Sandy M’s review of Ramsey Rules by Jo Goodman
Contemporary Romance published by Joanne Dobrzanski 12 Sep 20

Jo Goodman fans know she’s one of the best when it comes western historical romance. I love every one I’ve ever read. So imagine my surprise when I found this new contemporary romance. I didn’t waste time – just dug right in, didn’t even doubt for a second that I wouldn’t like the characters, the story, everything about it.

And as her usual style, Ms. Goodman had me drawn in by the end of the first page, and I couldn’t put this fun and romantic book down. Both Ramsey and Sullivan are trying to move ahead of their pasts. They cross paths when Sullivan, as part of local law enforcement, is called out to the Ridge, a huge outlet where you can find anything and everything, when Ramsey nabs another shoplifter as the store’s premiere theft prevention specialist. I found out after the fact this story was inspired by one of Ms. Goodman’s friends who is also a specialist like Ramsey. That makes it even more fun to read all the zany-ness of the cases Ramsey comes across day after day. These two are attracted to one another first thing, and after some dancing around each other for a bit, Sullivan finally asks Ramsey out. More and more fun ensues.

Ramsey is more close-mouthed about her past than Sullivan, so part of their getting to know one another is him asking questions that hopefully won’t cause her to run. Crazy as it seems to her, Ramsey does share more with him than anyone before – with one exception that will rear its ugly head none too soon. I love the slow romance that becomes scorching hot before too long. Sullivan’s fellow officers at the police department add to the everyday amusement as they work cases, as does Ramsey’s slime-ball boss.

I’m not going to say anymore. This is a delightful story that needs to be read and savored for the full effect of a near perfectly written romance. My only really small nitpick is a few proofreading errors, which I put down to the self-publishing of the book. It happens, but an extra read of any future books published this way would be appreciated. Pick this one up soon. You won’t regret it one iota.

Grade: A

Summary:

Ramsey Masters is the Ridge Outlet Theft Prevention Specialist, that is, she spends her days stopping shoplifters. While catching someone stuffing a PS4 controller into their pants or a ham into their handbag is more amusing than it is dangerous, the type of work isn’t what drew Ramsey to the job. She needed a new city, a new life, where she could blend in, keeping her private life private. She’s made a few friends and dates some—all unsuccessful. While she knows several of the local police due to her job, when her favorite tall, dark and uniformed stops her for speeding the attraction she feels makes her think maybe she’ll give dating one last try. But there has to be rules…

Sullivan Day needs a date—a plus one for his cousin’s wedding, and he’s running out of time. Feeling Ramsey is out of his league, he’s avoided asking her. But when she blasts by him in a red sports car, he figures Fate has intervened. He’s completely intrigued as to how and why a minimum wage mall-cop is driving a Mercedes Benz—and completely turned on by her sassy attitude. So, after writing her a speeding ticket, he asks her out, even though she warns him up front about her pathetic dating record. With everything in common, a friendly relationship should come easy, but for reasons Sullivan can’t figure out, Ramsey is very guarded about her past. However, when illegal activity at the Ridge entangles their professional and social life, things are about to get real. Real dangerous. Real sexy.

No excerpt available.