Where the Lost Wander

“The pain. It’s worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it’s worth it. It’s the only thing that is.”

Wandering what to read next (See what I did there?) Look no further. Where the Lost Wander is a wonderful work of historical fiction that was inspired by real life people – John Lowry was the Author’s husband five times great grandfather. I really enjoy when Authors can draw on their own personal real-life histories/stories to create fiction. This was done very nicely. I highly recommend reading the Author’s note at the end.

Naomi May, a widow at twenty, is on the Oregon Trail with her family, her deceased husband’s family and others while trying to make it to California where they hope to have a better life. John Lowry. half-Pawnee is their guide. Naomi and John are drawn to each other as they all try to survive the harshness of the trail.

John draws on his Pawnee heritage to help them along the trail, but will it be enough when tragedy strikes?

This book had several things going for it – there is romance, there is a tale of survival, there is the element of people being strong and showing courage, there are those who face their fears to rise above and confront what they thought they never could, there are those baring their soles and sharing what it feels like to walk with one foot in two very different cultures, there is camaraderie and a sense of belonging, there is hope, there are tears, there is fear and there is happiness. The Author also paints a very vivid description of the trail and what those who were on the trail endured during that time.

This was well written and researched. I felt as if I were on the trail with them as they desperately tried to reach California. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this one as will fans of the wild west.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.