Winner Takes All

Tracy Brogan

Mar 2026 · Oliver-Heber books

About this ebook

She risked everything for the game. She never meant to wager her heart.

Irish Mary O’Sullivan is many things—a gifted actress, a relentless dreamer, a sharp-eyed gambler, and occasionally an enterprising pickpocket. When a stolen invitation grants her access to an exclusive, high-stakes poker tournament in fashionable seaside Brighton, Mary seizes the chance of a lifetime. The winnings could save her struggling theatre troupe—and fund her escape to America and the New York stage.

Disguised in borrowed silk and a fabricated identity, Mary plays her most dangerous role yet: an empty-headed heiress with money to burn. But her performance falters when she meets the Honorable James Pendleton, a devastatingly perceptive gentleman whose keen intelligence—and unexpected proposal of alliance—threaten to expose her secrets.

As their clandestine partnership deepens into undeniable attraction, the glittering gambling salons turn treacherous. Alliances fracture. Scandals erupt. Every card turned raises the stakes. With deception closing in and danger mounting, Mary must decide what she’s truly willing to risk.

Because in a game where fortune favors the bold, winning may cost her everything… including the future she never planned to want.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

– Historical romances with clever, daring heroines

– High-stakes plots where desire and danger collide

– Witty banter and slow-burn attraction

– Disguises, secrets, and hidden identities

– Love stories where the greatest gamble is the heart

Ratings and reviews

Winner Takes All is a lively, hidden‑identity historical romance brimming with wit, charm, and clever twists. Mary O’Sullivan, an Irish actress and occasional thief, disguises herself as an American heiress to enter a high‑stakes poker game, only to cross paths with James Murphy, the perceptive illegitimate son of Lord Pendleton. Their alliance of convenience quickly sparks into something more, as humor, attraction, and schemes intertwine. Tracey Brogan delivers delightful characters

This is a new author for me to read and I'm thrilled. A good plot, fun characters with clever antics and adventures. Both well written and paced, it's one I will read again and an author I'll check out more of her work. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a very entertaining hidden identity historical romance. It had delightful characters with humor wit, clever schemes, and many engaging twists. I enjoyed how complicated alliance and attraction led to so much more. I highly recommend reading!