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The Brides of Bliss County #3
The Marriage Season
Will the marriage pact be fulfilled? Return to Mustang Creek, Wyoming, with #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller for more Brides of Bliss County!
Since Hadleigh, Melody and Bex—the best of best friends—entered into a marriage pact, two of them have found (and married) the men of their hearts. But Bex doesn't think she'll be as fortunate as the others. Her own first love died years ago in a faraway war, and Bex has lost hope for a happy marriage of her own. She concentrates on her business, a successful chain of fitness clubs, instead.
Then, when single father Tate Calder comes to Mustang Creek with his two sons in tow, who befriend Bex's eight-year-old nephew, she and the handsome, aloof newcomer are constantly thrown together. But is the marriage season over? Or can a man with doubts about love be the right husband for a woman who wants it all?
Since Hadleigh, Melody and Bex—the best of best friends—entered into a marriage pact, two of them have found (and married) the men of their hearts. But Bex doesn't think she'll be as fortunate as the others. Her own first love died years ago in a faraway war, and Bex has lost hope for a happy marriage of her own. She concentrates on her business, a successful chain of fitness clubs, instead.
Then, when single father Tate Calder comes to Mustang Creek with his two sons in tow, who befriend Bex's eight-year-old nephew, she and the handsome, aloof newcomer are constantly thrown together. But is the marriage season over? Or can a man with doubts about love be the right husband for a woman who wants it all?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
383 people are currently reading
1841 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,219 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
February 23, 2016
Once again Miller charms readers with this enchanting trio of ladies from Bliss County. She brings the world surrounding her characters to life in a remarkable way, allowing readers to experience the tale alongside the characters.
Seeing these characters come together, despite their pasts was enchanting. I enjoyed how Miller kept the focus on the main characters while bringing forward everyone’s lives. The children are just as important to the tale as the adults, creating a full, family feel to the tale.
Miller easily brings this small town to life in a big way, melding romance with reality in the most realistic yet captivating manner.
Seeing these characters come together, despite their pasts was enchanting. I enjoyed how Miller kept the focus on the main characters while bringing forward everyone’s lives. The children are just as important to the tale as the adults, creating a full, family feel to the tale.
Miller easily brings this small town to life in a big way, melding romance with reality in the most realistic yet captivating manner.
September 23, 2017
Bex's friends are now married and pregnant. Bex doesn't have time in her life for love, nor does she wants to make room for what would obviously end with an other broken heart. At least that's what she thinks since her first boyfriend was killed in Afghanistan years ago.
Tate is not thrilled by the idea either and he lost someone too. No matter that his marriage wasn't going so well, he grieved when his wife died of a sudden illness, and he doesn't want his sons to get attached to someone who won't stay.
When an other dispute flare between Bex's sister and her no-good husband, Bex find herself having to take care of her nephew Josh for an indefinite time. Tate and Bex have friends in common, but when Josh make friends with Tate's boys, they end up spending more and more time together and realize that it's so much better to do things together than alone. They were already aware of each other, but a fishing trip and a cabin in the wood change everything and it all become serious real quick.
Who said that cowboys can't be glamourous ? That's what I thought when, for their first date, Tate took Bex on a ride in his plane. I liked how seriously he took his role as a father and how grounded he was. The story was every day life but it was all about family and a great connection.
Tate is not thrilled by the idea either and he lost someone too. No matter that his marriage wasn't going so well, he grieved when his wife died of a sudden illness, and he doesn't want his sons to get attached to someone who won't stay.
When an other dispute flare between Bex's sister and her no-good husband, Bex find herself having to take care of her nephew Josh for an indefinite time. Tate and Bex have friends in common, but when Josh make friends with Tate's boys, they end up spending more and more time together and realize that it's so much better to do things together than alone. They were already aware of each other, but a fishing trip and a cabin in the wood change everything and it all become serious real quick.
Who said that cowboys can't be glamourous ? That's what I thought when, for their first date, Tate took Bex on a ride in his plane. I liked how seriously he took his role as a father and how grounded he was. The story was every day life but it was all about family and a great connection.
June 1, 2015
Becca (Bex) Stuart and her two best friends concocted “The Marriage Pact” to find their Mr. Rights and she’s the last single standing. It’s been a decade since she lost her love in Afghanistan but is she ready for a new love when she’s got so much else on her plate? Her fitness empire is quickly expanding to several states and her sister just left her cheating husband and moved with her young son into Bex’s house. Of course there is this devastatingly handsome single dad with two young sons that has caught her eye, but even if she’s ready is he?
Widower Tate Calder’s making progress getting his and his two young son’s lives in order in Mustang Creek Wyoming, his forever house is under construction, his planned horse breeding enterprise is coming along and there’s a certain beautiful fitness guru
that’s turning his head and making him all hot and bothered. But is he ready to take another chance when his marriage was such a disaster?
Its evident in Linda Lael Miller’s third novel in her Marriage Pact series why she’s accurately and deservedly known as the Queen of the Western Romance. It’s because of her afraid to give love a try again stars, her quirky, adult and child co-stars, small Wyoming town setting and the natural beauty she deftly portrays. It’s her excellent mixing of comedy, drama and a heartwarming love story too. Her vividly detailed, aw-shucks narrative will lasso readers hook, line and sinker. But it's the everyday happy chaos of her blended young family that's the real heart-grabber.
Widower Tate Calder’s making progress getting his and his two young son’s lives in order in Mustang Creek Wyoming, his forever house is under construction, his planned horse breeding enterprise is coming along and there’s a certain beautiful fitness guru
that’s turning his head and making him all hot and bothered. But is he ready to take another chance when his marriage was such a disaster?
Its evident in Linda Lael Miller’s third novel in her Marriage Pact series why she’s accurately and deservedly known as the Queen of the Western Romance. It’s because of her afraid to give love a try again stars, her quirky, adult and child co-stars, small Wyoming town setting and the natural beauty she deftly portrays. It’s her excellent mixing of comedy, drama and a heartwarming love story too. Her vividly detailed, aw-shucks narrative will lasso readers hook, line and sinker. But it's the everyday happy chaos of her blended young family that's the real heart-grabber.
February 8, 2019
This time Bex it's Bex's turn to fall in love. I like her more than Mel but less than Hadleigh. I like Tate, too. The animals and the children made things interesting. I liked the cabin scenes the best. I wasn't surprised by the ending, but I liked it, except for the ring. I don't like that in real life either.
September 18, 2015
Loved this book. Bex is the last of their trio of friends who is unmarried. She is somewhat envious of her friends, who have found their true loves and have babies on the way. When she meets Tate, there's a definite attraction between them, but she's not sure if she's ready for more. Bex had been blissfully in love years before, but the man she loved was killed in the war. She doesn't know if she wants to risk her heart again.
Tate has moved to Mustang Creek with his two young sons, ready to start a new business and get on with his life. His marriage hadn't been a good one, and after his wife's death he's ready for a fresh start. He doesn't plan to start any new relationships in the near future, just concentrate on his kids and his business. That's before he meets Bex, and can't get her off his mind.
I really liked the way they were initially brought together by the matchmaking efforts of her two friends. Bex knows what they're doing and that she can't stop them, so she just goes with the flow. As the book starts, they are brought together again by something much different. Bex ends up caring for her nephew while her sister tries to get her life together. Josh is a great kid and loves being with his aunt any time he can. Tate plans to take his boys on a fishing trip and invites Bex and Josh along. Tate and Bex connect quickly, and their attraction deepens.
I loved seeing Tate and Bex together. They manage some time alone, giving them a chance to share their pasts and their fears. But most of their time together includes the three boys. I loved seeing them settle in to their relationship, with all the little things that entails. It was wonderful to see how Tate's steadiness helped Bex deal with the stresses of her sister's problems. Bex returned the favor by helping Tate get through the involvement of his father and another investor in his business. There's very little conflict in the relationship, just their need to deal with their own demons before being able to move on.
I loved the way that Tate gives Bex the space and time she needs to work through things, and that once she does, Bex is fully committed. I loved the fact that both had been honest about their feelings on marriage, but wasn't surprised when those feelings began to change. Tate admits those feelings to himself first, but doesn't know what he's going to be able to do about it. I loved seeing the way got around her fear. The ending was sweet and romantic and perfect for Tate and Bex.
I loved the theme of friendship that was as present in this book as in the previous two. Hadleigh and Melody are there for Bex during her rough times, just as she was there for them. I liked that that same friendship extended to the men in their lives. Those same men didn't hesitate to step up and be there for Bex when she needed help with her sister's situation.
I also loved the small town of Mustang Creek, where everyone knows everyone else and their business. There were the caring bits, such as the conversation between Bex and the school secretary about Josh. And there were the truly funny parts, such as the comment from a teacher regarding Tate and the upcoming fishing trip: "I suggest a tranquilizer gun. For you." There was also the older lady who becomes one of Tate's investors, along with his father, and the things that took place with them. I loved the twist that involved them at the end of the book.
Tate has moved to Mustang Creek with his two young sons, ready to start a new business and get on with his life. His marriage hadn't been a good one, and after his wife's death he's ready for a fresh start. He doesn't plan to start any new relationships in the near future, just concentrate on his kids and his business. That's before he meets Bex, and can't get her off his mind.
I really liked the way they were initially brought together by the matchmaking efforts of her two friends. Bex knows what they're doing and that she can't stop them, so she just goes with the flow. As the book starts, they are brought together again by something much different. Bex ends up caring for her nephew while her sister tries to get her life together. Josh is a great kid and loves being with his aunt any time he can. Tate plans to take his boys on a fishing trip and invites Bex and Josh along. Tate and Bex connect quickly, and their attraction deepens.
I loved seeing Tate and Bex together. They manage some time alone, giving them a chance to share their pasts and their fears. But most of their time together includes the three boys. I loved seeing them settle in to their relationship, with all the little things that entails. It was wonderful to see how Tate's steadiness helped Bex deal with the stresses of her sister's problems. Bex returned the favor by helping Tate get through the involvement of his father and another investor in his business. There's very little conflict in the relationship, just their need to deal with their own demons before being able to move on.
I loved the way that Tate gives Bex the space and time she needs to work through things, and that once she does, Bex is fully committed. I loved the fact that both had been honest about their feelings on marriage, but wasn't surprised when those feelings began to change. Tate admits those feelings to himself first, but doesn't know what he's going to be able to do about it. I loved seeing the way got around her fear. The ending was sweet and romantic and perfect for Tate and Bex.
I loved the theme of friendship that was as present in this book as in the previous two. Hadleigh and Melody are there for Bex during her rough times, just as she was there for them. I liked that that same friendship extended to the men in their lives. Those same men didn't hesitate to step up and be there for Bex when she needed help with her sister's situation.
I also loved the small town of Mustang Creek, where everyone knows everyone else and their business. There were the caring bits, such as the conversation between Bex and the school secretary about Josh. And there were the truly funny parts, such as the comment from a teacher regarding Tate and the upcoming fishing trip: "I suggest a tranquilizer gun. For you." There was also the older lady who becomes one of Tate's investors, along with his father, and the things that took place with them. I loved the twist that involved them at the end of the book.
May 26, 2015
4.5 stars
The Marriage Season is the final charming installment in Linda Lael Miller's The Brides of Bliss County series. In this outing, it is Bex Stuart's turn to find love, but will she be able to let go of her fears and fulfill the marriage pact she made with her best friends Hadleigh and Melody?
Bex has not had a serious relationship since her fiancé died in Afghanistan ten years earlier. So when single dad Tate Calder moves to town, Hadleigh and Melody decide to do a little matchmaking for their friends. The only problem? Tate is interested in a relationship but he does not plan to re-marry while Bex thinks she is too busy for a relationship. Bex's life becomes even more complicated when her sister Tara and six year old nephew Josh move in with her but neither she nor Tate can resist their attraction to each other. When Tate offers to include Josh in a weekend fishing trip with him and his two sons, he extends an invitation to Bex to join them. Their feelings for one another quickly deepen, but will Bex and Tate's respective baggage prevent them from taking their relationship to the next level?
Bex is a successful business woman with a big heart. She is very loyal to her friends and family and she will do anything to help her loved ones. Bex has never recovered from losing her fiancé and although she knows her fears are unrealistic, she is terrified of making a permanent commitment.
Tate is devoted to his sons and he is willing to make any sacrifice for them. He left a lucrative career so he could spend as much time with them as possible and despite losing their mother, his kids are happy and well-adjusted. He moved to Mustang Creek to begin a horse breeding program and the construction on his home and ranch is nearing completion. Tate is taken off guard by his attraction to Bex but it does not take long for him to becomes serious about her.
Despite their baggage and reservations, neither Tate nor Bex fight their attraction. They quickly settle into their new relationship and for the most part, there is very little conflict between them. Bex is a bit skittish about their romance and she does need a little space to think things through. But once she works through her hesitation, she is fully committed to Tate. They are both honest about not wanting to marry, but as their relationship changes so do their expectations. Will the wounds from the past stand in the way of their future?
The Marriage Season is an absolutely enchanting addition to The Brides of Bliss County series. The plot is realistic and delightfully free of unnecessary drama or angst. The characters are beautifully developed with true to life problems to overcome. Linda Lael Miller concludes this terrific series with another heartwarming romance that old and new fans are going to love.
The Marriage Season is the final charming installment in Linda Lael Miller's The Brides of Bliss County series. In this outing, it is Bex Stuart's turn to find love, but will she be able to let go of her fears and fulfill the marriage pact she made with her best friends Hadleigh and Melody?
Bex has not had a serious relationship since her fiancé died in Afghanistan ten years earlier. So when single dad Tate Calder moves to town, Hadleigh and Melody decide to do a little matchmaking for their friends. The only problem? Tate is interested in a relationship but he does not plan to re-marry while Bex thinks she is too busy for a relationship. Bex's life becomes even more complicated when her sister Tara and six year old nephew Josh move in with her but neither she nor Tate can resist their attraction to each other. When Tate offers to include Josh in a weekend fishing trip with him and his two sons, he extends an invitation to Bex to join them. Their feelings for one another quickly deepen, but will Bex and Tate's respective baggage prevent them from taking their relationship to the next level?
Bex is a successful business woman with a big heart. She is very loyal to her friends and family and she will do anything to help her loved ones. Bex has never recovered from losing her fiancé and although she knows her fears are unrealistic, she is terrified of making a permanent commitment.
Tate is devoted to his sons and he is willing to make any sacrifice for them. He left a lucrative career so he could spend as much time with them as possible and despite losing their mother, his kids are happy and well-adjusted. He moved to Mustang Creek to begin a horse breeding program and the construction on his home and ranch is nearing completion. Tate is taken off guard by his attraction to Bex but it does not take long for him to becomes serious about her.
Despite their baggage and reservations, neither Tate nor Bex fight their attraction. They quickly settle into their new relationship and for the most part, there is very little conflict between them. Bex is a bit skittish about their romance and she does need a little space to think things through. But once she works through her hesitation, she is fully committed to Tate. They are both honest about not wanting to marry, but as their relationship changes so do their expectations. Will the wounds from the past stand in the way of their future?
The Marriage Season is an absolutely enchanting addition to The Brides of Bliss County series. The plot is realistic and delightfully free of unnecessary drama or angst. The characters are beautifully developed with true to life problems to overcome. Linda Lael Miller concludes this terrific series with another heartwarming romance that old and new fans are going to love.
May 13, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book
The Queen of Western Romance, Linda Lael Miller has returned to Bliss county for book three of her Women of Bliss County Series.
Three best friends who made a pact. To take the chance of finding love seriously, to be there for each other as they find their happily ever after and to support them in their struggles.
It's Bex's turn but Hadleigh (the Marriage Pact) and Melody (The Marriage Charm) might have had things a little easier. The men they had loved in some for or other all of their lives had returned. All four had grown up and discovered that the love they were looking for was right in front of their faces. But Bex? The boy she had loved most of her life, Melody's Older Brother, had died while on active duty. Bex believes in love, she wants to find love again but she's afraid. Afraid to take that chance again. Does she really dare to believe that it's worth the risk? But when her friends try and subtly matchmake, just wanting her to be happy, Bex is put on the spot. Too bad she's crazy about newcomer Tate Calder.
Tate Calder is a single dad.. that pretty much defines him. A widower who adores his sons and wants to give him that special security that only a small town can do. He has picked Bliss County and settled in nicely. But his friends want him to be even happier and are encouraging a relationship between Bex and him. It doesn't hurt that his boys adore her.. and so it seems does he.
Once again Ms. Miller writes about the intricacies of small towns and those who live there. Family and friends over lap but family plays a huge part. A neglected nephew, two small boys who are looking for a mother, rescue dogs and a whole lot of fun. She makes not only the characters seem romantic but the town itself has the air of romance surrounding it.
I truly enjoy the way Ms. Miller tells a story. And while The Marriage Season it the last of this particular trilogy, there are more stories to tell about Bliss County. I do feel that this was the best book of the series.. and I seriously recommend it.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Marriage Season,, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2015
The Queen of Western Romance, Linda Lael Miller has returned to Bliss county for book three of her Women of Bliss County Series.
Three best friends who made a pact. To take the chance of finding love seriously, to be there for each other as they find their happily ever after and to support them in their struggles.
It's Bex's turn but Hadleigh (the Marriage Pact) and Melody (The Marriage Charm) might have had things a little easier. The men they had loved in some for or other all of their lives had returned. All four had grown up and discovered that the love they were looking for was right in front of their faces. But Bex? The boy she had loved most of her life, Melody's Older Brother, had died while on active duty. Bex believes in love, she wants to find love again but she's afraid. Afraid to take that chance again. Does she really dare to believe that it's worth the risk? But when her friends try and subtly matchmake, just wanting her to be happy, Bex is put on the spot. Too bad she's crazy about newcomer Tate Calder.
Tate Calder is a single dad.. that pretty much defines him. A widower who adores his sons and wants to give him that special security that only a small town can do. He has picked Bliss County and settled in nicely. But his friends want him to be even happier and are encouraging a relationship between Bex and him. It doesn't hurt that his boys adore her.. and so it seems does he.
Once again Ms. Miller writes about the intricacies of small towns and those who live there. Family and friends over lap but family plays a huge part. A neglected nephew, two small boys who are looking for a mother, rescue dogs and a whole lot of fun. She makes not only the characters seem romantic but the town itself has the air of romance surrounding it.
I truly enjoy the way Ms. Miller tells a story. And while The Marriage Season it the last of this particular trilogy, there are more stories to tell about Bliss County. I do feel that this was the best book of the series.. and I seriously recommend it.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Marriage Season,, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2015
April 25, 2016
I am such a fan of Linda Lael Miller's work. I think I've read every book she's published and probably own almost all of them. This series, The Brides of Bliss County, is not her best work.
It's difficult for me to give a Linda Lael Miller book such a low rating. This entire series is flawed with the same essential and fatal flaw - the editing is abysmal. Forget flow between scenes or even between paragraphs: this book had too many places where there was no flow between sentences in the same paragraph.
Apparently there is an epilogue. Chapter 25 ends a scene, another chapter begins on the next page - with such a significant disconnect that I checked the page numbers to see if a chapter had been omitted. Did the book end at Chapter 25? The next chapter is entitled "The Season" instead of Chapter 26; maybe "The Season" is the epilogue. What a jumbled mess. It felt like the cleaning crew had come in, swept up all the odds and ends, and dumped them into a bin. The production crew came in, saw the words and phrases lying around, formatted them, and stuck them at the back of the book. head thump on keyboard
There were so many discordant notes in this story. Some were continuity problems, like the concrete countertop becoming marble later in the book. Some were problems with the character development, much of which could be due to the sloppy flow problem. The flow in these three books is less flow and more jerks and lurches. Kinda reminds me of when I learned to drive a stick shift.
Once the flow of a book has been interrupted, you start noticing all sorts of little things. Like, what's with that cover?? The guy looks like he's just coming off a 3-day drunk, and the bride is looking at him with a sick-horror incredulity that has you wondering what he just said. Or did.
And using unusual/cute/clever spelling of character names is tricky. They are fine, wonderful even, in real life. In a book, though, if you get too far off into cute-and-clever, you run the risk of disrupting the flow. This book had enough trouble with flow; it didn't need Bex and Hadleigh to help.
Where's a McKettrick when you need one?
It's difficult for me to give a Linda Lael Miller book such a low rating. This entire series is flawed with the same essential and fatal flaw - the editing is abysmal. Forget flow between scenes or even between paragraphs: this book had too many places where there was no flow between sentences in the same paragraph.
Apparently there is an epilogue. Chapter 25 ends a scene, another chapter begins on the next page - with such a significant disconnect that I checked the page numbers to see if a chapter had been omitted. Did the book end at Chapter 25? The next chapter is entitled "The Season" instead of Chapter 26; maybe "The Season" is the epilogue. What a jumbled mess. It felt like the cleaning crew had come in, swept up all the odds and ends, and dumped them into a bin. The production crew came in, saw the words and phrases lying around, formatted them, and stuck them at the back of the book. head thump on keyboard
There were so many discordant notes in this story. Some were continuity problems, like the concrete countertop becoming marble later in the book. Some were problems with the character development, much of which could be due to the sloppy flow problem. The flow in these three books is less flow and more jerks and lurches. Kinda reminds me of when I learned to drive a stick shift.
Once the flow of a book has been interrupted, you start noticing all sorts of little things. Like, what's with that cover?? The guy looks like he's just coming off a 3-day drunk, and the bride is looking at him with a sick-horror incredulity that has you wondering what he just said. Or did.
And using unusual/cute/clever spelling of character names is tricky. They are fine, wonderful even, in real life. In a book, though, if you get too far off into cute-and-clever, you run the risk of disrupting the flow. This book had enough trouble with flow; it didn't need Bex and Hadleigh to help.
Where's a McKettrick when you need one?
May 26, 2015
I think overall this book was a fairly decent read. It wasn't my favorite of Miller's Brides of Bliss County series but for the most part I thought this book was a likable read.
The trait that I loved most about this book was Miller's writing style. Like other books I have read by the author her writing style stands out in a crowded industry. I would certainly consider the author to be one of the best writer's of the modern day world and I will always be a fan.
However I think that with this book there was nothing special about it. It read exactly the same way as the previous books of the series. The romance was slightly dull for me and that was disappointing. As for the chemistry there was nothing extremely sexy about the attraction between Bex and Tate. I was really expecting something a little more hotter since it is after all a western-romance.
Another fault regarding the story I thought that the plot was a bit worn out. I would love to see the author return to her earlier roots as a writer and pen something that is not so typical. I love a western-romance novel, but when the plots start to repeat and the characters are the same as other characters in separate books I believe it is time for something a little more interesting.
This book was a miss for me. It didn't thrill me the way I was hoping. I loved the writing. While characters, the romance and the plot all need mending. At the same time I have been reading from Miller since I was in junior high and that is never going to change. I just hope that the next series that the author does publish is a little different because this series is one that I doubt I will be finishing.
-This review was submitted to all respectable parties PRIOR to posting it to GoodReads.
The trait that I loved most about this book was Miller's writing style. Like other books I have read by the author her writing style stands out in a crowded industry. I would certainly consider the author to be one of the best writer's of the modern day world and I will always be a fan.
However I think that with this book there was nothing special about it. It read exactly the same way as the previous books of the series. The romance was slightly dull for me and that was disappointing. As for the chemistry there was nothing extremely sexy about the attraction between Bex and Tate. I was really expecting something a little more hotter since it is after all a western-romance.
Another fault regarding the story I thought that the plot was a bit worn out. I would love to see the author return to her earlier roots as a writer and pen something that is not so typical. I love a western-romance novel, but when the plots start to repeat and the characters are the same as other characters in separate books I believe it is time for something a little more interesting.
This book was a miss for me. It didn't thrill me the way I was hoping. I loved the writing. While characters, the romance and the plot all need mending. At the same time I have been reading from Miller since I was in junior high and that is never going to change. I just hope that the next series that the author does publish is a little different because this series is one that I doubt I will be finishing.
-This review was submitted to all respectable parties PRIOR to posting it to GoodReads.
July 2, 2015
Linda Lael Miller always know how to create a wonderful country love story. She knows the right things to say or do throughout her novel that everyone will fall in love with her character. The Marriage Season is the continuous in Marriage Pact series. Bex is the last one of the marriage pact that she is determined to be open-minded to find new love. From watching her two close friends, she definitely know that she is up to a new relationship ever since she lost her true love from Afrg. However, things will be a struggle when she has a lot of things to jug from her sister coming back in town with her son to her new career to the sexy cowboy men. Tate is finally handling his two sons that he knows he can handle anything but comes unexpected when he catches the sexy guru, Bex. Their romance be an challenge but Linda Lael Miller always deliver the perfect heartwarming romance for those two. Reader will enjoy every second of The Marriage Season since Linda Lael Miller has deliver the perfect western romance story from the comedy to warm love to hot drama. Perfect western romance story! Four Stars.
April 27, 2015
This is the first book I have read in this series and it really makes me want to read the first two books ASAP. I loved the characters and the ranch. I loved how cute the kids were and how bex and Tate were together. You can feel the attraction even though they both went through hell to get where they are. The plot was cute in how all 3 friends wanted a happily ever after and looked to each other to lean on and make it happen. I loved that bex did the proposal I thought that was different and super sweet. I loved how Tate couldn't stop talking at times because he seemed nervous, with that you could tell he was head over heels. A really wonderful read and I wasn't disappointed.
December 15, 2016
I really enjoyed this story.. I love the kids and the dogs and the bickering father and Lady A... It was a story filled with family, friends, and lots of love..
October 8, 2019
Reviewed by Lori
Book provided by NetGalley
I have a confession to make, I've NEVER read a Linda Lael Miller book. I know, I know, it's some kind of sacrilege. I claim to be this voracious reader and I haven't devoured a Linda Lael Miller book? I'm shamed, and am here to right the wrong by providing my review of her book.
This is the third book in the series, but no worries, the author provides enough back story, that the reader can follow the story and know what's going on. I'm sure reading the entire series would provide more enrichment to the books, but if this book was picked up without realizing it was part of a series, it's all good.
If you don't know, I usually don't read this kind of books. My usual go to's are erotica or BDSM. Why did I decide to read something outside of my comfort zone? Because I wanted to expand my horizons, and I've never read Ms. Miller's work before and I wanted to know why her books were so popular.
I now know why she's so popular. Her books are just so good. No, not just so good, but phenomenal. Even though her books don't have a lot of sex scenes, and the sex scenes that are there are very short and not very explicit, her books are emotional and gives the reader that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Yeah, that one, where there are butterflies all over the place, and you become breathless waiting for the next scene to happen. That's what the reader gets when reading a Linda Lael Miller book, and in my opinion, that can be even better then a steamy sex scene. I love feelings conveyed in a book. It takes talent to do that, and the reader gets that in spades with this book.
I loved the solidarity that exists between Bex and her best friends. I loved how they were there to offer moral support and to just be willing to offer whatever they could to each other and be each other's best friends. It's important to portray that believably, and I think it was done beautifully.
Bex was this fiery independent woman who didn't need or want a man. She was successful, and attractive and happy with the status quo of her life.
Tate, he really made me like him so, so much. He was such a MAN. What do I mean when I say this? He took his responsibilities seriously. He made sure his kids were taken care of, he provided for them. He was a Dad and a Man and I'm so glad men like him are portrayed in romance books, and women are created in those romance books that are made just for them.
I don't want to give anything away but just know this book was highly entertaining and I believe the reader will enjoy reading Bex and Tate's story. I really hope that any reader out there that hasn't read Ms. Miller's work do so, you won't be disappointed.
Book provided by NetGalley
I have a confession to make, I've NEVER read a Linda Lael Miller book. I know, I know, it's some kind of sacrilege. I claim to be this voracious reader and I haven't devoured a Linda Lael Miller book? I'm shamed, and am here to right the wrong by providing my review of her book.
This is the third book in the series, but no worries, the author provides enough back story, that the reader can follow the story and know what's going on. I'm sure reading the entire series would provide more enrichment to the books, but if this book was picked up without realizing it was part of a series, it's all good.
If you don't know, I usually don't read this kind of books. My usual go to's are erotica or BDSM. Why did I decide to read something outside of my comfort zone? Because I wanted to expand my horizons, and I've never read Ms. Miller's work before and I wanted to know why her books were so popular.
I now know why she's so popular. Her books are just so good. No, not just so good, but phenomenal. Even though her books don't have a lot of sex scenes, and the sex scenes that are there are very short and not very explicit, her books are emotional and gives the reader that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Yeah, that one, where there are butterflies all over the place, and you become breathless waiting for the next scene to happen. That's what the reader gets when reading a Linda Lael Miller book, and in my opinion, that can be even better then a steamy sex scene. I love feelings conveyed in a book. It takes talent to do that, and the reader gets that in spades with this book.
I loved the solidarity that exists between Bex and her best friends. I loved how they were there to offer moral support and to just be willing to offer whatever they could to each other and be each other's best friends. It's important to portray that believably, and I think it was done beautifully.
Bex was this fiery independent woman who didn't need or want a man. She was successful, and attractive and happy with the status quo of her life.
Tate, he really made me like him so, so much. He was such a MAN. What do I mean when I say this? He took his responsibilities seriously. He made sure his kids were taken care of, he provided for them. He was a Dad and a Man and I'm so glad men like him are portrayed in romance books, and women are created in those romance books that are made just for them.
I don't want to give anything away but just know this book was highly entertaining and I believe the reader will enjoy reading Bex and Tate's story. I really hope that any reader out there that hasn't read Ms. Miller's work do so, you won't be disappointed.
June 10, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
The Marriage Season is a different kind of second-chance romance from the first two wonderful books in this series, The Marriage Pact and The Marriage Charm.
Hadleigh, Melody and Bex really are BFFs forever. They grew up together, and also continued to grow towards each other as they graduated high school, left Mustang Ridge for college and business opportunities, and all moved back to be with their families. And find their happily ever afters.
The difference is that Hadleigh and Melody found their HEAs with men who they loved earlier in their lives. While the time wasn’t right then, it is now. It just takes each of them some time (and some home truths delivered by their friends) to finally figure things out.
Bex is different. The love of Bex’ young life was Hadleigh’s husband’s brother Will. They were all set to get married after Will returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. He never did, and Bex has never found anyone else to fill his place in her heart.
She’s successful in business, and her life is full and happy, but there’s something missing. Even though she recognizes that her life would have been much different if Will had lived, the fact is that he didn’t. And that Bex hasn’t trusted herself to love again, out of fear that anyone she loves will be taken from her again.
Her younger sister’s disastrous marriage to the wrong man probably hasn’t helped Bex’ trust in the institution, but she loves her nephew Josh to pieces. She just wants better for him than to be a pawn in the midst of his parents acrimonious arguments.
Of course, her friends Hadleigh and Melody are matchmaking for her, just as she helped them when it was their turn. But the friends’ sights are fixed on a newcomer in town. Tate Calder is a single father, his wife dead and his two young sons surprisingly well adjusted.
Tate isn’t looking for love either. Actually, what Tate isn’t looking for is marriage. His was a disaster that was just about to end in divorce when his wife died, leaving him with the two boys and a need to be a much more present father than his own had been, or than he had been while he was running away from the hell of his marriage through overwork.
Tate and Bex collide with a thud when her sister finally runs away from her cheating husband, and leaves little Josh with Bex for the forseeable future. Bex has suddenly, and temporarily, become a single mother, with uncertain custodial privileges and a brother-in-law who will threaten his own son’s welfare to get another chance at his wife taking him back, just so he can cheat on her again.
Bex knows how to run a successful business, but this situation is a little more than she can handle. When Tate steps up to defend her and Josh, they find themselves spending way too much time together to continue ignoring the simmering heat they’ve always had.
Can a woman afraid to love again, and a man afraid to marry again, find a way to make a family together?
Escape Rating B+: Although there is a Christmas book (Christmas in Mustang Creek) on the way, The Marriage Season is really the end of this series. All of the women’s stories come to lovely HEAs, and we see the happiness of not just Tate and Bex and their children, but the fulfillment of the happy endings for the couples featured in the earlier books in the series.
Which is very important, because as much as The Brides of Bliss County is a series of romances, it is a series that celebrates the importance of women’s friendships. None of these women would be either as happy or as successful without their two BFFs to cheer them on – and occasionally to kick them in the ass when they need it.
While it is not strictly necessary to have read the other two books to enjoy The Marriage Season, it really does help to already be invested in these people and know how they fit into each other’s lives, and into the life of Mustang Creek.
Neither Bex nor Tate are looking for a relationship at the beginning of the book. They both are in places in their lives where there is simply too much on their plates to believe that they have time to put into building a new relationship. They also both have a lot of scars, even though Bex’ are mostly happy ones. She loved Will, and she still misses him, but it’s been ten years and life moves on, even when you don’t want it to.
Tate has uprooted his entire life in order to be a present father and make a good life for his two sons. He’s given up a high-pressure and high-travel job to start a business breeding, selling and renting horses in Wyoming. There’s still plenty of pressure, but Tate is there with his boys every step of the way, and vice versa.
The conflict that brings them together is an integral part of the life of the town. Everyone knows everyone in Mustang Creek, and everyone knows that Bex’ sister Tara should never have married Greg, and that Greg is a lying, cheating, bullying louse. And that Tara is a doormat who has taken him back too often and that their son Josh is suffering for it.
The uncertain of Bex’ situation when Josh is dumped on her doorstep is confusing, but we feel for both of them. Tara runs away to get her head together, leaving big sister Bex holding the bag and the six-year-old boy. Greg could challenge Bex’ informal custody at any time, and finally does as a threat to get Tara back.
Bex needs help, and at the same time knows she’s going to be heartbroken when one or the other of Josh’s now absent parents demands him back.
At the same time, the way that Bex and Tate reach for each other is now out of desperation on Bex’ part. She appreciates Tate’s help, and his good example of how to raise his kids, but she would manage if he weren’t there. Their discovery that they belong together, and that they are in the middle of a relationship whether it’s a good time for them or not, happens slowly enough that it isn’t forced.
That the kids bond like glue gives the adults the excuse they both needed to explore what was bubbling between them all along. And it works well.
I also think we could have the next generation of stories right there, as those three boys look like they will be every bit as much BFFs in the future as Hadleigh, Melody and Bex were in this generation.
Maybe The Grooms of Bliss County will blossom as a series when they boys have grown up. It would be every bit as awesome as The Brides have been.
The Marriage Season is a different kind of second-chance romance from the first two wonderful books in this series, The Marriage Pact and The Marriage Charm.
Hadleigh, Melody and Bex really are BFFs forever. They grew up together, and also continued to grow towards each other as they graduated high school, left Mustang Ridge for college and business opportunities, and all moved back to be with their families. And find their happily ever afters.
The difference is that Hadleigh and Melody found their HEAs with men who they loved earlier in their lives. While the time wasn’t right then, it is now. It just takes each of them some time (and some home truths delivered by their friends) to finally figure things out.
Bex is different. The love of Bex’ young life was Hadleigh’s husband’s brother Will. They were all set to get married after Will returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. He never did, and Bex has never found anyone else to fill his place in her heart.
She’s successful in business, and her life is full and happy, but there’s something missing. Even though she recognizes that her life would have been much different if Will had lived, the fact is that he didn’t. And that Bex hasn’t trusted herself to love again, out of fear that anyone she loves will be taken from her again.
Her younger sister’s disastrous marriage to the wrong man probably hasn’t helped Bex’ trust in the institution, but she loves her nephew Josh to pieces. She just wants better for him than to be a pawn in the midst of his parents acrimonious arguments.
Of course, her friends Hadleigh and Melody are matchmaking for her, just as she helped them when it was their turn. But the friends’ sights are fixed on a newcomer in town. Tate Calder is a single father, his wife dead and his two young sons surprisingly well adjusted.
Tate isn’t looking for love either. Actually, what Tate isn’t looking for is marriage. His was a disaster that was just about to end in divorce when his wife died, leaving him with the two boys and a need to be a much more present father than his own had been, or than he had been while he was running away from the hell of his marriage through overwork.
Tate and Bex collide with a thud when her sister finally runs away from her cheating husband, and leaves little Josh with Bex for the forseeable future. Bex has suddenly, and temporarily, become a single mother, with uncertain custodial privileges and a brother-in-law who will threaten his own son’s welfare to get another chance at his wife taking him back, just so he can cheat on her again.
Bex knows how to run a successful business, but this situation is a little more than she can handle. When Tate steps up to defend her and Josh, they find themselves spending way too much time together to continue ignoring the simmering heat they’ve always had.
Can a woman afraid to love again, and a man afraid to marry again, find a way to make a family together?
Escape Rating B+: Although there is a Christmas book (Christmas in Mustang Creek) on the way, The Marriage Season is really the end of this series. All of the women’s stories come to lovely HEAs, and we see the happiness of not just Tate and Bex and their children, but the fulfillment of the happy endings for the couples featured in the earlier books in the series.
Which is very important, because as much as The Brides of Bliss County is a series of romances, it is a series that celebrates the importance of women’s friendships. None of these women would be either as happy or as successful without their two BFFs to cheer them on – and occasionally to kick them in the ass when they need it.
While it is not strictly necessary to have read the other two books to enjoy The Marriage Season, it really does help to already be invested in these people and know how they fit into each other’s lives, and into the life of Mustang Creek.
Neither Bex nor Tate are looking for a relationship at the beginning of the book. They both are in places in their lives where there is simply too much on their plates to believe that they have time to put into building a new relationship. They also both have a lot of scars, even though Bex’ are mostly happy ones. She loved Will, and she still misses him, but it’s been ten years and life moves on, even when you don’t want it to.
Tate has uprooted his entire life in order to be a present father and make a good life for his two sons. He’s given up a high-pressure and high-travel job to start a business breeding, selling and renting horses in Wyoming. There’s still plenty of pressure, but Tate is there with his boys every step of the way, and vice versa.
The conflict that brings them together is an integral part of the life of the town. Everyone knows everyone in Mustang Creek, and everyone knows that Bex’ sister Tara should never have married Greg, and that Greg is a lying, cheating, bullying louse. And that Tara is a doormat who has taken him back too often and that their son Josh is suffering for it.
The uncertain of Bex’ situation when Josh is dumped on her doorstep is confusing, but we feel for both of them. Tara runs away to get her head together, leaving big sister Bex holding the bag and the six-year-old boy. Greg could challenge Bex’ informal custody at any time, and finally does as a threat to get Tara back.
Bex needs help, and at the same time knows she’s going to be heartbroken when one or the other of Josh’s now absent parents demands him back.
At the same time, the way that Bex and Tate reach for each other is now out of desperation on Bex’ part. She appreciates Tate’s help, and his good example of how to raise his kids, but she would manage if he weren’t there. Their discovery that they belong together, and that they are in the middle of a relationship whether it’s a good time for them or not, happens slowly enough that it isn’t forced.
That the kids bond like glue gives the adults the excuse they both needed to explore what was bubbling between them all along. And it works well.
I also think we could have the next generation of stories right there, as those three boys look like they will be every bit as much BFFs in the future as Hadleigh, Melody and Bex were in this generation.
Maybe The Grooms of Bliss County will blossom as a series when they boys have grown up. It would be every bit as awesome as The Brides have been.
August 9, 2017
Bex made a marriage pact with her friends Hadleigh and Melody. She married for love but her true love died in a war, he never came home. She is busy running her fitness club making a chain of them and absolutely not interested in another marriage in spite of the pact.
A new man comes to town with two young sons and she keeps getting thrown together with Tate because the sons have made friends with her nephew. Her friends also like throwing her into the mix.
Linda Lael Miller has been a favorite of mine for years. I liked this book but it didn’t throw me into love with it. I did read it pretty quickly. It was the last of the Brides of Bliss County, and I’ll be holding out for her next book. I give this one a 4.5.
I had back surgery and can’t tell you why I didn’t love this as much because I read it while on pain meds. My apologies to the author.
I did receive this book in kindle format through Good Reads in exchange for an honest review. Not one of my best reviews but I put it off to0 long.
Description as found on Good Reads:
Will the marriage pact be fulfilled? Return to Mustang Creek, Wyoming, with #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller for more Brides of Bliss County!
Since Hadleigh, Melody and Bex—the best of best friends—entered into a marriage pact, two of them have found (and married) the men of their hearts. But Bex doesn't think she'll be as fortunate as the others. Her own first love died years ago in a faraway war, and Bex has lost hope for a happy marriage of her own. She concentrates on her business, a successful chain of fitness clubs, instead.
Then, when single father Tate Calder comes to Mustang Creek with his two sons in tow, who befriend Bex's eight-year-old nephew, she and the handsome, aloof newcomer are constantly thrown together. But is the marriage season over? Or can a man with doubts about love be the right husband for a woman who wants it all?
A new man comes to town with two young sons and she keeps getting thrown together with Tate because the sons have made friends with her nephew. Her friends also like throwing her into the mix.
Linda Lael Miller has been a favorite of mine for years. I liked this book but it didn’t throw me into love with it. I did read it pretty quickly. It was the last of the Brides of Bliss County, and I’ll be holding out for her next book. I give this one a 4.5.
I had back surgery and can’t tell you why I didn’t love this as much because I read it while on pain meds. My apologies to the author.
I did receive this book in kindle format through Good Reads in exchange for an honest review. Not one of my best reviews but I put it off to0 long.
Description as found on Good Reads:
Will the marriage pact be fulfilled? Return to Mustang Creek, Wyoming, with #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller for more Brides of Bliss County!
Since Hadleigh, Melody and Bex—the best of best friends—entered into a marriage pact, two of them have found (and married) the men of their hearts. But Bex doesn't think she'll be as fortunate as the others. Her own first love died years ago in a faraway war, and Bex has lost hope for a happy marriage of her own. She concentrates on her business, a successful chain of fitness clubs, instead.
Then, when single father Tate Calder comes to Mustang Creek with his two sons in tow, who befriend Bex's eight-year-old nephew, she and the handsome, aloof newcomer are constantly thrown together. But is the marriage season over? Or can a man with doubts about love be the right husband for a woman who wants it all?
February 2, 2020
Liked it ok. The writing itself is good, but again, I feel the author has trouble with actual stories. Not much happens in this book. And what does happen doesn't really get shown, it gets told.
Bex's job for example. We're constantly told how much work it is and how busy her life is, but we never see it. She's rarely in the gym and when she is, it's just to show her leaving. Given how important owning a gym franchise is made out to be, I'd like to have seen her at work.
Then there are the boys - Tate's children. She tells Tate she "loves" his boys. She says it way too soon in the story to feel real - she even says that before she tells Tate she loves him - and it's even more awkward because we're not shown that love at all. They're just around, not causing any trouble, there's no hard situations to deal with, no one on one interactions between her and his sons. They're just there. At one point she gets the boys to stop bickering, but other than that, the hardest thing she has to do is get them cereal and out the door to school (which she makes sound like a huge deal).
The situation with her nephew Josh was also under developed. He was literally just there to show how maternal Bex could be. He's not a fully formed character in his own right and has almost no emotional response to his parents separating. Bex and Tate keep talking *about* him and how he's feeling, but we almost never see it (and what we do see is pretty much nothing). We never even get a good follow up on his story at the end of the book.
The romance was also so understated, it was hard to see why they were both falling in love so fast. It really felt like it was just that both of them were good looking and attracted to each other and that was it.
So, not the best. But the writing is good and the characters are ok.
Bex's job for example. We're constantly told how much work it is and how busy her life is, but we never see it. She's rarely in the gym and when she is, it's just to show her leaving. Given how important owning a gym franchise is made out to be, I'd like to have seen her at work.
Then there are the boys - Tate's children. She tells Tate she "loves" his boys. She says it way too soon in the story to feel real - she even says that before she tells Tate she loves him - and it's even more awkward because we're not shown that love at all. They're just around, not causing any trouble, there's no hard situations to deal with, no one on one interactions between her and his sons. They're just there. At one point she gets the boys to stop bickering, but other than that, the hardest thing she has to do is get them cereal and out the door to school (which she makes sound like a huge deal).
The situation with her nephew Josh was also under developed. He was literally just there to show how maternal Bex could be. He's not a fully formed character in his own right and has almost no emotional response to his parents separating. Bex and Tate keep talking *about* him and how he's feeling, but we almost never see it (and what we do see is pretty much nothing). We never even get a good follow up on his story at the end of the book.
The romance was also so understated, it was hard to see why they were both falling in love so fast. It really felt like it was just that both of them were good looking and attracted to each other and that was it.
So, not the best. But the writing is good and the characters are ok.
January 1, 2022
After his disillusion about his marriage and then suddenly becoming a widower, Tate Calder wants a better life for his boys and himself. Moving to Mustang Creek seems to be the way to do that and seems the right fit. His friend Tripp Galloway loves the place and now he knows why. Plus moving to Mustang Creek has the added bonus of being around Becca 'Bex' Stuart, his friends wife's best friend. While he may not see marriage in his future again, Tate definitely wants to get to know Bex and see where their chemistry could take them. But as a single father can he take that chance?
Bex has had a hard time moving past losing the love of her life. After all Will died before they could ever really have a chance together. And while her two best friends are definitely sharing the magic of their pact, Bex doubts the magic for herself. Especially since she's so busy with expanding her franchise and now having her sister and nephew land literally on her doorstep. But as she keeps running into Tate everywhere she goes, she wonders if she should give it a shot........
As Tate and Bex fight they're own fears and superstitions, wrangle 3 boys together and learn to love again, can they both see their way to a marriage that can last for them?
Linda Lael Miller brings you back to Bliss County and all the fun she created in the first 2 books. New and old friends join in the fun with new surprises and few tears and lots of laughs. If you like The country, sexy cowboys, determined women, the magic of friendship and family and a few well loved critters, you'll love visiting Mustang Creek, Wyoming!
Bex has had a hard time moving past losing the love of her life. After all Will died before they could ever really have a chance together. And while her two best friends are definitely sharing the magic of their pact, Bex doubts the magic for herself. Especially since she's so busy with expanding her franchise and now having her sister and nephew land literally on her doorstep. But as she keeps running into Tate everywhere she goes, she wonders if she should give it a shot........
As Tate and Bex fight they're own fears and superstitions, wrangle 3 boys together and learn to love again, can they both see their way to a marriage that can last for them?
Linda Lael Miller brings you back to Bliss County and all the fun she created in the first 2 books. New and old friends join in the fun with new surprises and few tears and lots of laughs. If you like The country, sexy cowboys, determined women, the magic of friendship and family and a few well loved critters, you'll love visiting Mustang Creek, Wyoming!
November 7, 2018
a four star book. let me just say that i absolutely love bex. i liked hadleigh and melody enough while reading their books but, without a doubt, bex is my favorite. im less enthusiastic about tate, but he was likable and someone worthy of bex. i truly adored how it was evident that they liked each other but, as they let their guards down and got to know each other, they were genuinely comfortable around each other. the family aspect was wonderful. the way bex would do anything for her nephew was so nice to read and it's evident how much she cares for her sister, too. tate is a great father. he lives for his children and he cares so much about josh. the fishing trip was cute. they all bonded and that was needed for the next step in all of their lives and although it was fast, falling in love with each other and moving in together, that's the way it was meant to be for them. bex is a peacemaker who hates surprises but she can handle herself and adapts as well as anyone to change but does so in her own way. that's something i really appreciated. tate didn't push her, but he didn't let her just ignore anything for too long either. my only issue with this book is that i would've liked just a few more friendship talks and things with both the girls and the boys respectively. would definitely read again. ❤
April 3, 2019
Book three of Mustang Creek.
Book one: Hadleigh secretly in love w her brothers best friend Tripp.
Book two: Best friend Melody and Spence making eyes at each other. Of course he was school friends w Tripp and Hadleigh’s brother.
Book three: Best friend, Bex , who would have married Hadleigh’s brother had he not died in Afghanistan, is around new comer Josh who use to work with Tripp. Thus three best girl friends are with three good boy friends.
Bex, lost the love of her life in Afghanistan. She has built an empire for herself and has not had a relationship in all those years. Tate, moves to Mustang Creek with his two young boys. He is constantly in Bex’s company. These 6 friends are together a lot.
Bex’s sister leaves her husband, again, moving in with Bex. Bex adores her 6 year old nephew Josh. He is in between Tate’s boys, so they are all together even more until........ Yep romance time.
Good story as the tale is weaved of what makes Tate and Bex tick.
All Linda Lael Millers book are feel good romances that make the characters seem real.
Book one: Hadleigh secretly in love w her brothers best friend Tripp.
Book two: Best friend Melody and Spence making eyes at each other. Of course he was school friends w Tripp and Hadleigh’s brother.
Book three: Best friend, Bex , who would have married Hadleigh’s brother had he not died in Afghanistan, is around new comer Josh who use to work with Tripp. Thus three best girl friends are with three good boy friends.
Bex, lost the love of her life in Afghanistan. She has built an empire for herself and has not had a relationship in all those years. Tate, moves to Mustang Creek with his two young boys. He is constantly in Bex’s company. These 6 friends are together a lot.
Bex’s sister leaves her husband, again, moving in with Bex. Bex adores her 6 year old nephew Josh. He is in between Tate’s boys, so they are all together even more until........ Yep romance time.
Good story as the tale is weaved of what makes Tate and Bex tick.
All Linda Lael Millers book are feel good romances that make the characters seem real.
April 29, 2021
I enjoyed this, although not as much as the previous books in the series. Bex and Tate had some "serious" superstitions to overcome, but both did so. Several times, especially toward the end, I had to go back and re-read parts because the POV switched without notice and I was confused as to whose POV I was in. Early one, when Tate takes Bex to look at kitchen appliances, etc., she steers him from a granite countertop to a poured concrete one. Later on in the story, she runs her fingers over a marble countertop. That was confusing as it was implied that he'd gone with the poured concrete. It felt as though the author rushed through the ending, as that's where most of the mixed POVs, etc. happened and there were scene 'skips' that happened. Still enjoyed it though.
Well done.
Well done.
May 2, 2021
The book isn’t bad. I mean it wasn’t a waste of time, but definitely wasn’t one of my more favorite reads. The flow was kind of weird for me. It just didn’t piece together properly and I ended up getting lost more than once. I did enjoy the description pieces of the book. Especially the first few sentences of chapter one. It really made me feel apart of the scenery.
Overall, I’d say this story just wasn’t it for me. I really wasn’t all that immersed like I would have liked to be.
Overall, I’d say this story just wasn’t it for me. I really wasn’t all that immersed like I would have liked to be.
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October 9, 2024Being a widower is never easy especially if children are involved and the marriage wasn't that good. This romance is what you would expect for characters that have their own issues and work through them so that they can be together. From strange family to trying to build a life things never seem to be easy for either main character. Though they seem to have alot of money to throw around to do what they want.
September 6, 2017
This turned out to be a decent sit in the car and read book. Book 3 of the Brides of Bliss County. Bex and Tate come together to make the perfect match thanks to their friends matchmaking. I enjoyed their courtship and the way they handled family emergencies. Although both of them had doubts about love, it did what it usually does in a good book. It concurred all.
April 23, 2019
The book was fine, you pretty much guess the ending before it ever even gets interesting. And unfortunately for any Linda Lael Miller fan, this one never really gets that interesting. I didn't feel that the main characters were compelling enough to like as people. They were just a little bit too "perfect".
August 1, 2021
I’ve read over 70 books by this author. This was by far the least enjoyable. It just went on and on. The main character was in love when she was 18 and ten years later she is still having her life on hold. Her sister comes back to town and the problem husband just goes away. She never talks to the nephew about what he’s dealing with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2017
Another interesting saga of life, love, problem solving, and triumph.
An enjoyable trip through the lives of three couples and all their adventures. I also loved the antics of the six dogs and the three boys.
An enjoyable trip through the lives of three couples and all their adventures. I also loved the antics of the six dogs and the three boys.
May 28, 2018
Lovely romance, Tate is a widow and Bex's fiancé died, he's a single dad and she has a needy sister and nephew. Both are gunshy about getting involved but their attraction keeps pulling them together. Lots of nice cameo's of Spence and Melody and Tripp and Hadleigh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2016
Wonderful, delightful story. Hope there could be more stories of this little town & other characters.
March 19, 2017
oww.. I'm bored to death. :((
August 25, 2017
All of Linda lael Miller's books are worth reading.
She makes you feel like you're right there with them.
Tate Calder is not your typical cowboy - he's a single dad with 2 boys
She makes you feel like you're right there with them.
Tate Calder is not your typical cowboy - he's a single dad with 2 boys
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