This was really interesting. I love learning about parts of history that I’m not super familiar with. I liked the dual timeline and how much research went in to writing this novel. Lisa’s books are always fantastic.

Another great book by Lisa Wingate. I loved the story set among the women pioneers who fought for the children against the leers of the evil land barons.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

Shelterwood is another historical hit by Lisa Wingate!

The story is in dual timeline format, connecting the early 1900's with the 1990's. It recounts the sad journey of a group of orphan children who are forced to survive on their own in the mountain wilderness of Oklahoma. The modern-day timeline follows a curious park ranger, determined to learn more about old graves found on the land she oversees.

This author has a knack for writing fictional stories based on true historical events. Many of the subjects she writes about are little known pieces of history that not only pique the readers interest, but drives their desire to learn more. Many times I have found myself googling about these forgotten moments of history as I read. She is a master at weaving together a dual timeline tale, seamlessly connecting two eras.

DNF- it just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t able to get into this book like I had previous books. I love her as an author and I definitely hope to read more by her.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for an early copy of this book in return for a honest review. I did enjoy this book and I read it in one day. Lisa Wingate is such a good author, I love her books. I would definitely recommend this book.

Lisa Wingate - always a favorite!

What I loved:
1. Well researched historical fiction! (Make sure to read the author's note at the end to give you some additional context.)
2. Very emotional and eye-opening story!
3. Two timelines in the plot with the traditional connection across time (worked really well).

What I would have changed:
1. The pacing felt bumpy at times, and I thought it was a little long.


Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley.

This novel was published on June 4, 2024.

I love reading Lisa Wingate because I always learn something new. Tears were had at the end. She is an auto-read for me.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Wingate's Before We Were Yours shed light on the horrific truth about kidnappings and illegal adoptions in the 1930s.

Shelterwood is another well-written, well-researched, previously-untold story that will break your heart. The books oscillates between 1990, as the burial site of three young children is discovered in a cave, and 1909, as two children flee home and take to the mountains amidst treasure hunters and outlaws.

Valerie Boren-Odell is the Horsethief Trail National Park's newest law enforcement ranger, and first on call when a teen hiker goes missing and the old burial site is uncovered. Val's search for answers wins friends among the Choctaw Nation’s Tribal Police but causes trouble a little closer to home. This one is a must-read— I never learned about this part of history in school and Lisa Wingate is a master storyteller.

Shelterwood is such an emotional story. Knowing some of the background and history of the fictional tale has a sliver (or more than a sliver) of truth to it is just devastating. This is a beautiful and important read.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Rating: 1 Star

I'll be honest - this book was not for me. I've read Lisa Wingate before and enjoyed her work, though the subject material is often difficult. This one was a bit beyond her previous works, in terms of triggers for me personally. I read about 25% and decided to stop because it just was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for the digital arc.
Based on the true story of children fleeing into the woods of southern Oklahoma for survival, the author weaves together two timelines, 1909 and 1990, both set in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. In 1909, eleven year old Ollie strives to protect young Nessa, a Choctaw child who is entitled to Choctaw land, but has been “adopted” by Ollie's mentally absent mother and vile stepfather,, under the pretense of protecting the Choctaw child. The real reason was to steal the land owned by the Choctaw. Throughout the 1909 timeline Ollie struggles to lead Nessa and another group of orphaned Choctaw children to the Winding Stair mountain home, Shelterwood, built by Ollie's beloved, but deceased father. Incorporated into this the timeline is Kate Barnard, the newly elected commissioner of charities and corrections who worked to stop the abuse. Fast forward to 1990 with a mystery peculating that involves the discovery of three skeletons in a cave, an irascible twelve year old who's looking for her missing brother, and her grandmother, who was a state legislator. A survival story based on historical facts which brings to light an important thread in the history of Indigenous People, Oklahoma, and the United States. Highly recommended.
#Shelterwood #NetGalley

Shelterwood
Author Lisa Wingate

Thank you, #ballantinebooks, for my #gifted copy of Lisa Wingate's latest historical fiction novel. Lisa's incredibly researched novels have the tendency to rip my heart out, make me feel all the feels, and then put everything back together again. IYKYK. What's even more special about Wingate's novels is that she writes of lesser known parts of history that have a focus on abandonment, resilience, justice, and redemption.

Shelterwood is an emotional and powerful novel that explores missing children and their identity, and the women "pioneers who fought to protect children caught in the storm of land barons, who were hungry for power and oil wealth."

Friends, this story was immersive, and oh, so good. I didn't cry like I did when reading Wingate's Before We Were Yours, but I was pretty darn close to tears. This century long sage of these children who had no identity or protection will stay with me for a long time.

Oklahoma 1909 - Ollie and two Chocktaw girls are living in the woods the best they can manage, trying to escape those who want to harm them.

Okalahoma 1990 - Park Ranger Valerie Boren O'Dell, a single parent and dedicated park ranger, discovers a long hidden burial site while searching for a missing teenaged hiker. And someone doesn't like her poking around.

For me, the story was a bit long in the telling , but a worthy story. The Author's Note is one to not be missed! Even if you don't read this book, at least read author Lisa Wingate's Author's Note. It is so good and brings to light what inspired her from history.

3.5 for a story that was a bit too long,
4.0 for a story well worth telling
5.0 for a fanstastic Author's Note

My thanks to Net Galley and Ballatine Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

I am a huge Lisa Wingate fan and this one did not disappoint! I feel like lovers of her work will enjoy this one as well! Thank you so. much netgalley for this copy!

This book alternated between the early 1900s and the 1990s. I actually learned a lot (each chapter is introduced with historical documents), and I got engrossed in the mystery, especially towards the end.
In the early time-line young Ollie is trying to protect herself and her stepsister from an abusive stepfather. We meet brave women pioneers trying to help the situation, and a lot of people trying to gain from new federal laws.
The later timeline features Park Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie as she investigates deaths, disappearances, and tries to help a young girl.
I liked both storylines although I preferred the more modern one. However, my favorite character has to be Ollie.
This is an interesting historical mystery, and I recommend it - and recommend sticking with it to reach the satisfying conclusion.

Lisa Wingate is a superstar at writing compelling, heart-wrenching historical fiction and this book is no exception. I loved reading about this little-known portion of US history.

A captivating tale.

This is a slow burn and also heartbreaking when children are mistreated in such traumatic ways. I enjoy the dual perspectives and alternating timelines (1909 and 1990). Both are equally strong.

In 1909, two girls escaped their abusive stepfather and ran into the woods.

In 1990, a Park Ranger found bones in a cave.

Shelterwood is well-researched. Wingate knows how to weave a compelling story with history I knew nothing about. I like the mystery but her characters in both timelines keep me flipping the pages. They are resilient and fierce. In the end, Wingate knows how to tie it all together and gives the reader a satisfying read.

Before We Were Yours remains my favorite novel. If you enjoyed Shelterwood and haven't read Before We Were Yours, please do yourself a favor and grab a copy!

Thank you Random House/Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the DRC.

When ranger Valerie Boren-Odell arrives at Horsethief National Park in Oklahoma, she didn't expect to be immediately thrust into the case of a missing teenager and the discovery of a burial site of three children. In 1909, eleven-year-old Ollie takes her little sister Nessa and flees from their abusive stepfather. Journeying through the outlaw-ridden Winding Stair Mountains, they join a band of other children hoping to stay a step ahead of those who want to exploit them.

Lisa Wingate pens a feel-good historical fiction novel with a dual timelines that starts strong but lacks a satisfying ending. I thought Shelterwood's modern story was more compelling than I typically find in this genre. Wingate also did an excellent job researching the historical injustice in Oklahoma and showed how poorly children and Native Americans were treated. Yet, I didn't think the two story lines tied together well and they both lacked the emotional resolution I would have liked.

A riveting historical fiction that examines the exploitation of Native American children in the early 1900s. Thought provoking with strong female leads and emotional depth. A beautiful story. Evenly paced and engaging