4.25 stars -- I didn't know this was a sequel when I got an ARC, and it works as a standalone, but I think I would have loved it more if I had read the first one before. I feel like James probably had a lot more backstory and growth in the first book that wasn't really seen here. But overall, it's a really enjoyable historical fiction read - I loved the setting (gold rush California in 1848—so interesting to read about the very early days of San Francisco) and loved Grace and her badassery (I also loved Lillian and Cora, too!). Will definitely be going back to read the first novel in this series, as I love Oregon Trail stories.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

There was so much happening here. It was too much. Farming, gold panning, armed attacks, fire, kidnapping, politics, murder, gangs, entrepreneurship, family drama, and this all happened in a YEAR or two?!

First off, I didn't read the first book in this series. I read this as a standalone and had no trouble understanding it. It had "Paint Your Wagon" and "Redeeming Love" vibes. I got tired of all the horrible things that happened to the characters just like when I read the "Outlander" books.

Ugh. Why is every book about westward expansion so full of grief and evil greedy misogynists? It's probably factual accurate, but this is a romance novel. Can we dial back the horribleness? I get the sense the first book is also heavy. There was sooooo much plot/action and sooo little romance. The poor male lead, Captain Randolph, he suffered so much.

I did the audiobook and an ARC copy. The dual narrators were top notch.

This book is a compelling blend of historical fiction, western adventure, and women's fiction, centered on Grace – a strong, independent woman during the chaotic California Gold Rush.

Grace and her husband, James, leave Oregon in 1848, seeking fortune in California. Settling first by a river to pan for gold, they later move to the developing San Francisco, where James builds warehouses. Their hard work brings success, but lawlessness threatens their future. When James departs with friends in search of more gold, Grace and her companion Hillary face months of uncertainty before devastating news arrives.

The novel is rich in historical detail, featuring a diverse cast, including Parisian courtesans and gold prospectors. Imogen Martin’s research shines, especially in her vivid portrayal of gold panning. While I wished for more backstory on James and Grace, this does not detract from the overall quality of the story. The introduction of Cora and Ling Mei adds depth, and I hope Grace’s story continues.

Overall, "The Mountains Between Us" is a gripping, well-researched novel with a strong heroine. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with grit and depth.

4.5 stars rounded up

Another thought-provoking and emotional novel by Imogen Martin and a great addition to The Wild Horizon series. I find the author's books informative, engaging, and easy to read, and I would read them in one sitting if I could. A great cast of characters who are well-developed, and their stories are believable, inspiring, and heartbreaking. Imogen Martin has quickly become a must-read author for me. I can't wait for the next instalment in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a complimentary digital copy for review. My opinions are unbiased, and my review is voluntary.

I appreciate the opportunity to read The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher.

The novel immediately drew me in, holding my interest for the majority of the story. I was captivated by Grace’s resilience in the face of immense hardship, her struggles within her marriage, and her unwavering courage throughout.

The historical backdrop of the California Gold Rush era was particularly fascinating, especially the depiction of the San Francisco fire and the challenges James and Grace faced in its aftermath. I also enjoyed the character of Ling Mei, a Chinese immigrant, who added depth and richness to the narrative.

While I appreciated the emotional journey of James and Grace, I felt their "coming back together" scene could have been handled with more subtlety. I did not see the need to describe the details of their reunion, and it was the catalyst which lowered my rating for the book.

The plot line is the best part of this book as who doesn’t like a good love story? However, I am not a fan of the writing style nor most of the “side show” characters. The detailed depiction of the process and lifestyle experienced during the California gold rush was enjoyable and interesting. The bevy of characters was a deterrent.

This book takes you on a journey through early San Francisco and the rugged world of the Gold Rush. The historical details really bring the setting to life, and the characters are well-developed and compelling. Grace’s determination and strength make her easy to root for. A solid read with a great mix of adventure, history, and emotion!

The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin is an exhilarating journey through the chaos and promise of the California Gold Rush. Richly detailed and emotionally compelling, this novel grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Although the second book in The Wild Horizon series, it stands firmly on its own, offering a thrilling and poignant tale of survival, love, and resilience.

At the heart of the story is Grace Randolph, a fiercely determined woman whose journey is as physical as it is emotional. As she and her husband James leave behind their life in Oregon, lured by the prospects of gold and a fresh start, they soon find themselves entangled in a world far more ruthless than they had imagined. When James’s quest for fortune takes him down a dangerous path and he disappears, Grace is faced with an impossible choice—wait for news that may never come or brave the perilous mountains to save the man she loves.

Imogen Martin’s meticulous historical research shines throughout the novel. Every detail—from the treacherous Oregon Trail and the feverish gold panning to the lawlessness of San Francisco—is vividly brought to life. The novel does not shy away from the brutal realities of the era: the hardships, the injustice, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of prosperity. These elements add a rich layer of authenticity that makes the story all the more immersive.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of women. While the Gold Rush is often told through a male perspective, Martin ensures that the female experience takes center stage. Grace is joined by a remarkable cast of women, including Ling Mei, a Chinese laundress fighting for a better life, and Cora, a Frenchwoman with a haunting past. These women, underestimated by the men around them, band together to forge their own paths and prove their strength in a world that continually seeks to sideline them.

The pacing is masterful, with tension building steadily as Grace’s journey unfolds. The twists and turns keep the reader on edge, making the book difficult to put down. The relationships—whether romantic, platonic, or antagonistic—are layered and deeply engaging, adding further depth to an already captivating narrative.

If there is one minor critique, it is that the novel’s title and synopsis may lead readers to expect a singular focus on Grace’s physical journey to rescue James, when in reality, the book delves into much broader themes of love, trust, and self-discovery. However, this does not detract from the overall impact of the story.

The Mountains Between Us is a gripping tale of perseverance, adventure, and the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship. Fans of historical fiction, particularly those who appreciate strong, intelligent female leads and well-researched narratives, will find this novel an absolute treasure. Imogen Martin has crafted a remarkable and moving story that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended!

The Mountains Between Us is set amid the Californian Goldrush and brings so much jeopardy, so much courage, risk, adversity, poignancy and passion that I raced through the pages, reluctant to put the book down at any point.
The characters are multi-faceted, each dealing with their demons and digging deep to find the strength they need to survive, and whilst there are many elements of this book that testify to male friendship, loyalty and resilience, for me this was a book about women.
Women from all walks of society – whether it is the heroine, Grace, the Chinese laundress Ling Mei, or Cora, the Frenchwoman - who band together to survive, and flourish, in a man’s world - whilst being wildly underestimated as they do so.
For me this was one of the many strengths of the novel because the Gold Rush is usually filtered through the male perspective, so seeing female characters in charge of the action was wonderfully refreshing. Each of these women have such deep reserves of strength and have such vivid and compelling stories that they all deserve a novel of their own, but instead are combined here, giving this book a richness and emotional depth that is rare to find.
The novel is truly diverse, placing characters of all ethnicities within it and thus properly representing the melting pot that was California at the time.
Alongside that is twist after twist after twist, really keeping you on the edge of your seat, with each crisis adding to the authenticity of the story as well as the pace.
The author has clearly been painstaking in their historical research. I have learnt so much, little snippets of detail that contribute to the vivid picture drawn: internal walls constructed with paper and calico for example; the use of bladders as water bottles; blood to enrich the taste of gravy; merchant ships losing their entire crews to gold fever; steam ferries exploding as pilots overload the furnace with coal; and the pressganging of men into mines with no recourse to justice in this lawless society.
This book is remarkable and will stay with me for quite some time, I genuinely love it and imagine that it will be a favourite that I come back to time and time again. Outstanding.

This was the first book by this author and I loved it! Wilderness, horses, going in horseback through the Oregon trail. This story was very good ! Would differently read another one of her books. Highly highly recommend.

This is my 1st book by Imogen Martin and I will definitely be reading the 1st book to this series, as well as her book.
"The Mountains Between Us" by Imogen Martin is set in the mid 1848 in Oregon and California during the Gold Rush Period and can be read as a stand alone although I do think I missed a bit of context to Grace and James Randolph's story..
It opens with Grace and James arriving in Oregon to the home of Grace's brother, already with undercurrents of struggle in their marriage with James's discharge from the army, uncertainty in where they would stay and Grace's delay in getting pregnant.
When James decides to go to California, after hearing about the Gold Rush, the authors historical research is clearly evident, I was drawn into the descriptions of the journey, with its challenging weather, terrain and details of panning for gold, as well as their relationship. The struggles, misfortunes, and suffering they have are offset by the love, devotion and friendships they make along the way. Grace is a strong female protagonist who is in equal parts devoted to her husband and yet innovative, hard working and intelligent. Her female friends are diverse and each an interesting characters that round out the story. As are their fellow miners. There is some violence appropriate with the time and events, some physical intimacy without being graphic and otherwise a clean read.
The twists and turns in the plot were realistic, engaging and kept me intrigued the entire time. If you enjoy well written historical fiction with an intelligent female lead, believable characters and suspenseful plot and satisfying end, I highly recommend this book!
A big note of appreciation to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, it was a pleasure and privilege. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Mountains Between Us is a gripping historical fiction with a strong-willed protagonist, Grace Randolph, who embarks on a dangerous journey through 1848 California to rescue her husband, James, from the clutches of a powerful man. I really admired Grace's determination and courage, especially given the harsh setting of the Gold Rush era. Her character felt real—someone who had survived hardships and was willing to risk it all for love.

The pacing of the story was steady, with plenty of tension as Grace faces the challenges of the wilderness and her past with James. The emotional depth of their marriage and Grace’s inner struggles about their relationship added an interesting layer to the adventure.

That said, while the story was engaging, there were moments where I felt the plot could have been more tightly woven, especially when it came to secondary characters and some of the scenes that didn’t advance the main storyline as much as I would’ve liked. Overall, The Mountains Between Us was an enjoyable read, though I felt it could’ve gone even deeper into the themes of love, sacrifice, and survival. Still, if you're into historical fiction with a strong female lead, this one is worth checking out!

**rounded up from 3.5 stars**

The Mountains Between Us
by Imogen Martin

This captivating novel is the second instalment in "The Wild Horizon" series, but it stands strong as a self-contained story. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction filled with rich, believable characters and compelling narratives of love, resilience, courage, and redemption. Imogen Martin’s writing shines brilliantly throughout.

Starting in the tumultuous year of 1848, the story follows the journey of Grace Randolph and her husband, James. They make the difficult decision to leave their Oregon home, along with Grace's family, in pursuit of a life that aligns more closely with her ex-military husband's adventurous spirit, which is ill-suited to the monotonous farming lifestyle. Their journey leads them to the chaotic and lawless environment of the California Gold Rush, where they encounter a blend of hope and hardship, and where old friendships are reignited amidst both heartache and triumph.

The plot is incredibly engaging, with numerous twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was eager to discover what fate awaited each character. The narrative flows seamlessly at a steady pace, creating a well-structured and gripping reading experience. The book contains a variety of intriguing scenes, some featuring graphic violence—primarily among gold rush prospectors, as women were often excluded from the harsher realities of this era.

The diverse cast of characters adds depth to the story, featuring miners, entrepreneurs, and hopeful fortune-seekers, each bringing their unique backgrounds and motivations to the forefront. Together, they illuminate the myriad ways lives intertwined during this pivotal time in American history.

“𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜… 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨.”
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝. “𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.”


This novel can be read as a standalone however, I strongly recommend reading 'To The Wild Horizon' first, as it delves into the characters' backstories.

This expansive historical novel, appealing to admirers of Kristin Hannah, narrates the tale of a brave young woman and her spouse as they strive to endure the challenges of the California Gold Rush.

The narrative centers on Grace and James Randolph's expedition to California via The Oregon Trail, driven by the hope that the tales of gold are indeed accurate. The allure of financial stability and the excitement of adventure propel the couple forward, yet they are unprepared for the lawlessness and difficulties they must face while navigating their emotions as newlyweds.

I would not be truthful if I claimed that I did not anticipate this book to match the quality of the first, as it certainly met my expectations. I am selective with my five-star ratings, and both of these books undoubtedly deserve such recognition. Ms. Martin has emerged as one of my preferred authors her storytelling is exceptional, consistently drawing me in and making it difficult to put the book down.

The supporting characters were both well-developed and engaging. Grace is a courageous and resilient woman whom I greatly admire. Ling Mei, a Chinese immigrant, contributes her own sense of calm and wisdom to the narrative. Additionally, Cora, one of a pair of French sisters, reveals her own strength of character as the plot unfolds.

I earnestly anticipate the release of a third installment in this series however, I am entirely content with the current conclusion.

I highly recommend this book for those who appreciate historical fiction, authentic characters, and a captivating narrative that encompasses themes of love, strength, courage, and redemption.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing an ARC of this book.

5 ⭐

I just finished reading the book. I learned a lot about US history, mainly about California. I was happy to learn about the lives of Grace and James Randolph after their marriage. Traveling from different places in the US was difficult but a true adventure. The story is also about friendship among people of a variety of backgrounds and about prejudice. It also shows the strength of women and their fights to make California their home. I loved the book. I think you will, too.

The Mountains Between Us was a riveting story about a couple, Grace and James, and their experience in California during the Gold Rush and the early days of California statehood. I love a book that makes me curious, and this one had me going down Google rabbitholes about mining practices, map topography, and what San Francisco looked like in the 1840s. Grace and James' story was both tragic and uplifting and gave me a new appreciation of the hardships faced by early California settlers. It was both entertaining and educational!

As I was reading, I noticed many references to events that happened to the characters before the beginning of the book and later realized that this was the second book in a series. The first was about Grace and James meeting on the overland trail from the east to Oregon. I am looking forward to reading that book, too, as wagon train stories fascinate me.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Loved reading this gold rush book.

What I liked:

Grace. She's inspiring, lovely, bold and ingenious. Her love for James is deep, very deep and each step she takes is deliberate and keeps that love in focus
James. He's human and has experienced inhuman things in war which has him floundering when it comes to his love for Grace. But that love is there and it is with this in mind he pulls himself out of his doldrum.
Graces posse. Lovely women, Cora, Lillian, ming all strong all stick together.
James brotherhood. Again a family found in the midst of the gold rush chaos.

It seemed to me like there was a bit of a time gap between book 1 and 2, with a Mexican war, dishonorable discharge and a miscarriage, and I felt references to this was a bit choppy, but otherwise this book is GOLD. Well written, nicely researched and exciting.

#netgalley #TheMountainBetweenUs

4.75 ⭐

Wow! I was intrigued the entire time I was reading this book! Although it is book two of a series and I haven’t read the first book, I wasn’t left feeling confused or annoyed that I didn’t know what was going on. Of course, I’d love to read the story about how Grace and James met and the friendships that span into this book, so someday I will. ☺️

The plot was fantastic. I was on the edge of my seat while I read, wanting to know what happened next to these characters. The story flowed well with a steady and even pace and was thematically structured, even with the different point-of-views that would switch up mid-chapter. I wasn’t bored for a single moment. The setting was perfect for this story and I felt so immersed in the beauty of the California landscape. The writing was easy to read, clear, and engaging. In other words, it was amazing. 😂 I didn’t give the book the full five stars because, in the blurb, it makes the “Grace rescuing her husband” thing sound like it is the main plot when it’s not. I expected it to be in the book sooner than it was, but it’s no biggie. I still enjoyed it. ☺️

The characters were my favorite. They changed and grew into better people. They made mistakes and owned up to them…eventually. Try getting two strong-headed, determined, and independent people to apologize and admit they were wrong. I know. Whoever can do that kind of miracle deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. 😂 But really, they were great. The Randolphs’s friends were also amazing and I felt like I was a part of their circle as they tried to survive the booming and lawless town of San Fransisco and overcome hardships that inevitably come. I rooted for all of them, especially Grace and James when their marriage was rocky. And the girl power was so great. The women weren’t cold, insufferable, or arrogant nor were they overly-emotional pushovers. It’s great to read about women who are strong yet feminine. ♥️

Imogen Martin is a brilliant writer! I totally recommend this book if you love historical fiction, believable characters, and a wonderful story of love, strength, courage, and redemption.

I received an arc from Storm Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

(Please note that there is a short scene about a couple making love or whatever you want to call it. It doesn’t ruin the story or anything. Just letting you know so that if you don’t dig that sort of thing, it won’t come as a shock to you when you read. 👍)

#TheMountainsBetweenUs #NetGalley

Grace is a strong woman. She deals with and overcomes the challenges that are presented to her. This is the second book in a series and it open with Grace and her husband finally finding her brother's homestead. But the house is small and starts to feel smaller every day.

So Grace and her husband head to Gold Country after hearing stories of gold in California. Of course there are challenges, expected and not that await them.

This is a well researched novel and it's an interesting read.

Imogen Martin delivers a beautiful story of courage, adventure, love, sorrow and initiative set during the California Gold Rush time period. You really feel the emotions accompanying times of progress and moments of extreme setbacks. There is such a strong sense of place which makes California come alive and the story even more compelling. And Grace. Wow. She is a one of a few characters that makes you proud to be a female. I read this book, not realising that it was the second book in a series. You couldn't tell, meaning you can easily read this one as a stand alone. I think fans of Kristin Hannah, Shelley Read and Amy Harmon will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.