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Westering Women

Sandra Dallas

3.97 · Rating details · 765 ratings · 286 reviews

From the bestselling author of Prayers for Sale, an inspiring celebration of sisterhood on the perilous wagon-trail west

"If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?"

It's February 1852, and all around Chicago Maggie sees the postings soliciting "eligible women" to ...more

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Hardcover, 336 pages

Published January 7th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

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Average rating 3.97 ·

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· 765 ratings · 286 reviews

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Jan 09, 2020 Angela M rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviews

I couldn’t help but like these women from the get go. The women who took up the opportunity when they read this:

“If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?”

Not all of the women, however, were looking for husbands. One was trying to escape an abusive husband who may or may not be alive. One was trying to forge her own way when held by societal views in the 1850’s that women can’t own land ...more

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Sep 28, 2019 Paige rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

In 1852, Maggie decides to respond to a broadsheet advertising for strong and good Christian women to embark on a 2,000-mile journey to find a husband in California. Running from her past in Chicago, Maggie hopes no one will recognize her along the way. Shortly after they begin their travels, the group of women led by two pastors experience countless hardships, loss, and sacrifice.

"Sometimes the unknown ahead is preferable to the known we have left behind."

Misogyny, disparity, and injustice ...more

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Jan 02, 2020 Diane S ☔ rated it really liked it

A partly sentimental rating and rating, because I absolutely came to admire and adore these women. Twenty seven women, leave from Chicago to head to the good fields of California to become the brides of men they haven't yet met. They all have different reasons to leave the lives they are currently living, some we don't find out until later in the story. As we go along with the women on their journey we, with them, encounter danger, pasts catching up with the wagons, illnesses, Indians, and ...more

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Jan 06, 2020 Babydimps (Suzy) rated it liked it

3 stars!

I’ve always been fascinated by the western trails and learning more about the life and times that those people lived. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I really wanted it and was excited to get into it once I was approved.

I’ve never read anything by Sandra Dallas, so I didn’t know what to expect. The book was very easy to read and I liked her writing style.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t absolutely love it. While I know times were much different back then, there was just too much death ...more

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Aug 21, 2019 PamG rated it it was amazing

Shelves: western, read-2019, gr-giveaways, historical-fiction

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas is an enjoyable historical fiction account of forty-four women, one four year-old girl, and two ministers that undertake the journey from Chicago to Goosetown, California. The women are search for husbands in gold country; or are they?

Sandra Dallas does a great job of painting the picture of both the women as well as the lands and people they encounter along the way. It is 1852 and there are hardships and triumphs along the way as they cross rivers, high plains, ...more

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Jan 06, 2020 Michelle rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-approved, jan-2020-reads

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and suggests a sweeping epic inside. When I saw the page count I was a little perplexed at how a story of this nature (a group of women traveling on the Overland Trail from Chicago to California during the 1850s) could be so short. Still, this isn't a topic I know anything about and I wanted to learn more. Plus, the story sounded so interesting and it's unique! The beginning was good enough, but it The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and suggests a sweeping epic inside. When I saw the page count I was a little perplexed at how a story of this nature (a group of women traveling on the Overland Trail from Chicago to California during the 1850s) could be so short. Still, this isn't a topic I know anything about and I wanted to learn more. Plus, the story sounded so interesting and it's unique! The beginning was good enough, but it quickly dissolved for me after about the first 60 pages. What follows is my very disappointed feelings...

There are a sea of four and five star reviews for this book so I clearly am in the minority, but I was very disappointed and I hope you will consider my review and not immediately discount it. The author's note at the end helped clarify one point for me (the length), but it really seemed that this novel was chopped up so much that it took a lot of the strength out of it. It also seemed very rushed and due to the nature of breaks in time I lost my emotional connection with the characters. The story mentioned several times of the bond that formed between all of these women, but I felt no connection to them or could understand that bond. Yes, they went through terrible things over and over again, but I didn't feel it. So when the story progresses and challenging times occur with likely injuries/sicknesses/deaths - I was left mostly unbothered. That's a problem.

My second concern is something else mentioned in the author's note, but the author clearly doesn't care about it given her response. The pattern throughout this novel of men being abusers, drunks, rapists, etc. was confounding. There was little to any balance and it almost became comical at just how terrible these men were.

I have never read a Sandra Dallas book before (though knew of her as an author) and would still try another book. If you're on the fence about reading this, I encourage you to give it a try. As previously mentioned, almost no one agrees with me on these points so I probably in a room all by myself.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Sandra Dallas for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Review Date: 01/06/2020
Publication Date: 01/07/2020 ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, kindle

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

Margaret(Maggie Kaiser) and her daughter,Clara need to stay as far away from abusive husband and father, Jesse. But this is Chicago in 1852 and what can a woman do? But in Chicago there are adverts that are encouraging the women in the East to migrate to California to marry. Maggie finds herself attending the information meeting and befriends Mary. Soon they find themselves joining the wagon train of ...more

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Nov 08, 2019 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: native-americans, nature-themes, net-galley, historical-fiction, fiction, history

Good people are like candles; they burn themselves up to give others light.

Sandra Dallas presents a thought-provoking novel encompassing a very different Western movement in America. It's February of 1852 in Chicago with fierce winds propelling off the lake and bone-chilling rain soaking the brave souls who venture out onto the wooden sidewalks and muddy terrain.

Maggie clutches the hand of her four year old daughter and reads the bulletin tacked to the outside of a meeting hall. It's an ad Good people are like candles; they burn themselves up to give others light.

Sandra Dallas presents a thought-provoking novel encompassing a very different Western movement in America. It's February of 1852 in Chicago with fierce winds propelling off the lake and bone-chilling rain soaking the brave souls who venture out onto the wooden sidewalks and muddy terrain.

Maggie clutches the hand of her four year old daughter and reads the bulletin tacked to the outside of a meeting hall. It's an ad calling for good Christian unmarried women with high moral character to make the trip to Goosetown, California. The gold fields are filled with men who made the prior journey and are seeking wives for this community. Two ministers will accompany the women on this long and arduous trip over land treacherous by Nature and, moreso, by the unknown.

Dallas will introduce us to these women who will bring the basics of necessities along with them. But we will come to find that they all carry the oppressive weight of their secrets and their past lives. Prior incidents will never stay buried in Chicago, but will accompany them on the harsh trails step by step leering in the shadows.

As the journey begins, the women feel out of place with one another and react to the hardships as individuals. The time period never prepared women to work together as a productive unit. As the journey progresses, they are forced to rely on the strength of the group made up of varying untapped skills and talents. I almost shook my head to think that times haven't changed much. Women still have difficulty putting aside the power of one to the power of many.

Westering Women is a deep character study of the human spirit under the most dire of circumstances. It shines a light on the dynamics of bravery and self-sacrifice that one can only imagine during the Western expansion.....with some mighty female voices in the mix.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest opinion. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Sandra Dallas for the opportunity.

...more

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Aug 10, 2019 Karren Sandercock rated it it was amazing

Shelves: edelweiss-above-the-tree-line

I was so excited to be given the chance to read Westering Women by Sandra Dallas. I live in Australia, for years I have looked at her books on Amazon and I have never had the opportunity to read one.

Chicago February 1852, Maggie Kaiser reads a notice about a wagon train leaving soon, it's traveling to Goosetown in California. She's a struggling young mother, with a young daughter and takes in sewing to make ends meet.
Maggie joins 43 other women who are looking for a new start, they begin the I was so excited to be given the chance to read Westering Women by Sandra Dallas. I live in Australia, for years I have looked at her books on Amazon and I have never had the opportunity to read one.

Chicago February 1852, Maggie Kaiser reads a notice about a wagon train leaving soon, it's traveling to Goosetown in California. She's a struggling young mother, with a young daughter and takes in sewing to make ends meet.
Maggie joins 43 other women who are looking for a new start, they begin the long grueling 2,000 mile journey west where there's a need for women who want to get married and start families.
The women aren't prepared for the hardships they will face on the trail as they travel through the high plains, mountains, and dry deserts.

Due to the distance they need to not over burden the oxen, they can only take with them the necessities such as food, cooking utensils, clothing, tents and they also have to walk!
They need to take turns cooking over the open fire, collecting fire wood, getting water, looking after the animals, they also need to learn to defend themselves and shoot a rifle.

As they travel west they soon notice a trail of discarded belongings from previous travelers and so many lonely graves.
They need to cross rivers, endure traveling in all kinds of weather, some days it's stinking hot, others its freezing cold and raining. The constant worry about danger, Indians and illness takes it's toll. Soon all the women are sun burnt, exhausted and tired of eating the same bland food.

As Maggie gets to know her fellow travelers she soon discovers that she’s not the only one looking to leave her past behind and they all have secrets!
During the journey the women become friends, they share a strong bond, they do things that most men would struggle to do and they also have to deal with the harsh reality of how dangerous it is.

I loved Westering Women, it's a brilliant story about women traveling west by the overland trail, their courage, determination and spirit.
I gave the book 5 stars, I shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/ ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Tami rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, kindle, net-galley, 2019, netgalley-2019, western

Fascinating story!
It’s hard to imagine a wagon train full of women in the 1850’s heading across the west to California. Because of an advertisement wanting eligible women, a group of 44 ladies join in on the journey west. Each one seeking a better life, many leaving behind painful memories and terrible secrets, they are willing to face the hardships of the journey in hopes of a brighter future.

Maggie, a young mother with a 4 year-old daughter, is escaping an abusive husband. In fact, Maggie is ...more

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Jul 29, 2019 Patricia rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, crime, family-dynamics, advance-reader-s-copy, adventure, western

I don't read a lot of westerns, but this novel is fantastic! Thanks to goodreads for sending this book! A group of women, led by two ministers, head to California from the east coast on the pretense of seeking husbands in 1852. Along the was there are deaths and many trials to be gone through while the women grow stronger and more confident in themselves. I would rate this novel 4.5 stars and highly recommend this to all women.

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Jan 02, 2020 Betty rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-arcs, from-netgalley, historical-fiction, 2020-histfic-challenge

In February 1852, notices are posted all over Chicago: "If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?" It sounds perfect to Maggie, so she and her little girl sign up, along with 43 other women, for the California-bound wagon train led by two ministers. Maggie isn't looking for a husband, though—she has other reasons for wanting to leave Chicago.

Of all the people traveling together, the main ...more

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Dec 15, 2019 Juli rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-review-copies-2019

In 1852 Chicago, Maggie is running from trouble. She may have killed a man and authorities are looking for her. The fact he deserved it doesn't matter. Knowing she needs to protect herself and her young daughter, she decides to set out with a wagon train headed for California. Most of those travelling with the train are women seeking husbands. There aren't many women in California...so they are all hoping to start new lives. Some of them might not survive the 2,000 mile trek, but all are willing ...more

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Dec 17, 2019 Dawn Michelle rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: already-own, kindle-read, free-book, netgalley, historical-fiction-read, books-read-in-2019

VERY UNPOPULAR REVIEW BELOW [in light of all the 4 and 5 star reviews I have read]

I need to preface this review with this - this book COULD have been a great book. It has the bones of an excellent, fantastic, edge-of-your-seat, epic read. I was expecting this as it is a book about women who CHOOSE to make the trek across the wilds of America and the Sierra Nevada's to California and a better life [though I am unsure how they thought living in a "gold" town with rough men as their husbands would VERY UNPOPULAR REVIEW BELOW [in light of all the 4 and 5 star reviews I have read]

I need to preface this review with this - this book COULD have been a great book. It has the bones of an excellent, fantastic, edge-of-your-seat, epic read. I was expecting this as it is a book about women who CHOOSE to make the trek across the wilds of America and the Sierra Nevada's to California and a better life [though I am unsure how they thought living in a "gold" town with rough men as their husbands would be a better life, but I digress] and what I got was much, much, less. And according to the author [at the end of the book] all of THIS was what she had set out to do and due to others [the editors - something she was not happy about, you can tell], had to both cull and edit this book multiple times and so instead of a sweeping epic, we end up with this.

This book was just so meh. I read a lot [A LOT] of historical fiction [AND nonfiction] that is amazing and epic and this just was not it. You only meet 7 of the 40 or so women who start the trip [I think they end up with 34-35 at the end, maybe less due to people leaving the trail and death] and with that number, you don't truly get to *KNOW* any of the women. Not even Maggie, who clearly is the main character in this book. I feel like we only get a superficial look at these women and have no idea just where they get their strength and tenacity to even leave Chicago, much less make a trip like this, and because of this, there is really no connection at all. There is some sympathy for Maggie and what she has endured at the hands of Jesse, but it is really hard to connect with her because the story is told so briefly and you don't really get to know anything else about her. It is like her life didn't begin until she married Jesse and the abuse started.

And speaking of abuse...men, in general [with the exception of the two preachers, and even then, one truly struggles with his own demons], come off V E R Y badly in this book. Almost all the men are just horrible. They beat, rape, kill, chase women OR are polygamous and want to add to their household [they spend time in Salt Lake City]. Very few of the men mentioned in here come off well, WITH the exception of the men who are waiting for them in the gold fields in California [because, of COURSE, they are all okay and none of them would rape, beat or try to kill their wives ] and again, in the acknowledgments, the author says she was told that all the men in the book were bad and her response was "So?". Clearly, the author has a problem with men in general, and while you see that in minor ways in her other books [and I am not saying that all men are angels, but nor do I believe that every man they met on this trip would have been a murdering rapist either], it really comes out in this book and brings another level of falseness to the story [this goes along with several other things that do not ring true throughout this story - the trip down the pass comes to mind. I do not for one minute believe that women could not have done that - I am a woman and I know what happens when you are in a corner and you HAVE to accomplish something, but the level of exhaustion that they were at [and that is when mistakes are made, all you have to do is read a nonfiction account of a trip like this to know this] and the lack of food and water that they are experiencing, makes what they did even harder to believe. And (view spoiler)!

The whole book wavered between 2 and 3 stars the whole read, but as I am writing this review, I realized, that it is absolutely a 2 star read [for me]. Which is hugely disappointing, because it could have been a 5 star read. Makes me wonder what the original book actually looked like before the edits.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Sep 15, 2019 Karen M rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, own, historical-fiction, western

One of the reasons I enjoy historical fiction is because it is based on factual events or periods in history. I knew of the gold rush and the thousands upon thousands of people who trekked across the US to reach the promised land of California where they would make their fortunes. Some families went but there were a great many men who made the long arduous trip but they all went to seek the gold that would change their lives for the better.

Not everyone went to find wealth. Some went to flee ...more

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Jul 30, 2019 Aisling rated it it was amazing

A fantastic historical novel of women crossing the Overland trail to California from Chicago in the 1850s. This is a terrific period piece, a moving novel and a gentle feminest manifesto. The reader will engage with and cheer for these diverse women (all running to something or away from something?) and feel the heat and grit of the trail, the potential danger lurking around every bend, and the deep bond the women made surviving the trials along the way. Great characters, and compelling personal ...more

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Jan 26, 2020 Deanne Patterson rated it really liked it

Recommended to Deanne by: cnnamongirl@aol.com

Shelves: netgalley, netgalley-jan-2020

Some may call this a dark book.
I've enjoyed all the books I've read by Sandra Dallas.
The story starts out very well but towards the middle really gets bogged down with too much violence and details. This was meant to be a realistic portrayal of forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west.
So much hardship they faced after we become bogged down with details it's saving grace is the nice ending.

Published January 7th 2020 by St. Martin's Press
I was given ...more

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Feb 13, 2020 Donna rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

This is Historical Fiction set in the mid 1800's. This particular time in history is one of my favorites to read about so because of that, I enjoyed this one. The story was original and interesting. Some religious leaders lead women from Chicago via wagon train to California to be potential brides for the men trying to get rich during the Gold Rush. This had a certain sweetness that many love in their stories, but it was a little too sweet for me. I gave this 3 stars because it is an interesting ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

What a great book! I suppose I should say more than that. This book intrigued me from the first paragraph. I've read a few of this author's books. But this one just blew me away.

The story itself is relatively simple. Two women meet early in the story (Mary and Maggie) and, for reasons we learn about later, sign up to head west on an all woman wagon train! That was enough to get me reading. Mary and Maggie are definitely the main characters, but there are so many more that we meet! The history is ...more

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Nov 28, 2019 Karen Kay rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley, western, united-states, netgalley-read-2019

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

It's February 1852, and all around Chicago Maggie sees the postings soliciting "eligible women" to travel to the gold mines of Goosetown. So she joins forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west.

As the story progresses, the women who are very different and from different backgrounds, meld together and become a strong cohesive group.

3 ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 Dorine rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, western, runaways, ebooks-kindle, pioneer, unusual-job-for-heroine, travel, fiction, adventure, 1800s

WESTERING WOMEN by Sandra Dallas gives fans of pioneer stories many of the details we love, but lacks the emotion I crave. I was torn throughout the novel between loving that it was the unusual story I wanted, but without the passion I craved.

See the full color review at my blog, TheZestQuest.com.

I love a wagon train story, especially one that’s mostly women. In this book, all the characters are interesting with something to hide, or a reason to run to California for a new life. These ladies ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Lesa rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction

There's a 1951 film, Westward the Women, that's one of my all-time favorites. It's the story of a wagon train of mail-order brides. Robert Taylor stars as the trail guide taking a group of women from Chicago to California. I'm not saying Sandra Dallas' Westering Women is derivative because most of the women in the book are quite different. But, Westering Women is the story of a group of women who sign on with a couple ministers to travel from Chicago to California across the Overland Trail in There's a 1951 film, Westward the Women, that's one of my all-time favorites. It's the story of a wagon train of mail-order brides. Robert Taylor stars as the trail guide taking a group of women from Chicago to California. I'm not saying Sandra Dallas' Westering Women is derivative because most of the women in the book are quite different. But, Westering Women is the story of a group of women who sign on with a couple ministers to travel from Chicago to California across the Overland Trail in 1852, as intended brides for gold miners. And, one of my favorite characters in the book, a large woman named Mary Madrid, reminds me of Hope Emerson's Patience Hawley in the movie.

Maggie is a dressmaker in Chicago, the mother of a young daughter, and a woman with secrets. She knows she'll be lying if she signs on with the two ministers asking for eligible women to travel 2,000 miles to Goosetown in California, gold-mining country, where "hundreds of God-fearing men are seeking wives". But, she watches as a fancy woman signs on, and Caroline Swain, wife of one of the minister's, doesn't blink an eye although she knows who she is. And, when Mary Madrid, a large farm woman, encourages Maggie to go, she's eager to escape Chicago and her past.

The women's train gathers in St. Joseph, Missouri, where they'll set out on a months-long difficult trip. At the beginning of the trip, they're accompanied by a number of men who drive the oxen teams, and guard the travelers. But, as the trip gets more difficult, the women come into their own. Mary is capable of doing anything the men do, and she brings her own horse. But, she can drive the oxen teams, and teaches other women to do it. The women cook over fires, learn to shoot to defend themselves. From a group of individuals from every class, who are all running from something, as one of the ministers says, they become a band of sisters. They lose other women who turn back. Some die on the way, and there are tragedies that affect everyone. But, when several women are accosted after meeting up with their past along the way, their sisters stand up for them.

These women face cholera, Indian attacks, other violence. Death and birth, and more deaths occur on the trip. It's a trip that brings tears at time, but it's a triumph when a strong group of united women face a final welcome.

As I said, tears and triumph, and a group of sisters. Westering Women is a fascinating historical novel. It will be difficult to forget several of these strong, determined women.

If you haven't read Sandra Dallas' books before, I'll recommend this one. Because I've read most of her books, I'll also suggest two of my favorites. Check out an early one, The Persian Pickle Club. We all know I'm fond of coming-of-age stories so Tallgrass is one of my favorites. Westering Women will joins that small group. ...more

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Nov 24, 2019 IJ rated it it was amazing

It's 1852 in Chicago. Maggie finds herself along with her 4 year old daughter at a crossroads... stay in a very bad situation.. or take the plunge with 43 other women on a wagon train to California.
I'm not a real fan of westerns... but all I could think about while reading this book was that old TV show Wagon Train!
What a delightful book.. you get to see what real sister friendship is like, while traveling thru some awesome native country. Wow! What it would've been like back 'in the day'.
Great ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 ☕️Kimberly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-2020

Narrated by Angela Dawe, our tale begins in Chicago, 1852. It’s a dark time for Maggie and her young daughter. It’s also when she spies a flyer soliciting “eligible women” to travel to the gold mining town of Goosetown, California; where hundreds of men are need of wives.

From the start, we know Maggie is hiding a terrible secret, but she meets another woman named Mary who vouches for her and they join forty-two other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west.

The ...more

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Jan 08, 2020 Cathy Daniel rated it liked it

So hard to rate this book. In the end, the sweet ending saved it and gave it a 3 star rating. It started really well, the middle was bogged down with so much violence, deaths, attempted rapes etc I was so beaten down. I was hovering between a 2 & 3 at that point. It ended really nicely which overall saved this book for me. I’m sure it’s realistic but I’m also sure not every man back then was a rapist or wife beater too.

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Jun 06, 2019 Janilyn Kocher rated it it was amazing

Westering Women is Sandra Dallas' finest book yet. Dallas captures the essence of life on the overland trail to California in 1852 so accurately, but with one twist. This story is about a wagon train comprised of Chicago women intended to be brides for California miners. The writing is superb. Readers will experience the travails of overland travel: every loss, every jettisoned object, every wrenching wail for the dead. They will also delight with the women in the beauty of the rugged landscape, ...more

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Sep 28, 2019 KellI Preston rated it it was ok

Normally I love Sandra Dallas but this one just wasn't up to snuff. I thought a story of women pioneering across the west would be better than this. Mostly I think it was due to the women. I just didn't connect to any of them and really couldn't get invested in their story. I feel bad because this has never happened when I have read one of her books before. The writing was what I'm used to from her so it has to be my disconnection with the characters.

Nevertheless I thank the publishers and Net ...more

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Jan 12, 2020 Savitri rated it liked it

I would like to thank the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of the book.
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The novel begins with an advertisement by two reverends, encouraging women with good Christian morals and fine health, to travel to California in search of a husband. After a crude recruitment process, forty-four eligible women embark on a treacherous 2000-mile journey through the Overland Trail from Chicago to California. The trek begins during February 1852 and is assumed to I would like to thank the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of the book.
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The novel begins with an advertisement by two reverends, encouraging women with good Christian morals and fine health, to travel to California in search of a husband. After a crude recruitment process, forty-four eligible women embark on a treacherous 2000-mile journey through the Overland Trail from Chicago to California. The trek begins during February 1852 and is assumed to last for 5 months in oxen-driven wagons.

Albeit what the ad states, most women are not traveling to seek husbands but rather to escape their pasts confronted with abuse and neglect from their boyfriends, husbands, families and employers, their pasts unbeknownst to the reverends. One woman even signs up in the hopes of finding her brother.

The women begin their journey with only hope and a means for an escape; completely oblivious to the hardships and tests they are to face ahead. Throughout the trail, each woman handles the trials and tribulations differently, some better than others. However in this great adversity, the women together form a sisterhood bond, which then becomes the prevalent theme throughout the rest of the book. Even the two reverends who were prejudiced towards women at first, grow to appreciate the women's dexterity and fortitude.

While the novel had a great storyline, there were few things that bothered me hence my 3.5 stars. First, the hardships faced during the arduous Wild West trek became repetitive, which is to be expected in real life, but was boring in book format. I felt like I was reading the same things over and over. To counter this issue, I do believe Westering Women would actually make a better movie.

Secondly, nearly every male in the book (save for the clergymen) was an abuser, rapist (including child rapist), misogynist etc. The male abuse was too gratuitous that at one point, it almost seemed like an anti-male driven agenda. I love feminist novels but prefer to steer clear from "let's bash all the men" angle. The author does address this issue under Acknowledgements with a somewhat cringeworthy response.

Lastly, there were so many characters in this book and except for two of them (Mary and Maggie), none of them were fleshed out so I did not feel connected with the women, but for the two.

Nevertheless, if one can move past the triggers and issues I described above, I'd still encourage anyone to read this novel because my criticisms may not be someone else's. As I stated earlier, I think this book will make an excellent Wild West movie with strong female leads.
3.5 stars
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Jan 01, 2020 Krista rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction-usa, fiction, western, setting-usa, time-1850-1899, setting-usa-ca, kindle-netgalley, reviewed-for-netgalley, setting-usa-il, setting-usa-il-chicago

Rating: 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars

As a big fan of the author, Sandra Dallas, I was so happy to receive an eARC of her latest book. Once again, she has written a compelling work of historical fiction that I can’t wait to tell my fellow readers about. I am a sucker for a good wagon trail story so I have read many accounts of the overland trail to the Western territories. This one ranks right up there with other favorites in the sub-genre.

This story is about a band of women who come together Rating: 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars

As a big fan of the author, Sandra Dallas, I was so happy to receive an eARC of her latest book. Once again, she has written a compelling work of historical fiction that I can’t wait to tell my fellow readers about. I am a sucker for a good wagon trail story so I have read many accounts of the overland trail to the Western territories. This one ranks right up there with other favorites in the sub-genre.

This story is about a band of women who come together in Chicago in 1852. They all gathered in answer to a handbill advertising a trip to the California gold fields if they were willing to consider becoming a bride to a miner of their choice. Maggie answered the call with her 4-year-old daughter. She joined a troupe of 44 women on the trail. The two male preachers who organized the trip and some male wagon hands who were hired to help drive the oxen and do the heavy lifting on the trip were also part of the expedition.

The women were from varied backgrounds. Some women were traveling to escape something, and some were traveling to find something. Along the way, the band encounters hardships and they form deep friendships. The travails of the overland route depicted in the book are historically accurate. As the women take on more responsibilities of the trail, their self-confidence grows. The friendships formed help them overcome both internal and external challenges.

I loved the women I met in this book. They were not without some faults, but they were all fighting forge a better life, and they were willing to take great risks to do that. I also appreciated that the two male preachers came to appreciate the skills and work ethic of the women as the trip unfolded. They did not escape being changed by this trip.

I highly recommend this book to aficionados of Historical Fiction, especially in the sub-genre of US Westward Expansion. This book accurately portrayed the handicaps that society placed on women in the 1850’s. They really were second-class citizens. For many of these women, joining the wagon train was the best way to try to stay safe. This book was not without some heartbreak. However, who gets through life unscathed? I cared about the characters, so I cared about the heartbreak. This well-written book is another great addition to my collection of Sandra Dallas books.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, St Martin’s Press; and the author, Sandra Dallas for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Beth Sponzilli rated it really liked it

This is another author I really like and would like to read more of. A fictional story of a band of women crossing the western U.S to get to California in 1852 during the gold rush. They are women with the intention of finding husbands but mostly are running away from abusive men. They form a bond on the trail that endures violence, accidents, and struggles that threaten their lives. I love the traveling west stories of the 1800’s, and this was a good one.

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About Sandra Dallas

Sandra Dallas

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Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.

A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff ...more