Sandra Dallas is an author that you read for a well researched storyline, good character development, and her writing…her writing. While my favorites are still Tallgrass and New Mercies, Tough Luck is right up there. This is the tale of a young girl and her little brother traveling from Illinois to Denver in 1863 to find her father; he went prospecting and never came back, her mother dies. Kind of a western but mostly an adventure. Great, funny, and tough characters.

Tough Luck took me back into the gold mining days, with the Civil War still going on. Haidie lives with her mother and two brothers, Boots and Cheet. When their mother dies, Cheet quickly sells the farm and puts his siblings in a nearby orphanage so that he can go riverboat gambling. Meanwhile, their father has been away gold mining in Colorado, but lately there have been no letters from him, so Cheet believes he has died.

Haidie and Boots have no intention of staying in the orphanage and manage to slip away, with Haidie dressing as a boy. They embark on a journey to find their father. The people who help them along the way end up being some of the best characters in the story. Of course, they also meet a few bad folks along the way and have an incident with angry Indians. As they get closer to Colorado, Haidie grows up, proving her strength and resilience.

I enjoyed this story from beginning to end and will certainly read whatever Sandra Dallas writes in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend this to other readers.

"Tough Luck" is a western novel full of found family, hardship, and some 'tough luck' for our protagonists, Haidie and Boots Richardson. Ma Richardson has barely graced her own burial plot when the oldest of the Richardson children, a son aptly named Cheet, sells the family farm and casts his younger siblings into an orphanage so that he can pursue riverboat gambling. Haidie is determined to reunite her younger brother Boots and herself with their father, who went west in search of gold several years before. With a little sly thinking, a lot of luck, and healthy dose of determination, Haidie and Boots make their way West in search of their father.

This book is full of all the good old western tropes - there are bandits, thieves, hardships on the trail. There are also kind strangers, wagon train living, and a young girl masquerading as a boy to be able to make her way across the US to reunite her family. Sandra Dallas writes historical fiction so effortlessly, and credibly, that you can feel the dirt of the trail sticking to you and smell the campfires as you read her novels. 'Tough Luck' is another western winner.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I received this arc from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press. This book was such a fun read! I loved all of the different characters that were introduced through Haidie and Boots’ journey to find their father. This story opens with the heroine Haidie and her brothers Boots and Cheet trying to figure out what the future holds for them now that their mother has passed. Their father went out west to find gold several years ago, but he has never returned and has also stopped sending letters with updates on his progress. The oldest brother Cheet decides that it is in his best interests to sell the family farm and place Haidie and Boots in an orphanage so that he can become a riverboat gambler. However, Haidie soon decides growing up in an orphanage is not what’s best for her or her younger brother. So she develops a plan to go west to Colorado to find their father. Haidie disguises herself as a young boy, and she and Boots escape the orphanage. First they join a freighter named Jake who uses his mule team to carry goods from one town to the next, then they join a wagon train with a man named Ben who is meant to be the scout for the train. Along the way Haidie and Boots have many adventures from catching a couple of robbers to hunting buffalo out west. They also meet a lot of different people on their journey; some that prove to be allies and others that prove to be enemies. This book has Oregon Trail vibes which makes it a very fun read. If you are looking for a fun historical fiction filled with adventure, then be sure to grab your copy on April 29th!

Obsessed. The western you didn't now you needed. Found family, coming of age, SO good. It gave Oregon trail but better.

I have loved Sandra Dallas's books in the past and this one is just as good as the others, but maybe just not quite my thing. It was a stretch to see if I'd stay interested in a western. I loved the main character. She was spunky as could be; clever and witty. She and the secondary characters really made the story. They were all vividly done. The plot at times dragged for me simply because of the western quality but that's no commentary on the author or book as it just wasnt my thing at times.

Sandra Dallas has written some of my favorite characters. Her newest novel has added to that list! I fell almost instantly in love with Haidie. She’s sassy, has grit, and loves her people fiercely. Yes, this is a historical fiction but there’s much more to it than that. I experienced adventure, some suspense, and the found family aspect was the cherry on top. If I would have had the time, I could have easily finished this in one sitting.

Fourteen-year-old Haidie and her younger brother, Boots, are unceremoniously dumped off at the local orphanage by their older brother, Cheet. Big brother wants to hit it big in the gambling world without being saddled with two youngsters. Fortunately, Haidie has a plan up her sleeve: head west with Boots to find their long lost father.

I really enjoyed the first 4/5’s of this exciting novel. Reading about the wagon train kept me very intrigued. That part of the book was an absolute 5 star read for me. Unfortunately, I thought the ending dragged on just a little too long, and was a bit too implausible. I still would recommend this book, though, especially for people interested in the Wild West.

I didn't realize I had already read and adored one of this author's books. Little SoulsI can say that I adored this one also! It was different but still magical.

As you can see by the book's description, Tough Luck is about a brother and sister who make their way across the country to find their Dad, who disappeared four years ago, to strike gold in Colorado. They face some hardships on their way West but make many new friends along the way.


The writing is tight, the plot is refreshing, the dialogue is delightful, and the characters are...well, true characters. I had a lot of chuckles during this voyage West and my heart in my throat during the rougher times.

Haidie Richards made such a good scoundrel that you sometimes forget that she is not really a boy but a nearly grown (for that era) woman. The side characters were wonderfully quirky and lent a lot to the story.


This will be a perfect read for those who like historical fiction, quirky characters, HEA's, and a good scam job! The ending may confuse you a bit as it did me, but it all works out for the best.

I'm on my way now to buy myself several more of Ms. Dallas's other books. Hmmm, now which one should I buy first?

*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

This wasn’t bad, just not for me. The setting was interesting, and I can see the appeal in the small-town dynamics, but it moved slowly and never really pulled me in. It’s more about relationships than mystery, and while that can work, I needed a little more urgency to stay engaged.

Might be a nice fit if you’re in the mood for something quiet and character-focused, but I was hoping for something with a bit more punch.

I love this cover and that’s mainly why I wanted to read this book. It’s a fast moving story with plenty to keep your interest. I liked Haidie and her toughness and will to look for her father. It was an enjoyable story

Tough Luck was laugh out loud funny in so many spots, while heart touching in others. Characters were written perfectly making this a very enjoyable book for start to finish. Join fourteen year old Haidie Richards and her younger brother Boots as they go west to Denver to find their long lost father. A journey you won’t soon forget! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is the first western I've read in years, and what a treat it is!

The novel is set in 1863 and told through the point of view of a 14-year-old girl, Haidie Richards. Haidie and her younger brother Boots, 10, are left at an Illinois orphanage by older brother Cheet, 19, after their mother dies. Their father left the family four years earlier to head for the Colorado gold mines and has rarely been heard from since. Haidie is convinced her father has struck it rich and plans to send for them. Not liking life in the orphanage, Haidie decides to take Boot, escape the orphanage, and head for Colorado to find their father.

The author immerses readers into the American West of 1863 with her skillful descriptions, vividly drawn characters, realistic dialogue, and through endearing Haidie's eyes and voice. This young woman is scrappy, fierce, resilient, and oh so easy to root for! I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to access a digital review copy of the book via NetGalley. Publication is 4/29/25. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

There is always something about a book that takes place on the prairies many years ago that always draws me in.

This story gave me a Western Story feel as people set off in their covered wagons to find new beginnings or make it big with Gold Mines.

Some of those just have bad luck or as the book is Titled Tough Luck.

As young Haidie Richards and her brother Boots begin a journey to find their father, Sandra Dallas brings the history of the Gold Rush, wagon trains, and hard luck as well as tough luck to their story. When Haidie's mother dies and her older brother places her and Boots into an orphanage, Haidie decides that they need to find the father that left them to find his riches in the western gold rush. Disguised as a young boy, Haidie and Boots join up with a Jake, a freighter delivering goods to Omaha, and then a wagon train heading to Denver led by their scout, Ben. The youngsters make friends during their trip that help them learn the lessons of hardship and growing up in an environment that isn't always easy or friendly. The "old maids" who made the trip by wagon train to show people they were capable of doing it, formed a tight bond with Haidie that became a very important relationship once they reached Denver and began looking for their father. Dallas has a writing style that gives us the history of the moment and the realistic characters living through it that makes their story one to enjoy reading. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #ToughLuck

This was my first time reading Sandra Dallas' work, and it was such a fun read. I love historical fiction, and what really brought this story to life for me were the secondary characters. I especially fell in love with Jake, Teresa, Boots, Corny, and the old maids. Heck, I even loved Tyge the dog. The main character, Haidie, is also someone to be admired. Even though she's only fourteen years old, she's an old soul. She's a hard worker and she's fiercely loyal to her friends and family. I greatly admired her perseverance through all of the trials she faced. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book tagline: In this homage to True Grit, a young woman makes a perilous journey west in 1863 in search of her gold-mining father.

I love a good adventure novel. I love fierce and loving female protagonists. Luckily for me, Tough Luck has both. After being dumped at an orphanage by their older brother, Cheet, Haidie Richards makes a plan to take her younger brother, Boots and head for Colorado and find their father. Along the way, Haidie and Boots will meet all kinds of different people, and sometimes they are surprised as to who becomes their ally.

I laughed and smiled and even felt my eyes getting misty a time or two as Haidie and Boots made their journey. A book that I devoured in one sitting.

Sandra Dallas is a remarkable author, and I wholeheartedly recommend that other readers check out their books. Trust me, you are in for a real treat!




Expected Publication 29/04/25
Goodreads Review 07/04/25

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas follows the journey of a young woman as she embarks on a perilous journey west in 1863 to find her gold-mining father. Filled with humor, heart, and hope, this novel is a delightful read that captures the essence of the American frontier.

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - October 7, 2024
Publication Date - April 29, 2025

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley!

My goal was to start reading more genres and books outside of my comfort zone last year and I am glad I took a chance on this one! It took me a little while to get used to the writing but I did end up getting used to it. There is a lot of action and adventure, it felt like I was transported into an old western movie! I thought that Haidie was very resourceful and quick on her feet for her age, there were so many situations I couldn’t imagine going through myself. I was interested the whole time and needed to keep reading to find out the answers to my questions! This book may not be for everyone but if you go into it with an open mind, you can appreciate the complexity of the story and lessons.

If you like or are interested in historical fiction books set in the Amercian West, you should try Tough Luck!

Get excited to read Tough Luck, available April 29! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

*NO RATING*

I have read previous Sandra Dallas books and enjoyed two of them very much [The Persian Pickle Society and Prayers for Sale; I can really recommend these books], but the others only slightly, so I was hoping for a win with this one [I felt I was due for a good one LOL].
Unfortunately, this was not the case here. I didn't like ANY of the characters [not even the MC; what a snotty, conniving bratty child she is], the glorifying of lying and cheating [amongst other vices] made for a meh story and was, by the end, very irritating, I didn't really enjoy the story [though there were parts that were sad] and that end...well, it was just...sigh.
Overall, this was a huge disappointment and I am not sure I will ever read this author again.

I have listened to this narrator[Mia Hutchinson-Shaw] before and enjoyed her; unfortunately, she was doing an English accent [and doing it very well I must say; I had no idea she wasn't British], and I'd not heard her in her regular voice, WHICH I found that I do not care for [I WOULD absolutely listen to her read a book where she uses the English accent; that was truly fantastic]. Which was, of course, a real disappointment. I am sure that many will enjoy it, but for me [I am unfortunately pretty particular about my narrators/narration as I really rely on audiobooks now for "reading", and I end up not liking as many narrators as other people do], it hindered and already unlikable story even more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and narrator, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.