Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is a comforting read with a familiar fabric...

Sandra Dallas's Tough Luck offers a comforting return to her signature historical fiction. Set during the Great Depression in a Colorado mining town, it follows resilient women facing hardship with community spirit. Dallas excels at creating an authentic sense of time and place, and her characters are empathetic and easy to root for.

While heartwarming, the narrative arc feels somewhat predictable, and the pacing can be slow. The challenges, though significant, sometimes lack a truly raw edge. Ultimately, Tough Luck is a solid, enjoyable novel that delivers on the promise of a Sandra Dallas book—a gentle reminder of human kindness and enduring spirit.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for taking me back to a point in history where girls sometimes dressed as boys to survive.

Being abandoned and setting out across the Great Plains in the 1800s to find your father is no easy feat, especially for a young girl and her brother. Fortunately, Haidie is savvy, hardworking, and able to endear others to her cause. Through a long journey filled with unique characters, Dallas crafts a story of bravery, resilience, and cleverness. The narrative unfolds as a mystery, and all is well in the end.
I enjoyed this coming-of-age novel. Although the pacing was a bit slow at times, the details and events ultimately came together to form a satisfying and complete story.

Title: Tough Luck
Author: Sandra Dallas
Genre: Western
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: April 29, 2025

I received a complimentary eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Scrappy • Adventurous • Cinematic

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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 patience is not one of Haidie’s virtues and soon she and her brother make a break for it. Boots and Haidie, disguised as a boy, embark on a dangerous journey deep into Western territory. Along the way, Haidie learns fast not only how to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men, but also that you are better off in a community. Hers includes a card shark, independent “spinster” sisters, and a very fierce dog. Once she arrives in Colorado and finds out the truth about her father, Haidie will need all her new friends for a get-even plot worthy of The Sting.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Tough Luck was one of those 2025 releases I stumbled upon while browsing NetGalley and was instantly interested in picking up. With the success of the Yellowstone franchise, there has really been a strong trend towards historical westerns shining a light on the American Midwest of the past.

Told through 14-year-old Haidie's voice, the period detail (set in 1863) transported me back in time and I learned a lot. It is packed with action and adventure as they embark on their journey to locate their father. And I immediately formed an emotional connection to the characters. Haidie is such a fierce and determined young heroine and I adored seeing the bond between her and Boots. Some of the side characters along the journey were as equally interesting (and a few were absolutely awful). The writing is simple, yet readable and with the ideal pacing for such a story.

Tough Luck had me captivated very early on and I was hopeful for a happy ending for Haidie and her brother, Boots. This novel took me by complete surprise and I would love to read more similar books. Additionally, I would be interested in exploring Sandra Dallas' backlist to see if I truly enjoy her writing style or if it was the time period of this one that really interested me.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• True Grit
• Westerns
• badass female characters

⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, grief, violence, murder, blood, abandonment, sexism, misogyny

A delightful coming of age tale set in the old west, complete with adventure and a refreshingly irreverent cast of characters.

Sandra Dallas has written another winner. Haidie and her brother Boots and their traveling companions are absolutely wonderful characters. As the pair travel to Colorado to find their father (who they are certain has made it rich, and simply forgotten to return to get them from the farm in Smoak, Illinois), they are befriended, robbed, and attacked by Indians. But the two are remarkably resilient, smart, and have good instincts for sorting out good people from bad.

The good guys come out ahead in this feel good western. I enjoyed it immensely.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While I love historical fiction, I have not often been drawn to Westerns. When I received a copy of Tough Luck I was ready for a break from non-stop high action thrillers and started reading with my morning coffee. Haidie Richard’s story caught me from page one and I could not put it down. Her father left their farm in Illinois to make a fortune searching for gold in Colorado. After a while his letters stopped coming. When her mother died, her brother Cheet sold the farm and placed Haidie and her young brother Boots in an orphanage. Determined to find her father, she and her brother escape the orphanage with the help of Teresa, one of the nuns. Cutting her hair and dressing as a boy, the three are taken in by Jake, a freight hauler, to help with the animals and cooking. Corny Vanderbilt, a gambler, also joins them on their trip to Omaha. From there, Jake arranges for Haidie and Boots to join Ben, a scout for a wagon train headed to Denver. Haidie fills Booth with stories of how wonderful it will be to find Pa, but things rarely turn out the way they are imagined.

What made this story so wonderful was the characters introduced by Sandra Dallas. Haidie is determined to find Pa. To reach that goal she not only takes on the disguise of a boy, but also learns how to shoot, handle the oxen and mules, drive a wagon and cook. She is in awe of the buffalo that she sees and handles herself well during an Indian attack. Corny proves himself a friend when thieves attempt to steal the freight and threaten their lives. He also teaches Haidie some of the tricks of his profession. On the wagon train you meet the spinster sisters Arville and Lizzie, on their way to Denver to open a school for girls with the help of their wealthy brother. Although these people come into Haidie’s life and soon exit along the way, Dallas reunites them all once again in Denver, involving them all in a sting to right a wrong against Haidie’s family that will leave you with a smile. Colorful characters and an intriguing journey make this a story that you should not miss. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book.

Plucky and determined are the descriptors I choose for the main character. Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, head out west to the mining fields of Denver to find their father. With the recent death of their mother and the placement their older brother makes for them, Haidie and Boots resolve to set their own path. Haidie just knows that finding her father will solve all their troubles. But, how does one get from the mid-West to Denver. It is the 1860s with wagon trains going west on the regular. Creative-thinker Haidie puts together an itinerary which will keep you turning the pages.

Haidie Richards is such a wonderful creation in author Sandra Dallas' novel. When her older brother Cheet leaves her and their younger brother Boots in an orphanage so he can make his way in life unencumbered by responsibilities, Haidie decides she's going to travel to Colorado Territory to find their long absent father. Their father had travelled there to make a fortune, and had been writing about his progress, then he went quiet.

Haidie disguises herself as a boy, then she and Boots begin their journey, and join a group of others headed there, too. Haidie learns how to take care of and drive mules and oxen, and gets to know two unconventional, unmarried sisters. There are many significant dangers along the way, but eventually Haidie and Boots arrive at their destination, only to find things are very different from what they expected. Haidie is not set back too much, and with the help of all the friends she and Boots have made on their journey, find a way to set things right for their family.

It's enormously fun and satisfying to watch Haidie go from strong minded, somewhat sheltered teen who cheerfully acknowledges she's a liar, to the much tougher and much wiser adolescent who must face and deal with new challenges, including avaricious people. That her ability to forge meaningful, honest connections to people is her real superpower, bolstered by intelligence and boldness, becomes abundantly clear the longer we spend time with her.

The story itself if well paced, taking us from Haidie plotting to travel west with Boots, to her satisfying take down of a criminal, with her friends' help, and the restoration of her family. I loved the time I spent with her.

I went back and forth between the book and audio, as I could not put this narrative down. Voice actor Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was Haidie, absolutely. Haidie's certainty, willingness to face things head on, and self-confidence shines through beautifully. Hutchinson-Shaw's Boots had the right mix of enthusiasm tinged with his slight fear when faced with new circumstances or dangers, ameliorated by Haidie's care. I liked the two sisters who befriend the siblings; Hutchinson-Shaw brought their tartness, adventurousness and humour to life wonderfully,.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and to Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

I am not a Western reader, but I enjoyed this story of Haidie and Boots. After their older brother sells the farm out from under them, Haidie and Boots leave Illinois for Colorado Territory. The characters were well-developed, realistic, and sympathetic. The time period seemed accurately portrayed. Sort of a coming-of-age story, but that's not the main theme of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

After their mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, escape from an orphanage to find their father, who left years ago to seek gold in Colorado. Haidie, disguised as a boy, and Boots face numerous challenges on their journey, learning to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men, while discovering the value of community with diverse companions. Upon reaching Colorado, Haidie uncovers the truth about her father and relies on her new friends for a clever revenge plot.

This western historical fiction was a fantastic read—quick and easy, yet it delved into significant and challenging themes. Haidie's relentless drive to care for Boots and find their father in Colorado was both inspiring and adventurous. Her unwavering determination to achieve her goals, especially in the 1800s, was truly remarkable and rare for Women of that era. The side characters of this book were villainous, entertaining, and just what this story needed. I loved Jake Crowfoot and Tige, they were two of my favorite side characters. This was such an inspiring story that was so well written- I couldn't put it down. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially westerns during the civil war era, check this book out!

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0.5/5 (some tough topics)

Tropes:
Determined Young Woman
Coming of Age
War and Conflict
The Quest

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Sandra Dallas for this eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC: An enjoyable story about two siblings who travel to Colorado in 1860, looking for their father. The protagonist, Haidy, passes as a boy. Along the way they meet other travelers, have adventures and ultimately find a place for themselves. A lot of action without too much depth or meaning. If read as a young adult book, it would be more appropriate than historical fiction for adults.

It's no secret that I have always enjoyed Sandra Dallas' historical fiction stories and TOUGH LUCK is exactly why. Two orphans, a brother and a sister escape the orphanage, where Haidie's older brother who is a gambler puts them. She has to find their father who is trying to strike it rich in Colorado in the 1800's. Haidie disguises herself as a boy so she and her brother Boots can get jobs on a wagon train headed west. Hang on tight my reading friends. This story is so intense you will be constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. TOUGH LUCK will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Along the way, they run into so many colorful characters and have to deal with a lot of tough situations. I’m not going to give away much more of TOUGH LUCK, you just have to take my word for it so that you will not be disappointed. So much more happens on these pages that your heart will be in your throat at the same time as you are holding your breath! Overall, TOUGH LUCK is a book I can say nothing but fantastic things about. There is so much heart in Sandra’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart was very happy.

Sandra Dallas sure did her research for TOUGH LUCK and it really shows while you are reading. You will feel as if you are right in the middle of a very long trip to Colorado. I loved traveling along with Haidie as she was determined to find her father. Sandra Dallas really knows how to write about love, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author. Spend the afternoon on your couch under a blanket with a hot drink, devouring this beautiful story. You will love every minute of it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley/Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a fantastic read, set during the Civil War, about a brother and sister who traveled across the plains to Colorado to find their dad after their mom died and their older brother abandoned them. It is told in the perspective of Haidie who was a spunky, sassy, determined, and humorous girl of 14. Haidie and Boots had quite the adventure and made lots of new friends along the way. The story had several twists and turns so you never knew what would happen next! There were a few run-ins with Indians and highwaymen that might be a bit disturbing for sensitive readers. The chapters were long but engaging and the story ended on a happy note. If you are a historical fiction or Sandra Dallas fan you will enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

fun story, likable characters. Parts seemed a little unbelievable at times, but still enjoyed the ride

Billed as an homage to True Grit, the latest novel by Sandra Dallas, Tough Luck. delivers on its promise. Following their mother's death, Haidie Richards, our plucky heroine, and her brother Boots set out from their home in Illinois towards Colorado Territory in hopes of finding their estranged father, who went west to try his luck in the gold mines a few years earlier. Of course, nothing goes as planned on this journey and the kids have some harrowing adventures on the way.

The characters of this novel are what make it special. Haidie is a spirited and endearing character. She disguised herself as a boy, thinking she would be taken more seriously and given more opportunities. Although she decides life feels a bit easier as a boy, her deception lands her in a few tight spots. I loved the supporting characters as well, from Jake to Corny to Miss Arvilla and Miss Lizzie. The pacing was solid, and the journey flew by as quick as a wink. The tone of the first half of the book felt more serious but it became lighter near the end - almost bordering on slapstick or middle grade - but there was no denying the final scenes were a lot of fun.

I will recommend this to readers who like western type fiction with a bit of sass.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sandra Dallas is a solid gold treasure. I have read all her books and Tough Love meets the high bar set by the author for storyline, characters and setting. A bonus is the historical details that flesh out the story. Loved the 14 year old heroine the best. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ToughLuck for advanced digital copy.

This book was a delight to read. A light hearted story with some intense scenes along the way. I enjoyed it very much.

When Haidie, Cheet, and Boots, ma dies their lives go awry. Cheet is the oldest. He decided to sell the farm, not that it was worth a lot, and take the money for himself. Their pa had left for Colorado to become a gold miner and Cheet thought he was in charge of everything. In many ways he was. He put his sister and younger brother in an orphanage. Haidie and Boots didn't belong there. They had a pa and wanted to go find him. So they escaped and took off on an adventure that would take them across the country. Through indian territories. Through lots of ups and downs. They didn't know who to trust but did get lucky and found a train of wagons to help them.

What these two kids went through was tough but they were certainly resilient. Both were hard workers and got along with others. Everyone thought Haidie was a boy. She had cut her hair off short so as to not be recognized. Haidie certainly could do a lot of work that most boys her age would not have been able to do. She was not afraid of much either. She could shoot a gun and that helped when they were attacked by indians.

You get to know these children and will love them. They work hard to get to Colorado and have plenty of hardships along the way. Traveling the land with strangers took a lot of guts but they really didn't have a lot of choices.

Parts of this book will have you gritting your teeth. Will they make it. Will they find their pa and if they do will he take them in. He had loved his family. He had been a good pa. But was he still even alive. Haidie would not stop until she had her family back. And Boots would go wherever Haidie went. He trusted his sister.

This was a fun story. It had just enough to keep me wondering what would happen next and a lot of heart and soul. And boy was Haidie smart. I thought she was maybe one of the strongest children ever. Of course for that era she had to be...

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I am on a Western kick! Tough Luck follows a pair of kids who trek across the wild, intimidating frontier in hopes of finding their father after the death of their mother. Haidie and Boots were lovable, whip-smart, and easy to root for. They displayed both naivete and bravery in their quest, and the supporting cast of characters they encountered were very well-developed. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a high-stakes adventure and a heroine with heart.

This is my very first Sandra Dallas book but it certainly won't be my last. I read TOUGH LUCK in one sitting and was captivated by the story which had so many layers and was full of such rich layers! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I was expecting a realistic and moving historical novel, but instead, this was full of humor and lightheartedness as the siblings encountered one unlikely event after another. In some ways, it felt like a caricature of life on the frontier. While I appreciated the humor, I was looking for a more emotion-driven story. I also didn't like that the cover wasn't accurate in reflecting the story.