This was my first book by Sandra Dallas. Although Westerns aren’t my favorite to read, this completely held my interest. In a nod to “True Grit”, this is a story set in 1863 Colorado about a 14-year-old girl (who poses as a boy) and her little brother who join a wagon train to find their father who left them to find a gold mine in Colorado. They encounter Indian attacks, cowboys and all sorts of cheats & liars along the way. Was it unrealistic? Sure. Did I still have a fun time with the adventure? Also yes.

1863. Fourteen year-0ld Haidie, and her younger brother Boots [10] are sent by their older brother, Cheet, to an orphanage run by nuns in Smoak, Illinois. Their mother has died, their father abandoned them four years earlier to head to the Colorado Territory in search of gold. Haidie is convinced that "pa" is a great success and plots their escape to head west and find him.

She and Boots flee and meet quite a cast of characters along the way. She disguises herself as a boy as she figures it's a better plan.

They meet freighters who help them go west. Along the way they encounter many scoundrels--cheats, gamblers, liars and more liars, but also some good-hearted men.

I love a young, scrappy, female protaganist and that is Haidie! Some of my favorite characters [other than Haidie] are Jake Crowfoot, Corny, the Arvilla sisters, Emily, and a cast of animals--mules, horses, and Tige--a dog!

I definitely see this as a movie.

No spoiler from me, but [to me] a somewhat contrived and neat and tidy ending--though I liked it.

Not literary fiction, but a good yarn. YAish.

4, because I just enjoyed reading this tome!

I had not read any of the books by this author, and I was not disappointed by this one, very well written. Haidie's older brother Cheet has just sold the family farm and wants to take off to be a river boat gambler, but he doesn't want to take his sister, Haidie or his brother Boots with him so he puts them in an orphanage. Haidie and Boots both hate it and Haidie conspires to run away, she wants to find her father who had left the family a few years earlier to strike gold in Colorado, they have not heard from him in some time. They enlist the assistance of one of the nuns, Emily, who Haidie convinces that Cheet is a priest (he claimed he was going to become one when he dropped them off), and arranges to get him to 'marry' them (Emily had a baby out of wedlock and was forced to become a nun). With the assistance of Emily's now husband they break out and start their journey to Colorado (they are in Illinois). They hook up with a mule train driver who's going in their direction and agrees to take them as far as he can. Along the way they run into a variety of characters, some good, some not so good, they do eventually get to Colorado and locate their father, who was not happy to see them at first. This story combines a lot of elements, coming of age, historical, and thriller, all come together very well, I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #St Martin's Press for the ARC.

4 stars for an engaging western/historical fiction book set in 1863 US during the US Civil War. This book reminds me of the heroine in the movie True Grit. The blurb:
" After their mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are put to work in an orphanage. Their father left four years earlier to find a gold mine in Colorado Territory, and since then he’s sent only three letters. Still, Haidie is certain that he is alive, has struck gold, and will soon send for them."
But Haidie and her brother leave the orphanage to find their father. Haidie manages to find a man driving a freight wagon west through Iowa. She has disguised herself as a young boy and the man, Jake Crowfoot, agrees to take them with him, in return for their help in managing the mules and other chores. Jake leaves them in Omaha, Nebraska, but not before he helps them find a wagon train going west to Denver. They join up with a man looking for help.
They have many adventures and do manage to find their father. He is something of a disappointment, but there is a satisfactory ending. Haidie is presented as a very resourceful woman. The book shows that the role of women in the settlement of the west was important. While this book is historical fiction, the characters and the plot are believable. The dialogue is authentic and easy to follow.
Thank You Austin Adams at St. Martin's Publishing Group for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Pub Date Apr 29 2025

Very sweet. I don’t agree with shelving this as an adult book— it reads much more like YA or even middle grade (and before anyone brings up the whorehouses, that would have been very par for the course in historical fiction when I was a kid.) I wouldn’t normally quibble with genre fraud this way but unfortunately, while this is a fairly poor adult novel, it’s a GREAT middle grade one. I loved the characters and was very charmed by how they all came together and had their little scheme by the end (Jake Crowfoot, if Teresa doesn’t marry you, I will.) The prose itself just leaves a lot to be desired, and while some of that can be explained by having an uneducated, fourteen year old narrator, it still came across very juvenile thematically. I still had a great time!

It's 1863, and Haidie's Pa has gone west in search of gold, while she and her two brothers stay on the farm with their Ma. But when Ma dies, and Haidie's older brother sells the farm, she and her younger brother Boots wind up at an orphanage. Desperate to find their Pa, Haidie and Boots take off on their own journey west, where they encounter a colorful cast of characters—some friends, some foes. Will Haidie and Boots find their Pa out west? Or will they be forced to live out the rest of their childhoods at an orphanage?

This book is a HOOT! It's a clever, action-packed ride of rip-roaring fun. I just loved Haidie! She's quick-witted, strong and capable. I loved the found family vibes with some of the folks they meet on their journey west, and the shenanigans they get into along the way. I loved the author's last book, Where Coyotes Howl, so much, though it was a sad and somber account of life on the prairie. And while this one was completely different—more lively and upbeat—i enjoyed it just as much! I can't wait for whatever Dallas writes next! Thank you SMP for my gifted copy.

Who me? Reading a Western? This is a Sandra Dallas novel, so yes, I am...

In 1863, when their mother dies, Haidie Richards, 14, and her younger brother, Boots, 10, live in an orphanage, but not for long. They soon escape and plan to head from Smoak, IL, to the Colorado Territory. They're in search of their father, Manley, who left four years ago with a severe case of gold fever and high hopes of striking it rich.

Boots and Hadie, disguised as a boy, gain passage with folks traveling to the Western Territory and learn hard and fast lessons along the way. Once they arrive in Colorado, their lessons are far from over...

"Tough Luck" is a story I enjoyed with a compelling storyline, wonderful characters, and simple descriptive writing that immerses you in the timeline of the 1860s and the culture of the West. I love Hadie, our main character, who held the weight of this story on her tiny shoulders. Dallas made a wise choice by placing the first-person narration of this story in the hands of this brave character. She is a little spitfire!

This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, who recounts the story flawlessly in an accentuated voice appropriate for the timeline and delivers the perfect first-person voice for Hadie. The result is an entertaining listening experience.

This was not the first Sandra Dallas novel I have read. I read her second novel, "The Persian Pickle Club", five years ago and loved it. I must admit, though, I fell in love with that beautiful, colorful cover first. Take a look for yourself and see if you agree.

"Tough Luck" was enjoyable to read and listen to, and just as I said when I finished "The Persian Pickle Club", I need to read more from this talented author!

4.25⭐

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Sandra Dallas for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Tough Luck is a vivid story about a young girl, Haidie, and her brother, Boots, as they travel out west to Colorado in the 1860s to find their father. Their father left them years ago to seek his fortune in a gold mine. After their mother dies and the older brother, Cheet, puts them in an orphanage Haidie and Boots are determined to find their father. They escape from the orphanage and Haidie dresses as a boy so it will be easier to get work. What follows is an adventure of getting them to Colorado as different people befriend them and they encounter Native Americans, swindlers, gamblers, and thieves. Haidie is a very strong, smart, young woman. This is an easy read and at times amusing but probably one more suited for YA audience.

4.5

This is a clean story about a 14-year-old girl and her brother set in the 1860s. Their father went west to find a gold mine, their ma passed away, and their older brother sold the farm and placed them in an orphanage. Haidie decides to run west to find their pa. She dressed like a boy on the trail. The story takes her and her younger brother to Denver, and lots of escapades take place there and along the way. This is a book that is good for many ages, I would let my 10 & and 13-year-old read it.

It reminded me of books from my youth, and I just really enjoyed it.

I listened to the audio and thought the narrator did a great job with the different characters.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley, for my gifted copy.

Sandra Dallas is my all time favorite author. Her stories are rich with history of the old west. I would recommend this book and all of her others to anyone that enjoys historical fiction.

"Tough Luck" by Sandra Dallas is a delightful blend of historical fiction and adventure, set against the backdrop of the American Frontier in 1863. The story follows the spirited journey of Haidie, a determined 14-year-old girl, and her younger brother, Boots, as they embark on a quest to find their father in Denver after their mother's death. Their adventure is filled with encounters with outlaws, Native Americans, and various challenges, all portrayed with a rose-tinted lens.

Haidie is a standout character, known for her resilience and unwavering determination. However, some readers might find her character, along with others, to be somewhat underdeveloped, appearing more as vibrant caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. Possibly more appealing to YA readers than adults. Despite this, the story remains engaging and serves as a perfect brain-break for readers who enjoy tales of the Old West.

The narrative is well-written, pulling readers into the early 1860s with vivid descriptions and a sense of immersion akin to walking into a museum. The humor and wit infused in the story, especially through the language reminiscent of Gomer Pyle, add a unique charm to the novel. The journey of Haidie and Boots, from escaping an orphanage to traversing the prairies disguised as boys, is both entertaining and heartwarming.
While the book may lack the depth and seriousness of some of Dallas's other works, it remains a fun and enjoyable read. The novel's light-hearted tone and the children's perspective on their adventure make it a captivating story.

In conclusion, "Tough Luck" is a charming and entertaining read that offers a fresh take on the classic Western adventure. Haidie's bravery and the duo's journey across the American Frontier make for an unforgettable story that will leave readers rooting for their success.

Thanks to NetGalley and Saint Martin's Press for the opportunity to review.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story of a young teen girl who fights for her survival in the 1860's, in a time when woman had almost no rights.
After the death of Haidie's mother, her older brother sells the family farm and moves Haidie and her younger brother, Boots, to an orphanage.
Their father had left for the gold fields years earlier and the family had lost contact with him. Haidie is not willing to accept this fate and starts planning an escape from the orphanage with her little brother to go across the prairies to find her father. It will be a hard journey. For Haidie's own protection she travels as a boy, hoping to find work with a wagon train heading west towards her father's last known whereabouts.

This is a descriptive story of another time period with all the perils involved travelling across the prairies.

Unfortunately I DNF’d this at 20% because it felt too juvenile. Was this written for YA or Adult? I was confused. I couldn’t handle the constant goofy old-timey sounding metaphors. The main character was supposed to be “scrappy”, but she just sounded like a caricature. And I kept feeling offended, like the characters were making fun of me for believing in God.

However I did LOVE the audiobook narrator!

4 stars

This is a charming, uncomplicated book, and prospective readers - regardless of their feelings about Westerns - will find a lot to like here.

Haidie and her younger brother Boots are adrift after the death of their mother and more recent unpredictable behavior of their ambitious but also irresponsible father. Since Haidie is not a typical child, she puts that adventurous spirit to incredible use and sets out, Boots in step and new masc identity in full effect, and takes matters into her own hands. She's going to find that wild father of hers one way or another.

As a person who sometimes struggles with the pacing of Westerns, I came into this read cautiously optimistic. My hopes became reality. Haidie is a very likeable character, and there are a number of other folks who appear and add spice to the journey. This is a great coming of age tale, and there's a nice dash of feminism sprinkled in, at least in accordance with what's realistic for the period.

I'm so glad I took a chance on this one. It's an enjoyable book, but I have an added recommendation to read this as a palate cleanser between overly cerebral and/or dark texts. This is relatively light and easy, and in this creepy world, that's exactly what I need.

This was a lovely novel. The writing style is not my favorite, but was engaging. Haidie is a wonderful character and I enjoyed following her and the people she came across in her travels. I’m always looking for new western novels to read and this one was fun.

4 strong stars for this creative offering from Dallas ~

This was a joy to read. Historical fiction with humor. Takes place during the civil war. Features two kids, 11 and 14, whose 18-yr old brother sells their ranch for $950 of gambling money and puts his younger siblings in an orphanage. Their mother passed on and their father has been missing for several years. The older brother Cheet (appropriately named) figures he’s in charge and doesn’t hanker to splitting the money with his younger siblings. He assumes his father is dead and not coming back. The young ones don’t believe it and want to find him.

To me the funniest part of the novel was the language — think Gomer Pyle, “by golly” which is the closest you’ll see as far as cussing goes. Their terminology for every day circumstances had me chuckling out loud. The nuns at the orphanage were “married to Jesus” and they didn’t see any advantage to that as His brides toiled harder than most and did without necessities. The two kids that are put in the orphanage are Boots, the 11 yr old boy, and Haidie, a female, who passes as a boy for the entire novel ask we follow their journey to Colorado from the southern midwest in search of their father, after running away from the orphanage. The people they meet along the way are characters who add a lot of wit and meat to the novel.

Sandra Dallas is an author who I’ve enjoyed since 2002 when our book club read the Persian Pickle Club, a copy I still have in my personal library. I’ve read several of hers in the past and not been disappointed. The Chili Queen is one of my all time favorites.

Her wit, humor and relatable characters will always have me a devoted fan.
Treat yourself to this her newest, releasing on April 28, 2025

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #sandradallas.com

1863. Fourteen year old Haidie Richards and her younger brother Boots are dumped in an Illinois orphanage by their oldest brother after their mother passes away. Determined to reunite with their father who has gone to Colorado to mine gold, the siblings adventure begins when they run away from the orphanage. Disguised as a boy, Haidie and Boots eventually join a wagon train and journey through the Wild West and into Indian country. Wild adventure and eccentric characters abound throughout Tough Luck.
I loved the audiobook and the narrator Joel Richards gives a terrific performance. I’ve been hooked on Westerns since I watched Gunsmoke and Bonanza as a kid, and I loved every minute of this novel.
Highly recommend!

It is 1963 in Smoak, Illinois. Haidie Richards is 14, her older brother Cheet is 19 and her younger brother Boots is 10. Their father left 4 years ago for Colorado territory to strike it rich in the gold mines. They have not heard from him after they received 3 letters. Their mother died so Cheet sold the farm, kept the money and put Haidie and Boots in an orphanage. After a while, Haidie decides that it was time for her and Boots to run away and try to find their father. Haidie gets her hair cut short so she can pass for a boy to make traveling easier. They join a wagon train for the journey across the planes to Denver, Colorado. These kids have a lot of adventures along the way and meet a lot of different characters, some good and some bad! I knew from the very first page that I was going to love this book and I did. I highly recommend this wonderful book that leaves you smiling at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this wonderful book that is a real page turner.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 29, 2025
“Tough Luck” by award-winning journalist-turned-author Sandra Dallas is a delightful Western about a fourteen-year-old girl and her brother who venture across the American West in order to be reunited with their father after the death of their mother.
Haidie is the main character, a young girl who, after the death of her mother, was left in the care of her older brother, Cheet. Cheet, being true to his name, abandoned Haidie and her ten-year-old brother, Boots, to an orphanage. Delightfully spunky and resilient, Haidie and Boots escape the orphanage and make their way West, running into a variety of eclectic characters along the way. Haidie was charming and likable and, combined with her dedication to her brother, Boots, there was no way I wasn’t cheering for her.
I am not a Western fan, normally, but I did enjoy the historical feel of Dallas’ novel, with saloons and gambling dens and mule-pulled covered wagons, and there was almost constant adventure, all experienced through Haidie’s eyes. I would not have enjoyed this novel as much if it weren’t for the kind yet brave protagonist.
Throughout the novel, Haidie and Boots’ ultimate goal is to be reconnected with their father, who abandoned them to find gold in Colorado. It was not clear at the start if they would be reunited or not and how it would go, but Dallas made sure that this plot line was concluded in an engaging and satisfying way. Of course, there are several plot lines that exist outside of this one, as Haidie and her brother meet a variety of other characters on their travels, and each one was brought to a successful conclusion, with no unanswered questions.
If anyone was going to turn me onto reading Westerns, Sandra Dallas seems to be the author who could do it. Dallas has written eight Western novels and has won many awards for her fiction and non-fiction works, and there’s no question that she has the talent. “Tough” is gritty and endearing with a smooth flow, tight plot and powerful characters.

Mary is the young main character at the center of this book. She was tough and a great hero for this book. It was written very well and I. was rooting for the characters throughout. This remained me of some of my favorite books when I was younger and I was just entertained.