Monday, February 23, 2015

Book Review: The Trouble With Patience

The Trouble with Patience. (Virtues and Vices of the Old West #1) Maggie Brendan. 2015. Revell. 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Did I love The Trouble With Patience? Probably not love, I can easily say I liked it however.

Patience Cavanaugh has inherited her grandmother's boardinghouse. It isn't in perfect condition, there is much to be repaired and updated if she wants it to thrive. But she's willing to give it her all. She finds a handful of people in the community supportive and friendly.

Jedediah Jones is the local marshal in town. He is sometimes supportive and sometimes friendly. At least in her eyes. Readers perhaps have an easier time recognizing Jed for the hero he so obviously is.

One of the first scenes in the novel is a bit odd, in my opinion. Patience interrupts Jedediah in the middle of an arrest. He's caught a man trying to steal a horse. Patience interferes and then gets all upset when he tells her to mind her own business! She walks away with the impression that he is rude and obnoxious and oh-so-impossible.

He's just confused by Patience's sudden appearance and outspokenness. What kind of lady comes out onto the street during an arrest--with at least one gun drawn--and interrupts the scene so she can speak her mind?! In his opinion, a crazy one. Oh, she's pretty enough, he notices. But his opinion of her is not improved when she later comes by the jailhouse insisting that he apologize to her immediately!

Can these two learn to get along? Can they learn how to help one another? For the truth is, he needs her. And she needs him…

I liked this one well enough. Especially in the moment. As I was reading this one, it was easy to enjoy.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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