The Roads We Take - by Christy K Lee (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For fans of Genevieve Graham and Ariel Lawhon, a stirring historical fiction set in 1880s Canada, revealing the pioneering life of one of the country's first female physicians--a must-read for enthusiasts of women's history and tales of personal resilience.

The year is 1885, and what Clara Thomas desires most is a life beyond the ordinary.

As one of Canada's first female physicians, she yearns to start her own medical practice. Unfortunately, her parents view her goals as an idle preoccupation, encouraging her instead to settle down with a man of their choosing and give up her dreams.

Fleeing this conventional life, Clara marries a handsome stranger in haste and journeys to British Columbia to start a life she wants to live.
Unfortunately, she shortly discovers that her husband has a crippling addiction and a tendency towards laziness and anger. She could escape to Ontario, but this would also mean giving up her clinic and the relationships she's made in her new home.

In an age where a woman's worth, rights, and choices are determined by her husband's whims, will Clara be forced to bow to convention, or will she throw caution to the wind and follow her heart? A heart-rending historical fiction about finding your way, The Roads We Take brings to life the struggles of women in late nineteenth-century Canada.

Review Quotes

"A touching love story with well-drawn characters and rich with period detail, The Roads We Take illuminates the little-known history of Canada's early women doctors." ---Maia Caron, author of Song of Batoche

About the Author

Christy K. Lee is a lifetime writer and storyteller. She is obsessed with stories of women who break all the rules, and is sometimes a bit of a rule breaker herself. When she's not writing, she can be found spending time in her classroom, in the local library digging through historical archives, or having a bevvie with a friend. Her second historical fiction novel, The Fort, set during the Fur Trade in Canada, is releasing July 2025.