The Girl from Montana
by Grace Livingston Hill

3.5 stars
After her parents and her brother die, Elizabeth is all alone in their remote cabin. A group of rowdy men threaten her, and Elizabeth flees in the night. She rides her horse across country, worried that the men might pursue her. She encounters a fellow traveler, a man who is lost, and they ride together for a few days. They form a tentative friendship, but are separated once they reach civilization again. Elizabeth travels on her own, searching for her relatives back East, and hoping to find her friend once again.

This is such a sweet and wholesome story! I actually cried a couple of times because Elizabeth is so incredibly brave and good. She suffers terribly, but manages to keep her heart pure. It was really inspirational to read about how she doesn’t let the everyday ugliness of life tear her down or make her bitter.

I really loved the way the story is woven around the Gospel message in a tender way. Elizabeth and her friend both turn to Christianity to find comfort and courage through the dangers of their adventures. The book gives a clear and powerful message of hope in Christ, but it is such an integral part of the story that it doesn’t feel preachy.

I found the characters really compelling and interesting. Even the side characters are very well-written. Elizabeth is such a complex and emotional character. Her personality is so strong! I fell in love with her right away!

I loved the sweet and slow romance. There was a little bit of insta-love, but it does make sense that two people who are thrown into danger in the wilderness will naturally begin to have strong feelings for each other very quickly. They share meaningful conversations and experiences together that bind their hearts closely to one another. So I didn’t mind the slight insta-love, because in the context of the story, it made sense.