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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
The Path of Saints and Sinners, the fourth book in J.F. Collen’s Journey of Cornelia Rose series, finds Cornelia “Nellie” Wright and her family at a crucial crossroads in 1857, having just survived the rigors of the Overland Trail to reach Great Salt Lake City. It is told through Nellie’s intelligent, fiery point of view, where her life in Mormon Utah is anything but simple. They’ve arrived in their new hometown, where tensions between “Gentiles” and “Saints” are palpable, and being the new judge’s wife in such a strict, unfamiliar society doesn’t come easily for her. Nellie is used to voicing her opinions, but in a place ruled by plural marriage and rigid gender roles, she’s often expected to stay quiet. She navigates an unfamiliar Christianity, frontier dangers, homesickness, and political unrest—all while striving to protect her marriage, raise her children, and build complex relationships with other women amid classic pioneer challenges.
I was completely pulled into The Path of Saints and Sinners by J.F. Collen. The writing is full of heart, grit, and humor. Nellie’s voice feels so real, I could practically hear her in my head. Whether she’s exchanging banter with her husband, Obadiah, or navigating a room full of Brigham Young’s wives, Nellie’s take on the world is both clever and full of heart. This brings her character to life, making the scenes easier to visualize, and adds humor to a serious time in American history. I also loved how the chapter titles are named after iconic songs like “People Are Strange, When You’re a Stranger,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Here Comes the Sun.” It’s a clever touch that gave the book a little something extra. The vivid historical details dropped me right into frontier life—I could smell the campfire smoke and feel the weight of daily chores. I also learned a lot about early Mormon Utah, especially its tensions with the U.S. government, which I was previously unfamiliar with. It’s a moving, layered story about faith, freedom, and what it really means to belong.
