This is a hard review to write since Before We Were Yours has a special place in my heart. It took me a long time to pick this up and get into this. I wanted to love It so badly, but i found myself almost DNFing It so many times. Ultimately, I am glad i finished It to the end, because the second half picked up and was better. But not my favorite historical fiction book or book by this author.

I really thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

I cannot review this book because I cannot understand why I did not like it. I know it was not the type of book one was not suppose to "like" but I was suppose to feel something, and I could not. I am a Lina Wingate fan and it disturbs me that I gave up on the book about 80% through.

This story was immediately intriguing to me because it is set in my home state of Oklahoma. I read 48% of Shelterwood and I'm afraid I won't be getting back to finish it. The two storylines are sure to intersect, but each seems to be more than enough on its own. At this point, I don't feel propelled to see how it all comes together or discover the solution of the mystery.

5 stars (rounded up)! I really enjoyed Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate. This story is another book that discusses the land rights of the Native American people in Oklahoma, similarly to Killers of the Flower Moon. This book is fiction and it focuses on a “tribe” of children in 1909 living in a community in the woods, who have all been taken advantage of by “guardians.” Men appointed by the courts to look after their interests.

The other storyline involves a park ranger in 1990 in the same park that the children once called home. After finding 3 100-year old corpses, she stumbles on a plot with details hauntingly similar to those of the children almost a century ago.

It took awhile for the two storylines to reveal how they related to the other. As with most dual timeline stories, I enjoyed one more than the other.

But Ms. Wingate eventually merges the two revealing all the intricacies she’s cast in weaving the plot lines. I absolutely loved the ending. And as with any historical fiction novel, I really enjoyed learning about a piece of history I had no idea about. There is a woman introduced in this book who was a real life hero of Oklahoma history whose story had been buried until now.

Than you to #netgalley and #ballentinebooks for the e-copy of #shelterwood .

A dual time line jumping between 1909 and 1990. 1909 follows two girls trying to escape an abusive home life. It follows their adventure while also touching on women’s movement in OK. 1990s follows a female park ranger dealing with misogyny in her field and trying to solve a missing persons case.

Wingate obviously did a lot of research for this book. I learned a lot about the Native American history you don’t normally hear about in school.

It was a good book but the pacing was a bit off. I was very invested in the beginning and then the middle was a bit boring and then the end picked up again.

I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion of the book.

I loved the dual timeline stories. The setting and the characters. The National park as part of the story is unique and very interesting. I am a fan of historical fiction so this story was just what I am interested in.

I've read Lisa Wingate before and really enjoy her books this one was no different. Enjoyed this one really love the time jumper aspect of it. The characters were well developed and the story flowed nicely. All the little "mysteries" were wrapped up nicely at the end so we knew what happened with everyone. Gave this one 4 stars- Ill try to wait patiently for her next one to come out. Will be recommending.

I enjoy how Lisa Wingate shines a light on stories of history that have been hidden, forgotten, unknown—yet need to be known. My grandparents lived in Oklahoma, so I spent time and have dear memories in the state. This town, Poteau, is actually mentioned in the book, which is such a tiny town that I was shocked to see its name pop-up in the book. Kate Bernard is mentioned in the book, and her advocacy work for elf children, orphans is highlighted. What an amazing trailblazer and advocate for children in an era where that was difficult. Thank you for this book!

1990. Law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park seeking a quiet place to raise her son. But no sooner has Valerie reported for duty than a teenage hiker goes missing and the long-hidden burial site of three children is discovered in a cave. Val’s quest to uncover the truth wins an ally among the Choctaw Nation’s Tribal Police but soon collides with the deadly legacy of the land itself.

1909. Eleven-year-old Olive Radley knows that her stepfather is a threat to the two Choctaw girls boarded in their home. When the older girl disappears, Ollie flees, taking six-year-old Nessa with her. Together they begin a perilous journey to the remote Winding Stair Mountains, the territory of outlaws, treasure hunters, and desperate men. Along the way, they form an unlikely band with other children struggling to get by on their own. - Description from Amazon.

I enjoyed the dual timeline and could not wait for it to come together. Liked all the characters and their stories, as I would be in one story I could not wait to see how the other would progress. I was told to read her other books now as they were better? I am not sure about that, I liked this one a lot! I will be reading other books by Lisa Wingate. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

3.75 stars. I enjoyed this one. I love historical fiction that teaches me about lesser known historical events. We certainly never learned about these homeless, unsupervised children who lived in the woods and fended for themselves when we were in school. This story was a slow build, but I enjoyed the journey. Lovers of historical fiction and mysteries would enjoy this one. Thanks to Negalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

DNF around 50%

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. It started off with an interesting premise, but it just moved so so slowly. It seemed like a lot would happen, but at this point of stopping, very little actually did. I loved previous books by this author, but this was not for me.

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a compelling and richly layered novel that seamlessly weaves together two narratives—one set in 1990 and the other in 1909—against the haunting backdrop of the Winding Stair Mountains.

In 1990, law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell seeks a peaceful life at Horsethief Trail National Park with her son. However, her quiet world is quickly shattered when a teenage hiker goes missing, and the discovery of a long-buried grave site of three children sparks a deep investigation. With the help of a Choctaw Nation Tribal Police officer, Valerie embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind the hidden past, while confronting the land's dark, lethal history.

The historical storyline, set in 1909, follows eleven-year-old Olive Radley, who escapes an abusive stepfather and embarks on a harrowing journey to protect her younger sister, Nessa, and other abandoned children. Their perilous trek through the rugged terrain becomes a fight for survival, as they encounter outlaws and treasure hunters along the way.

Wingate deftly intertwines these two timelines, exploring themes of justice, survival, and the deep connections between land, history, and people. The story of Olive and Valerie, separated by decades, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of truth. Shelterwood is a gripping and emotional novel that explores the legacy of trauma, the courage to confront the past, and the unyielding quest for justice.

This book goes between 1909 and 1990 It was a great book that held my interest. The book contains history of the greed, Men trying to take land that belongs to children in 1909 as well as the park ranger trying to solve a murder. The book is well written and goes easily between the two years. THe ending comes together perfectly. Lisa Wingate has a way of writing stories to keep my interest,

Absolutely riveting. Lisa Wingate is a champion turning a sweeping saga into a manageable novel, and this one will not disappoint. From the dual storyline (early 1900s and the late 90s) to the heroic women characters, Shelterwood will appeal to readers of historical fiction and modern crime alike.

This was well-researched and informative, I loved learning more about the period, the guardianship grafters of indigenous children, women’s movement, etc. the dual storylines kept me interested but I was a little disappointed they didn’t intersect much until almost the last chapter, when the rest of Olive’s story was told in Valerie’s timeline. Overall a good read but a little slow in the middle!

Lisa Wingate shines in the world of historical fiction. I always enjoy when a story jumps from the past to the present and how inevitably the two are intertwined! Ollie is quite the character, and her tenacity radiates throughout the book. I really enjoyed this one.

Lisa Wingate's writing feels like home. So relaxing. A true world-building experience that lets you step out of reality of the moment and let the story seep into you.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Shelterwood is an engrossing and well thought out and researched work of historical fiction. The story moves back and forth between two different periods of time. The setting is Oklahoma in 1909 and 1990. In 1909, Olive Peele runs away from her abusive stepfather with two Choctaw children living with her family in tow. Ollie becomes their fierce protector working hard to keep them fed and safe amidst so many dangers. Fast forward to 1990 and Valerie Boren-Odell, a brand new park ranger in the Horsethief Trail National Park, begins to investigate the remains of three young children found in a cave in the park. We see the two timelines come together as Valerie pursues answers. She draws scrutiny and danger as she gets closer to the truth and darkness that continues to happen in the area. I enjoyed the characters and the story very much and highly recommend this novel. It was suspenseful and moving. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

2.5 stars. I've been trying to listen to this book for months, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that I may not be able to finish this story. The concept is good in theory, but I am over halfway through and there is still no connection between the past and present day storylines. I'm quite invested in Olive's journey, but flipping to Valerie's really kills it for me. Disappointed for my own enjoyment, but I can see how others might really enjoy it.