Big Sky Wedding

Very good book. I've been waiting for Brylee to get her own story since Hutch left her at the altar in Big Sky Mountain. Originally she seemed pretty spoiled, but in the books since then she's done some growing up. She's turned her business into a huge success and continues to be a loving presence in her family's life. I really liked seeing how great she was with her niece Clare. There is a wonderfully emotional scene with her brother Walker when she explains to him why Clare wants to go along on a rodeo trip with him and her brother. She has finally admitted to herself that it's time to get over the past and move on. She's lonely and wants a family of her own. It's at this point that Zane Sutton returns to the ranch he and his brother show more bought a few years earlier. The attraction between them is immediate and hot, but Brylee is pretty wary around him. There have been a lot of Hollywood people who have bought land in Montana, visited once in awhile or lived there for a short time, then gotten bored and moved on. She doesn't want to get involved and then get left again. She starts out judging him pretty harshly, but as she has the chance to spend time with him realizes that he's not what she had expected. When the white hot attraction between them gets too hard to resist they give in to it. Then Brylee panics and starts thinking about leaving town for awhile before she talks herself out of it. She admits to herself that she's in love with him already, but she's afraid to take the chance. I loved what he said to her when he came to see her that relieved her fears.

I loved Zane. He had been a successful rodeo cowboy when he got sucked into acting and became a star. He's had enough of that lifestyle and has come to his ranch in Montana to start a new life. Shortly after he arrives he meets Brylee in the woods between their properties. He feels like he's been struck by lightning but she can't get away from him fast enough. His house is in pretty bad shape and he's just starting to get a handle on what he wants to do with it when his brother Landry calls. Their father has dumped their 12 year old half brother on him and he's getting ready to leave the country for a meeting. Can he send Nash to Zane? It's him or foster care, so Zane says yes. I liked the way he stepped right up to take care of Nash. He could see the pain the boy was in at the way he's treated by his father and the pride that won't let him complain. Zane was terrific at making sure Nash knew that he was wanted and welcome. Besides dealing with Nash he also had his housekeeper Cleo show up and take over the care of the house and getting the renovations started. This freed up Zane to try to get closer to Brylee. I really liked the way that he kept going back to Brylee, trying to win her over. When they had their big passion filled moment he understood what her reaction was going to be the next day. I loved the way that he went to her, told her his feelings, and what his intentions were for the future. It was exactly what she needed to feel secure. The epilogue was fantastic, especially the dance with Hutch.

There were some really funny moments, especially once Cleo made her appearance. I loved the way she fussed and fumed at Zane. There were also some really emotional times, such as when Zane realized just how badly Nash had been treated by their father. I also loved seeing Clare's teenage melodramatics as she would describe her woes to her Aunt Brylee. show less

Oh where to begin... I've read a historical romance by this author and really liked it. Modern romances are definitely not as interesting to me. Keeping that in mind, I'm sure others will not share my same likes and dislikes and that's OK!

Likes: Nash. I freakin' loved that kid. His story made you root for him like crazy.
Claire and the rodeo storyline.

Meh stuff: The language. Sometimes, love-making language is awkward. Again, this is subjective! But the word "feasting" used in the context of oral sex is cringe-worthy!

The romance was OK, it didn't feel super believable to me and felt rushed toward the end. This is another personal thing though -- I like slow-burning romances more than "know you for five minutes" romances.

4.4 rip roaring sweet loving cowboy stars-
It all started with a broken heart, a burned out star and the blue skies of Montana.Brylee is still stinging after being stood-up at the alter. Her heart is covered in scar tissue and she has no desire to try to make it better. Her work has become everything in her life. She avoids friends, works long hours, and hardly rides anymore. She takes on some comfort lessons and is caught red handed by one Zane Sutton, movie star and ex rodeo cowboy. There is much blushing, some testy words and perhaps a bit of lusty feelings between the two. Brylee finds herself on uncomfortable ground.Zane Sutton, the super sexy, movie star, divorced, ex rodeo cowboy has moved to the dilapidated ranch he and his show more brother bought. He's looking for some time away from Hollywood and all the glamor. He wants some time with his horse and the great blue sky in this country. While out looking at his land he see's something strange. His neighbor is on his property and she's. What ??? He finds the fun in this new woman, she is feisty, beautiful and treats him like a man not a star. She feels something she hasn't felt in a long while, interest.The two of them make for an exciting fun read, they are not the sweet predictable pairing, these two have scars to wrangle through. There are also adorable animals, troubled teens and nosey good intentioned neighbors. I loved this addition to the series Ms. Miller never fails to leave me wanting more. show less

Brylee Parrish is a very successful businesswoman who can't get over being left at the altar several years before. When actor/rodeo rider Zane Sutton decides to leave Hollywood for his dilapidated ranch next door, there are instant sparks between the two.
I've read the rest of the series previous to this book and I was curious to see what happens with Brylee. I could sympathize with her to some degree when Hutch Carmody called off the wedding when she was walking down the aisle and thought she deserved her own HEA. That was the only reason to read this as I didn't care for the previous book - the whole hiding the father thing for fifteen years just seemed ridiculous and didn't cast either Casey or Walker in a good light. I was hoping show more this would be better, and it was but just slightly. Brylee and Zane have very little time together in the story so the ending stretched the bounds of credulity (the epilogue sort of made up for it, but it seemed weak). These two people never really talked to each other at all. The supplementary characters are interesting but underused. The younger half-brother has all sorts of issues and worries that are never really resolved until tied in a neat bow during the epilogue. I did like Casey, Walker, and the rest of their family better now that they're not lying about everything. I give this book 3 1/2 stars. show less

Read from August 06 to 07, 2013

Read for Review (NetGalley)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.50

First Thought when Finished: Big Sky Wedding was a sweet wrap up of Bry's story!

Story Thoughts: Gosh darn it! I don't know why but the actual story in Big Sky Wedding just didn't "wow" me. That might be due to the fact that I wanted Bry to have a different kind of love story. That is me and my expectations though. The actual writing was very much Linda Lael Miller's voice and still pretty darn good. In fact, I think most people will probably pick this as their favorite in the series. For me, I just wanted more for our jilted bride!

Character Thoughts: On the flip side, I did love Brylee and Zane. They were a fantastic show more match and I loved how their initial spark was super hot. Their chemistry was off the charts and I loved that it took a long while for them to seal the deal. It was an old fashioned courtship which was perfect for these two characters. Brylee has always been one of my favorite characters in the series. She was jilted in the very first book and I think overall has handled that very well. She has no choice but to be around every one (small town and all). She just had spine, good character, and never appeared to be overly bitter about it all. Sure she was a little bitter (deservedly so) but she never lashed out. She was awesome all around. Zane is a good match for her in almost every way and their chemistry was rocking. The new characters introduced into the series with Big Sky Wedding have me pretty excited to see where the series is going.

Final Thoughts: Parable Montana is one of my favorite fictional places! These stories are my comfort reads and I just adore them! show less

Brylee & Zane...both very likeable characters. Zane is every bit the hero that Brylee needs to heal her trust issues and she is every bit the real woman he needs after dating so many he can't even remember. What's not to like about this story?!?

The steam was definitely there (when they come to together, they do come together - not complaints there!) The only thing I can say is just when it heats up, it's over. Very rushed ending to me. (Great story build up, great connection then, as the story starts to turn and get really good - it's over.) Still a good cowboy-ish love story. Would love to hear from others after reading it to know their thoughts...

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from netgalley.

Zane Sutton has come to Three Trees, Montana, to live and work on the ranch he bought as an investment. He is intrigued by his neighbor, Brylee Parrish. After being jilted at the altar, Brylee has sworn off of relationships and Zane intends to change that. Linda Lael Miller continues her Parable series with the things we have come to expect - a good plot that incorporates romance and brings in characters that readers have met in other books in the series. If you have enjoyed the Parable series so far, add this one to your list of books to read.
Review based on an ARC copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.