Review: Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller

Title: Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller
Parable Series Book Five
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
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, cordially invites you to Parable, Montana—where love awaits

Wedding bells are ringing in Parable, Montana, but Brylee Parrish hasn’t enjoyed the sound since being jilted at the altar by Hutch Carmody. She’s over Hutch now, and running a multimillion-dollar business is challenging enough for this country gal. So she should avoid falling head over boot heels for A-list actor Zane Sutton. He’s come home to his rodeo roots, but Hollywood lured him away once and just might again. Yet everything about him, from his easy charm to his concern for his young half brother, seems too genuine to resist….

Zane didn’t come to Parable for love—but count on a spirited woman to change a jaded cowboy’s mind. Problem is, Brylee’s not convinced he’s here to stay. Good thing he’s determined to prove to her, kiss by kiss, that she’s meant to be his bride.

The Review:

Big Sky Wedding, is another sweetly romantic installment in Linda Lael Miller’s charming Parable, Montana series. More than just a romance, this engaging story is a wonderful story of new beginnings for Zane Sutton and his younger half-brother Nash. It is also the long-awaited romance for Brylee Parrish, who was unceremoniously dumped at the altar by Hutch Carmody in Big Sky Mountain.

Zane Sutton leaves behind the bright lights of Hollywood for a simpler life when he moves to the ranch he co-owns with his brother Landry. Before the dust has time to settle, Zane’s half-brother Nash and spunky yet loving housekeeper Cleo arrive. Adding to the chaos is his attraction to neighbor Brylee Parrish. He and Brylee have an instant attraction to one another but neither is looking for a romance. As their paths keep crossing, the simmering desire between them becomes too hot to resist.

Big Sky Wedding is a bit of a slow starter where the romance between Brylee and Zane is concerned. Instead the novel mainly focuses on Zane (which is no hardship since I LOVE his character) as he begins his new life in Three Trees. Despite his acting career, Zane is surprisingly down to earth and a little embarrassed over his formerly lavish lifestyle. Growing up, he and Landry were close but they have been estranged for several years. While Zane regrets the distance between them, the two men have little in common so when Landry calls him out of the blue, Zane knows something is up.

That something would be their twelve year old half-brother Nash. Their irresponsible father dropped Nash off at Landry’s just as Landry was about to leave on a business trip. Zane gladly takes Nash under his wing and while their relationship is a little strained at first, they quickly bond as Zane begins to get the ranch in order. There are a few tense moments between them due to their differing opinions of their father, but Zane is quite patient and understanding with Nash. I really enjoyed this part of the storyline as it really showcases Zane’s loving and easygoing personality.

I had difficulty warming up to Brylee. I liked her but I thought she was a little immersed in self-pity for most of the story. Her interactions with her niece and nephew were wonderful and I really enjoyed how involved she was in their lives. However, when it comes to Zane, Brylee is pretty prickly and her defenses are firmly in place. She is a little judgmental about Zane and she quickly jumps to unwarranted conclusions about him because he is an actor. Of course this is a defense mechanism designed to keep Zane at a distance and protect her heart. While Brylee may have made peace with Hutch, she is afraid of getting hurt again and her attitude towards Zane reflects this.

The romance between Brylee and Zane was non-existent for much of Big Sky Wedding. There are definitely sparks between them but the novel centers mainly on Brylee and Zane as individuals. This makes their relationship feel rushed and their declarations of love a little hard to believe. Their transition to lovers occurs very late in the book and most of their dating takes place off screen but a lovely epilogue perfectly wraps up their romance.

With Big Sky Wedding Linda Lael Miller brings readers another beautiful novel about family, friendship and love. The characters and setting are warmly inviting and the storyline is refreshingly drama free. Intriguing glimpses of Landry and newcomer Ria Manning set the stage for the next installment of the Parable, Montana series and I am eagerly awaiting their story.

Please click HERE to read my reviews of the other novels in the series.