Book Review: These Wild Dreams of Ours by Carly L. Carlson

About the Book:

An unconventional young woman, a disenchanted scout, and a journey more difficult than anyone could imagine.

Kate McGrath and her family join a wagon train heading to the open spaces and promises of the American West. She is eager for a life of adventure free from society’s suffocating conventions, but those expectations follow her out into the wilderness. Kate faces storms, stampedes, and swollen rivers with courage and steadfast faith, but is set adrift when her daydreaming heart is captivated by a handsome scout.

Jacob Munroe is scouting for a wagon train yet again, but his wandering ways have lost their appeal. When he meets the McGrath family, Jacob is drawn to the peace they possess despite their hardships. Especially Kate. She is full of intriguing wild and strong, yet kind and gentle. She is a balm to his angry heart and restless soul, but brings with her a faith in a God whom Jacob is convinced doesn’t care.

Then tragedy strikes. Kate’s faith is tested and Jacob’s world is shattered, and they both face impossible choices.

Will their journey across the wilderness bring them peace or tear their worlds apart?

| Goodreads |

My Review:

These Wild Dreams of Ours by Carly L. Carlson
Rating: 5/5
Pages: 306
Published: May 20, 2025
Series: N/a

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I absolutely loved this story! Jacob and Kate both have a hard journey ahead of them, and what a delight it was to get to join them and witness the amazing faith and love that was forged along the way!

I knew I wanted to read this one when I first learned about it around the end of last year, and what a wonderful blessing it has been to be able to follow along in this portion of Carlson’s writing and publishing journey, and getting to see glimpses of the final steps required to get this amazing story out into the world and into the hands of readers! Ah, God is good!

I found Kate’s struggles to find her place in a world of contractions to be a relatable endeavor, and loved seeing her learn and grow as the story goes on. The difficult journey and at a time when she’s blooming into womanhood provide Kate with just the forging grounds she needs to become the woman God has for her, if only she knew. I loved her quick-to-help nature and her desire to see to other’s needs first. Her easy friendship and compassionate nature are both an inspiration and a delight to read about, especially in a story where the female is strong, but has no desire to ‘dominate’ or ‘control’ the way so many female characters seem to be ‘boss-babe’ in today’s culture. This story offers a refreshing new look that was both Biblical and relatable. A balance of being strong and capable, but also feminine without needing to ‘prove’ or force others to acknowledge it. We should have to demand affirmation to be. It’s possible to be feminine and still be strong, we are called to be ‘helpers’ and that doesn’t mean what many today seem to think. Likewise, to be a man who admits he was wrong, asks for forgiveness, and even cries at times isn’t wrong either. (In fact, Jesus cried. I don’t think we can really get more ‘manly’ than God, since He created them, male and female He created them… We should all try to be more like Jesus in our faith and spiritual walk, so this lie that men don’t, or can’t, feel/have emotion is just as toxic and destructive as the ‘divine feminine’ mentality.)

I loved that Carlson doesn’t take the easy way out, but takes readers along for the long-haul in this one. The story is emotional, it’s deep, it’s likely challenging at times, but oh it’s so worth it! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down, and I’m so glad I got to read it this month! It was just the story I needed, and everything I’d hoped for and more! The characters, the lessons, the faith and hope born out of the struggles and challenges. All of it! These Wild Dreams of Ours by Carly L. Carlson is a wonderful debut, and one you definitely don’t want to miss!

Other books in the series:
_{(Below is a list of the other books I’ve read & reviewed for this series)}

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