This book had quite a few quirky characters that are sure to keep your attention. The story was well written and it held my interest for majority of the book. The last 20% of the book was confusing in parts seemed choppy. Overall- just another "OK" book. Didn't love it, didn't hate it- just wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I have read other books set during this time period that were better.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for free. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

I love westerns and the gold rush era in general, so I was thrilled when I came across the book and it did not disappoint. My favorite part about this book were the characters. Each had a distinctive voice and personality, it felt like I had met these people before in real life. The plot of the main characters going on a journey to find their father was perfectly paced and the ending was well done.

Great story of resilience and ingenuity.

Set in the Gold Rush days, the Richards family is torn apart - their dad has left to strike it rich in the Colorado gold mines, their mother dies, and their oldest brother puts Haidie and her younger brother Boots into an orphanage left to fend for themselves. Haidie devises a plan for them to escape and head west to find their father.

The trials and tribulations of heading west were so well described, as were all of the characters met along the way. Particularly enjoyable for those that enjoy westerns and anything from the gold rush era.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Sandra Dallas for the eARC.

Sandra Dallas is a new to me author and I enjoyed the strength that the characters demonstrated through their many trials. I loved the adventure as they embark on a journey to Colorado and doing what it takes to survive shows courage and determination. Definitely a must read book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is a little like a fairy tale Western. We share the adventures of Haidie and Boots who have been placed in an orphanage after the death of their mother. Both Haidie and Boots want to search for their father who left to mine for gold in Colorado, but must escape from the orphanage first. And so their adventure begins.
As interesting as Haidie and Boots are, the characters they encounter along the way are just as much fun. Theresa (a young novice nun, but not by choice), Jake Crowfoot, Corny, Ben Bondurant, and the old maid sisters are all charming and yes, too good to be true, but if you set aside your disbelief, the adventures are too enjoyable to disregard.
A fast and entertaining tale that lightens the spirit. After reading some books that focus on the other side of humanity (and there are a couple of those here, too) I found the overall effect was of a palate cleanser. A fantasy of sorts, but a pleasurable distraction that kept me involved.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

I have never read a book from Sandra Dallas that I did not like and I can say that Tough Luck was one of the best. How someone can think up some characters and bring them to life is beyond me. Each character was unique and someone that was bad but so good. Conservations were genuine but stuck to the times. I believe anyone could pick up this book and enjoy it.

Summary: After their mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are sent to an orphanage. Their father left four years earlier to find a gold mine in Colorado Territory, and they haven't heard from him in quite some time. Still, Haidie is certain that he is alive, has struck gold, and will soon send for them.

Haidie decides to take matters into her own hands, and escape the orphanage to go find their father. Tough Luck follows Haidie and Boots harrowing journey across the western states to be reunited with their father with plenty of adventures along the way.

Review: Tough Luck is told in the voice of 14-year-old Haidie, which really adds to the story - her voice is so fresh, genuine and funny. The narrative is fast paced and action packed and has so much heart. The writing is fairly simple overall but it really worked for me. This is a fun, lighthearted read full of colorful characters. Although some of the topics are serious, Haidie's storytelling has a flair of humor and entertainment - and doesn't take itself too seriously.

4 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Beautifully written, Tough Luck pulled me back with Haidie and Boots to the Wild West and the Gold rush. I found myself holding my breath while reading, angry and yelling at the book and even crying at times. There was love and betrayal, joy and sadness, suffering and contentment along the way. At the end, I felt as though I myself had taken a the long journey with these endearing children in search of their Pa. Sandra Dallas is an absolutely amazing author with an incredible skill of telling a story.

The novel is whimsical in some ways, but visually graphic in others. It is set during the gold rush in Colorado complete with characters that do not understand the hazards of a wagon train. The settings ring true particularly when our determined heroine first sees the Rocky Mountains up close.

This unique story told from the perspective of a younger girl was refreshing. I enjoyed seeing it through her eyes, instead of the eyes of a jaded adult. I'm a huge fan of westerns and of historical fiction. Having lived in Cripple Creek Colorado and studying the gold rush era near Pike's Peak and discoveries made in Cripple Creek, I am fascinated to read different accounts of the lives of the people involved.

The travels made by Haidie and the adventures she had were fun. Her sense of family was strong and she was definitely a crafty fighter. I loved all of the characters who interacted with her, especially those who knew who she really was (and who she was pretending to be). I also enjoyed how the true hearts of these characters shown through, and how they came together at the end to help one another.

After reading a lot of slightly depressing and heavy books (and ghosts - why so many ghosts?), I didn’t know that I needed to read “Tough Luck” by Sandra Dallas to re-ignite my reading mojo. Plucky heroine … straight shooter … self-starter … observant … and although things get tough, she’s still got moxie. I’m not one for westerns (was this one, well, kinda but then again, kinda not) but throw in some historical fiction (well, maybe a combo of Laura Ingalls Wilder crossing the prairies and the Oregon Trail adventure game of old), and a book where things, in the end, work out - just what I needed to read. I absolutely loved some of the secondary characters - and how although family may be blood, once again family can also be the friends you make along the way. A solid 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5) and, seriously, a solid feel good book that held my attention.

This is a book I could not put down, but I had to at times. Still I read it in 3 1/2 days. It follows 2 children who beg, borrow, but do not steal their way across the country during the gold rush days, hoping to find their father. It is a delightful story of swindlers being swindled, and so much more. Anyone who enjoys a good yarn will love this book.

Haidie's mother dies, and her older brother puts both Haidie and their youngest brother, Boots, into an orphanage. Their father left to find gold and never returned, and her older brother sold the farm to fund his gambling. Haidie is certain their father is alive and well in Colorado.

Haidie and her brother run away from the orphanage. Haidie dresses as a boy for safety, embarking on the journey West. Haidie experiences lots, including surly mules, greedy men, and friendship. Haidie eventually finds her father with her new friends, and she must help her father get his gold mine back from someone who tricked him!

What a heartfelt book! Loved that it was historical fiction about finding your family.


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This story takes place in 1863 in the west. When Haidie Richards mother dies, her older brother dumps her and her younger brother at an orphanage. They decide to escape and make their way to Colorado Territory to look for their gold seeking father. Along the way, they meet a lot of interesting people and have a lot of exciting adventures. I liked the descriptions of the old west and the western towns. All of the characters were well-written and made the story a fun read. I admired Haidie's courage and spunk. A really good book if you like stories about the old west.

In the early 1860s, Haidie is in a family that is slowly falling apart. Her father, a year before, set out west to find gold. But with only 3 letters arriving, Haidie’s mom looses faith in him returning and passes away. Cheet, the older brother sets off on his own by selling the farm and putting Haidie and her brother, Boots, in an orphanage. In a few months, Haidie meets someone that helps her escape and she and Boots head off west to find her father. They join a wagon train and endear the harshest of environments to reach Colorado. But will they find their father?

This was a page turner of a read! I loved the language of the young, uneducated, Haidie. I feel it brought so much to the story. The author did a great job describing orphanages and the wagon trains of the mid 1800s, (although I’m not an expert). I also love a good ending when justice is served!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

In *Tough Luck*, 14-year-old Haidie Richards, dressed as a boy, embarks on a risky journey with her brother, Boots, to track down their gold-mining father in 1863. After fleeing an orphanage, they navigate real dangers and cross paths with all sorts of people, forming unexpected connections along the way. The characters feel alive, the details make the story come to life, and you’re right there with Haidie through every step of her journey. Her determination is inspiring, and with her newfound friends, she crafts a smart plan once she learns the truth about her father. It’s a heartfelt and gripping read. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.

This was so much better then I was expecting as this wasn’t my usual genre but I ending up loving the Western aspect! It’s so much more than just a western though - the characters were incredible and relatable. I felt so drawn into the story and stayed up so late reading this. Will be 100% purchasing for our library!

I really enjoyed the Western element to this book, it had what was promised in the description. The concept was everything that I wanted and enjoyed getting through the story. The characters worked overall in the time-period and was glad they worked so well. Sandra Dallas has a strong concept and was able to write a story well.

This caught me off guard, While the author writes historical fiction that I'm familiar with, this was a bit different writing style. Just looked interesting by the description and cover. Will be ordering for the store for sure. Well developed characters and storyline had me reading a bit past my bedtime on more than one night. Gritty, but not heavy historical fiction that is a nice change from the prison camps and nazi genre that has over saturated the reading community lately. Give me a western with something I'm not expecting and I'm in. This fit the bill perfectly.

I've seen this book compared to True Grit, which I don't think does this book service. While there are heavier themes and some violence( travlers being killed, buffalo shot and harvested) it's mainly a cute story about found family. Haide and her younger brother Boots are dropping off in an orphanage by their eldest brother aptly named "Cheet" when their mother passes away, Haide is one of the hardest working, resourceful young women I've ever read about. She and Boots travel from Illinois to Colorado and Dallas writes with a lightness and humor which serves well in despite some of the heavier themes. You really root for these characters, most of them are so good hearted even if they are rough around the edges.

It's a short read, and definitely was good after a couple heavy fantasy novels and full of heart and humor.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review and thanks to St Martin Press.