The Devil You Know by Jo Goodman (McKenna Brothers #2)
Released: May 3, 2016
Western Historical
Berkley
Reviewed by Mandi
I really enjoyed the previous book in this series (both are stand alones) so I was excited to pick this one up. Jo Goodman writes very well-developed characters, and Willa and Israel carried this story. I’ll start by saying, this is not an action-packed book. There are some secrets, a little intrigue, and some scuffles with neighbors, but otherwise, not a lot happens. I think I read a review that called it “comfortably slow” and those are perfect words for this book. It’s slow, but that isn’t necessarily a negative. I would not have complained had there been a little more oomph, but Goodman gives us strong, fun, witty characters.
Israel is our hero, and to start the book he is in bad, bad shape. Appearing to be beaten to an inch of his life, Willa’s ten-year old sister finds him way out on their horse ranch property, barely alive. After poking him with a stick, and realizing he is alive, she runs for help. Israel has a dislocated shoulder, badly damaged knee, a swollen eye among other things. He also lacks his memory…or so he says.
Willa is the woman in charge of the family horse ranch. Her father, nicknamed Happy, is usually drunk and not very helpful. She has some good, solid ranch hands that like family to her, and her vivacious younger sister who is very cute in this book. She is written well – trying to impress the adults and always eavesdropping – thinking she is much more mature than her ten years. I liked her a lot.
They bring Israel back to the ranch to treat his wounds. He definitely has a concussion and is in bad shape for quite a while. Israel’s banter as he is injured and healing is cute – his response to all the fuss over him made me chuckle more than once. Willa and Happy aren’t too sure they can trust this stranger, that happened to be on their land with no memory as to why – but they know they need to do the kindly thing and care for him. As time goes by, he gets stronger and starts to repay them and earn cash since he has none, as a ranch hand.
Once all the swelling on his face recedes, Willa realizes there is quite an attractive man under there. Willa is twenty-four and single, and she has a long history with Eli, a man her age on the neighboring ranch. Her families are feuding now, but long ago Willa and Eli were fond of each other. He has proposed more than once, and Willa has turned him down. Feeling such pressure from him and not feeling safe around his family, and some new feelings for Israel, she proposes Israel marry her. (I love a marriage of convenience). After some talking and figuring things out, he agrees.
From here, Israel starts to be honest about where he has been, how he ended up in her town and some other secrets he has been hiding.
Willa is great in this book – super independent, strong, hard worker. She is more serious and it’s harder for her to let her defenses down. Israel notices this right away, and quietly needles her until she starts to open up. They have a quiet romance, yet very sexy too. I enjoyed their chemistry.
Like I said, some might find this slow – I wish there would have been a few more things happening, but I appreciate the strong characters and conversation.
Grade: B
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