Always Her Hero is a paint by numbers romance if ever there was one. Not that there isn’t a lot of recycling in romance, or that it can’t work, it just doesn’t here. I felt like I was sleepwalking through the R-Rated non-musical sequel to Oklahoma.

The story begins with an incident where Dr Michael Jones saves Eden Mallory from being assaulted by Black Bart (yes, this is the kind of book that has a Black Bart). Michael is mired in guilt and depression, having recently lost his brother. He is on a spree of destructive behavior and thinks nothing of confronting the outlaw, with no weapons to protect himself. Grateful Eden tries to show him some kindness and treat his injuries but he brushes her off and rides away.

Flash forward eight years. Eden moves in with her Aunt Claudia after the death of her father. Also living in town is Michael, now the town doctor and responsible guardian to sister Sera. Not only does he remember his encounter with Eden, he has dreamed of her constantly since the day they met. Eden does not remember Michael at first but she is drawn to him. Michael is having none of it. He has a Big Secret, and is determined to keep his distance.He tells Eden “My sweet Eden, what you think you know about me is a honeycomb of lies. I’m cold. I’m callous. And I don’t intend to change.” Moments later, they are making out on the settee.

As you may have guessed, drama runs high in this story. Curiously, the weather seems to be controlled by character turmoil. If something big is going to happen, you can be sure rain will fall. And it doesn’t just thunder; thunder “growls low and ominous.”

Both Eden and Michael are people who live to serve others. Eden is also a healer, but she relies less on scientific methods than herb tonics and the power of positive thinking. The other difference is that Eden is happy to let people bask in her sweetness whereas Michael feels compelled to scowl a lot and try to act mean. He takes his role as a martyr very seriously. Both have moments of mental denseness. After kissing Eden, Michael is perplexed that it doesn’t squelch his desire for her, it only makes it more intense. How can this be surprising? Later Eden and Michael are walking through Louisville, and are stopped by several people who have benefited from Michael’s help. Eden thinks, “his kindness was his best kept secret.” Who is he fooling?

The one bright spot in this story comes before the first love scene. Michael is feeling guilty because the townspeople caught them fooling around in a not so secluded area. As he apologizes for taking advantage of her, Eden, who up until this point was a blushing, foot stomping, twittery character, owns up to her sexuality and tells him “It takes two to touch.” I was hoping this would be the turning point, but once out of the bedroom she returns to her flighty ways.

There are the usual supporting players: the eccentric aunt, the troubled youth, the estranged brother, the jealous rival. All of them run around in uninspired subplots. There is nothing compelling or distinguishing about this story, and parts of it may remind you of other ( and likely better) books you’ve read before. You’d be better served to reread one of those.