The Fur Trader's Lady (Ladies of the Wilderness #1) by Gabrielle Meyer
Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.
With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.
Christy Award winner and bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents a new and thrilling historical adventure series set in the heart of the North American wilderness.
Review: I have loved all of the books in Meyer's Timeless series so was excited to read this first book in her historical fiction series. This book follows Lady Charlotte Fairfax, who flees England for Montreal to escape her guardian who is attempting to marry her to gain control of her fortune. Her childhood friend Stephen has agreed to marry her if she can make it across the ocean and advises her to find Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes Stephen a debt, to help her make it to him.
This was such a tender love story. From the very beginning, Charlotte and Reid are very drawn to one another. Due to their circumstances, they have very close proximity to one another, which leads to great physical temptation, which felt relatable and accurate given their circumstances. Like all of Meyer's books, she skillfully weaves in her Christian faith in a very natural and easy way throughout this. Both Charlotte and Reid question the path God wishes them to take and pray that they are led to make the right choices.
I loved the historical setting of this! It was evident the author had researched the fur trade extensively and I learned a lot about the time period and industry through reading this book. The fur trade "existed for over 200 years, and it employed thousands of men across Canada, the United States of America, and Europe. It was a well-oiled machine with a social hierarchy and culture that was unique to its time and place" (388). Some of the details were shocking - for instance many fur traders would take country wives that were then often abandoned when they stopped working in the interior. I admired the author's dedication to historical accuracy, as well as her creation of characters who questioned this practice and avoided participating.
There were some gaps in this story. What exactly is so evil about Charlotte's guardian? And why would she look to a son of a servant and not some more suitable man that was right there in England to marry? And what happened to her guardian in the end? His role just sort of trailed off. And I was disappointed that Charlotte and Reid didn't try a bit harder to resist temptation while she was still technically engaged to another man. It was an arrangement made out of desperation and not love or affection, but it still felt a bit morally gray of them. I was hoping for reconciliation between Reid and his brother. So much brotherly animosity in this! While I was glad Reid did have some reconciliation with other family members, this never materialized.
All in all, a lovely love story situated in a fascinating time and place in history. Gabrielle Meyer has created two characters who are undeniably drawn to one another, who are imperfect, but seek God's forgiveness and try their best to choose.
Stars: 4
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