The New Deputy in Town (Whitehorse Montana)

No point explaining the plot, but it's basically the "falling in love with the Texas lawman" plot. Very disappointed in this romance. This 313 page book could have been condensed into about 50 pages. Hardly any story and the romance was barely developed at all. I will say that I rarely enjoy modern romances, and this was no different. Good thing this was free, because I would have had to return it.

❤️❤️❤️

In other romances set in small towns, the usual worst aspect of them is the tendency to gossip and spread talk. They’re shown as beacons of charm, hominess, neighborly affection and down-home cooking. Everybody knows and likes (almost) everybody else and everyone is keen to pitch in and help if one of their own is in trouble. They’re places where no one locks their doors because who knows when someone might be in need of aid?

In the small town of Whitehorse, that’s simply not the case. Accidents and suspicious deeds are occurring all over the place, including poisoning, falls that result in broken limbs, violent attacks behind bars, missing husbands and sexual molestation. Unlocked doors means theft not trust. It’s like Miss Marple was always telling people: small towns are merely big cities in microcosm.

Given the mischief happening everywhere, the romance between the leads came as a welcome relief. It was wonderful to have an oasis of love and passion erupting between Nick Rogers and Laney Cavanaugh, even if it was under false circumstances.

Laney’s contribution to the murder mystery seemed almost negligible; Nick was able to piece together the relevant details without her help. But I couldn’t deny that she was an intelligent heroine. She was also capable in fighting off the dangerous predator that came after Nick.

In spite of their chemistry and mutual affection, I was sorry that they both decided to stay in Whitehorse. Whitehorse wasn’t Nick’s home. The town was falling apart, Laney’s old home had sunk into decrepitude and, once she grew up, she only spent two weeks in the place every year. So why decide to stay? Just another trite cliché of big city versus little town with the little town winning.

Still, the ending detracts little from the main story. This is one of the better romances out there, proving that there’s more to small town living than apple pie cooling on the windowsill.

Nick Rogers comes to town with something to hide. For such a small area, there sure is a lot of crime. This is a simplistic story; what you see is what you get.

The crime solutions keep the reader turning pages. 3 stars