Better Luck Next Time is a sweet little historical fiction based on fact that I enjoyed quite a bit. My only complaint, if it can even really be considered a complaint, is that it seemed to drag at times. I loved many of the characters, and I loved the writing style. Having it told by Ward as an elderly man reminiscing on his time working on a ranch for soon-to-be divorced ladies was a wonderful way to tell this story. I do wish, too, that there had been a bit more at the end, to find out what happened, but I can see the beauty in leaving it the way it was left, too. This is very much one of those books I'm not sorry I read, but it won't be one I return to or remember much of later, unfortunately.

This charming and witty novel transports readers to a remote Nevada ranch in the 1930s, offering a delightful glimpse into the lives of its colorful characters. Johnson's characters are vividly drawn and immensely likable, with their own quirks and vulnerabilities that add depth to the story. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the atmospheric setting of the ranch captures the struggles and camaraderie of the time, immersing readers in a world of dusty plains and big dreams.

Johnson's writing style is engaging and evocative, with prose that crackles with humor and heart. The plot of "Better Luck Next Time" unfolds with a perfect blend of wit and warmth, as the characters navigate the ups and downs of life on the ranch and grapple with their own desires and disappointments. While the logic behind some of the characters' decisions may feel a bit contrived at times, the overall intrigue and charm of the novel make for an enjoyable read. The relationships between the characters are well-developed and believable, adding emotional depth and resonance to the narrative.

Overall, "Better Luck Next Time" is a delightful and entertaining read that is sure to leave readers smiling. Johnson's skillful storytelling, endearing characters, and satisfying plot make for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a heartwarming story about friendship and resilience, "Better Luck Next Time" is the perfect pick-me-up that is sure to brighten your day.

I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book! It was about a part of history I didn’t really know anything about, and highlights how far women have come in gaining rights.

I prefer the books that I read to be a nice harmonious balance of plot and characters. This book was very heavily character driven with very little plot, did not enjoy the novel at all.

This book deals with the probably little known circumstances of women (and men) getting "quickee" divorces in Nevada in the 1930s. They would have to be in Nevada for a short amount of time and this is the story of a "cowboy" who worked on a dude ranch where the women stayed and what they went through. Some of the women got their divorces, some of the women lost their husbands to death and then just stayed to enjoy the vacation, and some ended up staying with their husbands. Even though the book is about these women, it is Ward (the 20 something year old cowboy), who has the compelling story and I don't want to ruin the end, but let's just say I found a smile on my page as I read the last few pages.

Divorce in the 1930’s…that just didn’t happen! A completely taboo area and of course they had a divorce ranch for woman to attend lol.
It was ok

3.5 rounded up. I had never heard of a divorce ranch before reading this book so that aspect was neat. The setting may have been the most interesting piece about this book, however. The story didn’t wow me until the last few pages with an unsuspected twist.

I would definitely try this author again. She stopped into my zoom book club and was absolutely unexpectedly hilarious. She also spoke about a lot of her process for this book which is always fascinating to me. Made me like the book a little more to be honest.

Set in the 1930’s when divorce was uncommon. There was a ranch in NV that women could go and stay at to gain residency so that they could file for divorce from Nevada. Loved the setting with the carriage rides and the Wild West feeling. This was a character driven story about love, friendship and loss. It’s more of a sad story than a happy/funny one.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet story told in a variety of voices. Lots of little surprises throughout. It was nice how it all tied together

Cute and often funny story with colorful characters. Main themes are relationships - marriage, divorce, mother/daughter & friendships. The period and location of the novel's setting were previously unknown to me and thus intriguing - 1930's Nevada dude ranch for women seeking quickie divorces. Although several of the characters were quite unusual, the story was heartwarming with some sad parts. I enjoyed the twist at the end, although I did predict this due to some foreshadowing.

A western theme set in Nevada was a welcome one after so many WWII historic fiction reads. The story takes place on a ranch where women who are after a quick divorce live to fulfill the 6 week residency requirement of the state of Nevada. Their stories intertwine with the staff. Relationships, both male and female, are at the forefront. This story is told by a former ranch hand now at a nursing home to a reporter. I really liked it for a character driven story.

Travel back in time to 1938. You want a divorce. Not easy. Where to go? Well, how about Reno? Divorces are supposedly not so hard to obtain there. But…what to do while waiting? Hmmm, how about going to a dude ranch? That should help to pass the time.

At the dude ranch find Nina, Emily and Ward. Each has their own story and reason for being at the aptly named Flying Leap.

This novel combines humor and heart. I recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received this via NetGalley as a Book Club Girl Early Read on Facebook last October. This book was delicious! I feel in love with Ward immediately. I don't know if I like him in his youth or older age (???). Regardless, it was so fun getting to know him and love him.

My favorite line in the book (from old Ward): "Take that as a lesson, will you? In this life there will be those you may dismiss on first meeting who you'll grow very fond of eventually. Given that, it's wise and best to treat everyone you come across with equal measures of kindness".

I really liked "Be Frank With Me" Johnson's other book. Bravo! Two in a row: out of the park!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3633166756

Interesting step into the past to an era I knew very little about. This is a bittersweet story about Ward and his job as a cowboy in the 1930’s at a divorce ranch outside Reno. Nina, who's there for the third time, and Emily, a very wealthy woman who misses her daughter Portia. These are well developed characters and the writer really brings to life what living outside Reno is like. Things get interesting when Nina and Emily join forces and sweep Ward up in their escapades. I loved the characters and the setting.

Better Luck Next Time, (supposedly a well-known parting shot from a Reno divorce judge), tells the tale of Ward, a 24 year old cowboy at The Flying Leap, a “dude ranch” where wealthy out-of-state women stay, waiting to meet the six-week Nevada residency required to obtain a quickie divorce. As the story unfolds, Ward is an elderly retired doctor recounting his experiences with one particular group of women staying at the ranch in 1938.

At times hilarious, other times heartbreaking, Ward relates the over-sized personalities of the women and their relationships with one another and with him. There is no shortage of crazy escapades, tears, and romance. The lessons learned there guided Ward to becoming the person we meet as an old man; and set the stage for the big plot twist at the end. An entertaining read!

I was instantly intrigued by the premise - divorce camps in Reno, NV - but this book's focus was on more than just divorce. It's a slow build that I just couldn't stick with. I DNFed at 18%. The book definetly had an interesting premise, but I found I was not connecting with the characters or being drawn into the storyline.

I started out unsure what to make of this book. It begins with an elderly narrator recounting his time in Reno working at a divorce dude ranch that caters to wealthy women during the depression. If you become a Nevada resident for 6 weeks (no leaving the state during that time), you can get a divorce. Who knew that was a thing?

The more Ward, the narrator, continued with his story, the more interested in the story I became. This book didn’t feel like a clone of something I’ve read before and that made it enjoyable.

This was a great historical fiction based on a new-to-me subject. I had never heard anything about the ranches for divorcees in Nevada before, so it piqued my interest. It started off a little slow but I became so invested in the characters that it was all worth it!

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.