The Maiden's Court: Book Review: Gallagher's Hope by M.K. McClintock

Gallagher’s Hope by M.K. McClintock
Book 2 of the Montana Gallagher series
Unabridged, 7 hr. 8 min.
Trapper’s Peak Publishing
Alan Philip Ormond (Narrator)
March 6, 2015
★★★★☆

Genre: Historical Romance, Western
Source: Received audio download from the author

She sought a new beginning.

He sought what he didn't know was missing.

Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed Gallagher’s Hope just as much as I enjoyed Gallagher’s Pride. This book continues the story of Ethan, Gabriel, Eliza, and Brenna (who I loved) and introduces us to Isabel Rousseau and her brother, Andrew…only this time the story takes on the perspective of Gabriel and Isabelle.

Isabelle is brought into the Gallagher clan in much the same way as Brenna was – these men LOVE to collect women in trouble! In both occasions, I had to slightly suspend belief that these women would so quickly and easily go with these men when they were newly arrived in town, but I was willing to do so because I enjoy the author’s writing style and the nature of the story being told. Andrew adds a needed light-hearted children’s perspective when there are many heavier moments that the Gallagher’s et al experience in this tale.

While there is some light romance (no bodice ripper here!), the development of that romance occurs naturally within the confines of a story of a family in the west; at times it takes precedence, but at others it steps back and lets the action scenes take over. I think it is the perfect balance of romance, action, hardscrabble life in the west, and heartwarming family story.

My only small qualm is that there is one scene early on when Isabelle is brought to Hawks Peak that is basically a direct overlap from a scene toward the end of Gallagher’s Pride, except that it is seen from the perspective of Gabriel and Isabelle rather than Ethan and Brenna. And while this served well to tie the timeline and progression of the two stories together, the fact that I read these stories back to back made it feel extremely repetitive.

★★★★★

My thoughts on the narration of this book are fairly similar to those of Gallagher’s Pride - I don’t think that a more perfect narrator could have been found for this book. I just absolutely loved his narration! It felt so true to the characters and story being told. His voice is so smooth with just a touch of drawl that was perfect for the setting of the book. So, not only did the characters and story suck me in, but the narration was the icing on the cake. Loved, loved loved!!

If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book or this audio excerpt?

You can also watch the book trailer below.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:

Rockin’ Book Reviews

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Also by M.K. McClintock
Also in the Gallagher's Pride series:

Gallagher’s Pride (Book 1)
My Review

Gallagher’s Choice (Book 3)
My Review