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Gunslinger #1
Hitched to the Gunslinger
Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson is the fastest gun west of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, he’s ready to hang up his hat. Sure, being notorious has its perks. But the nomadic lifestyle—and people always tryin’ to kill you—gets old real fast.
Now he just wants to find a place to retire so he can spend his days the way the good Lord intended. Staring at the sunset. And napping.
When his stubborn horse drags him into a hole-in-the-wall town called Desolation, something about the place calls to Gray, and he figures he might actually have a shot at a sleepy retirement.
His optimism lasts about a minute and a half.
Soon he finds himself embroiled in a town vendetta and married to a woman named Mercy. Who, judging by her aggravating personality, doesn’t know the meaning of her own name. In fact, she’s downright impossible.
But dang it if his wife isn’t irresistible. If only she’d stop trying to steal his guns to go after the bad guys herself.
There goes his peace and quiet...
Now he just wants to find a place to retire so he can spend his days the way the good Lord intended. Staring at the sunset. And napping.
When his stubborn horse drags him into a hole-in-the-wall town called Desolation, something about the place calls to Gray, and he figures he might actually have a shot at a sleepy retirement.
His optimism lasts about a minute and a half.
Soon he finds himself embroiled in a town vendetta and married to a woman named Mercy. Who, judging by her aggravating personality, doesn’t know the meaning of her own name. In fact, she’s downright impossible.
But dang it if his wife isn’t irresistible. If only she’d stop trying to steal his guns to go after the bad guys herself.
There goes his peace and quiet...
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2021
54 people are currently reading
3193 people want to read
About the author
Michelle McLean
40 books283 followersMichelle McLean is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl who is addicted to chocolate and Goldfish crackers and spent most of her formative years with her nose in a book. She has a B.S. in History, an M.A. in English, and loves her romances with a little heat, a lot of humor, and always a happily ever after.
When Michelle's not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking or diamond painting, which she accidentally got addicted to while bored one day. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens, the world's most spoiled dog, and two cats who absolutely rule the house. She also writes contemporary romance as Kira Archer.
For more info on Michelle and her work, visit her website at michellemcleanbooks.com.
When Michelle's not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking or diamond painting, which she accidentally got addicted to while bored one day. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens, the world's most spoiled dog, and two cats who absolutely rule the house. She also writes contemporary romance as Kira Archer.
For more info on Michelle and her work, visit her website at michellemcleanbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
April 24, 2023
This is silly, light hearted and fun but completely lacking in any substance. It read like dinner theatre. It was diverting, fast paced and easy to read. Anyone looking for a real historical romance won’t be satisfied with this, but if you like fluffy, feel good stuff, take this for a whirl. It’s a short and cheesy - somewhat funny - grumpy/bossy western fairytale. The characters were a bit dumb and extremely one-dimensional; Grey liked naps and a full belly and Mercy is bossy and a bad cook, they seem an odd couple and so comedy ensues. I didn’t hate this but I won’t remember it.
March 14, 2024
DNF at just 14%. I completely agree with the other 2-star ratings.
I love rom-com movies, I love light-hearted romance books…. But this book was not cute or funny. The characters were buffoons. Idiots. And I couldn’t take it anymore.
The hero is an old washed up gunslinger. The best of the best. People take one look at him and scurry away in fear. You might think it’s because he is walking around scowling with a mean thunderous expression, nope. He came across as just old and tired.
Nothing mean about his manner of speech, interacting, facial expressions. He was perpetually grumbling about wanting to take a nap, had no real possession or anything going for him. He had no idea what he was doing with his life now that he’s retired. The only thing that stood out about him besides needy constant nappy time was that he disliked bathing and walked around stinky. That’s actually probably really realistic for that time period…. Lol but it’s not romantic or sexy for a romance hero to be proud he stinks to the high heavens. 😷
The heroine…. I was surprised when she introduces the hero as her fiancée (he was surprised too) and I thought this fake fiancée situation could be cute, etc. But no… she was constantly annoying and nagging him while he was trying to nap, she claims to want to learn how to shoot a gun for self-defense and grabs a gun out of the hero’s holster. The gun fires accidentally (I tell you, she’s an idiot). Who grabs a gun out of a strangers holster?! He asks her what is she doing grabbing a gun out of a man’s holster. She takes it as a sexual innuendo comment, starts blushing fiercely, he thinks to himself ‘oh sweet, she’s got a dirty mind!’
Eye roll AND a side eye look from me as I delete from device! 🙄😒
I love rom-com movies, I love light-hearted romance books…. But this book was not cute or funny. The characters were buffoons. Idiots. And I couldn’t take it anymore.
The hero is an old washed up gunslinger. The best of the best. People take one look at him and scurry away in fear. You might think it’s because he is walking around scowling with a mean thunderous expression, nope. He came across as just old and tired.
Nothing mean about his manner of speech, interacting, facial expressions. He was perpetually grumbling about wanting to take a nap, had no real possession or anything going for him. He had no idea what he was doing with his life now that he’s retired. The only thing that stood out about him besides needy constant nappy time was that he disliked bathing and walked around stinky. That’s actually probably really realistic for that time period…. Lol but it’s not romantic or sexy for a romance hero to be proud he stinks to the high heavens. 😷
The heroine…. I was surprised when she introduces the hero as her fiancée (he was surprised too) and I thought this fake fiancée situation could be cute, etc. But no… she was constantly annoying and nagging him while he was trying to nap, she claims to want to learn how to shoot a gun for self-defense and grabs a gun out of the hero’s holster. The gun fires accidentally (I tell you, she’s an idiot). Who grabs a gun out of a strangers holster?! He asks her what is she doing grabbing a gun out of a man’s holster. She takes it as a sexual innuendo comment, starts blushing fiercely, he thinks to himself ‘oh sweet, she’s got a dirty mind!’
Eye roll AND a side eye look from me as I delete from device! 🙄😒
May 1, 2023
3.5⭐️/5 I liked book 2 better but this was still very fun and cute
July 18, 2021
Fun, sexy story but Mercy is annoying at times.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This classic twist was just what I needed to break up some monotony in my books lately. It’s not often that you run across a western romance based in the historical genre.
The author created some pretty strong characters in both the male and female lead. I love the opposite characterization with Gray being “retired“, laid-back, looking for a meal, definitely not looking for a job. Plus, he was damn delicious too.
Mercy, on the other hand, was pretty intense. Demanding, overly strong in character, and a bit high strung. Together, they did work well as a decent balance.
The plot finds them thrown together in a marriage and this is where the author shined with her with building a fiery connection between these two.
McLean doesn’t hold back in terms of what was “proper touching” back in that time frame. You get all the contemporary feels in this one. These two had a blazing connection and that made all the difference in the story for me.
Hitched To The Gunslinger is witty, unique, and definitely not run of the mill. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, all of which really make a difference in this wild western romance.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/hitched-to-t...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This classic twist was just what I needed to break up some monotony in my books lately. It’s not often that you run across a western romance based in the historical genre.
The author created some pretty strong characters in both the male and female lead. I love the opposite characterization with Gray being “retired“, laid-back, looking for a meal, definitely not looking for a job. Plus, he was damn delicious too.
Mercy, on the other hand, was pretty intense. Demanding, overly strong in character, and a bit high strung. Together, they did work well as a decent balance.
The plot finds them thrown together in a marriage and this is where the author shined with her with building a fiery connection between these two.
McLean doesn’t hold back in terms of what was “proper touching” back in that time frame. You get all the contemporary feels in this one. These two had a blazing connection and that made all the difference in the story for me.
Hitched To The Gunslinger is witty, unique, and definitely not run of the mill. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, all of which really make a difference in this wild western romance.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/hitched-to-t...
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January 23, 2025DNF @ 25%
I think this book is a little too silly for my tastes, and doesn’t have enough substance. The characters are very one dimensional, and don’t feel very real. This honestly reads like a Tessa Dare book but if it was a Western, and the characters lacked flavor. I really wanted to love this one, but I’m not liking it so I’ll just call it quits while I’m early into it.
I think this book is a little too silly for my tastes, and doesn’t have enough substance. The characters are very one dimensional, and don’t feel very real. This honestly reads like a Tessa Dare book but if it was a Western, and the characters lacked flavor. I really wanted to love this one, but I’m not liking it so I’ll just call it quits while I’m early into it.
August 22, 2021
Loved this cover! This was a western romance and I enjoyed it. These two were driving each other crazy in equal measures and they were both stubborn and likable. The chemistry didn’t start until after the forced wedding. I love to see a man fall head over heels in love. There was shoot outs with bad guys, goats, drunks and romance. What more could a girl ask for. This was fun and light and I recommend it for a summer read.
Thanks Entangled Publishing via Netgalley.
Thanks Entangled Publishing via Netgalley.
January 1, 2022
I was underwhelmed by this book, but I think I may not have been the right audience. The reason I was attracted to this book in the first place is because I love historical romances, and I saw that one of the quotes about the book described it as "hilarious". It's difficult for me to find books that are both romantic and hilarious, so I was hopeful that Hitched to the Gunslinger (great title by the way) would scratch that itch. However, I think the sense of humor just wasn't my cup of tea. It reminds me of....how do I explain this...Facebook humor? Like, things that are very low hanging fruit, obvious sort of "ha-ha, very funny" *eye roll* kind of stuff. For instance, the main character doesn't bathe and him going around smelling to high heaven is supposed to be kind of cheeky and funny, I think...but it's not? Or when the heroine "playfully" scares the hero by shooting a gun at him? I think these moments are supposed to be sort of slapstick/comedy of errors-esque, but I was just like jeez these people are so immature. Actually I just looked up the definition of "comedy of errors" and that's exactly what I mean: "a situation made amusing by bungling and incompetence." The people in the story are definitely incompetent at times (despite Gray being known as the best shot in the West), and it just kept throwing me off.
I did not find Gray to be attractive in the least. He's a fine dude but would make a better side character. His side kick Sunshine is not much better (and I assume he'll get his own book) because his whole schtick is that he's pathologically optimistic. Cute but maybe I just like my heroes a bit more grizzled? Which is what I thought I would get from Gray, but alas! The tone of the book (silly/tongue in cheek) just wasn't what I was expecting from a Western, but I think that's mostly on me, and I am definitely in the minority here. If you're looking for a silly, breezy romp in the West, this may work for you. I wanted higher stakes and more emotion between the couple. They just seemed like they agreed to be together for convenience and it sort of ended there. They supposedly "fell in love" but I didn't see it.
Things I appreciate: 1) Mercy and Gray are older heroes (Gray is in his forties and Mercy is in her thirties, I believe) which I appreciated because we don't get enough representation of older couples in romance. However, you wouldn't know it based on how immature they are at times!
2) I think the "found family" aspect was very sweet and probably my favorite part. Miss DuVere was great (mayor and brothel owner). I actually wasn't bothered by scenes where other characters butt in and I often am in my romance. I typically like the central focus to be the couple.
Contains: gunfighting, swearing, explicit depictions of sex
Steam level: 2.5/5
I did not find Gray to be attractive in the least. He's a fine dude but would make a better side character. His side kick Sunshine is not much better (and I assume he'll get his own book) because his whole schtick is that he's pathologically optimistic. Cute but maybe I just like my heroes a bit more grizzled? Which is what I thought I would get from Gray, but alas! The tone of the book (silly/tongue in cheek) just wasn't what I was expecting from a Western, but I think that's mostly on me, and I am definitely in the minority here. If you're looking for a silly, breezy romp in the West, this may work for you. I wanted higher stakes and more emotion between the couple. They just seemed like they agreed to be together for convenience and it sort of ended there. They supposedly "fell in love" but I didn't see it.
Things I appreciate: 1) Mercy and Gray are older heroes (Gray is in his forties and Mercy is in her thirties, I believe) which I appreciated because we don't get enough representation of older couples in romance. However, you wouldn't know it based on how immature they are at times!
2) I think the "found family" aspect was very sweet and probably my favorite part. Miss DuVere was great (mayor and brothel owner). I actually wasn't bothered by scenes where other characters butt in and I often am in my romance. I typically like the central focus to be the couple.
Contains: gunfighting, swearing, explicit depictions of sex
Steam level: 2.5/5
August 22, 2021
Hitched to the Gunslinger is a historical romance about Gray Woodson, a man who wants to find a quiet place where he can retire in peace. A retired gunslinger, Gray wants nothing more than good food and a place where he can nap and remain anonymous. Instead, he finds Mercy.
Since her father’s passing, Mercy has lived alone, which has become problematic since a neighbor’s harassment has escalated. When she sees how nervous the men get with Gray around, Mercy pretends they’re engaged in the hopes that it will offer her some protection. Suddenly, Gray finds himself tied to Mercy and pushed into taking on the role of the town Sherriff. Will Mercy be able to protect herself and her land? Will Gray remain in Desolation? Will their fake engagement turn into something more?
This is such a fun and entertaining romance, and I think of all the historical romances I’ve read, it is the most humorous. Witty banter, physical comedy, sarcasm, irony, and more make for many laugh-out-loud moments, and I’m so impressed by the author’s use of a bunch of different comedic devices. Though there are serious elements to the story as well, the humor really stands out and is exceptionally executed. Plus, the romance, character development, and action are dynamic.
The romance between Mercy and Gray is fun and sexy, and they fit together so well. Mercy is strong and independent, and I love her take charge, feisty personality. She is headstrong, and she often clashes with the more laid-back Gray. Gray is like a big, grumpy teddy bear, especially as he lets his walls down. He is such a fabulous character! There are so many layers to him, and it was interesting to see him change throughout the story. Both characters have obstacles that they must deal with, and it’s interesting to see how they work through their issues together and apart. The couple also has amazing chemistry from their first meeting, and I enjoyed their fun moments together as much as their romantic moments. Mercy and Gray seem to understand each other well, and their complete acceptance of each other is fantastic. They’re a great example of the notion that opposites attract, and yet, the more they get to know each other, the more they realize that they are also similar in many ways, like in their ferocity, steadfastness, and stubbornness.
The story primarily takes place in a small town called Desolation. Desolation is an unconventional town, and Gray fits right in. He feels drawn to Desolation, and to Mercy, and the more time he spends with Mercy and the other people of Desolation, the more Gray begins to reevaluate his wants and needs. I think Mercy, Gray’s “friend” Sunshine, and the other townspeople make Gray see a future that he never thought he could have. The found family trope is done so well in this story, and the people who live in Desolation are fantastic!
I adore the scenes that include Gray, Mercy, and all of the townspeople. They are comedic and witty, and you can tell that the characters are very close by the way they support and take care of each other. Desolation is a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, as Gray finds out pretty quickly. Though it can be frustrating at times, Gray finally learns what it feels like to be accepted and to belong in the embrace of this close-knit and unusual community.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story – the romance, the character development, the found family/townspeople, Lucille the goat, the humor, and more! It’s the perfect blend of fun, funny, serious, and romantic. And, since Gray is an ex-gunslinger with a target on his back and Mercy has people threatening her, there is a lot of action too. I can’t wait to read more by this author, and I hope to find out what happens to some of the other people of Desolation if there are future books. Thanks so much to Entangled Publishing, NetGalley, and Michelle McLean for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Since her father’s passing, Mercy has lived alone, which has become problematic since a neighbor’s harassment has escalated. When she sees how nervous the men get with Gray around, Mercy pretends they’re engaged in the hopes that it will offer her some protection. Suddenly, Gray finds himself tied to Mercy and pushed into taking on the role of the town Sherriff. Will Mercy be able to protect herself and her land? Will Gray remain in Desolation? Will their fake engagement turn into something more?
This is such a fun and entertaining romance, and I think of all the historical romances I’ve read, it is the most humorous. Witty banter, physical comedy, sarcasm, irony, and more make for many laugh-out-loud moments, and I’m so impressed by the author’s use of a bunch of different comedic devices. Though there are serious elements to the story as well, the humor really stands out and is exceptionally executed. Plus, the romance, character development, and action are dynamic.
The romance between Mercy and Gray is fun and sexy, and they fit together so well. Mercy is strong and independent, and I love her take charge, feisty personality. She is headstrong, and she often clashes with the more laid-back Gray. Gray is like a big, grumpy teddy bear, especially as he lets his walls down. He is such a fabulous character! There are so many layers to him, and it was interesting to see him change throughout the story. Both characters have obstacles that they must deal with, and it’s interesting to see how they work through their issues together and apart. The couple also has amazing chemistry from their first meeting, and I enjoyed their fun moments together as much as their romantic moments. Mercy and Gray seem to understand each other well, and their complete acceptance of each other is fantastic. They’re a great example of the notion that opposites attract, and yet, the more they get to know each other, the more they realize that they are also similar in many ways, like in their ferocity, steadfastness, and stubbornness.
The story primarily takes place in a small town called Desolation. Desolation is an unconventional town, and Gray fits right in. He feels drawn to Desolation, and to Mercy, and the more time he spends with Mercy and the other people of Desolation, the more Gray begins to reevaluate his wants and needs. I think Mercy, Gray’s “friend” Sunshine, and the other townspeople make Gray see a future that he never thought he could have. The found family trope is done so well in this story, and the people who live in Desolation are fantastic!
I adore the scenes that include Gray, Mercy, and all of the townspeople. They are comedic and witty, and you can tell that the characters are very close by the way they support and take care of each other. Desolation is a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, as Gray finds out pretty quickly. Though it can be frustrating at times, Gray finally learns what it feels like to be accepted and to belong in the embrace of this close-knit and unusual community.
There are so many wonderful elements to this story – the romance, the character development, the found family/townspeople, Lucille the goat, the humor, and more! It’s the perfect blend of fun, funny, serious, and romantic. And, since Gray is an ex-gunslinger with a target on his back and Mercy has people threatening her, there is a lot of action too. I can’t wait to read more by this author, and I hope to find out what happens to some of the other people of Desolation if there are future books. Thanks so much to Entangled Publishing, NetGalley, and Michelle McLean for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2021
This one is more of a 3.5, but since this one was so fun and caught me when I was in the mood for a silly read, I’m giving it the extra half a star. Hitched to the Gunslinger was a western rom-com, that I didn’t know I needed. It was bizarre in the best possible way, and I can’t wait to read more about the unconventional characters inhabiting Desolation.
As much as I did enjoy this one, I think it’s important to note that the romance here is more surface level and doesn’t really get into deep emotions. This is not typically something I prefer, but this one caught me in the right mood. So, if your looking for a light romance between an unconventional criminal-turned-reluctant-sheriff and a landowning spinster who's fake engagement turns real, you are in for a fun read.
As much as I did enjoy this one, I think it’s important to note that the romance here is more surface level and doesn’t really get into deep emotions. This is not typically something I prefer, but this one caught me in the right mood. So, if your looking for a light romance between an unconventional criminal-turned-reluctant-sheriff and a landowning spinster who's fake engagement turns real, you are in for a fun read.
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August 24, 2021Gray Woodson is a super-fast gunslinger who wants to retire to someplace he can nap in the sun. He rides into Desolation, a town in the middle of nowhere.
Mercy lives alone, trying to keep her property from the local grabby nogoodnik, the Western version of the Evil Corporation. When Gray’s ornery horse leads him into the middle of a confrontation between Mercy and the nogoodnik, in desperation Mercy claims that Gray is her fiancé, which means she is not alone.
They find themselves hitched, though he just wants to snooze, and she is a terrible cook. As for Mercy, she just wants her supposed fiancé to take a bath.
I really got a kick out of this Old West romance. It’s got plenty of colorful side characters, funny scenes, and above all banter between the hero and heroine before and after they hit the sheets and discover the fun side of married life. There’s just enough action to keep the pace zipping along, without ever descending into Tombstone blood and guts. The romance is steamy, the exchanges witty, but most of all I really enjoyed watching Gray and Mercy become their best selves. A winner in these anxious times.
Copy provided by NetGalley
Mercy lives alone, trying to keep her property from the local grabby nogoodnik, the Western version of the Evil Corporation. When Gray’s ornery horse leads him into the middle of a confrontation between Mercy and the nogoodnik, in desperation Mercy claims that Gray is her fiancé, which means she is not alone.
They find themselves hitched, though he just wants to snooze, and she is a terrible cook. As for Mercy, she just wants her supposed fiancé to take a bath.
I really got a kick out of this Old West romance. It’s got plenty of colorful side characters, funny scenes, and above all banter between the hero and heroine before and after they hit the sheets and discover the fun side of married life. There’s just enough action to keep the pace zipping along, without ever descending into Tombstone blood and guts. The romance is steamy, the exchanges witty, but most of all I really enjoyed watching Gray and Mercy become their best selves. A winner in these anxious times.
Copy provided by NetGalley
June 12, 2022
2022 february: 4 stars
2022 june: 4 stars
2022 feb review:
A wonderful read! The first thing that caught my attention was this author's short and sweet writing. It is my favorite type of writing. I usually dislike wordy and boring long paragraphs—which this book, fortunately, did not have.
The second thing that captivated me and convinced me to finish the book was the hero and heroine and their great chemistry.
Gray was a great hero. I do love that he’s a simple man. Give him his naps, and his food and he’s contented. Yet for a simple man, he has led a very lonely life as a gunslinger, with a sad back story that tugged at my heartstrings. He has always seen his loved ones die, and he would be heartbroken if he continued seeing that—which was why he tried not to have close relationships with anyone.
But eventually, he does become closer to Mercy and the townspeople and was willing to do anything to protect them. He has a great sense of humor, despite his dangerous occupation, and being shunned by everyone around him previously—most men would turn out to be serious and without humor, which Gray was not, thankfully.
Mercy was a strong woman. She knew she needed help and she had no problems asking Gray straight out for his help. She was straight to the point, not dragging anything out and I liked that about her. She was also not afraid to put her life on the line if it would protect Gray from the men coming after him. I do love that she nags at Gray, which shows that she cares for him. Gray has changed a lot for the better since meeting Mercy. It was heartwarming to see him find his home and his place with Mercy and this town.
The bantering between Gray and Mercy was just a wonder to read about. I always enjoyed their bantering because it was so fun to see them tease one another, and just enjoy each other’s company. That really went a long way in strengthening the bond between them & building a strong romance.
I loved their interactions, and how they were so clingy with one another, it really made me believe that they really loved each other. I enjoyed reading about the detailed sex they were always having. Up against a tree doesn’t sound very comfortable, but they made it look comfortable.
On a side note, it was nice seeing that Gray and Mercy were in their 40s and 30s respectively, so they were more mature in their actions and thoughts and it is rare to see older heroes and heroines in the books that I read.
As much as I enjoyed the book, it had a few loose ends which were not shown. 1. I assumed that Josiah went to jail, but for how long and where (was he transported), did he reform after being released. All of these were not mentioned. 2. It would be nice to see Gray talk more about his past with Mercy (eg his mom) and for Mercy to talk more about her father & her mother—who was not mentioned at all.
2022 june:
second time reading this book and still enjoyed it.
loved gray's sense of humor and his chemistry with mercy. they really fit together well as a couple and were very protective of each other. it was very heartwarming to see gray finally find a home with mercy, in the town he thought he would live in and die quietly in. there was quite a bit of character development for gray, since he met mercy and that was nice to see.
i always enjoyed gray's and mercy's interactions. after becoming a married couple, they were very clingy to each other and it was obvious to me that they were very much in love, and couldn't keep their hands off of each other. i loved it. they definitely have one of the better chemistry as compared to many books out there.
i don't think there are any other good things to say about this book that i have not already mentioned in my first review. my feelings about this book have not changed a bit, and by that, i meant i had a very enjoyable time reading this book. it made me laugh out loud, warm my heart, and had me teary for a bit. my issues with the book though are the same: Josiah's punishment, more deep talks between mercy and gray.
if you like a light hearted romance with a bit of action and humor, this is the book for you.
2022 june: 4 stars
2022 feb review:
A wonderful read! The first thing that caught my attention was this author's short and sweet writing. It is my favorite type of writing. I usually dislike wordy and boring long paragraphs—which this book, fortunately, did not have.
The second thing that captivated me and convinced me to finish the book was the hero and heroine and their great chemistry.
Gray was a great hero. I do love that he’s a simple man. Give him his naps, and his food and he’s contented. Yet for a simple man, he has led a very lonely life as a gunslinger, with a sad back story that tugged at my heartstrings. He has always seen his loved ones die, and he would be heartbroken if he continued seeing that—which was why he tried not to have close relationships with anyone.
But eventually, he does become closer to Mercy and the townspeople and was willing to do anything to protect them. He has a great sense of humor, despite his dangerous occupation, and being shunned by everyone around him previously—most men would turn out to be serious and without humor, which Gray was not, thankfully.
Mercy was a strong woman. She knew she needed help and she had no problems asking Gray straight out for his help. She was straight to the point, not dragging anything out and I liked that about her. She was also not afraid to put her life on the line if it would protect Gray from the men coming after him. I do love that she nags at Gray, which shows that she cares for him. Gray has changed a lot for the better since meeting Mercy. It was heartwarming to see him find his home and his place with Mercy and this town.
The bantering between Gray and Mercy was just a wonder to read about. I always enjoyed their bantering because it was so fun to see them tease one another, and just enjoy each other’s company. That really went a long way in strengthening the bond between them & building a strong romance.
I loved their interactions, and how they were so clingy with one another, it really made me believe that they really loved each other. I enjoyed reading about the detailed sex they were always having. Up against a tree doesn’t sound very comfortable, but they made it look comfortable.
On a side note, it was nice seeing that Gray and Mercy were in their 40s and 30s respectively, so they were more mature in their actions and thoughts and it is rare to see older heroes and heroines in the books that I read.
As much as I enjoyed the book, it had a few loose ends which were not shown. 1. I assumed that Josiah went to jail, but for how long and where (was he transported), did he reform after being released. All of these were not mentioned. 2. It would be nice to see Gray talk more about his past with Mercy (eg his mom) and for Mercy to talk more about her father & her mother—who was not mentioned at all.
2022 june:
second time reading this book and still enjoyed it.
loved gray's sense of humor and his chemistry with mercy. they really fit together well as a couple and were very protective of each other. it was very heartwarming to see gray finally find a home with mercy, in the town he thought he would live in and die quietly in. there was quite a bit of character development for gray, since he met mercy and that was nice to see.
i always enjoyed gray's and mercy's interactions. after becoming a married couple, they were very clingy to each other and it was obvious to me that they were very much in love, and couldn't keep their hands off of each other. i loved it. they definitely have one of the better chemistry as compared to many books out there.
i don't think there are any other good things to say about this book that i have not already mentioned in my first review. my feelings about this book have not changed a bit, and by that, i meant i had a very enjoyable time reading this book. it made me laugh out loud, warm my heart, and had me teary for a bit. my issues with the book though are the same: Josiah's punishment, more deep talks between mercy and gray.
if you like a light hearted romance with a bit of action and humor, this is the book for you.
August 22, 2021
I was absolutely smitten by that cover and I loved the synopsis, so I was excited to get to a new to me author.
I loved Mercy and Gray. They’re more similar than they think and the banter slash button pushing was some of the best. I really loved watching their relationship evolve. There are some other great characters in the townspeople and I would absolutely read more from this group.
Plot wise, it was good. There were some parts that did get a little repetitive, but the characters made it easy to overlook. The build up was slow and the epilogue was absolutely satisfying.
Overall, this was a quick and fun read. I’ll be looking into the other books this author has written.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Mercy and Gray. They’re more similar than they think and the banter slash button pushing was some of the best. I really loved watching their relationship evolve. There are some other great characters in the townspeople and I would absolutely read more from this group.
Plot wise, it was good. There were some parts that did get a little repetitive, but the characters made it easy to overlook. The build up was slow and the epilogue was absolutely satisfying.
Overall, this was a quick and fun read. I’ll be looking into the other books this author has written.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
August 16, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up
Gunslinger Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson, is tired and just wants to retire in peace, but that is turning out to be harder than he anticipated. Shaking off the hero-worshiping young man, Jason Sunshine, who has been trying to get Gray to teach him the “trade”, he takes off in search of a place to settle. Someplace where he can nap in peace and where everyone isn’t trying to kill him – but instead he finds himself caught up in an altercation between a feisty woman and some rough-looking men, a situation he plans on ignoring until he is recognized by the men and the woman claims he is her fiancé!
Mercy Douglas shocks herself by claiming the notorious gunfighter is her betrothed, but with her father dead and her neighbor Josiah Banff trying to strong-arm her off her property, she willingly lied when she saw Josiah’s reaction to Gray. Thankfully, Gray plays along and Josiah leaves. Leaving Mercy to deal with her “fiancé” Gray agrees to stick around – but makes it clear, he is not fighting her battles and he is not teaching her how to shoot – he is retired. Mercy agrees to his terms – sorta – but disrupts his peace every chance she gets – including making him take a bath, feeding him semi-edible food, finding the guns he keeps hiding, and making him care – something he never wanted to do – EVER.
Mercy’s antics aside, Gray thinks he will just relax for a bit, letting his reputation keep Mercy’s tormentor at bay, but things don’t go as planned. Not only does Jason show up, but Gray soon finds himself married to Mercy AND the new sheriff of Desolation, and if that isn’t enough – someone has placed a bounty on his head! So much for a quiet retirement – but despite it all, Gray is happy and thinks that maybe he has found a home – but when Mercy gets caught up in an attempt on his life, he realizes that HEA may have been too much to hope for…
This was a well-written, nicely-paced, mostly light-hearted fun story with an amazing cast of characters! I really loved this book, it was such a refreshing change of pace from the typical angst-filled HR books I have been reading lately. I loved that Gray was not a drop-dead Adonis, who sported a six-pack and that Mercy had no qualms about poking fun at him – their banter was priceless making this a truly enjoyable read, one that only got better when Jason Sunshine and the assorted townsfolk were thrown into the mix! The book has laugh-out-loud moments, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, steamyish love scenes, a grumpy hero who just wants a nap, an independent, spirited heroine who can’t cook, a stubborn horse, a great ending in which the villain gets his due and our lovers get their HEA as well as an epilogue! My only complaint about this book is that I have no idea where or when it is set –the town of Desolation is in the very ambiguous “Wild West” with no dates given meaning it could be anytime between 1700 and 1890 and while it isn’t necessary to have that information, it is something I like to know when I am reading. This was my first Western HR by this author, but I can assure you it will not be my last and I would enthusiastically recommend this title and look forward to reading more from this author.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Gunslinger Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson, is tired and just wants to retire in peace, but that is turning out to be harder than he anticipated. Shaking off the hero-worshiping young man, Jason Sunshine, who has been trying to get Gray to teach him the “trade”, he takes off in search of a place to settle. Someplace where he can nap in peace and where everyone isn’t trying to kill him – but instead he finds himself caught up in an altercation between a feisty woman and some rough-looking men, a situation he plans on ignoring until he is recognized by the men and the woman claims he is her fiancé!
Mercy Douglas shocks herself by claiming the notorious gunfighter is her betrothed, but with her father dead and her neighbor Josiah Banff trying to strong-arm her off her property, she willingly lied when she saw Josiah’s reaction to Gray. Thankfully, Gray plays along and Josiah leaves. Leaving Mercy to deal with her “fiancé” Gray agrees to stick around – but makes it clear, he is not fighting her battles and he is not teaching her how to shoot – he is retired. Mercy agrees to his terms – sorta – but disrupts his peace every chance she gets – including making him take a bath, feeding him semi-edible food, finding the guns he keeps hiding, and making him care – something he never wanted to do – EVER.
Mercy’s antics aside, Gray thinks he will just relax for a bit, letting his reputation keep Mercy’s tormentor at bay, but things don’t go as planned. Not only does Jason show up, but Gray soon finds himself married to Mercy AND the new sheriff of Desolation, and if that isn’t enough – someone has placed a bounty on his head! So much for a quiet retirement – but despite it all, Gray is happy and thinks that maybe he has found a home – but when Mercy gets caught up in an attempt on his life, he realizes that HEA may have been too much to hope for…
This was a well-written, nicely-paced, mostly light-hearted fun story with an amazing cast of characters! I really loved this book, it was such a refreshing change of pace from the typical angst-filled HR books I have been reading lately. I loved that Gray was not a drop-dead Adonis, who sported a six-pack and that Mercy had no qualms about poking fun at him – their banter was priceless making this a truly enjoyable read, one that only got better when Jason Sunshine and the assorted townsfolk were thrown into the mix! The book has laugh-out-loud moments, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, steamyish love scenes, a grumpy hero who just wants a nap, an independent, spirited heroine who can’t cook, a stubborn horse, a great ending in which the villain gets his due and our lovers get their HEA as well as an epilogue! My only complaint about this book is that I have no idea where or when it is set –the town of Desolation is in the very ambiguous “Wild West” with no dates given meaning it could be anytime between 1700 and 1890 and while it isn’t necessary to have that information, it is something I like to know when I am reading. This was my first Western HR by this author, but I can assure you it will not be my last and I would enthusiastically recommend this title and look forward to reading more from this author.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
February 21, 2025
Hilarious. The banter, the general humor and shenanigans. I love Gray and Mercy, they are perfect for each other. The whole town of Desolation has my heart. There’s fake engagement to guess we’ll get married, forced proximity, my wife, and found family. It was a joy to read, I laughed out loud several times. There’s spice and their relationship while quick was still well developed.
June 20, 2021
*Swoon* this book was amazing guys! I've had this on my requested reads list for a while and I was so excited when I got approved! Why was I so excited you may ask? Three words. Fake. Relationship. Trope. One of my favorites!
Alright, lets get into this! I've read my fair share of Western romances... Personally, I think my obsession with the cowboy romance began with the Avon true romance for teens, Samantha and the Cowboy. At 15 years old, nothing was more swoon worthy than a swaggering Western gentleman... and this book only solidified that notion.
Gray was a swaggering gunslinger looking to retire.... that is until Grace storms into his life claiming him as her fiancé, and suddenly, his desire for a peaceful life is turned on it's head.
I think part of what made this book so great were the characters. I loved everyone in town. I loved the non judgmental, quirky feel they gave to the book. So often when you read a historical novel... especially a Western one, I feel like there is a lot of heaviness. Don't get me wrong, I realize that life wasn't easy in the early West and hardship existed. However, it was nice to read a depiction of that era with almost a rom-com vibe.
Now, for our main stars. I love that Gray was the classic quick shot gunslinger, but he was depicted as untraditionally handsome, older in years, and over all curmudgeonly, while still making him sexy. The same goes for Grace, her personality was highlighted rather than her looks, she was the untraditional heroine through and through. Additionally, I love that Gray gave Grace free reign to be/do everything she wanted without placing traditional values on her. He loved her spit fire personality, and never asked her to be something she wasn't. *Swoon* I believed their slow burn romance. I fell in love with them... so much so that I finished this quickly, and was contemplating starting another book... but decided not to because I'm mentally still in the world of Desolation that Michelle McLean has created.
If there were a few things I take issue with, it was this. The ending*without spoiling it* seems out of character for Grace and Gray.. and I almost feel like they should of continued exploring the relationship without adding into the mix. Besides that, I love a declaration of love... but this "I love you" moment felt random in comparison with the flow of the rest of the novel.
That being said, I LOVED this book, and will definitely be rereading again and again. Do yourself a favor and read this! I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read a free advanced copy of this for an honest review.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Alright, lets get into this! I've read my fair share of Western romances... Personally, I think my obsession with the cowboy romance began with the Avon true romance for teens, Samantha and the Cowboy. At 15 years old, nothing was more swoon worthy than a swaggering Western gentleman... and this book only solidified that notion.
Gray was a swaggering gunslinger looking to retire.... that is until Grace storms into his life claiming him as her fiancé, and suddenly, his desire for a peaceful life is turned on it's head.
I think part of what made this book so great were the characters. I loved everyone in town. I loved the non judgmental, quirky feel they gave to the book. So often when you read a historical novel... especially a Western one, I feel like there is a lot of heaviness. Don't get me wrong, I realize that life wasn't easy in the early West and hardship existed. However, it was nice to read a depiction of that era with almost a rom-com vibe.
Now, for our main stars. I love that Gray was the classic quick shot gunslinger, but he was depicted as untraditionally handsome, older in years, and over all curmudgeonly, while still making him sexy. The same goes for Grace, her personality was highlighted rather than her looks, she was the untraditional heroine through and through. Additionally, I love that Gray gave Grace free reign to be/do everything she wanted without placing traditional values on her. He loved her spit fire personality, and never asked her to be something she wasn't. *Swoon* I believed their slow burn romance. I fell in love with them... so much so that I finished this quickly, and was contemplating starting another book... but decided not to because I'm mentally still in the world of Desolation that Michelle McLean has created.
If there were a few things I take issue with, it was this. The ending*without spoiling it* seems out of character for Grace and Gray.. and I almost feel like they should of continued exploring the relationship without adding into the mix. Besides that, I love a declaration of love... but this "I love you" moment felt random in comparison with the flow of the rest of the novel.
That being said, I LOVED this book, and will definitely be rereading again and again. Do yourself a favor and read this! I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read a free advanced copy of this for an honest review.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
June 15, 2021
This book was freaking fantastic. Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson is a gunslinger who made a name for himself being a very fast shot. He's decided to stop being a gunslinger and retire. When we meet him he's trying to find an out-of-the-way place where he can live out his days in peace. When he stumbles on to Desolation, Colorado, and Mercy - his life takes a totally unexpected turn.
This book was so vividly written - it practically jumped off the pages for me. I feel like it is an instant classic and one of the best western historicals I have ever read. I totally and wholeheartedly fell in love with Gray, Mercy, and the whole damned town. Read it - I dare you not to fall in love. Also
Gray grows so much as a character in the book - and you can see why such a larger than life character quickly becomes very much loved by the town and by Mercy. Mercy is also such a fully realized and special character. She isn't a beautiful, innocent young woman. She is tough and independent - and really an incredibly strong person. The best thing about both of them is how perfectly imperfect both of them are. Mercy is a terrible cook and has a pretty fiery temper. Gray is lazy AF and not particularly interested in his own personal hygiene. This gives the book such an edge up on any other book with perfect characters and their perfect beauty. Give me an imperfect character any day - it is what keeps me reading and interested!
I can't recommend this book enough - even if westerns aren't your thing - you should still read this book. Writing this review now - I felt a definite Romancing the Stone vibe from this book and that movie is still the gold standard for me when it comes to romantic adventure. Highly highly recommend.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
This book was so vividly written - it practically jumped off the pages for me. I feel like it is an instant classic and one of the best western historicals I have ever read. I totally and wholeheartedly fell in love with Gray, Mercy, and the whole damned town. Read it - I dare you not to fall in love. Also
Gray grows so much as a character in the book - and you can see why such a larger than life character quickly becomes very much loved by the town and by Mercy. Mercy is also such a fully realized and special character. She isn't a beautiful, innocent young woman. She is tough and independent - and really an incredibly strong person. The best thing about both of them is how perfectly imperfect both of them are. Mercy is a terrible cook and has a pretty fiery temper. Gray is lazy AF and not particularly interested in his own personal hygiene. This gives the book such an edge up on any other book with perfect characters and their perfect beauty. Give me an imperfect character any day - it is what keeps me reading and interested!
I can't recommend this book enough - even if westerns aren't your thing - you should still read this book. Writing this review now - I felt a definite Romancing the Stone vibe from this book and that movie is still the gold standard for me when it comes to romantic adventure. Highly highly recommend.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
August 18, 2021
Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson is the fastest gun west of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, he’s ready to hang up his hat. Now he just wants to find a place to retire so he can spend his days the way the good Lord intended. Staring at the sunset. And napping. When his stubborn horse drags him into a hole-in-the-wall town called Desolation, something about the place calls to Gray, and he figures he might actually have a shot at a sleepy retirement. Soon he finds himself embroiled in a town vendetta and married to Mercy Douglas & the sheriff - some retirement. Who, judging by her aggravating personality, doesn’t know the meaning of her own name. In fact, she’s downright impossible but irresistible at the same time. If only she’d stop trying to steal his guns to go after the bad guys herself.
A well written well paced book. I loved the humour & thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining book. I loved Gray who just wanted a peaceful life plus I loved that he wasn’t a perfect physical specimen. I really liked Mercy who could burn water & loved the verbal banter between her & Gray, I also loved the chemistry between them. The secondary characters were also well portrayed & their antics added to my enjoyment. The villain was villainous & I loved that he got his just desserts. I think this is the authors first western & hope there are more, I recommend this book whole heartedly
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A well written well paced book. I loved the humour & thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining book. I loved Gray who just wanted a peaceful life plus I loved that he wasn’t a perfect physical specimen. I really liked Mercy who could burn water & loved the verbal banter between her & Gray, I also loved the chemistry between them. The secondary characters were also well portrayed & their antics added to my enjoyment. The villain was villainous & I loved that he got his just desserts. I think this is the authors first western & hope there are more, I recommend this book whole heartedly
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 27, 2022
3.5 stars
Well, it has been awhile since my last western historical romance. In this one, we have a famous gun.slinger randomly rode into a small town of Desolation. Little did he know, that same day he will be betrothed to a woman he knows nothing about and who's also can't cook worth a damn.
I love this book. Our 41-ish hero (Gray) is your grumpy, retired infamous gunslinger who loves his nap times. While our lady (Mercy) here is stuck in a situation where she needs the protection of his name. Because you see, his name strikes fear in people around him.
With that said, I kinda want it to be longer. The transition between grumpy Gray and besotted Gray was a tad sudden. Maybe I need some slower burn between them, more banter, more ruckus with the rest of the townspeople. There was just something inadequate there.
But still, solid fun read. It's not that heavy and kinda comedic at times. I just want more of everything.
Well, it has been awhile since my last western historical romance. In this one, we have a famous gun.slinger randomly rode into a small town of Desolation. Little did he know, that same day he will be betrothed to a woman he knows nothing about and who's also can't cook worth a damn.
I love this book. Our 41-ish hero (Gray) is your grumpy, retired infamous gunslinger who loves his nap times. While our lady (Mercy) here is stuck in a situation where she needs the protection of his name. Because you see, his name strikes fear in people around him.
With that said, I kinda want it to be longer. The transition between grumpy Gray and besotted Gray was a tad sudden. Maybe I need some slower burn between them, more banter, more ruckus with the rest of the townspeople. There was just something inadequate there.
But still, solid fun read. It's not that heavy and kinda comedic at times. I just want more of everything.
July 18, 2022
This is my first Michelle McLean -- and based on THIS book it may not be my last. I thought it was delightful.
First of all, I love the fact that Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson, the lazy gunslinger who wants to retire and to take all the naps he wants, is 41 years old (YAY for older man in historical-western!) and Mercy Douglas is thirty (yay for older woman in historical-western!). Second of all, the banters between them are great! And third, their sexy time is joyful.
I also love the people at Desolation - they are great colorful characters and I'm happy that Gray finds his home at the town. They make wonderfully weird family-of-choice.
The villain is a bit too two-dimensional for me, though. I also think it slows down in the middle and I wish the author explores deeper of Gray and Mercy's background. However, like I said in the beginning, it will not be my last McLean's.
First of all, I love the fact that Gray "Quick Shot" Woodson, the lazy gunslinger who wants to retire and to take all the naps he wants, is 41 years old (YAY for older man in historical-western!) and Mercy Douglas is thirty (yay for older woman in historical-western!). Second of all, the banters between them are great! And third, their sexy time is joyful.
I also love the people at Desolation - they are great colorful characters and I'm happy that Gray finds his home at the town. They make wonderfully weird family-of-choice.
The villain is a bit too two-dimensional for me, though. I also think it slows down in the middle and I wish the author explores deeper of Gray and Mercy's background. However, like I said in the beginning, it will not be my last McLean's.
August 17, 2021
The story open as we meet Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson, the fastest gun in the West. Now Gray is in his early forties and looking to hang up his guns. He wants to take long naps and watch the sunset.
He sets off heading west and comes across the small town of Desolation. When his stubborn horse takes off towards the town, he has no choice but to tag along. They end up in an apple orchard on the outskirts of town and before you know it, Gray finds himself involved in a confrontation between Mercy, the orchard owner and a local landowner intent on having Mercy’s land.
The story that unfolds mixed humor, snark and delightful bickering with suspense and a slow-burning romance that catches fire.
“Well, what the hell was he supposed to do now? He’d only wanted his horse. Now he had a fiancée?”
I chuckled as I easily slipped into this story. Mercy could be a little headstrong and demanding, but with the hand she has been dealt, you can’t blame her. Now Gray didn’t impress me all that much in the beginning, but as Mercy softened his edges and their banter and playful teasing grew, so did my love for him.
The story had all the elements I love in a historical western with its small-town charm and sense of community. The meddling of the townfolk made me giggle, and I loved how the author wove their engagement into marriage. Secondary characters played an important part in the story from the local drunk to the sheriff’s assistant. Even the goat and horse affected the story.
The suspense thread was well done and made me feel like I was in the wild west. It helped bring the community together and allowed Gray to grow.
Fans of banter, arrangements, the wild west and transformations will want to grab Hitched to the Gunslinger. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
He sets off heading west and comes across the small town of Desolation. When his stubborn horse takes off towards the town, he has no choice but to tag along. They end up in an apple orchard on the outskirts of town and before you know it, Gray finds himself involved in a confrontation between Mercy, the orchard owner and a local landowner intent on having Mercy’s land.
The story that unfolds mixed humor, snark and delightful bickering with suspense and a slow-burning romance that catches fire.
“Well, what the hell was he supposed to do now? He’d only wanted his horse. Now he had a fiancée?”
I chuckled as I easily slipped into this story. Mercy could be a little headstrong and demanding, but with the hand she has been dealt, you can’t blame her. Now Gray didn’t impress me all that much in the beginning, but as Mercy softened his edges and their banter and playful teasing grew, so did my love for him.
The story had all the elements I love in a historical western with its small-town charm and sense of community. The meddling of the townfolk made me giggle, and I loved how the author wove their engagement into marriage. Secondary characters played an important part in the story from the local drunk to the sheriff’s assistant. Even the goat and horse affected the story.
The suspense thread was well done and made me feel like I was in the wild west. It helped bring the community together and allowed Gray to grow.
Fans of banter, arrangements, the wild west and transformations will want to grab Hitched to the Gunslinger. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
July 3, 2021
Its been awhile I read a western, but this one I actually enjoyed! I loved the flow and pace of the story with all of the action scenes that took place. The main couple Gray and Mercy's chemistry/relationship was fun to watch.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 27, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy for review...I think?
I stopped at twenty percent in, this just didn't work for me.
First off, the prose is wonky. Terms like killin' and ol' and MOSEYING are used in the generic all-knowing narration, terms better suited to verbal dialogue. It was jarring to see on the page like that, though I suppose for others it reads as charming or something.
The main character threatens his horse with the glue factory a couple pages in, a line that was distasteful at best to me. I found him entirely unlikeable as a character, in fact, not a good sign for a romance.
But the main concern for me was the sheer stupidity with which the female protagonist approaches guns. In the short chunk that I read, guns are discharged for stupid reasons or attempts at humorous moments, and it was just not for me. The dedication area mentions trigger - literally - warnings for gunfire and shoot-outs, but not flat-out irresponsible use of firearms.
In short, I have read excellent westerns written with woke ideals by modern writers that didn't sacrifice common sense or tasteful prose in search of a "wild west ambience", so I'll just re-read those. Two stars.
I stopped at twenty percent in, this just didn't work for me.
First off, the prose is wonky. Terms like killin' and ol' and MOSEYING are used in the generic all-knowing narration, terms better suited to verbal dialogue. It was jarring to see on the page like that, though I suppose for others it reads as charming or something.
The main character threatens his horse with the glue factory a couple pages in, a line that was distasteful at best to me. I found him entirely unlikeable as a character, in fact, not a good sign for a romance.
But the main concern for me was the sheer stupidity with which the female protagonist approaches guns. In the short chunk that I read, guns are discharged for stupid reasons or attempts at humorous moments, and it was just not for me. The dedication area mentions trigger - literally - warnings for gunfire and shoot-outs, but not flat-out irresponsible use of firearms.
In short, I have read excellent westerns written with woke ideals by modern writers that didn't sacrifice common sense or tasteful prose in search of a "wild west ambience", so I'll just re-read those. Two stars.
August 24, 2021
It has been a little bit since I have read a historical fiction romance like this. I used to read them all the time. So, glad that the first book I started with to get back into this genre was this book. So much fun and a quick read.
I have been a fan of westerns and gunslingers. Gray may be a feared for his reputation but underneath that tough exterior is a heart of gold. He is who I would want to have my back. Yet, Gray is not the only one in this book. Not to be missed is Mercy. She is a feisty, independent woman that stand toe to toe against Gray. Hitched to the Gunslinger is a rooting tooting good time!
Warning: You will find yourself laughing and smiling while reading this book.
I have been a fan of westerns and gunslingers. Gray may be a feared for his reputation but underneath that tough exterior is a heart of gold. He is who I would want to have my back. Yet, Gray is not the only one in this book. Not to be missed is Mercy. She is a feisty, independent woman that stand toe to toe against Gray. Hitched to the Gunslinger is a rooting tooting good time!
Warning: You will find yourself laughing and smiling while reading this book.
August 26, 2021
I loved this story! Poor Quick Shot Gray Woodson just wants to retire his guns, kick his feet up and sleep on the front porch. Mercy Douglas needs a fake fiance to scare off the man trying to steal her ranch out from under her after her father dies. Seems like a match made in heaven ... or not. Prepare to laugh and be charmed by all the colorful side characters and Gray's ironic sense of humor. Mercy might have been a bit difficult to like all the time, but all in all, it was a cute and entertaining story. For those who love funny, witty, historical westerns, this is definitely a must-read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for a copy of this book for review. These are entirely my own opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for a copy of this book for review. These are entirely my own opinions.
April 28, 2022
This romance was really funny from time to time, and even if the plot was not so rich, I enjoyed it.
Questo romance é stato a tratti molto divertente, specialmente alcuni scambi di battute tra i due protagonisti, quindi, nonostante la trama fosse piuttosto basic, mi é piaciuto.
Questo romance é stato a tratti molto divertente, specialmente alcuni scambi di battute tra i due protagonisti, quindi, nonostante la trama fosse piuttosto basic, mi é piaciuto.
July 4, 2021
"Well, what the hell was he supposed to do now? He'd only wanted his horse. Now he had a fiancée?"
Such a fun read! Historical romances are a genre I love, but somehow I read way too little of them, even though I know I will end up having a great time every single time I read one of them.
"Hitched to the gunslinger" is a sweet and funny historical romance taking place in a odd town in the old west with characters who all have somewhat quirky and charming personalities that will capture your interest immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I had a smile on my face the whole time. Our main characters, Mercy and Gray, are two stubborn souls who finds themselves in a marriage that is fake at the beginning, but along the way they grow fond of each other. The reason why they pretended to be fake engaged is a threat against Mercy's apple farm and it's also the reason why the story keep you on your toes (and yes, despite that it is kinda a widely known fact that most romance books end with a HEA, you still feel the suspense).
I loved how different the characters were and how the whole town got invested in everyone's business. That's the main reason why I loved reading small town romances, it is both a good and bad thing that everyone knows everyone and everything, but it is sure very entertaining to read about. Especially when the MC is a infamous gunfighter who turns out to love food and naps more than anything. I mean, who could not love him? Mercy is as stubborn as Gray is and their bantering/arguing was a delight to follow.
To sum it all up, this was a lighthearted and funny book with characters that stood out from the usual crowd the historical romances consist of and you will definitely not regret picking this up if you are after a easy read that will brighten up a few hours of your day when you read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Such a fun read! Historical romances are a genre I love, but somehow I read way too little of them, even though I know I will end up having a great time every single time I read one of them.
"Hitched to the gunslinger" is a sweet and funny historical romance taking place in a odd town in the old west with characters who all have somewhat quirky and charming personalities that will capture your interest immediately. I read the book in one sitting and I had a smile on my face the whole time. Our main characters, Mercy and Gray, are two stubborn souls who finds themselves in a marriage that is fake at the beginning, but along the way they grow fond of each other. The reason why they pretended to be fake engaged is a threat against Mercy's apple farm and it's also the reason why the story keep you on your toes (and yes, despite that it is kinda a widely known fact that most romance books end with a HEA, you still feel the suspense).
I loved how different the characters were and how the whole town got invested in everyone's business. That's the main reason why I loved reading small town romances, it is both a good and bad thing that everyone knows everyone and everything, but it is sure very entertaining to read about. Especially when the MC is a infamous gunfighter who turns out to love food and naps more than anything. I mean, who could not love him? Mercy is as stubborn as Gray is and their bantering/arguing was a delight to follow.
To sum it all up, this was a lighthearted and funny book with characters that stood out from the usual crowd the historical romances consist of and you will definitely not regret picking this up if you are after a easy read that will brighten up a few hours of your day when you read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 13, 2021
꧁ 3 stars ꧂
i read and annotated this book as a joke gift for my friend, so i wasn't very serious about reading nor understanding anything, which is why i'm putting it at 3 stars. and generally, historical romance books aren't my cup of tea, so i wasn't that interested to begin with.
i found gray to be underwhelming and mercy just oozed not-like-other-girls energy. the concept is, strangers to fake marriage to real marriage, and that's exactly what you get from the book. it's not outstandingly funny, but the plot isn't horrendously bad either. i skipped most of the middle because i couldn't care less about midwestern town drama, but there's 3 spicy scenes if y'all are here for that.
disclaimer: sent by publisher, all opinions are my own.
꧁ find me at my socials ꧂
insta | tiktok | youtube | twitter | blog
i read and annotated this book as a joke gift for my friend, so i wasn't very serious about reading nor understanding anything, which is why i'm putting it at 3 stars. and generally, historical romance books aren't my cup of tea, so i wasn't that interested to begin with.
i found gray to be underwhelming and mercy just oozed not-like-other-girls energy. the concept is, strangers to fake marriage to real marriage, and that's exactly what you get from the book. it's not outstandingly funny, but the plot isn't horrendously bad either. i skipped most of the middle because i couldn't care less about midwestern town drama, but there's 3 spicy scenes if y'all are here for that.
disclaimer: sent by publisher, all opinions are my own.
꧁ find me at my socials ꧂
insta | tiktok | youtube | twitter | blog
April 3, 2022
This was the first Wild West historical romance I’ve read and I have to give props to the author for some laugh out loud moments in this book.
Gray just wants to settle down and retire from being a gunslinger. But between his stubborn nag of a horse and this even more stubborn woman he’s been looped into helping, retirement isn’t coming easy.
Mercy is in danger of having her land taken from her by her greedy neighbor who needs her water access. So when Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson surprisingly shows up, she decides to get help where she can and proclaims he’s her fiancé. And even more surprising, he agrees to stay.
Gray is a lazy, napping, old gunslinger and Mercy is a stubborn spitfire who doesn’t take any of his mess. There’s some lol moments and lots of angst between these two in the beginning that I was really enjoying. For me the book took a turn into more whodunnit, gunslinging, shoot out book and less of a developing romance. I wanted more out of the chemistry and romance out of these two. It was like a flip switched out of no where when they decided to love each other and I was kind of fumbling to catch up with them.
I’ll still be checking out more from this author.
Gray just wants to settle down and retire from being a gunslinger. But between his stubborn nag of a horse and this even more stubborn woman he’s been looped into helping, retirement isn’t coming easy.
Mercy is in danger of having her land taken from her by her greedy neighbor who needs her water access. So when Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson surprisingly shows up, she decides to get help where she can and proclaims he’s her fiancé. And even more surprising, he agrees to stay.
Gray is a lazy, napping, old gunslinger and Mercy is a stubborn spitfire who doesn’t take any of his mess. There’s some lol moments and lots of angst between these two in the beginning that I was really enjoying. For me the book took a turn into more whodunnit, gunslinging, shoot out book and less of a developing romance. I wanted more out of the chemistry and romance out of these two. It was like a flip switched out of no where when they decided to love each other and I was kind of fumbling to catch up with them.
I’ll still be checking out more from this author.
July 31, 2021
This was my first Western romance and I had no idea what to expect when I started reading. I loved how the characters were so far from perfect and how they didn't have the typical good looks or charm that I see in most romances. Mercy was by far my favorite character. I love a good strong-willed female character that can and will do anything on her own. Her humor and quick wit made her different and complimented Gray very well. The conflict was pretty good and stayed constant throughout the whole book. I found it interesting that the author let Gray lose his focus when he was around Mercy. It showed that even though he is the best, he is still human and can forget about the danger he's in. Westerns aren't normally my go to books, I don't really see the appeal of cowboys and shoot outs, but this book offered more than just a gunslinger story set in the West. This story had character growth and characters that cared about each other.
January 4, 2022
Having read many historical romances by this author, I could not wait to see how this story set in the west would turn out. I can only say it was fantastic! Historical westerns have become one of my favorites. Growing up watching westerns kind of instills that into the soul!
A gunslinger who is trying to retire and lay low, finds himself in a small town. But before he can sit back, he is thrown into the middle of an altercation between a fiesty woman and some not so nice guys!
She is trying to defend her land and claims him as her "fiance". Yes that pretend goes into real before long!
Laugh out loud moments, witty banter, wonderful town with quirky characters and an attraction that just sparks makes this a great start to this new series!!
A gunslinger who is trying to retire and lay low, finds himself in a small town. But before he can sit back, he is thrown into the middle of an altercation between a fiesty woman and some not so nice guys!
She is trying to defend her land and claims him as her "fiance". Yes that pretend goes into real before long!
Laugh out loud moments, witty banter, wonderful town with quirky characters and an attraction that just sparks makes this a great start to this new series!!
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