ARC Review: Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

Blurb:
With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can't ignore that his "act now, think later" passion for Casey has had consequences. Two teenage consequences!

Keeping her children's paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey's plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it-as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets-like Casey's desire to be the rancher's wife in every way-unravel, with unforeseen results?


Linda Lael Miller has been a long-time favorite author of mine, from the time I glommed every romance I could get my hands on through middle and high school. Though I prefer science-fiction and fantasy genres overall now, there is something really nice about reading a well-written contemporary romance. Especially right at the beginning of the summer, when the days are longer and I can sit on the front porch with a glass of iced-tea. In fact, this is the feeling Miller's books invoke in me. The modern western settings, the blossoming romances between mature adults and the sense of community that comes across in each novel, that's what made BIG SKY SUMMER so enjoyable.

Walker and Casey have an interesting relationship. I secretly love when a heroine/hero get together over an unexpected pregnancy, find a deeper love, and make a real family. Miller took this same idea, except the pregnancy is in the past, the children are older, and the father has already figured out the "shocker" that he's a "dad". I really liked Miller's approach in BIG SKY SUMMER. Neither of the main characters have made perfect choices in regards to their children, and supposed shared responsibilities. However, the journey of all the characters in the book echo and resonate as more than just a novel.

Walker and Casey's children are also very well-fleshed characters. One of the things that I like about authors like Miller (Robyn Carr, especially) is that the setting and the community are just as important as the individual main characters. Returning to the series means that, though the spotlight might be elsewhere, the characters that I have been introduced to previously won't be abandoned. There's a growth that happens, and the reader gets to see this every step of the way.

My Rating:
12.5/15
Highly Recommend
4 star
A-


I obtained this book from Little Bird Publicity. No other compensation was given for the expectation of an honest review.