When a Texan Gambles

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
When A Texan Gambles is the second book in the "Wife Lottery" series and this is a book that I have been wanting to read and we did this as a buddy read with Mina@ Mina Reads. And I honestly had so much fun with this book. Its not a perfect story by any means, but its a solid western that had a wonderful plot and a somewhat satisfying romance. Jodi Thomas really knows how to get a story set up but also introduce some very unique factors to the story. This was not a book that I expected it to turn out as it did and I have to give credit for the author in implementing some solid creativity here. I do think there could have been more romance focus but it was still well done just differently than what I am used to seeing.

First Line
Sam Gatlin removed his rain soaked coat and shirt, knowing that they would never get dry before morning.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sam Gatlin
Bounty Hunter, Lawman, Gunslinger, Protector

The Heroine: Sarah Andrews
Widow, Ex Convict (kinda), softspoken but badass in unique ways

Summary
Sarah Andrews is a widow and lost her child and has been recovering from an illness that caused her and her friends to be abandoned by the wagon train that they were on. Then she was bartered off as a wife in trade for freedom from killing a man in self defense. Her husband, is Sam Gatlin, who is a complete stranger to her. But when he ends up being caught up in a gunfight, and injured, its up to Sarah to save their lives and find refuge. Sam is a bounty hunter, and because of this, he is always being hunted for going after the criminals. But Sam is also a man of honest intentions and only hunts the true criminals that deserve jail time. He is always on the run and in danger and he isn't sure why he took a wife like Sarah, but he couldn't resist taking a chance on a somewhat normal life with a family as he always dreamed of. But his life with Sarah but will be a cycle of surprises and love in a way he never expects.

What I Loved
There are many aspects to this story that I truly enjoyed. The first and foremost being our hero. He is beyond delectable. I just fell so hard for his story. There is something about the lawman with a bit of a bad boy thrown in that I just love to read. And in this one he is such a protector but the poor man is always getting hurt lol Your heart really goes out to Sam and his situation though. He is treated like a hunted outlaw just for living within the bounds of the law and going after the worst criminals for money. Then we have the lawman friend of Sam's that I really adored. (He has a book later in this series and I am stoked to see it). We also have some great plot and world building aspects implemented in this story. If you love to see a historical with a solid plot, then you are in for a treat, because this is what Jodi Thomas is truly wonderful at portray. I was on the edge of my seat with this story. And the writing style from this author is so FUN!! Like I have never read writing that is so entertaining especially in a historical romance before. And she easily pulls you into a story. There were some really great intimate moments between Sam and Sarah that were so "in the moment" type of scenes that just grabs your attention and takes your breath away. And I adored the ending especially in seeing them settle in the small town that they do and have some wonderful kind neighbors. So heartfelt of a scene.

What I Struggled With
I really struggled with two aspects of the story: the heroine and some elements of the romance. So lets discuss our heroine first. So the heroine is one that has been abused in her life on and off so she does have a almost naive personality. While you understand where its coming from and that she has never had true affection with anyone, at the same time she can be hard on the reader at times. Not that she is a bad character but she is packed with oxymorons and as the reader you almost feel like a ping pong ball with her.

The next issue that I had is with the romance. Now, don't get me wrong, its not all bad or anything. But there could have been a bit more focus on it but also we didn't get enough intimate moments. This author can really pack a punch and we got some beautiful heartwrenching moments between Sarah and Sam and I honestly just wanted a bit more. While it was still a great story to read I do think there could have been a bit more focus on this. And if you are wanting a high spice story, move to a different author, this author from what I have read so far doesn't do much in spice.

Overall View
When A Texan Gambles is a interesting story that will take you on a wild ride through the lands of Texas. Its a story of sacrifice, of struggle and fighting for the one you love.

Favorite Quote(s)
“All my life, all I’ve ever wanted was someone to love, and it looks like you’re the only one who applied.”

“Life lost all reason. I didn’t really care if I lived or died.” “And now?” His dark eyes met hers. “You gave me a reason to care.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Character Types: Bounty Hunter, Widow, Abused
Themes: MC on the Run, Crime, Danger, Fade to Black aspects, Kick Ass, Suffers Illness, Western
Tropes: Arranged Marriage

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict more than the Relationship

Song This Book Inspires
Try That in a Small Town by Jason Aldean

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy