Worth the Risk

by Darcy Gamble

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 4, 2026

Reviews

[Britt DS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I usually gravitate toward. I like my romances dark, I like them taboo or forbidden. This book is the opposite: small town, second chance, cozy romance. And yet I still applied for the ARC, because there was something about the blurb that just pulled me in. And boy, am I glad I did. It was definitely… worth the risk (badum tsss).

The first chapter was okay. I was looking forward to continuing the story and I already felt like I was going to enjoy this book. FMC was fine, writing style was pleasant, the conversations flowed naturally.
By the end of chapter two I was already so hooked it wasn’t even funny anymore.
Halfway through chapter three I was practically begging to know what happened between the FMC and MMC, and I only got sucked in more the further I read.

We meet FMC Sierra as an independent woman who runs into her ex at the side of the road after having car trouble. As the cliché demands, obviously she is stranded right outside of her childhood hometown - the place she ran away from seven years ago. There was one thing that annoyed me about her, but later in the story it was explained why she thinks the way she does - and it made perfect sense, so I can’t even be mad about that.
MMC Logan instantly feels like the sweetest, most helpful man you’ll ever meet - doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. He’s hardworking and kind, and he offers Sierra a place to stay and a job while she saves up to get her van fixed. And get this, ladies: he communicates. If that’s not sexy by definition, I don’t know what is.

The setup of the plot is really strong. Like I said, I was immediately dying to know what happened between Sierra and Logan, and what happened that made Sierra run for the hills.
On the other hand, besides wanting to know what happened in the past, I was really curious to see how their relationship would develop after their reunion - especially after starting to piece together what happened all that time ago.

This is not just a cliché small town second chance love story. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, it’s addictive. It had me squealing and kicking my feet. Consider this your warning: you *will* fall in love with Logan LaSalle - it’s inevitable.
For me personally, this book was just a little too sappy/fluffy/cozy at times - but that’s entirely just personal preference. I genuinely have nothing negative to say about this story.

(I received this book as an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Tonya Druckenmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut was a fun, light, and easy read that kept me entertained from start to finish. I really enjoyed the banter between Sierra and Logan—it felt natural, playful, and full of that lingering ex energy that makes second-chance romances so addictive. Their chemistry was obvious from the very beginning, and I loved watching them slowly find their way back to each other.

There is some heavier trauma in Sierra’s past, and while it added an emotional layer to the story, I personally would have loved to see the author dive a little deeper into it to give more depth to both Sierra and the overall storyline. That said, the lighter tone, road-trip vibes, and sweet moments between the MCs balanced things out nicely.

Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable debut with great chemistry, fun dialogue, and a satisfying romantic arc. I’m definitely curious to see what this author does next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up)
🌶️🌶️🌶️

**I received a complimentary copy of this book.**

[Petals & Pages Romance Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "second chance" trope is a staple of contemporary romance, but Darcy Gamble breathes fresh air into it by grounding the story in the rugged, high-adrenaline world of rock climbing and van life. Worth the Risk isn't just about a woman returning home; it’s about the collision of two immensely different lifestyles: the nomad who uses movement as a shield, and the man who stayed behind to build his legacy.

Small-town romances live and die by their setting, and Darcy Gamble nails the environment of the small-town Sagebrush. It feels lived-in and layered. The town acts as a mirror for Sierra’s growth; at the start, it feels like a cage, but as the secrets of her past are exposed and dealt with, the town begins to feel like a safe haven. The "small-town gossip" trope is handled with a touch of wit rather than just being a plot device, adding a layer of humor to the heavy emotional beats.

Gamble’s writing style is alluring. She describes the physical sensation of climbing with a technical precision that adds grit to the story, and she handles the "secret" at the heart of the book with the sensitivity it deserves. It’s a story about the fact that we are not defined by the mistakes of our twenty-year-old selves, but by the courage we show in our thirties.

My Final Thoughts:
Worth the Risk is a standout series-starter.
It’s a story for anyone who has ever felt like they weren't "enough" for their hometown or has wondered if the person they left behind was the person they were meant to be with. It’s gritty, sweet, and true to its title. Entirely worth the read!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vibe: Rugged, Emotional, Healing, and Steamy.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

WORTH THE RISK by DARCY GAMBLE ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Worth The Risk is the first (#1) book in the SAGEBRUSH series

Sierra Howard escaped the deadbeat town she grew up in, running from Sagebrush, running from her past, running from her shame, running from her ex boyfriend, Logan LaSalle.

When her van breaks down on her way to her next climbing adventure just outside her former home town, she is forced to face her past when her rescuer turns out to be none other than Logan.

Short on money, when Logan offers her a part time job, Sierra is forced to agree. Can they put the past behind them or will their secrets lead to Sierra leaving Sagebrush again, for good this time?
———————————

This was an interesting read, it has an promising premise.


Unfortunately I I really struggled to connect with the main characters. It felt throughout that they were just totally bad for each other. Constantly clashing, and by the end I still didn’t feel like Sierra would stay.

However, the protagonist was great, really vile. I would have liked to see him have more of an impact throughout the story.

There are open door spicy scenes in the book but they are tastefully done.



I read an ebook copy of this book,with around 300 pages, great editing and an attractive, eye catching cover.

With thanks to Darcy Gamble and BookSirens for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.


🚐 Second Chance
🚐 Funny Romance
🚐 Spicy 🔥🔥🔥

[Andrea G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I’m more of a romantasy / dark romance kind of girl but Darcy did a great job with her blurb that I took a gamble and decided it was worth a read. Think a little darker, spicier, Hallmark movie and this is the vibes of this book. If you are a small town, second chance romance reader this book is for you!

We have a great FMC who is strong, independent, speaks her mind but at the same time she is reserved in certain aspects and keeps things close to her chest. I found our FMC Sierra relatable in many aspects throughout the book. From her struggles to find herself again to opening herself up to those she thought she once lost forever. Then we have our MMC bad boy turned golden child of the town. Logan was the high school bad boy who turned into the town’s hero as he got older. He is funny, loveable and has the whole small town man package going on for him. The rekindling romance for these two was electric. However, their own personal struggles with the past could have doused that flame before it sparked again.

I’m excited to see what else happens in the Sagebrush series!
(I received this book as an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
3 🌶️

Worth the risk is a second chance romance novel. Sierra runs away from her town leaving her boyfriend, friends and family behind. Her boyfriend never stopped looking for her.
Seven years later she’s back again but doesnt want to stay long. Her ex(boyfriend) helps her get back on her feet and his feelings for her start showing. He tries a lot to keep her there. But will she stay and rekindle the relationship?

This was an interesting read. But I kept asking questions. Like where is Sierras mom? Why did it take this long for Sierra to open up about what happened to her in the past?
I didn’t like how she was so hung up on the past— always hiding herself in public. Logan tries so hard to help her move on and I just felt bad for him. I did feel like some intimate moments he was being used and it broke my heart since he was so in love with her. Overall, Logan was my favorite. So caring, sweet, funny and so affectionate. The funny scenes were good too. I thought it was funny Logan reciting poetry in bed.

Thanks to Darcy Gamble for an early read of this book. All comments are my own.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the characters developed and truly loved each other while coming to terms with the past.

Sierra’s ‘live fast, die young’ lifestyle compared to Logan’s settled down one is a true testament to how opposite they are, and throughout the story you find out why each of them have that mindset it’s even more heartwarming or heartbreaking depending how you look at it.

While on the outside Sierra seems like she can’t wait to leave sagebrush and get away from commitment, Logan seems like the perfect gentleman. Neither may be the case.

Overall I really did love this story and the family they introduced in it (I would have like to hear more about Sierra’s mum) and I can’t wait for any further books! 💕

Thank you to Darcy Gamble and BookSirens for letting read this ARC for free and I am leaving my thoughts voluntarily.

[Linda Z]

Thoroughly enjoyed the book with its witty language, well built-out characters and lack of cliche scenes and expressions. This book is a great example that there are more wonderful stories to be told other than about billionaire bosses and mafia kingpins. The characters were relatable, they possessed both their own unique strengths and areas of growth, and their pairing's chemistry was both hot and emotionally satisfying. I particularly liked how the authored allowed the couple to simmer and reconnect for a good long while before putting them in bed together. Oh and the bedroom scenes were as steamy as one would desire from this genre, yet also playful and with depth. Would definitely read more from the author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaydee]

I was given an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Sierra and Logan are given a second chance at love 7 years after they were toxic AF together. Both characters needed to grow and being separated allowed them the opportunity to do so without tearing each other down. I thought it would be a normal black cat/Labrador grumpy/sunshine trope, but the black cat was sweet to others and the Labrador had his own issues.

I liked that they learned to communicate better, secrets destroy everything, and both had their flaws to fix before the HEA. The big reveal of the villain was also great, I can let you know who they remind me of when it isn't a spoiler. 😉

I really liked it, the book is a nice quick read and the side characters are interesting enough to add a little quirk. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Amélie Dumaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great vibes were caught at the very beginning of the first chapters. It’s been a fun and easy read. The banter was nice and everything between Sierra and Logan was natural, playful and poignant at times. I’ve loved the fragile hope blooming in both of the MCs sentiments.

Sierra had been through traumas that I cannot grasp entirely but the emotional layers put in the book have helped me understand some of the actions and things she did or said. Happily, the author kept it on the light side of things.

I loved the second chance trope in here, and it was a pleasure to see them work their way through everything they been through and find themselves at the end. It’s a small town romance and I’m curious to see what’s happening with people in Sagebrush.

🩵 Second chance romance
🩵 Small town
🩵 Dual POV

[greenapplemojito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have never known it was a debut novel if I hadn't clicked on the author's website to check for other books or a newsletter for bonus scenes. For a debut novel, this is way good! Personally, my only issues with the story were the fact that I absolutely hated the characters and found them to be toxic to one another. I didn't like their personality, character, or how they were with one another. The story felt a bit dragged in the middle, but again picked up towards the end, probably because of more secrets and context coming out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gabriella Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author. If you love 2nd chance romance, small town romance with some 🌶️🌶️🌶️ mixed in than this one is for you!

I absolutely love Logan LaSalle and need to find someone that is his carbon copy (not Seth 🤣 iykyk). The book follows rock climber Sierra as she navigates her nomad life, she never stays in one spot long-always looking for the next best cliff to climb with her beloved Clunker.

She ends up stranded in her hometown, a place she really does not want to be and she reconnects with her high school boyfriend.

It was truly something I didn’t want to end, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to Darcy Gamble and Worth the Risk.

[Isabelle Gorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing read. I love that both main characters had flaws and not only recognised but worked on them throughout the novel.

The storyline kept you entertained from the start, keeping you wanting, and needing to know about their past.

The cave exploring definitely made me feel slightly uncomfortable! I don’t know how people are keen to move through spaces they barely fit! It for sure added adrenaline to the book and kept up with the personalities of the main characters.

Received as an ARC for a honest review

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra did not just run from her hometown , but her past and shame. Never mind her ex Logan. Finding herself stranded outside the town she left the man she wants to hide from Logan is the one who turns up to help.

Somethings don’t leave you, secrets and past come to light .

Oh there is chemistry, spice, humour and drama.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[kaylee ⋆˚࿔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆｡° ★★★☆☆°｡⋆ 𝟥 ✮ ➴
𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗌𝗂𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖱𝖢 𝖼𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬!

༘⋆ ☑︎𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 ☐𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 ☐𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 ⋆

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 •❀•

𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄! 𝗂 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝖾𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖽𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝖻𝗈𝗍𝗁 𝗅𝗈𝗀𝖺𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗂𝖾𝗋𝗋𝖺, 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝖾𝗅𝗍 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅 𝖿𝗅𝖺𝗐𝗌. 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗌𝗈 𝗌𝗈 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾. 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒, 𝗂 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗀𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖿𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗂 𝗐𝖺𝗌𝗇’𝗍 𝗈𝖻𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖺 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖿𝗎𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽!

[Shelbi Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of ARC*

This is a wonderful story of second chances and redemption. Though the end felt a bit rushed, Sierra and Logan’s connection was apparent! I am really looking forward to new books by this author and more in the Sagebrush story!

[Korinne Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the Risk was definitely worth the risk. This rom-com had me laughing, crying, mouth dropped open, falling in love with Logan and Sierra. The way Darcy writes each character keeps you hanging onto the next chapter and not putting the book down. Cannot wait for book 2.

[Britt King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town second chance romance that has some spice and drama. I like Logan and his family, and think there's a lot of potential there to follow the other characters through relationships.

[wayne seither · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*
I devoured this book. Sierra and Logan’s story was so beautifully written. Fans of Elsie Silver and Tessa Bailey this is a must read!

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! Kicking my feet and crying within pages. I was in such a slump before picking this up and so glad I did!!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was absolutely amazing. it kept me wanting more, definitely recommend. the characters were magical.