Elizabeth and James Martin had dreamed of heading west along the Oregon Trail, where his family had already gone, but after James' death, Elizabeth put away that dream to raise son Jamie (who later decides he should be called J.T. because Jamie is too childish) and daughter Ruth on their little farm in Kentucky. But the dream is revived after her brother Matthew Dawson goes to pick up his fiancée Violet to bring her to his parents, Asa and Clara Dawson, house for Christmas Eve dinner, only to return alone. His fiancée and his best friend Walter had run off together leaving Matthew to face the gossip. He's ready to leave town now, but the family talks him into waiting until he cools down. Elizabeth takes it as a sign from God that she and her children should go west with Matthew. After trying to talk them out of it their parents end up getting the fever too and all make plans to travel together

The first obstacle they encounter turns out to be a blessing. Brady, a freed slave, who had stayed and worked for Elizabeth, doesn't want to work for the new owner of her farm. He feels that they think they bought him with the farm, so with the papers that freed him in hand; he joins his "family" on the trail.

Along the trail Matthew finds himself interested in one of the fellow travelers, after finding Jess is really Jessica. Elizabeth finds herself thinking about the buckskinned scout for the wagon train Eli Kincaid, though the last thing on her mind should be romance. Well, perhaps the thought was setting in the back of her mind causing her to daydream just a little. She's even more confused when fellow traveler and wealthy lawyer Will Bramford starts showing up at odd times to help her.

What readers might want to keep in mind is that WESTWARD HEARTS is book one of a series, so you will be left hanging a bit, but waiting for the next book will be worth it. Melody Carlson writes an incredible story with many varied characters, some you would love to meet in real life and others, you are glad are only in her imagination. Through rain and mud, tempers, gossip and accusations, a tornado, Indian encounter and some prejudices that even Elizabeth, who is an abolitionist, has a moment with, the family continues on their way with the feeling that the good Lord is watching over them. As you travel with the wagon train in this book, with the day to day life laid out before you, with its dramas and monotony, you are pulled into what the emigrants went through in the 1850s in hopes of free land and a better life.