Jo Goodman (1) (1953–)

I am a super-fan of Ms. Goodman. I've read a significant portion of what books she's had published and own quite a few of them too. She is one of the authors whose books I turn to when I want a comfort read, even when the subject of her books are not necessarily comforting (and I've read them 3 or four times already). I really enjoy her straight-forward and slightly formal writing style and think that she's incredible at showing and not telling. The MC's of her books rarely have thoughts like "I wanted to be around him/her and I didn't know why" but when the "I love you"'s come, I am never surprised or feel like they are forced. Also, she manages to parcel out the backstory without dragging it on too long.

I really like the Bitter Springs series so far, in no small part because of Finn and Rabbit. The two of them are so funny and charming and they help keep the tone of the books from getting too down. In this book particularly, when Morgan and Jane's pasts are revealed. There is some foreshadowing about Morgan's past specifically, but I still found myself crying when his whole story was revealed. I did really love how well he and Jane fit together and how they helped heal each other. I did think there was some inconsistency with how Jane's family was portrayed and how badly they affected her and I wish that one particular trope had been thrown out the window, but overall I was pretty happy with this book. If the series ends here, I'll be sad but satisfied.… (mer)

This is one of the author's older books that has been rereleased, and it's a far-ranging story of twins separated at birth. Of course, one grows up wealthy and spoiled, while the other is poor and mistreated. Shannon, the poor one, is sent to Virginia as an indentured servant but is mistakenly identified as her twin and arrives at Brandon Fleming's plantation. The twin, Aurora, has run off with another man, but Brandon doesn't realize at first that Shannon isn't his wife.
There are a lot of complications, as with most mistaken identity stories, and it doesn't help when Aurora returns. Ms. Goodman writes great stories filled with historical details, and I very much enjoyed this one.… (mer)

Another great historical romance from Ms. Goodman is set in the Regency era; Lily runs away from a French convent when an untrustworthy man hires her as a governess. She eventually makes her way to London, where she lives on the streets disguised as a boy. She saves Viscount Sheridan from a stabbing but is gravely hurt herself, so he moves her and the three boys she takes care of into his home.
The romance develops slowly as there is much mystery surrounding Lily. The plot fills some holes rather coincidentally but the characters and writing is so good, it doesn't much matter. Another fine book by Ms. Goodman.… (mer)