#NetGalley Book Review: One Wish by Jodi Thomas

This is a rather unusual, sweet, western historical romance.
One Wish
by Jodi Thomas

File Size: 671 KB
Print Length: 352 pages This number is incorrect as this is a novella.
Publisher: Zebra Books; 1 edition (November 1, 2019)
ASIN: B07M6D2GVM
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Novella, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas takes you back deep into the Texas Panhandle, where the winters are long, the storms fierce—and the Yuletide nights are unforgettable . . .
It’s the week before Christmas in Kasota Springs and Maggie Allison is sweeping the floors before closing her shop for the night. But out in the cold darkness three men are keeping a close watch on her movements. Local farmer Sam Thompson is also there in the shadows, ready to step in if need be. Sure enough, when Maggie finds herself cornered by Boss Adler and his men demanding her money and more if she doesn’t cooperate, Sam comes to the rescue. Trouble is, Boss Adler gets away and everyone in town expects he’ll be back for revenge. Forced into hiding on Sam’s ranch, Maggie and Sam discover their distant memories of a childhood friendship promise something more in the present. But the Thompsons are famous for keeping to themselves, and Maggie knows it’ll take more than a moment under the mistletoe to bring Sam to his senses...

Review:
A week before Christmas, Maggie is hoping members of Kasota Springs will come shopping. Unfortunately, the town has treated Maggie as an outsider since she was the rich young daughter attending school with the poor of the community. Now Maggie runs her store alone, with no friends, while she journals her dwindling hopes and dreams. At this point, she has whittled down her dream list to one wish.

Sam has never forgotten the other outsider from his childhood who became his friend. Thompsons are known to stick to themselves, but Sam will do anything he can to keep Maggie safe. He overheard three men plotting to rob Maggie and take advantage of her. Although Sam is able to rescue her from the attack, the main outlaw, Boss Adler, gets away. But Adler never leaves witnesses so the sheriff agrees that Sam should take Maggie to his house – after all, no one would suspect a Thompson to become involved and no one really knows where Sam’s home is anyway.

When Sam gets Maggie down the canyon, she is shocked not only by his home but to learn of another occupant. Sam and Maggie decide to play a gentle marriage game for the short time they expect to be together. But then they get unexpected visitors that put them all in danger. They get some help from an ornery old woman, Nina, who is an interesting secondary character.

I enjoyed this holiday novella which added some unusual elements to the ‘snowed in’ romance. Instead of flashy protagonists, these are two vulnerable outsiders who are very likeable, especially as they interact. The rustic setting, gentle way they treat each other, and the spice of danger is sweet and engaging. Jodi Thomas creates fun characters and distinct settings which I enjoy. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a sweet historical western.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019 NetGalley and #HoHoHoRat goals.