I’ve read a few of Jo Goodman’s books and I was beyond thrilled when I learned she was writing a Western.
Seamstress Rachel Bailey moved to Reidsville, Colorado, at the behest of her rich benefactor. Although she likes the small mining town and its inhabitants, Rachel keeps to herself, venturing out only for supplies or to fit customers for dresses. Her solitary existence comes to an abrupt end when the town’s sheriff, Wyatt Cooper, pays a call. He bears a telegram informing her of the death of Clinton Maddox, Rachel’s wealthy patron and rumoured lover.
Wyatt Cooper was instructed by Clinton Maddox to keep an eye out for Rachel when she moved to Reidsville. Rachel was unaware of this and Wyatt took care to keep his distance from her…until now. According to Clinton Maddox’s will, Rachel is the beneficiary of a small stretch of railroad which links Reidsville to Denver, as well as a share in the local mine. Her inheritance comes with an unusual caveat: in order to claim it, Rachel must marry Wyatt Cooper.
What follows is a slowly unfolding, but beautifully rendered, love story. The plot is far more complex than my brief summary indicates. As Goodman excels in gradual reveals, giving more details about Rachel, Wyatt and Reidsville would spoil the story for those who have not yet read it.
Goodman’s style is not for everyone and I need to be in a certain mood to do her books justice. Unlike many romance authors, Goodman does not reveal much backstory about her characters in the first couple of chapters. Bits of their story are unveiled gradually, and all the pieces of the puzzle are eventually laid before the reader, giving us a full understanding of the characters’ goals and motivations.
I loved Wyatt and Rachel as individuals and as a couple. Wyatt is the strong, silent type. He gets the job done with the minimum of fuss. He’s the quintessential people-watcher. Unbeknownst to them, Wyatt observes all the residents of Reidsville from the vantage point of the jailhouse porch. There’s not much he doesn’t know about them, and he isn’t above the odd matchmaking enterprise.
Rachel is timid but resilient. Her experiences at home in Sacramento have left her wary of strangers, particularly men. However, she instinctively recognizes Wyatt as a good man and finds it easy to trust him. Slowly, friendship blossoms between them, and this later grows to love.
The town of Reidsville is essentially a character in its own right. Goodman depicts the town and its residents in loving detail, creating a world, not merely a backdrop for her story. Apparently, her next book will also be set in Reidsville and I can’t wait to read it.
My only criticism is a minor one: I found the manner in which the villain was ultimately disposed of anticlimactic and confusing. No adequate explanation is given for this. However, this did not detract from the story as a whole.
I forced myself to read this book slowly, to savour it, and to give it the attention which it deserves. It was a truly rewarding experience. If you’re a fan of Jo Goodman’s books, if you’re pining for a Western, or if you like to read unusual romances, I can highly recommend Never Love a Lawman. Grade: A-
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I read Jo Goodman stories translated in Dutch and it makes me feel like I haven’t read her books in ages. I have two books on the shelves to try me some Western again and I will see if I can feel any love for the genre. Sarah, it sounds like an excellent classic western read, these are the kind of books you love to read again after finishing it
I’ve been hearing really good things about this latest by Goodman. I will place it on hold at the library.
Great review!
@Leontine If you’re not a Western fan, Jo Goodman has also written several books set in the Regency period.
It is very odd to read a book in one language and then read it in another. I read several of Boris Akunin’s mysteries in German and enjoyed them. Then I tried reading one in English. I just couldn’t get into it. Strange!
@katiebabs Are you usually a Jo Goodman fan? Never Love a Lawman is written in her usual style – which is not for everyone – but it’s far less bleak than her last few books were.
I’m curious to know what you think of it.
I’m moving this one up on my immediate TBR list. I just bought it last week and with Wendy, Sybil, and KristieJ’s Western Divide mission a couple weeks ago, I’m all geared up for a good western.
Got this one in the immediate TBR. Must. Find. Reading. Mojo.
@Amy @Wendy
I was looking forward to this book anyway, but The Great Western Drive really put me in the mood. Hope you enjoy it!
I totally agree with your review. Loved this book and it is very much a ‘goodman’ book stylewise but like you said less ‘bleak’ then the last few. So feel a reread of some of her books coming on.
Adore her heroines in general (although have found the last few becoming too similar) I think Rachel is different. And Wyatt is just sigh… Jo does awesome heroes. Most of all the fact that the town and the characters in the town become so apart of the story without taking away from the h/h is wonderful.
And the banter… grand. Really everyone should try Jo Goodman at least once, I would suggest Never Love a Lawman, If His Kiss Is Wicked or A Season to be Sinful. All pretty recent and generally easy to find…lololol not that anyone asked *eg*.
@sybil I’ve never read A Season to be Sinful! It’s on my TBR shelf and I’m saving it as a treat for a time when I’m in need of a slow, satisfying comfort read.