From the Publisher
Set against the harsh backdrop of Montana, You Belong Here Now is a novel as straightforward and powerful as the characters who populate it. I love this book, and I guarantee you won’t find a finer debut work anywhere.” — William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land
“Rostad’s bighearted debut is full of surprises, and warm with wisdom about what it means to be family.” — Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to London
“You Belong Here Now distills the essence of the American spirit in this uplifting story. Perfect for book clubs looking to discuss the true meaning of family.” — Kathleen Grissom, New York Times bestselling author of The Kitchen House
“From the moment the reader steps on the train with these orphaned children, You Belong Here Now shows how beauty can emerge from even the darkest places.” — Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl
“A heartwarming, unflinching story of orphans, family, and horses. Timeless, irresistible... For fans of Orphan Train and all of us who long for acceptance.” — Weina Dai Randel, award-winning author of The Moon in the Palace
"Rostad comes roaring out of the gate with her beautiful debut novel You Belong Here Now where everyone is a broken spirit in his or her own way, but are ultimately restored under the Big Sky." — Leslie Caroll, author of American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
“In lively, descriptive language, Dianna Rostad has penned a heart-warming, epic story built on the premise of a search for belonging that reads as an odyssey in all that it takes to find the heart of one’s family.” — New York Journal of Books
"This novel is deeply felt and beautifully portrayed." — Historical Novel Society
“Ultimately, this is a book about the healing power of acceptance... Not since John Irving’s Cider House Rules and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath have I been so invested in a novel’s characters... Rostad’s riveting prose profoundly moved me and left me feeling inspired.” — Jathan & Heather
"This intricately plotted, deeply researched debut ranks among the best of the “Orphan Train”–themed novels and polishes the Western novel to a new radiance. Picture Charles Dickens on an Appaloosa for a fusion of two classic genres." — Library Journal (starred review)
Jathan & Heather
Ultimately, this is a book about the healing power of acceptance... Not since John Irving’s Cider House Rules and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath have I been so invested in a novel’s characters... Rostad’s riveting prose profoundly moved me and left me feeling inspired.
Leslie Caroll
"Rostad comes roaring out of the gate with her beautiful debut novel You Belong Here Now where everyone is a broken spirit in his or her own way, but are ultimately restored under the Big Sky."
Erika Robuck
From the moment the reader steps on the train with these orphaned children, You Belong Here Now shows how beauty can emerge from even the darkest places.
William Kent Krueger
Set against the harsh backdrop of Montana, You Belong Here Now is a novel as straightforward and powerful as the characters who populate it. I love this book, and I guarantee you won’t find a finer debut work anywhere.
New York Journal of Books
In lively, descriptive language, Dianna Rostad has penned a heart-warming, epic story built on the premise of a search for belonging that reads as an odyssey in all that it takes to find the heart of one’s family.
Kathleen Grissom
You Belong Here Now distills the essence of the American spirit in this uplifting story. Perfect for book clubs looking to discuss the true meaning of family.
Weina Dai Randel
A heartwarming, unflinching story of orphans, family, and horses. Timeless, irresistible... For fans of Orphan Train and all of us who long for acceptance.
Historical Novel Society
"This novel is deeply felt and beautifully portrayed."
Meg Waite Clayton
Rostad’s bighearted debut is full of surprises, and warm with wisdom about what it means to be family.
Library Journal
★ 11/19/2021
DEBUT A century ago, New York City swept up its lost children and sent them out of state to work for their keep as foster kids. In 1925, one train's trip is to end in Billings, MT, but three kids jump off early to hide their NYC past. They are given shelter and work at the Stewart ranch. Charles is big for his age, so he can work hard, but he has a temper. Patrick is weedy but a gifted horse wrangler. Eight-year-old Opal, scarred and silent, helps the homestead's matriarch. Slowly, the children earn the affection of all, even Nara, the brusque spinster daughter. But the equilibrium slips, and each child faces disaster that not even the powerful Papa Stewart can avert. VERDICT This intricately plotted, deeply researched debut ranks among the best of the "Orphan Train"—themed novels and polishes the Western novel to a new radiance. Picture Charles Dickens on an Appaloosa for a fusion of two classic genres.—Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA
