The Reluctant Pioneer

The Reluctant Pioneer" by Julie McDonald Zander is a compelling historical fiction novel that vividly brings to life the challenges and resilience of early American settlers. The story follows Matilda Jackson, a reluctant pioneer woman who faces the daunting task of moving her family across the Oregon Trail in 1847. Matilda's journey is not just a physical one but an emotional voyage of courage, faith, and determination. Her fears and doubts about leaving behind everything familiar for the promise of free land are palpable and relatable, making her a deeply sympathetic character.

Zander's writing captures the essence of the pioneer spirit, blending meticulous historical detail with rich storytelling. The novel beautifully portrays the stark realities of pioneer life—grueling travel, harsh landscapes, and the constant threat of danger—all while highlighting the strength and fortitude required to overcome these obstacles. The interactions between Matilda and her family are authentic and touching, especially her complex relationship with her husband, Nicholas, who is driven by his desire for a better future.

One of the strengths of the book is how it balances the harshness of pioneer life with moments of warmth and humor, making it a well-rounded and engaging read. Zander's depiction of the period's social norms, especially the expectations placed on women, adds depth to Matilda’s character as she navigates her role in a male-dominated society.

Overall, "The Reluctant Pioneer" is a well-crafted novel that not only entertains but also provides a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be brave in the face of uncertainty. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in the pioneering era of American history.

This historical fiction reminds me of Little House on the Prairie books…family and friends and success with heartache. Curl up in a comfy chair and go on a trip via covered wagon with the brave people who settled the west. This is a fun book to read and is a quick read. I liked this book. I hope to read more from this talented author. The characters came alive on the pages. Thanks Netgalley

A tale of a family on the Oregon Trail in the 1840s. It starts off very gently, but I found it interesting as the historical detail was clearly well-researched. As it progressed, the drama picked up and by the end I was thoroughly absorbed in the story. I found the author's note, which revealed the main character is based on a real woman, fascinating. The story has a strong Christian ethos which felt appropriate for the characters/era. I liked the fact that the author didn't seek to back-project 21st century thoughts/ideals onto 19th century people. A strong debut.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

“The Reluctant Pioneer” is a historical fiction book about the Oregon Trail by Julie McDonald Zander. This book was based upon a real pioneer - Matilda Koontz Jackson - who left Missouri for the greener pastures of Oregon back in 1847. Ms. Zander doesn’t shy away from the difficulties on the trail - from walking behind cattle, to anything possibly going wrong - but there’s also friendships built, hope, and community. There is a lot of mention of faith in this book, as is pretty typical of that time. I also liked how Ms. Zander, in her author’s note, decided to use the words/terms of that era - opposed to the politically correct ones of today - as she’s correct - it would’ve read oddly in that time frame. I found myself becoming involved in this story - and wondering if I could’ve dug up the inner strength to face all that Matilda did - leaving family for the unknown and the hardships she faced - and relying on the kindness of strangers - and in the end still being true to herself and the beliefs of her family.

I really enjoyed this book about Matilda and her families hard and tragic journey to find a better life across the plains of America in 1837. The book is based on the real Matilda. The story covers all the challenges the family are given, heart break and decisions which have to be made. This story is so well written and researched.

My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publisher Booksgosocial and the excellent author Julie McDonald Zander for the early read.

Based upon the life of Matilda Koontz Jackson, The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander is an inspiring yet heart-wrenching tale of her travels from Missouri to Oregon on the wagon train. Although most of the characters were real, it is a work of historical fiction. As would be characteristic of that time period, a strong Christian faith is prominent in the lives of the pioneers.

Staying true to the time period, historical facts, and actual events, Zander has written a moving, emotional work.

Releases Sep 20th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander is absolutely spellbinding. I would forget that I was reading a nonfiction novel, as it reads like a historical fiction book. I am fascinated by the pioneers, settlers, and old west and Julie did not disappoint with her details of life on the trail I was definitely not ready for the book to end, and would have liked to learn more about Matilda's life after her marriage.

Fascinating and well written account of the Oregon trail and a strong woman's perilous journey. Very thoroughly researched and puts you on the trail with all the dangers and obstacles that face Matilda Koontz and her family. Bravo Julie McDonald Zander for sending us on such an emotional and gripping tale of the pioneer days..

Historical fiction readers will love this book. Based on the life of Matilda Koontz, readers will find themselves immersed in the life of pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail. Through her eyes, readers will experience the daily efforts, struggles and heartbreaks of this journey. Loved it! Highly recommended!

Wow! This book is amazing! The Oregon Trail is a part of history that has always interested me! The author's writing brings to life the joys and trials that the pioneers faced.

The characters are written brilliantly! Matilda is someone that I'd like to emulate. She's a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. Her faith sustains her through many trials and harrowing circumstances. Nicholas is such a good father and provider. Captain Magone is another favorite. He's a strong leader, compassionate and caring.

I'm glad that the author, Julie McDonald Zander, did not shy away from writing about the difficulties that the pioneers faced. Lives were lost, injuries happened, and starvation was a constant fear. But, there were the joys of new life to be celebrated, friendships formed, and the hope for a better future.

I look forward to reading more books by this author! I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from St. Helen's Press via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have ready many, many books this summer. And my favorite book is…”The Reluctant Pioneer” by Julie McDonald Zander. I truly loved this book and I highly recommend it.

I have many reasons for highly praising this book which personalizes a major historical event. 300,000 to 400,000 people traveled the Oregon Trail from 1840-160. It was an epic migration as pioneers headed from the mid-west to the Oregon Territory, mainly via covered wagon groups. “The Reluctant Pioneer” is Matilda, a young woman married to “good guy” Nicholas, and mother of 4 young, sweet and adorable boys. Her husband is eager to head to Oregon to establish a better life for his family. Matilda is reluctant, because she must leave behind her family and way of life.

The trail to Oregon is filled with excitement, eagerness, and hardships. This fascinating story makes the 6 month journey of over 2,000 miles come to life. And readers will be reminded of the hope, courage, and faith of these sturdy pioneer forefathers. Matilda’s story is based on a true story.

This is a very well-written book. Well done, author Julie McDonald Zander. Thanks to Net Galley and Books Go Social for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

This is a read that makes you feel lucky, these are the people that helped make this country and some gave it all.
A story based on the life of Matilda Koontz Jackson, a real person, but a fictional tale of what might have happened to her.
We are with Matilda and Nicholas and their four sons as they embark on a life changing trip in 1847 from Missouri to Oregon, as they travel the Oregon Trail.
This is such a good read, and I was page turning for answers, these are really hard times, and we don't know whom will survive to the destination.
Be sure to read the epilogue and author's notes, I loved the updates!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher BookGoSocial, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Reluctant Pioneer: Based on a True Story
Julie McDonald Zander
Historical Fiction, Based on a True Story.
Pages 396
I wish to thank NetGalley, St. Helen’s Press and author Julie McDonald Zander for allowing me the privilege if reviewing The Reluctant Pioneer.
When I really like a book, it takes me longer to read it; I want to savor each and every word. It took me a while to read this one. If I could give this book 50 stars, it still wouldn’t be enough.
Our tale begins with Matilda sitting in a rocking chair on her front porch as she was interviewed. The reporter asks her about her trip from Missouri to Oregon. This tale reads much like a dated journal.
Matilda was engaged to Marcus, but he had wondering eyes. She and Nicholas grew up as friends; after she and Marcus broke off their engagement Nicholas was there to pick up the pieces and to win her heart. They married and had four sons. Nicholas had an adventurous heart; he wanted to join a wagon train and head to Oregon. Matilda had no desire to leave her family, their farm or their home. Nicholas promised they would not go if she didn’t agree. He told adventurous stories to their sons; they were excited and begged their mother to agree. Eventually they wore her down and against her better judgement they packed their things and hit the trail. Matilda was pregnant with their fifth child. She walked alongside the wagon rather than ride. She holds the hand of their toddler, Johnny, along the way. Their son Henry is eight years old; Bart is seven and Grundy is five. The boys work alongside their father. Grundy cleans the nostrils of the eight oxen each time they stop. Henry and Bart have a lot of responsibilities.
They lived off soda biscuits, johnnycakes, mush, bacon and beans; after a few months’ supplies began to dwindle. Occasionally they would have buffalo. There was sickness along the trail as well as snake bites. The wagon was a danger, fire, broken axles, muddy trails and other hazards. Matilda calls on her faith to carry her through the hardships and heartaches she faces along the way.
This is historical fiction based on fact which is one of my favorite genres. I urge readers to grab a copy of this book and travel west with Matilda.

This book chronicles life on the Oregon Trail. The heartache and the joy. The belief in God and sharing of Bible verses add to the content and the faith exhibited by the main character. A delightful read. I found another great author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Stories of pioneers and their journeys west are a good reminder of how the PNW was formed. This book shows the treacherous conditions the pioneers faced. It also shows how some Indians were friendly and others no as much.

A novel about pioneers on the Oregon Trail, The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander is inspired by the true story of Matilda Koontz Jackson, a most remarkable lady.

The tale begins like most Pioneer fiction with Nicholas Koontz itching to travel West towards Oregon from Missouri. His wife, Matilda, is reluctant to leave home and family and trek across the country on the wagon trail with four young boys.

Filled with foreboding and fears, coupled with anxiety over leaving everything familiar and family, Matilda nevertheless acquiesces and so the Koontz family begin the long, dangerous and arduous trek across 1847-1848 America.

The author highlights the travails along the trail: traveling in a dust cloud, choking on dust, walking endless miles, camping and cooking over an open campsite fire, sleeping, waking up, having breakfast and packing up again early in the mornings, repeating this cycle over 6 months with minor variations. The sameness of the food as supplies dwindled: beans, biscuits and hard tack. The endless chores, births and even tragic deaths trampled by oxen or felled by disease.

Matilda's strong faith enables her to face all these troubles with equanimity, and she keeps repeating Scripture to herself when she finds her anxieties and fears tend to get the better of her.

But her faith and trust in God is severely shaken by a series of unexpected events & whose repercussions are seemingly endless.

Will Matilda triumph? Or will she sink under the weight of these events? What of her family? How will they handle these earth shattering events?

The story on the whole is very well written, but at times rather dry and factual, pretty journalistic, rather than the more vivid portrait a novel can paint.

Still, this grabs you, leaving you with a strong admiration for pioneer women (and men), and their faith, grit and determination to do whatever it took, to give themselves and their families a better future.

I received an ARC copy from Publisher @BooksGoSocial through @NetGalley. However, the opinions expressed here are mine alone.

I love books set on the Oregon Trail and have read many of them over the years. This one was slightly different in that it focused more on family and the relationships between the fellow travelers, than on the Trail itself. That said, there were still some hardships faced along the way - realistic issues that we know happened to the pioneers themselves. I was appreciative of the way this "new to me" author brought faith aspects into the story such as the reliance and dependence on God. We follow the story of Matilda and Nicholas Koontz leaving Missouri with their four young sons, seeking a better life in the Oregon Territory. Much happens along the way, but I won't go into spoiler specifics. This book kept my attention the entire way, through twists and turns. At the end, I was surprised to learn via the author's note that this was based on a real person and family! As a northwest native myself (with family that also braved some difficult times to get here many years ago), I was very happy to learn about another bit of Pacific Northwest history I didn't know. I'm hoping for more books by this author in the future!

Many thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book to read and review.

I really enjoyed the true story element to this book, it had everything that I was hoping for in the historical fiction novel. The characters felt like they belonged in this universe and how they worked with the story. Julie McDonald Zander has a strong element in this genre and left me wanting to read more. It was a realistic concept and had that suspenseful atmosphere that I wanted.

This book is a little slow sometimes since it gives lots of details about every aspect of this time period, but it is an interesting historical fiction. The author did a great job capturing what life could have been like-- the challenges, the fears, the grief, the lifestyle logistics, and motivations for traveling. The title is a perfect fit as you follow the main character's thoughts and faith, trusting the Lord into the unknowns of this time.

5 stars
The Reluctant Pioneer
Julie Mcdonald Zander
An absolute masterpiece of a book, easily my favorite book of the year! This is by far one of the best books, I have read on the Oregon trail and early American history. I felt as if I was right there walking/riding alongside of Matilda and her family. I had a very hard time putting this book down.
As a woman living in the US, it's easy to forget that life was not always so easy. The only transportation available in the mid 1800s was horse, wagon or feet. A pregnant Matilda, her husband Nicholas and their four boys left their home and everything they knew to walk/drive their wagon led by oxen 1800 miles from Missouri to Oregon with the hopes of free land and a better life for their family. What a journey they had!
The author has based this book on a true story and has done a masterful job of retelling their story and the story of so many of those who made this same or similar journey.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

The story of Matilda Koontz is remarkable and evocative of the pioneers in America. Her experience, as well as that of her family and travelling companions, is beautifully told and gives a profound sense of the hardships faced by families as they sought new lives on the West Coast of America. I really enjoyed reading this moving book.

This was a great read. The characters are great. It was a great adventure traveling the Oregon Trail and trying to make their destination before winter. I loved the whole family dynamic, the sons seemed a little young for the chores and responsibilities they had. But I have to member times were different. I would like to think NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read and share my thoughts. I will definitely tell my friends about this book. I look forward to more books like this in the future.

This book, based on a true story, takes us on a wagon train over the Oregon trail. Nicholas and his wife, Matilda, leave their farm in the Midwest to find and settle a new homestead in Oregon territory. The trip consists of many hardships, illness, injury and adventure. They see some of their fellow travelers die along the way, some loose heart and leave the train early. Matilda is at first, reluctant to go. She fears for the safety of their four sons and her unborn baby. She doesn’t want to leave her family, who she thinks she will never see again. She is comforted by the fact that they are traveling with a nephew and his wife. Their faith is very important to them and they rely on it to encourage themselves and other travelers. They cross raging rivers, mountain peaks and barren stretches but Nicholas never loses sight of his dream, even when personality clashes threaten the morale of the travelers.
This is an exciting story that you will not want to put down. It will hold your interest until the end.
The publisher says this:
“Matilda Koontz cherishes her life as a wife and mother on a Missouri farm, but her hardworking husband wants to claim free farmland in the Pacific Northwest. When he suggests selling the farm to trek two thousand miles across the Oregon Trail, she balks.
But in the spring of 1847, Matilda and Nicholas Koontz and their sons embark on a grueling journey westward. Fresh graves testify to dangers of disease, accidents, starvation, and a multitude of hazards threatening her family and her beloved’s dream.
With new struggles at every turn, Matilda wonders how she can protect her sons on such a perilous journey. Will they reach the trail’s end? Will the babe growing inside her womb survive?
When tragedy strikes, the question changes: How can she possibly continue?
This pioneer woman’s journey is inspired by a true story.”
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I very much enjoyed travelling west from Missouri to Oregon with Matilda and her family.  Coming from New Zealand, this history is little known to me, but Julie McDoanld Zander painted such a vivid picture of day to day life.....settlers suffering with a mundane diet and the endless chores, combined with periods of high drama and absolute terror.
"The Reluctant Pioneer" is a historical fiction book based on the true story of the well known american history figure Matilda Koontz and her family; along with an ensemble cast of fellow travellers caravaning across the Oregon trail.
Matilda (Glover) Koontz was thirty-seven years old, a pregnant wife, and the mother of four young sons when her husband struck the idea of moving his family to the other side of the USA, so his sons would have ample land to farm when they grew up. Matilda was very hesitant...rightly so. But in those times, females bowed to the wishes of the husband. Starting in May 1847, their trek across the Oregon Trail,  to the promised free fertile farmland in the Willamette Valley, was an epic journey. Physically and mentally tough. Many lives were lost along the way. 
Like many others on the trail, Matilda relied heavily on scriptures to calm her mind and nerves. Her faith is sorely tested and she questions why God sends her such hardship and grief (I don't want to elaborate as a spoiler).
This is Matilda's personal journey. She sure was resilient and gained a reputation for hospitality, kindness, care for others (especially those women on the trail who gave birth) and good cooking! 
Thanks to NetGalley, Julie McDonald Zander and BooksGoSocial for my copy of this fabulous read.

I loved this book! I learned so much about the Oregon Trail. I enjoyed seeing the character development. If you are looking for a clean historical fiction romance, this book is for you!

Written by a local historian, The Reluctant Pioneer is filled with historical details, rich description, and raw emotion. Zander's skillful narration brings to life the true story of pioneer Matilda Jackson and her remarkable journey on the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Lewis County, Washington. A compelling, inspiring, and beautifully-crafted novel! Perfect for historical fiction lovers who enjoy reading about real people and Pacific Northwest history. Recommended for middle school to adult. --R. Montgomery, former history teacher and freelance author

A very well developed story of the pioneer woman who left all the normal confortable Life, to follow her husband decisión!.

Inspired by a true story, Matilda’s journey comes to life in this remarkable portrayal of the courage and tenacity of the pioneer spirit. Julie McDonald Zander demonstrates the trials and perils of the Oregon trail in a realistic way that will have your heart pounding and eyes dripping well before you reach the end.
Although I have read other stories about the Oregon Trail, I will never think of it the same way ever again. These are the kinds of brave heroes we need to hear about today: people who trusted in God to see them through the most extreme of circumstances.
Pick this book up and you will not be able to put it down. It is a compelling read, as well as an important depiction of a part of American history that should never be forgotten.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoy books set around the Oregon Trail and this one did not disappoint. There are many trials and difficulties associated with this era and I love how the characters were strong willed and determined to overcome the obstacles. You will want to put this on your to be read pile for sure.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Set during the 1840’s this book describes the journey that many families took along the Oregon Trail in the hope for a better life. At times I found the story slow but I can imagine that that was what it was like for those during this journey. This is a story full of hope, faith, hardships, courage and strength. The mother in the story, Matilda, endures many hardships throughout this journey but she always finds the strength to keep going. As a Christian myself, I loved that the author included Bible verses in the text and that Matilda got her strength and hope from God. I also loved the friendships that were formed during this journey and how everyone helped each other during the hardest of times. A very interesting read which I really enjoyed and would definitely recommend.
Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Inspired by a true story, Julie McDonald Zander's The Reluctant Pioneer (St. Helens Press 2024) is an excellent fictionalized historical recount of the ten-month (I think--maybe longer) Oregon Trail journey traveled by so many settlers in the second half of the 1800's and one of the most prominent methods the fledgling country had to open the western lands to settlement. Told through the eyes of Matilda Koontz, who reluctantly agrees to the long journey with her husband and four children, one more on the way, and a 100+ wagon train of similar families, to seek the life her husband is sure is better than what they leave behind. The details include some well known--like dangerous river crossings, hunger and privation, sickness, Indian threats--but also, others rarely spoken of in other Oregon Trail books--how they made limited supplies last and helped each other do the impossible. At times, the story could be called tedious because of all the detail but the trip was tedious so I felt their fatigue, their bone weariness. For me, this particular Oregon Trail book was eye opening and delightful.

This book was about a topic that I find interesting - the Oregon Trail. It was especially interesting as told through the eyes of a woman - a wife and a mother. Woman did not really have any choices back then and I wish that the author explored how that unfairness affected the main character emotionally. Inspired by a true story, Matilda Koontz showed extreme bravery in the face of disaster. Her resilience and faith seemed to steady her.

Anyone interested in historical fiction centered around the Oregon trail will thoroughly enjoy this novel from Ms. Zander. The characters are written very believable and evoke empathy especially with Matilda as she journeys with her husband through an experience she did not want. The reader gets a feeling of what it was like for those pioneers settling the west. This is not a story that is all roses but shows the hardships and difficult decisions that they had to endure. Highly recommended.

When I first noticed The Reluctant Pioneer, my impression was that it would probably be a prairie romance, which I am really not very interested in. Then, I noticed the note in the description that it was based on a true story. Hmm—that sounded more interesting! I decided to chance it and see what I thought.

Julie McDonald Zander did a good job of portraying the dangers of the Oregon Trail in The Reluctant Pioneer. She created a character who is annoying in her constant worrying—but also very relatable, as I can see myself struggling not to worry constantly, as she did. Matilda did her best to keep her focus on her blessings and on God, and she spent her time caring for her family and helping the people around her, rather than dwelling on her problems and potential catastrophes—even though she did not want to make the trip to Oregon and was afraid her family would meet with tragedy as so many others did.
The conditions Matilda faced as she and her family traveled the Oregon Trail felt very realistic to me. There were good days that were enjoyable—and many days that were simply drudgery or worse. One thing that did not seem historically accurate was a scene in Chapter Two in which Matilda had her sons butcher some chickens on Sunday to feed to company. I had the impression that people at that time and in that type of setting would not have worked on Sunday like that. Otherwise, the book felt authentic, and I really enjoyed it. Some scenes were hard to read, but I liked the way the author showed Matilda learning to trust God more and more throughout her life, and I really liked that the author told her real story at the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapter 6: Mention of a man cursing. Chapter 8: Do their darnedest, man cursed. Chapter 15: Boy killed. Chapter 18: One man beats up another. Chapter 20: Mention of the cannibalism that happened with the Donner Party, birth scene. Chapter 23: Another reference to the Donner Party. Chapter 25: Birth scene. Chapter 26: Man drowns. Chapter 27: Baby dies. Chapter 33: Story of the massacre of the Whitmans in Oregon, man wants to hang those responsible. Chapter 34: Man grabs woman.

Rating: 5 stars ~ Genre: Historical fiction ~ Pages: 396 ~ Publish Date: 1 Oct 2024

Far from another Oregon Trail book, this poignant story was inspired by a true one. And it pulled at my heartstrings. I suspect it will do the same for you. I wonder how many husbands announced to their wives they were going west. And the wife had the same reaction Matilda Koontz had — “What!” followed by “No.” I was drawn to this book by the description. Plus I’m the family genealogist with ancestors who were the first settlers in what became Sullivan County, Missouri. As well as a yet-to-be-proved, great or great-great-grandmother “born in a covered wagon”. I have none who took the Oregon Trail. I am always pulled to a story about pioneers—the courage they had to travel into the unknown.

“All her direct blood descendants had died out, so there was no one left to tell her story,” Zander said. “I thought someone should.”[1] And I for one am so glad she did.

I highly recommend “The Reluctant Pioneer”. It is gripping. It’s filled with facts. It’s based on the journey Matilda (Glover) Koontz Jackson and her family took in 1847. Matilda was later known as “Washington Territory’s Grand Lady”. The book did not feel like a 396-page tome — I read it in four days. Never forget the book is what I would call “semi-fiction” and is based on a true story.

I can’t imagine embarking on such a journey with four young children. Henry, age 8. Barton (Bart), age 6. Grundy, age 5. And Johnny, age 3. And she was pregnant with child number five. Keep in mind the first wagon train to Oregon was in 1836. The major migration via the Oregon Trail began in 1843. Nicholas Koontz had Lansford W. Hastings’ book, “The Emigrants’ Guide to Oregon and California” (published in 1845).[2]

Be sure to read the “Author’s Note” at the end of the book.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “The Reluctant Pioneer” via NetGalley from the publisher, BooksGoSocial. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Cover: Perfect
Pages: 396
Publish Date: 1 October 2024
#TheReluctantPioneer #NetGalley #JulieMcDonaldZander

[1] Source: {link provided} Sharing the Untold Story of ‘Washington Territory’s Grand Lady’.
[2] Note: The Donner Party used this same guide.

I loved this book, it is very much in the vein of Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series, especially book 3, Love’s Long Journey.

This is a historical fiction book based on the true story of Matilda Koontz and her family who travelled the Oregon trail in covered wagons. At 37, pregnant, and a mother of four sons already, it was an epic journey. Physically and mentally tough, with many lives lost along the way. Like many other travellers, Matilda relied of her faith in God to get her through.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.