DNF:

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I stopped at 32% because I struggled to stay engaged—the pacing felt slow, and I had a hard time connecting with the main character which made it difficult to remain invested in the story. While the premise was intriguing, it didn’t capture my interest the way I’d hoped. I’m sure other readers will enjoy it more, but this wasn’t the right fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake (Amazon Publishing) for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Carolyn Brown did it again with this one! A rich story full of strong female characters who find friendship when they are thrown together in the story. Carla wins the diner in a poker game and arrives to stake her claim, not realizing how much she will come to enjoy the place and the ladies who work there. They build their friendship day by day and as more of their stories come out, they all learn from each other and build a life together, along with finding romance along the way.

The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown. A heartwarming story about healing and finding your way. Carla finds strong friendships with Rosie and Scarlett, and a bit of romance. Told with a touch of humor and some profound observations. An entertaining and enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author, Montlake, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

My Thoughts

Carla Wilson lands in a different world when she arrives at the Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in a small Texas town you could easily drive right past if the gas station and diner were not there.

Tumbleweed consists of a two-person population, cook Rosalie and waitress Scarlett, no other amenities exist until you head to Dell City an hour or more drive away.

Even Dell City doesn't have much so going farther afield is necessary to do the banking business that keeps the diner employees and new owner having their own personal cash flow to live off of.

A fish out of water former rolling stone soon finds more than a place to stop and get a good meal, Carla also finds friendship and it gives her the peace she did not even realize she was missing in her life.

I love small town stories and totally enjoy getting to know each character and how they interact with one another.

For me this story melded together the ideas of found family, female friendships, women supporting each other and more.

After all is said and done Lady Luck actually never deserted Carla, she just set her feet onto a different path.
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Professional poker player Carla's luck has run out and she finds herself with no money left, and only the title to the Tumbleweed diner that she's never seen before. She rolls in to the diner to find herself literally surrounded by tumbleweeds and two women running the diner as they greet buses of tourists and a few locals. Even though she is outside of her comfort zone, Carla leans in to this new environment, new friends, and her first chance at a romantic relationship.

A girl who’s spent her whole life running from the pain of her past, roaming the country playing poker with no one to think of but herself. But what happens when your luck runs out?

I loved reading this story about a woman who thought she deserved to be alone, and that no one could ever love her. Those were just the cards she was dealt, and she had accepted she would spend her life alone.
But when Lady Luck runs out, and she’s forced into a life she never saw coming... She learns that no matter what your past looks like, everyone can find people who love and accept you despite your faults. She may even maybe find that happily ever after everyone is chasing...

You cant go wrong with a Carolyn Brown book! I love her stories so much that I cant wait for the next one.
Wonderful characters that you'll love getting to know..
An awesome adventure such as this one was. I simply couldn't put this one down.
I finished it in one evening. Carla made me finish it lol. She's quite the character. She's what I call a free spirit. Never in one place. But she's a poker player too on top of that.
This book does have some action in it. And some humor.
I love how this novel shows that you never know whom you'll meet in life's journey. People come and people go as im learning. I think its all part of God's plan for us. Sometimes when ppl go it hurts.
I like that when its the right time like Carla learned you'll know when and where.
The 2 matchmakers cracked me up at times. They were my favorite characters.
Wonderful writing that made me stay with this story until the end.
I didn't want this one to end. I was sad when it was over. It went by too fast since I'm a speed reader.
And I enjoyed it so much.
5 stars for a wonderful adventure!.
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Cozy and warm tale of found family, self discovery, and finding that spot where the tumbleweeds land. Sometimes who you think you are isn't quite the reality (if you are a professional gambler for 10 years, living in your car hand to mouth with no savings? Duh!) and it takes a swift kick from Lady Luck to put you on the right path - and maybe find love and true friendship when you get there. A lovely read.

This is the first book I read by Carolyn Brown. I will definitely be reading more of her books. Carla wins the tumbleweed bus stop and diner in a poker game. She wants to sell it because she has nothing, but when she changes her mind. Then she meets Jackson and it seems everything is going to be ok. Loved this story

I can’t stop thinking about this fantastic novel!

The masterful way Carolyn Brown crafts her sentences keeps me hanging on every word. Not only that, her ability to create such authentic and relatable characters pulls me into the story and makes sure I remember their journey long after the last page is turned. I genuinely cared about Carla, Scarlett, Rosie, Jackson, Ada Lou and Nancy and was invested in their story.

Tumbleweed saves Carla in multiple ways. Needing a change of pace and a different journey, Carla uses the last of the change she’d thrown into the console to buy gas and heads out of town. This simple ‘all or nothing’ attitude changes everything for this professional gambler who’s down on her luck.

Brown has us considering whether making friends means that we’re now dependent on another person, and if friendship makes for happiness. Her powerful story about women empowering women will stay in my mind for quite some time. Carla’s character was spectacular!

I loved the quotes about money just being dirty paper with dead presidents on it, about being so tired that we’re dragging our butts, thereby negating the need to sweep the floor, and the one about hoping the patrol officers were cuddling their wives. My highlighter was working overtime!

Brown reminds us that making the most of a bad hand is perspective and is up to us.

This was a great story, one I’d heartily recommend.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was a nice, easy read with that cozy small-town diner vibe I enjoy. I liked the setting and the characters but it didn’t really grab me or leave much of an impression. I kept hoping for a twist or emotional moment that never quite came.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

A great story about the power of friendship. I loved the focus on strong, female friendships. There was a little romance in there, too. As always, Carolyn Brown delivers an, easy-read romance that makes me feel good.

The Wild Card” is another winner by Carolyn Brown. Lady Luck frowns on Carla leaving her penniless and homeless but with the deed to the Tumblewood Bus Stop and Diner. By circumstances, she finds herself working in the diner and sharing a trailer with Scarlett and Rosie long time employees. Carla hopes to make enough money to sell and go back on the poker circuit. After becoming part of a community and meeting a sexy man, Carla questions whether or not it’s time to stop running. There is a lot of introspection - does your past shape your future? Truly another well written novel by Carolyn Brown. Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy.

This book would be such a fun book club pick! There is so much to pick through and talk about. I loved each chapter. I could not put it down.

Carla is a profession poker player who wins the Bus Stop and tumbleweed diner, in a small Texas town. she is going to sell it as soon as possible but changes her mind, when she makes friends there. Carolyn Brown always writes a great story.

As always, Carolyn Brown delivers a fast-paced, easy-read romance that I couldn't put down.

Thank you #netgalley and #montlake for the eARC.

I really thought I would love this story, the blurb sounded great but I really struggled with it . I liked the characters but it just didn’t flow very well for me and seemed dragged out. The ending was lovely.

I enjoyed reading The Wild Card. It has a down on her luck lifelong gambler who loses all of her money but wins a diner in the literal middle of no where. She learns what family means and how to stick together and help each other out.

The Wild Card is one of Carolyn Brown’s most profound stories. Professional gambler, Carla wins the Tumbleweed bus stop and diner in a poker game that also left her flat broke. She has every intension of selling it as soon as she can. But living in a trailer with cook Rosie and waitress Scarlett and learning their stories is the beginning of a change in Carla’s perception of family and trust. The experiences these ladies and their friends share are important to understanding the significance of the very existence of the Tumbleweed. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.