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The Ways of Water: A Novel
As Josie Belle Gore, daughter of a Louisiana train engineer and Texas seamstress, journeys with her itinerant family through the deserts of the boom-and-bust American West and revolutionary Mexico, she learns that in her life, two things are constant: water is precious, and her role in her family is to save it.
When unforeseeable events force the separation of her family, Josie begins an odyssey that takes her from New Mexico’s Jornada del Muerto to Bisbee, Tucson, Los Angeles, and finally post-WWI San Francisco—experiencing betrayal, pandemic, and survivor’s guilt, as well as the compassion and generosity of friends and strangers, along the way. Once she lands in San Francisco, like a river meeting the sea, Josie has nowhere else to run—and she realizes that she must make peace with the past and good on her promise to the family she loves. Inspired by the author’s family lore, The Ways of Water is a lyrical tale of loss, hope, and forgiveness set in the rugged beauty of the turn-of-the-century Southwest that, like Josie, is growing up in fits and starts.
When unforeseeable events force the separation of her family, Josie begins an odyssey that takes her from New Mexico’s Jornada del Muerto to Bisbee, Tucson, Los Angeles, and finally post-WWI San Francisco—experiencing betrayal, pandemic, and survivor’s guilt, as well as the compassion and generosity of friends and strangers, along the way. Once she lands in San Francisco, like a river meeting the sea, Josie has nowhere else to run—and she realizes that she must make peace with the past and good on her promise to the family she loves. Inspired by the author’s family lore, The Ways of Water is a lyrical tale of loss, hope, and forgiveness set in the rugged beauty of the turn-of-the-century Southwest that, like Josie, is growing up in fits and starts.
440 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
About the author
Teresa H. Janssen
1 book28 followersTeresa H. Janssen’s debut historical novel, The Ways of Water (Nov 2023), won the 2024 Southwest Book Award, the National Cowboy Museum's Wrangler Award for Outstanding Western Novel, the Eric Hoffer Award for Historical Fiction, an IPPY Silver, and the Will Rogers Gold Medallion. Her essays and short fiction have been published widely in journals and anthologies, receiving notable mentions in Best American Essays. She lives in Washington state where she is most at home walking its woodlands and beaches. She can be found online at https://www.teresahjanssen.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 12, 2023
I received an advance copy of this lovely book from the author. It’s a solid debut written in first-person with descriptive prose of the Southwest and its unique cast of inhabitants.
The opening lines captured me... “My story is twined, like rope, with that of my kin. The first strand began to fray when Mama, a city girl from Austin, fell in love with a Louisiana railroad man. As Papa ran the steam locomotives across the great deserts of the West, Mama followed him. Steam engines always follow water, and we did too.”
If you enjoy the novels of Nancy Turner, you’ll likely appreciate Janssen’s writing, as well.
The opening lines captured me... “My story is twined, like rope, with that of my kin. The first strand began to fray when Mama, a city girl from Austin, fell in love with a Louisiana railroad man. As Papa ran the steam locomotives across the great deserts of the West, Mama followed him. Steam engines always follow water, and we did too.”
If you enjoy the novels of Nancy Turner, you’ll likely appreciate Janssen’s writing, as well.
August 10, 2026
This book peaked my interest in reading more of southwest history. The main story line began really strong but the ending felt a bit rushed. It’s pretty amazing to have read about all the things that occurred over the span of three decades in the US, Mexico, and Europe.
March 29, 2024
An engaging and enlightening read. The Ways of Water’s rich heart comes from the author’s grandmother’s stories about her difficult and heroic life in the first part of the 20th Century. Set in the American Southwest, Janssen’s fictional protagonist lives through World War II, the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, and a period when women married young, had children early and often, and they did not have the right to vote. Families, once separated, relied on hand-written letters to remain in contact.
In a memorable scene, Josie, the protagonist and third oldest in a large family, reluctantly comes to the rescue, and we witness an early sign of her bravery at age four. This scene kicks off the book’s connection to water, an important theme throughout. Demands on her father, a railroad engineer, to keep the steam engines running, and his struggles with drinking, cause a sequence of hardships for the family that force them to relocate multiple times.
Janssen brings the book’s stunning landscapes to life from New Mexico’s desert across the border to Chihuahua, Mexico—when the country was on the cusp of a revolutionary war. In California, Josie comes into her own as one of a cohort of young women who worked as telegraph operators for Western Union, another fascinating part of the book.
Through Janssen’s vivid detail, I learned so much about the history of the Southwest, from the importance of trains to the burgeoning and tough mining industry, about the transition from horse-drawn carriages to motor cars, the importance to women and families of sewing machines and letter writing, the severe impact of the Spanish flu Pandemic of 1918—so relevant in this era of Covid.
The Ways of Water let me experience important years in this country through the personal lens of protagonist Josie Bell Gore. If I had been handed Janssen’s book in 7th grade to read instead of a dense History textbook, I might have majored in history instead of marine biology. The Ways of Water is an engaging and enlightening read!
In a memorable scene, Josie, the protagonist and third oldest in a large family, reluctantly comes to the rescue, and we witness an early sign of her bravery at age four. This scene kicks off the book’s connection to water, an important theme throughout. Demands on her father, a railroad engineer, to keep the steam engines running, and his struggles with drinking, cause a sequence of hardships for the family that force them to relocate multiple times.
Janssen brings the book’s stunning landscapes to life from New Mexico’s desert across the border to Chihuahua, Mexico—when the country was on the cusp of a revolutionary war. In California, Josie comes into her own as one of a cohort of young women who worked as telegraph operators for Western Union, another fascinating part of the book.
Through Janssen’s vivid detail, I learned so much about the history of the Southwest, from the importance of trains to the burgeoning and tough mining industry, about the transition from horse-drawn carriages to motor cars, the importance to women and families of sewing machines and letter writing, the severe impact of the Spanish flu Pandemic of 1918—so relevant in this era of Covid.
The Ways of Water let me experience important years in this country through the personal lens of protagonist Josie Bell Gore. If I had been handed Janssen’s book in 7th grade to read instead of a dense History textbook, I might have majored in history instead of marine biology. The Ways of Water is an engaging and enlightening read!
October 30, 2023
Josie Belle Gore is the middle child of an itinerant family moving around in the West in the early 1900s when trains were still very important. Her mother came from a well to do family in Austin but when she fell in love with Harry, a train engineer, she left her life and followed him throughout the West as he engineered steam engines on the major tracks. Whenever he was put onto a new route, the family moved. They lived in New Mexico from 1907-09, Chihuahua from 1910-11, Engle and Cuter from 1911-16, Bisbee from 1916-17, Cuter in 1917 and Tucson in 1917-18. As the family moved, Josie took on the personal role of keeping all of the children together and helping to raise the younger children. Her mother was a seamstress and it seems like every time she built up a clientele, the family moved and she had to start all over again. When Mama died in childbirth, Josie made it her job to take care of the family even though she had to quit school to do it. Nothing was more important to her than keeping her family together and she promised her mother that she would take care of the family. But life has a way of making people break their promises and after her mother died, the family got split up between relatives but they never lost touch with Josie. Will she be able to forgive herself for breaking her promise to her mother? Is there any chance of bringing her family back together??
"Untimely, like a river meeting the sea, with nowhere else to run, she must make peace with the past and good on her promise to those she loves."
This is a beautifully written novel. The locations in the West are so well described that you can almost hear the train whistle blowing across the desert. Josie is a fantastic character. We first meet her at 6years of age and follow her until she is 21. Even from the beginning, she is a caring and compassionate sister who works to make her family happy and her mother proud. The mistakes that she makes during her life all make sense based on the person that she tried to be. She was brave and compassionate and even when she was living a life in the big city that was totally alien to her growing up years, her family remained the most important people in her life. She is a not a character that I'll soon forget. It's amazing that this beautifully written novel is a debut for this author. After reading this book, I expect that we'll see some great books from this author in the future.
"Untimely, like a river meeting the sea, with nowhere else to run, she must make peace with the past and good on her promise to those she loves."
This is a beautifully written novel. The locations in the West are so well described that you can almost hear the train whistle blowing across the desert. Josie is a fantastic character. We first meet her at 6years of age and follow her until she is 21. Even from the beginning, she is a caring and compassionate sister who works to make her family happy and her mother proud. The mistakes that she makes during her life all make sense based on the person that she tried to be. She was brave and compassionate and even when she was living a life in the big city that was totally alien to her growing up years, her family remained the most important people in her life. She is a not a character that I'll soon forget. It's amazing that this beautifully written novel is a debut for this author. After reading this book, I expect that we'll see some great books from this author in the future.
February 4, 2024
The Ways of Water is a captivating, lyrical novel taking readers on a journey that starts in the early 1900s. Written from the poignant perspective of the narrator, Josie, it is the debut novel of Teresa H. Janssen. The author skillfully weaves a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by a growing family as they seek to survive moving from New Mexico to California, from remote, unforgiving deserts, mining towns, and bustling cities.
The novel’s strength is its depiction of family dynamics, particularly Josie’s relationships with her parents, siblings, and others she encounters. Mama’s level-headedness, courage, and sacrifices, serves as a guiding light for Josie as she navigates life’s hardships. The themes of the family bond, survival, compassion, support, and the lurking dangers of strangers are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
One of the book’s standout features is its meticulous research and attention to settings and the historical context. The descriptions of flora and fauna, coupled with references to significant historical events, disease, labor strikes, and wars, provide a rich backdrop for the story. This historical depth enriches the narrative, making it a rewarding read for history enthusiasts.
The dialogue in the novel is delightful, especially when it features sayings and expressions from the era that evoke a sense of nostalgia and authenticity. These linguistic nuances add charm to the characters and the story itself.
"The Ways of Water” by Teresa H. Janssen is a heartfelt and engaging story that portrays life in a changing country over 25 years. The characters are well-developed, the background is well-researched, and the storytelling is enchanting. A must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted historical novel based on Josie, the author’s grandmother, with relatable characters and a profound exploration of the human experience.
The novel’s strength is its depiction of family dynamics, particularly Josie’s relationships with her parents, siblings, and others she encounters. Mama’s level-headedness, courage, and sacrifices, serves as a guiding light for Josie as she navigates life’s hardships. The themes of the family bond, survival, compassion, support, and the lurking dangers of strangers are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
One of the book’s standout features is its meticulous research and attention to settings and the historical context. The descriptions of flora and fauna, coupled with references to significant historical events, disease, labor strikes, and wars, provide a rich backdrop for the story. This historical depth enriches the narrative, making it a rewarding read for history enthusiasts.
The dialogue in the novel is delightful, especially when it features sayings and expressions from the era that evoke a sense of nostalgia and authenticity. These linguistic nuances add charm to the characters and the story itself.
"The Ways of Water” by Teresa H. Janssen is a heartfelt and engaging story that portrays life in a changing country over 25 years. The characters are well-developed, the background is well-researched, and the storytelling is enchanting. A must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted historical novel based on Josie, the author’s grandmother, with relatable characters and a profound exploration of the human experience.
November 2, 2023
THE WAYS OF WATER by Teresa H. Janssen
ARC
It's not often a debut novelist captures a readers attention the way this author captured mine...
Ms. Janssen, has crafted an emotionally driven story within the historical fiction genre that encompasses the trials and tribulations of the (turn of the century) American Southwest, where the boom and bust call all the shots.
Along with the author's personal introduction to her own family lore woven within its pages, this journey left me questioning whether I myself would've had the resilience to push through what Josie Belle Gore was faced with beginning at such a tender age.
In a time of cultural shifts, drought, sickness, loss, and a young girl's world riddled with broken promises, and betrayal, the desert-life becomes painfully unforgiving, tearing families apart~ scattering them in directions unknown as they fight for their survival.
With the author's infusion of hope, compassion, and beauty, against the rigidness of the times, THE WAYS OF WATER became, for me, a meaningful experience of the heart-breaking yet inspiring.
5 Stars
#TheWaysofWater
#TeresaHJanssen
#SheWritesPress
Wild Sage Book Blog
ARC
It's not often a debut novelist captures a readers attention the way this author captured mine...
Ms. Janssen, has crafted an emotionally driven story within the historical fiction genre that encompasses the trials and tribulations of the (turn of the century) American Southwest, where the boom and bust call all the shots.
Along with the author's personal introduction to her own family lore woven within its pages, this journey left me questioning whether I myself would've had the resilience to push through what Josie Belle Gore was faced with beginning at such a tender age.
In a time of cultural shifts, drought, sickness, loss, and a young girl's world riddled with broken promises, and betrayal, the desert-life becomes painfully unforgiving, tearing families apart~ scattering them in directions unknown as they fight for their survival.
With the author's infusion of hope, compassion, and beauty, against the rigidness of the times, THE WAYS OF WATER became, for me, a meaningful experience of the heart-breaking yet inspiring.
5 Stars
#TheWaysofWater
#TeresaHJanssen
#SheWritesPress
Wild Sage Book Blog
March 14, 2024
A Lovely Read…
Teresa Janssen’s book is like reading a series of personal letters full of stories from a close friend or relative. Written in a clear and gentle style, The Ways of Water is easy to read yet is filled with difficult scenes that might prompt a few tears. The story, based on the life of the author’s grandmother, covers Josie Belle Gore’s life and travels from 1908 - 1921. I found many topics of that period fully relatable to life today - family strife, homelessness, poverty, lack of hope, political rancor, pandemics and war. The author includes many factual names and events of the era in natural and seamless ways that lend fascinating background for her stories. Having lived and traveled in desert areas, Janssen’s words describing the beauty of the arid southwest were especially poignant for me. I enjoyed the descriptive metaphors of water used to accentuate twists and turns in Josie’s life - look for those!
Teresa Janssen’s book is like reading a series of personal letters full of stories from a close friend or relative. Written in a clear and gentle style, The Ways of Water is easy to read yet is filled with difficult scenes that might prompt a few tears. The story, based on the life of the author’s grandmother, covers Josie Belle Gore’s life and travels from 1908 - 1921. I found many topics of that period fully relatable to life today - family strife, homelessness, poverty, lack of hope, political rancor, pandemics and war. The author includes many factual names and events of the era in natural and seamless ways that lend fascinating background for her stories. Having lived and traveled in desert areas, Janssen’s words describing the beauty of the arid southwest were especially poignant for me. I enjoyed the descriptive metaphors of water used to accentuate twists and turns in Josie’s life - look for those!
January 15, 2024
“The Ways of Water” transported me to the turn of the 20th century through the eyes of a young girl evolving into adulthood. Knowing the novel is rooted in the author’s grandmother’s experiences, I found myself imagining my own ancestors while reading this heartfelt historical fiction story. Teresa has a beautiful way of describing scenery and placing artifacts and objects before your eyes. Her depictions of family life, mothering, friendship, and finding one’s own way made for characters that you root for and a tangible feeling of life for many families in the American Southwest during this time period.
I was gripped by Josie Belle’s story and character from the moment she was literally plunged into her family’s water well up until the moment when she embraced a new, wild, and free lifestyle as a young adult in San Francisco.
I was gripped by Josie Belle’s story and character from the moment she was literally plunged into her family’s water well up until the moment when she embraced a new, wild, and free lifestyle as a young adult in San Francisco.
March 9, 2024
This is an amazing first book by this author and I was completely captivated by the characters, in particular, Josie, modeled on stories told to her by her grandmother. The story takes place in the American Southwest in the early 1900's and follows a family, originally from Texas, while they follow their ne'er-do-well father who worked as an engineer in various trains. The family had many trials-first because the father drank most of his wages and secondly, because the mother had more children than she could care for. This resulted in the older daughters assuming many responsibilities.
I loved learning more about the family issues involving water searches, lack of opportunities due to the times and few educational opportunities. The author did a magnificent job of creating characters who I fell in love with and cared about.
I look forward to reading the author's next book!
I loved learning more about the family issues involving water searches, lack of opportunities due to the times and few educational opportunities. The author did a magnificent job of creating characters who I fell in love with and cared about.
I look forward to reading the author's next book!
January 21, 2024
This is a wonderful book written by my second cousin, Teresa. Her grandmother Josie Belle Gore (the star of the book) was my grandmother Irene Gore Graham's younger sister. It opened up a whole new world for me, as Irene passed away before I was born, so I knew very little about her, and my Gore and Graham ancestors.
It is about rough & tumble living in southern New Mexico and other parts of the southwest in the turn of the 20th century. You learn about railroading, mining, and ranching there. It is about the resilience of people in general, but especially women and children. It is about how families, even when they are torn apart, still maintain a sense of family, and how important that is.
It is a page turner starting from page 1!
Susie Graham Garretson
It is about rough & tumble living in southern New Mexico and other parts of the southwest in the turn of the 20th century. You learn about railroading, mining, and ranching there. It is about the resilience of people in general, but especially women and children. It is about how families, even when they are torn apart, still maintain a sense of family, and how important that is.
It is a page turner starting from page 1!
Susie Graham Garretson
February 13, 2024
This debut novel is loosely based on the life of the author’s grandmother, Josie, who, as a child, moves with her family to the desert southwest in the early 1900s. Her father is a railroadman with a fondness for drink, and when able to hold down a job, will leave the family alone for weeks at a time in towns that are little more than train depots with few services.
The author seems to have done a lot of research about the topics of the day, and has put most of them in this book: the civil war, westward expansion with railroads, mining, unions, the Mexican revolution, WWI, the draft, tuberculosis, Spanish flu epidemic, female telegraph operators, prohibition, women’s suffrage, etc.. No one idea receives enough attention to create any flow to the story.
The author seems to have done a lot of research about the topics of the day, and has put most of them in this book: the civil war, westward expansion with railroads, mining, unions, the Mexican revolution, WWI, the draft, tuberculosis, Spanish flu epidemic, female telegraph operators, prohibition, women’s suffrage, etc.. No one idea receives enough attention to create any flow to the story.
November 13, 2023
I enjoyed this novel to the fullest, particularly since I had been to the many western locations in which it took place. One of the reasons I love historical fiction is to be placed in the time in which it takes place and learning something new about that past. The enormous research impeccably inserted here made the story another joy to read.
The antagonist, Josie, is beautifully drawn, and I rooted for her all the way, and many of the lines approach the poetic: "My story is twined, like rope, with that of my kin."
I'm sure this is only the beginning for this splendid author, and am looking forward to her next book.
The antagonist, Josie, is beautifully drawn, and I rooted for her all the way, and many of the lines approach the poetic: "My story is twined, like rope, with that of my kin."
I'm sure this is only the beginning for this splendid author, and am looking forward to her next book.
March 27, 2024
Her father's favorite, Josie Belle must support her overworked mother as the family moves around the southwest following her father's job as a train conductor. The setting mostly drifts from New Mexico to Texas to Mexico to Arizona and is nicely drawn for the reader. At times the voice sounded older and more knowledgeable than a young girl. But what kept this from being a 5 star review was the author's way of ending a chapter by foretelling the next part of the journey. That throws me out of the story.
This is a genuinely good read about the hardships of a young girl as she struggles to help her younger siblings and at the same time find her own place in a troubled world.
This is a genuinely good read about the hardships of a young girl as she struggles to help her younger siblings and at the same time find her own place in a troubled world.
April 30, 2024
A captivating story from page one and so well written the characters immediately came to life and their struggles and joys became mine. The author’s research into SW American history and the Mexican revolution added a valuable depth to the book. While the main character is based on the author’s grandmother, a sense of universality in the family’s struggles creates a broader meaning. The twists and turns of their lives unfold like the changing course of a river, and there are other references to water or the lack of which dramatically influence people’s ability to succeed. Reading The Ways of Water is an entertaining and thought provoking experience.
September 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, following the life and times of Josie Belle Gore as she travels from one town with her family -- sometimes together but almost always apart. I understand that parts of the story are true, and they paint a picture of the harshness of the American Southwest, of what it takes to survive, and how the goodness of neighbors cannot be discounted. The writing made me feel as if I were, myself, floating down a river--sometimes in a peaceful reservoir and sometimes heading towards the rapids. Josie Belle characterizes the strong women who formed America in spite of tremendous odds. I highly recommend this book to adventures and dreamers alike!
October 1, 2025
A favorite! Couldn't put it down! Written in Josie's voice. Felt like I really got to know her, her angels and demons, her family and friend relationships. Josie's life in New Mexico, Arizona, California, and then in Seattle, WA highlighted places I know, places I've been, places I've lived! Amazing how so many things in history repeat themselves, especially in terms of Josie's perspective on immigration, "state of the union", politics. Hopefully there will be a sequel! I want to know more about Josie's life after her arrival in Seattle! (I can't say more about that without spoiling the story for others).
December 12, 2023
I was immediately pulled in by the first scene of the child Josie going into the well. The themes of water, darkness, pushing through fear continued throughout the novel, endearing me not only to the protagonist but the rest of her family, settling, weathering, and trying to escape the southwest of the United States at the turn of the 20th century. I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of large and small towns in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and California of that era. Beautiful detail. I loved the characters and wept at their triumphs and tragedies.
December 13, 2023
Delightful book and so well written. I am quite familiar with Tucson and Bisbee, and the surrounding areas, so I really appreciated the apt- and never trite- descriptions. I also found the characters to be entirely believable. I appreciated the short chapters; somehow that kept things flowing so naturally. I highly recommend this book, particularly to women who will appreciate Josie's strength and spirit in the face of all the obstacles sh faced. Never a whiner, she expresses her doubts and fears in perfectly relatable ways.
January 27, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the young life of Josie Bell Gore beginning shortly after the beginning of the 20th century. The writer, Teresa H. Janssen, brings to life the challenges of survival in the unforgiving southwest during that time and it weaves as if a character throughout the story. Josie is a responsible and loyal girl who must struggle to find her way to her future without betraying her family and the promises she made. Beautifully written. I hope the author will gift us with more stories in the near future!
March 20, 2024
I had the good fortune of attending an author event and hearing first hand through Teresa of her memories of her grandmother.
I found her first person story of her grandmother's life to be a fascinating read. I am an Arizonan so particularly liked the accounting of Bisbee and Tucson, AZ. Her descriptions of all the locations her grandmother lived in AZ, NM and CA are a history lesson in early 1900's.
Relating the challenges and changes in life to the natural flow of water was interesting.
I'll look forward to more books from Teresa Janssen.
I found her first person story of her grandmother's life to be a fascinating read. I am an Arizonan so particularly liked the accounting of Bisbee and Tucson, AZ. Her descriptions of all the locations her grandmother lived in AZ, NM and CA are a history lesson in early 1900's.
Relating the challenges and changes in life to the natural flow of water was interesting.
I'll look forward to more books from Teresa Janssen.
March 11, 2024
Once I picked up the story of Josie Belle Gore, The Ways of Water, I had a hard time putting it down. The prose flowed so smoothly, and her story was so engaging, I found myself saying "one more chapter" well into the wee hours.
The author evokes the landscapes the Gore family lived in and moved through as beautifully as she does the family's struggles. You can feel the love in its pages, of the landscape and of the family, even when they are harsh.
The author evokes the landscapes the Gore family lived in and moved through as beautifully as she does the family's struggles. You can feel the love in its pages, of the landscape and of the family, even when they are harsh.
October 5, 2024
Janssen so vividly portrays the early days of the boom and bust Southwest, and the experiences and hardships of a young woman growing up and coming of age, I felt as if I inhabited Josie's skin and felt the pain of her losses, betrayals and the kindness of strangers. I grew grew up in the Southwest , with a grandfather who worked as a conductor on the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad Line and probably knew Janssen's great grandfather. This well written saga was a pleasure to read.
June 26, 2025
This beautifully written debut novel by Teresa H. Janssen transported me to rural outposts in Mexico and the American Southwest during the early Twentieth Century. With illuminating research and literary skills , Janssen delivers a fascinating story of historical fiction at its best. Inspired by the author’s grandmother’s life, The Ways of Water brings together history and heart, a thirst for life and a lack of water, family ties and revolution.
January 6, 2024
I was captivated by the story of Jesse Belle in The Ways of Water. The descriptions of her life in the Southwest and of the struggles and adventures she and her family experienced were mesmerizing and moving. As you read, you feel Josie Belle’s emotions as her life unfolds, while transported to an earlier time by this beautifully written historical novel. Leigh J.
April 11, 2024
An enjoyable well written family saga. The descriptions of life in the rural South West in the early years of the 20th century certainly gave a good impression of the hard scrabble life of the local inhabitants in the small towns, some of which no longer exist. I really enjoyed reading about Josie’s life and the trials and tribulations of her family.
June 7, 2024
The story itself was okay, it was really hard to get into. The second half of the book felt way faster and at times I had to reread multiple parts thinking I missed something. Not great transitioning and at times too much information and not enough story telling. It had potential but took me so long to finish.
July 14, 2025
this novel was absolutely stunning! i had the pleasure of meeting the author at folklife festival in seattle where she was selling her book and i am so lucky that i purchased it! i found myself doing extra research on the side while reading because the setting and characters were so interesting to me. would recommend this to anyone who is passionate about historical fiction like i am!
November 8, 2023
All the good reviews and the blurbs are correct. This is a truly gripping story that won't leave you alone. You'll read every page before you put it down, and then it will stay with you for days. I loved it.
February 27, 2024
Heartfelt and touching. I think it was the story of many women who tried to live in the southwest.
Josie always went above and beyond to help her family despite her wastrel of a father.
I liked that parts of the story were based on the author’s grandmother.
Josie always went above and beyond to help her family despite her wastrel of a father.
I liked that parts of the story were based on the author’s grandmother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews