Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
She’s adamant about prohibition. He’ll do anything to keep his saloon open.

A childhood traumatized by the effects of alcohol in her home left Millie Matlock convinced she doesn’t need a man in her life. No longer able to stand by and watch drunken men terrorize the women in town, Millie forms a local committee of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Little did she know the one man who could turn her head owns one of the most successful saloons in Pendleton.

Desperate to keep the WCTU from closing his saloon and the others in town, Gideon McBride agrees to a crazy plan hatched by the saloon owners. His objective is to woo the leader of the local temperance union, keeping her so distracted the committee disbands. However, he didn’t count on the beautiful, effervescent Millie working her way into his cynical heart.

Romantic, funny, and full of moments sure to warm hearts, this sweet historical romance is a wonderful example of second chances.

˃˃˃ Read the entire Pendleton Petticoats Series!

Aundy (Book 1) - One stubborn mail-order bride finds the courage to carry on when she's widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.

Caterina (Book 2) - Running from a man intent on marrying her, Caterina starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred by the town's deputy sheriff.

Ilsa (Book 3) - Relying on others to guide and protect her, Ilsa finally finds the strength and courage to take control of her life. Unfortunately, her independence drives a wedge between her and the man she's come to love.

Marnie (Book 4) - Giving up on her dreams for a future, Marnie finds her hope rekindled by one caring, compassionate man and the orphans who need her.

Lacy (Book 5) - Bound by the past, Lacy dreams of a future full of excitement, adventure, and the love of a good man.

Bertie (Book 6) - Haunted by the trauma of her past, Bertie Hawkins must open her heart to love if she has any hope for the future.

Millie (Book 7) - Determined to bring prohibition to town, the last thing Millie Matlock expects is to fall for the charming owner of the Second Chance Saloon.

Scroll up and grab your copy today!

249 pages, ebook

Published June 9, 2016

447 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Shanna Hatfield

164 books1,329 followers
A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
291 (67%)
4 stars
107 (24%)
3 stars
26 (6%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Julie Jobe.
259 reviews
June 9, 2016
Yep, Shanna Hatfield did again! She’s written yet another of my favorite books! :) Millie was wonderful. It was a pleasure, as always, to catch up with the Pendleton Petticoats family. They're like old friends and it was great to be reunited with them for a bit. I loved meeting Emmalee and seeing how all the families are growing and what the children are like as they are growing up.

Gideon was a surprisingly sweet man. I absolutely loved that he could cook and all the sweet treats he made for Millie. I found myself thinking that Millie should take pictures of his gifts to her so she could preserve the memory of the beautiful, edible creations he made her. I had to remind myself she didn’t exactly have read access to cameras like we do now. They all sounded so wonderful. I would have liked to have seen them and tried them myself!

Not only could Gideon cook, he was great at showing Millie his love for her (even when he hadn’t quite admitted it to himself) in the gentle, protective ways he took care of her, while still exhibiting rugged masculinity. He, more than once, risked himself to help Millie and others.

While I enjoyed the characters, I spent a lot of the book wondering just how Shanna was going to work everything out in a way that would leave me as the reader content and satisfied with the ending. I should never have doubted. As usual, she wrote just the right resolutions to each aspect of the story and ended things just right. Shanna has a knack for taking some frustrating situations and, even at times, some frustrating people and gently turning them around, not abruptly, but slowly and surely so that by the end of the book you’re genuinely satisfied with the ending as well as the characters.

I also enjoyed her note after the end of the story explaining the history behind some of the things in the story.

I highly recommend reading Millie, especially if you love books with strong masculine gentlemen, smart feisty ladies, and interesting plot lines!

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
380 reviews26 followers
June 19, 2016
It is a frightening thing to trifle with a woman's heart and suffer the consequences! Prosperous Saloon owner and rancher Gideon McBride tries it with Lovely and headstrong Millie Matlock, who manages the Pendleton telephone office. It seems Millie is head of the local Women's Christian Temperance Union and her efforts to bring about prohibition are making the saloon owners a bit nervous. Enter impossibly handsome and charming Gideon, who, at the urging of the saloon owners association which he heads, attempts to falsely court militant Millie in an effort to distract her from shutting down the purveyors of demon alcohol all over town. Gideon's fake romance gets off to a good start but his efforts somehow go terribly wrong. How? Never underestimate the power and pull of a beautiful woman's heart to turn the tails on a man she increasingly finds full of surprises and goodness. What is to happen to Millie and Gideon, the ultimate odd couple?

As is her style, author Shanna Hatfield showcases most all of the loveable and helpful community of characters from the last six episodes in the Pendleton Petticoats series. There is even a cameo appearance by Dacey and Braxton! And who might they be? They are the heroine and hero in a sweet Pendleton Petticoats prequel novella which this reviewer has read and provides a link to below. The author's historical authenticity and inclusion of turn-of-the-century details on the boom town that was early Pendleton enhances an already entertaining page-turner which is full of great humor, sight gags, compelling romance and sheer suspenseful terror. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, the ever-increasing cast of characters can be confusing to the first-time reader. The solution? Read the entire seven previous books in the Pendleton Petticoats series!

https://www.amazon.com/Dacey-Bride-Ca...
Profile Image for Camilla Cruz.
146 reviews13 followers
July 8, 2016
Shanna Hatfield is a seasoned story teller whose words weave unique tales to make us, her readers, swoon. There is an edgy sincerity in the budding relationships in Millie. While it makes me blush to see into the dispersing affections- and Gideon's observations and appreciation of the feminine form; it is a clean and sweet story. I was won over when she introduced her gentleman cook and a lady who is better at embroidery than in the kitchen.

Not having read all of the Pendleton Bride stories, I had a hard time keeping names and stories straight, especially the men with G-names: Gideon, Grant, Garrett. Though, the characters themselves are great.

I cannot help but think that this story has much to do with "legacy" and "second chances" in life and love. The two main protagonists- Millie and Gideon- both come from similar, difficult backgrounds, and their experiences form them into the adults they are. Though both Millie and Gideon use what they have learned, and lived through, in different ways, their goal seems to be the same; the execution is different, but they desire to make the world a better place. One man at a time; One town at a time; One cause at a time. Basically, it speaks to us how, even with our differences, we can effect change where we are. That is the deeper meaning which I gather from it; and that we must be cautious with the heritage we lay out for future generations. The consequences can be a blessing or a curse; fruitful or quite costly and dangerous. Thankfully, we have a hopeful promise, that God makes "beauty for ashes" and can redeem what has been lost.

I received my copy of Millie for free in exchange for my honest opinion. This is it.
Profile Image for Marty Moore.
771 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2020
I love the Pendleton Petticoats series

As you read the series, you become familiar with all the characters and then it makes the stories come to life. You feel a part of the community because you know everyone.
Millie manages the telephone office. She also is the leader of the Temperance movement in Pendleton. While this is fine with most, there are a group of saloon owners who aren't so happy. This brings about several situations that keep the story lively.
Even if you read this, or any of the books as a stand alone, you'll enjoy it and see just how quaint Pendleton is.
Profile Image for Robyn Echols.
Author 5 books28 followers
November 21, 2017
Great as always

Great story about the fight to rid towns and families of the abusive and addictive problem of alcoholism. Drawn from available accounts of what actually took place, this story has great characters that face real danger. I also enjoyed learning more of what it was like to be a telephone operator in the early 1900s.
Profile Image for Annie.
374 reviews
June 28, 2018
Millie and Gideon had similarly traumatic childhoods and rose above it to become upstanding citizens. It was so interesting to see how their experiences had them on opposing sides in the matter of prohibition. This was a beautiful story about second chances but it was Steve the Mule that stole my heart...
Profile Image for Merry.
471 reviews
June 14, 2019
Prim and proper Millie

Longing for love but scared of being controlled is what comes out from this story. He thinks he should never marry because of his stepfather and she because of her stepfather doesn’t want to be under a mans care. Funny but very serious at times, another great story.
2 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2018
This series just keeps getting better!

Lovely, pure romance series with a colorful cast of heartwarming couples! Each book keeps getting better and this one is no exception!
109 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2022
Temperance Temptress falls for Seductive Saloon Owner!

The premise that a woman who supports prohibition and is the key spokesperson for the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) who is immediately drawn to a man who runs one of the most successful taverns in town and belongs to the local Saloon Owner Alliance of Pendleton (SOAP) - just screams adventure ahead! Millicent (Millie) Matlock and Gideon McBride ( great names) both want to hate each other, though their wild attraction makes that plan very difficult! By day she runs the Pendleton telephone office, once a week, she marches outside the saloons where her group hands out flyers and sings temperance songs. Gideon knows you catch more flies with honey, so he brings out hot coffee and something sweet to tempt the temptress. His plan is to kill her with kindness. Millie can't cook and burns water, Gideon makes delicious delicacies that would bring a woman to her knees. He's been volunteered to court Millie and distract her from her temperance efforts. Will his efforts be so good they'll both lose their hearts and forget that they are supposed to be enemies? Meanwhile several WCTU women have been attacked and beaten and no-one knows who the guilty party is, though they suspect it's a saloon owner behind it. Can Gideon keep Millie safe, before she becomes the next victim? Will Millie put aside her independent streak long enough to let him? I highly recommend this well written story and am thoroughly enjoying this whole Pendleton Petticoats series filled with humor, action, intrigue and enough romance to make you swoon. Though each book is stand alone, it is so much better when you read each story in order and then see how the same characters you love progress with every new release! Hannah Hatfield is becoming one of my favorite go to authors and so far does not disappoint!
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
April 17, 2022
Lacy (from book 5 of this series) and Millie are "hello girls," who run the local telephone system in Pendleton, as well as member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. who march to promote prohibition. Millie is, in fact, known as the temperance tempest.
While Lacy has found her true love, Millie has sworn to never let a man "own her" or tell her what she can, and more importantly CAN NOT do. She is strong, independent, has many skills, but can not cook to save her life.

Gideon is a local saloon keeper. He runs a respectable place, without questionable women and where men are not overserved nor cheat at cards. Gideon is easy on the eyes and even has some talent in the kitchen. He also has sworn never to marry. He has discovered that his sweet treats can open doors and hearts when needed.

This is a series that does not need to be read in order but once you meet the ladies (and their beaus) from Pendelton, OR you will want to return and visit again.
This book takes place at a time of transition. I love the details and historical faces the author sprinkles throughout her series.

Every story needs its moments of tension or danger and you can understand this will have them when women are trying to close the saloons. It also has joyful, exciting times too, pulled from true history.
A love story as well as a picture of the times, with characters you grow fond of and enjoy returning to visit.
Profile Image for Debbie Odachowski.
491 reviews
September 14, 2022
I love a story line with a strong woman leading a charge!

Millie's story is wonderful. We hear about some of my favorite characters having babies and sharing in the lives of everyone in Pendleton. Millie's challenge to get rid of alcohol in Pendleton was a struggle. I just wish her story included the fight for a woman's right to vote. But too soon in historical time line. Love the love story. Can't wait to see what happens next. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Jeannette Harbottle.
764 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2024
I loved this book! Millie appears in the previous Pendleton Petticoats books, so it’s fitting that she should have her own. I appreciated the reminder that our actions, however right they may seem, often have consequences that we didn’t anticipate and that bring hardship to others.
A truly romantic historical novel.
147 reviews
November 11, 2024
Lots of insights about this timeframe

Info given about prohibition, women's voting rights, inventions such as the telephone & mechanical tractors. The H is a saloon owner & the h is the supervisor of phone operators & the leader of the local prohibition advocates. Deputies stay busy keeping the town safe & addressing those who act out.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
2,970 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2025
Really Great Western Series

I'm really enjoying this series and all the characters. I loved Millie and Gideon's story. These two have a strong attraction that neither wants as they both believe they don't want to have a relationship and marry. There's mystery, danger and love in their story. They have much to overcome to find their HEA. It all makes for a captivating story.
Profile Image for Delbora.
1,465 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2022
Adventure Story

This book has adventure throughout. Millie is determined to close all of the saloons in town but why? This story keeps you reading to get the answers for many questions that arise.
202 reviews
July 29, 2024
I really liked this

I think I like this one in the series more than the others, but it wouldn't be the story without the others.

That said, Millie and Gideon are made for each other.
Profile Image for Debbie.
47 reviews
June 18, 2025
Enjoyed this one too

This book was harder to read. I was sick when I started it and this subject was too close to home so it was a harder read. I did enjoy it and look forward to the next story.
Profile Image for rob.
398 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2017
Awesome

This has been another great book in this series. It has been awesome to see the growth of the characters
380 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2022
Millie

Wonderful romantic story of young Millie the phone gal and Gideon, saloon owner turned restaurant owner and known for baking special candy and sweets.
493 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2022
I loved this romance story! Millie and Gideon are wonderful together. I can’t get enough of Shanna’s books. Enjoy the book!
724 reviews
October 8, 2022
Another great story in this series. Set around prohibition.
Profile Image for Renee Sprague.
26 reviews
March 3, 2017
Great book!

I was worried I wouldn't like this book since I'vs already read several with the same plot-line of temperance girl falling for saloon owner, but this book was really great! Gideon was super likeable throughout, despite owning and running a saloon. And he is humble, heroic, and a complete gentleman, which was surprising. He is just perfect for telephone operator Millie, who takes such good care of the girls in her employ. I really wish the author would have done something with her mother. I think that is what the lawyer was for, but I would have loved to see something done about the situation. I also can't wait for more books in the series. I wish the author would feature each of the kids in their own love story after they grow up... but for now, I'll have to settle for Nik's story, which should be out soon. Can't wait! Love this series!
Profile Image for Dorothy Roller.
480 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2016
Wow Shanna Hatfield has outdone herself in Millie. My emotions really ran from one extreme to the other with this awesome and most wonderful story. I smiled, I outright laughed, I sighed, I almost bit my nails, I cried and then I thought YES it finally happened.
Millie is a very strong independent woman who meets up with Gideon a saloon owner who is so handsome and has a big smile with the cutest dimples that she can't decide if she should hate him or maybe find out more. Gideon is equally strong and independent with so many talents for a man that Mille is taken in by him. Millie has so many facets that Gideon also decides he want to find out more about her.
They fight each other in their causes and reasons why they do what they do. He keeps a clean, high class saloon where only drinks are served, no call girls and rents out the rooms above the saloon for men who need a room.
She wants to shut down all the saloons because too many women in Pendleton have been attacked and she knows first hand what happens with men and alcohol.
But, she has seen things in Gideon that she wants to see just what kind of man he is.
All I can say is this is one of the best stories in the Pendleton Petticoat series that you will be pulled in from the beginning and have all those emotions I mentioned through out the story and you can't or won't want to put it down.
I love all of Shanna's books and everyone is so unique and wonderful in it's own right as she knows how to build complex characters with many facets. She knows how to start out strong and bring in all kinds of things including keeping the stories alive with all the towns characters that you feel part of this town. She knows how to build everything up, have fun, lots of fun, lots of whit and then things start to happen fast that you won't know what hit you. Unexpected things, people who are villians that you wouldn't expect and yes suspense and of course rescues that you don't always know what to expect in them.
This is a highly RECOMMEND book but if you haven't read any of this series you must start with Aundy the first book in this series and read through them all. I highly RECOMMEND this who wonderful series.
Thank you Shanna Hatfield for another most wonderful story.
697 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2017
Excellent series!

I have read all 7 books in Pendleton Petticoats series and look forward to more! Interesting characters who feel like family members. Left me wanting to read more about them.
Profile Image for Rebekah Taylor.
1 review8 followers
June 7, 2016
The lovely Shanna Hatfield has done it again!

Millie is the beautiful manager at the local telephone office by day, and the head of the local WCTU by night. With a big sweet tooth it's ironic she can't cook to save her life. Gideon is the ruggedly hansom, dimpled cheeked owner of the Second Chance Saloon who just so happens to love to cook and make heavenly confections.

Gideon is against prohibition for numerous reasons. He opened his respectable saloon to give men a safe place to let loose for a couple of hours a day away from the responsibilities of a family.

Millie is trying to bring prohibition to Pendleton, with the hopes of keeping husbands at home away from the devil's brew that will make them beat their families.
The saloon owners form their own alliance to keep their businesses open. They choose Gideon to woo Millie in the hopes of distracting her for her WCTU duties. How could this possible work out in either parties favor? The only problem?
He never plans to love and marry; She never wants to be controlled by a man.

You would think they would be natural enemies right? Well Shanna has something else in mind for these two. Something that will be able to help them both overcome the scars from their pasts.
With peril lurking around the corner for Millie will Gideon be able to keep her safe without giving into his feeling for her? Will Millie let Gideon get away with stealing a few kisses (amazing as they were)? Or will she give herself a chance at love?

Join Millie, Gideon and their friends as they try to figure out what truly matters in life. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat never wanting to put it down until the last page! Then you'll want to read it again!
Smart, witty, fun, sassy and utterly charming, you won't want to miss out on one of Shanna's best yet!




22 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2016
Millie, a strong-willed woman determined to bring about prohibition in Pendleton, catches the eye and raises the ire of strong-willed saloon owner Gideon, who is determined to defeat the temperance movement. As the plot develops, we find that both Millie and Gideon have similar reasons for their stance on liquor, yet they’ve got vastly different perspectives on it. So interesting, and so real-life. They find that they really like, and even care for each other, but with both committed to remaining single, and both committed to their cause, a future of any kind seems without hope.

As usual, Shanna brings wonderful detail into every part of the story, enough so that sometimes I feel like I’m standing right there as part of the action. The historical research she brought to this story gave me an eye-opening perspective on Pendleton and the surrounding community, finding it truly surprising the number of saloons the community supported and what was happening during this attempt at prohibition.

If you enjoy your sweet romance with a big dose of humor, a bit of intrigue and mystery, characters who you connect with from the start, and just enough sizzle to send extra pitter-patters directly to your heart, this book (really, ALL of Shanna’s books) are for you! Excellent, very enjoyable, and couldn’t put it down until I was done! Thank you to Shanna for an advanced copy from which this review is based, in exchange for an honest review.
1,857 reviews20 followers
June 3, 2016
This book was fun to read. Millie ran the telephone office by day and monitored the towns phone calls. She answered question and provided assistance to anyone who wanted to know the local specials and sales at the store and other questions someone might need answered.

In the evening Millie and a couple of her friends volunteered to be the Temperance committee. They went around to the local bars and stood outside singing songs and 'picketing the bars'. When she got in front the Second Chance bar. The owner Gideon caught her eye. She tries not to be interested in him because he owns a business that she intends to shut down.

Will Gideon and Millie find their happy ever after. Or will they have problems because he owns and operates a bar and she is against that kind of business. I really enjoyed reading the book to find out and I think that you will too.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melissa.
351 reviews20 followers
June 17, 2016
Shanna Hatfield has a way with words. She makes you feel everything from sadness to happiness in one book. I love her stories and her characters.
Millie wants to close down the saloons in town. She equals liquor with bad things. Gideon owns and runs one of the saloons she is out to close. He runs more of a social club than a saloon. He has a reason for wanting to keep it open. These two butt heads left and right but gradually form a friendship. I loved seeing the friendship develop.
This was a great story and well worth reading.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
545 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2016
Wonderful Book

This was one of my favorite books ever.I didn't think Shanna could top Aundy but she just may have done this one b e a bit better.Reading this series is liking checking in with a bunch of friends every time you open a new book.I feel like I know them all and I know I love them all.Millie is a Hello Girl working for the phone co.and leading the temperance movement.Gideon is a barker and all around nice guy.How can it ever work out??Read on and see if it is the food he cooks that steals her heart.Such a great read I didn't want to put it down and it is now 3am.Loved it !!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.