Amy Harmon stretches her literary wings with another compelling historical romance that left a deep and profound impression on me. This time around we follow a cast of characters as they make their way west along the Oregon trail, on their way to California.

I have to go on record as saying that I love to read historical fiction and historical romance and I love how Amy has written a fictional story that is based on actual ancestors from her husband's family tree. For whatever reason, that makes stories like these all the more fascinating to read for me. So in that respect, it is that much harder for me to bear reading about the hardships these characters faced on their journey. My word, my emotions went from one extreme to another and I was emotionally wrung out by the time I turned the last page! Amy is a master storyteller, and I know that I will still be thinking about John and Naomi a long time from now.

I truly loved the characters of John and Naomi. Actually, I loved quite a few of the characters, each one having something significant to contribute to this story. John and Naomi were people who were lost between two worlds. John being a half breed, with a Pawnee mother and a white father, never seemed to fit in in either world. Along the way, both worlds he belonged to had times where that worked in his favor, but also just as many that worked against him. And Naomi, a young woman widowed at the age of twenty, didn't really belong on her own, but also didn't really belong with her family anymore. They are attracted to each other very early in the story, but as was the way during that time, they remained reserved in their emotions and so it took time for that relationship to evolve into something more than just two people traveling in this wagon train. And as much as this story includes a romance between John and Naomi, it is so much more than that.

Life is incredibly hard on the trail, that has always been something known through history. I've watched enough movies about the settlers and the trials and tribulations they endured traveling west, but Amy's masterful writing just made everything seem so much more important. The tenuous relationship at that time between the various Indian tribes and the white man. The hardships faced along the way, wagons getting swept away in rivers, cholera and sickness wiping out families. Babies born along the trail. Babies dying along the trail. It is just SO daunting to read about. But while reading, Amy also weaves a beautiful tale of the resilience and tenacity of these settlers who are trying to find better lives for themselves and their families.

I won't lie, I shed many a tear while reading. Not all were sad tears though, there were moments of happiness and elation along the way that buoyed the spirits of the characters, and mine as well. Like I said, I went through a range of emotions by the time I closed this book. And even though it is a work of fiction, I think it is a very important book to read, especially if you are fascinated with the history between Indians and the white man, and how a few learned to live together as family.

I say this often, I don't know how Amy does it, but every book I read of hers cements a place in my heart and head and I am forever grateful that she brings us these amazing stories.

Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This is my 5th Amy Harmon book. I have yet to read two books of hers that were similar to each other, I have yet to read a book I didn't love and I have yet to read a book that belonged in the same genre. I don't know how she does it, I have no idea how she managed to put out books that can be so different from one another and yet they all have her unique voice.

The Amy Harmon voice is something I have come to love and respect immensly; she can make me read books outside my genre just because I know I will at the very least find them intriguing and they will leave me feeling full of emotions but also drained in the best possible way from the journey. It's a gift.

<b>Where the Lost Wander</b> was yet another book I didn't know what to expect going in. I have never read a love story set on the Oregon Trail, I didn't even know what it was to be honest. Honestly, I don't have the words to review this, I don't think anything I say will do the story justice. The story is set in 1853, it is full of cultural beauty and just another world entirely, historical romance done right. But at its core it transcends the romantic aspect, there's so much more to it.

John and Naomi were amazing, slow burn and solid. Just beautiful.

I am a huge Amy Harmon fan and her latest book does not disappoint. Where the Lost Wander is a captivating historical fiction novel with top notch writing. This was the first novel I have read about life on the Oregon Trail and her descriptive writing really made you feel as if you were there with the characters on their journey. The characters in this novel were so strong and brave. Where the Lost Wander is a story of true adventure, love, hardship, heartbreak and strength. The romance between Naomi and John drew me in from the beginning. I am not usually a fan of insta-love but this forbidden romance was so beautifully written that I couldn’t put it down. Where the Lost Wander is much more than a romance and it’s a story I will definitely read again in the future. As a warning, there are a lot of dark moments in this book and you should have some tissues handy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish because there was too much content I don't like to read, and too much trauma. I loved Amy Harmon's first several books, but I don't think I'll be reading anymore of hers.

Another Amy Harmon book that did not disappoint!! I felt like the book started a little slow, but once I got about 20% into it, I could not put it down. I love historical fiction, and it is nice to have a book that isn't about WWII. I loved following their journey along the Oregon Trail. This is one of my new favorite books and I will definitely be recommending it to others.

Amy Harmon's new book is a historical fiction romance novel. The story takes place in 1853 and is set on the Oregon Trail. The book follows Naomi, a 20-year-old widow, who is traveling from Missouri to California with her family. Her father hires John (Two-Feet), who is half white and half Pawnee, to help guide and protect them on the trail. John and Naomi are instantly drawn to each other, but have to overcome prejudices and hardships to find a way to be together.

I was surprised to learn in Ms. Harmon's author's note that she based her story on her husband's five-times great grandfather, John Lowry. I really enjoyed googling some of the character's in the book like Chief Washakie.

Overall, this was a great story read and I learned a lot about the hardships of Native Americans and the first Pioneers looking for a better way of life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was beautiful. Amy Harmon never disappoints. I am always amazed by the depths of her book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

Amy Harmon doesn't hold back any punches with this novel. It's gritty and packed with scenes that wil make you cringe. I love reading about pioneers on the overland trail. Harmon depreciated the reality of the trip with a dash of romance between Naomi amd John. The book opens with a horrific scene, but all is not lost. This is historical fiction at its finest.

Every time I read one of Amy Harmon’s books, I’m in awe. She is by far one of my favorite authors to date and one I most often recommend. This was the first historical fiction I’ve read of hers and I have to say, I’m just completely amazed at her ability to write, so beautifully, different genres.
So, Where the Lost Wander will be one of those books that resonated so strongly with me, I’ll often think back on it with fondness as a forever favorite that I know I will remember for a long time to come. You know those books you pick out from childhood, jr. high, high school, adulthood that just stuck with you? I have a handful, at least, and this is definitely one of those for me.
This book starts with a bang, a Big Bang and then with the first chapter we go back to how we got there beginning in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1853. I can’t say I’ve read many books set on the Oregon Trail, but I can say that I’m happier to read about it than have lived it. 😂 This tale is so descriptive and atmospheric that I could truly envision it as if I were watching it on screen or there my very self. And the characters, I just loved the May family, John Lowry, Naomi, The Caldwells, the Shoshoni, the Dakotah, the entire wagon train and those we meet along the way. It is a story of hardship, adventure, grief, love, understanding and compassion, divide between races, wisdom and strength. I could see so many similarities between the way things were then and they way things are now, both in the way we treat people and that women are the real MVPs, (sure, men are great too ;)) and it is a great reminder of what we should learn from the past. This is a story I could have easily read in a couple sittings, had time allowed, but I am grateful that I got to savor it instead. I was surely emotional at the end and that is exactly how I want to feel when finishing a book that made a mark on my heart. The Author’s Note at the end was a treat that gives a peek of insight as to the inspiration for several characters and little historic tidbits to further enlighten the reader on how this amazing story came to be. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where the Lost Wander
Amy Harmon
Publication date 4/28/20

Amy Harmon never disappoints, this is a powerful and emotional read! She brought the Oregon trial in the 19th century alive and the storytelling was fluid, deep and thought provoking. This story follows 40 families moving west to Oregon about 2000 miles and is expected to be a hard, tragic journey that will take five months. Although romance crosses in this story it is not the center, Naomi May Caldwell and John Lowry share an attraction from the start. It made me immediately root for them because at that time their love affair was forbidden because it was between a white woman and half Pawnee- half white man. Their love story is raw and beautifully written. The journey is chock filled with heartbreak detailed descriptions that depict many hardships that the traveling pioneer families faced in that time period. You also experience many joyous events that happened on the trail that touched my heart and made it difficult to put this book down.
I must admit this book has a dark side touching on some very real acts of violence many face today. This story will stay with me as most of her others books have!

I am so thankful to have received this Advanced Readers’ Copy from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for my honest review.

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Wow! What a story. This is the kind of book that holds you captive from the first word. The story starts with a bang & had me hooked through to the end.

This book is historical romance at its best. Transporting you to a different time & making you feel what it was like to be a woman then & how very different the world was. Naomi is a fantastic character - I love the way Amy Harmon writes her heroines. I always fall hard for them. John is beautifully written and for me - not your average romance hero.

I loved how hard this story was. How much it hurt to read at points. It truly reflected the time period it was written in. I was anxious for a lot of chapters and fluctuated between being happy and so very sad.

Definitely recommend.

Where the Lost Wander tells the story of Naomi May and John Lowry as they travel west in search of better fortunes. Naomi May is a young widow with a fiery temper and a passion for painting, while John Lowry is a half-Pawnee man traveling west to make a trade selling mules. Naomi and John fall hard for each other despite their differences, but when a group of Indians attacks their wagon trains, they are separated and the dual-perspective novel tells the story of their separation, pain, grief, and eventual reunification.

I love the way Amy Harmon can weave a deep, heartfelt story out of anything. She has become a favorite author of mine and this book continues in that trend! Naomi and John are both wonderful, fully-rounded characters and I loved learning the story of Naomi's family as well. This story is not a happy story for the most part. There is horrific tragedy and I definitely felt the deep emotional loss that they were experiencing. This isn't a time period in which I have a lot of interest which is why it's not five stars, but I absolutely loved it. I also enjoyed the perspective into Native American culture that was well-researched and insightful.

Overall this was a great book that I would definitely recommend! Amy Harmon did it again!

A breathtakingly gorgeous trip down the Oregon Trail.

I am a humongous fan of Amy Harmon. Where the Lost Wander might have become one of my new favorites. It is decadently romantic and lush, with descriptions that give the historical background all of its depths.

LOVED.
Thank you for allowing me to read an early copy.

It's not the writer's fault but the Old West is not appealing to me. I chose the book because I have read other titles by Amy Harmon and enjoyed them.

The prologue was disturbing and I wish it wasn't there telling me what was going to happen. Instead I would have preferred to just enjoy the story and not try to figure out when the catastrophe was going to happen.

I liked the characters of John and Naomi but I didn't quite understand John. I wish his character had been fleshed out a bit more. Her mother, Winifred, was wise and loved her children. Naomi's brothers were interesting but having names that all started with W I was confused as to who was who most of the time. Same with the Indian names, there were a lot of them but the characters weren't developed much.

All in all I did enjoy the book and would recommend it.

I've recently gotten into historical fiction, mostly in the past few years. Before that, I wanted modern, futuristic, and/or dystopian. Even as I've gotten into historical fiction, it's been within certain confines: WWII, Russia, or Victorian England. I thought I would reach beyond my usual historical genres and give Where the Lost Wander a try, and I'm so glad I did.

I loved Naomi. The desire to move through grief by getting far away is something most of us can relate to, either literally or on a mental level. She was a strong character throughout the book, and no matter how hard she fell for John, she didn't depend on him. She depended on herself. John was a well-developed character as well, depicting the hardship of trying to be two things when you really just want to be yourself.

What I liked best was that this book was gritty, raw, and real. Harmon didn't try to gloss over the harsh realities of this era, which I appreciated. The accuracy, no matter how painful, made it that much better.

This historical western romance provided plenty of jaw dropping and emotional moments throughout the entire book. it is clear that Amy Harmon did plenty of research into the Oregon Trail prior to the novel, and I found it fast paced and a real pleasure to read. I found the chemistry between John and Naomi to be very believable, and I was rooting for them form the beginning to the end. I highly recommend this novel if you are looking for an emotional journey!

I’m really not a big fan of historical fiction but this book was just simply amazing. I’ve heard that the author’s books are very good and very recommended and I just needed to know why. I wasn’t disappointed at all in any moment and I got more than I expected.
The description of the places, the moments and the love story overall is just like a fairy tale story that makes you dream and see it with your eyes open.
Just Brilliant!

I want to start this review with one comment, Amy Harmon’s books are underpriced, all of them, she is by far a better storyteller than most of the higher priced novels, don’t base the quality of the book on the price. That being said, continue on for the highest 5***** review I can give.
The description of this novel is actually correct this time, this is a great epic and haunting love story. I have hit 2 home runs on historical novels lately, back to back even and this one is a stunner. A great western wagon train story with wonderful descriptions that make you feel as if you packed up the wagon in the morning, unloaded it in the evening, felt the sway while riding and was terrified when crossing the rivers. During the entire read, you know something bad is going to happen to someone, just not sure quite when, or how, who or why and I was completely surprised when it did.
This is not my first Amy Harmon book and will certainly not be my last. She has a talent for it and I love my hours I spend with her when she has a tale to tell. This one is based upon her own family which makes it all the better. I came to care so much for Naomi and John and felt so many emotions throughout the whole book, especially when crossing the rivers, it brought out the fear I have of crossing rushing water, I loved it. Nope, I would not be the one to jump in the water and pull the horses, oxen or mules through, this is one of those books that gets better and better as it goes along.
Another one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read. I recommend to any historical fiction junky like me and for this one, a western lover for sure. Well done Amy, well done!!!!
I was allowed the opportunity to receive this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This one gets the highest 5 stars!!

YES! I love a good western - and this delivered. I started it when I couldn’t sleep and then couldn’t sleep because it was too good to put down. Amy Harmon wrote about life on the Oregon Trail and I was along for all of the rocky, bumpy road that followed.