I agree, it was very different from most romances I've read; much faster-paced and even the setting was unique. Most of the American historicals I've read that are set in the West are about mail order brides going out to join pioneer ranchers or the like, but this one really gives a sense of why they called it the "Wild West." Have you read the sequel, with Ethan? Is it good?

Yes, I've read all three in the series. Ethan's book ended up being my least favorite, but I did still enjoy it. There wasn't as much levity in it so it seemed darker even though all the books deal with dark issues. Ethan and Beth were deeply flawed and had SO MANY issues, but I still rooted for them in the end.