Review: Laura’s Shadow
Today I’m sharing a book review for Laura’s Shadow, a split-time romance novel by Allison Pittman. It is part of the Doors to the Past series published by Barbour but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from the author as part of JustRead publicity tours. All views expressed are my own. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
Oh, my! Do I have mixed feelings about this book.
I’ll start by saying that it was my most-anticipated book of the summer. Being a lifelong Little House fan, I eagerly looked forward to a spinoff story based on Laura’s friend, Cap Garland. And while it was an interesting, well-researched story, I was disappointed.
It was kind of like the first time I watched the Little House television series. I grew up in the 1970s when the series was in full swing, but my family didn’t have a television. So I only knew the books. Later, as an adult, when I had the opportunity to watch the series, I was so let down. The TV episodes were nothing like the books, and the actors did not portray the characters I had in my mind. I finally accepted that they were two completely different stories, and then I could enjoy the series on its own merits.
That’s how Laura’s Shadow was for me. Had it not tried to connect to the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. I especially enjoyed the multi-generational aspect, with the heroine of the 1890 story being the (living) great-grandmother of the 1974 heroine.
I didn’t care for the character portrayal of Laura or Cap, or even the great-grandmother Mariah, for that matter. I have read both Prairie Fires and Pioneer Girl (which the author mentioned in the preface) so I get that the Little House story was not always as cheerful and happily-ever-after as the children’s books make it out to be. But this retelling came across somewhat bitter for my taste.
I was interested to see where the author was taking the story, even though I was dissatisfied with how it ended. Would I recommend it? Maybe, with a caveat. I give it 3 stars out of 5, which means it was okay but not outstanding.
From the Publisher
Family Secrets Spill One Conversation at a Time
De Smet, South Dakota—1890
Young women growing up in De Smet live by two rules: don’t go out in a snowstorm and don’t give your heart to Cap Garland. Young Mariah Patterson only managed to obey one. Orphaned and having devoted her youth to scrapping out a life with her brother Charles, Mariah finds herself with no option but to marry the devoted—but dull—Merrill Gowan. Throwing caution to the wind, she seizes an opportunity to lay her feelings at Cap’s feet, even though she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls. Mariah is certain her love for Cap will be strong enough to break both bonds, and she’s willing to risk everything to prove it.
De Smet, South Dakota—1974
Trixie Gowan is the fourth generation of living Gowan women residing in the sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of De Smet. Well, former resident. She’s recently acquired her own bachelor girl apartment in Minneapolis, where she works writing ads for a neighborhood paper. She might live and work in the city, but her co-workers still call her Prairie Girl. Thus the inspiration for her comic strip—” Lost Laura”—in which a bespectacled girl in a calico dress tries to make her way in the city. The name is a quiet rebellion having grown up in a household where she’d been forbidden to mention the name, Laura. But when her great-grandmother Mariah’s declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, two things might just keep her there: the bedside manner of Dr. Campbell Carter and the family secret that seems to be spilling from GG’s lips one conversation at a time.
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.
About the Author
Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a four-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series, once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties and most recently for the critically acclaimed The Seamstress which takes a cameo character from the Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities and flourishes her to life amidst the French Revolution. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike.
Connect with Allison by visiting allisonkpittman.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Giveaway
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Laura’s Shadow and a $15 Amazon egift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 24, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Little House Expanded Reading List
If you’re a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan like me, you’ll want to check out my curated reading list.
6 Comments
Shelly Peterson
Sounds like a good read.
JustRead Tours
Thank you for sharing!
Marisela Zuniga
Thanks for sharing your review on the book, it sounds good
Cindy Davis
That does sound disappointing. I have enjoyed the other books in the series and have been looking forward to reading this one.
Tracie Cooper
Sounds likes a great read!
Caryl Kane
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.