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The Wild Card
When Lady Luck deals her a roadside diner in small-town Texas, a professional poker player discovers home may be the best win of all in this heartfelt romance by
New York Times
bestselling author Carolyn Brown.
Professional poker player Carla Wilson’s luck runs dry in Tucson, leaving her with nothing but an SUV running on fumes and a deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas. Her plan to sell the café and move on seems simple enough—until she meets the motherly cook who rules the kitchen with an iron skillet and the sunny waitress who treats her like a sister.
Then there’s Jackson Armstrong. The ex-military heir of a wealthy oil family has green eyes that make Carla forget her cards and a smile that suggests he’s playing for keeps. With a pair of matchmaking senior citizens and the café’s morning regulars cheering from the sidelines, Carla’s wandering soul begins to feel at home.
Now she’s discovering everything she never knew she needed—true friendship, a place to belong, and a love worth going all in for. Maybe Lady Luck knew exactly what she was doing from the start.
Professional poker player Carla Wilson’s luck runs dry in Tucson, leaving her with nothing but an SUV running on fumes and a deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas. Her plan to sell the café and move on seems simple enough—until she meets the motherly cook who rules the kitchen with an iron skillet and the sunny waitress who treats her like a sister.
Then there’s Jackson Armstrong. The ex-military heir of a wealthy oil family has green eyes that make Carla forget her cards and a smile that suggests he’s playing for keeps. With a pair of matchmaking senior citizens and the café’s morning regulars cheering from the sidelines, Carla’s wandering soul begins to feel at home.
Now she’s discovering everything she never knew she needed—true friendship, a place to belong, and a love worth going all in for. Maybe Lady Luck knew exactly what she was doing from the start.
271 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2025
830 people are currently reading
4622 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,119 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 21, 2025
EXCERPT: My name is Carla Wilson, and I am thirty years old. Ol' Frank always said that I was his wild card . . . his good luck charm. Frank wouldn't think that if h was with me today. Not after last night. He would probably say I was the joker. I have been a professional gambler for more than a decade. I don't need a house, an apartment, or even a travel trailer. Everything I own is in the back of my SUV, and I live in whatever hotel I can find that is close to where my next game - legal or otherwise - is being held.
The punishment for not obeying what the Lady had laid on my heart was that I lost all my money for the high-stakes Vegas game. And to add insult to injury, I lost it all in a seedy little room in the back of an auto repair shop in a ratty part of town. My cash was always hidden in a lockbox, but after the game that night it was totally empty.
So now I had a full tank of gas, a package of stale peanut butter crackers, and almost ten dollars in change that I had thrown into the console of my SUV. Well, that and the quitclaim deed to a café in some godforsaken place east of El Paso that a tall, skinny guy with a horse-shaped face had thrown on the table as part of a bet.
ABOUT 'THE WILD CARD': Professional poker player Carla Wilson’s luck runs dry in Tucson, leaving her with nothing but an SUV running on fumes and a deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas. Her plan to sell the café and move on seems simple enough—until she meets the motherly cook who rules the kitchen with an iron skillet and the sunny waitress who treats her like a sister.
Then there’s Jackson Armstrong. The ex-military heir of a wealthy oil family has green eyes that make Carla forget her cards and a smile that suggests he’s playing for keeps. With a pair of matchmaking senior citizens and the café’s morning regulars cheering from the sidelines, Carla’s wandering soul begins to feel at home.
Now she’s discovering everything she never knew she needed—true friendship, a place to belong, and a love worth going all in for. Maybe Lady Luck knew exactly what she was doing from the start.
MY THOUGHTS: I always finish a Carolyn Brown novel with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. The Wild Card was no exception. I love her strong and sassy characters who have fallen on hard times but use faith and friendship to find their way to where they need to be.
This is a small-town - so small there is only the Tumbleweed Café and a caravan park! - story featuring Carla, who just wants to earn enough money from this café to stake her next game and move on, who has no roots, and no friends. She has a sad backstory that tugged at my heartstrings, but then so does every woman in this story. All different, but all sad and/or tragic in their own way. Carolyn's writing had me hanging onto every word and rooting for HEAs for all the characters.
It's truly the women characters who make this story. Carla, is shown a whole new way of life; Rosie, the cook at the café who has a past I wouldn't wish on anyone; Scarlett, the waitress who, even in the throes of love, can't quite hide the shadows that lurk in her past; and Ada Lou and Nancy from the caravan park, best bickering buddies.
Yes, The Wild Card is a romance - and a lovely one - but it is also a story of escape and new beginnings.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheWildCard #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: CAROLYN BROWN loves writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. She says: If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue, then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The punishment for not obeying what the Lady had laid on my heart was that I lost all my money for the high-stakes Vegas game. And to add insult to injury, I lost it all in a seedy little room in the back of an auto repair shop in a ratty part of town. My cash was always hidden in a lockbox, but after the game that night it was totally empty.
So now I had a full tank of gas, a package of stale peanut butter crackers, and almost ten dollars in change that I had thrown into the console of my SUV. Well, that and the quitclaim deed to a café in some godforsaken place east of El Paso that a tall, skinny guy with a horse-shaped face had thrown on the table as part of a bet.
ABOUT 'THE WILD CARD': Professional poker player Carla Wilson’s luck runs dry in Tucson, leaving her with nothing but an SUV running on fumes and a deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas. Her plan to sell the café and move on seems simple enough—until she meets the motherly cook who rules the kitchen with an iron skillet and the sunny waitress who treats her like a sister.
Then there’s Jackson Armstrong. The ex-military heir of a wealthy oil family has green eyes that make Carla forget her cards and a smile that suggests he’s playing for keeps. With a pair of matchmaking senior citizens and the café’s morning regulars cheering from the sidelines, Carla’s wandering soul begins to feel at home.
Now she’s discovering everything she never knew she needed—true friendship, a place to belong, and a love worth going all in for. Maybe Lady Luck knew exactly what she was doing from the start.
MY THOUGHTS: I always finish a Carolyn Brown novel with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. The Wild Card was no exception. I love her strong and sassy characters who have fallen on hard times but use faith and friendship to find their way to where they need to be.
This is a small-town - so small there is only the Tumbleweed Café and a caravan park! - story featuring Carla, who just wants to earn enough money from this café to stake her next game and move on, who has no roots, and no friends. She has a sad backstory that tugged at my heartstrings, but then so does every woman in this story. All different, but all sad and/or tragic in their own way. Carolyn's writing had me hanging onto every word and rooting for HEAs for all the characters.
It's truly the women characters who make this story. Carla, is shown a whole new way of life; Rosie, the cook at the café who has a past I wouldn't wish on anyone; Scarlett, the waitress who, even in the throes of love, can't quite hide the shadows that lurk in her past; and Ada Lou and Nancy from the caravan park, best bickering buddies.
Yes, The Wild Card is a romance - and a lovely one - but it is also a story of escape and new beginnings.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheWildCard #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: CAROLYN BROWN loves writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. She says: If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue, then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
August 25, 2025
I can’t stop thinking about this fantastic novel!
The masterful way Carolyn Brown crafts her sentences keeps me hanging on every word. Not only that, her ability to create such authentic and relatable characters pulls me into the story and makes sure I remember their journey long after the last page is turned. I genuinely cared about Carla, Scarlett, Rosie, Jackson, Ada Lou, and Nancy and was invested in their story.
Tumbleweed saves Carla in multiple ways. Needing a change of pace and a different journey, Carla uses the last of the change she’d thrown into the console to buy gas, and heads out of town. This simple ‘all or nothing’ attitude changes everything for this professional gambler who’s down on her luck.
Brown has us considering if making friends means that we’re now dependent on another person, and if friendship makes for happiness. Her powerful story about women empowering women will stay in my mind for quite some time. Carla’s character was spectacular!
I loved the quotes about money just being dirty paper with dead presidents on it, about being so tired that we’re dragging our butts, thereby negating the need to sweep the floor, and the one about hoping the patrol officers were cuddling their wives. My highlighter was working overtime!
Brown reminds us that making the most of a bad hand is perspective and is up to us.
This was a great story, one I’d heartily recommend.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The masterful way Carolyn Brown crafts her sentences keeps me hanging on every word. Not only that, her ability to create such authentic and relatable characters pulls me into the story and makes sure I remember their journey long after the last page is turned. I genuinely cared about Carla, Scarlett, Rosie, Jackson, Ada Lou, and Nancy and was invested in their story.
Tumbleweed saves Carla in multiple ways. Needing a change of pace and a different journey, Carla uses the last of the change she’d thrown into the console to buy gas, and heads out of town. This simple ‘all or nothing’ attitude changes everything for this professional gambler who’s down on her luck.
Brown has us considering if making friends means that we’re now dependent on another person, and if friendship makes for happiness. Her powerful story about women empowering women will stay in my mind for quite some time. Carla’s character was spectacular!
I loved the quotes about money just being dirty paper with dead presidents on it, about being so tired that we’re dragging our butts, thereby negating the need to sweep the floor, and the one about hoping the patrol officers were cuddling their wives. My highlighter was working overtime!
Brown reminds us that making the most of a bad hand is perspective and is up to us.
This was a great story, one I’d heartily recommend.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 3, 2025
This book was phenomenal!
It makes you look at life... and family... and friendships... and love... and so much more!
Carla is a professional gambler. She has been gambling since she was 14 and Frank took her everywhere with him. And she became good. BUT, when Frank got married, well... she was left out in the cold... And so, she had to move on and make a name for herself.
So, professional gambling it is!
UNTIL she loses everything in one game! She never should have gone there. She never should've taken the chance. BUT, here we are. She has no money. No home. No...nothing! But she did win a diner in one of the games. And so off she goes to Tumbleweed, Texas. To see and sell the diner and move on.
BUT, when she gets there she meets Rosalie, the cook. And Scarlett, the waitress. And something in her cracks a little.
So she decides to wait just a little bit and play out her cards...
What she finds out is that life does not always go as planned, and sometimes the BEST things happen when you least expect it!!
5 BOLD, BRIGHT, HARD-LIVING, OUTSPOKEN, GOOD-TO-BE-ALIVE STARS FOR ME!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫✨
This one made me stop what I was doing and literally 😳 GASP!!! 😳 Not once, but multiple times!
(For those of you who know me, you understand that I read A LOT! And this is not a normal thing for me!! And that right there says quite a bit!!)
It was beautiful. It was harsh. It was cruel. But in the end it lit up my heart and soul... like a Christmas Tree!
And so, it gets all the stars!!!
#WildCard by @CarolynBrown and narrated stunningly by @BrittanyPressley.
**** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, so keep your eyes 👀 open for it on 12/9/25!! ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BrillianceAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
It makes you look at life... and family... and friendships... and love... and so much more!
Carla is a professional gambler. She has been gambling since she was 14 and Frank took her everywhere with him. And she became good. BUT, when Frank got married, well... she was left out in the cold... And so, she had to move on and make a name for herself.
So, professional gambling it is!
UNTIL she loses everything in one game! She never should have gone there. She never should've taken the chance. BUT, here we are. She has no money. No home. No...nothing! But she did win a diner in one of the games. And so off she goes to Tumbleweed, Texas. To see and sell the diner and move on.
BUT, when she gets there she meets Rosalie, the cook. And Scarlett, the waitress. And something in her cracks a little.
So she decides to wait just a little bit and play out her cards...
What she finds out is that life does not always go as planned, and sometimes the BEST things happen when you least expect it!!
5 BOLD, BRIGHT, HARD-LIVING, OUTSPOKEN, GOOD-TO-BE-ALIVE STARS FOR ME!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫✨
This one made me stop what I was doing and literally 😳 GASP!!! 😳 Not once, but multiple times!
(For those of you who know me, you understand that I read A LOT! And this is not a normal thing for me!! And that right there says quite a bit!!)
It was beautiful. It was harsh. It was cruel. But in the end it lit up my heart and soul... like a Christmas Tree!
And so, it gets all the stars!!!
#WildCard by @CarolynBrown and narrated stunningly by @BrittanyPressley.
**** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, so keep your eyes 👀 open for it on 12/9/25!! ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BrillianceAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
August 2, 2025
*I want to start off by saying, i dont typically write reviews for books so i have no practice at doing this whatsoever. This is my first "review" of a book, so if theres anyway you think i could inprove, please let me know.*
I had never read anything by Carolyn Brown before "the wild card" so i went into this novel with an open mind. And might I say it did not disappoint. Brown's writing style is definitely different to what im used to but at the same time it felt like a warm hug.
I went into this book with the knowledge that "The wild card" is a small town contemporary romance, which sounded right up my alley. This book was heartwarming and uplifting and genuinely made me laugh out loud a handful of times.
In summary the book is about a gambler, our fmc, who wins ownership of a diner through a poker game. We dont officially get introduced to our mmc until about 28% of the way through the book, however he is previously mentioned in the text prior to his introduction. By not having the romance as the main vocal point of the novel it shows this book is much more than just a romance but also highlights the importance of found family and friendship. I definitely enjoyed this aspect as i think it emphasised how not all family is by blood but can also be people you choose as your family. For example, the fmc meets two women at the diner and as the story progresses we watch they bond grow stronger and them gain a bigger connection.
However I will say, those scene between the fmc, Carla, and her love interest, Jackson, were amazing. The banter, chemistry and relationship between them was great and fun to read about. One of my favourite scenes (possible spoiler 🚨) between the two was their "second" date and how they got forced into spending more time together.
Overall, I've decided to give this book a 3.75⭐️. I really enjoyed the read and am likely to read more by Carolyn Brown in the future if her other novels are like this one
I had never read anything by Carolyn Brown before "the wild card" so i went into this novel with an open mind. And might I say it did not disappoint. Brown's writing style is definitely different to what im used to but at the same time it felt like a warm hug.
I went into this book with the knowledge that "The wild card" is a small town contemporary romance, which sounded right up my alley. This book was heartwarming and uplifting and genuinely made me laugh out loud a handful of times.
In summary the book is about a gambler, our fmc, who wins ownership of a diner through a poker game. We dont officially get introduced to our mmc until about 28% of the way through the book, however he is previously mentioned in the text prior to his introduction. By not having the romance as the main vocal point of the novel it shows this book is much more than just a romance but also highlights the importance of found family and friendship. I definitely enjoyed this aspect as i think it emphasised how not all family is by blood but can also be people you choose as your family. For example, the fmc meets two women at the diner and as the story progresses we watch they bond grow stronger and them gain a bigger connection.
However I will say, those scene between the fmc, Carla, and her love interest, Jackson, were amazing. The banter, chemistry and relationship between them was great and fun to read about. One of my favourite scenes (possible spoiler 🚨) between the two was their "second" date and how they got forced into spending more time together.
Overall, I've decided to give this book a 3.75⭐️. I really enjoyed the read and am likely to read more by Carolyn Brown in the future if her other novels are like this one
December 20, 2025
Carla Wilson is now the owner of a diner right in the middle of a nowhere town in Texas. Her SUV is on its last legs, and she barely makes it to the diner. Has Lady Luck shone of the professional poker player, or has she been really dealt a bad hand? Well, winning the on in a poker game holds the answer to that question. She has barely made it from Arizona to Texas, and driving through a town full of tumbleweeds definitely gives her pause. The only thing that Carla is sure of at this point is the name of the diner, The Tumbleweed Bus Stop.
There are only two employees at the diner, a strong-willed cook and a very pleasant waitress. The diner has its busy hours, and that is when tour buses stop as they are driving through town. So, Carla is not just the new owner, but she is learning several new aspects of the restaurant business. An instant trial by fire.
Staying in one place hasn’t been Carla‘s go to, but things certainly might change now. Not only is the diner a much warmer place since she could have imagined, her relationship with both Rosalie and Scarlett at the diner really surprises her. Carla grew up in a very untraditional life. Her father was a gambler and gambling is all she knows. In fact, it had been a place of great pain for her at certain times in her life. Another thing that affects Carla is that romantic relationships were ones that she couldn’t have in her life because she was always on the move. Perhaps that just might change as well now that has met Jackson.
I really enjoyed The Wild Card because our gambler is a woman. I wasn’t expecting that when I saw the cover. Also, found family and faith make up a lot of this story. Then there were some emotional tugs when it came to Carla’s past. Overall a very good read.
Many thanks to Montlake and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
There are only two employees at the diner, a strong-willed cook and a very pleasant waitress. The diner has its busy hours, and that is when tour buses stop as they are driving through town. So, Carla is not just the new owner, but she is learning several new aspects of the restaurant business. An instant trial by fire.
Staying in one place hasn’t been Carla‘s go to, but things certainly might change now. Not only is the diner a much warmer place since she could have imagined, her relationship with both Rosalie and Scarlett at the diner really surprises her. Carla grew up in a very untraditional life. Her father was a gambler and gambling is all she knows. In fact, it had been a place of great pain for her at certain times in her life. Another thing that affects Carla is that romantic relationships were ones that she couldn’t have in her life because she was always on the move. Perhaps that just might change as well now that has met Jackson.
I really enjoyed The Wild Card because our gambler is a woman. I wasn’t expecting that when I saw the cover. Also, found family and faith make up a lot of this story. Then there were some emotional tugs when it came to Carla’s past. Overall a very good read.
Many thanks to Montlake and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 27, 2025
A girl who’s spent her whole life running from the pain of her past, roaming the country playing poker with no one to think of but herself. But what happens when your luck runs out?
I loved reading this story about a women who thought she deserved to be alone, and that no one could ever love her. Those were just the cards she was dealt, and she had accepted she would spend her life alone. But when Lady Luck runs out, and she’s forced into a life she never saw coming...She learns that no matter what your past looks like, everyone can find people who love and accept you despite your faults. She may even maybe find that happily ever after everyone is chasing...
I loved reading this story about a women who thought she deserved to be alone, and that no one could ever love her. Those were just the cards she was dealt, and she had accepted she would spend her life alone. But when Lady Luck runs out, and she’s forced into a life she never saw coming...She learns that no matter what your past looks like, everyone can find people who love and accept you despite your faults. She may even maybe find that happily ever after everyone is chasing...
Read
December 30, 2025When a woman pro gambler loses all her stake save the title for a diner in West Texas, she has no choice left except taking on the Tumbleweed Diner if she wants rebuild her stake and get back in the game. Carolyn Brown tells a heartfelt tale of a handful of lonesome women hurt by their past finding their home at the Tumbleweed.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer TBA.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer TBA.
December 9, 2025
3.5 stars
For me,the best part of The Wild Card by Carloyn Brown was the setting. The Tumbleweed diner, the beautiful but sometimes harsh nature, the smallest of small town with unique people..I felt like I was transported to another world. It worked as a perfect backdrop of Carla's life as it changed drastically for good . It held some heartaching stories about the amazing people who surrounded Carla and those shaped her heart.
Carla lived on the edge since she was very young. Courtesy to a neglectful father who taught her poker and then took her all over USA when she was supposed to have a carefree childhood. She has been a professional gambler, living a reckless and high speed lifestyle. After an unexpectedly bad poker game, she is left with just a deed to Tumbleweed dinner. In middle of nowhere. Just on the side of highway. She wants to leave as soon as she has money but Scarlett and Rosie, the two women working in the cafe starts making her feel grounded. She feels she can have a home. Somewhere to put her root down. Enter Jackson Armstrong. The handsome charming ex Marine who also comes from oil tycoon family and is settling in the area for now. Who is interested in her. And all this can be a bit overwhelming for Carla
This book gave me more of woman's fiction vibe than romance. Jackson was definitely an important part of Carla starting to believe that she is worthy of happily ever after. But it was shadowed by her friendship with Scarlett and Rosie. Both have stories and Tumbleweed gave them shelter. Carla thought she would not fit into this slow unexciting life but she actually found peace and comfort Also there is wise and sweet and sassy Ada who makes her feel like having a grandmother. Tumbleweed doesn't have directions but this diner and then the small town provided Carla some. She was floating without real love so long. It was that kind of story that makes me feel hopeful and warm. The meticulously crafted vivid settings made me lost in the story.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
For me,the best part of The Wild Card by Carloyn Brown was the setting. The Tumbleweed diner, the beautiful but sometimes harsh nature, the smallest of small town with unique people..I felt like I was transported to another world. It worked as a perfect backdrop of Carla's life as it changed drastically for good . It held some heartaching stories about the amazing people who surrounded Carla and those shaped her heart.
Carla lived on the edge since she was very young. Courtesy to a neglectful father who taught her poker and then took her all over USA when she was supposed to have a carefree childhood. She has been a professional gambler, living a reckless and high speed lifestyle. After an unexpectedly bad poker game, she is left with just a deed to Tumbleweed dinner. In middle of nowhere. Just on the side of highway. She wants to leave as soon as she has money but Scarlett and Rosie, the two women working in the cafe starts making her feel grounded. She feels she can have a home. Somewhere to put her root down. Enter Jackson Armstrong. The handsome charming ex Marine who also comes from oil tycoon family and is settling in the area for now. Who is interested in her. And all this can be a bit overwhelming for Carla
This book gave me more of woman's fiction vibe than romance. Jackson was definitely an important part of Carla starting to believe that she is worthy of happily ever after. But it was shadowed by her friendship with Scarlett and Rosie. Both have stories and Tumbleweed gave them shelter. Carla thought she would not fit into this slow unexciting life but she actually found peace and comfort Also there is wise and sweet and sassy Ada who makes her feel like having a grandmother. Tumbleweed doesn't have directions but this diner and then the small town provided Carla some. She was floating without real love so long. It was that kind of story that makes me feel hopeful and warm. The meticulously crafted vivid settings made me lost in the story.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
November 15, 2025
The Wild Card is one of Carolyn Brown’s inspiring stories. Professional gambler, Carla wins the Tumbleweed bus stop and diner in a poker game that also left her flat broke. She has every intension of selling it as soon as she can. Living in a trailer with cook Rosie and waitress Scarlett and learning their stories is the beginning of a change in Carla’s perception of family and trust. Carla starts to understand the meaning of friends and family something she missed once her mother passed away. Her discovery changes her perspective on life but also provides her an opportunity to change the direction of her life as well as helping others. This strong women and supporting women story is a must read. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity
December 5, 2025
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown was such a heartwarming read. The themes of found family, planting roots, and discovering one’s true self are woven together beautifully. I fell in love with the characters and felt genuinely attached to their friendships. The small town setting is full of healing, warmth, and love, making the story feel both comforting and uplifting. I really enjoyed this one and am so grateful to have had the chance to read it early!
November 24, 2025
As a huge Carolyn Brown fan this Book delivered all of the feels she is known for.
I appreciate that the author consistently uses the same narrator. Brittany Pressley has lent her voice to most of Carolyn Browns titles. The flawless execution brings stories to life.
A professional gambler down on her luck tumbles into a small town in the middle of nowhere that changes her luck.
Nothing is actually what it seems. Secrets that uncovers the real purpose of the diner she won in a hand that changes her life.
Friendship and eventually love changes everything.
If you are a fan of Lullaby Sky (the title that made me a Carolyn Brown fan) you will love The Wild Card.
I appreciate that the author consistently uses the same narrator. Brittany Pressley has lent her voice to most of Carolyn Browns titles. The flawless execution brings stories to life.
A professional gambler down on her luck tumbles into a small town in the middle of nowhere that changes her luck.
Nothing is actually what it seems. Secrets that uncovers the real purpose of the diner she won in a hand that changes her life.
Friendship and eventually love changes everything.
If you are a fan of Lullaby Sky (the title that made me a Carolyn Brown fan) you will love The Wild Card.
November 26, 2025
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown is a romance novel that reads more like a “coming into her own” novel. The main character is Carla Wilson. She is a professional card player who has won enough money to support herself. It is only in this last game that she lost everything except a deed to a Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas.
Carla is not going to settle down and manage this place, but no money trumps being able to keep moving on and playing poker. She pitches right in with the two long time workers and is able to stay in the trailer in the back. Carla realizes that she needs time to save up money and selling the diner might be off the table, maybe. As Carla finds out more about the woman she took over for and the women who become her friends, she realizes that things are not that simple. Jackson, a serious hottie, makes her think about her place in this world.
I enjoyed the novel. The storyline read quickly and the characters (although quirky) were fun. I loved how her new group of friends were so supportive of each other. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and the customers. I think Carla won that last hand of cards. The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown was a good read.
Carla is not going to settle down and manage this place, but no money trumps being able to keep moving on and playing poker. She pitches right in with the two long time workers and is able to stay in the trailer in the back. Carla realizes that she needs time to save up money and selling the diner might be off the table, maybe. As Carla finds out more about the woman she took over for and the women who become her friends, she realizes that things are not that simple. Jackson, a serious hottie, makes her think about her place in this world.
I enjoyed the novel. The storyline read quickly and the characters (although quirky) were fun. I loved how her new group of friends were so supportive of each other. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and the customers. I think Carla won that last hand of cards. The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown was a good read.
November 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
First, thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook ARC.
So… The Wild Card wasn’t a bad listen at all, but I’ll be honest, I struggled to fully connect with the story and the characters.
Our FMC, Carla, is a professional poker player who loses everything one night ... except her car and, somehow, wins a deed to a small-town Texas diner. She heads there planning to sell it and move on, but of course life has other plans: a motherly cook, a cheerful waitress, and a green-eyed ex-military gentleman named Jackson who might just be the real jackpot.
On paper, it’s got everything I usually love: found family, healing, second chances and love after loss. But I didn’t really buy the “professional poker player” angle; it felt more like aimless gambling than skill or strategy. And while I can appreciate themes of faith and hope, this story leaned more religious than I prefer ... if I’d known it had such strong Christian undertones, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up.
Still, it’s a comforting story about starting over and finding home in unexpected places. Sweet, simple, but not a big winner for me personally.
First, thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook ARC.
So… The Wild Card wasn’t a bad listen at all, but I’ll be honest, I struggled to fully connect with the story and the characters.
Our FMC, Carla, is a professional poker player who loses everything one night ... except her car and, somehow, wins a deed to a small-town Texas diner. She heads there planning to sell it and move on, but of course life has other plans: a motherly cook, a cheerful waitress, and a green-eyed ex-military gentleman named Jackson who might just be the real jackpot.
On paper, it’s got everything I usually love: found family, healing, second chances and love after loss. But I didn’t really buy the “professional poker player” angle; it felt more like aimless gambling than skill or strategy. And while I can appreciate themes of faith and hope, this story leaned more religious than I prefer ... if I’d known it had such strong Christian undertones, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up.
Still, it’s a comforting story about starting over and finding home in unexpected places. Sweet, simple, but not a big winner for me personally.
December 6, 2025
Let me start by stating that over the past several years I've read and enjoyed quite a few of Carolyn Brown's novels, but I'm sorry to say that The Wild Card, although well-written, was my least favorite among them for a number of reasons, which I'll get to, but they are reason for my 3.5-star rating.
First, I had a hard time believing that the lead character, Carla/Clara, started her career as a poker player at the age of fourteen, following in her father's footsteps, known only as Frank, after her mother's death, as he moved from one high stakes poker game to the next high stakes poker game before eventually abandoning Carla, caring more about his next poker game than he did about his daughter. Following his example, Carla/Clara is now 30 years old, and, as the novel opens, is traveling and living in her SUV or staying at motels--the quality of which depends on her winnings. In Tucson, she loses it all, but wins the deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop/diner in West Texas nearly penniless. I had a hard time believing that she'd been on the poker circuit at such an early age.
Once she arrives, rather penniless, at the Tumbleweed, we're introduced to several likeable female characters and one elderly regular customer, and the story soon becomes more interesting, although it is still slowly paced. While Carla has never learned to trust, and is only waiting to save enough money money to take to her next high-stakes poker game, the women in the diner soon become the first female friends she's ever had. And then, she also finds herself attracted to Jackson, her first actual date and boyfriend, although trust is still an issue for her.
What this novel then becomes is a novel about female empowerment--these women have their own stories to tell, and wisdom to share, all of which leads them to becoming Carla's tribe. Their emotional support and willingness to share their own backstories were one of my favorite things about this novel.
Carla, who's never had more than no-strings hook-ups, also soon finds herself attracted to and dating Jackson, the son of a wealthy family. On one of their dates, she meets his rather snooty parents, yet as this new relationship blossoms, they aren't mentioned again, especially not at one of the HEA endings for the characters in this novel.
With quite a bit of time planning the wedding of Scarlett, one of the diner waitresses, I found it odd that although Carla and Jackson also get an HEA ending, no time was spent on it--we move from the proposal to the epilogue, 5 years later. Where was their wedding? It seemed to this reader that their relationship was given short-shrift, especially since they are the main characters in this novel.
Finally, since Ms. Brown doesn't write open-door sex scenes, I did find that this novel leaned somewhat heavily on religion, and should have probably been listed as Christian fiction. The relationship between Carla and Jackson also felt somewhat shallow to this reader. Where were his disapproving parents? Additionally, we don't get to see much of their relationship, another oversight in this readers opinion.
While not a bad read, comparing this novel to previous novels by this author, it just didn't give me the warm fuzzies, although many of her fans might enjoy this one more than I did.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
First, I had a hard time believing that the lead character, Carla/Clara, started her career as a poker player at the age of fourteen, following in her father's footsteps, known only as Frank, after her mother's death, as he moved from one high stakes poker game to the next high stakes poker game before eventually abandoning Carla, caring more about his next poker game than he did about his daughter. Following his example, Carla/Clara is now 30 years old, and, as the novel opens, is traveling and living in her SUV or staying at motels--the quality of which depends on her winnings. In Tucson, she loses it all, but wins the deed to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop/diner in West Texas nearly penniless. I had a hard time believing that she'd been on the poker circuit at such an early age.
Once she arrives, rather penniless, at the Tumbleweed, we're introduced to several likeable female characters and one elderly regular customer, and the story soon becomes more interesting, although it is still slowly paced. While Carla has never learned to trust, and is only waiting to save enough money money to take to her next high-stakes poker game, the women in the diner soon become the first female friends she's ever had. And then, she also finds herself attracted to Jackson, her first actual date and boyfriend, although trust is still an issue for her.
What this novel then becomes is a novel about female empowerment--these women have their own stories to tell, and wisdom to share, all of which leads them to becoming Carla's tribe. Their emotional support and willingness to share their own backstories were one of my favorite things about this novel.
Carla, who's never had more than no-strings hook-ups, also soon finds herself attracted to and dating Jackson, the son of a wealthy family. On one of their dates, she meets his rather snooty parents, yet as this new relationship blossoms, they aren't mentioned again, especially not at one of the HEA endings for the characters in this novel.
With quite a bit of time planning the wedding of Scarlett, one of the diner waitresses, I found it odd that although Carla and Jackson also get an HEA ending, no time was spent on it--we move from the proposal to the epilogue, 5 years later. Where was their wedding? It seemed to this reader that their relationship was given short-shrift, especially since they are the main characters in this novel.
Finally, since Ms. Brown doesn't write open-door sex scenes, I did find that this novel leaned somewhat heavily on religion, and should have probably been listed as Christian fiction. The relationship between Carla and Jackson also felt somewhat shallow to this reader. Where were his disapproving parents? Additionally, we don't get to see much of their relationship, another oversight in this readers opinion.
While not a bad read, comparing this novel to previous novels by this author, it just didn't give me the warm fuzzies, although many of her fans might enjoy this one more than I did.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 9, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an ARC of this novel.
The ‘wild card’ of the title is Carla Wilson, premier poker player, raised by her widowed poker-obsessed father to win big at the cards before she could legally play. Frank, as she calls him, never recovered from her mother’s ’bad luck’ accidental death. Carla’s childhood and adolescence consisted of her traipsing after him, to cheap motels when he had gambled away everything, and to luxury hotels when she became a poker player to reckon with. Her one return to a ‘normal’ family life was a brief respite after Frank remarried. But her stepmother wanted her out of the way to make room for the children she and Frank wanted. He did not fight for her. And so, still a teenager, she was back to the transient, often corrupt scene, fiercely independent and trusting no one. Especially not men.
Carla’s life takes an abrupt nosedive when she risks everything in a game, blows all her savings, and wins a deed from another gambling addict who just bet his last asset, the Tumbleweed Cafe, inherited from his Aunt Mildred. Utterly destitute to the point of hunger, she buys gas with change and drives four hours to a dry, dusty, tumbleweed-plagued, mostly empty town. And on the outskirts of that town she finds salvation at the Tumbleweed Cafe.
She is delighted to find that, far from being decrepit and boarded up, the Cafe does a lively business catering mostly to busloads of tourists who fill it in two shifts, breakfast and lunch. It is run by two enigmatic women, the young Scarlett, and the middle aged Rosalie. They live together in a cozy trailer behind it, and she is immediately taken in. Despite being the owner, she is expected to pitch in and work alongside them immediately, setting up tables, cooking, cleaning, serving, shopping, doing the books. She is, as she assures them, a fast learner. They are soon functioning happily, and describing themselves in family terms.
Much of what happens as we learn the backstories of these women, several neighbours who live in the nearby trailer park, and the handsome and charming Jackson, is about sad pasts healed through connection, love and faith. There is a lot of faith in this little book, and Carla, an admitted ‘questioner,’ is at first a respectful observer, but soon appreciates that belonging to a church (multiple congregations are represented in this little town) is a bond of friendship, family, and love. As she learns,
‘Had I not practically lost my shirt, then I would have never found my tribe.’ There are many such lessons in the story of this little group surrounding the cafe, and Carolyn Brown, author of some 140 novels, tells a warmhearted feel-good story about second chances that even the cynical can enjoy.
The ‘wild card’ of the title is Carla Wilson, premier poker player, raised by her widowed poker-obsessed father to win big at the cards before she could legally play. Frank, as she calls him, never recovered from her mother’s ’bad luck’ accidental death. Carla’s childhood and adolescence consisted of her traipsing after him, to cheap motels when he had gambled away everything, and to luxury hotels when she became a poker player to reckon with. Her one return to a ‘normal’ family life was a brief respite after Frank remarried. But her stepmother wanted her out of the way to make room for the children she and Frank wanted. He did not fight for her. And so, still a teenager, she was back to the transient, often corrupt scene, fiercely independent and trusting no one. Especially not men.
Carla’s life takes an abrupt nosedive when she risks everything in a game, blows all her savings, and wins a deed from another gambling addict who just bet his last asset, the Tumbleweed Cafe, inherited from his Aunt Mildred. Utterly destitute to the point of hunger, she buys gas with change and drives four hours to a dry, dusty, tumbleweed-plagued, mostly empty town. And on the outskirts of that town she finds salvation at the Tumbleweed Cafe.
She is delighted to find that, far from being decrepit and boarded up, the Cafe does a lively business catering mostly to busloads of tourists who fill it in two shifts, breakfast and lunch. It is run by two enigmatic women, the young Scarlett, and the middle aged Rosalie. They live together in a cozy trailer behind it, and she is immediately taken in. Despite being the owner, she is expected to pitch in and work alongside them immediately, setting up tables, cooking, cleaning, serving, shopping, doing the books. She is, as she assures them, a fast learner. They are soon functioning happily, and describing themselves in family terms.
Much of what happens as we learn the backstories of these women, several neighbours who live in the nearby trailer park, and the handsome and charming Jackson, is about sad pasts healed through connection, love and faith. There is a lot of faith in this little book, and Carla, an admitted ‘questioner,’ is at first a respectful observer, but soon appreciates that belonging to a church (multiple congregations are represented in this little town) is a bond of friendship, family, and love. As she learns,
‘Had I not practically lost my shirt, then I would have never found my tribe.’ There are many such lessons in the story of this little group surrounding the cafe, and Carolyn Brown, author of some 140 novels, tells a warmhearted feel-good story about second chances that even the cynical can enjoy.
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Carla’s always been lucky at the poker table. Her mentor always told her to stop when she was ahead – something she always listened to…until tonight. Now she’s leaving with not a penny to her name, literally. She knew better than to keep playing, but greed and ego got in her way. Now all she’s got left in the world are her SUV…and the deed to a diner in the middle of nowhere Texas. She has no way of knowing that’s all she needs, or the wonders ahead of her at the Tumbleweed.
Carolyn Brown is back again with her signature humor and small-town romance to heat up your TBR stack. The Wild Card takes readers on a journey of female empowerment, camaraderie, and self-discovery, while showing how sometimes our biggest blessings can be found in our biggest mistakes. Brown, an award-winning author, has made a career out of writing female characters every woman wants to be more like, and the men of our dreams. This story is no different, following a group of women who were all down on their luck at one point in their lives and watching them blossom into strong women who love themselves and each other unconditionally. This book is about finding the silver linings in life and learning to stand up for yourself when no one else will.
I give The Wild Card4 out of 5 stars. I have always been a fan of Brown’s small-town romance novels, and I loved this one. However, it felt a bit rushed and like something was missing. The main character goes from staunchly loner to fiercely loyal to heart-struck lover without much of a catalyst. The other characters also see a development without a well-defined transition. I was also bothered by the lack of story around the final chapters as well – it felt as though whole plot points were missing. With that said, this was an easy read and a quick weekend enjoyment for me. I also appreciated the look at Texas culture of the oil fields and the tumbleweeds – something Brown knows well, having grown up in Texas and Oklahoma!
With notes about domestic violence, gambling addiction, and armed robbery, this book may not be best suited for all audiences. However, if you’re looking for a quick read romance novel this holiday season, this is a great choice! I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed other recent reads on our list like Denise Hunter’s The Second Story Bookshop or Julia McKay’s Christmas at the Ranch. This would also make a great holiday gift for the reader on your list who has enjoyed Brown’s works as much as I have!
Carla’s always been lucky at the poker table. Her mentor always told her to stop when she was ahead – something she always listened to…until tonight. Now she’s leaving with not a penny to her name, literally. She knew better than to keep playing, but greed and ego got in her way. Now all she’s got left in the world are her SUV…and the deed to a diner in the middle of nowhere Texas. She has no way of knowing that’s all she needs, or the wonders ahead of her at the Tumbleweed.
Carolyn Brown is back again with her signature humor and small-town romance to heat up your TBR stack. The Wild Card takes readers on a journey of female empowerment, camaraderie, and self-discovery, while showing how sometimes our biggest blessings can be found in our biggest mistakes. Brown, an award-winning author, has made a career out of writing female characters every woman wants to be more like, and the men of our dreams. This story is no different, following a group of women who were all down on their luck at one point in their lives and watching them blossom into strong women who love themselves and each other unconditionally. This book is about finding the silver linings in life and learning to stand up for yourself when no one else will.
I give The Wild Card4 out of 5 stars. I have always been a fan of Brown’s small-town romance novels, and I loved this one. However, it felt a bit rushed and like something was missing. The main character goes from staunchly loner to fiercely loyal to heart-struck lover without much of a catalyst. The other characters also see a development without a well-defined transition. I was also bothered by the lack of story around the final chapters as well – it felt as though whole plot points were missing. With that said, this was an easy read and a quick weekend enjoyment for me. I also appreciated the look at Texas culture of the oil fields and the tumbleweeds – something Brown knows well, having grown up in Texas and Oklahoma!
With notes about domestic violence, gambling addiction, and armed robbery, this book may not be best suited for all audiences. However, if you’re looking for a quick read romance novel this holiday season, this is a great choice! I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed other recent reads on our list like Denise Hunter’s The Second Story Bookshop or Julia McKay’s Christmas at the Ranch. This would also make a great holiday gift for the reader on your list who has enjoyed Brown’s works as much as I have!
December 15, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown completely surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a small-town romance, and what I got felt much more like a heartfelt, character-driven story about second chances, chosen family, and figuring out what really matters.
Carla is a professional gambler who’s spent her entire life on the road, living hand-to-mouth and trusting no one but herself. When one bad decision wipes her out and leaves her with nothing but the deed to a diner in the middle of nowhere, she heads to Tumbleweed, Texas, fully intending to sell it and move on. Instead, that dusty little diner, and the women who run it- slowly change everything.
What really made this book work for me was the sense of place and community. Tumbleweed feels alive, from the diner itself to the small cast of locals who quietly wrap Carla into their lives. Rosie and Scarlett were standouts, and I loved how their friendship with Carla developed naturally, without drama or competition. This is very much a women’s fiction story at heart, with strong themes of women supporting women and building something solid together.
The romance with Jackson is sweet and steady, but it never overshadows Carla’s personal growth. His role felt more like encouragement than rescue, which I appreciated. Carla’s journey- from constantly running and betting on the next hand to finally planting roots- was satisfying and emotional without being over-the-top.
Carolyn Brown’s writing is warm, witty, and full of little lines that make you smile or pause and think. There’s humor, heartbreak, and a lot of quiet hope woven throughout the story. Some moments felt a bit predictable, but honestly, that comfort factor worked in this book’s favor.
Overall, The Wild Card is a feel-good, soul-warming read about making the best of a bad hand and finding home where you least expect it. If you love small-town stories, found family, and characters who grow in meaningful ways, this one is well worth the read.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown completely surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a small-town romance, and what I got felt much more like a heartfelt, character-driven story about second chances, chosen family, and figuring out what really matters.
Carla is a professional gambler who’s spent her entire life on the road, living hand-to-mouth and trusting no one but herself. When one bad decision wipes her out and leaves her with nothing but the deed to a diner in the middle of nowhere, she heads to Tumbleweed, Texas, fully intending to sell it and move on. Instead, that dusty little diner, and the women who run it- slowly change everything.
What really made this book work for me was the sense of place and community. Tumbleweed feels alive, from the diner itself to the small cast of locals who quietly wrap Carla into their lives. Rosie and Scarlett were standouts, and I loved how their friendship with Carla developed naturally, without drama or competition. This is very much a women’s fiction story at heart, with strong themes of women supporting women and building something solid together.
The romance with Jackson is sweet and steady, but it never overshadows Carla’s personal growth. His role felt more like encouragement than rescue, which I appreciated. Carla’s journey- from constantly running and betting on the next hand to finally planting roots- was satisfying and emotional without being over-the-top.
Carolyn Brown’s writing is warm, witty, and full of little lines that make you smile or pause and think. There’s humor, heartbreak, and a lot of quiet hope woven throughout the story. Some moments felt a bit predictable, but honestly, that comfort factor worked in this book’s favor.
Overall, The Wild Card is a feel-good, soul-warming read about making the best of a bad hand and finding home where you least expect it. If you love small-town stories, found family, and characters who grow in meaningful ways, this one is well worth the read.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2025
The Wild Card, by Carolyn Brown, is the story of Carla Wilson as she transforms from professional gambler Clara Williams to the person she was always meant to be. A brief lapse of judgement when she ignores Lady Luck and continues to play poker on New Year’s Day leaves Carla almost penniless with the exception of the title she holds to the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in West Texas. The problem is she is in Tucson and her SUV, stomach, sleep reserves, and purse are all running on empty.
After limping along on the long drive, Carla pulls into the Tumbleweed on fumes. Upon entering she introduces herself to the server, Scarlett, then heads to the kitchen with Scarlett on her heels when learning the cook, Rosalie, is the one in charge. Rosie is pretty strict about who is allowed in her kitchen, but when Carla is willing to pitch in and help in the dining room Rosie comes around.
After a long morning of serving bus loads of hungry travelers and cleaning up afterward, the trio moves to the large mobile home behind the diner where Carla crashes in the room that had been Matilda’s, the lady who had left the place to her nephew the losing gambler upon her passing. In the following days Carla settles in and meets the few actual area residents including Ada Lou, who owns a nearby RV park, her neighbor Nancy, and the handsome Jackson Armstrong whose family owns a nearby oilfield that he is managing.
Itching to return to her gambling ways, Carla promises Rosie she will stay until after the 4th of July. But there are a lot of changes between January and July!
Carolyn Brown is a quintessential author spinning tales of strong women, mostly in Texas. This story is one of her best as she uncovers the background of her two diner colleagues and the readers discover the underground railway of sorts as they help fearful battered women become whole. I very much enjoyed this novel and I do recommend it!
After limping along on the long drive, Carla pulls into the Tumbleweed on fumes. Upon entering she introduces herself to the server, Scarlett, then heads to the kitchen with Scarlett on her heels when learning the cook, Rosalie, is the one in charge. Rosie is pretty strict about who is allowed in her kitchen, but when Carla is willing to pitch in and help in the dining room Rosie comes around.
After a long morning of serving bus loads of hungry travelers and cleaning up afterward, the trio moves to the large mobile home behind the diner where Carla crashes in the room that had been Matilda’s, the lady who had left the place to her nephew the losing gambler upon her passing. In the following days Carla settles in and meets the few actual area residents including Ada Lou, who owns a nearby RV park, her neighbor Nancy, and the handsome Jackson Armstrong whose family owns a nearby oilfield that he is managing.
Itching to return to her gambling ways, Carla promises Rosie she will stay until after the 4th of July. But there are a lot of changes between January and July!
Carolyn Brown is a quintessential author spinning tales of strong women, mostly in Texas. This story is one of her best as she uncovers the background of her two diner colleagues and the readers discover the underground railway of sorts as they help fearful battered women become whole. I very much enjoyed this novel and I do recommend it!
December 8, 2025
I have read several Carolyn Brown books over the years and I have enjoyed them. The Wild Card is a story of perseverance, inspiration and friendship.
Carla Wilson has lived her life on the move since she was a teenager. She lost her mom when she was young and grew up with a father who taught her to gamble, which is the only life she's ever known. When she lost all she had in a poker game in Tucson, the only thing she left with was the deed to the Tumbleweed Diner in Texas.
When Carla arrives, she expects to find a dried up business, but what she comes upon is a business that is still operational and has two full time employees, Scarlett and Rosalie. Carla has no intention of staying, but she knows she has to earn money back. She quickly finds out that while it is a very small area, having friends like Scarlett and Rosie might override every thought she's ever had.
Carla also meets Jackson Armstrong who is a former marine who now works for his family business. While Carla has never felt worthy, Jackson begins to turn that tide. He helps her begin to believe that she might deserve the love she never got as a child.
While this was listed as romance, I believe it was more of a women's fiction book. While there was romance, I felt like it took a backseat to the friendships that were formed between the women. The fact that we didn't meet Jackson until well into the book, shows that as well. I enjoyed it, but it did take me quite a bit of time to get into it. While that was the case with this book, I will absolutely check out what Carolyn Brown brings us next.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Carla Wilson has lived her life on the move since she was a teenager. She lost her mom when she was young and grew up with a father who taught her to gamble, which is the only life she's ever known. When she lost all she had in a poker game in Tucson, the only thing she left with was the deed to the Tumbleweed Diner in Texas.
When Carla arrives, she expects to find a dried up business, but what she comes upon is a business that is still operational and has two full time employees, Scarlett and Rosalie. Carla has no intention of staying, but she knows she has to earn money back. She quickly finds out that while it is a very small area, having friends like Scarlett and Rosie might override every thought she's ever had.
Carla also meets Jackson Armstrong who is a former marine who now works for his family business. While Carla has never felt worthy, Jackson begins to turn that tide. He helps her begin to believe that she might deserve the love she never got as a child.
While this was listed as romance, I believe it was more of a women's fiction book. While there was romance, I felt like it took a backseat to the friendships that were formed between the women. The fact that we didn't meet Jackson until well into the book, shows that as well. I enjoyed it, but it did take me quite a bit of time to get into it. While that was the case with this book, I will absolutely check out what Carolyn Brown brings us next.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
December 9, 2025
The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown is another example of the signature novel with the plot centering around a woman who is somewhat lost and the wilderness of west Texas which seems to holding healing power for plenty of people, many of them found in this story. Clare is a professional gambler, who at thirty is completely broke for the first time ever. She had broken the rules her father had drilled into her and all she had left was the deed to a cafe called Tumbleweed. She didn’t know if it was a going concern or an abandoned wreckage, but she was on her way to find out. Much to her surprise it was a very going concern, staffed at this time by two women: Rosalie and Scarlett. As she dived in to help out, she felt oddly at home. There was a trailer out back with a room for her, and the tips were good. She would stay and get on her feet until she was ready to sell and move on.
Clare is a good character with deep-seated trust issues. She had had a difficult youth after her mother died when she was eight. But, this place was working its healing magic on her and she could feel it almost immediately. The women were easy to like as was a regular customer, Ada Lou who was eighty-five and energetic. The plot is easy to spot as soon as all the characters are introduced, but the journey, full of detail, was fulfilling and entertaining. It turns out this cafe is more than it appears, and Clare jumps in head first. It was an entertaining way to spend an afternoon for a Carolyn Brown fan.
I was invited to read The Wild Card by Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Montlake #CarolynBrown #TheWildCard
Clare is a good character with deep-seated trust issues. She had had a difficult youth after her mother died when she was eight. But, this place was working its healing magic on her and she could feel it almost immediately. The women were easy to like as was a regular customer, Ada Lou who was eighty-five and energetic. The plot is easy to spot as soon as all the characters are introduced, but the journey, full of detail, was fulfilling and entertaining. It turns out this cafe is more than it appears, and Clare jumps in head first. It was an entertaining way to spend an afternoon for a Carolyn Brown fan.
I was invited to read The Wild Card by Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Montlake #CarolynBrown #TheWildCard
November 18, 2025
Tropes
- 🎲 Gambling a complicated past
- 🥧 Found family
- 💔 Healing from loss
- 💕 Slow-burn
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced listener copy because when Carolyn Brown releases a new book, I don’t even hesitate. She’s one of my fan‑favorite authors, and I knew I’d get exactly what I came for: sweetness, introspection, and characters who feel like real people you want to root for.
This time, we follow Carla Wilson who literally wins her way into a new life.....she lands ownership of a diner in a poker game. What starts as another gamble quickly becomes the turning point she didn’t know she needed. The diner isn’t just a building; it’s run by a cook and a waitress who fold her into their lives and become the family she’s been missing. Their bond is the heartbeat of the story, and watching Carla learn to lean on them is both tender and empowering.
Of course, Carolyn doesn’t forget the romance. Enter Jackson Armstrong....green‑eyed, ex‑military, and the kind of man who makes you believe in second chances. The chemistry between Carla and Jackson is steady and swoony, but what makes the book shine is how Carolyn balances that love story with the deeper theme of found family.
Overall vibes: a heroine who gambles her way into belonging, a diner that becomes home, and a romance that sweetens the deal. Carolyn Brown delivers another thoughtful, heartfelt story that’s impossible to stop once you start.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me because I didn’t just listen, I lived in this book.
- 🎲 Gambling a complicated past
- 🥧 Found family
- 💔 Healing from loss
- 💕 Slow-burn
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced listener copy because when Carolyn Brown releases a new book, I don’t even hesitate. She’s one of my fan‑favorite authors, and I knew I’d get exactly what I came for: sweetness, introspection, and characters who feel like real people you want to root for.
This time, we follow Carla Wilson who literally wins her way into a new life.....she lands ownership of a diner in a poker game. What starts as another gamble quickly becomes the turning point she didn’t know she needed. The diner isn’t just a building; it’s run by a cook and a waitress who fold her into their lives and become the family she’s been missing. Their bond is the heartbeat of the story, and watching Carla learn to lean on them is both tender and empowering.
Of course, Carolyn doesn’t forget the romance. Enter Jackson Armstrong....green‑eyed, ex‑military, and the kind of man who makes you believe in second chances. The chemistry between Carla and Jackson is steady and swoony, but what makes the book shine is how Carolyn balances that love story with the deeper theme of found family.
Overall vibes: a heroine who gambles her way into belonging, a diner that becomes home, and a romance that sweetens the deal. Carolyn Brown delivers another thoughtful, heartfelt story that’s impossible to stop once you start.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me because I didn’t just listen, I lived in this book.
November 1, 2025
Carla Wilson is a tumbleweed: her mother passed away when she was young and her life since then has been life that of a nomad traveling from poker game to poker game, at first with her father, later on her own as a professional. When she loses her last dime in a poker game, she gains the title to a small roadside diner in Tumbleweed, Texas. Her plan: sell it, take the proceeds, and move on to the only thing she knows how to do: play poker. Of course, the best plans don't always work out the way we would like.
What ensues is Carla realizing that family is not blood, but connections, and the abilities of women to empower other women neither of which she has experienced. Carla meets Rosie and Scarlett, the women who are running the diner, and neighbors Ada Lou, Nancy, and Jackson. Their story is filled with tender moments, a few snowstorms, and a lot of friendship and laughter.
Some may think Carolyn Brown books are just "cowboy romances" but they are much, much deeper as her characters delve into introspection, experiencing "found families", learn that everyone deserves to love and be loved, warm hugs and hot cocoa vibes, and yes, there are cowboys and romance. Carolyn Brown is a master at stringing words together and creating beautiful character filled stories that will keep you coming back for more!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ARC of one of my favorite authors in exchange for my review.
What ensues is Carla realizing that family is not blood, but connections, and the abilities of women to empower other women neither of which she has experienced. Carla meets Rosie and Scarlett, the women who are running the diner, and neighbors Ada Lou, Nancy, and Jackson. Their story is filled with tender moments, a few snowstorms, and a lot of friendship and laughter.
Some may think Carolyn Brown books are just "cowboy romances" but they are much, much deeper as her characters delve into introspection, experiencing "found families", learn that everyone deserves to love and be loved, warm hugs and hot cocoa vibes, and yes, there are cowboys and romance. Carolyn Brown is a master at stringing words together and creating beautiful character filled stories that will keep you coming back for more!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ARC of one of my favorite authors in exchange for my review.
November 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book—so much that I didn’t want it to end. I stumbled on it by chance, and I’m so glad I did. The story opens with Carla Wilson, a professional poker player whose luck has run out in Tucson, only for her to win the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in a poker game. She lands in a small Texas town, frustrated and convinced that life has truly dealt her a losing hand.
Watching her transformation was inspiring, especially because it unfolded gradually and authentically. I loved the chemistry between her and Jackson, and admired how daring and determined she was to fight for herself and stand on her own two feet.
Carla’s backstory is heartbreaking—just like the stories of the other women—but their resilience, humor, and friendship shine throughout the book. Their bond is one of my favorite aspects of the story.
If you love stories about resilient heroines who are dealt a bad hand but rise again—with grit, heart, and a good dose of laughter—then this is a book you should pick up. The friendships between the women and the quirky, lovable characters make it such a rewarding read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Watching her transformation was inspiring, especially because it unfolded gradually and authentically. I loved the chemistry between her and Jackson, and admired how daring and determined she was to fight for herself and stand on her own two feet.
Carla’s backstory is heartbreaking—just like the stories of the other women—but their resilience, humor, and friendship shine throughout the book. Their bond is one of my favorite aspects of the story.
If you love stories about resilient heroines who are dealt a bad hand but rise again—with grit, heart, and a good dose of laughter—then this is a book you should pick up. The friendships between the women and the quirky, lovable characters make it such a rewarding read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 28, 2025
My Thoughts
Carla Wilson lands in a different world when she arrives at the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in a small Texas town you could easily drive right past if the gas station and diner were not there.
Tumbleweed consists of a two-person population, cook Rosalie and waitress Scarlett, no other amenities exist until you head to Dell City an hour or more drive away.
Even Dell City doesn't have much so going farther afield is necessary to do the banking business that keeps the diner employees and new owner having their own personal cash flow to live off of.
A fish out of water former rolling stone soon finds more than a place to stop and get a good meal, Carla also finds friendship and it gives her the peace she did not even realize she was missing in her life.
I love small town stories and totally enjoy getting to know each character and how they interact with one another.
For me this story melded together the ideas of found family, female friendships, women supporting each other and more.
After all is said and done Lady Luck actually never deserted Carla, she just set her feet onto a different path.
November 19, 2025
The Wild Card is a sweet book about found family. It takes a demurely Christian approach to tackling difficult pasts and making one’s way forward. The new owner of the Tumbleweed Cafe won it in a poker game. She arrives otherwise penniless and is taken in by the two women who run the place (as cook and server). But they extract promises that she give up gambling and agrees to stay for a year. Twice we are told that the woman is not a virgin (she’s 30), but learn she hasn’t had any relationships that lasted more than a night or two. We get some sappy tropes - love at first sight, for example - and everyone goes to church together. There are fireworks aplenty, but sex is implied rather than described. In all, it is a tame, everything-works-out story that deals with the aftermath of the very dark experiences each of the women suffered. It’s the light and the way for believers. It’s a bit too pat for heathens. I’m in between these groups and managed to enjoy its sunny optimism while occasionally rolling my eyes. 3.6 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheWildCard for review purposes. Publication date: 2 December 2025.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheWildCard for review purposes. Publication date: 2 December 2025.
November 30, 2025
A nice listen that leads to a wonderful HEA. Carla didn’t really have much of a childhood after her mother passed away. Her father traveled from poker game to game and taught her the same. She had no attachments, no formal schooling and only knew the game. When he meets a new woman and decides to settle down, they abandon her and she now is living her life as a successful professional solo poker player until after a difficult night finds herself broke with the exception of a deed to a small town. By small town, I mean sneeze while driving through and you’ll miss the entire town. With only some change to fill the gas tank, she barely makes it to the diner in hopes of making it work quickly, selling and getting back to the only life she knows. There she meets some wonderful women who become the family she hasn’t had since her mother passed away, a fabulous man who gets her and loves her exactly for who she is, some interesting local characters and becomes her best self. A lovely well narrated very sweet listen.
I received a copy of this book I exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a copy of this book I exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 17, 2025
Book is low spice, low angst, very slow burn (it’s date 3 before they kiss), closed door.
Writing is good. Lots of humour. Characters are individual and interesting. There are sad and difficult bits but they’re not overdone and they are used to develop characters and build relationships rather than just chucked in.
Liked:
💖 Found family
🙋♀️ the cast of female characters - every single one of them is amazing and I loved how many of them there were.
😇 how nice the people are - would love to live in a community like this.
👭 women supporting women 🥰
🎤 the audiobook narrator (Brittany Pressley) is excellent. Her voice is perfect for this book and none of the voices she did were overdone or annoying.
Disliked:
✝️ there is a heck of a lot of Christianity in this book and for people with religious trauma it’s a bit of a rough ride at times.
❤️ personally I think that Jackson’s character could have appeared more and been developed more. I liked him but he seemed a side character more than an MMC.
Writing is good. Lots of humour. Characters are individual and interesting. There are sad and difficult bits but they’re not overdone and they are used to develop characters and build relationships rather than just chucked in.
Liked:
💖 Found family
🙋♀️ the cast of female characters - every single one of them is amazing and I loved how many of them there were.
😇 how nice the people are - would love to live in a community like this.
👭 women supporting women 🥰
🎤 the audiobook narrator (Brittany Pressley) is excellent. Her voice is perfect for this book and none of the voices she did were overdone or annoying.
Disliked:
✝️ there is a heck of a lot of Christianity in this book and for people with religious trauma it’s a bit of a rough ride at times.
❤️ personally I think that Jackson’s character could have appeared more and been developed more. I liked him but he seemed a side character more than an MMC.
December 21, 2025
Slow start goes on to a big finish!
Carla, a professional poker player, is broke after losing a poker game on New Year's Eve and ending just after midnight. The only thing she has is the deed to a diner in west Texas and some change. So she goes there to get her life back in order and then get back on the road. At the diner she meets the cook Rosie and Scarlet the waitress. Jackson cones in that first day and makes an impression too! She has to decide if she wants to settle down or go back to the poker circuit. What will she decide to do? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses but no steamy details. The characters are vibrant and engaging. The character development is out of this world and what gives this 5 stars. It is slower to start, and took me awhile to relate to Carla, but once I did, wow! All of the characters are so vividly drawn and their circumstances draw you into their world, once you get to know their backstory.
Carla, a professional poker player, is broke after losing a poker game on New Year's Eve and ending just after midnight. The only thing she has is the deed to a diner in west Texas and some change. So she goes there to get her life back in order and then get back on the road. At the diner she meets the cook Rosie and Scarlet the waitress. Jackson cones in that first day and makes an impression too! She has to decide if she wants to settle down or go back to the poker circuit. What will she decide to do? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses but no steamy details. The characters are vibrant and engaging. The character development is out of this world and what gives this 5 stars. It is slower to start, and took me awhile to relate to Carla, but once I did, wow! All of the characters are so vividly drawn and their circumstances draw you into their world, once you get to know their backstory.
December 4, 2025
I have read several of Carolyn Brown’s books and this is my favorite. Lady Luck has definitely left Carla / Clara this time. Not listening to the wise words or superstitions of Frank, her father has her heading to Tumbleweed Bus Stop, West Texas, the only thing besides her SUV to her name. Praying that the place she won in a poker game will sell and put her back on her feet as a professional poker player. But that was not what was to be, instead she is working as a waitress and bussing tables. At least she has a bed and all the food she can eat. Her two employees have been running the place on their own for the last year and although they accepted her, trust is something you need to earn.
A wonderful story of finding yourself, finding and making friends, learning to trust, learning to understand and forgive and thrown in a HEA. Well done! Thank you #NetGalley and #Montlake for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #TheWildCard
A wonderful story of finding yourself, finding and making friends, learning to trust, learning to understand and forgive and thrown in a HEA. Well done! Thank you #NetGalley and #Montlake for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #TheWildCard
December 11, 2025
Professional poker player Carla Wilson is thirty and her luck has dried up. She won a diner in a small Texas town. She rolls into the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner with her car on fumes. She has not been this broken in forever. She struck out on her own when Frank remarried and the new wife wanted to control the sixteen-year-old. Carla has been on the road since her mother died when she was eight and Frank took her with him playing poker. The plan is to stay long enough to make some money and sell. The two ladies running the diner live in a trailer behind the diner and there is a room for Carla. She has never spent more than a weekend in the same place. This will be a totally different life from the gambling.
Jack Armstrong stops in on occasion he is ex-military and working for the family oil business. Jack and Carla start spending time together and Carla makes friends with a few of the other locals.
Can Carla settle down and find a home.
Jack Armstrong stops in on occasion he is ex-military and working for the family oil business. Jack and Carla start spending time together and Carla makes friends with a few of the other locals.
Can Carla settle down and find a home.
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