CHERRY CREEK by Linda Griffin
Fiction, Historical Romance (1850s), Colorado
Coming July 6, 2026 from The Wild Rose Press
4****

Blurb: When her fiancé died, Eileen said, “Then I’m free,” words that her younger sister Molly didn’t understand and never forgot. In 1850s Ohio, a girl doesn’t have that many options, and marrying Andrew MacLeith may be the best she can hope for. He promises to cherish her, but they have to live with his parents, and he can’t even protect her from his mother’s sharp tongue. After a quarrel, Molly impulsively joins his gambler brother Hugh on a journey to the Pike’s Peak gold region. Perhaps the romance and freedom she longs for lie elsewhere. Or were they right under her nose all along?

THOUGHTS: At less than 100 pages, this is a quick read. Molly is only sixteen years old when she marries her neighbor Andrew. She’s looking forward o having her own home but things didn’t work out that way. Instead, to save money, the young couple moves in with his parents. Unfortunately, Andrew’s mother definitely doesn’t like Molly and things go from bad to worse. Frustrated, Molly does something rash and leaves with Andrew’s brother who is heading for the gold rush in Pike’s Peak.

Months later, alone and broke, she joins prospectors in Cherry Creek as a cook for the camp. It’s hard work but she is independent. But that independence isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and two years later when Andrew finds her, she realizes that her best life might have been with him all along.

I would have loved for this story to be longer, but it has an ending that satisfies.

Recommended.