I didn’t realize initially that this is a sequel to ‘To the Wild Horizon,’ but having also read that book it worked out well. While technically this could be read as a standalone, much would be missing from the characters’ stories for the reader.

Picking up a year or two after their journey west, ‘The Mountains Between Us’ opens with James and Grace Randolph at loose ends after James’ surprising discharge from the army. No longer Captain Randolph for reasons he will not disclose to Grace, he is left adrift and uncertain what path to take, a mental state that has a toll on his marriage as well as their living situation. While Grace would be content to stay near her family in Oregon and farm, James is clearly not the farming sort. His restlessness and desire to find his place have them heading south through the untamed, and often lawless, California hills. From the 1849 gold rush to San Francisco in its infancy, a lot happens for the Randolphs. And I mean a lot. That would be my one criticism of the book, that events moved along at such a rapid pace that it felt like about four story plots converged into one. But maybe this is a good reflection of the frenetic pace and insecurity of forging a life amid the challenges of the American frontier.

Enjoyable new characters and the return of friends from the trail add to the story’s appeal, and Grace and the other women prove to be tenacious forces to be reckoned with, both as business women and pulling off a daring rescue when the men are conscripted into forced labor in a mining camp. James’ behavior irritated me for much of the book I must admit, but things resolved towards the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a great follow up novel giving us a continued story of Grace and James. They met on the Oregon Trail and fell in love. James was a captain in the Army and finds himself having to resign. It does change the couples plans and the story takes us on their journey. Though they have finished the trail their hardships have not ended.

I enjoyed the strong female character of Grace. She is tough, smart and clever. There are many times that her forethought has saved the couple. The settings take us to the gold mine hills of California and San Francisco. The story gives us a glimpse of life then and it's hardships. We meet some other characters who make the story interesting and build a type of family for the couple.

I enjoyed this historical fiction novel mostly set in California. I could imagine how difficult it would be to start a new life. Both their characters have likeable traits and flaws which make them relateable. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this novel. I do hope there will be a continued story.

Just love this series of books by Imogen Martin, absolutely enjoyed following Grace and Toms journey across the planes of the Wild West and the reasons for them both setting off on their journey. Grace’s turbulent relationship with Captain Randolph which turns into love. This books focuses on reconnecting with Graces brothers before setting off on another adventure to find gold. You won’t be disappointed with this book, it’s such a good read and excellent storyline with lovely characters.
I really hope there will be another follow up
My thanks as always to NetGalley, Publisher Storm Publishing and to Imogen Martin for allowing the early read.

Captivating, emotional, tender and written with such lightness of touch. An impressive, beguiling narrative set against the early years of the California Gold Rush. The sense of place is vivid, the challenges are fascinating and the characters as so real.

Having met Grace and James in the first novel, I was intrigued to catch up on their lives. James is haunted by something that happened in Mexico.
But why is James distant when he was so in love with Grace in the last novel? This is a fascinating hook and kept me turning and turning the pages. I willed Grace and James to find a way through the troubles.

Wonderful the way the author guides the reader through the era with the characters. The resilience of the characters is inspirational, and I was particularly impressed with Grace's gumption. There is always something happening in this story, but the depth of the characters’ emotions moved me. I almost forget I was immersed in a novel.

This novel can be read as part of the series or as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. The story of Grace and her husband James Randolph during the beginnings of the California gold rush in 1848 was an interesting, inspiring, and engaging story. James left the US Army as a captain in disgrace, he declined to discuss the reasons with Grace and it caused tension and confusion between them. Grace wanted to live near her brother in Oregon , but James could not see himself as a farmer and decided that they should go and try their luck in California. The story of their adventures to travel to California, settle there, the fortunes and misfortunes that they encountered made for an interesting moving story. I do not want to devolve much of the entire story but I enjoyed the second part of the book, that describes the resources that Grace and her friends Lillian and Cora did to survive. I enjoyed the strength, determination, that these people had in order to survive, this book showcased all of that but especially the love , compassion and friendship that these people had for each other. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reading more about the California gold rush era.

A sweet story of love and overcoming hardships. Multiple times they lost everything and had to start over.

I was very excited to see another novel by this author! I'd thought she wouldn't write anymore after the last one. Boy howdy I was so glad she did!
I just finished this delightful book and I loved this one even more! Lots going on!
Exciting things, learning things, and most of all wonderful friendships formed.
The Mountains between us is a wonderful adventure along with marriage renewals, hope, love, and learning to appreciate each other.
I simply couldn't put Grace's story down! She certainly had a lot to tell. I loved her from the previous books and this one made her even more special to me. She and her friends became family to me. I hated to say goodbye once again.
I hope to see more from this author in tge future. I loved Grace and her family.
I really loved this story. It left my heart feeling full and satisfied.
5 stars from me for excellent writing and drawing me in immediately. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I'll be thinking about this one for a,long time.

Woah- this is a story! Grace and James go through so much hardship and their story helps us to remember how much easier life has gotten. Their stories of traveling and struggling to find a home and then a home that is safe and secure are inspiring. Grace's strength throughout the entire books reminds us that while men had certain roles in history, the strength of their wives, mothers, sisters and daughters helped them to flourish. This is a book about persistence and not giving up on dreams or on someone you love. Grace extends so much grace to James after he returns from Mexico and continues to love him unconditionally throughout this story. This book is like Little House on the Prairie- Gold Rush addition. If you enjoy a book about settlers, hardship and early America + romance then this is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC! I cannot wait to read To the Wild Horizon and learn how Grace and James come together!

Rarely do I encounter the sequel being a bit better than the original, but in this case, I consider it so. Reading “To the Wild Horizon” first will give you some background of the characters and their beginnings, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. Both are absolutely 5 star reads.

We follow Grace and James again as they journey to Oregon and California trying to make their fortune. The reason I like this sequel better is the author got into the day-to-day hardships of living in those times, the hard work it took, the specifics of gold panning and the fire on the wharf details. It has it all, love, loss, devotion, mis-understandings, dedication and most of all, kindness to others. This story just hit the mark for me. I loved it. Imogen Martin writes a good tale.

I received an ARC from Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with a high 5 stars.

Grace must survive the hardships of California in 1848. From the gold fields to the city itself, Grace follows her husband with determination and courage.
Although I didn't realise it, the book is a sequel to ‘To the Wild Horizon’ but I was able to read it as a standalone without any problems.
The main strength of the novel is the female characters, resilient women who don't let themselves be swept away by circumstances and carry on no matter how difficult it is, helping and supporting each other.
A well narrated historical fiction without excessive detail that slows down the pace of the reading. Undoubtedly an engaging novel.

The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this eARC. The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin is about Grace and her husband, James, as they struggle with past issues and making a life for themselves in Gold Rush California.

I did not know that this book was a sequel until after I had already finished it. While it works as a stand alone novel, I think having the background from the first novel would have helped me connect with the characters more. The story’s pacing moved along pretty nicely. Sometimes I felt it moved a little too quickly. A few of the problems were solved or moved on from without what felt like a realistic resolution.

As a scholar of the time period, I think some of the history was researched and represented well and some of it could have been better explained and represented. Overall, The Mountains Between Us was a good historical fiction novel that I think some historical fiction readers will find interesting.

Set in the frontier, mountains and San Francisco, during the early years of the California gold rush. Centered around a family and group of friends looking for a better life in the West. Excellent historic fiction. Gives a very real sense of struggles, lawlessness, sacrifice and violence of the time. Great descriptions of SanFrancisoin the early days. A bit of a love story and also great, strong female characters. Definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Wow! What a stormer of a read. I was riveted from start to finish, with the twists and turns, the ups and downs that kept this novel so pacy and exciting. I thank Netgalley and Storm Publishers for letting me read an advanced copy. which I read over a three-day car journey.
It’s not simply an adventure story, covering the tale of the Wild West, the pioneers, the Gold Rush in California and the evil that greed brings out in people. There are so many levels . The issue of fecundity is tackled also as well as racial prejudice. And then there is Grace: our heroine, a feisty young woman who knows how to handle a gun better than most men and I loved her. It was not easy to stand up for yourself in the 1800s in a man’s world but she and, in particular her two French ladies “of a certain reputation” showed admirable strength and resolve throughout the story. I loved these women and the troubled Mei who is ‘adopted’ into the household by Grace. Their self-belief and desire to be emancipated made me punch the air a few times. In fact, it is very much the women who shine in this book, over the at times truly shameful, bigoted and cruel behaviour of many of the male characters.
Randolph is a complex hero, also referred to as James when in his POV (Randolph is his surname and it took me a few chapters in to twig… I am slow!) Married to the lovely Grace, he has a shameful secret which is kept from the reader until approaching the end of the story. Grace doesn’t know what is wrong with him: “Something else had happened, but she didn’t know what.’ He has been discharged from the army and there is always a question mark about this in the story for the reader and Grace’s mind. “The awful truth was that she could no longer be sure of her husband.” I liked this suspenseful complication. In fact, so many chapters end on cliff hangers and I loved the tension and conflict throughout. Both characters are verThe mountains between us review
Wow! What a stormer of a read. I was riveted from start to finish, with the twists and turns, the ups and downs that kept this novel so pacy and exciting. I thank Netgalley and Storm Publishers for letting me read an advanced copy.
It’s not simply an adventure story, covering the tale of the Wild West, the pioneers, the Gold Rush in California and the evil that greed brings out in people. There are so many levels to this story: The issue of fecundity is tackled also as well as racial prejudice. And then there is Grace: our heroine, a feisty young woman who knows how to handle a gun better than most men and I loved her. It was not easy to stand up for yourself in the 1800s in a man’s world but she and, in particular her French ladies “of a certain reputation” showed admirable strength and resolve throughout the story. I loved these women and the troubled Mei who is ‘adopted’ into the household by Grace. Their self-belief and desire to be emancipated made me punch the air a few times. In fact, it is very much the women who shine in this book, over the at times truly shameful, bigoted and cruel behaviour of many of the male characters.
Randolph is a complex hero, also referred to as James when in his POV (Randolph is his surname and it took me a few chapters in to twig… I am slow!) Married to the lovely Grace, he has a shameful secret which is kept from the reader until approaching the end of the story. Grace doesn’t know what is wrong with him: “Something else had happened, but she didn’t know what.’ He has been discharged from the army and there is always a question mark about this in the story for the reader and Grace’s mind. “The awful truth was that she could no longer be sure of her husband.” I liked this suspenseful complication. In fact, so many chapters end on cliffhangers and I loved the tension and conflict throughout. Both characters are very much in love, but the separation, caused by war in Mexico, has estranged them a little. They need to get to know and understand each other. again, Both want to but don’t know how. A dramatic event might help with this. No spoilers but that part of the story towards the end of the book was sooooooo thrilling.
Imogen Matthews has obviously done much research into this period of history and she states in her author’s note that she has always been fascinated by America. But the research is not overt. I was immersed in that period through the similes apt for the time, the small but important details that painted the period: the supplies needed for the gold fields, the rags for the women’s monthlies, the food they ate and descriptions of the General Food Stores as well as the basic dwellings and stunning but harsh landscapes.
It's a gritty tale of how man can descend to abject cruelty (as James remarks: “Was there no honour left in this land? No decency?” )but it’s also a tale of victory over the odds as our hero and heroine and their friends tackle the many adversities thrown in their path. I loved it and hope it really soars. I’m sure it will. Five stars from me.

Imogen Matthews has obviously done much research into this period of history and she states in her author’s note that she has always been fascinated by America. But the research is not overt. I was immersed in that period – the similes apt for the time, the details of the supplies needed for the gold fields, the rags for the women’s monthlies, the food they ate and descriptions of the General Food Stores as well as the basic dwellings.
It's a gritty tale of how man can descend to abject cruelty (as James remarks: “Was there no honour left in this land? No decency?” )but it’s also a tale of victory over the odds as our hero and heroine and their friends tackle the many adversities thrown in their path. I loved it and hope it really soars. I’m sure it will. Five stars from me.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. This book follows Grace during the California Gold Rush as she attempts to find her missing husband, James. Grace is determined to find her husband and knows he isn't dead - rather, that he is being held captive by a powerful man. The fight to find her husband is an easy choice as the two have already been through a lot during the settling of the American West.

I loved the setting and backdrop of the California Gold Rush, a time that I do not often get the pleasure of reading about. I also really enjoyed reading about Grace's story - her past, how she came through on the other end, and how those hardships formed her future and resolve to save her husband and marriage. She is the embodiment of a strong woman, and the time period sealed the deal on this very interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This works well as a standalone book, as I didn’t realise until the end that there was a book before it. Grace and James's marriage had been strained after his discharge from the army. Working out that he wasn’t cut out to be a farmer, the couple set off for the goldfields. So much happened to them along the way, but the overwhelming themes were about friendships, decency, courage and making your way in a lawless land. I loved how the strong females in this got so much done, especially the audacious rescue of their men from the slave mine. I do hope there is to be sequel, as I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an opportunity to read and review this book.

The mountains between us

Having trekked for months to get to her Brothers farm on the Oregon plains Grace and Randolph finally arrive. Reunited with both her brothers Grace is ready to make a go of life on the homestead but Randolph the disgraced Captain dismissed from the Army has other plans when he hears speak of the Gold rush to California.
Barren of children so far Grace goes along with her husband instead of staying behind and again on horseback the pair set off to their next challenge. Life gold mining is prosperous for the paid me having teamed up with another group to mine together but as winter sets Randolph decides to take Grace into San Francisco and another chapter begins. Buying a plot of land with their gold dust the pair start to build a life there with warehouses and their own home until disaster strikes.
Grace and Randolph are gradually drifting apart he won’t speak of his reason for leaving the army and makes all the decisions for the pair. Decisions that aren’t always the best!
Grace is a strong character who stands by her husband and works hard but will she get the American dream or will she ever make it back to her younger brother Tom on the homestead and have a family of her own?
Excellent read and very interesting storyline and characters . The Mountain Between us delves into themes like survival, isolation, and the complexities of relationships. It explores how characters cope with extreme situations and how those experiences shape their identities and connections with others.