McKettrick's Pride (McKettrick Men, 2)

I'm not one to read books of the romance genre typically so maybe that colors my opinion of this book.
I gave it 3 stars because there were touching parts of the book such as the story around the dog, and the story around the children without a mother and a too busy father. But the "love story" was more a "lust story" and not at all believable.

But okay, these books are really like a fantasy, I get that. But it was also poorly written. Nothing original and dialogue was just okay, nothing witty.

And someone tell me, how did she drive herself home after sleeping with him the first time around? Didn't he pick her up at the book store and then drive her all around the ranch before going to his house? So then how did she get up in the middle of the night and drive herself home?

I love this series. Linda Lael Miller creates great characters and really fleshes them out. Highly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys western style romance

This books is an easy read to wind down the evening. Somehow the writing lets you relax and forget about all the issues that you were faced with during the day. It works for me.

After her engagement falls apart, Echo leaves Chicago and sets out to start a new life as a bookstore owner. When she pulls up to her new business, she runs into Rance McKettrick. He's rich and handsome, and something about him unnerves Echo. Unfortunately, Echo can't avoid him, as his ex-mother-in-law owns the beauty shop next door. Echo becomes attached to Rance's young daughters and is soon in over her head with the McKettrick family. Meanwhile, Rance can't get the pretty shop owner out of his mind, not that he doesn't have plenty of other things to think about. Between the family business, raising his daughters, moving past his wife's death, and falling in love, Rance doesn't stand a chance. Will his pride get in the way of his happily-ever-after? Can Echo accept a chance at true happiness?

This is the first book I've read by Linda Lael Miller. Having missed the previous McKettrick series as well as the previous book to McKettrick's Pride, I was concerned about missing an important backstory. That's not the case. I'd imagine this book is more enjoyable if you've read the others, but it certainly isn't necessary. The other McKettrick brothers are explained enough so you understand what's going on with no difficulty whatsoever.

I didn't like Echo very much at first. She seemed too strange at the beginning. She's described as this really thin, blonde woman who's obsessed with pink. She drives a pink VW and frequently wears pink clothes (and shoes), has a crystal hanging from the rearview mirror, sells love spells, and talks about energy and the universe. I think most real-life cowboys (or men of means such as Rance McKettrick) would have dismissed her as a flake, regardless of how attractive she is. Once I got past the beginning, though, it really became an interesting story. I particularly like the story about Avalon, her dog. Even if you're not an animal lover, it's a touching addition to the plot. There were moments of danger which added a much-needed break from the heavy romance that drives the story. In the end, there's a sense of completeness that makes it a satisfying read.