Just Read: The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy

Mary Connealy’s conclusion to her High Sierra Sweethearts Trilogy is the best yet.
Once again, she proves why she is the queen of western romantic comedies.

If you haven’t read the first two books, The Accidental Guardian and The Reluctant Warrior, there are a few spoilers ahead for you. (You can check out my review of The Accidental Guardian here.)

Now, for a quick synopsis: John McCall is a Pinkerton agent hired to find and retrieve the Chiltons’ grandson, Ronnie. Trouble is, Ronnie is living with his uncle, his uncle’s brand new wife, his cousin, and his aunt. And that aunt, Penny Scott, isn’t afraid to pull a gun. When Penny and John go into town to deliver Raddo’s dead body and talk to the sheriff, they’re kidnapped right off the street and must work together to not only survive but also bring the kidnapper to justice.

I have never laughed as hard as I did while reading this book. I enjoyed Penny Scott in The Reluctant Warrior, but reading her own story made me like her even more. She thinks she’s smarter than John McCall, and in a way, she is. But she slowly realizes that John is smart in other ways. Like disguises.

And oh, the disguises. Seeing the way John gets information on their kidnapper was one of my favorite parts. The banter between them is the best, though. Unequivocally. And that banter is what made John my favorite hero of the series. Trace and Cam are honorable men, but John is the dark horse who comes out of nowhere and steals the spotlight.

I think my favorite part of the novel was the gossip that begins circulating about Penny and John. It grows out of control, which I think is a lesson to all of us about the dangers of listening to gossip, especially since the reader knows the truth and is aware of the ridiculous nature.

And then there’s the drama. The danger from the first two books finally comes to a head in an unexpected way. And John realizes he doesn’t have all the skills he needs to survive the wilderness, which makes Penny the perfect complement. The conclusion is gratifying, but I’ll still miss these characters.

The Unexpected Champion is full of adventure and comedy that will keep you turning pages long past your bedtime. You’ve been warned.

Want a copy? You can find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, and Christianbook.com.

Want more Mary Connealy? Check out my review of the first two books of her Garrison’s Law series here.