You know what you’re going to get from a LLM book - good-looking main characters who are noble and good. They’re also wealthy and don’t seem to have to worry too hard about working. There just wasn’t much plot involved. Mostly, the book involved internal monologues and emoting from the two main characters as they find their way through their insta-attraction to each other. The MMC has to work out his relationship with his nine-year-old daughter who has understandable problems because he basically abandoned his children to their grandparents for a year for no real reason.

Besides that irritating plot point, the book starts off with a trope that always bugs me - the FMC has been with a totally unworthy and obnoxious guy and even planned to marry him. It’s hard to pull for a couple when the woman is rather stupid and the man really blew it with the two children he professed to love so very much.

Add in the time-travel storyline and rushed ending and I can’t recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I wasn't sure what to expect because I realized that Linda Lael Miller is primarily a romance novelist, a Western romance writer to be exact, as I was looking through my NetGalley shelf to see what books had an end-of-year date. I did not have high expectations as I usually do not like romance novels and the Western angle sounded potentially a little cheesy to me. I started it and wasn't sure that I liked the main character.
I am happy to say that this book exceeded my expectations and although they were admittedly low, this book was a solid 4 star read. It wasn't important or life altering but it was engaging and the Western angle was actually fun. The time travel was also entertaining (and was, quite frankly, why I chose the book because I love time travel and seldom seem to run across it).
I don't know how much of Miller's work I will read--she has written a great deal--but I may pick up one of her books now and then when I am in the mood for something light and escapist and in today's world there is always room for that.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

I was given an ARC copy of this book for a review.

In this book, Madison Bettencourt has moved back to Montana to help care for her elderly grandmother who raised her, and try and find out what happened to her childhood friend Bliss Morgan who suddenly disappeared leaving only a friendship bracelet and a matchbook cover. As Madison's grandmother continues to decline Madison begins a friendship which develops into more, with Liam McKettrick. Liam has lost is struggling to rebuild a relationship with his two children after the loss of their mother. Read this one to watch the relationship change between Madison and Liam and also to find out what really happened to Bliss Morgan.

There is a bit of mystical happenings in this offering from Ms. Miller which I don't normally find in her books. Adds an interesting element to this story line I thought.

Pick up your copy December 31, 2024.

Beautiful story about love, family, and childhood. Madison Bettencourt returns to her hometown to get married and care for her dying grandmother only to ditch her deadbeat fiancé at the altar. She also has flashbacks of a memory of a childhood friend, Bliss Morgan, who disappeared one day many years ago without a trace. Madison also meets and develops feelings for Liam McKettrick, a widower cowboy who is just attempting to reconnect with his kids after a year separation.

There’s so much happening in this novel, which is both good and bad. There are multiple timelines, and POVS. The first storyline focuses on the present time, including an exploration of Liam's background and what caused his separation and reunion with his kids, as well as Madison dealing with her aunt's illness and her recent breakup.

The second storyline follows Bliss, a tragically neglected 9 year old girl who developed an unlikely friendship with Madison as a child. Bliss unwittingly escapes her dismal life by falling through a wrinkle in time. The elements of magical realism are utilized beautifully and I wanted to read more about Bliss and her perspective throughout the story.

The romantic elements felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped - Madison and Liam go from zero to 100 without really a lot of backstory. I don't want to give a spoiler, but there is one aspect of the time travel aspect that didn't make sense to me, but I can easily overlook that. The ending also felt rushed and I would have liked to see a little more there. However, the writing was beautiful and had a sweet quality to it that I enjoyed, and the characters were all loveable and I found it easy to want to keep reading. Bliss, in particular, had my heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

Linda Lael Miller’s “Where the Creek Bends” was a nostalgic pick for me to read. She was one of the authors whose books I read regularly years ago. At the beginning of the book, Madison Bettencourt is back in Montana for her wedding, but things don’t go as planned. On the day when her wedding was to take place she meets Liam McKettrick, a widower who is trying to repair his relationship with his young children, a daughter and son.

After Madison’s failed nuptials, she decides to stay in town and move back into the family home, Bettencourt Hall. At first, her decision is primarily made to visit her grandmother who has dementia. Along the way, Madison begins to think of her childhood friend, Bliss, who disappeared years ago. She remembers Bliss leaving her a friendship bracelet and a scribbled “Goodbye,” but doesn’t know why.

As the book progresses, Madison begins to do some projects around Bettencourt Hall. She also takes the first steps to investigate Bliss’s disappearance while making plans to relocate permanently back to Montana. Along the way, she finds a stray dog and spends more time with Liam and his children.

Overall, this book didn’t quite work for me. I felt like Madison and Liam had little-to-no chemistry. Their romance was unbelievable to me. Also, I didn’t realize what a “timeslip novel” entailed, but should’ve from the romance books I used to read regularly. Like a few other reviewers, I also felt the ending to be rushed and abrupt.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I love the romance between Liam and Madison however I felt there was a lot going on. The new romance, both had issues with past relationships, a death and children from a previous marriage and their grief was emotional overload in this book. The setting and friendships were unique and the location/setting was as well.

I enjoyed the romance aspect and will definitely read more by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning when Madison was running from her wedding and met Liam in the old west bar across the street from the venue and then the storyline of Bliss (who Madison met when she was a child) and had always wondered what had happened to her. Time travel isn't talked about much in Madison's family but several people had experienced it. Liam had two children who had not lived with him for a year, due to his ex's death and her grandparents wanted them to stay with them. He finally realized he needed to get them home with him so they would know he loved them. His 9 year old daughter had a massive chip on her shoulder due to all the untruths her mother and grandmother had told her. When an almost tragedy happened she realized the error of her ways and it gave hope to a much better relationship with her dad and brother Also, I believe the love of Madison will help mend fences also. This was a very good story that I highly recommend

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Where the Creek Bends by Linda Lael Miller releasing on December 31st, 2024 masterfully combines paranormal, romance, time travel, mystery, and western elements, creating a captivating read.

Madison Bettencourt dreams of having a family, but her past choices in love have left her disillusioned. While trying to know more about her ailing grandmother and also of her ancestral home, Madison reflects on her childhood friend Bliss, who mysteriously vanished years ago. As she searches for closure and happiness, Madison’s journey intertwines with intriguing mysteries of the past and present.

I particularly enjoyed the paranormal elements, which added a magical layer to the story. Bliss's heartwarming arc stood out, and the romance between Madison and Liam felt genuine and endearing. However, I found the ending slightly incomplete and would have appreciated an epilogue to tie up loose ends. There were moments where repetition made the narrative feel a bit dragged, but the enchanting setting of Bettencourt Hall transported me back to the kind of novels I loved to read.

Overall, Where the Creek Bends is a nostalgic and engaging story, perfect for fans of heartwarming mysteries and multi-genre romances.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Hive and Canary Street Press for the ARC.

I really liked the premise of this book. The story was really interesting, however I felt the ending could have been better. I felt like I was kind of left hanging without the plot being wrapped up. All in all though this was a very enjoyable read.

This book has a little bit of everything, i.e. romance, fantasy and action. It also has a whole lot of awesome! I was immediately drawn into the story with “all” the characters that stood out in all the right ways. A sexy cowboy, a strong female, great friends, trying children and ex boyfriends that earned their titles. I can’t think of any part I didn’t enjoy. The fantasy of the story was perfect, especially how it unfolded. Perfect Miller!

I'll be the odd one out because I'm sure that many other will enjoy this novel of love, loss, grief, and reconciliation with a touch of the paranormal but there was just too much going on for me. I liked the Madison-Bliss story and I liked the Madison-Liam romance but I thought that putting the two together meant one too many elements (although, of course that's how life works). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Miller is a good storyteller and this will be welcomed by her fans.

The mix of the incredible and the story of a budding love blend together to create a delightful romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story is a good reminder that second chances are possible. Wealthy Madison Bettencourt comes back to Montana to care for her ailing aunt. Through a set of unexpected circumstances she meets a widowed rancher Liam McKettrick who is busy trying to repair his broken relationship with his two young children. Heart wrenching and loaded down with regrets they work together to take another chance on finding forgiveness and redemption.

What a fun and captivating story. This story is so good and I felt like I was immersed with the plot and living this book right along with the characters. That is one of my favorite feelings as a reader and something I seek out. While it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, I’m absolutely enthralled when it does, and that was the case there. The paranormal element to this one was *chefs kiss*. I love a good paranormal read, and this was just a dash, which was the perfect amount. There were so many twists and turns to this book, it was fantastic. When done right, twists and turns help keep me engaged and looking forward to what is coming next. I felt that there was the perfect amount of them to keep the read engaging and balanced. The romance element was very nice, and sweet.

If you are looking for a well done mystery with a dash or romance and paranormal, then check this one out.

I was disappointed in this book. Didn't realize there would be a "supernatural" twist involved and I don't enjoy that genre.
I also am getting tired of the everyone is richer than you can imagine trope. While I understand that in books you have to suspend your disbelief to a certain degree, having characters with unlimited money is so boring and unrealistic.

Entertaining, romance/women’s fiction novel that I really enjoyed. Solid plot and likeable characters. Magical elements support the flashbacks between time.

Bitter Gulch, Montana is a ‘pretend’ Old West town with citizens who ‘play’ the characters for tourists. When Madison Bettencourt leaves her fiancé at the altar, she runs across the street from the venue to a bar! She meets handsome Liam McKettrick there and proceeds to get drunk with her best friends. Madison’s grandmother, Coralee is a wealthy heir to a silver fortune, and sadly, lives in an assisted living home there, diagnosed with dementia.

Twenty-four years before, Madison met a young girl, Bliss, whose circumstances were filled with a drunk, mean father, and an absent mother. Madison is kind to her, and therefore puzzled when she finds a goodbye note and a friendship bracelet left near Painted Pony Creek, and Bliss has disappeared.

Liam acts as the town marshal and bartender. He’s drawn to Madison as soon as they meet. He’s moving his estranged children into his home in Bitter Gulch even though his daughter despises him and shows her resentfulness constantly by acting out. His son just wants to be loved by his daddy.

Madison hears talk of a mystical realm around the cemetery in the woods near the creek bend. She’s always wondered what happened to Bliss. On her deathbed, Coralee warns Madison about the danger around those areas.

As the story’s revelations culminate in the last 20% of the book; all the secrets and questions are revealed and answered. The answers are astonishing! This is a thought-provoking, entertaining, and emotional novel. I highly recommend to readers.

I honestly reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin/Canary Press. All opinions are my own.

Where the Creek Bends is another fine book from Linda Lael Miller. She is an excellent storyteller and this book is no exception. The setting is Painted Pony Creek, a richly described background for recent novels. The story line involves several current issues, aging relatives with dementia, single parenthood, dealing with children surviving trauma, difficulty with relationships and second chances. Miller also added a paranormal element neatly woven into the story. As in previous novels, she handles this well. Her main characters, Madison and Liam and his daughters, and Bliss/Caroline, are well rounded and appealing. And Liam is a McKettrick. A very satisfying story. Strongly recommended for readers who like a good Western romance.

Linda Lael Miller brings us the story of Madison who has returned to care for her ailing grandmother after another disaster in love. When she meets Liam at her lowest point, they both cannot deny the attraction that sparks between them. Life seems to get in their way when Liam is trying to reconnect with his children and Madison is trying to find a childhood friend who seemed to vanish without a trace. We get to follow Liam and Madison as they try to figure out what life has in store for them. We also get to see what life has in store for Bliss, Madison's childhood friend who seeks refuge by the creek nearby and finds herself in a world so different from the one she knows that it entices her to be a part of it. What will happen with Madison, Liam, and Bliss? Will Madison ever find out what happened to Bliss? Will Madison and Liam be able to find a way to have a future together with Madison's dream of having a family coming true? Will we find out the truth about Bliss?

Linda Lael Miller brings us to Montana and the Bettencourt and McKettrick families. You are drawn into their world as you follow each person on their journey. We get to follow Madison and Liam as they try to figure out what to do with the attraction they have for each other especially with what life has thrown in their way. We see what life is like for Bliss until she meets Madison and finds herself in a whole new world that is familiar yet unfamiliar. You keep turning the page to see what happens next in their lives until you realize that you are near the end and you do not want their stories to end. You certainly want to keep their stories going even after you have reached the end of the book.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for this privilege.

Loved it!

This book has a lot going on and I for one was here for every twist and turn!
Madison was a great character, from the second we meet her!

Liam was a walking, living dream!

I loved every character and I hope there is another book about this town!

good mystery about the house and cemetery . Loved the romance between them. Loved that Liam was dealing with his own loss and trying to figure out to raise the kids. She is dealing with the loss of a family member and figuring her life after calling off a wedding. This book was trying to be 2 different things from votex in the woods to raising a family. I wish that the author would have picked just one them. I enjoyed bliss /Caroline more than the romance and wanted to know more about the woods. I wanted to know about her and liam and the family.