Review: Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

A Bet and a Romance

Advice columnist Maggie Hope isn’t looking forward to filling in for her friend by conducting an on-camera interview with handsome Tru Monahan, Quarter Horse rider and trainer. What she doesn’t expect is to be attracted to him, or to find herself back in Wishing Springs for two months learning to ride for a bet. Nor does Maggie expect to find a pregnant teenager who reminds her of herself …


Betting on Hope is the first book in Debra Clopton’s new Four Hearts Ranch series. The setting, Wishing Springs, Texas, is a small ranching community that seems to have a lot in common with the nearby Mule Hollow (setting of twenty stories). It’s a small friendly community with plenty of single men, and a cast of quirky minor characters, including the identical twins (one of whom is Mayor), and the town busybodies who run the beauty salon. (This was probably the one weakness in Wishing on Hope: there was a little too much time spent establishing these minor characters when I was more interested in reading about Maggie or Jenna).

Yes, the romance between Tru and Maggie was predictable (this is a romance novel: what did you expect), but it was enjoyable nonetheless. What was less predictable was Maggie’s developing relationship with the people of Wishing Springs, especially Jenna.

Overall, Betting on Hope is a fun short romance, perfect for summer days or winter nights. It’s Christian fiction (in that main characters mention God—once each—but it’s not at all preachy, despite having times where it could have been).

Thanks to Love Inspired and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. You can find out more about Debra Clopton at her website.