From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Where the Lost Wander

Amy Harmon

Start date: April 28, 2020

Finish date: May 5, 2020

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 25 topics — 1,808 comments total

Buddy Reads

* September 2025 Buddy Reads
By Diana · 13 posts · 21 views

last updated Sep 04, 2025 07:25AM

* Want to Read With Me?
By Diana · 126 posts · 64 views

last updated Jun 01, 2025 09:53AM

showing 10 of 15 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Apr 07, 2020 CC rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, feels, f-br, angsty-mild-to-i-have-an-ulcer, bbs-challenge, historical

4 ★

Set in 1850’s America, this story follows Naomi May and John Lowry as they venture out west traveling on the Overland Trail. Though Naomi is accompanied by her family, John is traveling on his own to procure business. As John is half-Pawnee and half-white, he knows he must balance between two worlds, but Naomi isn’t one to believe in such boundaries. Together, they face multiple adversities on this trek to California.

“But every day is a lifetime out here. These days we’re living, they’re
...more

14 likes · Like · see review

May 31, 2020 Laura Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical

Loved. As always with Amy Harmon the journey isn’t always smooth. But always beautiful story. It made me nervous in some spots 😬 and it’s not all that steamy but fantastic story! If your a pioneer Laura Ingalls type girl like me, you will love this.
For the QT buddy read, here’s my form:

Characters: 5/5
Character Relationships: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Steam: 2/5
Beginning: 5/5
Middle: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

10 likes · Like · see review

Aug 28, 2021 Amanda Hupe rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2021-reads, bookclub

“They steal from us. We steal from them. We understand each other. But we don’t understand the whites.”

WHERE THE LOST WANDER
The Beaumont Bookworms selected Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon, a story about the Oregon Trail. Naomi May and her family are heading West, not long after the death of her husband. She loves to draw and it will save her life throughout the story. Then there is John Lowry who is half-Pawnee and half-white. He takes care of mules and doesn’t know where he fits in society. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2020 Julie rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

Long ago there were travelers who braved the perils and triumphs of the Oregon Trail. Naomi May was one of those brave individuals. As a twenty year old, Naomi had already endured the trials in life. As a widow, Naomi knew that traveling with her family in search of a better life was far better option than staying in the Midwest. Adventures of unknown certainty called to the May family.

Nothing in the 1800s was easy. Living life between the world of the Pawnee and white man brought its own set o Long ago there were travelers who braved the perils and triumphs of the Oregon Trail. Naomi May was one of those brave individuals. As a twenty year old, Naomi had already endured the trials in life. As a widow, Naomi knew that traveling with her family in search of a better life was far better option than staying in the Midwest. Adventures of unknown certainty called to the May family.

Nothing in the 1800s was easy. Living life between the world of the Pawnee and white man brought its own set of challenges. John Lowry devoted his life to herding the animals that provided his family the means to a better life. During his journey, John crossed paths with Naomi and the attraction was instantaneous. John was determined to help the May family navigate through the perilous hardships that would challenge even the best traveler.

Sickness and other hardships plagued the travelers as they pushed along their western path. Determination was pushing the duo to seek the life that was calling from the coast. Nothing could have prepared the May family for the tragedy that would shatter their lives. An event that would pull Naomi and John to the farthest reaches of the wilderness. Both are weighed down by the choices that will alter the course of their future. The only thing that either can focus on will be the strength that it takes to survive the hardships that still lie ahead on the trail.

Where the Lost Wander is the latest release from Amy Harmon and its focus is set on the Oregon trail. Based on a bit of fact blended with the tendrils of fiction, Harmon has managed to transport her readers into a place in history that is oftentimes forgotten. It was a time when settlers crossed paths with Indians, and illness could result in a death sentence. This journey centered around a man that was straddling the reality of two separate paths of heritage.

Never would I have imagined finding a book about the Oregon Trail fascinating. The way Harmon weaves fact and fiction into a historical novel amazes me. Each nuance of John and Naomi’s journey can be imagined as if the events were occurring in modern times. The loss and longing of this story pulled at your heart with each turn of the page. How will it all end for these two souls that were clearly destined to create a path through the perils of the trails? Only time will tell where the journey will lead, but one thing I can tell you is this book is an experience all its own. Let the words envelop you. Imagine the dusty and dangerous trail. Let your heart soar as the lost wander through the western trails.
...more

1 like · Like · see review