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The Cabin at Jackson Hole
Winner of the 2021 Global Book Awards Gold Medal for Westerns
With the passing of her beloved father, Ava Butterfall is suddenly plunged into financial despair and must work for the first time in her life. Being adventurous and smart as a whip, Ava boldly accepts a position in the rough frontier of Wyoming—but finds herself unprepared for the disaster that awaits her.
Soon hopelessly lost in the mountains, she warily seeks shelter at the isolated cabin of Hesh Schodde, a rancher who has begun anew in the remote location of Jackson Hole. Hesh is not pleased with taking in Ava who will only be a distraction for the cowboys on his ranch and another concern for him to watch over.
Yet despite their differences, charming Ava and reclusive Hesh must find a way to fight together as the perils of nature and treacherous outlaws conspire against them.
Based on true events, The Cabin at Jackson Hole explores the challenges of not only a harsh, rugged land but of those most resistant to living and loving fully.
With the passing of her beloved father, Ava Butterfall is suddenly plunged into financial despair and must work for the first time in her life. Being adventurous and smart as a whip, Ava boldly accepts a position in the rough frontier of Wyoming—but finds herself unprepared for the disaster that awaits her.
Soon hopelessly lost in the mountains, she warily seeks shelter at the isolated cabin of Hesh Schodde, a rancher who has begun anew in the remote location of Jackson Hole. Hesh is not pleased with taking in Ava who will only be a distraction for the cowboys on his ranch and another concern for him to watch over.
Yet despite their differences, charming Ava and reclusive Hesh must find a way to fight together as the perils of nature and treacherous outlaws conspire against them.
Based on true events, The Cabin at Jackson Hole explores the challenges of not only a harsh, rugged land but of those most resistant to living and loving fully.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2021
708 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 10, 2021
The Cabin at Jackson Hole: A Frontier Story by Kari August is a well-written historical novel that pulls you in right from the beginning pages. With Wyoming as the backdrop, this is the perfect read that accurately depicts a fascinating point in time. Ava is a strong female lead character who must come to terms with big changes in her life. Soon she finds that she is lost in the wilderness, and must find a place to stay. Enter the character of Hesh Schodde, a rancher who is seemingly starting over. These two completely different people must learn to work together to overcome many obstacles in everyday life. This is great historical fiction that tells of more difficult times and certainly resonates on many levels, both historically and emotionally. If you have any interest in the West, particularly before it was settled, this is an excellent book to learn more about it. Highly recommend it.
May 12, 2021
“The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is a historical fiction novel written by Kari August. Set in the breathtaking mountains in Wyoming, this story follows Ava who has recently lost her father and the only support she had. Now, she has to make a life for herself so she decides to travel to Wyoming where she will find a lot more than a job.
This sounds like the typical love story but the author has introduced certain particularities to the plot that make it very original and griping. Apart from reading and following the growth and changes of the characters along the book, I really enjoyed the time the writer took to skilfully describe the landscapes and how life was in those remote territories at a time when people had to make a great effort to survive and thrive. The writing style is excellent and the use of visual imagery makes it easy for the reader to dream of visiting such a beautiful place. I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it.
This sounds like the typical love story but the author has introduced certain particularities to the plot that make it very original and griping. Apart from reading and following the growth and changes of the characters along the book, I really enjoyed the time the writer took to skilfully describe the landscapes and how life was in those remote territories at a time when people had to make a great effort to survive and thrive. The writing style is excellent and the use of visual imagery makes it easy for the reader to dream of visiting such a beautiful place. I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it.
January 20, 2025
Hesh Schodde moved from East to Wyoming to ranch. After his newlywed wife and newborn daughter die he remains single. Following extra hard winter he decides to move to Jackson Hole to establish a new ranch there.
Ava Butterfall moves to Wyoming after the death of her father and she becomes a primary school teacher near Rawlings. She marries Mackay who steels all her money and abandons her on Wind River Reservation.
She is discovered by Moon - local Shoshone, who brings her to Hesh’s ranch in Jackson Hole. Ava first pretends to be crazy to scare Moon, later she pretends to be an experienced frontier woman to survive on the ranch. Hesh fells for Ava and through many complications they get married.
Although the story is definitely interesting there are many undeveloped even unrealistic narratives. The characters are unpolished and their stories left hanging…. Like Mackey who ends up meeting Billy Cassidy in New Mexico and? I guess the author left herself a room for a sequel?
Fun to read, but I can hardly believe the book deserves the Best 2021 Western award…
Ava Butterfall moves to Wyoming after the death of her father and she becomes a primary school teacher near Rawlings. She marries Mackay who steels all her money and abandons her on Wind River Reservation.
She is discovered by Moon - local Shoshone, who brings her to Hesh’s ranch in Jackson Hole. Ava first pretends to be crazy to scare Moon, later she pretends to be an experienced frontier woman to survive on the ranch. Hesh fells for Ava and through many complications they get married.
Although the story is definitely interesting there are many undeveloped even unrealistic narratives. The characters are unpolished and their stories left hanging…. Like Mackey who ends up meeting Billy Cassidy in New Mexico and? I guess the author left herself a room for a sequel?
Fun to read, but I can hardly believe the book deserves the Best 2021 Western award…
May 10, 2021
What was most impressive about this story was how it was based on a true story, which made reading the events that occurred even that much more entertaining/nail-biting. I really liked the character of Ava, specifically with how she resonates with keeping herself busy following the substantial loss of her father. I always enjoy a book with two main characters who have such differences throughout the story yet somehow come to this agreement to be able to work together in ways to allow them both to advance against what conspires against them - in this case, outlaws and nature. I loved that Ava's character was so bold in her decision making, despite that probably comes from not knowing how to deal with the loss of her father. I've heard many stories about Jackson Hole and how it has become more of a tourist location now, so hearing about how it was back in the late 1800s was something even more impressive to experience.
May 11, 2021
Have you ever been so afraid of losing someone who is everything to you?
The moment I read this line, the book had caught my complete attention: "I truly loved your father, God rest his soul", Ava Butterfall was truly stunned by those words and being motherless, she had been foolishly imagined that she would always have her father by her side. After losing her father, she somehow wants to survive her life. Being bold and courageous, one of the best ways to be courageous is to understand what you're afraid of and then refuse to allow that fear to paralyze you. Ava accepts a position in a Wyoming school without knowing about the disaster that awaits her. The Cabin at Jackson Hole is based on a true story. Needless to say, I’d recommend this book to fiction readers – particularly literary fiction readers, though it is light and readable.
The moment I read this line, the book had caught my complete attention: "I truly loved your father, God rest his soul", Ava Butterfall was truly stunned by those words and being motherless, she had been foolishly imagined that she would always have her father by her side. After losing her father, she somehow wants to survive her life. Being bold and courageous, one of the best ways to be courageous is to understand what you're afraid of and then refuse to allow that fear to paralyze you. Ava accepts a position in a Wyoming school without knowing about the disaster that awaits her. The Cabin at Jackson Hole is based on a true story. Needless to say, I’d recommend this book to fiction readers – particularly literary fiction readers, though it is light and readable.
May 13, 2021
Kari August is the great woman behind this magnificent piece of work. In this book, the promising writer tells us an absorbing story about financial problems, loss, treacherous outlaws, friendship and chances.
While reading this novel, which is based on true events, I could easily empathize with the main characters named Ava and Hesh. The situations and problems they face and the ways they react make this story both interesting and life-like. I loved them so much!
Even though when I read the first pages I thought the plot was kind of boring and not very promising, I was suddenly surprised by the events in it. I was so trapped in the reading that I couldn’t put the book down!
Undoubtedly, I recommend this book to teenagers and young adults because it is a great reading to kill time.
While reading this novel, which is based on true events, I could easily empathize with the main characters named Ava and Hesh. The situations and problems they face and the ways they react make this story both interesting and life-like. I loved them so much!
Even though when I read the first pages I thought the plot was kind of boring and not very promising, I was suddenly surprised by the events in it. I was so trapped in the reading that I couldn’t put the book down!
Undoubtedly, I recommend this book to teenagers and young adults because it is a great reading to kill time.
May 20, 2021
The Cabin at Jackson Hole: A Frontier Story by Kari August takes you to the vast lands of Wyoming when life was rough. Butch Cassidy was making his debut. Ava Butterfall is left alone in a world dominated by men. Taking a chance, she applies as a teacher in Wyoming. Life is so different from living in the East, but Ava makes friends everywhere she goes. Falling fast for a man from the East, she quickly marries, only to be abandoned in the Bridger-Teton Forest. Life takes a turn when she arrives at the cabin of Hesh Schodde.
Based on true events, The Cabin at Jackson Hole will keep you glued to the pages as Kari August adds her humor to what went down in that remote location. I loved Ava's philosophy that when another woman moves to or travels through their area, it is time for a party. There are many oddities about Ava that will endear her to the reader.
Based on true events, The Cabin at Jackson Hole will keep you glued to the pages as Kari August adds her humor to what went down in that remote location. I loved Ava's philosophy that when another woman moves to or travels through their area, it is time for a party. There are many oddities about Ava that will endear her to the reader.
May 11, 2021
Jackson Hole is a remote location with a mountainous landscape, where the heroine of this story, Ava Butterfall, got lost, intersects a rancher and starts a journey of life evolution. It should be noted that this is a novel that is based in a true story, in 1885.
I would recommend this novel to young adults, because I think there are a few lessons that everyone could learn, as I did. This became a very hard to put down book, as soon as I started reading it. Chapter after chapter, I have been reminding myself that these were non-fiction events. Also, the development of a powerful character like Ava is remarkable. And last, but not least, the establishment of the relationship between such different people like Ava and Hesh is fascinating.
I would recommend this novel to young adults, because I think there are a few lessons that everyone could learn, as I did. This became a very hard to put down book, as soon as I started reading it. Chapter after chapter, I have been reminding myself that these were non-fiction events. Also, the development of a powerful character like Ava is remarkable. And last, but not least, the establishment of the relationship between such different people like Ava and Hesh is fascinating.
March 14, 2025
DNF.
It started well—somewhat believable. But then the heroine went from a 30-year-old to a 15-year-old, with the corresponding emotional and intellectual maturity. In the 19th century, even if a woman was a lady and had grown up overprotected, she could still understand that going to the woods alone to pick berries sounds dangerous in an area with bears. Or walking to visit another woman who could be hours away, alone, with no weapon, is not a great idea. Not my kind of heroine.
Same issue with the hero. He started like a practical man, with good, solid ideas. He became an idiot. And not in the "love makes fools of us all" kind of idiot. He was frustrated and in love with the heroine constantly. Those were actually his two emotions: frustrated-in love.
Sorry, not my kind of book.
It started well—somewhat believable. But then the heroine went from a 30-year-old to a 15-year-old, with the corresponding emotional and intellectual maturity. In the 19th century, even if a woman was a lady and had grown up overprotected, she could still understand that going to the woods alone to pick berries sounds dangerous in an area with bears. Or walking to visit another woman who could be hours away, alone, with no weapon, is not a great idea. Not my kind of heroine.
Same issue with the hero. He started like a practical man, with good, solid ideas. He became an idiot. And not in the "love makes fools of us all" kind of idiot. He was frustrated and in love with the heroine constantly. Those were actually his two emotions: frustrated-in love.
Sorry, not my kind of book.
May 10, 2021
Fresh and natural is how I would describe this novel. Based on a true story, "The Cabin at Jackson Hole: A Frontier Story" tells the story of Ava, a young woman whose life was not easy after the death of her father. After losing the status she had thanks to her father, she now has to get by on her own and start from scratch. On her way she meets Jackson Hole, with whom she must fight together against all that fate holds for them.
I really liked the reading of author Kari August, I think her writing style is very good, the only thing that I did not like much was the cover of the book. I would have chosen something more striking or something that has more impact.
I really liked the reading of author Kari August, I think her writing style is very good, the only thing that I did not like much was the cover of the book. I would have chosen something more striking or something that has more impact.
May 12, 2021
Not a cliched love story
“The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is a romantic novel based on a true story. This wonderful novel, written by Kari August, made me fall in love not only with the characters but also with the outstanding settings described.
What I liked the most about this lovable writing is that it clearly portrays how life has a plan for all of us. In these pages, the main character seemed to be dogged by misfortune. Thanks to a twist of events, the character saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Without even noticing, the main character was living a wonderful love story.
“The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is the perfect book for unwinding the mind. I strongly recommend it to adults.
“The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is a romantic novel based on a true story. This wonderful novel, written by Kari August, made me fall in love not only with the characters but also with the outstanding settings described.
What I liked the most about this lovable writing is that it clearly portrays how life has a plan for all of us. In these pages, the main character seemed to be dogged by misfortune. Thanks to a twist of events, the character saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Without even noticing, the main character was living a wonderful love story.
“The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is the perfect book for unwinding the mind. I strongly recommend it to adults.
May 12, 2021
A reluctant romance that brews between two very different people thrust together and who must survive extreme difficulties. Independent Ava is quite unlike the other women around her in 1885. Taking on a grand new adventure in the wilds of Wyoming, she is forced to seek shelter with a reclusive rancher after getting lost.
I really liked this book. The heroine (Ava) was strong and able to do most things herself. She didn’t need to become a wilting flower, in order to attract her man. Hesh is the typical gruff mountain man, but he had that softer side and that protective streak that is very attractive. A sweet ending after a tumultuous book.
I really liked this book. The heroine (Ava) was strong and able to do most things herself. She didn’t need to become a wilting flower, in order to attract her man. Hesh is the typical gruff mountain man, but he had that softer side and that protective streak that is very attractive. A sweet ending after a tumultuous book.
May 13, 2021
Kari August has done a marvellous job in transforming a true story into this amazing novel. She is such a talented author, whose writing skills can be seen throughout the novel in the detailed narration and in the description of the characters. Ava Butterfall, the main protagonist, takes a job in the mountains of Wyoming. There, she will be forced to take up some challenges that she was not at all expecting. It's an inspiring story that deals with interesting topics such as love, trust and faith. The Cabin at Jackson Hole is definitely a must-read adventure story that has touched my heart and I must admit I fell in love with Ava’s story.
May 16, 2021
What I liked the most about “The Cabin at Jackson Hole” is that I felt very identified with the protagonist, Ava Butterfall, who after losing her father, she had to get through a lot. First of all, loneliness and financial bankruptcy, but also, she must work for the first time in her life. Luckily, life gives her a second chance in the least expected place.
The author did a great job telling this inspiring story which is based on true facts. As I was reading, I was more and more compelling compelled with this novel and I wanted to know what would happen next. I highly recommend reading this amazing piece of writing. It is a must read.
The author did a great job telling this inspiring story which is based on true facts. As I was reading, I was more and more compelling compelled with this novel and I wanted to know what would happen next. I highly recommend reading this amazing piece of writing. It is a must read.
November 28, 2021
Entertaining, realistic and accurate
Very satisfying to read a western that is so geographically accurate. I grew up in north western Colorado and frequented every one of the locations covered in this book. This writer gave me the gift of allowing me to revisit the mountains of my youth. It was refreshing to have the story from the perspective of a woman that was so naive and uneducated about real life and especially about the wild west. How she learned, grew and overcame her challenges is very entertaining. This is truly a very entertaining and historically accurate western tale.
Very satisfying to read a western that is so geographically accurate. I grew up in north western Colorado and frequented every one of the locations covered in this book. This writer gave me the gift of allowing me to revisit the mountains of my youth. It was refreshing to have the story from the perspective of a woman that was so naive and uneducated about real life and especially about the wild west. How she learned, grew and overcame her challenges is very entertaining. This is truly a very entertaining and historically accurate western tale.
May 13, 2022
Amusing and witty
Aha is a sophisticated young woman who travels West to teach school in a small frontier town. Hesh is a rancher and widower who hates socialising. He decided to leave his partner to run their large ranch while he sets off into the wilderness to begin another.
Circumstances ensure they both meet. Ava, wanting all to know she is a 'pioneer gal' and knows how everything is fine (while reading the advice from a book she bought on pioneering ways) continues to make error after error.
This makes for an amusing read. The characters are well rounded and dialogue is witty. I should like to read more by this author
Aha is a sophisticated young woman who travels West to teach school in a small frontier town. Hesh is a rancher and widower who hates socialising. He decided to leave his partner to run their large ranch while he sets off into the wilderness to begin another.
Circumstances ensure they both meet. Ava, wanting all to know she is a 'pioneer gal' and knows how everything is fine (while reading the advice from a book she bought on pioneering ways) continues to make error after error.
This makes for an amusing read. The characters are well rounded and dialogue is witty. I should like to read more by this author
February 13, 2023
REVIEW: The Cabin at Jackson Hole: A Frontier Story
Let me begin by saying that I liked the story line of this book. That’s why I stayed with the book till the end.
However, the syntax, spelling, wording, etc. was very poor. Sentences were constructed in very poor ways. At times, I was definitely going to delete the book, but as I said before, I liked the story line. Before another book is attempted, it might be a good idea for the author to take a college level Communications course in the art of constructing sentences and paragraphs!
The author seems to be at a beginning level as an author. Good story line, very poor writing!
Let me begin by saying that I liked the story line of this book. That’s why I stayed with the book till the end.
However, the syntax, spelling, wording, etc. was very poor. Sentences were constructed in very poor ways. At times, I was definitely going to delete the book, but as I said before, I liked the story line. Before another book is attempted, it might be a good idea for the author to take a college level Communications course in the art of constructing sentences and paragraphs!
The author seems to be at a beginning level as an author. Good story line, very poor writing!
July 13, 2021
Great Read, Historical Western Romance.
I just Love this story, Ava a naive woman looking for work out west after her father passes away. She is raised with money, She has no domestic skills. She meets Hesh a wealthy Rancher that has lost his wife and child. He moves to Jackson Hole, where it is remote and starts a new smaller ranch, he is reclusive. This book is an Adventure, Lots of history mixed with humor, and romance.
Great characters that I Loved and a couple that I despised. Fun Read.
I just Love this story, Ava a naive woman looking for work out west after her father passes away. She is raised with money, She has no domestic skills. She meets Hesh a wealthy Rancher that has lost his wife and child. He moves to Jackson Hole, where it is remote and starts a new smaller ranch, he is reclusive. This book is an Adventure, Lots of history mixed with humor, and romance.
Great characters that I Loved and a couple that I despised. Fun Read.
April 9, 2022
uneven
This book started out interesting, than seemed to loose its way. it became almost all dialogue and, though it was set in a breathtakingly beautiful area.. left that out of the main story! What a lost chance to move us all there to enjoy the charms of Jackson Hole and Yellow stone! A blizzard instead of scenery? Really? It seemed as though one person started this story, and their teenaged daughter finished it. Disappointed.
This book started out interesting, than seemed to loose its way. it became almost all dialogue and, though it was set in a breathtakingly beautiful area.. left that out of the main story! What a lost chance to move us all there to enjoy the charms of Jackson Hole and Yellow stone! A blizzard instead of scenery? Really? It seemed as though one person started this story, and their teenaged daughter finished it. Disappointed.
June 3, 2023
Better Westerns to Read Than This
Several chapters into a pretty good story, I began to think the author was just submitting words to meet a deadline. Then the story picked up a bit, only to be followed by more words strung together to satisfy an editor. Somehow the author couldn't figure out how to bring the story to a conclusion so she rambled on to the end. Definitely not in the better class of Western I've read.
Several chapters into a pretty good story, I began to think the author was just submitting words to meet a deadline. Then the story picked up a bit, only to be followed by more words strung together to satisfy an editor. Somehow the author couldn't figure out how to bring the story to a conclusion so she rambled on to the end. Definitely not in the better class of Western I've read.
November 7, 2021
Learning to be a pioneer woman.
Ava Butterfall is left in the mountainous woods by her new husband, on their honeymoon, after stealing her money, her horse and their tent. She finds her way to Hesh Schodde's cabin near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is allowed to stay by pretending to be a cook and a housekeeker. Many incidents , some humorous and some not, draw them together.
Ava Butterfall is left in the mountainous woods by her new husband, on their honeymoon, after stealing her money, her horse and their tent. She finds her way to Hesh Schodde's cabin near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is allowed to stay by pretending to be a cook and a housekeeker. Many incidents , some humorous and some not, draw them together.
June 19, 2023
from innocence to sassy
An exciting story about that gets you engaged right away and keeps you that way all through the book. The characters were well written and the plot was so delightful. The main female character starts out so naïve and by the end she is so sassy and delightful and has a perfect HEA. I heartily recommend this book to everyone.
An exciting story about that gets you engaged right away and keeps you that way all through the book. The characters were well written and the plot was so delightful. The main female character starts out so naïve and by the end she is so sassy and delightful and has a perfect HEA. I heartily recommend this book to everyone.
August 16, 2021
I love Jackson hole Wyoming
So I read this book. I can't imagine how cold it could be there in pioneer days. This author brought life in that time for me to explore. Great story 👏
So I read this book. I can't imagine how cold it could be there in pioneer days. This author brought life in that time for me to explore. Great story 👏
November 13, 2021
Spunky and delightful
Ava was so much fun to read about. She could have been my friend. She was confident and would try to do most anything. Enjoyed the life she led and the happiness she found.
Ava was so much fun to read about. She could have been my friend. She was confident and would try to do most anything. Enjoyed the life she led and the happiness she found.
December 18, 2021
Kari, the Humorist
This author had some fun writing this and I experienced lots of laughs out loud while reading it. Refreshing change for this genre that I've been reading for some time now. I'll read everything that she's written
This author had some fun writing this and I experienced lots of laughs out loud while reading it. Refreshing change for this genre that I've been reading for some time now. I'll read everything that she's written
February 23, 2022
I didn't realize it was a romance genre, really not my taste
I didn't realize it was a romance genre, really not my taste. But the time, place and history were good subjects. Just not into the whole bodice ripper genre but the author did a good job for that type of book.
I didn't realize it was a romance genre, really not my taste. But the time, place and history were good subjects. Just not into the whole bodice ripper genre but the author did a good job for that type of book.
April 23, 2022
Best Western I have read
This story was fast paced, believable and fun. It was a cute story wrapped up in a great plot. Plenty of adventure as we!l as romance. Kind of had a cliff hanger ending, I would enjoy book #2
This story was fast paced, believable and fun. It was a cute story wrapped up in a great plot. Plenty of adventure as we!l as romance. Kind of had a cliff hanger ending, I would enjoy book #2
May 14, 2022
nice story
The writing is quite basic, but the characters are entertaining and the escapades of Ava are very humorous. It claims to be a true story based on actual events but the appearance of Butch Cassidy as a cowpoke trying to earn enough to buy a ranch defeats that claim
The writing is quite basic, but the characters are entertaining and the escapades of Ava are very humorous. It claims to be a true story based on actual events but the appearance of Butch Cassidy as a cowpoke trying to earn enough to buy a ranch defeats that claim
May 29, 2022
The Cabin at Jackson Hole: A Frontier Story by Kari August is a well-written historical novel that pulls you in right from the beginning pages. With Wyoming as the backdrop, this is the perfect read. I loved all the characters.
October 19, 2022
Wild West
Kari did an excellent job of developing characters in this book.
The life in the west in the early days was difficult and the book shared many instances of hardship.
A most enjoyable read.
Kari did an excellent job of developing characters in this book.
The life in the west in the early days was difficult and the book shared many instances of hardship.
A most enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews