A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel (Virtues and Vices of the Old West)

A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan is the second book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series. It is September 1862 in Montana Territory. Rachel Matthews' brother (Preston) had to go away and he asked John McIntyre to rescue his sister. Rachel could only find work as a dance hall girl (serving drinks, food, etc.). John McIntyre goes into the saloon, asks which girl is Rachel, grabs her, and takes off. He gets on his horse and takes off for his ranch. Rachel is outraged. Rachel did not enjoy working as a dance hall girl, but it was the only job she could find. She wanted to help her brother raise funds to save their ranch (they got behind on the taxes after their parents died). Estelle, John's grandmother, convinces Rachel to stay and offers her a position in her millinery shop. Rachel is enjoying her stay until she discovers that John holds the deed to her family's ranch. John paid the back taxes on the property and had an agreement with Preston Matthews (he would pay John back within a certain amount of time or the ranch stays with John). As Rachel and John spend more time together, the attraction between them grows. Can these two different people come together in love or will the Matthews family ranch be a sticking point between them?

A Sweet Misfortune is a charming, historic romance novel (with a Christian theme). It can easily be read as a stand-alone novel (without having enjoyed the first book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series). A Sweet Misfortune is nicely written and very easy to read. I did find it, though, to be a predictable romance novel with the normal issues of miscommunication between the couple, misunderstandings, breaking up, getting back together, and happily ever after. The characters are fun (especially Estelle). The Christian theme is very light in this uplifting story. I give A Sweet Misfortune 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).

I received a complimentary copy of A Sweet Misfortune from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.