In Which I Finally Finished Never Love A Lawman

Well, it only took a month (possibly my busiest since January which, as some of you might know, was beset by the Sundance Film Festival), but I finally finished Never Love a Lawman.

And boy oh boy, was it worth every second.

I think I'll begin with the marriage of convenience that was anything but (aren't they all?) and was simply a pleasure to read. Wyatt Cooper and Rachel Bailey genuinely liked each other before they were married, even if they drove each other insane (don't they always?). What was striking was the sheer number of things that could/should have caused a Big Misunderstanding that didn't. At all.

Wyatt was previously married and was in love with his wife. In fact, he was rather heartbroken by her death. Was he dwelling on it? No. And did Rachel have a self-esteem flagellating "I'm not as good as her" pity party? No. When the story opens, Wyatt is in the middle of a session with the local whore. Seriously. He's noticing Rachel walk down the street from the balcony of the local brothel. Does Rachel find out about this encounter? Yes. Does she pitch a jealous hissy fit? No. Does Wyatt have anything but the business-friendliest intentions for Rose the madam? Not at all. Especially when she's so wildly in love with his deputy. Also, the villain eventually shows up in town and refers to Rachel as a "whore" multiple times. Does Wyatt ever for a second doubt his lady and her story? Nope.

So we have a historical couple who have a very mature, very enlightened (but not out-of-period) relationship. They live in a town inhabited by lovely, funny, good-hearted people. The aforementioned deputy, whose name is Will, is always referred to as "that no-account Beatty boy" by every character who references him. The town whores (of whom there are many) are not evil or shady... they even marry the townsmen (when they are good and ready). Abe Dishman proposes to Rachel every month on or about the 5th, and so everyone in town knows to pay close attention to see how she will reject him this time.

The plot and conflict are complex but not overly complicated, nor do they dominate the story unduly. Once again, this is a story about characters, and it is the characters who shine through. They are multi-dimensional, interesting, and by the time the story was finished I found myself considering them all my friends. Well, except for Foster Maddox, the douchebag villain. But yes, I was even a little in love with that no account Beatty boy.

I have purchased another of Jo Goodman's books for further wonderful reading, but I have to move on for the moment.

Next up: Nicole Lasseter (yet another red-head with a passion for the open sea. I can't explain it.)

Next book: One Dance With a Duke by Tessa Dare. How excited am I? SO EXCITED. And you know you are too.