The Prospector's Only Prospect

by Dani Collins

After eight days in a cramped stagecoach, divorcée Marigold Davis already regrets her decision to come to Denver City to marry. She certainly didn’t realize she’d signed up for mosquitoes, mud, and scores of rough men eyeing her like a hot meal on a cold day. But with her life in Kansas all but incinerated, Marigold needs a husband. Even if she’s not the bride that gold prospector Virgil Gardner is expecting…

Virgil Gardner has a reputation as a grumpy hard-ass, and he’s fine with it. He’s also no fool—this is not the woman he agreed to marry. It takes a tough-as-nails woman to survive the harshness of a Rocky Mountain gold claim, and this whiskey-eyed, gentle beauty is certainly not the type. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly she’ll quit so he can find a wife who will stick. Someone who can care for the only thing he values even more than gold–his children.

But Marigold isn’t about to give in. Cramped in a one-room shack. Berry picking turned into a bear escape. Or cooking for an entire crew of bottomless pits. She’s got more grit than most. And just when Virgil starts to realize his replacement bride might be the treasure he’s been looking for, an unannounced guest arrives…to change everything.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Westerns, Historical, Historical Fiction, Slow Burn, Marriage Of Convenience

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat, just like real life.

Mostly she writes contemporary romance, but she has also writes Historical Western, erotic romance, and romcom.

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Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Dirty Western Stars!
Good western historical romances are hard to find. Good western historical romances with sex in them are even harder to find. This was a very good western romance with sex in it so I’m bumping it to five stars. Also I found this western to deliver on everything I expect from the genre and yet was also quite an original take on it at the same time. But oh my god I wanted to slap this hero several times during this book, he made up for his idiocy with a good public grovel and declaration, but holy hell he had his head up his ass for most of the book.
I am going to wax more poetically about this later on, but if I don’t get to it for awhile, I’ll just summarize: this was good, it was angsty, it had heart and grit and I couldn’t put it down. Marigold was vulnerable and strong and sassy, just how I like my historical heroines. Virgil was a taciturn hero who has lived through a lot of hurt and had trouble expressing his man feelings but at his core he was sweet as molasses. A slow burn love story that had great build up, awesome side characters and the cutest children, my gawd the baby was adorable. It also had some humour, some heartbreaking moments, two tragic backstories and more drama than I care for, usually (that’s a lie I tell myself, then keep giving five stars to very drama filled books 🤫 ).
I recommend this to those fans of historical, angsty reads with heroes who know how to keep it in their pants and heroines who don’t take any guff.

[Hannah B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that was one of the most pointless, useless, senseless third act breakups I’ve ever read. It completely ruined the book. Absolutely can’t come back from that. They’d already had a fight that lasted a while AND MADE SENSE why add more??? In literally the stupidest way possible? Five stars down to three. The sex was good but man I’m so pissed.

**Spoilers below**

I thought I could leave this as a short review but you know what fuck that because if you claim to love someone and then immediately offer him up to marry your sister just because she came into town on a misunderstanding and thought he was available, when he doesn’t even KNOW HER besides a few measly letters exchanged before you even met, then no actually I don’t think you love him all that much. Self sacrifice is forever and always ruining good things and dishonoring my cow.

**

You may say oh Hannah can you get over it it was like 7% of the book? And I say dishonor on YOUR cow because it turned it from a book I wanted to reread to a book I never need to touch again. I don’t mind third act breakups when they make sense but my god we’ve all suffered enough just let them live.

Idk I understand why everybody loves this book because I was one of them for 90%, but I just can’t in good faith recommend a book with an ending like that. I take things very personally I guess so I doubt you’ll be as mad as I am 💁‍♀️

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5


Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a western historical for so long and as I am a big fan of Dani Collins I was drawn towards her new book and I thoroughly enjoyed being taken back to the days of the old west, meeting Virgil Gardner and Marigold Davis was a delight the story is witty, sensual and filled with so many emotions as they work an uphill battle, with a cast of wonderful characters to find their HEA.

Virgil Gardner is in Denver City needs a mother for his three children, he is part of a company that prospects for gold, not an easy life and he is known to be grumpy, bad tempered and cantankerous, but needs must and he advertised for a mail order bride, when Pearl answers his advertisement he sends the money for her trip, but the woman who gets of the stage coach is not Pearl.

Marigold is divorced and living in Kansas is getting harder for her because of her reputation, but when her younger sister agrees to be a mail order bride Marigold steps in and decides that she will go, but eight days on a stagecoach is not what she had hoped the trip would be neither was the mosquitoes, the mud or the rough and tumble men.

Their first meeting does not go well at all, the sparks fly in many different ways but Virgil takes Marigold back to the camp where he does not think she will last but after a couple of weeks and a meeting with a bear, a bad haircut and the fact that the men love her and his kids do as well then maybe it might, then maybe it won’t when someone else arrives.

This one had me turning the pages, laughing and cheering Marigold on, she is one strong feisty heroine even after all she has been through and Virgil so untrusting but the pull between them cannot be denied for long they fight themselves long and hard to keep their hearts closed off, but love will win through. I do highly recommend this one, it has a bit of everything in it.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

[Sherwood Smith]

The cover is totally ridiculous, and I hope it doesn't drive away readers. I don't usually read western romance, but the mail order bride trope has been a draw ever since I read a collection of actual memoirs of mail order brides some fifty years ago.

I'm so glad I opted for this one, which is set in Denver City, the Territory of Kansas in 1859. It's an important date to note, because of the political ructions Kansas was going through with respect to statehood, and what it meant to the rest of the young nation.

Our heroine is Marigold, whose sister Pearl actually was the mail order bride. Marigold, divorced and flat broke and totally disgraced, needs a fresh start. She comes to a town that seems to be made mainly of mud and mess, to marry grumpy Virgil Gardner, who needs a wife to take over his household and deal with his three kids while he tries desperately to get his new mining company going.

Of course you know they are going to have the hots for each other, but are fighting it. This is a romance. But given that predictable substrate, what you get here is a range of delightful characters, and a sure touch with period detail, after what seems to be impressive research. The book just kept getting better when Pearl shows up...

I loved the vivid descriptions, the characters, the brisk pacing, and above all the humor.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a western historical romance overflowing with funny banter and plenty of swooning, pick this up!!! An endearing, spicy, mail-order bride trope.

It’s set in Denver City, the Territory of Kansas in 1859, with a feisty heroine, Marigold (she’s replaced her sister Pearl—the intended mail-order bride), who is to be the grumpy hero Virgil Gardner’s new bride. After an 8-hour stagecoach ride from Topeka, upon meeting Virgil, Marigold lets it be known that she will be a caretaker for his three children.. but that she wants no part of marriage. She’d been there before.. got burned, her reputation ruined. Virgil is completely caught off guard by the change-up in brides, but needing someone desperately as a mother figure for his kids agrees to this new arrangement.. or at least until she figures out the harsh life of gold prospecting is too much for her.. and he then can finally find a bride and marry (which is what he intended in the first place).

I loved Marigold.. that she fell head over heels for the children and protected them with her life (against a bear!) The same goes for Virgil who’s actually a sweet teddy bear underneath all the mean facade he puts out to everyone. The best parts.. their BANTER IS HILARIOUS(!!!), their SECRET SWOONING for each other, and I ADORED Virgil’s growth as a father.. all had my HEART MELTING. Everyone around them could see the two were perfect for each other, and I couldn’t agree more. I also enjoyed the excellent descriptives of the beautiful, but dangerous ‘n wild frontier setting. So good! ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 3/28/23

Much thanks to Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just never fully came around on Virgil (the male main character) tbh. I didn’t dislike him, I just was not convinced.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this historical romance! It’s interesting and immersive, and it has unique and layered characters, especially Marigold and Virgil. The story is told from both of their perspectives, which really gives you a deeper look at their points of view. They have the best romance, and the book includes some of my favorite tropes

Set in Denver City in 1859, the story examines issues that were prevalent at the time, like voting rights, the rights of women, and the struggles of the gold mining industry, and shows how these issues affect different characters. Marigold, for example, is vilified because of her divorced status. She and others have fewer rights than many men. The author did a fantastic job of weaving history into the story, bringing the setting and characters to life.

Marigold is a divorcee tired of the stigma and shame that follows her. She is such a great character – strong, outspoken, and someone who tries to make the best out of a bad situation. Marigold is much stronger than she gives herself credit for, especially considering everything she faced in her divorce and in this book. From living in an unfinished cabin to fending off bears to taking care of three impetuous children and a cantankerous man, Marigold has her hands full.

Marigold’s failed marriage, divorce, and the aftermath deeply wounded her, much like Virgil’s marriage wounded him. His past explains so much about the man he is, and my heart broke for him so many times. Both characters have interesting and heartbreaking backstories, and both struggle to trust and love again. Plus, Virgil isn’t very vocal, and his expressions are often unreadable, so it’s difficult to know how he really feels. Luckily, Marigold breaks down his walls. The longer Marigold is with Virgil and his children, the more he opens up. I like how he slowly becomes more demonstrative and vulnerable. He falls in love not just with Marigold but with his children too.

And their romance! It’s so angsty and filled with sexual tension and longing, and I loved every second of it. Marigold and Virgil are such an unlikely pair, and after their not so meet cute, a romance between them seemed unlikely. However, everyone can see how these two feel about each other except themselves. It’s pretty comical how some of the other miners tease and torment Virgil. Their relationship has a ton of obstacles, but Marigold and Virgil are so great together. They have AMAZING chemistry, and I love the grumpy/sunshine vibes!

There is one character who appears later in the story, and as eager as I was to learn more about the person, she was so selfish. I have a feeling she’ll be the focus of the next book, and I’m dying to see a little groveling or redemption for how she treated a certain someone. And I adore the children. They bring a bit of lightness, happiness, and chaos to the story which is delightful. Virgil had an awkward and kind of strained relationship with his children, but again, Marigold’s influence was just what they needed. She is so kind and thoughtful, and she becomes the matriarch of this family and the entire mining community.

Speaking of community, what a fabulous found family Marigold finds! I adored the secondary characters, all of whom welcome Marigold into their fold. They are fun and generous and funny, and the ease they have with each other shows how close they are. They are a village, and it is so different from the world Marigold is from, where she learned a lot about being shunned, isolated, and abandoned. Here, she finds the community she never had but always longed for.

This was a wonderful historical romance, and I’m hoping this is a series so I can revisit these amazing characters and see who will find love next! Special thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this book other than it was a historical romance. The cowboy hat should have probably given it away, but I didn't realize that this was about the Old West. I am almost positive that this was the first historical romance book I have read set in this time period, and I can now tell you that it will not be my last.

This book was such a fun and enjoyable read! I loved Marigold and Virgil's characters so much! Even when they did something that I didn't agree with *cough cough Virgil cough cough* But I loved that Marigold was such a kind and caring character, and she had such a great outlook on life even though she had a rough time with her divorce. And Virgil was your typical grumpy father, but only wanted what was best for the people he cared about.

Onto the plot! Virgil needs a mother for his children, so he agrees to marry someone. However, the bride he agreed to marry wasn't the one who showed up. Instead, Marigold comes in her sister's place. While they fight off the attraction they have for each other, they learn to live together for his children.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I don't believe I've ever read a mail order bride book before, so that was very interesting for me. I loved that the author threw in some unexpected surprises throughout, and found the story very enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book, even if it's not something you would typically read. I found the writing to be very enjoyable and easy to read. It kept me engaged, and I laughed out loud on several occasions. I'm excited to read more by this author, and I'll be hoping for this one to be turned into a series!

[Nabilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable. RTC.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

My first book by this author and within the first couple of pages I was enjoying the assured, polished writing style. The characters were established early and the story moved right along. I was thinking this might even be a 5-star read, in spite of the hero’s propensity to jump to the worst possible conclusions to an annoying extent. Marigold, I thought, was steady enough to handle his insecurities and trust issues.

I thought wrong. At the 90% mark, the author wrecked my faith by having Marigold act so stupidly it defied my power to suspend disbelief and yanked me out of the story.

***spoiler***

What woman in her right mind, minutes before marrying the man she loves, decides to hand him over to her sister without a fight, without a discussion with the man she intends to marry, and without thinking of the three children who love her and are depending on her to return to be their mother? Hells bells, maybe he would be better off with the sister!

What was the author thinking? When you’ve spent an entire book building a relationship between two damaged people with trust issues, why pull this kind of phony stunt at the very end? Sheesh.

[Lori ◡̈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this was going to be a 5-star Keeper book for me, but the ridiculous bit of drama right before the end ruined it for me. I was soooo pissed at the heroine. I guess the hero too, but really her stubbornness was beyond silly.

What I loved about this book? It’s a steamy hot western historical romance, yay!!! It is so hard to find any western romance books that are not sweet, clean and preachy! This new-to-me author was top notch at writing amazing explosive chemistry whenever the hero and heroine got within 2 feet of each other. I actually think the make-out sessions were more spicy and explosive than the scene where they finally consummate the relationship.

Somehow this author was able to write the hero talking dirty talk without it feeling porny or awkward, which is amazing as most authors seem to try too hard and it always comes across as embarrassing and pathetic.

This hero also cussed quite a bit, which didn’t bother me, it actually felt authentic. I imagine dirty, rough and tough gold miners and cowboys did curse back in the day (as opposed to reading from the Bible on their coffee breaks, or whatever else fluffy stuff makes up the sweet and clean westerns). So it came across as a believable, sexy, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read.

If there was anything to nit pick on, I normally don’t like the feminist, suffragist-type heroines. They always come across as bitchy and cold in books. But it worked here, this heroine had more of a suffragist background but wasn’t actually involved with the movement during the story.

Definitely going to check out more books by this author, hopefully she continues with this western series!

[Jessica Grogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reviewed this title for Fresh Fiction. My review can be found at the following link: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...

[Jessica Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed this title for Fresh Fiction. My review can be found at the following link: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am, by nature, a cautious reader…I’m reluctant to try new authors, new foods, new settings, I like the tried and true. I’m cautious about beloved authors who migrate to new genres (please come back, Sarah Morgan and Molly O’Keefe), while I’d never begrudge a writer trying on new wings. So it was with a shaky heart I noted one of my favourite HP writers wrote a historical romance; “at least it’s still a romance,” I thought self-soothingly. And yet, I was delighted to realize I didn’t miss Collins HP because I was sucked in by The Prospector’s Only Prospect (not sure about the title, though), stayed up too late reading, spent the day half-into my responsibilities half-with-an-eye on the clock “When can I read my book again?”

To get us started and evidence how un-HP-like Collins has ventured, I offer you the blurbish bits:

After eight days in a cramped stagecoach, divorcée Marigold Davis already regrets her decision to come to Denver City to marry. She certainly didn’t realize she’d signed up for mosquitoes, mud, and scores of rough men eyeing her like a hot meal on a cold day. But with her life in Kansas all but incinerated, Marigold needs a husband. Even if she’s not the bride that gold prospector Virgil Gardner is expecting…

Virgil Gardner has a reputation as a grumpy hard-ass, and he’s fine with it. He’s also no fool—this is not the woman he agreed to marry. It takes a tough-as-nails woman to survive the harshness of a Rocky Mountain gold claim, and this whiskey-eyed, gentle beauty is certainly not the type. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly she’ll quit so he can find a wife who will stick. Someone who can care for the only thing he values even more than gold–his children.

But Marigold isn’t about to give in. Cramped in a one-room shack. Berry picking turned into a bear escape. Or cooking for an entire crew of bottomless pits. She’s got more grit than most. And just when Virgil starts to realize his replacement bride might be the treasure he’s been looking for, an unannounced guest arrives…to change everything.

Thinking about how Collins captures and captivates me with her HPs, I wanted to understand what it is she does, having the same I-wanna-read-nonstop experience with The Prospector’s Only Prospect. Collins surprises me: where I think I’m going to get conventional, I am delightfully surprised, where I think it’ll be tried-and-true, I’m challenged with her ability to take the genre on twists and turns and still give me the full romance yarn I love to read. In The Prospector’s Only Prospect, Collins captures the harshness, roughness, and deprivations of the gold-prospecting life. I loved the rough little historical details she gives us about 1870s Denver City. I learned about the debate between territory or state and she doesn’t shirk on how difficult life was, the sheer bareness of it, the lack of stuff. For example, heroine Marigold has a precious comb which she hangs on a peg, the cabin has a dirt floor, and to cook a meal…bake bread, make the family’s clothes, time-consuming and arduous.

The Prospector’s Only Prospect is rich in atmosphere and setting, secondary characters, and charming plot moppets, but the romance between Marigold and Virgil makes the novel. It’s complex, beautifully developped, and moving. I loved how Collins made Virgil and Marigold tough on the outside and soft and vulnerable on the inside. Marigold’s background and inner life are revealed before we get to know Virgil’s, which is no less heart-breaking. Marigold arrives in Denver City, leaving her sister and uncle behind, after hours of being sick on the train, and plain-old sad as she thinks: “She’d had nowhere to stay there, though. No place that was safe. No place that wanted her. It was the story of her life to hear the words. You can’t stay here.” Marigold and sister Pearl were orphaned, brought up by an uncle. Marigold thought she found someone to love and family to make with her husband Ben, but he was a cheating blackguard and humiliated her in divorce court.

Collins doesn’t mince words about what happens to a divorced woman: shamed and condemned. When Marigold sees that her sister may have a chance at happiness and without place or means of her own, she takes Pearl’s place as Virgil’s mail-order bride. I was happy Marigold was forthcoming and I didn’t have to endure a secret identity plot. This is what I mean about Collins surprising me: what I think will be conventional is not.

Marigold and Virgil set off for the cabin; they are snappish and annoyed: a sheer delight: ” ‘Keep up,’ he ordered. ‘My feet hurt.’ Her hands were in fists as she stalked across. When she got close enough, he saw her eyes were shiny with frustration. ‘These shoes are too small and your legs are too long.’ ‘My legs are exactly as long as they need to be to get me where I want to go.’ ” And then, Marigold’s first sight of the cabin: “Marigold made a noise like someone had knifed her. Okay, it was a shack. It was the best he had been able to throw together given the children had turned up with the spring melt.” Many nuggets of delight, but nothing matches Marigold giving Virgil a much-needed hair-cut: ” ‘It’s fine,’ she insisted but looked as if she needed to pee. ‘Maybe if these were sharper?’ She snipped the air twice. ‘You’re not paying for it,’ she reminded him. ‘Jesus Christ.’ He rose and went to the window, shifted to glimpse his reflection in the glass. ‘I look like a half-peeled potato!’ She bit her lips, showing no contrition at all. ‘I’ll get better now that I know what not do.’ “

Through the hardship and nature’s harshness, Marigold and Virgil are funny and tender. Their sharp banter only more beautifully develops their suitability. Their vulnerabilities: Marigold’s divorce leaving her with the constant doubt she doesn’t belong and Virgil’s origins as the illegitimate son of an indentured servant-mother with the constant thought he isn’t good enough make the bringing together of two smart, worthy, sexy, loving people a wonderful romance. Virgil and Marigold are not sentimental and their exchanges are the back-and-forth of straight-man Virgil and comic Marigold. Yet, their words, to our entertainment, belie how they care for and about each other. They bolster each other up and they validate each other where they’ve never been validated before.

I’ll still read any HP Collins writes (and my HP reading has trickled down to one or two authors), but darn it, I’m emerging from my cautious cocoon to say, with Miss Austen, Collins has penned a moving, tender, funny, beautiful historical romance that has “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma.

Dani Collins’s The Prospector’s Only Prospect is published by Entangled Publishing. I received an e-ARC from Entangled, via Netgalley. This doesn’t not impede the free and honest expression of my opinion.

[♥ℳelody · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Now Marigold understood she and women like her were birds that flew into a window, believing the mirrored reflection they were shown, blind to the very real barrier until it knocked them flat.

This easily would have been a 4 star or even higher for me if the constant misunderstandings in questioning the heroine's integrity and the 3rd act nonsense didn't get in the way. Dani Collins is such a great writer. Honestly that impressed me the most. Her attention to detail in atmosphere, world building and just characterizations overall was fantastic and so fun. I could picture everything so clearly down to every crumb and wrinkle. The humor is also hilariously good and quick, if a bit crude in some parts. It just feels so fresh, honest and smart. The hero and heroine snarking at each other was a highlight. Quite a few moments that had me rolling. If Dani Collins writes more I will definitely read it. She has a fan in me if this was anything to go by.

This was my first historical that takes place during the Gold Rush trail in America. The widowed hero Virgil Gardner is a Prospector who runs a mining company in Qual's Creek where him and his employees mine for gold and he's looking for a wife to keep house and be a mother to his 3 kids Levi, Nettie and little Harley. He's a hard working man who is blunt, doesn't suffer fools and has the temperament of a bear. He puts an ad out for a wife and is expecting a young bride named Pearl Martin after corresponding through letters with her. Instead her older sister Marigold Davis shows up offering herself up as a replacement. She has no place to go and running away from the fallout of an ugly divorce scandal that sullied her reputation very publicly. She was branded an adulterer by her awful ex-husband who cheated on her and managed to take her house too. Because of this Virgil hires her on as a nanny for his kids instead. I just adored the heroine so much. She keeps getting a bad hand dealt to her but tries her best and is so resilient and emotionally intelligent. She's smart, sassy, funny, witty and quick on her feet and has a big heart. She's honest but speaks her mind and just wants a home of her own and security. The hero doesn't trust her from the start because she's a divorcee who was labeled a cheater (even though she's innocent) so it doesn't sit well with him. I gave him some leeway at first since his dead wife cheated on him and had a baby with another man while Virgil was out in California working to send money home, a biracial baby he's now raising as his own. Honestly if this character didn't frustrate me so much in how he behaved towards the heroine his bond with little Harley and how protective he is of that baby melts your heart. But that mistrust keeps rearing its ugly head through the whole book and I just wanted to throttle him and sock him in the balls. It made no sense the longer it continued because she's literally taking care of his kids and taking care of his home. I mean come on dude. I loved that all the men rallied around her and kept giving her gifts and helping her along. That was adorable. Seeing a jealous hero watch other men trying to court her didn't hurt either. She really makes that place her home and it was great to see.

The lifestyle in Kansas territory is rough and brutal with very very humble living conditions. All the men live in tents except for Virgil's family where the five of them literally live in a hovel shack that's not even finished completely which our dear hero wasn't very honest about in those letters of his. Just want to point that out since he was so high and mighty about *honesty*. Hmmph. Marigold toughs it out and makes the best of things with zero complaints and even comes up with clever ways to create dolls for the kids and clothes and bedding so yes I felt super protective of this character. That whole drama over Virgil's missing lucky golden nugget and thinking she stole it was so stupid and offensive if the end result wasn't so hilarious and deserving. It involved a toddler, poop and a chamber pot getting thrown at the idiot hero. But if that wasn't enough silliness, to make matters worse as the final act of conflict the "pretty" younger sister Pearl shows up in the end thinking Virgil's offer for marriage to her through letters still stands and throws a tantrum when she finds out he was about to marry Marigold. I hated this selfish twat of a character so much. We literally have a switcheroo Wife Swap moment where Marigold gives her sister a chance to play house with Virgil and the kids since Pearl technically had "first dibs" on him and Marigold "owes" her and no I'm not kidding. She gives up her happiness with the man and kids she loves so her sister can take her place and the hero lets her walk away after she lies to him about not loving him. At this point I nearly threw my kindle out the window. I love angst but not this kind near the end of the damn book and at the expense of the heroine's own happiness she worked so hard for. I have no idea why the author thought this was a great idea in the last 20 pages of her story but it just killed things for me. To be fair, I normally love high angsty situations like this but if it plays out earlier and if the hero wasn't acting like a distrusting jerk for so long. Those poor kids bonded and loved Marigold like a mother and their reaction to finding out they were finally going to have a mother in Marigold was so heartwarming and sweet so it was so hard to see her sister try to take her place and the hero trying to go along with it. WHERE IS YOUR AGENCY SIR? His own insecurities of feeling unwanted since he himself is an illegitimate child from rape is a big part of his distrust and feeling unworthy but even so.....I needed him to step up. This wife swap misery only lasts 3 days but it just was too much, too far and so ridiculous. It made it hard for me to believe the hero loved the heroine given how he continuously didn't believe her and distrusted her. This was a good book in the sense that the writing is fantastic and the overall characters are engaging and so endearing, Levi, Nettie and little Harley were adorable and a hoot. But the hero Virgil is a fucking idiot and the heroine is an angel who deserved better if you ask me.

“Take the shortest road to Hades, sir. And take that nugget with you.”

[Fedythereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so so much to the author and the publisher, Entangled Publishing Amara, for sharing an ARC of this book with me!!

“Goodnight, hard-ass” … “Goodnight, lady”

“I don’t like to hear that he hurt you so bad he nearly broke you. Makes me want to crack his skull in”

I’m so in love with every book this imprint produces!!!! This one was just … my heart was overwhelmed with love and tenderness !!!! A forced proximity with an arranged marriage between a widower and a divorced woman who’s supposed to take care of his three children. They are too much alike, with constant banter and witty remarks they will have your heart soar and those babies … they have my entire year !!! When you put children in the mix I just instantly melt !!! On the spot !!! Marigold and Virgil are not common at all, and definitely what they expected but somehow exactly what they turned out needing !!!
Add a grumpy sunshine dynamic and a sexual tension to cut the air and you have this amazing and so enjoyable romance book !!!
Plus the discussion about what it means to be a “fallen woman” and the mention of suffragettes for that time … historical fiction to its finest !!!!
I so can’t wait for this to be out !!!

“Since when have I been able to ignore you?”

“Have I mentioned lately what a pain in the ass you are?”

"You lied when you said we didn't love each other. You cheated me out of three days of marriage we could have already had. And you've stolen my heart."

[Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.
The FMC has had it tough. she's had a reputation destroyed by her cheating ex-husband, their family home burned down attack because of the families forward thinking political beliefs and now she's ended up in this rough and tumble town.
She's a really lovely character a nice balance of having her own views and perspectives but being sweet and kind while trying to protect herself from a world that keeps repressing her.
Actually cried for her when things were looking up and then she felt betrayed all over again.
I know some people don't like the surprise guests and break up at almost the end but I didn't mind it. It just gave more substance to her character. You really feel her aloneness in a couple of instances.
The MMC character had undergone betrayal somewhere to hers. he's spot and worked hard for everything his whole life especially due to the start he had growing up. He does some pretty good gravel at the end, and the chemistry and steaminess growing between them is perfect.
I'm going to look into other books by this author.

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 58%.

Virgil is an idiot for not wanting to marry Marigold and not locking her down as soon as he realized she was truthful and wonderful.

I cannot stand when there's extramarital sexy times in most historical romances knowing that women didn't have rights and no recourse if the dude ended up being a douche. I cannot enjoy myself.

And then, I read the third act spoiler from reviews and I DEFINITELY am not okay.

[riley ☠︎︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. So cute and I really enjoyed Marigold as a character <3
Although, I hate stupid ass drama near the end but tbh it wasn’t that bad I’m just dramatic.

[Brinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I never expected the Gold Rush to be a time I would enjoy reading about, but it appears that I should be. Because I loved this! I've been reading a ton of Victorian-era historical romance recently, so this was super refreshing. I loved being able to change it up.

Like almost every book with found family, I loved it. Watching bonds slowly grow between Harley, Nettie, Levi, and Marigold was so adorable. I'm a sucker for close family bonds, and this book did them all so well. Especially whenever we got to see Virgil be tender with his kids. That was even more adorable.

I also liked how tough and plucky Marigold was. The synopsis made it sound like she really struggled to settle in, but she didn't. Of course, there was a learning curve, but she was determined to make the situation work. And I loved her for that! Life in the camp was no sweet living, but she made herself a full like there.

I'm really not sure if Collins plans to return to this world, but I really want her to. I mean, Pearl is right there. Let's get a Pearl book!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Jocelynereadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prospector's Only Prospect by Dani Collins is everything I did not know I needed! I adore this novel! Collins beautiful crafts a simple and sensual romance that is enriched with delicious and well rounded characters. Collins writing is witty and conversational, it beautifully invokes a new frontier and explores the uncertainty of womanhood. This novel is well paced, romantic, heartwarming and sensual. The plot and characters work hand in hand beautifully laying out a new terrain and situations for our heroine and lovingly building a foundation of family and romance.

This novel is truly character and emotionally driven. Marigold is a fish out of water in this new town, in the role of caregiver, as well as learning who she is after a divorce and what she wants out of life. Marigold is smart, hard working, kind and knows how to stand up for herself. Virgil is in need of a wife to take care of his three children, he has a soft heart and wants the best for his family but he is uncertain of how to express his feelings. Both Marigold and Virgil were previously married and these marriages have shaded who they view the union and the other sex. The chemistry between these two instantly sparks, their banter is delightful, and these two are truly the perfect balance of the other. Collins has a lovely grasp on children and how to use them in this novel. The children are great characters that add a lovely level of caring and growth for both Marigold and Virgil. I love that they both learn from each other through the children, they learn to respect the other because of the way they interact with the children, and they learn to love again because of them. Collins builds the tension between these two through moments of contention, heated touches, and sensual thoughts and attraction. Their physical relationship is sweet and sexy, as they both begin to trust each other with their hearts.

This is the first novel I have read by Dani Collins and it will definitely not be my last! I loved this novel, I loved these characters, and I hope that Collins writes more in this world. I would highly recommend this to any historical romance lover! I am not always draw to an American set historical romance, but this one was just beautiful and had a comforting effect on me!

Thank you to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Dani Collins, and it was delightful! I've always loved historical romance set in the old west, and it's a mail-order bride trope. I haven't read one in years, and I've always enjoyed them.

I really loved Marigold and Virgil together, and the children were a wonderful addition. This book has so many cute and funny moments. It also has plenty of steam.

This book was so much fun, and I will certainly be picking up more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little Prarie romance. I really liked the growth of the male lead as a father as well as the romantic relationship. There are several smutty scenes for readers looking for some spicy reads. I recommend this book to historical romance readers.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1859 and Virgil Gardner is a gold miner in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver. After his wife dies in childbirth back east and his three children are sent to him he needs a bride. Instead of the woman he has been writing her sister Marigold Davis arrives in Denver. Feeling duped they agree she can work off her stagecoach ticket by her caring for the kids and housekeeping. Marigold isn’t a widow but shockingly is a divorcee and a suffragist.

I was expecting cliches but instead got a good close proximity romance. I love that although the living conditions are primitive, all five are sharing a one room cabin, Marigold isn’t a fish out of water. She takes to caring for the children, cooking and even doing extra tasks like writing letters for miners or cutting hair to earn a little extra. She isn’t perfect at everything but she doesn’t complain as she learns about life in the mining camp. Virgil himself is hard working, stubborn and cares for his workers and his children.

I think the author brings more to the story by giving Marigold a background that has toughened her up. She needs protection of a man but really wants a partner. She earns the respect and affection of others in camp almost before Virgil can lower his defenses. Virgil has his own back story that includes years chasing the lure of gold and being away from his wife and kids. It is hard to reconcile that person to the man he is now. I didn’t love the two conflict points that arrive but things resolve quickly. And there is just the right amount of passion between the two. He doesn’t take liberties just because she is a divorcee.

I am new to Dani Collins and happily see she has a large book catalog of books that are available. I’m not sure if she will continue this western series but I would love to read a story about Marigold’s sister Pearl. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC in exchange for a review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro de romance cuqui que vi que recomendaba una nena en el reddir r/romancebooks. Mil veces mejor de lo que parecía por la portada (de libro malillo de romance del año catapún).
Está ambientado en la época de la fiebre del oro en EEUU. No te cambia la vida pero te la entretiene un ratillo, un respiro muy necesitado de la que voy adentrándome en la rueda del tiempo.

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
My first romance by Dani Collins and I really enjoyed it. There was a time when western romance was my jam and this brought back many memories.
This was a mail order bride story that held angst, romance and a HEA! I loved the main characters and found the steamy parts most enjoyable. I highly recommend this one and am definitely reading another by this author.
Thanks Entangled: Amara via NetGalley.

[i_hype_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Western historical romance! Believable, relatable characters. A grumpy vs. sunshine, single dad trope romance I couldn’t put down with chemistry that leapt off the page.
I will definitely be reading more from this author!!!

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Prospector’s Only Prospect is historical romance by Dani Collins.

Marigold Davis traveled eight days by coach to meet Virgil Gardner. Circumstances aren’t what either of them expected, but could be what they wanted.

Good writing and good build up to a great romance. 4 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛏️ The Prospector's Only Prospect 🤑
✒️Dani Collins
https://www.facebook.com/DaniCollinsA...
Release Date 03/28/2023
Publisher Entangled
➪ https://a.co/d/gCtzIDQ

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

After eight days in a cramped stagecoach, divorcée Marigold Davis already regrets her decision to come to Denver City to marry. She certainly didn’t realize she’d signed up for mosquitoes, mud, and scores of rough men eyeing her like a hot meal on a cold day. But with her life in Kansas all but incinerated, Marigold needs a husband. Even if she’s not the bride that gold prospector Virgil Gardner is expecting…

Virgil Gardner has a reputation as a grumpy hard-ass, and he’s fine with it. He’s also no fool—this is not the woman he agreed to marry. It takes a tough-as-nails woman to survive the harshness of a Rocky Mountain gold claim, and this whiskey-eyed, gentle beauty is certainly not the type. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly she’ll quit so he can find a wife who will stick. Someone who can care for the only thing he values even more than gold–his children. 

But Marigold isn’t about to give in. Cramped in a one-room shack. Berry picking turned into a bear escape. Or cooking for an entire crew of bottomless pits. She’s got more grit than most. And just when Virgil starts to realize his replacement bride might be the treasure he’s been looking for, an unannounced guest arrives…to change everything.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Will their wounds of their past always stand between them …

This book was a surprise, a good one.
I was not sure what to expect, but it was much more than I thought.
Sure it is a bit like in the old western comedy movies with John Wayne and cie, with blunt rough men and petulant misses, as they needed to be to survive the era and area.
Marigold has reached her last teetering, it is marriage to a stranger or she might have to accept to board a room at the cathouse. Robbed from everything except her dignity, she will accept any bargain if she can avoid making her reputation a really thing.
Yet here too, she is not really expected, sure she took her sister’s train ticket and thus offers herself in exchange, but once more she is in the way. Until she can prove the opposite.
Virgil needs a mother for his children and the spite-fire who has just landed in front of him is not who he seeks. So he believes. But in a rush, he must do again with what life is throwing at his feet. And who knows, he might be surprised, if he lets her slip inside in skin.

From this meeting ensues an experiment, both are so strung-up, wounded by their past and wary of others, they dance around one a wild waltz, but alas always take two step backwards for one forwards.
The building of their relationship is cute and unnerving with many mishaps and hitches, all the while battling their intense chemistry.
But for a romance, it is also a story about friendship, sisterhood and family. Because Virgil and Marigold would never have been here if not for his children and the men who stand by them.

5 stars for this enjoyable tale of two wounded persons so similar in their prejudices, they harm unwillingly the other by fear of being hurt first.


𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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[ali ashryver whitethorn galathynius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating (I think of vibes when I pick the #) 3⭐️ 1🌶️

***long review below, I received this book free from Entangled Published***

Honestly, I enjoyed this book. I received it in the mail and looked at the cover. I’m gonna be honest. I didn’t even know what a prospector was. There are some phrases and words I had to look up. The beginning is was like idk… and was thinking omg am I going to DNF this book?? It’s not written bad, but it seems too Tom Sawyer in how these people are trying to talk.

However, I kept at it and after like 50 some pages I started to really get into the plot. The FMC has a good relationship with mostly everyone and gets to fill a role she has wanted and the kids needed. I love how she isn’t a FMC that crumble for the love interest I.e. isn’t allowed to disagree or is just known as being that interests wife. She was able to be her own person and be a fairly independent woman and revolutionary for the time period it was baddd on. She set the example and paved the way for other women and my frites to attain more rights in her community. It had a couple of small conflicts that kept the story interesting enough to finish. Something that would have made it better imo would be for the ex husband to track her down and cause a scene or maybe her uncle come and cause problems.

Overall though, I think this book was pretty good. Especially considering I do not ever read historical romances (this was my first that I know of) and I had no clue about most of what was going on.