Review: Big Sky Secrets by Linda Lael Miller

Title: Big Sky Secrets by Linda Lael Miller
Parable Series Book Six
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The “First Lady of the West,” #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller delivers the stunning finale of her acclaimed series set in Parable, Montana—where love awaits

Self-made tycoon Landry Sutton heads to Hangman Bend’s Ranch to sell his land to his brother Zane. Though he’s got cowboy in his blood, Landry plans to return to city life before the dust even settles on his boots. Of course, he didn’t count on falling for Big Sky Country…or Ria Manning.

Ria’s starting to settle into country life herself…until she has a close encounter of the terrifying kind with a buffalo. Turns out the peeping monster belongs to the cowboy next door—and he has her running even more scared than his bison. She wants a home where the buffalo don’t roam, and the men don’t either. Could Landry’s homecoming be her heart’s undoing?

The Review:

Big Sky Secrets is the bittersweet finale in Linda Lael Miller’s heartwarming Parable, Montana series. I have greatly enjoyed each of the installments and I am little sad that I have to say good-bye to the town and its inhabitants.

Beginning about a year after they were introduced in the previous novel (Big Sky Wedding), Big Sky Secrets is Landry Sutton and Ria Manning’s story. They both moved to Three Trees around the same time and their properties border one another. Although a little zing of attraction accompanied their introduction, neither has been interested in a relationship. As a matter of fact, each of their encounters have been a bit fractious since Landry’s escape artist buffalos are wreaking havoc on Ria’s flower farm. Of course underscoring the tension between them is their (mostly ignored) desire for one another. But on his latest trip to rescue his wandering buffalo, Landry changes the status quo when he pretty much dares Ria to go on a date with him. Ria accepts because she cannot resist his challenge, but are either of them ready for a relationship?

The romance between Ria and Landry is secondary to their personal growth. There is never any doubt there is love between them but they have to work through their personal baggage to uncover it. Widowed Ria has to make peace with issues that stem from her previous marriage while Landry is plagued with conflicts arising from his childhood. Both characters are quite contemplative as they reflect on their respective problems. Landry is a bit quicker to resolve his problems while Ria’s resolution takes almost the entire novel.

As with other novels in the series, secondary story arcs revolve around extended family. Ria’s relationship with her older sister Meredith is troubled, but she shares a tight bond with Meredith’s daughter Quinn. When her relationship with her mother hits a rocky patch, Quinn unexpectedly shows up on Ria’s doorstep. Landry’s father abandoned him and his brother Zane when they were young but that doesn’t stop him from turning up when he is in trouble (which happens with alarming frequency). Landry and his brother Zane have made significant progress in mending the rift in their relationship but it is still a work in progress.

Big Sky Secrets is another heartfelt romance in the delightful Parable, Montana series. This last stop in Three Trees wraps up most of the previous storylines and provides readers one last glimpse of favorite characters. It is always difficult saying goodbye to a beloved series, but I am eagerly awaiting The Marriage Pact, the first novel in Linda Lael Miller’s upcoming Western Wyoming trilogy.

You can find my reviews of the other books in the Parable series HERE.

1 Comment

Filed under Big Sky Secrets, Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Linda Lael Miller, Parable Series, Rated B, Review, Romance

One Response to Review: Big Sky Secrets by Linda Lael Miller

  1. Timitra

    Thanks for the review Kathy.