Helpful Score: 3
While this book wasn't my favorite by Jo Goodman I definitely enjoyed it. I loved the interactions between the two main characters. Jo Goodman has a definite talent for making every dialogue exchange seem meaningful and filled with undercurrents. Most all of the conversations Rachel and Wyatt had seemed to be filled with sly wit and dry humor. They were muted, but definitely there.
I love how the characters are as much of a mystery to the reader as they are to each other. I enjoy watching the character's personalities and feelings slowly unfold right alongside the other characters. By the time I finish the book I feel confident in the hero and heroine's relationship because I feel that after watching them grow together I know them well enough to predict that they can weather any problem together.
I felt that Rachel and Wyatt's personalities meshed very well. Wyatt's easygoing attitude amused me when tested against Rachel's more intractable moods. I thought that both characters were fully fleshed out although I think more time was spent on developing Rachel than exploring Wyatt's character.
I enjoyed the side characters and felt that were fleshed out pretty well. It didn't seem like they were written in just to provide a foil to the main characters. I loved the feel of the period and the small glimpse into the life of people who lived then. It all felt very authentic to me, although I'm definitely no expert.
Even though I enjoyed the story I did have some issues with a few things. I felt uncomfortable when Wyatt sprang the conditions tied to the inheritance on Rachel. It definitely wasn't his fault but I still didn't like the fact that it was a requirement. I know he told Rachel his reasons for their reduced interaction before that point but I never really agreed with them. Also, I wanted to smack Rachel when she decided to keep a dangerous encounter that occurred at her house to herself instead of sharing it with Wyatt. I felt like I didn't understand her at all right then.
All in all it was a good book and one that I'll reread.
I love how the characters are as much of a mystery to the reader as they are to each other. I enjoy watching the character's personalities and feelings slowly unfold right alongside the other characters. By the time I finish the book I feel confident in the hero and heroine's relationship because I feel that after watching them grow together I know them well enough to predict that they can weather any problem together.
I felt that Rachel and Wyatt's personalities meshed very well. Wyatt's easygoing attitude amused me when tested against Rachel's more intractable moods. I thought that both characters were fully fleshed out although I think more time was spent on developing Rachel than exploring Wyatt's character.
I enjoyed the side characters and felt that were fleshed out pretty well. It didn't seem like they were written in just to provide a foil to the main characters. I loved the feel of the period and the small glimpse into the life of people who lived then. It all felt very authentic to me, although I'm definitely no expert.
Even though I enjoyed the story I did have some issues with a few things. I felt uncomfortable when Wyatt sprang the conditions tied to the inheritance on Rachel. It definitely wasn't his fault but I still didn't like the fact that it was a requirement. I know he told Rachel his reasons for their reduced interaction before that point but I never really agreed with them. Also, I wanted to smack Rachel when she decided to keep a dangerous encounter that occurred at her house to herself instead of sharing it with Wyatt. I felt like I didn't understand her at all right then.
All in all it was a good book and one that I'll reread.
Helpful Score: 2
While I did enjoy this story, it's not quite right. It has a decent plot & the interaction between the H&H, while it's slow getting started, heats up nicely in the second half. It's just muzzy somehow. Character development isn't very distinctive, and what internal monologue there is doesn't reveal all that much. I had to draw too many conclusions based on what's apparent from dialogue and behavior; there's not enough narrative to it & too much of the backstory is revealed through dialogue, which was often sketchy in that regard. The secondary romance was the same - no depth there either. I read a review that called it "sweet", but I really didn't see that, because neither of the secondary characters were developed well enough to evoke any kind of emotional response from me. I had my hands full as it was just trying to flesh out the H&H fully enough to sympathize with. All that said, it's still a pretty decent book, maybe B grade, so worth a read, especially if you're a Goodman fan. A western, Never Love A Lawman is a bit of a departure from her last few novels. I just wish I could say it was distinctive in some other way.
Grade: B
Sensuality Rating: R
Grade: B
Sensuality Rating: R
Helpful Score: 1
VERY boring. The H/H had very good chemistry but the story itself was very uninteresting and I couldn't even finish it.
Helpful Score: 1
I usually like Jo Goodman titles but I just could not get into this one. I tried more than once, I just couldn't get into the characters so I ended up not finishing it as I have so many other books that I can get into so why keep trying.
Rachel Bailey has been in Reidsville, Colorado for 15 months. During that time she has remained isolated by rebuffing the efforts of the men of the town. A seamstress by trade, she quietly goes about her business providing beautiful fashions to the ladies.
Unbeknownst to her, Sheriff Wyatt Cooper has been keeping an eye on Rachel. When a prominent man of the region dies, it sets off a chain of events that affect Rachel and Wyatt now - and long into the future. Rachel has been hiding from her past and eventually she must fact it.
This is my first book by Jo Goodman and Im ecstatic! The author is articulate, has a wry sense of humor and uses a subtle touch with her characters! At a time when so many authors are dumbing-down their books, it is wonderful to see an author with a vocabulary and who isnt afraid to use it.
So often a hero is demanding, powerful and puts folks in their place quickly. Wyatt plays against this stereotype by using humor, meeting folks part-way and taking the time to let folks work through their feelings and issues. He doesnt need to use a weapon because he reasons out what he wants and seeks a way to get it without bloodshed.
Because hes been married before, he has the understanding and patience to let Rachel work through her anger and fears. The dialogue between these two is full of sly and wry wit. I could see this couple sparring in my minds eye what a great pair!
Rachel grows quickly by her association with Wyatt. She goes from the town recluse to having an open-door policy for folks in need. It was a joy to see her bloom.
I thought the other romance in this story was used to provide balance. Without Will and Rose, the story might have sounded too syrupy-sweet. They add a large dose of reality theyre just plain folks who find themselves attracted to the other. No one in town expects much of either Will or Rose; but their symbiotic relationship creates a much-more-interesting and accomplished couple.
All of these characters reappear in the second book. Enjoy!
Reidsville
1) Never Love a Lawman (2009)
2) Marry Me (2010)
Unbeknownst to her, Sheriff Wyatt Cooper has been keeping an eye on Rachel. When a prominent man of the region dies, it sets off a chain of events that affect Rachel and Wyatt now - and long into the future. Rachel has been hiding from her past and eventually she must fact it.
This is my first book by Jo Goodman and Im ecstatic! The author is articulate, has a wry sense of humor and uses a subtle touch with her characters! At a time when so many authors are dumbing-down their books, it is wonderful to see an author with a vocabulary and who isnt afraid to use it.
So often a hero is demanding, powerful and puts folks in their place quickly. Wyatt plays against this stereotype by using humor, meeting folks part-way and taking the time to let folks work through their feelings and issues. He doesnt need to use a weapon because he reasons out what he wants and seeks a way to get it without bloodshed.
Because hes been married before, he has the understanding and patience to let Rachel work through her anger and fears. The dialogue between these two is full of sly and wry wit. I could see this couple sparring in my minds eye what a great pair!
Rachel grows quickly by her association with Wyatt. She goes from the town recluse to having an open-door policy for folks in need. It was a joy to see her bloom.
I thought the other romance in this story was used to provide balance. Without Will and Rose, the story might have sounded too syrupy-sweet. They add a large dose of reality theyre just plain folks who find themselves attracted to the other. No one in town expects much of either Will or Rose; but their symbiotic relationship creates a much-more-interesting and accomplished couple.
All of these characters reappear in the second book. Enjoy!
Reidsville
1) Never Love a Lawman (2009)
2) Marry Me (2010)
