They all said it wouldn’t last…. Sierra McArthur never could have imagined they were right, but ever since her husband’s world was rocked by a family secret, it’s clear that their happily ever after isn’t to be. But one last night of passion with her husband creates a lasting consequence neither of them planned on…. Or is it? Carter McArthur doesn’t want a divorce. But he doesn’t know how to fix … he doesn’t know how to fix all the mistakes he’s made in the wake of his family’s betrayal. But when a surprise pregnancy gives them one last chance at forever, Carter is determined to make her understand, she’s not his bride by accident. She’s his bride for keeps.
Big Sky Brides series
Book 1: Bride by Mistake
Book 2: Bride for Keeps
more
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I am going to be really honest here. This book was hard to rate. I didn’t like Sierra much at all. I felt for Carter. He went through a really bad time after his family had a “meeting” and things were revealed to the rest of the family. Yes, he made mistakes but I really saw a lot of myself in him. I tend to withdraw into myself to reason things through. I really think that Sierra was a childish person who didn’t grow up. She thought marriage would be easy. She would “run away” from the hard issues making her husband come after her. To her, that was her husband’s way of showing how much his cared. REALLY?! Communication was a MAJOR issue here. Being a reader and outside of the story situation though it is easy to see what is going on and criticize the people (characters) that are going through something. While reading the story, I suffered from this. What the author was doing was showing the development of the character. It was very painful to read though.
Ms. Helm a great job though if you actually realize the direction and statement the author was trying to make. Again it was just a little painful for the reader at times BUT don’t give up on this. The story really has a point that we as a society today need to see. Communication is very important but very hard to do but oh so worth it in the end.
First let me say I read these books out of order ( the series wise) so You can also without danger of not understanding what is going on. Second know that this book is not a white roses and lace kind of romance. If that is what you are looking for well stroll on by. This book is a real life, nitty gritty stand up and slap your momma book. This is the story of a couple and what married life really can truly be like if communication is not there. Please folks if you are like me and you read reviews before you buy books, this is one of those books that you will either Love it or Hate it. I don’t think there is any middle ground honestly. It is a raw, true life peek into a married life… We have Sienna the misfief of her own family who marries Carter the first born of the family of perfectionist. Only issue is there are secrets and when they come out they come out as BOMBS and leave massive holes that can not be filled… or so it seems. Author, Nicole Helm seems to know how to put us right inside the life of not only this couple but also their extended families as well. While Sienna might have made me mad at times with the way she behaved, Dr Carter was just as guilty. Of what you ask? Oh, I don’t share all. That is for you to discover on your own by flipping the pages of the book.
Bride for Keeps by Nicole Helm
Big Sky Bride #2
It took till the end of the book for Carter and Sierra to find their way to a happily ever after and throughout the book, until they actually realized communication was essential, it was my opinion that they would be better off parting and moving on to someone else. Unless the two were mentioned in book one and part of their story is missing I could not see how the two ended up together in the first place. Sure, they were opposites and it sounds like they had instant attraction with all the zing and sizzle that many do have but they didn’t seem to share much before they married or afterward, either.
Okay, to be honest, I almost gave up and thought about not even bothering to read this book. I thought that Carter was a pompous jerk and Sierra was a spoiled brat. Both were living up to the image they thought others held of them or expected them to fulfill but neither seemed to get what marriage or even love really meant.
Eventually, with a bit of advice from friends and family, the two did make an effort but even then I wondered if it would be too little too late. Since I have liked previous books by this author I persevered but even after Carter and Sierra seemed to have matured and moved into working to make their marriage a success and having been given snippets of their future I wondered why they ended up together in the first place and if there might have been another person that would have made them both happier.
Marriage is work. In my opinion it takes commitment, communication and respect. I kind of felt that one or more of these were missing for this couple most of the first year of their marriage. Unusual romance in that it did not start with happiness and falling in love but instead started in the midst of a marriage floundering. Anyway, I did finish and it did come together and there was a HEA but I have to say it was not my favorite book by this author and yet, I will read more by her when the opportunity occurs.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had recently purchased and read the first book in this series – Bride by Mistake and enjoyed reading it (except for all of the typos). When I saw this title was available for request I wanted to give this series another chance. I can honestly say that I didn’t come across any typos in this book – that’s a huge + in my eyes!
As for the story – I got a little frustrated with Sierra’s lack of self-confidence and both her and Carter’s lack of communicating. Towards the end of the story I realized that this was the main point the author was trying to teach – love and marriage isn’t always easy and fun, it takes both partners giving their all and working hard! If it’s worth fighting for, never back down! Use your words, express yourself – spouses are not mind readers!