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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Historical Fiction, Close Proximity
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
This story was far more emotional than I had even imagined it would be. It starts out with an intense opening sequence where the main character, Charlotte, is rapidly packing her bags to run away from her Guardian. She is coming of age and her Guardian has been waiting for this moment to claim her as his wife and take possession of her inheritance. But Charlotte knew this was coming and flees her family home on a passage to America where she is trying to find her childhood friend Stephen whom she wrote to about her situation. He offered to marry her and protect her from this Guardian, but she must find him in the interior of the American Wilderness.
Charlotte is one of those characters that continuously surprised me over and over again throughout this story. When she gets to America and meets Reid, Stephen’s friend and the man offering to take Charlotte to where Stephen will meet her, he is rugged and handsome. But Charlotte stays strong in her convictions and convinces Reid to take her where no man should ever take a woman. Agreeing to dress as a young man, Charlotte will be secretly transported as one of Reid’s staff and delivered to Stephen. Reid will lose his job if anyone ever finds out and Charlotte’s life will be in a whole new world of danger if any of these men find out she’s a woman.
But she does it anyway. I can understand her drive and conviction to reach the goal of finding Stephen, getting married, and freeing herself from the pursuing Guardian that followed her to America. But along the way, Charlotte’s feeling for Reid continue to delve deeper. They are constantly stuck in close quarters when they camp, sharing a tent with Reid to keep her protected from being found out. It’s a perilous journey, fraught with so much danger.
There are Christian themes throughout the story that focus on “What is God’s purpose for me?” reflection moments with the characters. As the story develops, the plot gets complicated and dangerous which requires both Reid and Charlotte to make some very difficult decisions. Including whether they can even admit that they’ve clearly fallen in love with one another.
I enjoyed Reid’s steadfast character – always a protector – but always thinking and planning ahead as well. He’s caring of people and wants what’s best for everyone, even if that means he should be the one making the sacrifices. Charlotte is also very caring of others, but because of her situation she doesn’t get to spend much time with anyone other than Reid.
The scenery was another majestic element of this story, as Meyer’s descriptions make it simple to imagine yourself in the wide open wilderness for every second that you’re reading this one!
GET IT HERE:
To escape her guardian’s plans to marry her, Lady Charlotte Fairfax steals away to Montreal to locate Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes her fiancé a debt for saving his life. Even though European women are forbidden from entering the interior, she is desperate to get to her fiancé deep within the northwestern wilderness.
Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.
With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.
Christy Award winner and bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents a new and thrilling historical adventure series set in the heart of the North American wilderness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabrielle Meyer
Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.
Find Gabrielle on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at http://www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her Website at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.
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