The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown is a romance novel that reads more like a “coming into her own” novel. The main character is Carla Wilson. She is a professional card player who has won enough money to support herself. It is only in this last game that she lost everything except a deed to a Tumbleweed Bus Stop and Diner in small-town Texas.
Carla is not going to settle down and manage this place, but no money trumps being able to keep moving on and playing poker. She pitches right in with the two long time workers and is able to stay in the trailer in the back. Carla realizes that she needs time to save up money and selling the diner might be off the table, maybe. As Carla finds out more about the woman she took over for and the women who become her friends, she realizes that things are not that simple. Jackson, a serious hottie, makes her think about her place in this world.
I enjoyed the novel. The storyline read quickly and the characters (although quirky) were fun. I loved how her new group of friends were so supportive of each other. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and the customers. I think Carla won that last hand of cards. The Wild Card by Carolyn Brown was a good read.
