The Unexpected Champion By Mary Connealy | Book Review

I admit, I did not read book #1 in this series, The Accidental Guardian. I did, however, read book #2, The Reluctant Warrior. I wasn’t at all lost going into book #2 without reading the 1st book, however, I think you would be very lost going into this book (the 3rd book in the High Sierra Sweethearts series) without reading the second book.

Book 3 basically takes over the same day as book 2 ends. I loved both books and now I know I have to read book 1 as well.

Was that confusing?

Let’s look at the back cover.

Back Cover

They’re as Different as Could Be.
But They’ll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive
the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons’ supposedly lost grandson. But now that he’s out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She’s not like any woman he’s ever met–comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don’t have, both realize they’ve stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won’t stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

“This pleasing third installment of Connealy’s High Sierra Sweethearts series features a romance between unlikely companions. . . . As the danger and violence ramp up, so does their affection. While faith plays a minor role in this clean western romance, fans of the series will enjoy Connealy’s rough-riding romance.”Publishers Weekly

My Review

Spoiler alert!

While reading this book I realized I love stories of marriages of convenience/rescue… well, that is, when the characters fall in love along the way. So, when Penny decided to marry John to save him from a noose around his neck, I was hooked. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in under three days. I don’t usually find time to devour a book that fast… unless I just can’t put it down.

This book was hilarious, right down to Penny and John (a Pinkerton agent) dressing in disguise as they solved the mystery of who kidnapped them. Going on a the boots of one of the men, seeing as that’s all John could get a glimpse of.

This story did not disappoint on adventure, comedy, love, or, of course, mystery.

I don’t say this lightly… Mary Connealy has made the list of my favorite authors. In my opinion, she’s a delightful mix of Cathy Marie Hake and Lori Wick. Two more of my favorite authors.

Considering how much I loved this book, I can’t give it any less than five stars. I might give it more if I could. Get your copy here!

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. I love it when books are this easy to rave about.

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