Review: Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

Title: Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller
Paraable Series Book Four
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 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, 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?

The Review:

Big Sky Summer is another delightfully sweet installment in Linda Lael Miller’s Parable series. I have been eagerly awaiting Casey’s story and it was well worth the wait!

Casey Elder’s long ago decision to keep the identity of her children’s father a secret comes back to haunt her when Walker Parrish wants to take more of an active role in his kids’ lives. Both Casey and Walker have come to regret their agreement to relegate him to the role of “family friend”. While son Shane is thrilled to learn Walker is his father, daughter Clare is angry and resentful at being lied to over the years. In an effort to minimize publicity and make the transition easier on Shane and Clare, Casey and Walker agree to a marriage of convenience.

Youth and immaturity played a role in Casey and Walker’s original decision to lie about Shane and Clare’s paternity. Was Casey selfish to put her career first? Absolutely. But she did a great job keeping Clare and Shane’s lives as normal as possible and when she realized it was time to give them a more stable life, she stopped touring and moved to Parable to be near Walker. With a little introspection, Walker comes to the realization that he could have been more proactive about the situation with Casey and the kids. While he may have taken the easy way out not fighting for custody or visitation, Walker is actively involved in their lives.

Casey’s marriage to Walker becomes a turning point for her. She finally works through her unresolved issues from childhood. Casey also goes through a bit of an identity crisis as she tries to decide what direction her career is going to take next.

The plot of Big Sky Summer is a little far-fetched, but I could easily put aside my skepticism and enjoy the overall story. Linda Lael Miller has an uncanny ability to create sympathetic, likable characters that I become emotionally invested in and genuinely care how they are going to overcome their problems.

Big Sky Summer is another wonderful addition to the Parable series and old and new fans will enjoy this heartwarming romance.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Parable series HERE.