Better Luck Next Time

by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Better Luck Next Time cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Comedy/Humor
Technical
  • ID: 4289
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780062916396
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Published: 2024-03-19
  • Reviews: 3

Set in 1938 Reno, Nevada, the 'divorce capital of the world,' this novel follows Ward, a handsome and clever cowboy working at the Flying Leap dude ranch. The ranch caters to wealthy women waiting out their six-week residency for a quick divorce. Ward believes he understands the women who come through, but his life is turned upside down by two new guests: Nina, a St. Louis heiress and amateur pilot, and Emily, who left her cheating husband in San Francisco. The story explores themes of divorce, marriage, money, class, and ambition, offering a humorous yet heartfelt look at how friendship and love can both save and destroy us. With its blend of humor and poignancy, the novel examines the strength of the family we create versus the family we are born into, set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1930s Nevada dude ranch.

Reviews
Fun Fandom Blog · 2021-02-25
mixed 3.00

The story is too cynical to be a great love story but too neat and romantic to feel like real life. It tackles too many difficult subjects to be a fluff piece.

This reviewer found the book to be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it's not quite romantic enough to be a great love story, but it's also not gritty enough to feel entirely real. The characters and their misadventures are entertaining, but the book doesn't quite commit to being either a lighthearted romance or a deep exploration of complex issues. It's a fun read, but it might leave you wanting a bit more depth or a clearer tone. Overall, it's a charming story that walks a fine line between romance and reality, making it an interesting but not entirely satisfying read.

Quick quotes

    It's too cynical to be a great love story, but too neat and romantic to feel like real life.

    It includes too many difficult subjects to be a fluff piece.

    The characters and their misadventures are entertaining, but the book doesn't quite commit to being either a lighthearted romance or a deep exploration of complex issues.

Christian Science Monitor · 2021-01-21
delightful 4.50

The novel captures the zany misadventures of two women on a dude ranch in Reno, Nevada, where wealthy wives await their divorces. It's a delightful and humorous tale that evokes the spirit of 1930s screwball comedies.

This reviewer absolutely loved the novel's ability to transport readers back to the 1930s with its screwball comedy vibes. The story of two women navigating life on a dude ranch in Reno is filled with humor and charm. The reviewer found the characters' misadventures to be delightful and the setting to be perfectly captured. It's a lighthearted and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction with a comedic twist. The book's humor and heart make it a standout.

Quick quotes

    The novel entertainingly captures the zany misadventures of two women on a dude ranch in Reno, Nevada, where wealthy wives await their divorces.

    It's a delightful and humorous tale that evokes the spirit of 1930s screwball comedies.

    The characters' misadventures are delightful and the setting is perfectly captured.

That Happy Reader · 2021-01-05
satisfactory 3.50

While the book was entertaining, the reviewer did not feel connected to the characters and felt the book lacked emotion. The story was fun and sweet, but it didn't quite hit the emotional marks it aimed for.

This reviewer found the book to be an overall enjoyable read, but they struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The story is narrated by the main character looking back on his life, which adds a unique perspective. However, the lack of emotional depth left the reviewer wanting more. The book is fun and sweet, but it doesn't quite delve into the complexities of the characters' lives as deeply as it could have. It's a good read for those looking for a lighthearted story, but it might not satisfy those seeking a more emotionally resonant experience.

Quick quotes

    This was an overall fun, sweet book, and I liked how it was narrated by the main character looking back over his life and telling his story.

    While the book was entertaining, I did not feel connected to these characters.

    Moreover, I felt the book lacked emotion which was not only disappointing, but also left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.

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