Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

June 5th, 2013 Kimberly Review 35 Comments

5th Jun
Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller
Big Sky Summer
by Linda Lael Miller
Series: , Montana #4
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, welcomes you home to Parable, Montana-where love awaits. 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?

I love small-town series and when you add in swoon-worthy cowboys it easily becomes one of my favorite new series. Big Sky Summer is the fourth book in the Swoon-Worthy Cowboy series and we finally get Walker and Casey’s story. From the moment I stepped back into Parable, Montana I was captivated and consumed this in one sitting. While they can each be read as a standalone I think you’d miss getting to know the folks of this small Montana town. Three word review: Fun, sweet and enjoyable.

With Casey Elder back in town, Walker cannot help but question his decisions regarding their past relationship and the two children they produced. It is complicated, and there were a lot of hurt feelings, but the kids only know him as Uncle Walker. Casey’s plan was to always keep her kids paternity a secret, but she realizes it might have been a mistake just like she should have told Walker she wanted to be a rancher’s wife. The tale that unfolded was sweet, filled with a little heat and kept me entertained.

I have always liked Walker; he is an honorable man, great with kids and respects the ladies. He is also a dolt and I wanted him to just take command of Casey. *wipes brow* Ok, I got that out of my system. Casey is a successful country-singer but has decided the kids are growing too fast and stops touring for awhile. She is also slowly admitting she wants Walker and always has. At times I wanted to scream, because she seems like an intelligent woman and I wanted her to realize you can have it all! Not one or the other. It was fun watching these to tango. I loved the respect they had for one another and giggled over some heated moments. Their kids reacted to the situation differently and it added to the tale. Opal was back, but her role was much smaller. Hints about townsfolk have me curious, and I am worried about one particular lady. Brylee Walker’s sister was present and I am really hoping we get her story soon.

Despite my issues with the characters’ behavior, I quickly became caught up in the tale. Miller brings heart to her characters. I love the sense of community this small town has and the way they all step up and look out for each other. The romance was sweet, with a few hot but relatively clean moments. The tale flows wonderfully, and had some interesting thread. Miller gets you tied up in the characters and I love that I actually talked aloud to them when they annoyed me! We know we are going to get our HEA, and I enjoyed the ride. We see lots of small town life; horses, rodeos and even get a cute animal story. Overall, this was a great escape and I look forward to the next book.

Fans of cowboys and small-town series will enjoy Big Sky Summer and the town of Parable, Montana. Big Sky Wedding is the next book due out in August 2013 and features a character whose story I have been waiting for!

Copyright (c) 2011-2013 Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

35 Responses to “Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller”

  1. Anna

    I love her cowboys. I’ve only read one contemporary of hers (a short story) then all the others have been historicals. I so need to catch up on her books. I have definitely had a few moments with heroines over the years where I just want to shake them because just like her it’s one or the other. I’ve never gotten quite what makes them think that way. Great review Kimberly! To my list it shall go!

  2. Naomi Hop

    Another great review…. I’m not big on Cowboy books, but this one seems sweet, having to deal with parenting issues too!!

  3. Barbara Walker

    Eeehhh, cowboys and I, not so much? But I just love Linda Lael Miller and that’s what she writes. 🙂 I think the things that bothered you a little bit might bother me too, but I’m glad you liked it on balance. Great review, chica!

  4. Debbie Haupt

    Kim WONDERFUL review 🙂 I LOVE cowboy/western romance and there’s no one who does it like LLM her highness knows all about swoon worthy heroes.
    Thanks for bringing it and her to life !!!!
    xoxo
    deb

  5. kindlemom1

    Ever since reading that western earlier this year I have been hooked on cowboys! I might have to give this one a try.

  6. Andrea

    We’re review twins! I had a hard time connecting with theses characters, but I liked the story. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Kim!

  7. Aurian

    I just bought a whole stack of her books secondhand, now to find the time to start reading 🙂 I am glad you like these books Kim.

  8. Heidi

    Just reading your review gave me flashbacks to the small town my grandparents lived in. I miss those long summer days with cowboys and quiet and all that. I would love to read this series sometime, will I ever get control of that pile?

  9. Lauren

    I do have a slight thing for cowboys, and I love small town romances. Could there be a more beautiful setting than Montana too? This sounds like a sweet story that would definitely be a fun read for me. Lovely review!

  10. Jenea Whittington

    Now, I am always up for a Cowboy in a hat. It does sounds like a good story, and I have to agree that I would probably just want to pinch Casey to make her see what she has too. 😉 Glad you enjoyed it. Great review.

  11. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I still say I’m going to read one of these and still haven’t. Guess one of these days I’ll put on my boots and hat and read one. 🙂 I also like small town stories like this and it also sounds sweet. Such a nice review!

  12. candacerobinson

    I just saw Andrea’s review of this and I’m pretty sure that the characters decisions would drive me a little nuts. But I’ve heard good things about the series and I think other than that it would be a good book. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  13. Marlene Harris

    I think I’ve fallen in love with the town. I love this series too! But yeah, Casey’s decision making process was a bit head-scratching at points. But Miller has definitely made Parable a place to keep coming back to!

  14. Mariana_BookTravels

    I liked the first book. It’s a bit long, but the story was more introduction of characthers. I have to pick up the rest of them, buth this series sounds like a lot of fun to read.

  15. Sam

    I read a review of this earlier today that expressed the same sort of points about Casey. I think I’d have a pretty difficult time with her actually, so I’m not sure if this one is for me, but I’m glad you enjoyed it overall. Lovely review!