she starts talking about her fictitious, mormon-inspired religious-cult background, I get bored. Whenever anything even remotely suggests a coherent timeline, I get confused. And whenever two characters speak with each other, I get overwhelmed and have to backtrack to reread the entire page, because the author's style of prose is incredibly vague in the dialogue department. Their exchanges may be snappy and clever, but wittiness only gets you so far. And also, how in the hell did Charlotte never run out of food? She's cooking up feasts and giving food away constantly and magically never deals with any kind of food scarcity, on the Oregon Trail of all things.
My most general complaint is that this book lacks specificity in almost every single way. The Church of the Brothers of Ezekiel, or The Family, is super vague and confusing. How well known are they? What exactly is their reputation? How is what they believe in any different from other christians, besides the whole "this one guy saw an angel and now we have to follow him like he's the second coming" deal? Our timeline, as mentioned, makes zero sense. I thought that Charlotte traveled with the wagon train for several weeks-- you know, enough time to actually learn to care about other people's kids, but you find out at the end of the book it was less than a week. How long did she travel with Chase, then? How long were they at the fort? When did they leave for Oregon? Also, where the hell even are they to begin with? Or WHEN? "19th century American west" means literally nothing if you can't tell me a simple date range, how much time is passing, and what parts of the country they're traveling through. I would assume "the desert" would be the southwest, probably Utah if we're going by the mormon-not-mormon thing, but we'll never know because we're never told. They started in "the East." They ended at "the fort." They would go on to Oregon, which at least is a specific enough place on a map. A little more detail wouldn't hurt, though. Or some more description among dialogue. Or more than three different personalities for characters to be forced into.
My most general complaint is that this book lacks specificity in almost every single way. The Church of the Brothers of Ezekiel, or The Family, is super vague and confusing. How well known are they? What exactly is their reputation? How is what they believe in any different from other christians, besides the whole "this one guy saw an angel and now we have to follow him like he's the second coming" deal? Our timeline, as mentioned, makes zero sense. I thought that Charlotte traveled with the wagon train for several weeks-- you know, enough time to actually learn to care about other people's kids, but you find out at the end of the book it was less than a week. How long did she travel with Chase, then? How long were they at the fort? When did they leave for Oregon? Also, where the hell even are they to begin with? Or WHEN? "19th century American west" means literally nothing if you can't tell me a simple date range, how much time is passing, and what parts of the country they're traveling through. I would assume "the desert" would be the southwest, probably Utah if we're going by the mormon-not-mormon thing, but we'll never know because we're never told. They started in "the East." They ended at "the fort." They would go on to Oregon, which at least is a specific enough place on a map. A little more detail wouldn't hurt, though. Or some more description among dialogue. Or more than three different personalities for characters to be forced into.
December 19, 2020
Both Good and Not so Good
Always I prefer a book that jumps right into it, as this one did with Samuel’s frantic rescue of Charlotte. There was pain and sympathy and anger with the wagon train troop. There was a natural progression of relationships, i.e., Ellis, Ada, Marshall, Chace, Lenore, etc.
The book did ramble on and on a bit pounding the reader with too much detail - what they ate at every meal, the repetition of the waking gun, etc. Later, there was much the same excessive detail in the travels with Chace.
The relationships with the children and various people at the fort seemed real and progressive. The return of Chace was even realistic. I think Charlotte’s time and activities at the fort could have been fleshed out a bit more. There were several different ways that could have gone. Dialogue between Charlotte and Chace was enjoyable. They finished one another’s thoughts, were reminded of previous conversations that were again applicable.
Samuel’s behavior did not work exactly. After his extensive efforts to get Charlotte to safety, and his personal concerns for the future, his altered feelings and decisions were too quick a reversal. If there had been someone to rest his decisions on, or further information about his position of authority it might have been more believable.
I won’t reveal any details but I did NOT like the ending of the book for a variety of reasons! The reader is left with unanswered questions, and a less than satisfactory taste in the mouth.
Always I prefer a book that jumps right into it, as this one did with Samuel’s frantic rescue of Charlotte. There was pain and sympathy and anger with the wagon train troop. There was a natural progression of relationships, i.e., Ellis, Ada, Marshall, Chace, Lenore, etc.
The book did ramble on and on a bit pounding the reader with too much detail - what they ate at every meal, the repetition of the waking gun, etc. Later, there was much the same excessive detail in the travels with Chace.
The relationships with the children and various people at the fort seemed real and progressive. The return of Chace was even realistic. I think Charlotte’s time and activities at the fort could have been fleshed out a bit more. There were several different ways that could have gone. Dialogue between Charlotte and Chace was enjoyable. They finished one another’s thoughts, were reminded of previous conversations that were again applicable.
Samuel’s behavior did not work exactly. After his extensive efforts to get Charlotte to safety, and his personal concerns for the future, his altered feelings and decisions were too quick a reversal. If there had been someone to rest his decisions on, or further information about his position of authority it might have been more believable.
I won’t reveal any details but I did NOT like the ending of the book for a variety of reasons! The reader is left with unanswered questions, and a less than satisfactory taste in the mouth.
March 12, 2024
Loved this book
Read it from cover to cover in one sitting. Indians, wagon trains, the Oregon Trail, spousal abuse, murders, deadly accidents along the trail. Charlotte is running from a possible hanging. Now a twenty yo widow, her father, a First Elder of the Family, based on UFO's and religion, called the Others, gets her on a wagon train. She meets the wagon master, Ellis Gray, wagon pilot, Miller Dawson and Native American, Chace Yellow Horse. Chace speaks impeccable English, all three men were brothers, with the same Elder Indian from the Tribes. Chace and Charlotte separated from the wagon train and were going to Fort Randall where Charlotte had another arranged marriage. She and Chace were romantically involved by the time they got to the fort. Charlotte refused the marriage and took on four orphaned children she befriended while on the wagon train. As time went on, Charlotte, being pregnant and unmarried, was a resourceful woman. The children were also able to navigate the adult world, as much as they knew how. She baked breads, Ada knitted socks and scarves for the soldiers and Brewster was a whiz with his memory and numbers. Also there was Ethan and three year old Grace. Charlotte's father had arranged to have a photographer document the condition she was in after her husband almost killed her and she killed him in self-defense. All were at Fort Randall until spring when it was safe for another wagon train to come through in the spring. A great story of resilience, resourcefulness and hardships. I guess it was an HEA.
Read it from cover to cover in one sitting. Indians, wagon trains, the Oregon Trail, spousal abuse, murders, deadly accidents along the trail. Charlotte is running from a possible hanging. Now a twenty yo widow, her father, a First Elder of the Family, based on UFO's and religion, called the Others, gets her on a wagon train. She meets the wagon master, Ellis Gray, wagon pilot, Miller Dawson and Native American, Chace Yellow Horse. Chace speaks impeccable English, all three men were brothers, with the same Elder Indian from the Tribes. Chace and Charlotte separated from the wagon train and were going to Fort Randall where Charlotte had another arranged marriage. She and Chace were romantically involved by the time they got to the fort. Charlotte refused the marriage and took on four orphaned children she befriended while on the wagon train. As time went on, Charlotte, being pregnant and unmarried, was a resourceful woman. The children were also able to navigate the adult world, as much as they knew how. She baked breads, Ada knitted socks and scarves for the soldiers and Brewster was a whiz with his memory and numbers. Also there was Ethan and three year old Grace. Charlotte's father had arranged to have a photographer document the condition she was in after her husband almost killed her and she killed him in self-defense. All were at Fort Randall until spring when it was safe for another wagon train to come through in the spring. A great story of resilience, resourcefulness and hardships. I guess it was an HEA.
September 28, 2020
This book was pure joy to read. The characters were rich and well developed. Sometimes prickly, sometimes sad, sometimes loving but always interesting. The dialogue simply made this book - something I don't think I've ever said before. Occasionally I felt that the dialogue was a bit modern but I loved Charlotte's banter and personality so much that I forgave this minor issue because of the many layers and revelations that it brought to the story. Yes, this was a love story but not the typical, sappy, formulaic HF love story. It was deep, complicated, forgiving, harsh yet tender - everything that real love stories are made of and I was drawn into all of their lives and didn't want this book to end.
What was also fascinating is how the author tied the spirituality of "The Family" and "The People of the Tribes" together and showed that in the end, we are all from the same origins. Highly recommended.
What was also fascinating is how the author tied the spirituality of "The Family" and "The People of the Tribes" together and showed that in the end, we are all from the same origins. Highly recommended.
March 21, 2021
Favorite Slow Burn of 2021
I’d never heard of this book or the author. The title popped up on some Facebook post on historical romances. Some narrow-minded commenters were bashing the book because it has a few (rare) cuss words, and worse in their eyes, it isn’t a “clean” romance. Another commenter told them to just stop bashing a beautifully-written, deeply moving novel simply because their own religious views don’t mesh with the book. I thought: Deeply moving historical romance? Not a boring, clean romance? Let’s go.
I’m so glad I read this. It’s complex. Lots of well-drawn characters. It’s unexpected. The plot isn’t contrived or predictable. It’s not light on the historical details; instead it’s rich with accurate descriptions of the daily life of that time.
Truthfully, it reminds me of Outlander. It has that magic.
I loved this book.
I’d never heard of this book or the author. The title popped up on some Facebook post on historical romances. Some narrow-minded commenters were bashing the book because it has a few (rare) cuss words, and worse in their eyes, it isn’t a “clean” romance. Another commenter told them to just stop bashing a beautifully-written, deeply moving novel simply because their own religious views don’t mesh with the book. I thought: Deeply moving historical romance? Not a boring, clean romance? Let’s go.
I’m so glad I read this. It’s complex. Lots of well-drawn characters. It’s unexpected. The plot isn’t contrived or predictable. It’s not light on the historical details; instead it’s rich with accurate descriptions of the daily life of that time.
Truthfully, it reminds me of Outlander. It has that magic.
I loved this book.
February 23, 2021
An unexpected surprise
I know that I tend to be a book snob and had very low expectations for anything on Kindle Unlimited. I have been searching for “light” reading, my “brain candy”. Even then I usually reject self published books and romance. I was afraid this was going to be the latter but am always looking for stories about American western history so I decided to try it. It turned out to be a completely entertaining and moving little book. A great character study and complex development of heartfelt relationships between completely disparate people in the historical west. Her characters navigate the harsh and sometimes brutal environment with intelligence, humor and compassion. A lovely and entertaining read with a heroine I didn’t have to work hard to love.
I know that I tend to be a book snob and had very low expectations for anything on Kindle Unlimited. I have been searching for “light” reading, my “brain candy”. Even then I usually reject self published books and romance. I was afraid this was going to be the latter but am always looking for stories about American western history so I decided to try it. It turned out to be a completely entertaining and moving little book. A great character study and complex development of heartfelt relationships between completely disparate people in the historical west. Her characters navigate the harsh and sometimes brutal environment with intelligence, humor and compassion. A lovely and entertaining read with a heroine I didn’t have to work hard to love.
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