So I'm on a Western historical kick, especially Jo Goodman's books, as I've found I really enjoy her writing. This is one of her best, in my opinion.
Cole has come to Reidsville to be the new town doctor. He believes in more modern (for the times) treatments that weren't acceptable in his previous post. He makes house calls to the outlying farms and comes across Runt, a young boy who seems to be injured. Runt turns out to not be what he appears, and Cole ends up treating Rhyne at his place in town for her injuries. This develops into a very sweet romance and a very interesting development as her father attempts revenge on Cole, Rhyne, and the rest of the town. I loved the characters as they turned out perfect for each other, while the additional characters fit into the story well. The historical details are excellent and very informative. This is a great start to my historical romance journey out West. ( )

Pretty good book. I liked the abused heroine, and while there wasn't as much angst as I generally like, I really appreciated the hero and the subplots. ( )

My first read from this author. It was fine and I read it straight through but it lacked a little something to pull it up more stars. Mostly I think it needed a deeper characterization of the heroine. There was very little in her POV at all. She had had such an unusual upbringing that it definitely felt lacking. We knew practically nothing about how she felt being raised as a boy and now learning to be a female. That element was just skipped over.

The opening scenes of the book really set things up to be very angsty but the tone of the book doesn't follow through with that feel. The heroine seems too accepting of the stuff that happens to her and recovers from all sorts of incidents easily which makes her characterization kind of all on the surface.

Also, the story was not so much about the relationship between the hero and heroine as it was a story about a doctor. It was interesting and well researched but detracted from the romance.


All in all a pretty good book but not necessarily a keeper. I would be willing to try others by this author. ( )

Pretty good book. I liked the abused heroine, and while there wasn't as much angst as I generally like, I really appreciated the hero and the subplots. ( )

This is the first book by Jo Goodman I have read. At first I thought the story was starting to ramble in the first chapter but it picked up the thread and became a good story that kept your interest. It makes for a delightful afternoon read.

Rhyne Abbot is fierce, brave, and used to a life of isolation on her father's spread on the outskirts of Reidsville, Colorado. But when, overcome with sickness, she collapses, she knows she must return to town if she is to have any hope of recovery. Only there is no place for her but the new doctor's home, and he wants more than just to heal Rhyne. He wants her hand in marriage.

Until One Man Found The Key

Doctor Cole Monroe's hands are already more than full with his orphaned little sister to look after, and yet somehow he can't resist the magnetic pull of Rhyne's bewitching eyes--or her tempting kiss. But convincing her to trust him won't be easy. For Rhyne's heart needs as much tender care as her ailing body. And the only cure is the thing she most fears: to let herself fall in love... ( )