A “Celebrate Lit” Book Review of “The Trouble with Nancy” by Chautona Havig

About the Book

Book: The Trouble with Nancy

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Western

Release Date: July 18, 2019

Her reputation precedes her, whether the bad guys realize it or not.

Nancy Harrison has finally stepped out of her prissy box and tried to do something helpful–but did she go overboard in her first self-less act?

She can’t ride, she hates horses, and she’s terrified of being alone. What’s a girl to do?

Join the Pony Express, of course.

When Nancy Harrison’s family receives a tax bill they can’t pay, there’s only one option open to them. Her brother, Lewis, will have to join the Pony Express and earn the money that way.

It would have worked, too, if ruffians hadn’t attacked him and broken his leg.

She doesn’t want to do it, of course, but what choice is there? Lose everything or ride a stupid, smelly horse for a few weeks? Nancy decides that she’ll chop off her hair, take to the dusty overland trail, and prove that she isn’t a “flighty little thing.”

But things go from bad to worse as she discovers that riding astride is worse than sidesaddle—especially when you’re not used to it.

Can’t she just go back home to balls, teas, and the hope of a suitor before her twentieth birthday? Sans her hair, of course, because that’ll entice the fellows. Sigh.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

My Review:

What an entertaining story! Nancy is a fun character and it was enjoyable to watch her change and grow throughout this story. She’s strong-willed; confident almost to a fault; and extremely opinionated. But she loves her family dearly and decides to take her brother’s place as a Pony Express rider after he’s injured, even though she can barely stay upright on a horse. Nancy disguises herself as a boy, and using her brother’s name, heads out to earn the money to save her family home. She finds out many things about herself as she gallops through the countryside on her adventure-filled route; but most importantly, she discovers that she’s never really riding alone. God is always by her side. Bruce was the unexpected, perfect hero to help Nancy as she found herself in a dangerous situation from which there seemed no escape.

I also loved the character of Nancy’s mom, Edna. She’s a smart, godly woman who is desperately trying to save their family home, but also cope with Nancy and keep her acting like a respectable young lady. She’s had her own struggles with the tragic death of her husband. We view parts of this story through her eyes, too, and gain insight into her own strong character and her influence on the rest of her family.

Sometimes when I finish a book, I think “That was a really good story.” This is one of those. It has fun, suspense, faith, and romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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