Pampered, fun-loving Laurie Sinclair hates everything about the rough, ugly mining town of Lucky Creek, California. She only left Philadelphia because her wealthy father opened the Monarch Gold Mine—and because Brandon, the man she’d hoped to marry, sent her away. But when Brandon changes his mind, she’s ready to pack her bags—until her father is suddenly killed in a mine explosion, and her brother is badly injured. As troubles mount for the Sinclairs, including a ruinous unexpected debt, they save themselves by selling half their mine ownership to Darcy McKenna, a friend of Laurie’s late father. Brusque and brooding, Darcy is the opposite of exuberant Laurie. Yet as Laurie stays on to help him in the office, Darcy soon finds himself smiling and happier, while Laurie finds her interests are changing. She might even be falling for Darcy. But her heart won’t truly be tested until Brandon shows up—and throws her life into chaos.
So I know from the description that it stated Laurie was pampered, but I found her to be down-right unlikable. That made it hard for me to really get into this book. DNF
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I wanted to try a different setting for a historical romance, but I could never warm to the characters. Some of the characterization felt uneven in that the heroine was described as somewhat self-centered up until her father dies, and suddenly she's the only family member who can think logically. And the relationship with the hero never felt true to me.

Set amid the fervor of California’s Gold Rush, the Lucky Creek Lady is Laurie Sinclair, whose father left a comfortable life in Philadelphia to chase dreams of gold. When her entomologist fiance goes on yet another expedition instead of setting a wedding date, Laurie sets of the visit her family in Lucky Creek, and at first she can’t wait to go home. Far from the civilized world she knows, Lucky Creek is a rough frontier town populated with rougher characters, like Darcy the mine owner, whose contempt for her ‘society ways’ couldn’t be plainer.

When an accident devastates the Sinclair family, however, it’s Darcy who steps up to offer his help, and Laurie soon finds that there’s more to this mine owner than meets the eye. Their romance is very believable, growing as it does from not really liking each other through mutual respect and finally to love.

Lucky Creek Lady doesn’t sanitize the Old West; far from it. From deadly mining accidents to a child dying from diptheria and a Bolivian woman’s unjust travesty of a trial, conviction and hanging, the book paints a clear picture of a hard land where only the toughest thrive. Laurie’s the one who finds an unexpected toughness in herself when adversity comes, and it’s she who leads the drive for the whole town to change and become more civilized, too.

While there’s extra-marital sex in the book, it’s pretty much glossed over without detail, all the same I wouldn’t pick this one up if you’re looking for a gentle sort of read, because there’s a graphic death in the middle of the story I found pretty shocking. There’s some pointed commentary about the racism of the time which is certainly realistic, but comes off a little hypocritical from the perspective of the white heroine with several servants who are people of color, especially as she completely failed to make a difference with her efforts.

4 stars for a historically accurate read which missed the mark in a few places, for me.

Lucky Creek Lady, third installment from In Old California series, was just an okay read. I give two stars.

Nice, quick read about a young woman and her family moved from Philadelphia to the gold country of California by her gold miner father. Laurie Sinclair hated Lucky Creek and just wanted to get back to Philadelphia and her fiance Brandon. But after a tragedy at the mine Laurie must become the head of her family. She ends up working at the mine along side co-owner Darcy McKenna. As feelings start to grow between them Laurie begins to change and comes into her own.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel had a very well written story and depicted the western, gold rush life pretty well. I wasn't crazy about the romance between Darcy and Laurie, there was barely any sexual chemistry between them and their romance seemed pretty rushed at the end. But the story was good and the western historical back drop realistic.

Whenever I read a bad book I always feel like I need to apologize.
It just wasn't for me and disliking the heroine did not help at all.
Sometimes we want action but what if there is just too much drama? That's what happened here. Also very often I felt like characters had some personality disorders as on one page they would be good people and on the second page there would be something bothering you.
It was difficult to read at times... I feel really bad being the first person to rate it and to leave a review- especially that It's not a great one. All I have to say is- give it a try, maybe it's your flavour of pie?

This book was provided to me via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank You!