Natalia’s review of Brandon’s Bride (Family Secrets, #3) by Lisa Gardner, writing as Alicia Scott.
Three siblings searching for the truth about their family are about to find more than they bargained for…
For years Brandon Ferringer has sought to untangle the mystery surrounding his father’s disappearance. Now training as a hotshot—a seasonal wildland fire fighter—Brandon feels he’s on the verge of finally discovering the truth. In need of temporary lodging, Brandon rents a room at a local farm, and is surprised when his attraction to the ranch’s alluring owner threatens to distract him from his mission.
Single mother Victoria Meese struggles to find time for herself in between raising her son, Randy, and running the Lady Luck Ranch. When she meets Brandon, she suddenly finds something to believe in again. But Brandon’s search for answers is about to turn dangerous, threatening their growing connection—and their very lives.
This book is the final installment in the Family secrets trilogy.
The trilogy is a recent reprint originally written in the late 90s under a pseudonym Alicia Scott. It proves that from the beginning Lisa Gardner had a talent for writing incredibly complex and relatable characters, and a great story. It also proves, that over the years her story lines have gotten loads better, which in no way diminishes how good this book was and is a great thing in my opinion.
I was looking forward to this book. Usually in a trilogy of romance, the last book seems to have the best love story, because it has the most complicated protagonists. Brandon Ferringer had all the fixings. A lost soul who has just suffered too much in his life, and blames himself for all of it, including the death of his late wife. Who will win his heart? What kind of story will it take to get him on to the path of healing? Then there’s ranch owner Victoria Meese, strong, independent, fearless single mother, who is making the best of her life for the sake of her son. On top of that we have the mystery that has been hanging over our heads from the beginning of the book. How did max Ferringer die? I’m sad to say that while I enjoyed the book, I was disappointed.
My first problem was Brandon and Victoria. While I loved them as characters individually, I still can’t figure out why they are together. I can understand how they balance each other out and why they’re good for each other, but do they? If so, the foundation wasn’t clear in the book. For me they went from sizzle to bed, to love. Also, I didn’t think that Brandon’s accepting his love for Victoria so readily was realistic considering his widower status. I’m not saying I enjoy the books that have those widowers that never go through the acceptance stage of grief until the last page, and make their dead spouse out to be an absolute saint, but realistically, When you’re planning to spend the rest of your life with someone, and they’re wrenched away from you that way, it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that life goes on, and even harder to accept that you’re capable of loving someone else without feeling a little bit guilty. I think there were unresolved feelings of grief inside of him that needed to be addressed, and I felt that instead of letting Julia go, he simply replaced her with Victoria, but maybe that’s just me.
Lastly, I am disappointed in the mystery. Again, I am used to Lisa Gardner’s unexpected twists. I was also desperately waiting for the resolution. As Per Lisa’s usual, it was unpredictable. Yet it fell flat for me. I finished the book with a huge question mark in my brain.
I have finished yet another series by Lisa Gardner. For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Her entertaining writing style, pounding suspense, and three dimensional characters are always absolute winners in my mind.
Grade: 3 out of 5
The Series:
This book is available from Signet. You can purchase the book here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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