McKettricks of Texas: Austin

Austin McKettrick, world rodeo star has come home due to a back injury but is too proud to admit it. At home on Silver Spur Ranch, his nurse (elected by his overbearing brothers) is Paige Remington. At first, Paige is frustrated that she is to be his nurse, she has despised Austin ever since he broke her heart back when they were kids in High School. Paige is just as stubborn and willful as any McKettrick, but is afraid to fall in love with Austin again fr he hurt her once and she knows that if she lets him in he can hurt her more a second time. But things never go as planned and before she realizes it, she yearns for her place in his life to be for good and not just until he has healed. Austin is the most recent installment in the McKettrick series. Of all the series and books that Linda Lael Miller has written-The McKettricks are by far my favorite t read. however Austin is my least favorable book in the series, even though it was enjoyable, it didn't flow as smoothly as her other books. This story is about two people who have always loved each other, but their time wasn't right for them to be together...until now. The characters are both equally stubborn and so right for each other, and have met their match in one another. Overall a fun and enjoyable story set in Texas. ( )

Felt the ending was a bit rushed, but over all I really liked this book. ( )

[Review of a free advance copy.]

I enjoyed this romance, as I've enjoyed other books (albeit historicals) I've read by Linda Lael Miller. I discovered as I read that this was the third in a series about three brothers pairing up with three sisters. I'd not read the first two, but the love story stood up fine on its own merits. Completists would no doubt prefer to read the stories in order though.

Miller's books are always very engaging, and she kept my interest even though I had severe doubts right at the start about the premise (the brothers & sisters bit) and my ability to suspend disbelief. As it was, the romance between the hero and heroine was believable: childhood sweethearts who got too serious, too soon, meeting again as adults and having to get along.... all the while dealing with their mutual attraction at the same time as conflicting emotions from past betrayal.

The hero and heroine were both imperfect and likeable. Austin's affinity with animals was just the right side of corny, and melted my heart. I could love a man who took such good care of a stray dog. His solid family circle and comfortable financial circumstances wouldn't hurt either. ( )