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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Really enjoyed the laconic hero and smart, teasing heroine, as well as Goodman's strong writing and the appealing small-town she creates. Could have done without the last hero-rescues-heroine scene, though...
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
What a pleasure to be back in Bitter Springs with Finn and Rabbit and the whole community. While not quite measuring up to Kellan, the first hero in this series, Cobb has his own kind of quiet charm and competence. The mystery wasn't particularly hard to figure out, but the appeal in this book lies more in the characterization and the growing support and confidence between Cobb and Tru. I'm moving on to the rest of the series and glad there are more books to come.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Intriguing, sexy, and exciting, the author has put together a cast of fun, sharp witted characters who bring to life a western romance full of secrets, mystery and lust. The pace is perfect, keeping the suspense in the air and the character development flowing beautifully. The storyline is familiar, yet unique. Set in Wyoming in 1889, True to the Law is so well written, reminiscent of a John Ford classic.
The heroine in the book, Tru, was my favorite character. She is easily likeable and feisty to boot! She stole the show in every scene she was in. Her spitfire personality complimented that of each and every character in the book wonderfully. She truly was enjoyable! The rest of the characters, including Cobb, the upstanding “lawman”, added their own uniquely pleasant flavors to the story.
This was my first book by Jo Goodman, and I can honestly tell you that it will not be my last!
The heroine in the book, Tru, was my favorite character. She is easily likeable and feisty to boot! She stole the show in every scene she was in. Her spitfire personality complimented that of each and every character in the book wonderfully. She truly was enjoyable! The rest of the characters, including Cobb, the upstanding “lawman”, added their own uniquely pleasant flavors to the story.
This was my first book by Jo Goodman, and I can honestly tell you that it will not be my last!
andipants's review against another edition
I could not get into this one at all. I'm surprised, because I really enjoyed the first book I picked up by this author ([b:This Gun for Hire|22668727|This Gun for Hire (McKenna Brothers, #1)|Jo Goodman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416777196s/22668727.jpg|42170939]), and was looking forward to more. This one, however, got off to an incredibly slow start. What little is happening seems to be happening because that's what came next on the author's outline, not because of any organic-feeling plot development. The main characters are poorly developed and wooden, and I'm not feeling the chemistry between them at all. And the secondary characters are just sentimental caricatures: cartoonish outlines of kindly storekeepers, mischievous young'ns, and gossipy townsfolk.
A few specific details really broke my suspension of disbelief as well. First off, an itinerant gambler rolls into town, and suddenly the entire town is simultaneously convinced he should be the new marshal, despite having no verified qualifications and an explicitly stated lack of interest in the position - what? Secondly, what kind of 19th century American town not only is totes cool with the local schoolteacher drinking, but actually pays to keep her well-stocked in liquor? And third, what the hell is up with the cook at the hotel? I get that the author is trying to paint her as a semi-overbearing mother figure, but everything out of her mouth is unsolicited, unwarranted, and often completely inappropriate. I don't believe her as a character for a second.
DNF. I'm not giving up on this author yet, but I might take a break for a while.
A few specific details really broke my suspension of disbelief as well. First off, an itinerant gambler rolls into town, and suddenly the entire town is simultaneously convinced he should be the new marshal, despite having no verified qualifications and an explicitly stated lack of interest in the position - what? Secondly, what kind of 19th century American town not only is totes cool with the local schoolteacher drinking, but actually pays to keep her well-stocked in liquor? And third, what the hell is up with the cook at the hotel? I get that the author is trying to paint her as a semi-overbearing mother figure, but everything out of her mouth is unsolicited, unwarranted, and often completely inappropriate. I don't believe her as a character for a second.
DNF. I'm not giving up on this author yet, but I might take a break for a while.
mb_booklady's review against another edition
3.0
While the plotting and climax in this book were not as good as the first one, it was still an enjoyable read. Because I had read the third book in the series first, I was already familiar with the hero, Cobb Bridger. I liked his character well enough to want to read his story.
Goodman's villains in this book are very manipulative and sneakily evil.
Finn and Rabbit, two young brothers who appear in each of the three books did have me laughing out loud with their antics in this one. I also liked Cobb Bridger's dry sense of humor.
Goodman's villains in this book are very manipulative and sneakily evil.
Finn and Rabbit, two young brothers who appear in each of the three books did have me laughing out loud with their antics in this one. I also liked Cobb Bridger's dry sense of humor.
elliefufu's review against another edition
3.0
True to the Law by Jo Goodman
Grade: C+
“I want to breath the same air you do.”
Tru Marrow left her old life in Chicago and has started fresh as the new school teacher of Bitter Springs, Wyoming. Tru is finally at peace with her past and ready to start her future when a stranger comes into town and starts bringing up her past. Tru doesn’t know what to make of Cobb Bridger but she knows she feels something for him she has never felt for another. Soon her past makes it to Bitter Springs and the truth finally comes out.
Cobb Bridger was given instructions by Andrew Mackey III to find Tru Morrow at once. When he finally does find the beautiful school teacher Cobb realizes things may not be what he originally thought. As Cobb spends more time with Tru he realizes how amazing she is and how far he will go to protect her.
I liked True to the Law much better than other historical books that I have read in the past. The story is very good and will keep readers guessing until the very end. I found Cobb to be very clever and it was fun to see Tru get under his skin and mess with his head a little. I always enjoy watching the strong, stern men fall so hard for a woman and never see it coming until its too late. The banter that these two have is very cute and fun and kept the story interesting.
There were a few things that I found hard to believe which bothered me. Without giving too much away Tru does something that would be considered scandalous if the town found out about especially since she’s the school teacher and I just had a hard time believing it was something she would actually do. I also had a hard time with how Tru and Cobb react during and after they have sex for the first time. I was very lost as to why Tru acted the way she did and it took awhile to get an explanation.
Besides those two things and the book being a little long for my taste I did enjoy reading this book. It has romance, mystery and a lot of very fun characters to keep every reader interested until the last page.
Grade: C+
“I want to breath the same air you do.”
Tru Marrow left her old life in Chicago and has started fresh as the new school teacher of Bitter Springs, Wyoming. Tru is finally at peace with her past and ready to start her future when a stranger comes into town and starts bringing up her past. Tru doesn’t know what to make of Cobb Bridger but she knows she feels something for him she has never felt for another. Soon her past makes it to Bitter Springs and the truth finally comes out.
Cobb Bridger was given instructions by Andrew Mackey III to find Tru Morrow at once. When he finally does find the beautiful school teacher Cobb realizes things may not be what he originally thought. As Cobb spends more time with Tru he realizes how amazing she is and how far he will go to protect her.
I liked True to the Law much better than other historical books that I have read in the past. The story is very good and will keep readers guessing until the very end. I found Cobb to be very clever and it was fun to see Tru get under his skin and mess with his head a little. I always enjoy watching the strong, stern men fall so hard for a woman and never see it coming until its too late. The banter that these two have is very cute and fun and kept the story interesting.
There were a few things that I found hard to believe which bothered me. Without giving too much away Tru does something that would be considered scandalous if the town found out about especially since she’s the school teacher and I just had a hard time believing it was something she would actually do. I also had a hard time with how Tru and Cobb react during and after they have sex for the first time. I was very lost as to why Tru acted the way she did and it took awhile to get an explanation.
Besides those two things and the book being a little long for my taste I did enjoy reading this book. It has romance, mystery and a lot of very fun characters to keep every reader interested until the last page.
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
A double shot review with this book and it's follow-up, [b:In Want of a Wife|18668058|In Want of a Wife|Jo Goodman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382421118s/18668058.jpg|26493722] -- Can be found Here
A double shot review with this book and it's follow-up, [b:In Want of a Wife|18668058|In Want of a Wife|Jo Goodman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382421118s/18668058.jpg|26493722] -- Can be found Here
taisie22's review
informative
fast-paced
4.0
In this second book of the Bitter Springs series, Cobb Bridger is hired to track down a young woman who apparently stole something of value. Tru Morrow is the new schoolmistress in Bitter Springs, respected by the town. Cobb is both attracted to her and doubtful of his employer's claims. It's a good mystery set in the old West with likable characters, good historical detail, and an interesting story.
ela_35's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book was good but there wasn’t enough relationship development.
I liked the plot but it was a bit slow. Things are hinted at throughout the book but then when things start to come together near the end, instead of showing how things happen the chapter ends then the epilogue is a month or so later.
In this book and the first one in this series both of the main characters had secrets and when they were revealed, it wasn’t really talked about. The secrets were sort of skipped over and the relationships just sort of carried on. In both of the books it felt like most of the relationship development isn’t really shown.
I liked this book but I think that this author’s writing isn’t for me. I am a bit curious about the next book but I know that there won’t be enough development for me so I don’t think that I’m going to read the next book.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
3.0
Characters: school teacher with a past, private investigator
World Building: schoolroom?
Plot: A question of stolen goods and inheritance
Sex: Medium to tepid
Read another: Probably
World Building: schoolroom?
Plot: A question of stolen goods and inheritance
Sex: Medium to tepid
Read another: Probably