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The Gamble
A HOLLOW HEART
Connor Williams is haunted by the ghosts of the people he has lost, and is consumed by revenge against the forces that took his loved ones from him. The Great War and all its horrors has left him a shell of the man he used to be. The only thing stopping him from becoming a monster is Sarah Dawson, the girl he'd left behind.
Sarah knows she’s in trouble. With her father dying and a floundering bakery to run, love is the last thing she needs. But Connor is a lure she can’t seem to resist. A shadow of the man she thought she would marry, this new Connor is darker than her childhood sweetheart and twice as magnetic. But Connor’s need for revenge is driving them apart. When Sarah’s nightmares all start to come true, she doubts Connor will be the man she needs him to be. The man he could be if only he'd allow love back into his heart.
Connor Williams is haunted by the ghosts of the people he has lost, and is consumed by revenge against the forces that took his loved ones from him. The Great War and all its horrors has left him a shell of the man he used to be. The only thing stopping him from becoming a monster is Sarah Dawson, the girl he'd left behind.
Sarah knows she’s in trouble. With her father dying and a floundering bakery to run, love is the last thing she needs. But Connor is a lure she can’t seem to resist. A shadow of the man she thought she would marry, this new Connor is darker than her childhood sweetheart and twice as magnetic. But Connor’s need for revenge is driving them apart. When Sarah’s nightmares all start to come true, she doubts Connor will be the man she needs him to be. The man he could be if only he'd allow love back into his heart.
226 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2020
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 9, 2020
A story where love conquers all
It was a breath of fresh air to read a historical romance set post WWI. A period of time often overlooked in novels IMO. The writing style and tone was true to the era and the characters were not only believable, but relatable. Connor and Sarah were very well developed. I was alternating between cheering Connor on with his plans for revenge and yelling at him to not do it. With Sarah I wanted her to disown her sister but then was proud of her for when she didn’t. It was like a seesaw of emotions but at the end, love conquered all and they got their HEA, both becoming better people because of it. A great read, highly recommended!
It was a breath of fresh air to read a historical romance set post WWI. A period of time often overlooked in novels IMO. The writing style and tone was true to the era and the characters were not only believable, but relatable. Connor and Sarah were very well developed. I was alternating between cheering Connor on with his plans for revenge and yelling at him to not do it. With Sarah I wanted her to disown her sister but then was proud of her for when she didn’t. It was like a seesaw of emotions but at the end, love conquered all and they got their HEA, both becoming better people because of it. A great read, highly recommended!
June 5, 2020
Enchanting blend of small town romance and historical fiction. And it was also nice to read something set out near the Warrumbungles.
March 21, 2020
Lovely historical romance debut by new Australian author.
Sarah Dawson is certain of two things, her love for her family and her love for Connor Williams. But Connor, newly returned from the Great War, is now a broken man. And with the hell of war behind him, Connor is determined to enact revenge on the woman who sent his brother Caleb following in his footsteps – and ultimately to his death. But this woman is also Sarah’s sister… and Sarah is the woman he has always loved.
First, I have to apologise for not getting this review out there sooner – and now more than ever the world needs some positivity, and a good read is the cure for these anxious times.
There is not a lot of Australian historical fiction set during this time period so I was personally excited to get to read this novel as I love historical fiction. The setting, uniquely Australian was vividly portrayed, I really would love to visit the region now!
I loved Sarah’s resilience in the face of family tragedy-her ill father and having to deal with her very spoiled sister Isabel. I really felt for Connor, whose war story frames the ‘the gamble’ of the title. I have a thing for heroes whose circumstances are affected by war and the terrible trauma associated with service – but also attracted to different characters and how they can handle the circumstances that propels them forward in life despite that trauma. I wanted to shake Isabel but also saw in her the little girl, who really didn’t know how to handle the situation around her and blinded by her own love. And Marge… what can I say about Marge except that everyone should have a friend like her, and the hint that she might get her own story some day had me a little excited for what the author has planned!
The characters were real and grounded and the interactions, especially between Connor and Sarah—I could feel the push and pull of the romance arc coming through. I wanted to scream ‘NO!’ at Connor and cheer for Sarah when she finally puts her sister in her place!
The setting, with its own cast of characters felt real and I was transported for a time back to the turbulence that was the post war years where so few of the men and boys sent away came back untouched (if they came back at all).
Ultimately though, this is a story of love and overcoming the personal hurdles we face in times of great sadness, and if anything, that is something we can understand, empathise and rejoice. Seeing Sarah and Connor get the happy ending they deserve had me closing the book with a happy smile on my face.
Sarah Dawson is certain of two things, her love for her family and her love for Connor Williams. But Connor, newly returned from the Great War, is now a broken man. And with the hell of war behind him, Connor is determined to enact revenge on the woman who sent his brother Caleb following in his footsteps – and ultimately to his death. But this woman is also Sarah’s sister… and Sarah is the woman he has always loved.
First, I have to apologise for not getting this review out there sooner – and now more than ever the world needs some positivity, and a good read is the cure for these anxious times.
There is not a lot of Australian historical fiction set during this time period so I was personally excited to get to read this novel as I love historical fiction. The setting, uniquely Australian was vividly portrayed, I really would love to visit the region now!
I loved Sarah’s resilience in the face of family tragedy-her ill father and having to deal with her very spoiled sister Isabel. I really felt for Connor, whose war story frames the ‘the gamble’ of the title. I have a thing for heroes whose circumstances are affected by war and the terrible trauma associated with service – but also attracted to different characters and how they can handle the circumstances that propels them forward in life despite that trauma. I wanted to shake Isabel but also saw in her the little girl, who really didn’t know how to handle the situation around her and blinded by her own love. And Marge… what can I say about Marge except that everyone should have a friend like her, and the hint that she might get her own story some day had me a little excited for what the author has planned!
The characters were real and grounded and the interactions, especially between Connor and Sarah—I could feel the push and pull of the romance arc coming through. I wanted to scream ‘NO!’ at Connor and cheer for Sarah when she finally puts her sister in her place!
The setting, with its own cast of characters felt real and I was transported for a time back to the turbulence that was the post war years where so few of the men and boys sent away came back untouched (if they came back at all).
Ultimately though, this is a story of love and overcoming the personal hurdles we face in times of great sadness, and if anything, that is something we can understand, empathise and rejoice. Seeing Sarah and Connor get the happy ending they deserve had me closing the book with a happy smile on my face.
February 25, 2020
Engaging characters and not totally predictable storyline
I loved this book! It is well written with a plot that kept me guessing. The more intimate scenes were hot and spicy without straying into vulgarity, and the characters were realistic and struggled with believable dilemmas. This book made me laugh, and cry. And stay up all night because after I read to a certain point, I could not put it down!
I loved this book! It is well written with a plot that kept me guessing. The more intimate scenes were hot and spicy without straying into vulgarity, and the characters were realistic and struggled with believable dilemmas. This book made me laugh, and cry. And stay up all night because after I read to a certain point, I could not put it down!
March 30, 2020
Enjoyable weekend reading!
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book was set in the Warrumbungles, a part of Australia I have visited and explored. I love when authors incorporate unique Australian settings in their books, S E Welsh has definitely delivered. I have read this novel in one sitting over a rainy weekend, it was a nice easy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I sympathised with Sarah and found myself smiling, tearing up and giggling right along with her.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book was set in the Warrumbungles, a part of Australia I have visited and explored. I love when authors incorporate unique Australian settings in their books, S E Welsh has definitely delivered. I have read this novel in one sitting over a rainy weekend, it was a nice easy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I sympathised with Sarah and found myself smiling, tearing up and giggling right along with her.
October 27, 2020
I enjoyed reading, The Gamble. What a wonderful distraction from the Covid pandemic that has upset our lives so much. It was a great read and I love the WWI time period. The characters were well developed and the author’s style kept the book moving right along for me. This was only the second book I’ve read that was set in Australia and I especially enjoyed it because of that. It has opened a new and exciting world for me to explore!
I could relate to the struggles Conor and Sarah had to deal with and appreciated the fact that their conflicts didn’t seem contrived by any means, which is so often the case. Congratulations to Ms. Welsh for penning this novel and I am awaiting her next novel, whenever that may be. I highly recommend, The Gamble.
I could relate to the struggles Conor and Sarah had to deal with and appreciated the fact that their conflicts didn’t seem contrived by any means, which is so often the case. Congratulations to Ms. Welsh for penning this novel and I am awaiting her next novel, whenever that may be. I highly recommend, The Gamble.
July 8, 2020
A beautiful, well written story dealing with the aftereffects from WW1 on one man Connor Williams, what it causes him to do. It will take him awhile before he realizes he is about to lose the most important person in his life Sarah Dawson, the girl he'd left behind when he went to war. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I hope Smith and Marge get a story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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February 18, 2025Started this morning before work, picked it up again when I got home, and didn’t put it down until now, having just read through to the end. So beautifully, intricately crafted, so many elements that tied together to create one of my new favourite novels. Can’t wait to read more from S. E. Welsh!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews