I am struggling to write this review. I really enjoyed The Book of Lost Friends and Before We Were Yours but this one just did not grab me the way those ones did. I didn’t love or hate it. I actually ended up being pretty indifferent to it. It was very educational and the topic was an interesting one that I wasn’t familiar with. It just didn’t read like a novel for me for most of the book. It didn’t captivate me and make me want to keep reading.

For most of the story I couldn’t really find the connection between the 2 stories. The long hidden burial site uncovered by Valerie was likely related to Olive’s story from 1909 but where does the missing teen hiker from 1990 come into play? The dual POV normally works well for these types of stories but the connection was so loose that I found it difficult to jump between storylines and keep them both straight. When they finally did merge, I felt like it was a little too late. I did like how everything was wrapped up and figuring out who everyone was or related to.

The book itself is very well written. There is no arguing that. It was clearly well researched, too. There is a lot of history here and I enjoyed learning about it but it just didn’t grab me or hold me in the way I need for a 5 star review. I felt detached from the characters. I feel like technically they were well written but they lacked something that prevented me from forming that emotional connection. I wanted to feel less like a voyeur and more like a part of the story and I just didn’t.

Lisa Wingate is an amazing author and she writes such unique historical fiction novels. She pulls some of the most hidden stories from history and creates novels that make you want to know more. This one just didn’t do it for me but if she is an author that you love and these are topics that interest you, then go grab it and give it a try.

A beautifully written story based on events that occurred in Oklahoma in 1909. Lisa Wingate has created a compelling tale of Ollie and Val. In alternating chapters one learns a great deal about 1909 Oklahoma as well as the life of a woman federal park ranger in 1990.
Ollie is a strong 12 year old girl who runs away with her 'sister' Nessie to escape a menacing stepfather. She is the leader of the 'elf children' as they try to survive in the forest.
Val is the federal park ranger and only female in her group of rangers. There is a mystery death, an injury, missing people which brings a merdging of the two tales to the conclusion
Read to learn more, much more about the events of Indian children and their so called guardians and land grab plus find the answer to the disappearnace of a few people..

Shelterwood tackled the tough issues faced by Native Americans, focusing on their land rights and the treatment of children. Lisa Wingate shared heartbreaking stories and taught me about history I knew nothing about. In the 1909 timeline, Olive Radley flees her abusive stepfather with six-year-old Nessa, joins up with some Native American children, and together, they all struggle to survive. In 1990, Valerie Boren-O'Dell, a young widow and park ranger, mirrors their strength as she investigates a mystery about discovered bones.

I enjoyed learning more about this topic. The pacing was inconsistent and a bit slow at times, especially in the 1990 timeline, but the powerful storytelling and thorough research made it all worth it. I’m grateful for the chance to dive into this vital history, even if the overall read was a bit more challenging than I expected.

This book earns a 3.5 from me, rounded up to 4.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Lisa Wingate for an ARC in exchange for my review.

This is the second book in a row of Lisa Wingate's that I have decided to DNF. I was a third of the way through the book when I realized that I was not invested in the characters or story. There is something about her writing that leaves me not drawing a strong connection.

I love reading Lisa Wingate's books, so I really feel bad for not liking this book. I got through the whole thing but somewhere before the big reveal I got turned around and didn't care enough to go back and straighten myself out.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!!

Beautifully written tale about Oklahoma history that I didn’t know I needed but will stick with me for years to come!

Dual timelines, 1909 with “elf children” orphans who live in the woods mainly Choctaw children who’ve been taken advantage of in some way.

1990 a female park ranger who moves and takes a new job while going through her own struggles and ends up being a better mystery solver than she knew.

Both timelines are full of characters you will fall in love with and some you can’t believe are that rotten. Very easy to follow and just loved it!

Thanks to netgalley and random house for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a captivating dual-timeline story following the lives of Ollie and Val. It’s a heartbreaking narrative that reveals why children were forced to flee to the woods and the incredible bravery and resourcefulness they needed to survive. Wingate’s descriptive language brings the setting and characters to life, making their journeys all the more vivid. While I appreciated the depth and detail, I did find the pacing a bit slow at times, causing my mind to wander and occasionally lose track of where I was in the story

Shelterwood gives a dual timeline story of a wildlife refuge. Follow the young children that were homeless and roamed the area a hundred years ago. Meanwhile you get to follow the conclusion of their story, finally revealed in 1990.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. It moved a little bit slow. Overall, I enjoyed both stories and how they came together in the end.

Shelterwood is a quietly compelling novel that blends themes of nature, healing, and self-discovery, though it sometimes feels slow-paced. Set in a remote forest retreat, the story follows characters who are each grappling with their own personal struggles. The natural setting is beautifully described, adding a tranquil yet haunting atmosphere that complements the novel’s reflective tone.

The characters are thoughtfully written, but the plot meanders at times, focusing more on internal growth than external action. For some, this introspective approach may be meaningful, while others might find the lack of momentum frustrating. The themes of environmental conservation and personal renewal are well-woven into the narrative, though they occasionally feel heavy-handed.

For readers who appreciate slower, character-driven novels with a strong connection to nature, Shelterwood offers a soothing and contemplative read. However, its lack of urgency and quiet pacing may not appeal to those looking for a more dynamic or plot-driven story. It’s a gentle and thoughtful book, but not particularly memorable in the long run.

I really loved this book. I live in Oklahoma so this story really resonated with me. I would highly recommend this book.

A sweeping historical fiction that at times had me in tears. Wingate can write a master class in writing historical fiction that gets you invested while learning something as well. Simply beautiful written.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fascinating historical fiction book about a young girl named Olive from 1909 and how her story intersected with Valerie in 1990. Taking place in the Winding Stair region of Oklahoma, Shelterwood tells the story of the Choctaw children and the lengths some people went through to get their land and oil. Very interesting and great characters. Told in two separate timelines that are brought together at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lisa Wingate's new book Shelterwood will not disappoint her fans. The book takes place alternating between Olive Augusta Radley's jouney in 1909 and Valerie Boren-Odell 's as the new law enforcement ranger at Horsethief Trail National Park in 1990. Ollie , an eleven year old is fleeing her home in order to save herself and her adoptive sister Nessa , who is six from their stepfather's hands. Nessa's sister Hazel has been missing for months and now Ollie is the only one that can save them both. Valerie is a single mother trying to start over again when she took the job at Horsethief Trail National Park. Val thought that this job would be quiet however, from her first day on the job is hasn't been. Val is now caught up trying locate Braden, one of the locals that has gone missing and is wondering if Sydney , Braden's sister is really telling the truth about his disappearance. The more Valerie digs into this case the more danger she and Sydney find themselves in. Valerie turns to the only person she thinks she can trust Curtis, who works for the police on the Indian Reservation. The two stories come toghter in the end when we find out that Sydney and Braden's grandmother is finally found and the turth of what really happened to Ollie and Nessa comes to light 81 years after the fact. With all of Lisa Wingate's book she weave historic fact with fiction. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Ballantine Books for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

Shelterwood is set in two different time periods, one covering 2 Choctaw runaways in the early 1900's and another covering the story of newly appointed ranger, Valerie, at the Horsetheif Trail National Park set in the 1990's who is a single parent facing the challenge of being a new female officer in a male dominant field. When the skeletal remains of 3 children are found in an abandoned cave, Valerie is determined to find answers to what happened to them as well as the answers to other suspicious happenings around the area.

Lisa Wingate is a very talented author and I was excited to read her latest novel but this one missed the mark. There were two many, poorly related events happening and it just didn't hold my attention.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've tried several times to finish this one and just couldn't do it. I have loved Lisa Wingate's other books, but this one was a flop for me.

Beautiful book!

I loved reading both points of view and could have continued reading if the book was longer because I felt invested in the characters.

I will definitely be recommending this to others!

This is a really well researched historical novel. I really enjoyed Ollie in the 1909 time. All the characters were well developed. Lisa Wingate does a really good job of telling the dual timelines in 1909 and 1990, and bringing them together by the end. I enjoy the historical aspect that we don't hear about in every other book. Wingate has a way of bringing to light lesser known times in history and makes you want to know more. Be sure to read the author's note about the history and events that inspired the book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Synopsis: Shelterwood's two storylines take place in Oklahoma about 80 years apart: In 1909 – two young runaways meet up with other children living on their own — in a time before there were social service agencies or child labor laws to keep unscrupulous adults from taking advantage of children. 12-year-old Olive Augusta Radley, the older of the two runaways narrates the story. Then in 1990 – Newly widowed Valerie Boren O’dell (narrator) and her very inquisitive seven-year-old son Charlie have just relocated to Oklahoma to make a fresh start. Valerie is one of the first women rangers assigned to a national park and eager to prove herself to her sexist male colleagues. Almost immediately she gets involved in missing persons.

My thoughts: Shelterwood is a poignant exploration of child abuse, neglect, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against a backdrop of historical injustice, the novel follows a group of orphaned children navigating a world marked by mistreatment and exploitation. At the heart of the story lies a powerful conflict between the wealthy landowners and the marginalized, as the children fight for survival and justice.

The novel's dual timelines, alternating between the past and present, add depth and complexity to the narrative. Readers are immediately captivated by the resourceful children and the determined woman who seeks to uncover the truth about their past. The story's exploration of grief, loss, and the enduring power of hope makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine Books for sharing this remarkable historical fiction from Lisa Wingate. I love all of her historical fiction books, as I always learn something new.

I have loved a couple of this authors books but for some reason this one just has not resonated with me and it has taken forever for me to be interested in even finishing this book. I appreciate the content, the characters, and even the storyline but for me it just seemed to drag on a bit. There details in the story that weren’t relevant and parts of the story that needed more. Honestly not sure there really needed to be two different timelines. Olive and Nessa’s timeline would have been the only one to keep.

I have enjoyed other books by Lisa Wingate in the past, but I could not get into this one. The back and forth between time periods was confusing and I had to put it down.