5 stars, Retired Gunslinger?

HITCHED TO THE GUNSLINGER
by Michelle McLean

How does a gunslinger retire? Buy a spread and be able to take a nap anywhere, anytime? That's what notorious gunslinger Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson has in mind. Mercy is in an awkward position with some of the locals in the sleepy town of Desolation, and she invents a temporary engagement with Gray, to help herself out. She offers Gray a free place to stay, good meals, and a free place to keep his horse.

Gray's peace and quiet lasted about 5 minutes, then all sorts of trouble begin. Join up Gray and Mercy as they solve the mysteries of Desolation and find that they might just happen to like each other a little bit, as well.

I liked the fact that the book had disclaimers on the "naughty bits" and trigger warnings. Some vulgarity could have been worded better, it didn't appear to match with the story.

Thank you to #netgalley and #entangled for the complimentary copy of #hitchedtothegunsliger I was under no obligation to post a review.

A fake engagement in the old west with both romance and action. Fun...cute. A fast read. We have the grumpy retired gunslinger seeking a place to call home and Mercy, the feisty woman to whom he agrees to become fake engaged. Two ordinary people lacking anything extraordinary star in this historical romance, which is refreshing, although I do read my romances for a bit more character fantasy. The insta-love, fast relationship was a bit of a hard pill to swallow given how long we had them at each other. But I went with it in a love-hate kind of way.
Overall great mix of humor and romance in the old west.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Gray Woodson is ready to retire. He's tired of being the fastest gunslinger in the West and of killing those who try to make a name for themselves by trying to kill him. When he comes to a town called Desolation he thinks it might be the perfect place to settle down and take a nap or two.

Unfortunately, he is immediately drawn into an argument between a woman named Mercy and Josiah, the rancher who wants her land by any means. Hoping to escape the situation, Gray tries to leave but his horse has other ideas. One minute he's a single man trying to enjoy his life and the next feisty Mercy claims he's her fiance to foil the ranchers plans. Gray is willing to act the part for room and board for awhile even though Mercy irritates him with her constant requests. I enjoyed this humorous western romance with well written characters. Recommended.

Thanks to Entagled Publishing, Netgalley and the author for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a complete riot. I loved the crotchety gunslinger who just wants to take a nap and the fiery woman he gets fake-engaged to against his better judgement. I loved the fact that she wasn't pretty but she was strong and that's what made her attractive. I loved the fact that she couldn't cook!

There was so much to enjoy about this book. I was drawn in by the story and really engaged with the characters and smiled the whole way through.

Can't wait for more from this author.

Historical romance is definitely my jam. I like dukes and duchesses, cowboys, highlanders, you name it. However, I haven’t read a western in a good while, so I figured I’d request this one when the email from the publisher arrived in my inbox. This one promised to be funny and I thought a retired gunslinger? Hmmm…should be interesting to say the least. The verdict is, even though it felt like two different stories starting around the halfway point, I liked it. Firstly, I liked that the hero was a curmudgeon with a bit of a dad bod going on and secondly I liked the goat. Mercy was a nice heroine, too. I really appreciated that this romance had two ordinary looking people with their own stubbornness uniting them. It definitely made for a few hilarious moments. That said, it was a bit too “Insta-love” for me considering the first half of the story where they were grating each other’s nerves more than getting to know one another. Still, I ended up reading the book in a few hours and am interested to see if it becomes a series because with an entire town of characters being introduced, there’s definitely room for more stories!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

*Swoon* this book was amazing guys! I've had this on my requested reads list for a while and I was so excited when I got approved! Why was I so excited you may ask? Three words. Fake. Relationship. Trope. One of my favorites!

Alright, lets get into this! I've read my fair share of Western romances... Personally, I think my obsession with the cowboy romance began with the Avon true romance for teens, Samantha and the Cowboy. At 15 years old, nothing was more swoon worthy than a swaggering Western gentleman... and this book only solidified that notion.

Gray was a swaggering gunslinger looking to retire.... that is until Grace storms into his life claiming him as her fiancé, and suddenly, his desire for a peaceful life is turned on it's head.

I think part of what made this book so great were the characters. I loved everyone in town. I loved the non judgmental, quirky feel they gave to the book. So often when you read a historical novel... especially a Western one, I feel like there is a lot of heaviness. Don't get me wrong, I realize that life wasn't easy in the early West and hardship existed. However, it was nice to read a depiction of that era with almost a rom-com vibe.

Now, for our main stars. I love that Gray was the classic quick shot gunslinger, but he was depicted as untraditionally handsome, older in years, and over all curmudgeonly, while still making him sexy. The same goes for Grace, her personality was highlighted rather than her looks, she was the untraditional heroine through and through. Additionally, I love that Gray gave Grace free reign to be/do everything she wanted without placing traditional values on her. He loved her spit fire personality, and never asked her to be something she wasn't. *Swoon* I believed their slow burn romance. I fell in love with them... so much so that I finished this quickly, and was contemplating starting another book... but decided not to because I'm mentally still in the world of Desolation that Michelle McLean has created.

If there were a few things I take issue with, it was this. The ending*without spoiling it* seems out of character for Grace and Gray.. and I almost feel like they should of continued exploring the relationship without adding into the mix. Besides that, I love a declaration of love... but this "I love you" moment felt random in comparison with the flow of the rest of the novel.

That being said, I LOVED this book, and will definitely be rereading again and again. Do yourself a favor and read this! I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read a free advanced copy of this for an honest review.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for giving access to an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Hitched to the gunslinger is a cute romance set in the Fare west staring a retired gunslinger looking for a quiet place to live the rest of his life and a single landowner in need of help.
The story was cute and quick paced. It was a good mix between romance and action and I really enjoyed it. The only negative thing I could say is that the relationship development was a little fast. You don’t really get why and how exactly Mercy and Gray fall in love. They meet, strike a deal, work together for a few days then they must get married and from that point it is implied that they have feelings for each other. I get how they went from stranger to friends but then you don't really get to see how the friendship become love.
Other than that it was an enjoyable read.

This was a very good read. I enjoyed this a great deal. It was funny and a well done. Gray is a retired gunslinger who just wants a peaceful life. Mercy is needing protection. They come together to help each other. The story was well done and I could just not put it down.

Loved this book! The characters are fantastic, from the quirky Gray, also known as the fastest gunslinger, to the independent Mercy, who is fighting to keep her land, along with a whole host of supporting characters. The preacher, in particular, made me laugh out loud. The town, Desolation, played such a significant role that was almost a character itself.

When Gray rolls into Desolation, he's looking for a quiet place to be alone and quietly live out his last days. When he encounters Mercy, she quickly introduces him as her fiance to the local bully trying to force her land from her. When Gray goes along with it, things quickly go off the rails and land him in a situation he never anticipated.

This book is fun, funny, and quirky. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself turning pages just as quickly as possible. If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. Put this one at the top of your TBR list.

Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson is a gunslinger who has become famous and feared as a very fast shot. He's decided it’s time to stop being a gunslinger and retire, and is looking for an out of the way place to enjoy his retirement. He lands up in Desolation and somehow ends up being engaged to Mercy, trying to save her from a local badman trying to take her land from her, and becoming the town Sheriff.
I am normally not a historic romance reader, but the blurb sounded interesting and the book kept me hooked. It was a perfect mix of romance, humor, wonderful characters and action - Wild West style.
This book should not be missed and I would happily recommend it to all.

Married to the Gunslinger is a historic rom-com about Gray Woodson, a man who wants to find a quiet place where he can retire in peace. A retired gunslinger, Gray wants nothing more than good food and a place where he can nap and remain anonymous. Instead, he finds Mercy.

Since her father’s passing, Mercy has lived alone, which has become problematic since a neighbor’s harassment has escalated. When she sees how nervous the men get with Gray around, Mercy pretends they’re engaged in the hopes that it will offer her some protection. Suddenly, Gray finds himself tied to Mercy and pushed into taking on the role of the town Sherriff. Will Mercy be able to protect herself and her land? Will Gray remain in Desolation? Will their fake engagement turn into something more?

This is such a fun and entertaining romance, and I think of all the historical romances I’ve read, it is the most humorous. Witty banter, physical comedy, sarcasm, irony, and more make for many laugh-out-loud moments, and I’m so impressed by the author’s use of a bunch of different comedic devices. Though there are serious elements to the story as well, the humor really stands out and is exceptionally executed. Plus, the romance, character development, and action are dynamic.

The romance between Mercy and Gray is fun and sexy, and they fit together so well. Mercy is strong and independent, and I love her take charge, feisty personality. She is headstrong, and she often clashes with the more laid-back Gray. Gray is like a big, grumpy teddy bear, especially as he lets his walls down. He is such a fabulous character! There are so many layers to him, and it was interesting to see him change throughout the story. Both characters have obstacles that they must deal with, and it’s interesting to see how they work through their issues together and apart. The couple also has amazing chemistry from their first meeting, and I enjoyed their fun moments together as much as their romantic moments. Mercy and Gray seem to understand each other well, and their complete acceptance of each other is fantastic. They’re a great example of the notion that opposites attract, and yet, the more they get to know each other, the more they realize that they are also similar in many ways, like in their ferocity, steadfastness, and stubbornness.

The story primarily takes place in a small town called Desolation. Desolation is an unconventional town, and Gray fits right in. He feels drawn to Desolation, and to Mercy, and the more time he spends with Mercy and the other people of Desolation, the more Gray begins to reevaluate his wants and needs. I think Mercy, Gray’s “friend” Sunshine, and the other townspeople make Gray see a future that he never thought he could have. The found family trope is done so well in this story, and the people who live in Desolation are fantastic!

I adore the scenes that include Gray, Mercy, and all of the townspeople. They are comedic and witty, and you can tell that the characters are very close by the way they support and take care of each other. Desolation is a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, as Gray finds out pretty quickly. Though it can be frustrating at times, Gray finally learns what it feels like to be accepted and to belong in the embrace of this close-knit and unusual community.

There are so many wonderful elements to this story – the romance, the character development, the found family/townspeople, Lucille the goat, the humor, and more! It’s the perfect blend of fun, funny, serious, and romantic. And, since Gray is an ex-gunslinger with a target on his back and Mercy has people threatening her, there is a lot of action too. I can’t wait to read more by this author, and I hope to find out what happens to some of the other people of Desolation if there are future books. Thanks so much to Entangled Publishing, NetGalley, and Michelle McLean for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was freaking fantastic. Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson is a gunslinger who made a name for himself being a very fast shot. He's decided to stop being a gunslinger and retire. When we meet him he's trying to find an out-of-the-way place where he can live out his days in peace. When he stumbles on to Desolation, Colorado, and Mercy - his life takes a totally unexpected turn.

This book was so vividly written - it practically jumped off the pages for me. I feel like it is an instant classic and one of the best western historicals I have ever read. I totally and wholeheartedly fell in love with Gray, Mercy, and the whole damned town. Read it - I dare you not to fall in love. Also <spoiler> when Jason calls Gray Sheriff Woody - O. M. G. it was all I could do not to beg her to have him call Jason Buzz. <3 <3 <3 </spoiler>

Gray grows so much as a character in the book - and you can see why such a larger than life character quickly becomes very much loved by the town and by Mercy. Mercy is also such a fully realized and special character. She isn't a beautiful, innocent young woman. She is tough and independent - and really an incredibly strong person. The best thing about both of them is how perfectly imperfect both of them are. Mercy is a terrible cook and has a pretty fiery temper. Gray is lazy AF and not particularly interested in his own personal hygiene. This gives the book such an edge up on any other book with perfect characters and their perfect beauty. Give me an imperfect character any day - it is what keeps me reading and interested!

I can't recommend this book enough - even if westerns aren't your thing - you should still read this book. Writing this review now - I felt a definite Romancing the Stone vibe from this book and that movie is still the gold standard for me when it comes to romantic adventure. Highly highly recommend.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Every character in this book is so damn loveable ---- from our headstrong heroine Mercy who needs a fake fiancee to discourage a local townsman from trying to take her land, to "retired" gunslinger who can't seem to get an uninterrupted nap, to Sunshine who's personality fits his given name to a T.

You can't help but root for all of the townspeople of the small community of Desolation -- especially Mercy and Gray. This book was laugh out loud funny and full of lots of gunfire! I definitely recommend picking up a copy when it releases later this summer.

First of all, I'm not a huge fan of historical romances. Um...this book blew that thought completely up for me. This book was fabulous. Not only was it hilarious, but the story line was unique and highly entertaining. I loved every second of this story. The townspeople reminded me of people from the town of Mayberry or Little House on the Prairie. There's Doc, the Preacher, the town drunk, Madam Mayor and more. Of course the hero and heroine were the best part of the story. Mercy was tough and so capable. I love strong, feisty heroines. Gray was easy going and so ready for retirement from being a gunslinger. He had no clue what was about to hit him when he met Mercy. This book is just plain fun. This is my first book by this author. I immediately checked out her other books. I hope she writes more like this one.

**I received a copy of Hitched To The Gunslinger by Michelle McLean from Amara and Net Galley in exchange for a honest and voluntary review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way.**

This is one funny, laugh worthy story about a well known gunslinger who wants nothing more than to retire, eat and nap but gets talked into being a fiancee to a feisty, strong, funny, snarky able to give back as well as receive the comments whom I loved.

Plus you add in the town folk who include a Preacher (Who wields a mean bible), Smithy, Doc, Madam, Bar tender, undertaker all who adopt a gunslinger, convince him to be their very reluctant sheriff and who will protect with pitchforks, hammers, guns and just about anything they can find against a crooked land owner who'll do anything to get Mercy's land. Even put out a bounty on Gray "Quick Shot" Woodsen which which of course brings out every wanna-be gunslinger out to try (A BIG try) to kill Gray.

All of this gives you a superbly funny story that I loved.

Hitched to the Gunslinger was so much fun! A western historical romcom with a fake engagement between the hero Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson and the heroine Mercy.

Gray is exhausted from his life as a gunslinger and ready to retire in a nice town where he’s left alone, the food is delicious, and the naps are many. The first town he lands in is a small town called Desolation and next thing he knows he finds himself engaged. Mercy is a strong, feisty heroine who is sick and tired of a local bad guy harassing her for her land. So when Gray shows up and she sees how scared the men get around him, she knows Gray would be the perfect protection for her and her property...and claims Gray as her fiancé on the spot.

Gray was just looking for peace and quiet but now he has a fiancé who won’t let him just be. Gray is such a grump and I loved seeing his relationship grow with Mercy. I loved that the characters are older, Gray is 41 and Mercy is 30. They’re opposites but really work together...he just wants to nap and eat good food, and she is talkative, always wanting him to teach her how to shoot a gun, and a terrible cook. 😆 There is a lot of action and wild west shootouts. The other characters in the town really added to this story’s charm. I loved seeing Gray, someone who has lived a very isolated life with no loved ones, find a place of his own and people who care about him.

Thank you to the publisher (Entangled) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. Hitched to the Gunslinger is out August 24, 2021.

This was such a delightful read! I wasn't expecting it to be more of a rom com when I started it, but I'm so glad that's what it was. I loved both main characters, as well as all of the side characters, and I would definitely read more books set in Desolation.

This was my first book by this author and now I am hooked! I was not prepared for how HILARIOUS this book was going to be! Both of tr characters were characters in their own right. Their internal dialog never failed to make me snicker.

Quick read. I'm a sucker for these kind of stories. Nothing spectacular, but it was enjoyable. I will say that Gray and Mercy's complete 180 personality wise as soon as they were married was a bit odd. There should have been some progression to their relationship.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the review copy.

I had a blast reading this one. I enjoyed it so much. This book is the perfect mix of romantic comedy,wholesome, full of love and also packed with action straight outta wild west. Also the grumpy sunshine trope is done so well my god. I lived for these two characters and how they collided every moment. It was hilarious and just honestly this book is too good. The humor in this book is on point. I was laughing throughout.

Gray Woodson decides it's time for him to retire from his life as a gunslinger, he just wants to move to a place where no on is trying to kill him or someplace where his reputation won't cause a chaos, and he can just spend the rest of his days in peace and quiet. But when he stumbles into a town named-"Desolation", peace is the last thing he gets. He somehow ends up being engaged to Mercy, a feisty and fiery woman, who is after him all the time and nagging him with her questions, pushing him to clean up, and also the fact that a notorious man is after Mercy's property and trouble finds her quickly-so much for peace and quiet.

I loved both these characters so much. Mercy is one feisty and strong-willed woman. I admired her so much. She won't take any shit and will fight everyone that dares to threaten her or the ones she holds dear- be it her farm goat Lucille lol. She was the perfect fire to our grumpy Gray. I totally fell in love with this grump, all he wanted was to nap and plant some daisies on his windowstill but ended up chasing away trouble all over again. His inner monologues were so hilarious. This rugged man makes your heart ache when you come to know how lonely he truly is and the burdens he carries. The way their engagement moved to marriage and their slow burn love was so beautiful. They fell for each other in the truest sense.

We get a town full of amazing people who left no stone unturned to stand up for one another. The found family trope is done so well here. It was just so heartwarming to see this story come together. Every single side character has a place in my heart.

Also the action in this book my god. All guns blazing and you just won't see it coming. I must say this book would make one hell of a movie.

Fake engagement,forced proximity, grumpy-sunshine, amazing humor, found family-you name it. This one was entertaining read.