I've been reading Ms. Anderson's back catalog, the Western historicals for the most part, and really enjoying them. This is the first contemporary I've read by her, and unfortunately, I didn't like it all that much. It was fine, I guess, but the plot was unbelievable with a multi-millionaire riding box cars for two years and drinking only to give up alcohol without much of an issue. She writes to a formula, and while alpha males work well in historicals, here Rafe seems more of a bully to poor Maggie.
I'll just go back to her historicals and immerse myself there. ( )

This was fairly good.

Two things that bothered me. Never once was that baby in a car seat. I can go with the bad guy not caring but the hero? Also at the end, they are riding and he has the baby in front of him on a flightly stallion. If you're being that careful you'd ride a more gentle dependable horse and save the stallion for riding alone. And horses don't smell fear although body tenseness will sometimes make them nervous.

Okay the story itself - There were places where it lost my interest and I wondered when it would end. Second half was better than the first half. It was an interesting departure to have them marry half way through and still have problems after they admitted their love. I did think she got over her issues with a physical relationship too easily. Like the first time he touched her she came twice? Hmm. I'd think there might be a flashback or too at the very least to deal with. She had been raped for 3 years. I did like that he lost his temper and fought with her. It made him seem more like a real person than many romance heros. I wasn't real fond of the heroine. No particular reason other than I usually like my heroines a little more gutsy than her. ( )

I was hooked on HR for a very long time - this is my top favorite of all time
( )

A very good romance. There were times when I sat in the car to keep listening. I had to bring it in to hear the end. ( )

I loved the way this book jumped right into the action. Maggie is on the run with her infant son when her path crosses with Rafe, who is grieving for the family he lost and burying himself in alcohol so he doesn't have to feel or care about anything or anyone. This was all about second chances, learning to trust again, and finding love. Initially I worried about being able to suspend belief because the situation felt a little Cinderella-ish...sorta. Rafe pushed a little in the beginning, falling too hard and too fast, taking control and making decisions without consulting Maggie, but the author impressed me. She managed to ease my "insta-love" worries and slow the relationship down without using "The Big Issue That Results In Separation" theme. This couple talked and that aspect was very believable.

Things that bugged me: My biggest issue would be that Maggie's emotional recovery seemed a little too sudden. There were other minor issues: Rafe had been bumming it in a drunken stupor for what, three years? I expected the alcohol withdrawal. Granted, he might not have been a hard-core emotional alcoholic, but one doesn't get drunk daily and just stop without physical ramifications. I also had trouble with Rafe paying off Lonnie. You don't give a bully/pedophile money. You throw them in prison and forget where you put the key. I was able to go with the author's line of thought, but at the same time I thought the police should've been involved from the beginning. The law was on Maggie's side.

Regardless of those issues, I enjoyed the story very much. Rafe was patient and generous to a fault. His family was endearing and I'd gladly date his brother. It was a great story with a HEA. ( )