Title: The Marriage Pact by Linda Lael Miller
The Brides of Bliss County Series Book One
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
The women of Bliss County are ready to meet the men of their dreams! See how it all begins in this enthralling new series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller
Ten years ago, Hadleigh Stevens was eighteen and this close to saying “I do,” when Tripp Galloway interrupted her walk down the aisle. Now that she’s recovered from her youthful mistake and Tripp’s interference, Hadleigh and her single friends form a marriage pact. She doesn’t expect Tripp to meddle with her new plan to find Mr. Right—or to discover that she’s more attracted to him than ever!
Divorced and eager to reconnect with his cowboy roots, Tripp returns to Bliss County to save his ailing father’s ranch. He’s not looking for another wife—certainly not his best friend’s little sister. But he’s never been able to forget Hadleigh. And this time, if she ends up in his arms, he won’t be walking away!
The Review:
Linda Lael Miller’s newest series, The Brides of Bliss County, is off to a strong beginning with The Marriage Pact. This endearing romance has a great cast of characters, strong friendships and a love story that will melt your heart.
Hadleigh Stevens and Tripp Galloway have a long history together which provides a solid foundation for their burgeoning romance. In the ten years since Tripp stopped her from making a disastrous mistake, Hadleigh has done a lot of growing up but she is still furious with him for stopping her wedding. When Tripp moves back to the family ranch, the two reconnect and Hadleigh is forced to examine exactly why she is still so angry with him. As for Tripp, he is shocked by his attraction to the woman he watched grow up.
Hadleigh and Tripp have known one another all their lives and although Tripp has only made a few quick trips to town over the intervening years, their shared past is an unbreakable bond that ties them together. Tripp decides to come home after he learns some unsettling news about his father’s health and he easily settles back into ranching life. Hadleigh has faced a lot of losses in her life, but her close-knit and steadfast friendships with Melody Nolan and Bex Stuart have sustained her through all of life’s ups and downs.
The romance between Hadleigh and Tripp is gradual but after they sort through their individual issues, their relationship really takes off. Tripp is a bit old-fashioned and he is sweetly romantic as he courts Hadleigh. Their lovemaking is incredibly passionate and their sex scenes are pretty steamy.
The Marriage Pact is a light-hearted and angst-free novel with a compelling storyline and a charming cast of characters. Linda Lael Miller has an amazing ability to create delightfully homespun romances that are realistic and quite heartwarming. The marriage pact is a unique premise that adds to the story’s overall appeal and leaves readers eager for the upcoming installments of the Brides of Bliss County series.
Thanks for the review