Reviews

I’m not normally one for westerns, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! Definitely a debut novel; and while the pacing was generally solid, I wish there was less of a focus on the ins and outs of Bridget’s daily life as this bogged down the first 2/3s of the book for me. While the last 30% of the book was a wild time that I greatly enjoyed, I think that could have been a bit more evenly spread throughout the narrative

jessicathornsberry's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

megaspey's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

youshouldreadthisif's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

🤠 The rundown: After her father dies from a snakebite, 16 y/o Bridget finds her way to Dodge City. Penniless, alone, and starving, Bridget’s bright red hair catches the attention of 2 women who run a whorehouse, the Buffalo Queen. She finds a stability there she never expected, but it’s the lessons she learns about her own desires that result in unforeseen consequences for herself and the Queen.

🤠 Am I glad I read it? Absolutely! This one had been on my radar since before its release, and I am so pleased that it lived up to my high hopes for it. I loved many things about LUCKY RED (e.g., the pleasingly frank, neutral talk of sex work; Bridget's vividly realized interior world), but perhaps my favorite thing is how the structure of the book mirrors Bridget’s queer awakening.

At first the story is quite small, focused on the details of Bridget’s daily life in the Queen: learning her trade, making friends, reveling in a full belly. But the arrival of two newcomers first cracks and then blows Bridget’s world wide open. Queer desire, queer sex, and queer love reframe the way she has and wants to have sex, the way she sees herself, and what she’s (not) willing to accept for her life. Bridget’s queer awakening is a disruptive force: her world expands, and so does the plot. It’s the choices she makes, stumbling her way into her newly realized identity, that ratchet up the tension and lead up to the deliciously explosive, cinematic climax. Freedom of the self, but it f*cking hurts.

Also: HIGHLY recommend the audiobook! The narration is stellar!

Also also: Just LOOK at this cover!! 🤩

🤠 Rating: 👍🏼👍🏼 (really liked)

shonaberu's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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