Some parts of this story I had to grit my teeth through (reading is subjective), but it's well-written. The struggles feel real, the settings feel real, and it ends right where it should, something I've found romances often fail at (for me. Because reading is subjective). I grew up in the Western US, and thus in school learned a lot of the histories, the realities of the gold rush and all that. The author did her research, and earned my respect.

Recommended. ( )

Lovely story. Quite angst. This took place a couple of years after the American Civil War. The heroine was a southern belle whose life had changed drastically after the loss of her parents, brother and fiancé. She married her fiancé's brother and he was basically a criminal. This story illustrates quite clearly how throughout most of history women needed men to survive. This heroine was doing the best she could to survive and protect her sister. She made realistic choices for that period in history. She understood her choices and made the best of them she could. No wallpaper history here.

The hero was not as well fleshed out but I liked him. ( )

I enjoyed this story.
It is gritty and dark though there is not much detail of the atrocities.

Cole and Melody are the Hero and heroine but Meoldy's sister, Annie and Cole's brother Steven are also part of the story and the book ends in a HFN and leads straight into the next book so I would advise having both so you can complete their tale.
Melody is a difficult one to rate, she reminded me a bit of 'Scarlett O'Hara' from 'Gone With The Wind'.
Pre-war she was the belle of the ball and manipulated things to get the man she wanted, hence somewhat dislikeable but since that time she has been through so much, esp in the form of her husband who was a violent drunk. She has lost all hope in a better life and when she
sees any glimpse of it she is afraid to hope.
Cole was a bit of a romantic pre-war but has been scarred by the horrors he has witnessed and he sees a great strength in Melody and admires her for it.
The author paints a vivid picture of the effects war have on families and people. It is a bit depressing but it is beautifully written.

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2.5 stars ( )