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Kissing Comfort
"With a head for numbers and a fiery spirit, Miss Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy would much rather be elbow-deep in the family banking business than follow the path expected of an unattached young woman. But when her best friend, the dashing Bram DeLong, announces that they are engaged, Comfort finds herself on the path to matrimony. But Bode DeLong knows his brother isn't really in love with Comfort, and figures the safest place for Comfort is in his arms"--P. [4] of cover.
676 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2011
41 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Jo Goodman
60 books479 followersTo find characters to illustrate my first family saga, I cut out models from the Sears catalogue. I was in fourth grade, but it was a start. In seventh grade I wrote a melodrama about two orphan sisters, one of whom was pregnant. There was also a story about a runaway girl with the unlikely name of Strawberry and one about mistaken identities and an evil blind date. My supportive, but vaguely concerned parents, sighed with relief when I announced I was going to write children's books. They bought me an electric typewriter and crossed their fingers, but somehow PASSION'S BRIDE came out. No one was really surprised.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 16, 2012
After finishing this book, I can say with all certainty that it has been much too long since I read a Jo Goodman. I enjoy the current offerings in Historical Romance, but sometimes I long for something a little different. That’s where Jo Goodman comes in. Twisting plots, clever dialogue, subtle characterization...it all works so well for me.
I was a little nervous when I started this book. Goodman is usually a sure thing, but I wasn’t sure what I would think of a romance that starts with the heroine cast as in love with someone else. Sometimes those plots work, but sometimes the transition from loving the first guy to loving the hero comes off as rushed and disingenuous. I shouldn’t have worried myself. The transition from Bram to Bode is extremely smooth and is aided by Comfort’s memories of her come out ball at sixteen. The author is also not content to let Comfort’s feelings for Bram rest simply. She delves into what motivated Comfort to feel that way and forces her to look at what their friendship actually consisted of.
Bode is one of those heroes that I find it near impossible not to like. He’s been in the wings of Comfort’s life since she was sixteen and has been attracted to her from that very first meeting. Unfortunately for him, the vivacious Bram is the brother that fixes her attention. He’s left to watch them from a distance and deal with her growing feelings for Bram, no matter how much it chafes.
You may wonder why Bode would do that to his brother, but calling Bode’s family close would be quite a stretch. Comfort’s family, which was cobbled together when she was five, was immeasurably stronger than any family relationship Bode had ever experienced in his life from his blood relatives. Speaking of Comfort’s family, her uncles were fabulous. I loved the strong friendship they had with each other and the care they had for Comfort. Watching them interact was both amusing and heartwarming. They were two cantankerous old men, but they had nothing but love for Comfort.
I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took, and appreciated that although the overall plot and motivation behind it was lighter than some of her books, the hidden motivation and surprising character developments were just as layered as ever. The only real complaint I have about the book is how Comfort and Bode consummated their relationship. I was a little confused and uncomfortable with the circumstance and with how quickly that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Once I saw more of the Comfort’s take on it I was better off.
Favorite Quote:
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
I was a little nervous when I started this book. Goodman is usually a sure thing, but I wasn’t sure what I would think of a romance that starts with the heroine cast as in love with someone else. Sometimes those plots work, but sometimes the transition from loving the first guy to loving the hero comes off as rushed and disingenuous. I shouldn’t have worried myself. The transition from Bram to Bode is extremely smooth and is aided by Comfort’s memories of her come out ball at sixteen. The author is also not content to let Comfort’s feelings for Bram rest simply. She delves into what motivated Comfort to feel that way and forces her to look at what their friendship actually consisted of.
Bode is one of those heroes that I find it near impossible not to like. He’s been in the wings of Comfort’s life since she was sixteen and has been attracted to her from that very first meeting. Unfortunately for him, the vivacious Bram is the brother that fixes her attention. He’s left to watch them from a distance and deal with her growing feelings for Bram, no matter how much it chafes.
"What do you and my brother find to talk about? Or for that matter, what did you find to write about for so many years?"Mixed in with his unhappiness with Comfort’s feelings for Bram is his frustration with his brother. Again and again he’s forced to bail him out of scrapes, yet Bram never internalizes the wrong he has committed. It’s a vicious cycle that Bram always seems to come out on top in. Despite his surprise and unhappiness when he learns of Bram and Comfort’s engagement, Bode refuses to believe it’s too late. He’s determined to finally make Comfort see him.
"When you ask that question, I can never tell if it's your brother you mean to insult, or me."
"Bram cannot be insulted."
You may wonder why Bode would do that to his brother, but calling Bode’s family close would be quite a stretch. Comfort’s family, which was cobbled together when she was five, was immeasurably stronger than any family relationship Bode had ever experienced in his life from his blood relatives. Speaking of Comfort’s family, her uncles were fabulous. I loved the strong friendship they had with each other and the care they had for Comfort. Watching them interact was both amusing and heartwarming. They were two cantankerous old men, but they had nothing but love for Comfort.
"...but I don't know what else we could have done, since you're about as necessary as gravy is to biscuits."This is a very character driven romance. There are outside influences making trouble for them, but the main focus is of the book is on Comfort and Bode and their ever deepening relationship. Watching them fall in love was absolutely lovely. I love the way Goodman writes her characters and their interactions together. You won’t find the hero and heroine thinking perfectly obvious things just to make sure that we, the reader, are clear on that fact. The characters and their emotions are subtle. You have to watch and pay attention to follow the clues of their slow fall into love. You’ll know it before they ever end up saying it to each other, because their actions show it so well.
"As gravy is to biscuits?" Newt said before Comfort could comment. "That's the best you can do?"
Tuck shrugged. "You try to say something pretty."
"You're as necessary as sunshine is to flowers."
Tuck snorted. "Now you're sayin' we're flowers. If I had my druthers, I'd druther be a biscuit."
"And I'd druther be a tea cart, but that's not going to happen."
"A tea cart? Now what kind of fool thing is that to say?
I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took, and appreciated that although the overall plot and motivation behind it was lighter than some of her books, the hidden motivation and surprising character developments were just as layered as ever. The only real complaint I have about the book is how Comfort and Bode consummated their relationship. I was a little confused and uncomfortable with the circumstance and with how quickly that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Once I saw more of the Comfort’s take on it I was better off.
Favorite Quote:
He held her gaze, and Comfort didn't look away; she didn't want to. His eyes no longer reflected the violet-blue spark of light glancing off steel. What she saw were deep, warm pools that invited her to stir their perfect stillness.
Without quite knowing why, she accepted their invitation. She raised her head. Her lips parted. She waited.
She understood what she hadn't in the moment before he touched her mouth with his.
Bode's eyes had been the calm before the storm.
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
January 27, 2012
Goodman’s specialty is writing tormented heroines who are survivors as well as victims. Comfort Kennedy was named after a tin of lozenges she was clutching when she was found by prospectors Newt and Tuck, the only survivor of a wagon train massacre. Twenty years later, Comfort and her beloved “Uncles” have built an extremely prosperous life for themselves as bankers in San Francisco, and no one is surprised when Bram DeLong announces their engagement -- except perhaps Comfort, since he never asked her.
Comfort is far too clear-sighted about Bram’s faults to ever marry him, despite the fact that she loves him, but she reluctantly agrees to a short fake engagement. But as Bram’s brother Bode discovers, Comfort and the DeLongs have been drawn into a complicated scheme, and it will take his strength and hers to save all of them from disaster.
The characters are the stars of this book. Bode is quietly strong, a steady and responsible man with a ruthless streak. Comfort is smart and capable, but sometimes crippled by PTSD and occasionally misled through her own need for comfort. The uncles are particularly lovable, homey old friends who know each other inside and out, and who can turn just about any situation into a wager between the two of them.
Although I enjoyed the story overall, and Goodman’s intricate, elegant writing, I couldn’t help feeling that the book was prone to anticlimax. There was a lot of build up that needed more follow through, and I was disappointed that we never do find out much about Comfort's past. But the characterizations and wonderful chemistry between Bode and Comfort and the uncles make it still a very good read.
Comfort is far too clear-sighted about Bram’s faults to ever marry him, despite the fact that she loves him, but she reluctantly agrees to a short fake engagement. But as Bram’s brother Bode discovers, Comfort and the DeLongs have been drawn into a complicated scheme, and it will take his strength and hers to save all of them from disaster.
The characters are the stars of this book. Bode is quietly strong, a steady and responsible man with a ruthless streak. Comfort is smart and capable, but sometimes crippled by PTSD and occasionally misled through her own need for comfort. The uncles are particularly lovable, homey old friends who know each other inside and out, and who can turn just about any situation into a wager between the two of them.
Although I enjoyed the story overall, and Goodman’s intricate, elegant writing, I couldn’t help feeling that the book was prone to anticlimax. There was a lot of build up that needed more follow through, and I was disappointed that we never do find out much about Comfort's past. But the characterizations and wonderful chemistry between Bode and Comfort and the uncles make it still a very good read.
July 23, 2011
Comfort Kennedy has secretly loved Bram DeLong since she was 16. Bram is impulsive, a gambler, a playboy, and extremely charming... and is Comfort's best friend. So imagine her surprise when, at Bram's brother's surprise birthday party, Bram announces their engagement to the party and Comfort herself. Comfort knows Bram does not love her in the same way and agrees to keep up the charade of engagement to avoid scandal. That is, until she changes her mind about both DeLong brothers.
Bode DeLong, Bram's older brother, knows something big is happening. His brother does not love Comfort, at least not the way Bode has loved her, but Bram is still insisting he will marry her. Sparks fly whenever Comfort and Bode are together and their chemistry makes for some very fun dueling between the two of them.
Comfort is a wonderful heroine. She is smart, strong, independent, completely straight forward, and logical. Her relationship with her adopted uncles is lovely and the scenes including the uncles are some of the best in the book. Comfort's backstory (pre- adopted uncles) is explained and shown a little, but mostly a mystery to the reader and to Comfort herself that never truly gets explained. All of the explanations for the way Comfort is raised shows so much of Comfort's character and makes her relationship with her saviors even more endearing.
Bode has had to be the man in is family for a long time. His mother is a controlling busy-body that dotes on Bram. Bram has gambled his way into a lot of debt and generally acts like a spoiled baby. Bode's father, before dying, had seriously crippled the family shipping business and left the world with a terrible reputation for his penchant for serving and working girls. Bode works very hard to rein in his mother and brother and to keep the business afloat, a great feat.
I loved loved loved Bode and Comfort's story. They suit each other perfectly and understand each other in a way that few others can. They both feel very passionately about those they love and are both honest and hard-working. Comfort was always weary of Bode when she was friends with Bram. But after she comes to understand that maybe what she felt for Bram was not what she thought it was or if it was, was no longer the case, she gets to know Bode for the man he is and she truly likes it. Bode is a wonder knight-in-shining-armor H. He is caring, understanding, patient, witty, responsible, dependable... etc. They match each other so well that I will keep this story close to reread many times. The loves scenes were beautiful and the story was very well told. Kissing Comfort is a keeper!
Bode DeLong, Bram's older brother, knows something big is happening. His brother does not love Comfort, at least not the way Bode has loved her, but Bram is still insisting he will marry her. Sparks fly whenever Comfort and Bode are together and their chemistry makes for some very fun dueling between the two of them.
Comfort is a wonderful heroine. She is smart, strong, independent, completely straight forward, and logical. Her relationship with her adopted uncles is lovely and the scenes including the uncles are some of the best in the book. Comfort's backstory (pre- adopted uncles) is explained and shown a little, but mostly a mystery to the reader and to Comfort herself that never truly gets explained. All of the explanations for the way Comfort is raised shows so much of Comfort's character and makes her relationship with her saviors even more endearing.
Bode has had to be the man in is family for a long time. His mother is a controlling busy-body that dotes on Bram. Bram has gambled his way into a lot of debt and generally acts like a spoiled baby. Bode's father, before dying, had seriously crippled the family shipping business and left the world with a terrible reputation for his penchant for serving and working girls. Bode works very hard to rein in his mother and brother and to keep the business afloat, a great feat.
I loved loved loved Bode and Comfort's story. They suit each other perfectly and understand each other in a way that few others can. They both feel very passionately about those they love and are both honest and hard-working. Comfort was always weary of Bode when she was friends with Bram. But after she comes to understand that maybe what she felt for Bram was not what she thought it was or if it was, was no longer the case, she gets to know Bode for the man he is and she truly likes it. Bode is a wonder knight-in-shining-armor H. He is caring, understanding, patient, witty, responsible, dependable... etc. They match each other so well that I will keep this story close to reread many times. The loves scenes were beautiful and the story was very well told. Kissing Comfort is a keeper!
August 8, 2011
Sometimes a gal just needs to read a book with a half naked cowboy on the cover, am I right ladies?
The year is 1870 in San Francisco. When Bode doesn't show up right away to his own birthday party, his brother Bram fills in the awkwardness by announcing his engagement to Comfort, but there's one problem: he never proposed and she's just as surprised as the rest of the guests at his announcement. Bode is suspicious of Bram's "engagement" and decides that he's the one for Comfort. Comfort must choose whether to break her sham of an engagement or not and she must also come to terms with her past at the same time.
This was a great romance! As the cover might suggest, there are a few steamy scenes in this novel, which were not cheesy in the least (thankfully). But there was also a great plot, complete with plot twists and mysterious bad guys, and equally great characters. Overall Kissing Comfort was very well written and I really enjoyed it. It will be released September 6th.
PS: The fact that I got this book free from the publisher did not affect my review.
The year is 1870 in San Francisco. When Bode doesn't show up right away to his own birthday party, his brother Bram fills in the awkwardness by announcing his engagement to Comfort, but there's one problem: he never proposed and she's just as surprised as the rest of the guests at his announcement. Bode is suspicious of Bram's "engagement" and decides that he's the one for Comfort. Comfort must choose whether to break her sham of an engagement or not and she must also come to terms with her past at the same time.
This was a great romance! As the cover might suggest, there are a few steamy scenes in this novel, which were not cheesy in the least (thankfully). But there was also a great plot, complete with plot twists and mysterious bad guys, and equally great characters. Overall Kissing Comfort was very well written and I really enjoyed it. It will be released September 6th.
PS: The fact that I got this book free from the publisher did not affect my review.
December 11, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A-
A book by Jo Goodman always hits the spot for me. I like the way she develops her characters. Her females tend to be smart and full of moxy.
I liked this story. I was hoping it was connected to the Reidsville books but its not.
I should say that I really wish they wouldn't put a decapitated naked male torso on this type of book. What is the point? Its insulting to the author and the reader IMO. At no point in the story is a half naked, ripped, male lounging around, leaning on a fence. ARGH!
A book by Jo Goodman always hits the spot for me. I like the way she develops her characters. Her females tend to be smart and full of moxy.
I liked this story. I was hoping it was connected to the Reidsville books but its not.
I should say that I really wish they wouldn't put a decapitated naked male torso on this type of book. What is the point? Its insulting to the author and the reader IMO. At no point in the story is a half naked, ripped, male lounging around, leaning on a fence. ARGH!
May 24, 2012
This was such a sweet love story. Bode, the hero, loves Comfort through the entire book. Even though it isn't obvious to the reader it is still very sweet. His rescue of her and his charming ways make him a winner of a hero.
Comfort, well, I didn't warm up to her like I did Bode, but I did like her. Luckily, she doesn't "love" the brother Bram, too long in the book. I'm glad that didn't go on and on like I've seen in other stories.
Comfort's two uncles, Tuck and Newt, are great. They had some great dialogue and the scene where they discuss when they each realized they loved Comfort and saw her as theirs just about brought tears to my eyes.
I haven't read a Jo Goodman book in awhile. It seemed to me she changed her writing style a bit from her earlier writing and I didn't really enjoy it as much. However, I couldn't help wanting to read this book. The back cover intrigued me. I'm glad I did because I really did liked this book.
Comfort, well, I didn't warm up to her like I did Bode, but I did like her. Luckily, she doesn't "love" the brother Bram, too long in the book. I'm glad that didn't go on and on like I've seen in other stories.
Comfort's two uncles, Tuck and Newt, are great. They had some great dialogue and the scene where they discuss when they each realized they loved Comfort and saw her as theirs just about brought tears to my eyes.
I haven't read a Jo Goodman book in awhile. It seemed to me she changed her writing style a bit from her earlier writing and I didn't really enjoy it as much. However, I couldn't help wanting to read this book. The back cover intrigued me. I'm glad I did because I really did liked this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
First of all i want to thank goodreads first reads and Jo Goodman for making me able to win this book.
So i had a main problems with this story the underdevelopment. In the prologue the story had me because it was different and had so much potential to be awesome.But when you got to the heart of the mystery it was anticlimatic and to me unsuspenseful. One thing that was cool is that some of the relationships had conflicts to them.The characters were okay, they felt stereotypical to me. At chapter 7, i had trouble wanting to continue because i realized i did not care about the characters or mystery because i was apparent to me both felt lukewarm. Romance in this book was not developed at all.One minute she is in love with one then the next the other,literally. It was no suspense or tension to the relationship.My final verdict is that if Jo Goodman took a few more steps this book could have been awesome but she didn't so it was lukewarm.
So i had a main problems with this story the underdevelopment. In the prologue the story had me because it was different and had so much potential to be awesome.But when you got to the heart of the mystery it was anticlimatic and to me unsuspenseful. One thing that was cool is that some of the relationships had conflicts to them.The characters were okay, they felt stereotypical to me. At chapter 7, i had trouble wanting to continue because i realized i did not care about the characters or mystery because i was apparent to me both felt lukewarm. Romance in this book was not developed at all.One minute she is in love with one then the next the other,literally. It was no suspense or tension to the relationship.My final verdict is that if Jo Goodman took a few more steps this book could have been awesome but she didn't so it was lukewarm.
June 29, 2016
hmmm I love Jo Goodman and I fell in love with the characters in this book. But the plot, was, well... traumatizing at parts & the characters psychologically bounced back a little too easily IMO. Still really liked it but didn't love it as much as the great characterization would have otherwise warranted.
March 15, 2016
Another great read by the talented JG. I would have liked to have seen more books in this series, but I guess it is a standalone. I think that Bram has learned his lesson and could use some real love.
January 11, 2015
I find that I'm really enjoying this author. I liked this book because the story was sweet and had a good plot that was easy to follow. The mystery she wove into the story was easy to figure out which is the only reason I gave 4 not 5 stars.
October 19, 2018
If you're in the mood for a romance, you should probably skip this book. This novel is more focused on telling a story about how the prickly heroine lost her family when their caravan was attacked many years ago, and then how she becomes embroiled in the conflict between two brothers. Along the way she moves from expressing lukewarm, frustrated feelings for the disreputable brother ( we don't ever get an explanation about why she feels she loves him since he is such a shallow character....and this suggests shallowness on her part) to showing sexual attraction to the more serious brother. The serious brother saves her from a kidnapping, they have a mysterious wedding cermony we don't get to see, and then suddenly we are told they are in love. That's about half way through the book, and so the rest of the book is devoted to the mystery around her kidnapping and her past, not even the couple's relationship. We never really get a sense of how the two main characters feel about each other. The author keeps us locked out of their heads just as surely as she kept us locked out of their wedding ceremony. Instead we are just left with descriptions of their prickly interactions with each other, and those descriptions are often annoyingly written. There was a jumping, half finished, odd phrasing feel to much of the writing when it involved the two main characters, like the author was trying to be more poetic as a way of signaling...Here's the romantic part! It didn't work for me. The sad part is that the bones of the story...a brother who has loved a girl from a distance for 8 years...is a romantic one. But the author never made much of it.
December 6, 2022
Ms. Goodman writes excellent historical romances, though she excels in Western historicals. In this book, she's ventured further west to San Francisco. Comfort Kennedy is the adopted daughter of two miners who found her in a wagon train where everyone else was massacred. Now wealthy, Comfort is in love with Bran DeLong though she's surprised when he announces their engagement at his brother Bode's birthday party. Bode distrusts his playboy brother Bran and to complicate matters, he's also in love with Comfort.
I don't always like love triangles, but this one worked for me. Bran is a rascal, but Bode and Comfort truly are the best pairing. The two uncles are fun characters too. There's also an engrossing mystery to do with Comfort's origins.
I don't always like love triangles, but this one worked for me. Bran is a rascal, but Bode and Comfort truly are the best pairing. The two uncles are fun characters too. There's also an engrossing mystery to do with Comfort's origins.
October 15, 2020
Such a lovely book! Engaging characters, great plot, a capable hero and heroine who are sensible, intelligent and kind, in 1870s San Francisco. I think this genre works well to my love of historic romance with fewer social restrictions for women. My second Goodman book and although the setting is different (SF shipping and banking families Versus Wyoming ranchers), the plot, dialogue and writing is still brilliant. Four stars.
February 4, 2024
Well written, awesome characters and great story ! The cover is deceiving as it doesn’t totally fit the story type. If you like historical romance with a good ending then this is for you. Jo Goodman is great at developing characters that have a little more depth than is available in the average dime novel . This story has it all with romance, humour, action and a little mystery. Worth the read and I think it’s honestly one of my favourites.
June 16, 2024
Great story of love, murder, mystery and humor. Bode has principle and responsibility while his brother Bram is a playboy gambler, mamas boy. Enter Comfort, a young lady with 2 unrelated uncles raising her in the 1870's. Comfort is engaged to Bram, only because he announced it so, but Bode succeeds in saving her life and his love for her is forever!!
January 30, 2018
The juxtaposition of the brothers is interesting, but Brahm is such a mess it’s hard to consider him a viable alternative. Even Comfort’s love for him becomes abruptly past tense when convenient. I enjoyed the story, but wasn’t particularly impressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2023
really enjoyed the opening and the first chapters
but the story dragged on and instead of developing what she had already introduced the author decides to add melodramatic elements like having the heroine be kidnapped
that was lazy
but the story dragged on and instead of developing what she had already introduced the author decides to add melodramatic elements like having the heroine be kidnapped
that was lazy
May 2, 2018
DNF. boring boring boring, slow so slow
November 14, 2011
This is only my second book by Jo Goodman. After reading my first, Never Love a Lawman, and loving it so much, as I always do, I vowed to read more of her. Unfortunately, life never works the way you want it to. I haven’t been able to read another until now. And I must say, my reaction to Kissing Comfort is very different from my reaction to NLaL.
While Ms. Goodman does a terrific job of introducing us to her characters, showing us their lives, their strengths and weaknesses, their vulnerabilities and the like, the first part of this book is quite slow. Which actually surprises me after reading the prologue, which did have me hooked, wondering what would become of that young child Newt and Tuck found ensconced in rocks. But once we find out how she’s fared, how her life is currently getting along, the book’s pace creeps along. For me, there’s just too much pussyfooting around with Bram. Yes, he’s an integral part of the story, but come to find out, we don’t need nearly as much of him in the beginning as we get. At least I don’t.
Bram is the younger DeLong brother. The charming one. The playboy, so to speak. He has no responsibility to anyone other than himself, and that’s not saying much. He’s known Comfort Kennedy for years, has known she’s in love with him. At his brother’s birthday party, at which his brother is so far a no-show, Bram makes a surprise announcement - he and Comfort are engaged! Amid the good wishes and congratulations and new revelry at an otherwise dull get-together - the reason for the announcement - Comfort is just as surprised as everyone else. Taking the matter up with Bram, she talks him down from a six-month waiting period to six weeks before calling the fraudulent engagement off. Then we get a lot of chapters with these two dancing around each other about the engagement, the way Bram went about it, etc. etc. Just not all that interesting to me after a while.
Cooling her anger before heading back inside, Comfort comes face to face with the birthday boy - er, man himself. Sporting cuts, bruises, and very sore bones and joints as a result of an attack, Bode finally shows up for his party and finds Comfort with Bram in the garden. Hearing their good news doesn’t sit well with him, but he keeps quiet until the right time to make his intentions known. Which is after Comfort is kidnapped, and with Bram laid up with a broken leg, it’s up to Bode to use his resources to find her and bring her home. To him. And this is when the book picks up in action and mystery and romance and just…everything. Before this, though there are some good scenes from one family home to the other and then to the bank owned by Tuck and Newt, the in-between scenes just don’t work for me all that much.
Bode is the DeLong left to make ends meet after his father squandered the family fortune, nearly bankrupting their shipping company. He has to keep his brother and mother on a tight financial leash, because he refuses to give up on the company he loves. He’s always carried a torch for Comfort, but somehow he always scared the girl and they’ve never spent that much time in each other’s company. He’s about to change all that, declaring his intent to Bram on his way to find out what’s happened to her.
Comfort goes through a horrendous ordeal awaiting her fate in a saloon full of men who have bought lottery tickets to see which one will get first crack at her. You can feel her fear and panic as that time draws ever closer. Just when you think Bode’s plan to rescue her is going to work, all hell breaks loose again and it’s the man himself who whisks her off to safety. And the ensuing scenes on one of his ships are my favorites in the book. They’re in one cabin together, of course, on a ship full of men. They’re married there. They love on that boat. They learn more about one another during their trip. They plan to find out what the hell is going on that would trigger Comfort’s kidnapping.
I like Comfort and her “uncles” a lot. They have a terrific relationship for not being blood family. Of the DeLong family, it’s only Bode who finally breaks the ice for me and who’s worth anything. Bram is definitely spoiled and selfish, even if he never meant anyone any true harm. Newt and Tuck, along with Bode, do what it takes to keep Comfort safe once she’s home, and Bram could learn a few lessons from them in that regard. He really chaps my hide.
I’m glad the second half of this book picked up the pace. I’d been a little worried before that. Ms. Goodman pens a wonderful story anyway, even those slow parts are well written and still draw you in. So, all in all, a good read with some captivating characters, a wonderful romance, and a mystery that piques interest from the beginning.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
While Ms. Goodman does a terrific job of introducing us to her characters, showing us their lives, their strengths and weaknesses, their vulnerabilities and the like, the first part of this book is quite slow. Which actually surprises me after reading the prologue, which did have me hooked, wondering what would become of that young child Newt and Tuck found ensconced in rocks. But once we find out how she’s fared, how her life is currently getting along, the book’s pace creeps along. For me, there’s just too much pussyfooting around with Bram. Yes, he’s an integral part of the story, but come to find out, we don’t need nearly as much of him in the beginning as we get. At least I don’t.
Bram is the younger DeLong brother. The charming one. The playboy, so to speak. He has no responsibility to anyone other than himself, and that’s not saying much. He’s known Comfort Kennedy for years, has known she’s in love with him. At his brother’s birthday party, at which his brother is so far a no-show, Bram makes a surprise announcement - he and Comfort are engaged! Amid the good wishes and congratulations and new revelry at an otherwise dull get-together - the reason for the announcement - Comfort is just as surprised as everyone else. Taking the matter up with Bram, she talks him down from a six-month waiting period to six weeks before calling the fraudulent engagement off. Then we get a lot of chapters with these two dancing around each other about the engagement, the way Bram went about it, etc. etc. Just not all that interesting to me after a while.
Cooling her anger before heading back inside, Comfort comes face to face with the birthday boy - er, man himself. Sporting cuts, bruises, and very sore bones and joints as a result of an attack, Bode finally shows up for his party and finds Comfort with Bram in the garden. Hearing their good news doesn’t sit well with him, but he keeps quiet until the right time to make his intentions known. Which is after Comfort is kidnapped, and with Bram laid up with a broken leg, it’s up to Bode to use his resources to find her and bring her home. To him. And this is when the book picks up in action and mystery and romance and just…everything. Before this, though there are some good scenes from one family home to the other and then to the bank owned by Tuck and Newt, the in-between scenes just don’t work for me all that much.
Bode is the DeLong left to make ends meet after his father squandered the family fortune, nearly bankrupting their shipping company. He has to keep his brother and mother on a tight financial leash, because he refuses to give up on the company he loves. He’s always carried a torch for Comfort, but somehow he always scared the girl and they’ve never spent that much time in each other’s company. He’s about to change all that, declaring his intent to Bram on his way to find out what’s happened to her.
Comfort goes through a horrendous ordeal awaiting her fate in a saloon full of men who have bought lottery tickets to see which one will get first crack at her. You can feel her fear and panic as that time draws ever closer. Just when you think Bode’s plan to rescue her is going to work, all hell breaks loose again and it’s the man himself who whisks her off to safety. And the ensuing scenes on one of his ships are my favorites in the book. They’re in one cabin together, of course, on a ship full of men. They’re married there. They love on that boat. They learn more about one another during their trip. They plan to find out what the hell is going on that would trigger Comfort’s kidnapping.
I like Comfort and her “uncles” a lot. They have a terrific relationship for not being blood family. Of the DeLong family, it’s only Bode who finally breaks the ice for me and who’s worth anything. Bram is definitely spoiled and selfish, even if he never meant anyone any true harm. Newt and Tuck, along with Bode, do what it takes to keep Comfort safe once she’s home, and Bram could learn a few lessons from them in that regard. He really chaps my hide.
I’m glad the second half of this book picked up the pace. I’d been a little worried before that. Ms. Goodman pens a wonderful story anyway, even those slow parts are well written and still draw you in. So, all in all, a good read with some captivating characters, a wonderful romance, and a mystery that piques interest from the beginning.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
August 8, 2022
Jo Goodman at her best.
November 8, 2011
Kissing Comfort by Jo Goodman
Grade: D
“Mmm. It’s complicated. According to my uncles, I’ve been deceiving myself, and I’m learning that finding my way through that is as challenging as negotiating a labyrinth. I thought I was in love with him, so perhaps I was. Perhaps thinking it is enough to make it true. I keep circling that, wondering how anyone knows the fact of love from the fiction of it. i wonder how i will know.”
Comfort Kennedy has already turned down five marriage proposals when her best friend, Bram DeLong announces that they are engaged much to the shock of everyone including herself. Although she is secretly in love with Bram, Comfort knows that she can not marry him but agrees to go along with the fake engagement for eight weeks. Little does Comfort know that by agreeing to be Bram’s finance she has brought trouble to her own doorstep and most of it is coming from Bode, Bram’s older brother.
Bode DeLong returned from war a different man and plans to take back his family business from his younger brother and mother and turn it into the great empire that it once was. The only thing that can take him away from his business is Bram’s engagement to Comfort, which Bode doesn’t believe to be real and he vows to get to the bottom of his brother’s trickery. Little does Bode know that this path will lead Comfort right into his arms and he soon realizes that is right where he wants her to stay.
The first fifteen pages of this book were amazing and I dove in feet first thinking the rest of the book would be great too. I was very, very wrong. The next one hundred and fifty pages were not only boring but borderline pain to read. There were a few times when I did not think that I would be able to finish and almost tossed in the towel. The exciting, non-boring parts were very few and far between and that made for a very long three hundred and seventy-eight pages.
I think a big part of the problem that I had was the main characters. I didn’t like or dislike either of them but I sure as heck didn’t care what happened to them or if they got their happily ever after. All I wanted was to solve the mystery and be done and it took way too long to do that. I felt that a lot of the book could have been left out and was just repeated over and over again.
I was also very confused about the cover of this book as it looks like it’s going to a western novel and then it’s set in San Francisco in the heart of the city. I kept going back to the cover and hoping that when I opened the book again I would have a great western historical romance instead of the story I was reading. Speaking of romance, for a romance novel I didn’t feel that there was much in the book. Just because the characters have sex doesn’t mean I believe they are in love especially when five pages before Comfort was in love with Bram instead of Bode.
As I mentioned there were a few good parts and also a few side characters that kept me reading. Without Comfort’s uncles I honestly would not have been able to finish at all. I wish that they could both get their own happily eve afters because those are two stories I would love to read. I wish that I could have enjoyed this book more but i found it too long, too boring and highly lacking in too many places.
Grade: D
“Mmm. It’s complicated. According to my uncles, I’ve been deceiving myself, and I’m learning that finding my way through that is as challenging as negotiating a labyrinth. I thought I was in love with him, so perhaps I was. Perhaps thinking it is enough to make it true. I keep circling that, wondering how anyone knows the fact of love from the fiction of it. i wonder how i will know.”
Comfort Kennedy has already turned down five marriage proposals when her best friend, Bram DeLong announces that they are engaged much to the shock of everyone including herself. Although she is secretly in love with Bram, Comfort knows that she can not marry him but agrees to go along with the fake engagement for eight weeks. Little does Comfort know that by agreeing to be Bram’s finance she has brought trouble to her own doorstep and most of it is coming from Bode, Bram’s older brother.
Bode DeLong returned from war a different man and plans to take back his family business from his younger brother and mother and turn it into the great empire that it once was. The only thing that can take him away from his business is Bram’s engagement to Comfort, which Bode doesn’t believe to be real and he vows to get to the bottom of his brother’s trickery. Little does Bode know that this path will lead Comfort right into his arms and he soon realizes that is right where he wants her to stay.
The first fifteen pages of this book were amazing and I dove in feet first thinking the rest of the book would be great too. I was very, very wrong. The next one hundred and fifty pages were not only boring but borderline pain to read. There were a few times when I did not think that I would be able to finish and almost tossed in the towel. The exciting, non-boring parts were very few and far between and that made for a very long three hundred and seventy-eight pages.
I think a big part of the problem that I had was the main characters. I didn’t like or dislike either of them but I sure as heck didn’t care what happened to them or if they got their happily ever after. All I wanted was to solve the mystery and be done and it took way too long to do that. I felt that a lot of the book could have been left out and was just repeated over and over again.
I was also very confused about the cover of this book as it looks like it’s going to a western novel and then it’s set in San Francisco in the heart of the city. I kept going back to the cover and hoping that when I opened the book again I would have a great western historical romance instead of the story I was reading. Speaking of romance, for a romance novel I didn’t feel that there was much in the book. Just because the characters have sex doesn’t mean I believe they are in love especially when five pages before Comfort was in love with Bram instead of Bode.
As I mentioned there were a few good parts and also a few side characters that kept me reading. Without Comfort’s uncles I honestly would not have been able to finish at all. I wish that they could both get their own happily eve afters because those are two stories I would love to read. I wish that I could have enjoyed this book more but i found it too long, too boring and highly lacking in too many places.
June 6, 2019
Comfort Kennedy has been smitten with Bram DeLong most of her life - and everyone knows it. So when Bram announces his engagement to Comfort at his older brother Bode's birthday party, she should be happy, right? Then why does she feel uneasy?
Comfort knows Bram is not in love with her, in her heart-of-hearts, she knows he is too fickle to love another. She agrees to a temporary engagement; Bram wants it for 6 months, Comfort agrees to 8 weeks.
Comfort is an unusual creature in the society in which she lives - she has an important job at her uncles' bank. Wealthy, educated and with meaningful work, Comfort is a rarity in this time in American history. She also has an interesting back story.
Her "uncles" - Newton Prescott and Tucker Jones - found a small girl after renegade soldiers had murdered a small wagon train, leaving her to die in some rocks a few feet from the carnage. The only thing she had as a small tin for lozenges, Dr. Eli Kennedy's Comfort Lozenges. From that, the men named the child Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy.
Compared to some of the names given to characters in books, this is rather straight forward. However, I'd like to make a comment about the weird names given to most of the main characters in romance books. Is it just me or are they getting weirder and weirder? What happened to John and Suzanne? This isn't a criticism of Goodman or the other authors specifically; however, it seems each name gets more outrageous and strange. Oh well, I'll set aside my soapbox now.
Bode DeLong doesn't know that his brother's engagement is a sham, but he's decided to do something about it. He also knows that Bram is not in love with Comfort.
He's been growing the DeLong shipping company - actually, he's been trying to save it from the effects of his deceased father's irresponsible actions as company chief. The company is still in dangerous waters, but Bode decides to take some time to convince Comfort to marry him and not his brother.
This is an interesting story; the characterizations are well-rounded and each one brings something to the story. I had a hard time putting this book down. The only negative thing I can say is this storyline wasn't as absorbing as some of Jo Goodman's other books. 4 stars
Comfort knows Bram is not in love with her, in her heart-of-hearts, she knows he is too fickle to love another. She agrees to a temporary engagement; Bram wants it for 6 months, Comfort agrees to 8 weeks.
Comfort is an unusual creature in the society in which she lives - she has an important job at her uncles' bank. Wealthy, educated and with meaningful work, Comfort is a rarity in this time in American history. She also has an interesting back story.
Her "uncles" - Newton Prescott and Tucker Jones - found a small girl after renegade soldiers had murdered a small wagon train, leaving her to die in some rocks a few feet from the carnage. The only thing she had as a small tin for lozenges, Dr. Eli Kennedy's Comfort Lozenges. From that, the men named the child Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy.
Compared to some of the names given to characters in books, this is rather straight forward. However, I'd like to make a comment about the weird names given to most of the main characters in romance books. Is it just me or are they getting weirder and weirder? What happened to John and Suzanne? This isn't a criticism of Goodman or the other authors specifically; however, it seems each name gets more outrageous and strange. Oh well, I'll set aside my soapbox now.
Bode DeLong doesn't know that his brother's engagement is a sham, but he's decided to do something about it. He also knows that Bram is not in love with Comfort.
He's been growing the DeLong shipping company - actually, he's been trying to save it from the effects of his deceased father's irresponsible actions as company chief. The company is still in dangerous waters, but Bode decides to take some time to convince Comfort to marry him and not his brother.
This is an interesting story; the characterizations are well-rounded and each one brings something to the story. I had a hard time putting this book down. The only negative thing I can say is this storyline wasn't as absorbing as some of Jo Goodman's other books. 4 stars
November 3, 2011
The story is set in late 1800's San Francisco and it's all about Comfort and Bode's romance with a bit of a mystery about Comfort's past. They've known each other for years and while Bode has loved Comfort from afar, she has been "in love" with Bode's brother Bram for years, or so she thought. After a fake engagement is announced between Bram and Comfort and later both Bode and Comfort are attacked in the streets of San Francisco, our couple gets closer to each other and sparks fly. There are bar fights, opium dens, gamblers, a kidnapping, some pretty evil villains, love scenes in a ship, and a competition between the brothers that has nothing to do with Comfort. Plus of course there are those family ties that are at the heart of this story -- both Comfort's and Bode's.
I love Bode as the male protagonist with his longing, love and passion for Comfort. And she is wonderful in understanding her old feelings for Bram and then the real feelings she develops for Bode. I like that Comfort doesn't let those old feelings get in the way of new ones. Her honesty and frankness are refreshing, as well as her love for her "uncles," and even for an old friend who betrays her. The scenes between Bode and Comfort are passionate and in some ways full of wonder. I like that.
The secondary characters in this story are quite good, Bram and his mother, uncles Newt and Tucker, and even Bode's assistant and butler all make excellent contributions to the story. I especially like Bram's story arc and am curious as to how or if his life will change. However, the weaknesses in this story come in the mystery of Comfort's past and how that is resolved, as well as the main villain's characterization which I think is underdeveloped. For me it's a case of too many coincidences and too pat an ending.
Overall Kissing Comfort is a solid historical romance with a wonderful setting, excellent main characters, good secondary characters that help the story along, a romance I really enjoyed, and a few weak spots. I understand Bram's story is on the works and look forward to finding out how he turns out.
I love Bode as the male protagonist with his longing, love and passion for Comfort. And she is wonderful in understanding her old feelings for Bram and then the real feelings she develops for Bode. I like that Comfort doesn't let those old feelings get in the way of new ones. Her honesty and frankness are refreshing, as well as her love for her "uncles," and even for an old friend who betrays her. The scenes between Bode and Comfort are passionate and in some ways full of wonder. I like that.
The secondary characters in this story are quite good, Bram and his mother, uncles Newt and Tucker, and even Bode's assistant and butler all make excellent contributions to the story. I especially like Bram's story arc and am curious as to how or if his life will change. However, the weaknesses in this story come in the mystery of Comfort's past and how that is resolved, as well as the main villain's characterization which I think is underdeveloped. For me it's a case of too many coincidences and too pat an ending.
Overall Kissing Comfort is a solid historical romance with a wonderful setting, excellent main characters, good secondary characters that help the story along, a romance I really enjoyed, and a few weak spots. I understand Bram's story is on the works and look forward to finding out how he turns out.
August 4, 2011
A wonderful romance that is sweet and sensual. I received this as an ARC through Goodreads.
We meet Comfort Kennedy as a small child being rescued by her peculiar “uncles” Tuck and Newt. They find her while coming across the murdered bodies of several people that looked to be traveling west in wagons. She does not know or does not tell anything about herself and is clutching a tin of throat lozenges called Dr Eli Kennedy’s Comfort Lozenges so they name her Comfort.
She thrives under Newt and Tuck’s care and in turn they thrive with her. They believe their success is because of Comfort as they have built up quite a respectable banking business in San Francisco. Comfort is one of few women who work in this era and has quite a head for numbers and is an asset to both uncles at the bank.
Comfort’s best friend is Bram DeLong, a young man from a wealthy family who surprises Comfort by announcing their engagement at a party for Bram’s brother Bode. Comfort has always believed she was in love with Bram but knows he will never settle down with her. She lets him know how unhappy she is about the engagement but goes along with the promise that they will end it in 8 weeks. Comfort finds herself leaning on Bram’s brother Bode more and more as they find themselves struggling to figure out who is trying to harm them. First there is an attack on Bode and then one on Comfort which leaves her about to be sold to the highest bidder when Bode and his employees rescue her. Come to find out that Bram has got himself into trouble and is using any means to fix his problems even putting his fiancé and brother in harm’s way.
Comfort is still haunted by her past and I enjoyed how Comfort and Bode interact together, they are truthful with each other and you feel the chemistry as they struggle to find who is responsible for the attacks.
A great story with characters that are both strong and intelligent and grow together as they face down the obstacles in their way.
We meet Comfort Kennedy as a small child being rescued by her peculiar “uncles” Tuck and Newt. They find her while coming across the murdered bodies of several people that looked to be traveling west in wagons. She does not know or does not tell anything about herself and is clutching a tin of throat lozenges called Dr Eli Kennedy’s Comfort Lozenges so they name her Comfort.
She thrives under Newt and Tuck’s care and in turn they thrive with her. They believe their success is because of Comfort as they have built up quite a respectable banking business in San Francisco. Comfort is one of few women who work in this era and has quite a head for numbers and is an asset to both uncles at the bank.
Comfort’s best friend is Bram DeLong, a young man from a wealthy family who surprises Comfort by announcing their engagement at a party for Bram’s brother Bode. Comfort has always believed she was in love with Bram but knows he will never settle down with her. She lets him know how unhappy she is about the engagement but goes along with the promise that they will end it in 8 weeks. Comfort finds herself leaning on Bram’s brother Bode more and more as they find themselves struggling to figure out who is trying to harm them. First there is an attack on Bode and then one on Comfort which leaves her about to be sold to the highest bidder when Bode and his employees rescue her. Come to find out that Bram has got himself into trouble and is using any means to fix his problems even putting his fiancé and brother in harm’s way.
Comfort is still haunted by her past and I enjoyed how Comfort and Bode interact together, they are truthful with each other and you feel the chemistry as they struggle to find who is responsible for the attacks.
A great story with characters that are both strong and intelligent and grow together as they face down the obstacles in their way.
September 27, 2015
Comfort Kennedy was found as a child by her two soldier "uncles" and raised as their own, so she had a very atypical upbringing. She works as a banker and believes herself in love with her friend Bram - who quite suddenly announces their engagement without ever asking Comfort. Bode is Bram's brother and he has more or less been in love with Comfort since she was 16. He's been running the family business for some time and he's the sensible one in the family...and even he finds it suspect that Bram would do this - he also thinks an engagement between them is a huge mistake. It's a pretty long, complicated story, but in the course of the story, Bode is there to help Comfort with her tribulations and to prove that he'd be a better choice than Bram.
I liked the characters first off. Comfort was unique, even if I find it a little over the top that she knows kung fu. She's a spitfire and not too annoying with it. Bode was my favorite character - serious with a dry sense of humor and a very interesting way of dealing with his annoying mother. The romance was good, not great, but good. There was some chemistry and their realizations of love were quite gradual and not really all that climactic. One thing I wasn't too fond of, . Despite the length, which was considerable...the book had some really small print...I found myself able to stay engaged with the story.
I liked the characters first off. Comfort was unique, even if I find it a little over the top that she knows kung fu. She's a spitfire and not too annoying with it. Bode was my favorite character - serious with a dry sense of humor and a very interesting way of dealing with his annoying mother. The romance was good, not great, but good. There was some chemistry and their realizations of love were quite gradual and not really all that climactic. One thing I wasn't too fond of, . Despite the length, which was considerable...the book had some really small print...I found myself able to stay engaged with the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2011
Despite the event that starts it all, Kissing Comfort is the lightest story Jo Goodman has written in a long while. And boy, what a refreshing change of pace.
I enjoy every minute reading this book. The whole casts are extremely likable (except for one or two obligated villains, of course). The banters are delicious. Between the protagonists, that's a given. But, the gives and takes between Newt and Tuck, the Heroine's surrogates, are no less entertaining. The pacing which I found inconsistent in the past Jo Goodman's books is improved as I have no problem keeping my interest until the end; eventhough the matter of romance is already settled just about half way through the book.
There are one major point that bothers me a little. There are two main mysteries in the story -- the massacre which left the heroine a sole survivor twenty years prior and the reason behind the sham engagement. What kind of chance do you think that the culprit would happen to be one and the same? So I have to say the tie up is a little too neat, too convenient.
Also the title might need improvement. If I may, I'll suggest something like While You Were Recuperating or While You Were Doping or such. Because really, reading the first half reminds me of the movie While You Were Sleeping. I don't know if this information recommends the book for you, but it would have sold it for me because I love that movie to bits.
All my grumbling aside, Kissing Comfort is still one of the loveliest read I've had this year and Jo Goodman is in top form here. 5 stars
I enjoy every minute reading this book. The whole casts are extremely likable (except for one or two obligated villains, of course). The banters are delicious. Between the protagonists, that's a given. But, the gives and takes between Newt and Tuck, the Heroine's surrogates, are no less entertaining. The pacing which I found inconsistent in the past Jo Goodman's books is improved as I have no problem keeping my interest until the end; eventhough the matter of romance is already settled just about half way through the book.
There are one major point that bothers me a little. There are two main mysteries in the story -- the massacre which left the heroine a sole survivor twenty years prior and the reason behind the sham engagement. What kind of chance do you think that the culprit would happen to be one and the same? So I have to say the tie up is a little too neat, too convenient.
Also the title might need improvement. If I may, I'll suggest something like While You Were Recuperating or While You Were Doping or such. Because really, reading the first half reminds me of the movie While You Were Sleeping. I don't know if this information recommends the book for you, but it would have sold it for me because I love that movie to bits.
All my grumbling aside, Kissing Comfort is still one of the loveliest read I've had this year and Jo Goodman is in top form here. 5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2013
This is a very unusual plot. I like the setting: San Francisco in 1870, as well as main characters' vocations. This is one of those kitchen sink books. Lots of weird plot elements thrown together willy nilly. I'm not sure if it all works plausibly...but I'm weird like that. Use your own judgement. It was certainly creative.
I thought the choice of the name for the villain was odd and wondered if it was intentional (score settling?) or totally random? Regardless it is an odd choice, or weirdly coincidental. Here is why:
Hideous cover art! Glrgh! Wow, the publisher sure missed an opportunity to hire some decent artwork when they had so MUCH in the way of content to illustrate. Instead we have some deformed generic male torso that has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. What a waste.
I thought the choice of the name for the villain was odd and wondered if it was intentional (score settling?) or totally random? Regardless it is an odd choice, or weirdly coincidental. Here is why:
Hideous cover art! Glrgh! Wow, the publisher sure missed an opportunity to hire some decent artwork when they had so MUCH in the way of content to illustrate. Instead we have some deformed generic male torso that has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. What a waste.
March 8, 2012
Comfort Kennedy has been in love with Bram DeLong for years, but she is not blind to his many faults, so when he unexpectedly announces their engagement at his brother's birthday party, she is less than thrilled. Especially since they aren't actually engaged. Bram's brother Bode is even less thrilled and far more suspicious. What caused this need for a sham engagement, and how can Bode extricate Comfort from his brother's mess before it destroys them all?
Jo Goodman is a licensed professional counselor working with children and families--which I hadn't known before--and I appreciated how that knowledge deepened the character development in this novel. Comfort survived a massacre as a child, and Goodman doesn't sweep that away as being conveniently in the past and therefore over and done. Even twenty years later, those suppressed memories continue to affect and haunt Comfort and worry the "uncles" who adopted her.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways, setting doorway (1870s San Francisco), some steamy sex scenes, and a good dose of both humor and suspense.
Jo Goodman is a licensed professional counselor working with children and families--which I hadn't known before--and I appreciated how that knowledge deepened the character development in this novel. Comfort survived a massacre as a child, and Goodman doesn't sweep that away as being conveniently in the past and therefore over and done. Even twenty years later, those suppressed memories continue to affect and haunt Comfort and worry the "uncles" who adopted her.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways, setting doorway (1870s San Francisco), some steamy sex scenes, and a good dose of both humor and suspense.
March 27, 2015
My absolute favorite Jo Goodman book so far. There's just a lot of nuances and depth to her characters, and the dialogues flow so well, with humor sometimes so subtle it would catch me off guard.
Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy is spirited, intelligent - practical but doesn't take herself too seriously. Like many of Goodman's heroines, Comfort is dealing with trauma and scars from her past. Bode DeLong is a quietly passionate man, strong but kindhearted. He has secretly loved Comfort for a long time but remained in the peripheries, waiting for the right moment.
This is an interesting story set in an uncommon time (at least for the romance genre). It opens in 1850 in Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush and hundreds of families were migrating, hoping for a better life. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Everything comes full circle in the end.
Wonderful read!
Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy is spirited, intelligent - practical but doesn't take herself too seriously. Like many of Goodman's heroines, Comfort is dealing with trauma and scars from her past. Bode DeLong is a quietly passionate man, strong but kindhearted. He has secretly loved Comfort for a long time but remained in the peripheries, waiting for the right moment.
This is an interesting story set in an uncommon time (at least for the romance genre). It opens in 1850 in Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush and hundreds of families were migrating, hoping for a better life. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Everything comes full circle in the end.
Wonderful read!
July 13, 2012
Not your typical mystery romance. JG has a wonderful voice --really interesting story about a girl found by two ex soldiers in the aftermath of a deserter's raid on a wagon train. She can't remember her name so the "uncles" name her for the empty tin of Dr. Eli Kennedy's Comfort Lozenges. Comfort Kennedy grows up rough in a mining town but when her Uncles fall into banking on the Barbary Coast and become rich her life is more than comfortable until the night when her friend Bram announces their engagement--much to her surprise. Gambling debts and secrets by Bram endanger Comfort's way of life until Bram's Brother Bode steps up to help. The mystery of Comforts nightmares ,the mysterious man from the opera connected to Comfort's fainting spells and the instigator of Bode's beat down by the rangers is puzzles out by Bode, Comfort and her Uncles. Good read.
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