This month, the online bookclub I co-host, #mommaleighellenbookclub, selected In the Heart of Paradise as one of our selections. Because it is the third book in Jamie McGillen’s series and I had not read the previous two, and me being me, I knew I had to read them first and I’m so glad I did. That being said, I decided to do all three reviews in one post, rather than separately – just trying something different. I will say that I binge-read this series…and I absolutely enjoyed every second with these characters and am looking forward to our book chat and author chat.
Publisher: The Evergreen Bookshelf
Published: September 16, 2019
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
~ Inspired by the trailblazing women of the 19th Century who dared to summit Mount Rainier ~
In the devastating aftermath of the 1889 Great Seattle Fire, nineteen-year-old Anna Gallagher faces considerable pressure to marry well and soon.
She has two serious suitors: a well-meaning but condescending doctor, and an evasive fisherman who challenges her mind. But Anna has no intention of giving up her freedom to keep house; she has a dream to reach the summit of Mount Rainier.
Despite her family’s disapproval and her own self-doubt, she secretly trains, raises money for supplies, and buys a train ticket to the base of the mountain. If she succeeds in reaching its icy peak, she could pioneer the way for women mountaineers; but it’s a tall task and there’s much at risk—including the heart of a man who just might love her as an equal.
On the journey, Anna will face glaciers, avalanches, and frozen temperatures, all without knowing if she even has a family or a future to return to.
In Sight of the Mountain is a charming coming-of-age story, but it also casts the reader’s gaze upon issues of colonialism, class, and women’s far-too-narrow options.
My thoughts:
Before I start this review, can we just take a moment to admire this cover? I remember seeing this book around bookstagram when it first came out and thinking just how stunning it was and putting it on my list. Luckily, they are incredibly quick, engaging reads that I devoured this first book in no time.
As most of you know, I love a good historical fiction novel. Make it a series, and I’m all in! And what sets this one apart is that not only is it not a WWII story, but it’s set right here in the US. I love discovering these hidden gems because I feel that they are not so popular, but when you find one, you want to sing its praises. And this series certainly deserves all the love.
The strength in this book lies in it’s female lead, Anna Gallagher, who has her eyes set on climbing Mount Rainier. She is not about to let the social mores of the time – this book is set in the late 1800s – deter her from attaining this goal. I also loved that she befriends a Duwamish woman and doesn’t let anything or anyone get in the way of that friendship.
There are so many themes that are explored in this coming-of-age story. We have racism, sexism, the dynamics between the Native Americans and whites, friendship and the desire for independence. It’s nothing too deep but it does provide just enough for great discussion for any bookclub. There is even a little mystery that Anna finds herself trying to solve which kept me fully engaged and wondering just how it would pan out.
I highly recommend this historical novel and am looking forward to seeing what comes next for Anna in the follow-up book.
Publisher: The Evergreen Bookshelf
Published: December 31, 2020
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
The much-anticipated sequel to IN SIGHT OF THE MOUNTAIN!
After Anna Gallagher’s first climb on Mt. Rainier, she faces a new challenge—enduring the ridicule and threats that come with breaking tradition. In 1890, being a young female mountaineer makes polite society uncomfortable, even angry. But despite the threats and inherent risk, she still has plans for another climb, even if it jeopardizes her family bookstore, and puts her in more danger than she ever imagined.
Emily Watson has always been close with the Gallagher family. As a young girl she dreamed of a wealthy husband, a fine house, and a future in Seattle society and now she finally has it. Her desires couldn’t be more different than Anna’s, but she’s confronted with her own invisible mountain to climb when she’s suddenly poverty-stricken. She must decide what matters most, and whether true love is worth waiting for.
IN LIGHT OF THE SUMMIT is a captivating story of ambition, heartbreak, and redemption. It’s a tale of two childhood friends navigating womanhood in the late 19th century, with as much grace as they can muster, while still figuring out how to be true to themselves.
My thoughts:
This is the second book in Jamie McGillen’s The Rainier series and I could not wait to pick it up. I really think this is a series that needs to be read in its entirety because each one builds on the last one, and luckily the books are rather short.
I have really come to adore and admire Anna Gallagher and this one picks up shortly after the previous book ends. She faces a new set of challenges now that news of her climbing has been released – clearly there are many that are not happy and not only is she facing repercussions, but so is her family’s business.
I also loved that we have another point of view added to the story – this time of Anna’s friend, Emily. She has very different ideas of what she wants in comparison to Anna and it was interesting having these two stories side by side. But even more glaring was that no matter what these two women wanted, they felt constrained by what society felt they should be doing at the time – again this is set in the late 1800s.
I am so glad I finally picked this series up. I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait to see what transpires in the third book. The writing is as stunning as the cover and I just know this is one series I will be recommending to all historical fiction lovers!
Publisher: The Evergreen Bookshelf
Published: November 2, 2021
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
The Rainier Series continues with book 3!
When Anna discovers she’s with child, it doesn’t feel as wonderful as she’d imagined. She quickly feels trapped between the doctors blaming her for her morning sickness, older women wanting her to stay home, and very real risks to her baby. She’s caught between protecting her family and living a fulfilling life—an impossible choice.
Anna’s new friend Elizabeth is reeling from an unexpected loss, and she believes her nervous tendencies are getting worse. Her thoughts have always been strange, and the threat of ending up in an insane asylum is never far from her mind. When she meets a handsome stranger on the train, she wonders if she can simply keep her “fits of mania” to herself. But when she develops a phobia, she’ll have to face her most dreaded fear to save what she loves most.
In the Heart of Paradise is a deeply hopeful story that explores themes of mental health and motherhood in the nineteenth century.
My thoughts:
And finally, here is the third book in Jamie McGillen’s The Rainier series and the book that my online bookclub that I co-host, #mommaleighellensbookclub, has selected as one of our bookclub picks for this month. I ended up binge-reading this series this past week and I cannot tell you how much I loved each and every book – and let me just say, I highly recommend reading this series in order as each one builds upon the next. I am so looking forward to our bookclub chat tonight and then our zoom chat with the author!
Even though this series has been set in the late 1800s / early 1900s, the themes that are explored could not be more timely. I have loved following Anna as she comes into herself as a person. She is now married, and expecting her first child, which of course puts a little wrinkle in her climbing plans, and makes for some interesting commentary on what society thinks a woman should be doing in this condition. I think my favorite line was when she showed up at a meeting and someone asked Anna if she shouldn’t be at home and Anna replies, “Are you worried I’m contagious?”
There is also another perspective paired with Anna’s, that of Elizabeth, a young girl who has dreams of becoming a nurse. The problem is that she has some anxieties and fears that sometimes get the best of her. I loved the way this story was paired with Anna’s and how mental health in general was addressed throughout this book. We see how some of the men really stepped up and some are still quite in line of thinking a woman’s place is in the home, doing nothing more than cooking, cleaning and procreating.
This book, and this series, is why I love reading historical fiction. I love being immersed in a time that I’m not all that familiar with and learning something new. The writing here is so engaging and there is just so much to unpack and discuss – this book truly is made for bookclubs and I just know we are going to have a great discussion about this book. I have my book all marked up and ready to go…and I even have a few questions for the author for when we get to chat with her!
