Customer Reviews

Never Love A Lawman

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

The thing I love the most about this author is how she shows the growth in the relationship. They don't just have two 15 minute conversations and fall madly in love. You get to see how the relationship grows and really understand WHY they want to be together.

From the title and cover of this book, I wasn't really sure what to expect. It almost looks like a contemporary, and no year is mentioned in the description. But this is a wonderful historical in the vein and time period of the Dennehy sisters! Very reminiscent of that series. (and oh-so-subtlety tied to it.) I enjoyed the in depth characterizations, letting us really see Wyatt and Rachel fall in love. Subtle humor and witty conversations. Definitely a keeper.

Plot Summary: Seamstress Rachel Bailey is Reidsville's most sought-after single woman, but she politely rebuffs all comers and lives in isolation by choice. Sheriff Wyatt Cooper has been secretly keeping an eye on Rachel for over a year now, but the death of a prominent business man reveals many secrets that involve both Wyatt and Rachel. Namely, that the two must marry in order to retain control over the precious railroad track that keeps Reidsville connected to Denver. When the terms of the inheritance are revealed, Rachel's past comes in person to haunt her, and she'll need more than Wyatt's protection in name only.

This was a surprisingly complex and multi-layered story that had a compelling romance at its core. I honestly wasn't prepared for just how good this book was going to be. I guess you could say I underestimated it, based on the cover and the fact that it's a western romance. I know, shame on me! Still, I'm extremely pleased that I had a chance to read this one, and sample some of Jo Goodman's writing. I'll be back for a second helping.

What usually holds me back from giving a top rating is the lack of some element. Maybe I'll like one of the lead characters, but not both, or maybe the plot is too slow or clumsy, or maybe the romance is as passionless as a porno. This novel delivers 100 percent on every count. Rachel and Wyatt are interesting people who are revealed slowly, bit by bit. Their love affair is a journey that I savored at every step, and silently thanked Ms. Goodman for not rushing things along. The plot was lively and full of surprises. The passion ran deep, not just between Rachel and Wyatt, but also when the entire community of Reidsville bonded together when their collective livelihood was threatened.

As good as the storytelling is here, no western would be complete without the usual accoutrements. That means horses and trains, lawmen and robbers, men that are hard as nails, and women with hearts of gold. I expect these things and more in a good western, but the strength of this particular story is that Ms. Goodman pushes beyond the stereotypes and infuses her characters with real souls, and then forces them into the messy thick of life.

It's very hard to find a great western romance. I was hoping this would be one. I've read up to page 114, but I give up. I honestly fell asleep every few pages. It took days for me to get this far. Nothing has happened to grab my interest. The story is very vague, leading the reader along with hints that something might be lying beneath the surface. By this point in the book, something should have happened to keep the reader engaged. Instead we have nothing but outward appearances with absolutely no deeper understanding of the characters. I couldn't force myself to care what happened to either the hero or heroine because neither character has any depth to draw my interest. For over 100 pages, I've read nothing but people living everyday lives, day- in/ day- out. This book is lengthy at around 437 pages... I'm not willing to sleep through another 200 pages before finding out who the main characters really are.

This is the first Jo Goodman book that I've read, but from what I can tell she ususally does series, or trilogies. Not n the sense of continuing the lives of the characters she's written about before, but in the sense of expanding on characters she's already introduced in other books. This, unless she wants to continue the story of some secondary characters, is a stand alone novel. It's a romance novel set in 1882, shortly after the Civil War.

This is a good romance novel, heavy on the character development and love story, with a smattering of anticipation and action as well. It's you typical, 'girl on her own, runing from a mysterious past and it catches up with her and she has to be protected' but with a new and original twist on the details. Rachel Bailey is a likeable and well researched seamstress, Sheriff Wyatt Cooper is charming and flawed in his own manner, definately a heart stealer, and Maddox Foster is just as cold and cruel as you expect.

I personally loved this book. The level of research was amazing. With the perfect amount of depth and information so you didn't feel like you bumbling around in something you didn't know anything about; but not so overwhelming that you felt you were reading a manual or historical report. It was refreshing to see, in Rachel Bailey, a character that was both independent and not totally consumed with being perfect all the time. She learns some hard lessons, and does her best not to be to stbborn or pigheaded. Wyatt is a well rounded Hero, just the perfect amount of tragic past and charming unique persoality traits. Te secondary characters, Miss. Rose LaRose and that no-account Beatty Boy, were delightful and didn't take away from the main story at all. Over all the book had me yearning for some common ground and delighted in all of the characters all around.

You'll be excited to get your hands on this. The only dissapointment I had was that we didn't get to spend more time in their world, as this is only 384 pages. A general round about for a normal romance novel. It really is a shame we don't have any more epic continual stories in this genre.

Well done!

I have never been fond of Westerns. After reading Never love a Lawman I have had a change of heart. This book was excellent I really enjoyed it. The writing is superb the pace is just right I am so glad I gave this one a chance.I have always loved Goodman's Euro Historicals which is my favorite genre but having read them all and running out of good romances authors to try I decided to give this one a try. Jo Goodman has made me look twice at the Western Romance genre I am currently reading Wild Sweet Ecstasy and it is also very good.I can't wait to read Marry Me.

What style of romance do you like? Are you the "microwave" romance reader - where there's sizzling, heart pounding sex in the first 50 pages? Do you want conflict in a relationship that goes from cold to hot in 60 seconds? Or do you prefer the "slow-cooker" romance - where the relationship evolves as the story unfolds and the characters' personalities are defined a little at a time?

Never Love a Lawman is a "slow-cooker" romance and well worth savoring. So often men in the romance genre are overbearing Alpha males, but Sheriff Wyatt Cooper is more the strong, silent type. Make no mistake though; he is all male. He has an old-fashioned streak of chivalry, he takes his job of protecting the small, isolated mining town very seriously, and he uses his brain over brawn. But his most irresistible quality is his wry sense of humor. He is Prince Charming in a cowboy hat and boots and a smile that will melt your heart.

Heroines in romances can be stubborn to the point of being bitchy, but Rachel Bailey's personality is one of dogged determination tempered with common sense. Although thrust together in an arranged marriage, both Rachel and Wyatt are smart and canny in understated ways, guarding their secrets and trying to out-fox the other. Eventually they settle into a relationship of mutual respect and they grow to care deeply for one another. The best part of the book is their easy affection shown through teasing and trust, kindness and patience, and all the little ordinary daily things that love becomes. When was the last time you read a book where the hero and heroine care about each other throughout the storyline rather than in just the last chapter or two?

A nemesis from Rachel's past provides the conflict and the town's menagerie of endearing characters band together to protect each other and support Rachel and Wyatt advancing a satisfying plot. I enjoyed the pitting of brain against brawn in outwitting the villain in spite of his power, influence and hired thugs.

In some ways, this is just a good old-fashioned love story. Jo Goodman has written her characters with such depth and feeling and honesty, you find yourself caring deeply about them. And Wyatt and Rachel's relationship is like a fresh, spring breeze.

The title warns Never Love a Lawman. But with Wyatt Cooper, what's not to love? For me, this is a tender romance - a slow-cooker - and delicious. And while sizzling microwave romances have their place, there's always room on my nightstand for a good story of deep and abiding love. This one's a keeper.

Rachel Bailey has recently moved to Reidsville, a remote yet prosperous mining town in 1880's Colorado. She runs a successful dressmaking business but otherwise keeps to herself and not much is known about her history. Rachel's uncommon beauty and air of mystery captivate the local men, but she pointedly avoids any entanglements. It is clear there was an abusive man in her past, and she hopes he will never find her in this isolated location.

Rachel's happy albeit dull life is thrown into turmoil when she inherits the town's only railway line and a large share of it mining operations from a wealthy industrial tycoon she knew in her prior life. The only condition to inherit is that she must marry the town sheriff, Wyatt Cooper, whom she barely knows (but is undeniably the best catch in town). If she does not marry Wyatt, the rail line and mine shares will pass to the tycoon's grandson - a VERY bad character with the potential to destroy Reidsville. So Rachel doesn't really have much choice about marrying, but she does have a choice about how the marriage will be played out. She insists that it be in name only, that it be kept a secret, that they live apart, and that they have no sexual contact. Wyatt has other plans...

I love Jo Goodman's writing and her books are among my favorites. This one is fine...it just lacks the passion and intensity of some of her other works. The story develops in the deliberate way that Goodman does so well, the dialogue is excellent, and there is some nice humor. Wyatt is an appealing hero - an alpha male with a tender side and smart to boot - and the supporting cast is good as well. The major weakness is Rachel. Her constant need to control grates after awhile, she works too hard at being quirky, and her aloofness to Wyatt after their marriage is consummated just does not ring true. Wyatt's 'courtship' of Rachel is endearing, but their love scenes are not particularly strong and could use more sweetness and spark and emotional involvement. The suspense angle is also a bit weak - and I have come to expect so much from this author! Overall, the book is worth a read...it's just not anything special.

I am a huge fan of Jo Goodman, particularly her later regencies. I loved how this book started with sassy dialogue between Wyatt and Rachel that was very entertaining. The book seemed to have more humor than Goodman's other books and I was really enjoying it up until the middle, where it began to sag and for the first time ever reading a Goodman book, I was bored! Even the villain was not as evil as say those in the Compass club series and he was easily taken care of. I really liked all the characters but the romance just didn't leave me sighing as so many of her other books have. Oh well,I still remain a fan and will gladly try her next one!