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Courage on the Oregon Trail #1
Westward Courage
Librarian's note: An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
An Oregon Trail Western Adventure
Survival on the Oregon Trail requires sacrifice she never intended to make.
Caroline Harper has everything she could want--wealth, position, the attention of an eligible bachelor. When her brother’s news destroys all of that, Caroline must decide what kind of life she wants to create for herself.
As the Harpers make their way along the grueling thousands of miles of Oregon Trail, Caroline discovers strength, poise and potential she didn’t realize she possessed. Strength that perhaps was not in a spoiled city girl at all.
But will it be enough to survive and bring Caroline and her brother all the way to Oregon?
An Oregon Trail Western Adventure
Survival on the Oregon Trail requires sacrifice she never intended to make.
Caroline Harper has everything she could want--wealth, position, the attention of an eligible bachelor. When her brother’s news destroys all of that, Caroline must decide what kind of life she wants to create for herself.
As the Harpers make their way along the grueling thousands of miles of Oregon Trail, Caroline discovers strength, poise and potential she didn’t realize she possessed. Strength that perhaps was not in a spoiled city girl at all.
But will it be enough to survive and bring Caroline and her brother all the way to Oregon?
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2021
2051 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 10, 2021
A fish out of water story along the Oregon Trail
At first, I wasn’t sure if I was in the right book.
Caroline Harper was prim, ladylike, and lived in New York City. She planned to marry into a prominent family and live the life she had been accustomed to. When her brother, John, squandered the family fortune, leaving them destitute and requiring a middle-of-the-night departure, Caroline’s future changes in an evening. They drift for some months until John decides they should join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri.
I enjoyed the “fish out of water” tale of a woman who is thrust into a harsh, extreme situation after having hardly lifted a finger previously. In this story, Caroline discovers that she’s stronger than she ever knew. It doesn’t take long for her to accept that if something needs to be done, she’s the only one that can do it. As Caroline’s character becomes stronger and more resilient, her brother’s contribution to their shared-efforts declines. Caroline also warmed up to the everyday people on the wagon train, and they warmed up to her. She formed an unlikely friendship with a girl named Hannah from another wagon. Friendship and teamwork are also themes of this book.
At times, I think describing body language and facial expressions would have been a better way of communicating Caroline’s feelings than having the narration declare them.
The romance could have been developed more, and if it had been, it would have made the ending more satisfying. Also, it would have been nice to know more about what Caroline’s daily life was like after reaching her final destination.
In the end, I enjoyed it, and I would read another in the series.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I was in the right book.
Caroline Harper was prim, ladylike, and lived in New York City. She planned to marry into a prominent family and live the life she had been accustomed to. When her brother, John, squandered the family fortune, leaving them destitute and requiring a middle-of-the-night departure, Caroline’s future changes in an evening. They drift for some months until John decides they should join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri.
I enjoyed the “fish out of water” tale of a woman who is thrust into a harsh, extreme situation after having hardly lifted a finger previously. In this story, Caroline discovers that she’s stronger than she ever knew. It doesn’t take long for her to accept that if something needs to be done, she’s the only one that can do it. As Caroline’s character becomes stronger and more resilient, her brother’s contribution to their shared-efforts declines. Caroline also warmed up to the everyday people on the wagon train, and they warmed up to her. She formed an unlikely friendship with a girl named Hannah from another wagon. Friendship and teamwork are also themes of this book.
At times, I think describing body language and facial expressions would have been a better way of communicating Caroline’s feelings than having the narration declare them.
The romance could have been developed more, and if it had been, it would have made the ending more satisfying. Also, it would have been nice to know more about what Caroline’s daily life was like after reaching her final destination.
In the end, I enjoyed it, and I would read another in the series.
April 20, 2020
First Part Told Rather than Shown
There is a writing adage that an author should show rather than tell, but the showing was sorely lacking in this book. The first part shows the heroine's life in New York before she hits the road—and ultimately the Oregon Trail—with her brother after his business failings. Except for a few key scenes, this section is almost entirely told rather than shown. As such, I didn't feel like I got to know the heroine much or her brother at all. Not enough to allow me to connect with them to appreciate what happened in the Oregon Trail part of the story. I also thought that the heroine acted completely silly once she and her brother started on the run. Did she honestly believe that her man from New York would follow her for so long (5 months)? It seems hopelessly naïve. She also had a hard time adapting to her new life and roles, refusing to give up on certain things or try to adapt, which seems silly. Her brother remained an enigma, and frankly, a confusing character who truly needed to be fleshed out since he was so key to the story. Instead, all we got to see was him shouting and talking harshly to his sister who was in no way prepared in her earlier life for what he demanded of her. I am an Oregonian, and I am always drawn to stories about the Oregon Trail. but this book was an utter and complete disappointment. If you have an interest in Oregon Trail fictional stories like I do, pass on this book and find something better.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
There is a writing adage that an author should show rather than tell, but the showing was sorely lacking in this book. The first part shows the heroine's life in New York before she hits the road—and ultimately the Oregon Trail—with her brother after his business failings. Except for a few key scenes, this section is almost entirely told rather than shown. As such, I didn't feel like I got to know the heroine much or her brother at all. Not enough to allow me to connect with them to appreciate what happened in the Oregon Trail part of the story. I also thought that the heroine acted completely silly once she and her brother started on the run. Did she honestly believe that her man from New York would follow her for so long (5 months)? It seems hopelessly naïve. She also had a hard time adapting to her new life and roles, refusing to give up on certain things or try to adapt, which seems silly. Her brother remained an enigma, and frankly, a confusing character who truly needed to be fleshed out since he was so key to the story. Instead, all we got to see was him shouting and talking harshly to his sister who was in no way prepared in her earlier life for what he demanded of her. I am an Oregonian, and I am always drawn to stories about the Oregon Trail. but this book was an utter and complete disappointment. If you have an interest in Oregon Trail fictional stories like I do, pass on this book and find something better.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
August 15, 2020
Clean historical western
Westward Courage was a clean, historical fiction western that I really enjoyed. Caroline and her brother John have to leave NY quickly. Orphaned at a young age, John had taken over the family business, and made sure that his younger sister was taken care of. John ended up gambling the family business and all their assets, including their house,and they had to leave before anyone found out. They ended up on the Oregon trail, where Caroline went from being waited on hand and foot, to learning quickly how to take care of herself and her brother. This is a coming of age story for Caroline and she had to grow up and make responsible decisions. Caroline's character grew so much by the end of the book. This book does talk about the hardships and sacrifices the pioneers had to make along the way. Lots of heartache and hunger. The ending did seem a little abrupt and there was no epilogue to let one know if they made it to their destination or not. Excited to read the next book in this series.
Westward Courage was a clean, historical fiction western that I really enjoyed. Caroline and her brother John have to leave NY quickly. Orphaned at a young age, John had taken over the family business, and made sure that his younger sister was taken care of. John ended up gambling the family business and all their assets, including their house,and they had to leave before anyone found out. They ended up on the Oregon trail, where Caroline went from being waited on hand and foot, to learning quickly how to take care of herself and her brother. This is a coming of age story for Caroline and she had to grow up and make responsible decisions. Caroline's character grew so much by the end of the book. This book does talk about the hardships and sacrifices the pioneers had to make along the way. Lots of heartache and hunger. The ending did seem a little abrupt and there was no epilogue to let one know if they made it to their destination or not. Excited to read the next book in this series.
July 24, 2021
A gripping story
My first book by this author and I've already snagged the second book in this series via Kindle Unlimited. Yes, she was a spoiled socialite BUT she was *exactly* who and what she was raised to be. And the descriptive first part of the book does a beautiful job of showing that. You simply cannot know what you haven't been taught. But she DID know everything there was to bring a young woman like herself to a good marriage in NYC.
She ends up on a wagon train bound for Oregon because of her brother who, IMHO, has more faults than our socialite doubled then tripled. She grows up or rather grows into the person she must become to survive.
I felt this story gave more of a true description of how hard that journey was in 1850 than most fiction. That alone deserves extra credit for the author who definitely did research before writing. This was a book I couldn't walk away from. I had to read until The End. Yes, I recommend.
My first book by this author and I've already snagged the second book in this series via Kindle Unlimited. Yes, she was a spoiled socialite BUT she was *exactly* who and what she was raised to be. And the descriptive first part of the book does a beautiful job of showing that. You simply cannot know what you haven't been taught. But she DID know everything there was to bring a young woman like herself to a good marriage in NYC.
She ends up on a wagon train bound for Oregon because of her brother who, IMHO, has more faults than our socialite doubled then tripled. She grows up or rather grows into the person she must become to survive.
I felt this story gave more of a true description of how hard that journey was in 1850 than most fiction. That alone deserves extra credit for the author who definitely did research before writing. This was a book I couldn't walk away from. I had to read until The End. Yes, I recommend.
September 3, 2022
It gets an additional star for being well researched. Beyond that... The writing was juvenile, the characters trite, and felt incomplete.
February 29, 2020
WAGONTRAIN,SISTER & BROTHER,RICH & POOR
3 STARS on a storyline about a sister & brother that covers them during their journey on the westward Oregon WagonTrain. The scenery is described and is awesome, there are Indian Raids on the wagons lots of action also with the exciting places the wagons have to overcome. I only gave it a 3 because the reading seemed to be stilted, as someone speaking, just above boring. Also, Caroline seemed to keep her hauntiness a long time for a smart woman especially wearing gowns of satin with kid slippers even after they reached Missouri; a smart woman would have gotten riding or at least some traveling clothes. Furthermore, I personally was confused why John was thrilled to go to Oregon, but then just started drinking & started back gambling. The drinking came out of nowhere & he had already did the apologies for losing their money so it didn't make sense.
3 STARS on a storyline about a sister & brother that covers them during their journey on the westward Oregon WagonTrain. The scenery is described and is awesome, there are Indian Raids on the wagons lots of action also with the exciting places the wagons have to overcome. I only gave it a 3 because the reading seemed to be stilted, as someone speaking, just above boring. Also, Caroline seemed to keep her hauntiness a long time for a smart woman especially wearing gowns of satin with kid slippers even after they reached Missouri; a smart woman would have gotten riding or at least some traveling clothes. Furthermore, I personally was confused why John was thrilled to go to Oregon, but then just started drinking & started back gambling. The drinking came out of nowhere & he had already did the apologies for losing their money so it didn't make sense.
March 30, 2020
This is a wonderful novel about a young woman coming into her own and growing to be independent.
Caroline Harper’s parents have died and she is totally dependent on her brother John with taking care of her. She leads a very privileged life and it all will change very soon due to John mismanaging their money, including her trust fund. The little money they have left is being used to purchase a wagon and join a wagon train to Oregon.
Caroline knows nothing about taking care of a home, let alone how to live out of a wagon, but she soon learns. As they travel she grows into a very useful and independent woman, meeting folks and and helping out where she can. The only problem is, her brother has shown his true colors as a gambler and an excessive drinker. Caroline has an interest in on on the wagon team leaders, Mr. Mills.
This is a very well written novel and very captivating. I really enjoyed reading it. I recommend it to read
Caroline Harper’s parents have died and she is totally dependent on her brother John with taking care of her. She leads a very privileged life and it all will change very soon due to John mismanaging their money, including her trust fund. The little money they have left is being used to purchase a wagon and join a wagon train to Oregon.
Caroline knows nothing about taking care of a home, let alone how to live out of a wagon, but she soon learns. As they travel she grows into a very useful and independent woman, meeting folks and and helping out where she can. The only problem is, her brother has shown his true colors as a gambler and an excessive drinker. Caroline has an interest in on on the wagon team leaders, Mr. Mills.
This is a very well written novel and very captivating. I really enjoyed reading it. I recommend it to read
July 27, 2020
Westward Courage is the tale of a New York socialite who loses her comfortable life and is made to hit the Oregon Trail with her brother. I love historical fiction, especially tales of the strong women who settled the West. This story line is very compelling and the clearly well researched. However, I think the book would be made stronger by a good editor. Things get off to a slow start as the beginning chapters contain long passages of narration. The dialogue to stilted and I don't think men and women in that place and time spoke of personal growth in such terms. There were a few timing missteps as well. For example, in one scene the brother is complaining of another cold breakfast as there is not time to start a fire and cook. The main character then wishes she could throw her hot frying pan at him. I just read the pan was cold. The romantic element of the story is sweet and understated.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
December 5, 2024
One step at a time
The hardships of traveling the Oregon Trail are brought to life in this incredible tale. The story is so lifelike that you a sure you are reading a descriptive diary or a daily journal. The hardships, the agony, hunger, and fatigue are expertly described. A young nieve New York socialite with no survival skills, matures and becomes a self sufficient female pioneer in just a year traveling the Trail.
Besides maturing into a pioneer women, Caroline learns what true friends and neighbors are. A community of kindred spirits move as one across the continent.
I also appreciate that no sexual content, foul language or graphic violence was necessary to keep the reader's attention. The characters melded together and supported each other as genuine people.
This is a very entertaining and cultural tale. I hope you enjoy it as much as I. It's a story of survival, romance, thrill, intrigue and much more.
The hardships of traveling the Oregon Trail are brought to life in this incredible tale. The story is so lifelike that you a sure you are reading a descriptive diary or a daily journal. The hardships, the agony, hunger, and fatigue are expertly described. A young nieve New York socialite with no survival skills, matures and becomes a self sufficient female pioneer in just a year traveling the Trail.
Besides maturing into a pioneer women, Caroline learns what true friends and neighbors are. A community of kindred spirits move as one across the continent.
I also appreciate that no sexual content, foul language or graphic violence was necessary to keep the reader's attention. The characters melded together and supported each other as genuine people.
This is a very entertaining and cultural tale. I hope you enjoy it as much as I. It's a story of survival, romance, thrill, intrigue and much more.
February 26, 2020
Pioneer Courage on the Oregon Trail
What a good story! This book tells the tale of a New York City socialite's journey along the Oregon Trail. While she was grossly unprepared for the trail life, she made up for that with resilience, courage, and backbone. This is a well-written story that makes the reader feel like she is there; walking the trail, breathing in the dust, and being thirsty, hungry, and scared. I think the only thing the author missed was a violent thunderstorm and /or tornado while on the high plains. The author also hits the mark in the idealism that drove people to leave their homes to travel west. This 'American Dream' is still in evidence today. This is a wonderful book that I truly enjoyed. I was given this ARC to read by the author but would have gladly paid money to read this story. This is my honest opinion.
What a good story! This book tells the tale of a New York City socialite's journey along the Oregon Trail. While she was grossly unprepared for the trail life, she made up for that with resilience, courage, and backbone. This is a well-written story that makes the reader feel like she is there; walking the trail, breathing in the dust, and being thirsty, hungry, and scared. I think the only thing the author missed was a violent thunderstorm and /or tornado while on the high plains. The author also hits the mark in the idealism that drove people to leave their homes to travel west. This 'American Dream' is still in evidence today. This is a wonderful book that I truly enjoyed. I was given this ARC to read by the author but would have gladly paid money to read this story. This is my honest opinion.
January 30, 2023
A Great Glimpse into the Westward Journey
For any age that loves adventure, romance and victory over hardships, Butler transports you into a fantasy luxury seat as you relive the harsh rigors of walking the Oregon Trail. Two spoiled siblings start out and one is crushed under the reality of hardship while the other is remade into a capable and selfless adult. I'm sorry if some readers didn't like the main characters, but people change and this book tells that story. I hope those critics re-read this novel to learn the process for it will benefit them and their friends!
All aside, I highly recommend "Westward Courage" for both young men and ladies for its historical aspects and well as the lessons learned from the many characters and their relationship developments. A hearty 5 stars! Now I still have to find a book I can delete from my Kindle, it's not this one!
For any age that loves adventure, romance and victory over hardships, Butler transports you into a fantasy luxury seat as you relive the harsh rigors of walking the Oregon Trail. Two spoiled siblings start out and one is crushed under the reality of hardship while the other is remade into a capable and selfless adult. I'm sorry if some readers didn't like the main characters, but people change and this book tells that story. I hope those critics re-read this novel to learn the process for it will benefit them and their friends!
All aside, I highly recommend "Westward Courage" for both young men and ladies for its historical aspects and well as the lessons learned from the many characters and their relationship developments. A hearty 5 stars! Now I still have to find a book I can delete from my Kindle, it's not this one!
June 9, 2020
I love reading about the pioneers and their everyday struggles and triumphs. This was for the most part an easy read. What could be improved upon is the proofreading. The last 20% of the book got worse the closer to the end it got. It seemed that not only was the proofing rushed but the story also seemed rushed like possibly a deadline to have it finished. Personally, I’d rather have a book come out a bit late than to have this many errors.
This was my first book by A.T. Butler. The story was well enough written that I have pre-ordered book 2 of this series. It looks like it may be about another wagon train headed to Oregon. I’m hoping at some point we learn about these characters lives once they begin their new lives there.
This was my first book by A.T. Butler. The story was well enough written that I have pre-ordered book 2 of this series. It looks like it may be about another wagon train headed to Oregon. I’m hoping at some point we learn about these characters lives once they begin their new lives there.
February 6, 2023
A Good Historical Romance
While this story is clean and there are a couple of references to prayer or church, this is simply a sweet, historical romance. It's well-written, and I found it easy to picture the scenes in my mind as I read. I had trouble loving the characters. They either seemed overdone somehow, or they felt a bit flat. But I read the story through, and I do like a couple of big things. First, the heroine had a backbone and grew in believable ways as the story progressed. Second, I liked how the people functioned just like a healthy community should if they'd want to thrive and succeed.
If you really love sweet, clean, historical romance, then you'd probably enjoy reading this book.
While this story is clean and there are a couple of references to prayer or church, this is simply a sweet, historical romance. It's well-written, and I found it easy to picture the scenes in my mind as I read. I had trouble loving the characters. They either seemed overdone somehow, or they felt a bit flat. But I read the story through, and I do like a couple of big things. First, the heroine had a backbone and grew in believable ways as the story progressed. Second, I liked how the people functioned just like a healthy community should if they'd want to thrive and succeed.
If you really love sweet, clean, historical romance, then you'd probably enjoy reading this book.
May 2, 2025
Transformation
When Caroline's brother John whisked her away from NYC, with only 10 minutes to pack, she brought her elegant ball gowns that a proper heiress should have. But when John, who has lost the family fortune due to gambling & was in debt, decides to go to Oregon, Caroline is unprepared for the hardships. She can't build a fire, can't cook a meal, has no skills to speak of & is more than a little irritated that she has been dragged on this journey. By journey's end she has one raggy cotton dress to her name & has lost every possession. She has gained strength, confidence, & self reliance. It is the first in a series of books and I so admire those pioneers who sacrificed so much to cross half a continent on foot to achieve their dream.
When Caroline's brother John whisked her away from NYC, with only 10 minutes to pack, she brought her elegant ball gowns that a proper heiress should have. But when John, who has lost the family fortune due to gambling & was in debt, decides to go to Oregon, Caroline is unprepared for the hardships. She can't build a fire, can't cook a meal, has no skills to speak of & is more than a little irritated that she has been dragged on this journey. By journey's end she has one raggy cotton dress to her name & has lost every possession. She has gained strength, confidence, & self reliance. It is the first in a series of books and I so admire those pioneers who sacrificed so much to cross half a continent on foot to achieve their dream.
April 4, 2020
The growth, strengths, and flaws on display.
What a hard way to learn the facts of life for both John and Caroline. The business destroyed, loss of home, and the life they knew has the brother and sister setting off from New York. They finally decide to set out with a wagon train going west. The book was written so well it shows how hard the trip was, the happy parts, but also the sad parts. It also shows the growth, strengths, and flaws these characters had. This is book that you must-read if you enjoy books about the old west and pioneers. This was a downright good tale that I highly recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a hard way to learn the facts of life for both John and Caroline. The business destroyed, loss of home, and the life they knew has the brother and sister setting off from New York. They finally decide to set out with a wagon train going west. The book was written so well it shows how hard the trip was, the happy parts, but also the sad parts. It also shows the growth, strengths, and flaws these characters had. This is book that you must-read if you enjoy books about the old west and pioneers. This was a downright good tale that I highly recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
May 21, 2020
The author has penned a beautiful story of a young, spoiled society girl, who because of her brother's misdeeds, finds herself on the way to Oregon via wagon train. This is Caroline's story. When she begins the trip with her brother, she expects all the luxuries of a society girl from New York but along the way she begins to see life through the eyes of "ordinary" people and change begins to happen. Be sure to read this book to find out what happens to Caroline. You will experience hardship, friendship, danger, death, accidents, and romance. While this is the first book by this author I have read it will not be my last. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
September 26, 2020
Interesting read about a couple of orphaned siblings leaving the big city life to head west. The younger sister is a well-kept city girl with no experience in the real world and her brother who lost the family business needing to flee their home rather quickly. The author does a good job painting the picture of Caroline. She knows little about what it takes to live without servants and how she quickly must learn it all to survive on the wagon train. Her brooding brother isn't very patient and barks a lot of orders. The story is sweet, yet has moments of tragedy, but keeps you engaged till the end.
I received a free ebook via Voracious Readers Only to review.
I received a free ebook via Voracious Readers Only to review.
March 10, 2022
The Heiress that Never Gave Up
Caroline was an heiress raised as a pampered princess by her brother John since the death of their parents. When John squandered their family’s fortunes he flees New York City, forcing Caroline to leave behind her life as a wealthy socialite and become his partner on a journey in a Wagon Train on the Oregon Trail. Caroline is wrenched from her life of comfort and ease, to cooking over an open campfire, facing death and tragedy, extremes of weather and danger, and yet finds a strength and courage she never knew she had. A real page turner. Can’t wait for Book 2.
Caroline was an heiress raised as a pampered princess by her brother John since the death of their parents. When John squandered their family’s fortunes he flees New York City, forcing Caroline to leave behind her life as a wealthy socialite and become his partner on a journey in a Wagon Train on the Oregon Trail. Caroline is wrenched from her life of comfort and ease, to cooking over an open campfire, facing death and tragedy, extremes of weather and danger, and yet finds a strength and courage she never knew she had. A real page turner. Can’t wait for Book 2.
June 17, 2023
Conquering difficulty and becoming a new woman in a very tough environment!
I really liked this book. Caroline and her brother seemed to bite off more than they could chew by jumping into a covered wagon and going where not many had gone before them. Raised in the luxury of New York City and ending up learning the hard way, how to take care of themselves with no experience or knowledge of how to do manual labor, just about wiped them out. But patients was the name of the game and they turned their lemons into lemonade! This was an enlightening story, I am so glad I found this book!
I really liked this book. Caroline and her brother seemed to bite off more than they could chew by jumping into a covered wagon and going where not many had gone before them. Raised in the luxury of New York City and ending up learning the hard way, how to take care of themselves with no experience or knowledge of how to do manual labor, just about wiped them out. But patients was the name of the game and they turned their lemons into lemonade! This was an enlightening story, I am so glad I found this book!
September 3, 2020
I received my complimentary copy from Voracious Readers and I loved it although the final outcome was a bit predictable. New York socialist Caroline and her brother join the Oregan Trail after running away from creditors and the story follows their hardships and emotions of people on the trail trying to start a new life in Oregon. Caroline has to learn to cook, sew, walk the trail, hitch oxen and lots of other things and witnessing death along the trail. It covered a realistic view of the hardships suffered by the pioneers. An entertaining and thought provoking read.
June 9, 2021
Pampered heiress to stalwart pioneer: 2000 miles
Caroline is a wealthy high society young lady, whose life in New York City is filled with servants. An orphan, her brother takes all responsibility, but gambles away their family fortune. They escape with little, and her brother hears that Oregon offers a new beginning.
Neither John nor Caroline has even rudimentary life skills. But new companions teach and Caroline's metamorphosis into pioneer is shaped by the hard realities of trail life.
Caroline is a wealthy high society young lady, whose life in New York City is filled with servants. An orphan, her brother takes all responsibility, but gambles away their family fortune. They escape with little, and her brother hears that Oregon offers a new beginning.
Neither John nor Caroline has even rudimentary life skills. But new companions teach and Caroline's metamorphosis into pioneer is shaped by the hard realities of trail life.
March 8, 2022
The lofty goal of abundance in Oregon's land of milk and honey
Caroline is a wealthy New York socialite with little to worry about other than to secure the ideal invitations and wear the most becoming gown. But, her easy life is coming to a screeching halt. Will the aftermath gobble her up, or will she find an inner strength she never suspected she had? With sacrifice comes change, at times negative, but to keep pushing forward creates winners out of the suffering. Is a poor little rich girl going to cheat death and disaster to reach an end which carries brittle hope?
Caroline is a wealthy New York socialite with little to worry about other than to secure the ideal invitations and wear the most becoming gown. But, her easy life is coming to a screeching halt. Will the aftermath gobble her up, or will she find an inner strength she never suspected she had? With sacrifice comes change, at times negative, but to keep pushing forward creates winners out of the suffering. Is a poor little rich girl going to cheat death and disaster to reach an end which carries brittle hope?
May 10, 2022
I received this book from voracious readers only for an unbiased review. Although parts of the story were clunky (I rolled my eyes multiple times as Caroline pined for months for a fella she knew for 3 weeks). Once she got her “trail legs” under her, I enjoyed reading about her coming of age, resilience and increased self confidence. Her brother John was a strange, unlikeable character. I was glad it wasn’t heavy on romance but because of that, found the sudden, harlequinesque, ending rather hard to stomach. That said, I found it a light enjoyable read.
October 9, 2025
Such a perilous adventure. Caroline embarks on a wagon train bound for Oregon with her brother, a gambler with no moral compass whatsoever. Through many hardships, Caroline meets and gets to know Daniel. John dies in a fall trying to get water to his sister, and as things progress, Caroline learns and grows, but is depressed because many things work against her. Losing her wagon foundered in a river, she is taken in by the Sullivans, who have lost a father and a son. As they arrive in Oregon, Caroline and Daniel finally see that they need each other to be complete.
November 27, 2025
Fascinated by the Trail
Since childhood, the Oregon Trail has fascinated me. I was in awe of the men and women pioneers who left all they knew behind to explore and settle an unknown territory. Their sense of adventure and resilience not only impressed me but inspired my own sense of curiosity and exploration. This book captures the spirit of the pioneer and transports your mind to this time and place. I've enjoyed it and am embarking on my next reading adventure with Hannah's Story!
Since childhood, the Oregon Trail has fascinated me. I was in awe of the men and women pioneers who left all they knew behind to explore and settle an unknown territory. Their sense of adventure and resilience not only impressed me but inspired my own sense of curiosity and exploration. This book captures the spirit of the pioneer and transports your mind to this time and place. I've enjoyed it and am embarking on my next reading adventure with Hannah's Story!
April 9, 2020
Another great story in the An Oregon Trail Western Adventure series a story that kept me turning pages. Caroline Harper is one very strong lady that goes through so much, she falls in love with Daniel Mills,but the wagon train they are with will run into trouble sending Daniel to try and get help. Will they get their happy ending? I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2020
This was an excellently written novel about a brother and sister who set out on the Orgeon Trail. The growth of the protaganist throughout the work was realistic and well-paced. The unraveling of her brother was also, unfortunately, quite realistic. The descriptions of the setting as well as the detail that went into the secondary characters were engaging. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this work through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 25, 2020
The writing was lackluster and trite, but what finished it off for me was when the wagon train was being attacked by "native Americans" and the warrior was a kid who came to their wagon "wasn't armed" and just took their rolling pin! Is this politically correct historical fiction? Too stupid for reading and honestly an insult to tribal warriors who would certainly not attack their enemies without a weapon or the guts to be the strong people they were. Pathetic attempt at historical fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
Following Caroline was a great adventure. It was satisfying watching her find her stride when she was traveling out to Oregon and making meaningful relationships. It was also nice to see her finally realize the truth about her flawed brother and her first love interest. The setting was realistic, and I was easily immersed in her feelings, thoughts and experiences.
I received this book for free, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
I received this book for free, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
August 2, 2021
I enjoyed this book very much, although it was predictable in many areas of the story. The characters were well developed and I was interested in reading more about each of them. I had never read about the Oregon Trail, so I was very interested in the story, and in finishing the book altogether (even when it was predictable). One note to the author-what happened to the pearls? You needed to close that loop…
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