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

As a fan of Lisa Wingate's books, I eagerly awaited reading #Shelterwood. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting into the novel. I put it aside until recently picking it up again to give it another read.

This time, I was in a better mindset and settled in for Olive and Val's dual-linear stories. Both are seeking shelter from life's storms. Olive heads to the woods while Val creates a new start for her son. Both facing society's expectations, they stand their ground to forge a better life.

Without spoiling the mystery, Val is on the case to uncover the truth. Will she solve the case or are the locals attempting bury the past? Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition in exchange for an honest review. I'm glad I gave #Shelterwood another read and I enjoyed the historical fiction elements.

Lisa Wingate does an amazing job writing historic tales about times that may not be known to most. This book started off slow, due to the timelines, but as I read further into it, I became engaged. If you enjoyed Before We Were Yours, you will probably enjoy this one as well.

Intriguing dual timeline book.

Lisa Wingate's books are always very intriguing, glimpses into parts of history that many don't know about. They take the reader to a fictionalized story that brings various parts of these people and events and help to make it understandable.

In 1990, Valerie has just started a new job as a law enforcement park ranger and isn't taken very seriously as a female ranger. Some skeletonized remains are found, and what Valerie finds out about them brings a mystery to light. In 1909 Olive is eleven years old and afraid of what might happen with her stepfather. Before her father died, he brought home two young Choctaw girls, but the older one recently disappeared. Olive and the youngest one, six year old Nessa, escape and try to stay one step ahead of being caught.

I learned a great deal about what occurred with children in the early 1900s, particularly in areas where the families of these children had property. I encourage readers to read the author's note at the end, because she gives clarity to all of these things and explains it a bit better than the narrative does.

I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the parts of Olive's story, I thought it got a bit tedious, but I did like the way it tied into the present day story. Overall though, I thought the book was very worthwhile and it held my interest throughout. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a superb job at portraying the characters and making them sound authentic to the area and to their varying ages.

If you like interesting historical fiction with a modern day connection, then Lisa Wingate's books are always winners.

Thank you to Random House Ballentine and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel in return for my honest opinion. This story is written in 2 timeslines-1909 and 1990. In Oklahoma, 1909, the children were being used by foster homes for labor, while some were abused. Some escaped their homes, set up camp in the mountains and hid out, trying to figure out how to see that justice be served. These were Choctaw tribe children. In 1990, A park ranger is on a mission to find a missing teen, as well as the burial site of missing children. It is interesting to read how these two come together.

Lisa Wingate does an amazing job writing about little historic tales that may not be known to most. This book started off slow, due to the timelines, but as I got into it, I quickly became engaged. If you enjoyed Before We Were Yours, you will probably enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to Net Galley, Ballantine Books, and the author, Lisa Wingate, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It pains me to say that I did not love it. Before We Were Yours is one of my favorite books, so I had high hopes for this one. Maybe it was because I read it over a long period of time. Her writing is beautiful and her research is on point. I just felt like the book dragged in spots.

This is dual story line set in 1909 and 1990. In 1909, Ollie and her two “sisters”, both of whom are really Choctaw girls her mom and dad took in are in a bad situation. After her father dies, she sees the way her stepfather is looking at her younger sister. Ollie takes six year old Nessa and runs away.

1990, Ranger Valerie Borden Odell arrives in Oklahoma with her young son in tow. She is immediately met with a case of a missing young man along with a burial site for three young victims discovered in a cave. No one seems to want her to investigate, but she is drawn in to the case.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate.
This is a mix of historical fiction with a present day portion as well. It takes place in
Oklahoma in 1909, and follows several young girls who have run away from a bad
home situation and are fending for themselves. A few of them are Choctaw girls, and
the situation for the Choctaw people is bad as land is being returned to the native
Americans, but they are being taken advantage of. In 1990, a park ranger goes to work
in this area, and finds the grave of three young girls from many years before, and tries
to uncover the source of present day crimes. The history in the book is interesting and
something I knew nothing about. But I sometimes had a hard time keeping track of
what was happening. #shelterwood #lisawingate #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #arc
#tbr #lovetoread #bookstagram #historicalfiction #readersofinstagram📚📚❤️

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a novel about a unique time in history. Set in dual time, this novel explores a part of Oklahoma. What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was set during a time period I was not as familiar with. Ms Wingate did a remarkable job researching the story thoroughly. The story did lag at times. Overall, it was interesting but not my favorite book by this author. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

"Shelterwood" by Lisa Wingate is a captivating work of historical fiction that transports the reader to the rugged Winding Stair Mountains of early 20th century Oklahoma. Wingate's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life a complex and often overlooked chapter of American history, offering a poignant exploration of the ongoing struggle for Native American rights and the enduring legacy of injustice.

I thought Lisa did a good job of comparing the region's struggles in the early 20th century and today through the dual storylines. She did a lot of research for this book and it showed in the story. This was a heartbreaking read, but I learned so much about the Winding Stair Mountain region.I enjoyed reading this book! 4 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I’m a bit conflicted on what to say about this book.

I really enjoyed the first half and I think the book has potential. It’s an interesting premise and I was excited to read it. The second half? It just didn’t grab my attention. I’m not sure if it’s because I wasn’t in the right head space or in an environment where I couldn’t give it my full attention. It just fell a bit flat. And felt really long.

Maybe if it was a different time, I would have a different experience with this book. I’ve liked what I’ve read from this author before.

Not sure if I’d recommend this to others given I’m not entirely sure what I think.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Definitely an interesting historical fiction book set in a time and place I didn’t know as much about. I was more invested in the current storyline than the historic one but the historic one was needed to give context. I really appreciated the setting in the NPS and learning about the history particularly of the Choctaw people. You can tell Wingate did a lot of thorough research. Always enjoy reading her books! Absolutely would recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a great story. It is a historical fiction and it had me in my feels. I loved the dual timeline and how it came together in the end. I absolutely fell in love with the characters.

My favorite Lisa Wingate to date. I loved learning more about the culture as well. The main characters were incredibly likable and I also appreciated the mystery aspects of the book. It was an excellent ending.

Shelterwood presents an atmospheric and immersive story that delves into themes of loss, healing, and the quest for belonging. The author’s evocative prose beautifully captures the haunting beauty of the forest setting, creating a rich backdrop for the protagonist's journey. However, while the emotional depth is commendable, the pacing can feel slow at times, causing some plot points to linger longer than necessary. The characters are intriguing but could benefit from more development to fully engage readers. Overall, Shelterwood is a thoughtful read that offers moments of beauty and reflection, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a faster-paced narrative.

Lisa Wingate does a marvelous job in Shelterwood intertwining the history of Oklahoma, 1909 and the opening of a new National Park into this fictional novel. Moving between the Olive Agusta Radley's life as an 11 year old girl running from an abusive stepfather and Valerie O'Dell who is the new park ranger at the new park, Horsethief Trail National Park. Wingate tells the story of heartache, survival and resilience.

This book was a DNF for me. I got to 30% and decided it was not for me. Hopefully it will be a good fit for someone else!

"Shelterwood" takes place in SE OK. in 1909 and 1990. First is the story of the "elf children" living in the forest. They are orphaned Native Amerians who are sent to "guardians" for care but really are fleeced of their land for oil or timber. The second story is about a NPS lady ranger new to a ew park who investigates a cave where 3 childrens' bones are found and then a girl whose brother and grandmother are missing. It also tells of Kate Braden the first woman elected to Congress from OK. before wome even had the vote.

I was glad I knew this story was going to jump from the early 1900s to the 1990s, from chapter to chapter. We follow Ollie and Nessa, two young girls who set out on their own in the 1900s to escape their abusive, controlling step-father. They live in the mountains of Oklahoma, scraping by with a ragtag community of other children. Some of those Native American Choctaw children are the wards of ill-meaning guardians who adopt and neglect the children in pursuit of the land and mineral rights of the children. The reader would do well to dig into the history of that time period to better understand what is going on in the story.
In the modern day (1990s) story we meet a female National Park Ranger who is at a new assignment as she struggles to make a life for herself and her young son, after the untimely death of her husband. She's a law enforcement ranger and quite good at her job. But, she finds herself in a perplexing region where one many, Mr. Parker, seems to control everything.