This is a fluffy Christian historical romance I was given for free. I used to love reading pioneer stories but I probably would have found this too light for my tastes even when I was 12. The book has four stories about four young women all on the same wagon train going to Oregon. The historical research is nice, especially in the first story when it talks about what they needed to pack and what books they used as resources. As far as the women... meh. To paraphrase one of the romantic conversations from one of the better stories:

Woman: I'd love to be a doctor but there are so few women doctors. And all the good schools are back east, and we're going to Oregon!
Man: Maybe that's not God's will.
Woman: What is His will?
Man: Marry me.
Woman: Okay.

One of the stories involved a Pinkerton agent, and that was the worst one of the lot. It had so much potential, too. The names and situations were confusing and the romance was totally unbelievable.

I would never have read this if it hadn't been given to me. Mind you, I liked this more than some of the other romances I've forced myself through this year, mainly because I love the historical aspect. It sure made me wince at times (see above conversation), but maybe that's a reflection of my own fallout with faith. ( )

Great stories following a trip along the Oregon Trail. It was just too clean; no one died like would have happened on a trip like this. If you want a happy historical romance, this is your book. ( )

Bride in the Valley*
The Wedding Wagon**
A Bride for the Preacher*
Murder or Matrimony* ( )