What do you think?
Rate this book
Outlaws of the Wild West #0.5
The Runaway Heiress
A forbidden attraction sparks between a captive heiress and the gunslinger tasked with delivering her to her wedding in this prequel novella to Harper St. George’s The Gilded West series.
Sophie Buchanan is trapped in a gilded cage. Outwardly, she lives a charmed life as the beloved niece of one of the wealthiest men in Helena, Montana Territory, but beneath her elegant façade lies a burning need for revenge. Her uncle orchestrated the accident that killed her parents so he could gain control of their fledgling mining empire. When he arranges a loveless marriage for her—the final part of his plan to control her fortune—she knows it’s time to escape.
Standing between Sophie and freedom is Gray, the rugged gunslinger her uncle hired to guard her. But Gray has secrets of his own and letting Sophie escape will ruin the carefully laid plans that will bring her uncle to justice. As much as he wants her for himself, Gray is bound by duty to give her up…even after a forbidden night together changes everything.
As their worlds collide against the opulence of the wealthiest town in the West, Sophie and Gray are forced to choose between duty and a forbidden love that threatens to destroy them both.
This book was originally published as Her Forbidden Gunslinger but has been reedited and updated.
Sophie Buchanan is trapped in a gilded cage. Outwardly, she lives a charmed life as the beloved niece of one of the wealthiest men in Helena, Montana Territory, but beneath her elegant façade lies a burning need for revenge. Her uncle orchestrated the accident that killed her parents so he could gain control of their fledgling mining empire. When he arranges a loveless marriage for her—the final part of his plan to control her fortune—she knows it’s time to escape.
Standing between Sophie and freedom is Gray, the rugged gunslinger her uncle hired to guard her. But Gray has secrets of his own and letting Sophie escape will ruin the carefully laid plans that will bring her uncle to justice. As much as he wants her for himself, Gray is bound by duty to give her up…even after a forbidden night together changes everything.
As their worlds collide against the opulence of the wealthiest town in the West, Sophie and Gray are forced to choose between duty and a forbidden love that threatens to destroy them both.
This book was originally published as Her Forbidden Gunslinger but has been reedited and updated.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Harper St. George
59 books1,274 followersHarper St. George grew up in rural Alabama and along Florida’s Forgotten Coast, where stories of the past sparked her lifelong love of history, romance, and adventure. By high school she discovered historical romance novels, which brought all of those elements together in one irresistible package. She’s been hooked ever since.
Today, Harper lives in the Atlanta area where she writes historical romance set from the Viking Era to the Gilded Age. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and featured in major publications including Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Oprah Daily, Woman’s World, Forbes, PopSugar, and Bustle. She has also received the prestigious honor of having her books selected for Book of the Month Club and BuzzFeed Best Romance of the year. She would love to hear from you. Please visit her website at harperstgeorge.com
Today, Harper lives in the Atlanta area where she writes historical romance set from the Viking Era to the Gilded Age. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and featured in major publications including Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Oprah Daily, Woman’s World, Forbes, PopSugar, and Bustle. She has also received the prestigious honor of having her books selected for Book of the Month Club and BuzzFeed Best Romance of the year. She would love to hear from you. Please visit her website at harperstgeorge.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 20, 2025
The Runaway Heiress is the prequel novella to The Gilded West series. I’ve enjoyed Harper St. George’s historical romances and this is an older series she recently revised/updated and rereleased on KU. This was an okay read, very quick since it’s a novella but I wasn’t super hooked.
Helena, Montana 1888. Sophie’s uncle orchestrated the accident that killed her parents to gain access to their copper mining empire and then arranged a loveless marriage for her so he can gain access to her fortune. She’s determined not to marry the man he has lined up for her but is just trying to figure out how to get out of it. Gray is a hired gunslinger her uncle has tasked with guarding her and delivering her to her wedding unscathed. He has some plans and secrets of his own, but he also falls for her along the way. Now he has to make sure he can accomplish multiple tasks without losing her.
This moves fast and it didn’t really feel like much was built between the characters that made their chemistry believable. The writing and pace all felt a little scattered and disjointed. Maybe since it was a novella? I’ll still check out the Gilded West series at some point since they’re full length books, but we will see when I get to them now!
Helena, Montana 1888. Sophie’s uncle orchestrated the accident that killed her parents to gain access to their copper mining empire and then arranged a loveless marriage for her so he can gain access to her fortune. She’s determined not to marry the man he has lined up for her but is just trying to figure out how to get out of it. Gray is a hired gunslinger her uncle has tasked with guarding her and delivering her to her wedding unscathed. He has some plans and secrets of his own, but he also falls for her along the way. Now he has to make sure he can accomplish multiple tasks without losing her.
This moves fast and it didn’t really feel like much was built between the characters that made their chemistry believable. The writing and pace all felt a little scattered and disjointed. Maybe since it was a novella? I’ll still check out the Gilded West series at some point since they’re full length books, but we will see when I get to them now!
April 2, 2025
In 2014, Harper St. George published a novella called Her Forbidden Gunslinger, the prequel to a trilogy of novels set in 1880s Montana Territory. Now, those books have all been updated and republished with new titles. The prequel novella is now titled The Runaway Heiress, and it introduces readers to a world of wealth amidst hard-working miners. The Gilded West is a full series I’m excited to read now!
Why I Chose This Book:
Harper St. George has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve read her full Gilded Age Heiresses series and am now in the middle of her Doves of New York trilogy. However, I’ve also been wanting to read all of her earlier works. Since she’s just republished the full Gilded West series, I’ll read all of these books, and based on The Runaway Heiress, I’m sure I’ll enjoy them all.
What I Liked:
- Sophie isn’t a simple damsel in distress. She’s on a mission to escape her unwanted marriage, one way or another!
- Gray has his own agenda… and though he keeps secrets, he has good reason to!
- Forbidden romance
- Escaping a horrible family member and equally bad future
Final Thoughts
This was my first time reading a historical romance set in the United States or in the American West. (My historical romances are usually in Europe!) It was fun to read this kind of love story set in a new setting for me, and I like how this set up the scene for the rest of the series. As always, I love Harper St. George’s writing style here.
The Runaway Heiress was an enjoyable and quick read, and I look forward to reading the three full-length novels of the Gilded West series. I’m also excited to read her other older series (lots of Vikings!) as well as continuing her current Victorian-era series.
* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *
Why I Chose This Book:
Harper St. George has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve read her full Gilded Age Heiresses series and am now in the middle of her Doves of New York trilogy. However, I’ve also been wanting to read all of her earlier works. Since she’s just republished the full Gilded West series, I’ll read all of these books, and based on The Runaway Heiress, I’m sure I’ll enjoy them all.
What I Liked:
- Sophie isn’t a simple damsel in distress. She’s on a mission to escape her unwanted marriage, one way or another!
- Gray has his own agenda… and though he keeps secrets, he has good reason to!
- Forbidden romance
- Escaping a horrible family member and equally bad future
Final Thoughts
This was my first time reading a historical romance set in the United States or in the American West. (My historical romances are usually in Europe!) It was fun to read this kind of love story set in a new setting for me, and I like how this set up the scene for the rest of the series. As always, I love Harper St. George’s writing style here.
The Runaway Heiress was an enjoyable and quick read, and I look forward to reading the three full-length novels of the Gilded West series. I’m also excited to read her other older series (lots of Vikings!) as well as continuing her current Victorian-era series.
* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *
March 7, 2026
I can’t believe I waited this long to read The Runaway Heiress, especially since I devoured the original series back in 2018. With the series now renamed and refreshed as The Gilded West, I decided it was the perfect time to revisit it from the beginning—and I’m so glad I did. This novella is everything I love about Harper St. George’s writing: rich atmosphere, emotional tension, and characters who feel wonderfully alive on the page.
Sophie Buchanan is a heroine you can’t help rooting for. Outwardly privileged but inwardly trapped, she’s determined to reclaim her life from the uncle who stole everything from her. Her desperation to escape—and her courage in doing so—made her instantly compelling. And then there’s Gray, the rugged gunslinger hired to keep her under lock and key. He’s stoic, loyal, and carrying secrets of his own, which makes the slow‑burn, forbidden attraction between them absolutely irresistible.
Their chemistry is electric, and the push‑and‑pull between duty and desire is handled so well. I loved watching these two navigate danger, betrayal, and their own conflicted hearts. The Montana Territory setting adds a gorgeous backdrop of opulence, grit, and frontier glamour that perfectly complements the story’s emotional stakes.
Even though this novella was originally published as Her Forbidden Gunslinger, the updated version feels seamless and engaging. It stands beautifully on its own while also setting the stage for the series to come. Reading it reminded me why Harper St. George is one of my favorite authors—she blends romance, tension, and historical detail in a way that feels effortless.
I’m genuinely excited to reread the entire series now that it’s been rebranded. I loved it the first time around, and diving back into this world with a fresh start has me even more eager to continue.
If you enjoy forbidden romance, strong heroines, brooding heroes, and Western‑tinged historical settings, this novella is a perfect place to begin.
Sophie Buchanan is a heroine you can’t help rooting for. Outwardly privileged but inwardly trapped, she’s determined to reclaim her life from the uncle who stole everything from her. Her desperation to escape—and her courage in doing so—made her instantly compelling. And then there’s Gray, the rugged gunslinger hired to keep her under lock and key. He’s stoic, loyal, and carrying secrets of his own, which makes the slow‑burn, forbidden attraction between them absolutely irresistible.
Their chemistry is electric, and the push‑and‑pull between duty and desire is handled so well. I loved watching these two navigate danger, betrayal, and their own conflicted hearts. The Montana Territory setting adds a gorgeous backdrop of opulence, grit, and frontier glamour that perfectly complements the story’s emotional stakes.
Even though this novella was originally published as Her Forbidden Gunslinger, the updated version feels seamless and engaging. It stands beautifully on its own while also setting the stage for the series to come. Reading it reminded me why Harper St. George is one of my favorite authors—she blends romance, tension, and historical detail in a way that feels effortless.
I’m genuinely excited to reread the entire series now that it’s been rebranded. I loved it the first time around, and diving back into this world with a fresh start has me even more eager to continue.
If you enjoy forbidden romance, strong heroines, brooding heroes, and Western‑tinged historical settings, this novella is a perfect place to begin.
January 23, 2025
This was my first Western historical romance, and while I love Harper St. George’s other gilded-age books, I wasn’t crazy about this one. I’m going to chalk it up to this being a novella as to why it didn’t really work for me and give one of her full-length Western historicals a chance before I write off this series.
March 30, 2026
Ahh wish it was longer!!
March 15, 2025
I enjoyed the story and liked the characters.
There was a bit of the story in the middle that didn't seem right for a historic story. It seemed too out of place. But overall the story was pretty good.
I will be continuing with the series.
There was a bit of the story in the middle that didn't seem right for a historic story. It seemed too out of place. But overall the story was pretty good.
I will be continuing with the series.
February 20, 2025
On a whim I decided to read The Runaway Heiress by Harper St. George after doom scrolling too much and not having any of my books or e-reader with me, phone reading FTW. This is a re-release of a prequel novella. St. George mentioned on her IG that she just got the rights back to the Gilded West series (available now on KU)
This was a quick read following Sophie, the niece of a mine magnet in Montana. He's a cruel man and negotiates her engagement to one of his gross cronies. Meanwhile, Gray is an undercover spy pretending to be a gunslinger for this powerful man. Sophie and Gray connect as her wedding draws near but the stakes are high for Gray with an impending raid on her uncle's men. Enjoyable quick read! With the short page count it definitely leaves you wanting more details.
This was a quick read following Sophie, the niece of a mine magnet in Montana. He's a cruel man and negotiates her engagement to one of his gross cronies. Meanwhile, Gray is an undercover spy pretending to be a gunslinger for this powerful man. Sophie and Gray connect as her wedding draws near but the stakes are high for Gray with an impending raid on her uncle's men. Enjoyable quick read! With the short page count it definitely leaves you wanting more details.
October 11, 2016
This short did the job of introducing me to the author's writing style, which I liked. Felt the plot would have benefitted from a slightly longer word count (even 40 more pages would have helped) and this was a bit too Rescue Fantasy for my usual tastes - but it was a pleasant way to pass the time on my lunch break at work.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews