Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes is one of those books that is hard to review. It is a book that is best to experience. With that in mind, I will review it but know that my review will not do the story justice.

I was lost at the beginning of the story. I couldn't understand the point of what was being shared, nor could I see how it would connect to the broader storyline. Having read several other books by this author, I knew it would come together, so I kept reading. I think a great synopsis of this book would be "what once was lost is now found." Because once I made the connections, I was immersed in a beautiful story, rich in details, with a depth as deep as the mountains are wide. I was no longer lost, I was captivated and changed.

This is a beautiful story of loss, grief, friendship, betrayal, hope, love, faith, and so much more. I can't even imagine the depth of research or the amount of time that went into making this such a rich story. The characters felt real, and it was like I was in the story with them, feeling what they felt, and what a roller coaster of emotions the story will lead you through.

Once I was further in the story, I went back and read the beginning over, and it made perfect sense. So, if you start the story and feel a little lost, persevere, you will be glad you did. The only criticism I have is that I would have liked to see a bit more from the ending. I can't say more than that because I don't want to spoil anything, but after getting there, I needed a bit more.

Thank you to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A touching story of the power of friendship and coming of age.

Mary Beth and Rusty become pen pals in school, and continue their correspondence into their teens, but as time goes by they lose track of each other. Each enduring their own heartbreaks, and finding their own way. The story is told in the present and past, through various means, like letters, and a screenplay.

Written in beautiful prose, the story wends through the years and miles, in this compelling read. I will admit that the time jumping was a little confusing at first, but once I found my bearings I was hooked.

Overall, a well written read, with a compelling story of friendship, coming of age, grief, forgiveness, and restoration.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a special book. It is a story of family and dear friends, of community and belonging. There's a big mystery or two to solve and it's fun watching the girls work their way through the complicated riddles. Along the way they have to face their fears, the past and have to learn to rely on each other again. It's wonderful. I appreciated how the town accepted newcomers in as their own as well.

The beginning format was a little odd. I wasn't sure what was going on. That wasn't really clear until over half way through the book. I enjoyed the letters the girls wrote to each other and how they encouraged each other through some really hard times.

There were many amazing words or quotes. "Don't you stop playing son. A gift's a gift, plain and simple. Not just when someone sees it. Audience or not, God gave it to you, you give it to Him. Simple as that. You keep on, and He'll take those notes wherever they were meant to go" (location 3474).

I'd highly recommend this book. It moved me. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

** "How could the 'now' have any less purpose than whatever's on the other side? I think God made each moment and each moment matters." **

Amanda D. delivers an incredible story that spans many decades in "Born of Gilded Mountains," a story of friendship, grief and redemption.

After four boys make a pact in 1894 to share any riches found in the mountains, a treasure hunt is created that lasts until the 1940s.

When Marybeth Spatts of North Carolina and Rusty Bright of Colorado are brought together through a pen pal program, they quickly become fast friends. But when tragedy separates them, Marybeth becomes Mercy Windsor, a famous actress who eventually runs to Rusty's home after another tragedy.

What follows is a story filled with grief and hope and redemption. Mysteries abound as Marybeth meets an intriguing stranger. Can they solve the puzzles left behind about possible missing treasure?

Amanda D. does an incredible job of creating a story filled with twists and turns, heart-warming moments, and times of both sorrow and celebration. Told in a traditional manner, as well as filled with different written forms -- such as letters, news releases, scripts and texts from radio programs -- she creates an interesting format that is also filled with great characters.

She also fills "Born of Gilded Mountains" with great themes, like risk versus regret ("The risk of 'too much' is better than the regret of 'too little,' I think"); be the sunshine for someone else; "use what you got"; just take one step at a time; put on courage; finding purpose and the proper timing of it; dealing with grief; finding hope; and we all have treasure to find ("Sometimes being a friend means being a keeper of their treasure in the times they can't hold onto it").

Fans of dual-timeline novels, as well as authors like Jaime Jo Wright and Kate Morton, will love "Born of Gilded Mountains."

Five stars out of five.

Bethany House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

If your life hasn't turned out exactly as you planned, then here's the book for you. Within this small mining community, these interesting realistic endearing characters lived. In fact, the town of Mercy Peak provided the perfect setting as a backdrop for this roller coaster friendship between two pen pals spanning quite a few years. Presented in a most creative way, this incredible story will grab you. The author's storytelling skills and writing are beyond words. She has constructed sentences and paragraphs full of wisdom and meaning which touch the heart. I only wish that her next book was ready for me to buy.