Gold Mountain

A new to me author and an enjoyable read. I liked the writing and the characters and would definitely read more by this author in the future.

When San Francisco business tycoon Caden Caldwell's son runs off to Alaska he vows to go there and bring him back. Along the way he meets new friends, gets a new family and finds happiness again. Life affirming sweet story.

Set in the late 1800’s, Caden Caldwell is possibly one of the richest men in the country; a Californian business tycoon, with a curt, brusque manner - the opposite to his adventure-hungry, womanising son Colt.

When Colt ups and takes himself off to Alaska in search of gold (that he doesn’t need), Caden is determined to bring him back and into the business but, in the wilds of Alaska, Caden is taken out of his comfort zone in all sorts of ways and, as the winter arrives early, he has no option but to wait it out in a small town, along with some orphaned children, and an ex-preacher-now-turned-brothel-owner.

I was drawn to this book by the cover, ever a sucker for a cowboy! And, although it doesn't really illustrate the story, and they weren't the type of cowboys I was hoping for, it is a short, cosy read and I really enjoyed it.

I loved the relationship between Caden and the children, and Caden and Preacher, and the way Caden, and his companions, were helped and enveloped into the town.

My only criticism was the end. It didn’t feel natural, and had never been hinted at previously, so I found this jarred a bit for me.

In summary, this is a heart-tugging story of family, personal enlightenment, and finding out what is important in life. It is an easy read and yes, there are obvious emotional hooks, but you just have to go with it as being that kind of book and one that, due to length, doesn’t have space for subtleties.

For me, it’s one to curl up with on a rainy afternoon with a cuppa and a snuggly blanket.

I gave this 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

There might be gold in them thar hills, but curmudgeonly San Francisco business tycoon Caden Caldwell treks to Alaska in a fit of rage looking for his free-spirited son, Colt, who has struck out for the Klondike Gold Rush.

What Caden finds is something else altogether. Orphaned children. Wayward women. Quirky prospectors. Tlingit Indians. Isolated with this motley crew when early winter weather hits, he has no choice but to re-evaluate his life in ways that terrify yet intrigue him. Will he ever be the same? Does he want to be? There is hope that Caden Caldwell might strike it rich in ways he never imagined.

The Gold Mountain by Linda Hughes present a fun reading but interesting storyline. The author's ability to share the characters emotions, relationships and daily challenges offer an amazing book to read. I recommend this writing to any reader who enjoys events focused on the historical Gold Rush in America and the impacts these experiences had on people.