Fun storyline with unique characters! I love the fake relationship baseline, it just adds a fun twist to the story. I also just genuinely love historical romance especially when it's a western setting.

Mercy can be a bit obnoxious but the bad cook characteristic made me laugh the entire story. Gray's constant napping was entertaining but also so relatable to at least one man in all our lives. Sunshine was an enjoyable character that I'd love to see a book about. I want to know his back story and why he's so obsessed with being feared like Gray. To be completely honest though... Birdie stole this show! I loved the stubborn, always napping, apple-eating horse.

A few notes for other over thinkers.... I just wonder how often women in historical western settings actually couldn't cook well. This way of thinking led me down a rabbit hole wondering how Mercy would have snagged a husband without being able to cook in those days. Also curious what type of horrible food Gray was used to eating if he was ok with burned food constantly.

I wanted to love this book. It had a spunky heroine and a dangerous gunslinger who just wanted to retire, but it had a few issues I couldn’t get past. The bad language was one thing. I can handle a curse word or two, but this was too much, especially the use of the f-word. I also didn’t find it realistic that the heroine had slept with two men already, before Gray.. Maybe one as an engaged teen, but with the heroine not being know for her beauty and living alone with her father, especially in this time period in the west as a “respectable” lady, I just didn’t buy it. It also seemed unrealistic that the town madam was the mayor and no one had any issues with her involvement in anything, even holding the marriage in her brothel with all the townspeople attending. The main character had spunk, but not a lot of depth. You didn’t see her mourn for her recently deceased father and never even mentioned her mother. I didn’t see a lot of personality or much backstory of hers to help a reader care.
The good parts were the story was entertaining. Gray was so likeable and made you root for his happily ever after. I liked Sunshine and would be interested in reading his story. I was disappointed and almost stopped reading a couple times, but the bones of the story were so good I kept on. With a few edits of bad language and the addition of a little personality for the heroine (spunky is all you get), this would be an amazing book!

I stopped at twenty percent in, this just didn't work for me.

First off, the prose is wonky. Terms like killin' and ol' and MOSEYING are used in the generic all-knowing narration, terms better suited to verbal dialogue. It was jarring to see on the page like that, though I suppose for others it reads as charming or something.

The main character threatens his horse with the glue factory a couple pages in, a line that was distasteful at best to me. I found him entirely unlikeable as a character, in fact, not a good sign for a romance.

But the main concern for me was the sheer stupidity with which the female protagonist approaches guns. In the short chunk that I read, guns are discharged for stupid reasons or attempts at humorous moments, and it was just not for me. The dedication area mentions trigger - literally - warnings for gunfire and shoot-outs, but not flat-out irresponsible use of firearms.

In short, I have read excellent westerns written with woke ideals by modern writers that didn't sacrifice common sense or tasteful prose in search of a "wild west ambience", so I'll just re-read those. Two stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun read! Gray is a retired gunslinger who is just trying to live a quiet life, and Mercy is trying to protect her land. They end up stumbling into marriage. The highlight of this book for me was the characters. Gray and Mercy had a lot more depth than you might expect, and the secondary characters were well-developed and entertaining. Overall, a funny, heartwarming book!

I love historical romance, but it's been a long time since I read a western historical romance. I definitely wanted to read Hitched to the Gunslinger when I had the chance. The cover initially drew me in, and the synopsis sealed the deal for me.

While I did enjoy this book, I didn't completely love it. Both Gray and Mercy annoyed me at times. Gray, with his constant napping. Mercy, with her overbearing tendencies.

That being said, these two did suit each other. I liked the hate-to-love aspect of their relationship, but I felt their feelings changed a bit too abruptly.

Desolation had quite a few quirky characters that added to the story, and I can definitely see this turning into a series of standalones.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

LOVED this story full of laughs and good times! Not what you'd expect from a western! just enjoy !12345678910 sorry computor is being hacked

I received a free ARC ebook of Hitched to the Gunslinger from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I'm not much of a romance reader. McLean's Hitched to the Gunslinger has much in common with the tv Westerns of my youth but she throws in lot of sex that never graced my black and white television screens.

One-Shot Gray Woodson just wants to retire. His rather accidental career as a gunslinger has left him with no friends, a worn-out horse, and few options. His remarkable success has meant that there is always someone who wants to challenge him to make their own mark but her is determined to leave the danger and death behind him. He wanders into Desolation (what a great name for a town) and promptly becomes the unwitting hero to Mercy, a young woman who is in danger of losing her land and her life to a greedy neighbor. Mercy is very different than most Western women of her time- she speaks her mind and will not be cowed by those who threaten her. When Gray comes her across her mid-confrontation with her nemesis, she blurts out that Gray is her fiance. Since his reputation precedes him, the confrontation is temporarily suspended but Gray is now thrust into Mercy's life and problems.

There are the expected characters here - the greedy landowner, the town drunk, the wise and sultry saloon owner - but McLean manages to place them, with all their expected traits, into a plot that is enjoyable. Hitched to the Gunslinger is a fast, fun read.
#NetGalley #HitchedtotheGunslinger

This was a quick and fun read. Mercy is being harassed by a neighbor of hers, Josiah, who wants to buy her land after her father dies. She wants to keep it and keep her apple orchard running. Gray, a very well known gunslinger, looking for a quiet place to retire, happens across Mercy when she is in the middle of heated argument with Josiah. He gets pulled into the situation when Mercy tells Josiah that Gray is her fiancée. Mercy and Gray end up in a fake engagement and then a marriage of convenience that turns into something more. These two were a very likable couple who were easy to root for. I appreciated that they were a little older and more experienced, which added depth to their backstories. The humor in the book was very enjoyable, arising out of their contrasting personalities and styles. All in all, a very amusing and well written western historical. Thanks to #NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for a advance copy of the book.

I really enjoyed this book. Was my first read by this author and I will be looking for more of her books.
Here we have Mercy and Gray. Mercy owns a farm with water rights and has a neighbor who wants her property for the water. Gray is a gunfighter (not his choice in life) who decides to retire to Desolation – the town where Mercy lives. Gray is a loner and not your typical male. He wants to give up his guns and live a quiet life. He seems lazy, is a bit older, always tired and hungry and has a slight paunch. He’s not used to having to care about people or people caring about him. He ends up getting mixed up with the townspeople and Mercy. Mercy is a bit older herself – in those days you would say she was a spinster. She couldn’t cook and was pretty spunky and outspoken. This book was laugh out loud funny sometimes and I also did get teary eyed over things that happened. It was that good. The love scenes were tastefully done – just perfect. And Gray and Mercy had great chemistry. Loved this book – not to be missed. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a fun, quick read! Surprised at how much I enjoyed this. book.
When a notorious gunslinger, Grey, AKA Quick Shot, comes across the small town of Desolation, he really wants to retire and blend in. But somehow he ends up married to Mercy, a landowner having trouble with some locals. As word gets around about who Grey really is, trouble seems to find him, and a bounty is out on him. As Grey's heart open up to love for Mercy, he realizes that it's not just his life that is in danger, and he can't bear to lose her. Will they find happiness?
Love the characters and the banter. The whole town is refreshing. Some gun fighting, love, friendship, and some laughs.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hitched to the Gunslinger is a fun romantic comedy with a bit of gun fighting included. Gray Woodson is well known as Quick Shot for his gun fighting skills. He wants to retire where nobody will know him and comes upon the small town of Desolation. Seems ideal except his reputation has proceeded him. Mercy has just lost her father and is determined to keep her land from neighbor Josiah who wants to marry her to gain control of it. Will Gray be the answer to her predicament?
I enjoyed this book and found parts of it laugh out loud funny. The characters did not always act in ways that seem like most people would, especially back in the time period of the book. Mercy is very strong willed and defiant even when dealing with her husband. The townsfolk are all very liberal and the local brothel is often used for meetings and events. The madam is also the mayor of Desolation. The story moves along at a good pace and the ending is rewarding. I give this book 4 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy if this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I loved it. What a fun and quick read.I read it in one sitting. The characters were just refreshing. Grump and sunshine. My favourite cup of tea.Clever and witty writing.
Would definitely recommend this book and will most definitely read again from this author.

The writer has a clear voice that comes out in the lives and personalities of the citizens of Desolate. I loved the main characters in this book, Gray with his edge of danger and lazy sex appeal, Mercy with her snarky spunk. There’s fire between them that might just ignite if they aren’t careful.
The premise of a retired gunslinger and an almost old maid sparked my interest and drew me into the story. Of course as in any historical western there has to be a villain, conflict, and resolution and this book filled them all in a wholly satisfactory way.
I’m not a fan of open door love scenes in the books I read, but that having been said this book made it more playful and less offensive.
Overall good read.
I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Amara and this is my honest opinion.

This was very cute and very funny. Some of the scenes I could envision in my head just like a tv show - very clever. Grey is such an easy hero to root for, and I love that he was such a grumpy curmudgeon.

I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing. All opinions are my own.

This classic twist was just what I needed to break up some monotony in my books lately. It’s not often that you run across a western romance based in the historical genre.

The author created some pretty strong characters in both the male and female lead. I love the opposite characterization with Gray being “retired“, laid-back, looking for a meal, definitely not looking for a job. Plus, he was damn delicious too.

Mercy, on the other hand, was pretty intense. Demanding, overly strong in character, and a bit high strung. Together, they did work well as a decent balance.

The plot finds them thrown together in a marriage and this is where the author shined with her with building a fiery connection between these two.

McLean doesn’t hold back in terms of what was “proper touching” back in that time frame. You get all the contemporary feels in this one. These two had a blazing connection and that made all the difference in the story for me.

Hitched To The Gunslinger is witty, unique, and definitely not run of the mill. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, all of which really make a difference in this wild western romance.

Very Readable.
Whilst not laugh out loud, this was a very amusing story and thoroughly enjoyable. The lazy gunslinger turned reluctant hero, the feisty young woman, the colourful townsfolk and the villainous baddie all woven into a good yarn. Would make a good Carry On Film!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: Hitched to the Gunslinger
Author: Michelle McLean
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5 (Hot on the Smut-O-Meter)
Series: None
Tropes: Historical-American West, Fake engagement, Marriage of convenience, Sunshine vs. grumpy, Older MCs, Protector romance
Content Warning: Gun violence, Previous death of parents, Threatening behaviour, Death, Injury

Michelle McLean crafts a swoony love story in the American West. My husband has been very into watching Western movies recently so I’ve had gunslingers and isolated towns where everyone has a secret on my mind.

Gray “Quickshot” Woodson is looking to hang up his gunslinger title. It gets old fast when everyone is afraid of you and expects trouble wherever you go. On his way to finding this retirement, Gray’s headstrong horse decides Mercy Douglas’s apples are too tasty to pass up.

Mercy has recently buried her father and faces extreme pressure to sell her farm or marry a local bully. Claiming an infamous gunslinger as her fiancé seems like a perfect short-term solution to her problem. While Gray isn’t in the market for a wife, a place to sleep and regular meals is too much to pass up. He settles into Mercy’s back shed and his role as fake fiancee.

Mercy and Gray play off each other so well. I loved the ways McLean bucked historical romance expectations (heroine being the perfect homemaker, weak women, virginity). Eventually Mercy and Gray go from fake engaged to real married and have to navigate their relationship amidst a growing threat. I loved the humorous situations created by Gray and Mercy’s opposing dispositions (grumpy vs. sunshine at its best).

Plus McLean populates Desolation, Colorado, with an intriguing cast of characters including Mr. Sunshine who followed Gray to town after dogging him for gunslinger lessons, the Preacher (with a past), the local parlor owner Madame DuVere and Martha who keeps everyone fed when Mercy has burned her latest meal. Fingers crossed McLean continues to write in this world.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun read! Historical romances are a genre I love, but somehow I read way too little of them, even though I know I will end up having a great time every single time I read one of them.

"Hitched to the gunslinger" is a sweet and funny historical romance taking place in a odd town with characters who all have somewhat quirky and charming personalities that will capture your interest immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I had a smile on my face the whole time. Our main characters, Mercy and Gray, are two stubborn souls who finds themselves in a marriage that is fake at the beginning, but along the way they grow fond of each other. The reason why they pretended to be fake engaged is a threat against Mercy's apple farm and it's also the reason why the story keep you on your toes (and yes, despite that it is kinda a widely known fact that most romance books end with a HEA, you still feel the suspense).

I loved how different the characters were and how the whole town got invested in everyone's business. That's the main reason why I loved reading small town romances, it is both a good and bad thing that everyone knows everyone and everything, but it is sure very entertaining to read about. Especially when the MC is a infamous gunfighter who turns out to love food and naps more than anything. I mean, who could not love him? Mercy is as stubborn as Gray is and their bantering/arguing was a delight to follow.

To sum it all up, this was a lighthearted and funny book with characters that stood out from the usual crowd the historical romances consist of and you will definitely not regret picking this up if you are after a easy read that will brighten up a few hours of your day when you read it.

All Gray "Quick shot" Woodson wants is somewhere to get peace and quiet. As a gunslinger, everywhere he goes, someone wants to prove they're better than him. He's determined to retire and not kill anymore. He travels with just his guns and a lazy horse with a very stubborn mind of her own.

Mercy has just buried her father. She doesn't believe for one minute that his death was an accident because of the problems they've had from a neighbour. She's capable of looking after herself but sees an opportunity in the appearance of someone who seems to scare all the men in town.

This historical, western romance is full of humour. Although there are some deadly gunfights and awful bullying, the overall feel of this is fun. The horse alone will have you giggling. The townsfolk are a very interesting bunch, with hopefully more stories to share. You will be drawn in to the lives of all our characters from the first to last page. Nobody is spectacularly beautiful or rich, all have secrets that they would prefer kept quiet. Maybe not ordinary folk though.

I look forward to reading more stories about this town.

Lots of fun.

Its been awhile I read a western, but this one I actually enjoyed! I loved the flow and pace of the story with all of the action scenes that took place. The main couple Gray and Mercy's chemistry/relationship was fun to watch.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.