The author gave a vivid description of the Wild West in the 1800’s with well drawn characters and the hardships they endured. Unfortunately I had a hard time connecting with the story. I always reading Sandra Dallas but this book just wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for an advanced ebook.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Tough Luck
by Sandra Dalla
Pub Date Apr 29 2025
St. Martin's Press
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction
Five star read for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and a BIG THANK YOU to St. Martin's Press for reaching out to me to be one of the early readers for this amazing book!
I loved every aspect of this story!
Sandra Dallas does it again! Another gem by this author that will stay with this reader for quite some time! The author knows how to write and research historical fiction that will keep the reader captivated until the end of the story. (Just a little side note: I read the acknowledgments and I am so glad the author decided to write another book after Where Coyotes Howl and I and I am sure many others hope she continues to write these amazing stories)!
What Haidie and her little brother Boots had to endure after losing their mother allowed for personal growth and amazing character development. Physical description and speech fit each character, easy to envision and see each character as the writer described.
Loved the personal growth of all the characters in this story.
Highly recommend!
The cover art also a five star. Love it!

The Richards family is barely making it on their farm when Ma dies. Since Pa went out West in search of a gold mine two years earlier and has never returned, big brother Cheet (that name IS a bit too on-the-nose) sells the farm and dumps his younger brother and sister in an orphanage so he can gamble away all their money. Fourteen-year-old Haidie and eight-year-old Boots escape from the orphanage and head out West in search of their father. Unlike everyone else, they believe he is still alive and waiting for them to join him. Along the way they have many adventures and meet a wild collection of characters.

Some readers have compared Tough Luck to True Grit because the main character is a smart four-teen-year-old who loves her father and makse an unconventional journey in the Old West, but I disagree. Unlike the morally rigid Mattie Ross, Haidie is an accomplished liar from what Mattie would have described as a trashy family and she has no problem with drinking, gambling, or prostitution as long as the people engaged in them are kind. Also, the Charles Portis novel has a dark center, but Sandra Dallas takes a consistently jocular tone and soft-pedals any actual tragedies. Tough Luck is more like Robert Lewis Taylor's The Travels of Jamie McPheeters.

One issue I did have with this novel is that the author writes about Roman Catholicism in a way that seems to indicate profound ingnorance. While it is likely that Haidie would lack knowledge of the Church, I found it ridiculous that the matron of a Catholic orphanage (who, in the 19th century, would NOT have been a lay person as is the case here) would be portrayed as so clueless that she believed Cheet could be ordained as a priest a few weeks after supposedly entering a seminary or that she would not bother to check his story. (The Catholic Church keeps records and the road to ordination takes years of study and formation.) Also, the idea that Teresa, who had a baby out of wedlock, would be forced to become a nun, is equally absurd. Women were locked up in convents in the Middle Ages and girls declared "incorrigible" for their sexual experiences were sometimes institutionalized even in the 20th century, but by the time of this novel, a vocation was a serious thing and postulent nuns had to spend several years proving themselves before being allowed to take the veil. The whole business of Teresa's "marriage" was like a bad joke and I am surprised that an author like Sandra Dallas, who has written respectfully about Mormons, would do this. Even though the story is told from the perspective of an unsophisticated girl, the events of that story should not depend on her lack of knowledge.

That said, I enjoyed Tough Luck. Haidie is a brave, spirited, and compassionate heroine and her adventures are entertaining. This novel lacked the depth and seriousness of Dallas's True Sisters or Westering Women, but it was a fun read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas. It was so well written that I found myself completely engrossed in the story, forgetting everything about my day-to-day life. I highly recommend Tough Luck, you will not be disappointed.

Haidie and Boots are sent to the orphanage after their Ma dies. Pa is still out west looking for his gold mine and their brother isn't interested in raising his two younger siblings. Haidie knows she cannot stay in the orphanage with Boots. She has her plan to runaway and head out west to find Pa. Haidie disguises herself as a boy as her and Boots make there way across the county, meeting some of the nicest people on the Earth and some of the scariest.
Sandra Dallas brings the American West alive in Tough Luck. Dallas is a one of a kind story-teller and uses her words to awaken places you have never been. I love to read Dallas's work and if you have never experienced it, one should. The only negative I have with Tough Luck is the length of the chapters. I love to sneak in a read whenever I can. When chapters are so long, it is hard to find a good place to pause. I then have to re-read to remember where I was. This would not keep me from reading this, it is just an inconvenience. The writing is beautiful, the storyline is so good, and the characters stay with you long after the story is over. I would definitely like to see where Haidie and Boots went next. Special thanks to NetGalley, Sandra Dallas, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 4 stars for me.

This is my third Sandra Dallas novel and it didn't disappoint. This was a true western and had all of the rough and tough adventure that kept a fast pace. Hadie, Boots and Chett were barely surviving on their farm when their mother died and Chett sold the farm. He cheats his siblings out of the money and drops them off at the nearest orphanage. Determined to get away Haidie and Boots set off to find their father who went west to find his fortune in gold. With only a couple of letters from their father, they use their intelligence, strong will, and hope to lead the search. Disguised as a boy Haidie makes herself useful and creates a community with the most unlikely protectors. She supports and is supported and I cheered for the whole group. It is an other Little House on the Prairies for adults and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun adventure.

You can never go wrong with Sandra Dallas. Sandra is one of my favorite authors. Tough Luck is a story that engages you with its characters and its locations. I think this book would also qualify for Young Adults. Our library with be putting it on the shelf.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas

I really enjoyed this novel. The author did a great job using the language and mannerisms of the times. She developed great characters and used lots of descriptions.
I liked the journey across country so that Haidie and Boots could try to find their father. I liked the obstacles they encountered and the learning experiences they had. So many different characters and a very realistic experience.
Great book, I love Sandra Dallas

In her new book, Tough Luck, Sandra Dallas does an excellent job of giving a strong variation on the move westward. Haidie, the 14-year-old main character and her younger brother, Boots, are left at an orphanage after her mother dies. Cheet her older brother sells the family farm and keeps most of the money with plans to become a gambler. Their father has been absent for years. Haidie decides to escape when she and her brother are treated like slave labor at the orphanage. With the help of one of the younger nuns, who is also there against her will, they make their escape. Haidie and her brother with a lot of help, navigate their way through the journey west to look for their father in Colorado. The book has a large cast of interesting characters, some good, some wicked. The plot has many twists. The story is sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking, and often suspenseful. This is a coming-of-age story for several of the characters. There are elements reminiscent of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Strongly recommended for lovers of adventure books. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early look at this wonderful book.

The story is about a family - The father leaves the family to strike it rich in the gold rush. Not longer after he leaves and the mother passes away leaving an adult son and a 14 year old girl Haidie and her younger brother Boots. The adult son sells the farm and places Haidie and Boots in an orphanage. They escape the orphanage to find their father who they believe must have found gold in Colorado. Haidie decides to portray herself a boy in order to find someone who is willing to take them to Colorado. They manage to find a wagon train that will take them. Along the way meet several fellow travelers - some good, some bad. The characters are very well written. Haidie is very smart and resourceful. I found the story to be interesting because of the wagon train journey. I think this book would also be enjoyed by young adult readers. I will definitely read other books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed TOUGH LUCK. I was never a big fan of the western genre, but this book has opened my eyes and I may need to read more of these stories now.

This story is told in the voice of Haidie, a young girl who lost her mother and was abandoned by her father. After escaping an orphanage, Haidie and her younger brother, Boots, join a wagon train in search of their father. In their travels they encounter many trials and tribulations, but they also meet some amazing people who care for them and save them from starvation and other dangers on the trail.

This book is filled with humor, it has a captivating cast of characters and it even has the perfect ending. I highly recommend it and give it the 5 stars it deserves. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

For decades. I have been reading Sandra Dallas. She is a master storyteller and this one did not disappoint. Loved the setting and the way all the characters were written. Another beautiful book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas was such an enjoyable story. I am a fan of books about the Oregon trail or early American settlements in the west. Anything that can take us back to those days where people were tough, resilient and paved their own way. There is so much that I could say about Tough Luck, but I don't like to give away plots. I figure you can read the synopsis to get the gist of the storyline. So the characters, the scenery description, and the emotions felt by the characters are what draws me into a book. Needless to say, all were top notch in Tough Luck. Every character including Haidie and Boots and all of those that played a part in their journey to the West were unforgettable. Sandra Dallas does such a beautiful description of scenery that you feel like you are looking at a painting or watching something on a movie screen. She makes it extremely easy to visualize what the characters are seeing. The way the characters are tied together keep the story flowing. Someone who may seem insignificant in the larger picture can actually play a huge role in the survival of Haidie and Boots. Dallas has always written stories that stay with you for days after you finish reading. I find myself having to delve into other genres after reading one of her books. I just have to let the stories sit and then I'm ready for her next book. Tough luck is one of my favorite Sandra Dallas books so far! I can't wait to read what Dallas comes up with next! I voluntarily received a copy of this book from netgalley.

It's 1863. Haidie Richards (14) and her 10-year-old brother Boots are dumped in an orphanage four years after their father takes off by their older brother when their older brother sells the family farm after their mother dies. Desperate to find their father who has only sent four letters in three years, Haidie disguises herself as a boy and the siblings take off for the gold mines of Colorado Territory. Reminiscent of True Grit, their journey is filled with adventures and characters that bring the harsh realities of the wild west to life. The characters are the best - mule packers, card sharks, con men, uptight clergy, prostitutes and two old maids (sisters who are in their late 20s). The climax is a reimaged rendition of The Sting. So fun!

This is the second books I've read by Sandra Dallas, and I'm now a big fan. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an advance reader copy of this unique book full of characters, comradery and excitement. Highly recommend.

Sandra Dallas has done it again.

I was thrilled when the publishing company reached out asking if I would review Dallas' upcoming 2025 novel "Tough Luck." I had read "Where Coyotes Howl" last year before it was released and loved it, so I was excited to dive into another one of her Wild West stories.

Mary "Haidie" Richards has been sent to an orphanage with her younger brother. Her older bother Cheet has inherited their farm after their Ma died and their Pa presumed dead after not hearing from him after he left for Colorado with gold dreams in his eyes. Haidie was determined her father was not dead and so she hatched a plan to escape the orphanage with her younger brother Boots and set off to Colorado to find Pa herself. She disguises herself as a boy and finds good and bad people along the way.

I absolutely loved this story and there are SO many characters I adored: Jake Crowfoot, Ben, Teresa, Corny, the badass sisters, Emily. It was so fun to read about the adventures on her way to Colorado. Gah! I don't want to give anything away, so you just need to read it. The ending was PERFECT. Sandra writes Wild West stories so well and I find myself pulled into the story because I fall in love with the characters. Well done!

Haidie’s father left their home 4 years ago to look for gold. In the meantime, her mother dies and her older brother sells the farm , keep the money and puts her and her younger brother in an orphanage. Not being one to not do her own thing, her and her younger brother escape the orphanage and hook up with a wagon train gong to Colorado to find her father. Haidi dresses as a boy to make things easier on the trail She hooks up with a couple spinster sisters, the wagon master who takes her and her brother under their wing. The trail is hard and not safe but she learns to handle the mules and all else on the trail . When they get to Colorado Haidie and her brother start the search for her father. This is a good story and moves along well. I would highly recommend it. Have read a few other books of Sandra Dallas and I like her writing. Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this. The opinions are my own. I will recemmend this to my book club as well.

Haidie and her little brother Boots have been abandoned. Their father took off a few years ago for Denver to try and strike it rich in the gold rush, their mother just died and their older brother sold off the farm and dumped them at an orphanage. Not one to take things lying down Haidie devises an escape plan and has her and her brother out of the orphanage, disguised herself as a boy and gotten themselves a ride to Denver with a wagon train.
As a kid, like a lot of 90’s kids, I loved playing Oregon trail. And as an adult I like reading books about the wagon trains that set settlers west. There is very obviously a sad and destructive history attached to the settling of the west which I wasn’t aware of at 8 but at far more familiar with now. This book only focuses on the children’s perspective of trying to cross the prairies. This almost reads as a YA adventure story. All in all I enjoyed this fast paced story. Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress for letting me review this a little early in exchange for a review. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #booklover #toughluck #sandradallas #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #readersofinstagram #readersofig #readersofinsta #bookstagramcommunity #readmorebooks #readersgonnaread

Sandra Dallas never lets me down! Every one of her books pulls me back in time to an escape with folks out west. It was a heck of a lot of fun to travel along with the sibs in this book as they made their way toward Colorado and, on the journey, came under the care of a couple of much better father figures than the real father who left their family in pursuit of gold. The narrator, Haidie, is an even-eyed observer of the world and a sensible decision maker. Navigating the limited life and predictable outcomes of remaining in an orphanage, she masterminds a safe escape and picks up the first of several friends to help her and her younger brother. She's a hard worker who learns quickly from each phase of this quest-- exactly the kind of person readers want to hang out with because her conscientiousness pays off time and again. As a librarian, I am inclined to recommend this for parents and middle or upper grade kids to read at the same time-- either each with their own copy or together as a read aloud.

This wasn’t the book I thought it was going to be, and I’m glad for it! This book is reminiscent of True Grit, with a cast of fun + quirky cast and a 14 year old girl as a main character. It has the traditional western setting I love so much, but with a softer hand to it. The beginning is a bit slow, but keep reading to find: Adventure on the wagon trail, mystery, found family, and humor. Sandra Dallas wins again.

“Tough Luck” in the newest historical novel by Sandra Dallas who is the master at immersing readers into a slice of history and leave them attached to unique but relatable characters.

“Tough Luck” focuses on Haidie and her brother Boots who set off to find their dad who had set off to strike it rich many years before. The tale takes us from the Midwest to Colorado and the colorful people they meet during their travels. Like the cliché goes, it’s not the destination but the journey as “Tough Luck” is a great example of that.

The timing of the book is 1863 but because we’re in Colorado the Civil War and slavery are only secondary in the plot. The novel moves at a lively pace with vivid descriptions and plenty of humor.

Fans of Sandra Dallas are absolutely going to love Haidie who has a lot of gumption but also a big heart. This is an excellent story about women surviving (without men needing to rescue them).

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this great read.