I enjoyed this read about friendship and second chance romance.
The writing was good and it kept my interest.

I began reading Miller's McKettrick books more than twenty years ago. I loved the historical romances but it's been a while since I checked in with this family so I decided to give Miller's newest, Where the Creek Bends, a try. I was not disappointed.

This story is an enjoyable blend of women's fiction, sweet contemporary romance, and time-slip fiction. It's poignant, complex, and heart-tugging with well-placed bits of humor to prevent it from tilting too heavily to the angsty side though there is plenty of emotion.

I enjoyed the time-slip facet of the book with the author telling the inter-connected dual timeline stories of Bliss and Madison. I was surprised - but pleased - by the direction that part of the story took.

I was in Liam's and Madison's corner from the moment she charged into his saloon in a wedding dress. They were both so likeable, so deserving of a happily ever after, and carrying so much emotional baggage. I liked that Miller gave them time to work through their individual issues while getting to know one another.

My heart hurt so much for Liam and his children. I just wanted to hug them all; they had so much grief, anger, confusion, and forgiveness to work through. I was pleased that they were given the time and tools to make strides in a realistic way. No easy fixes.

Though the book ended on a hopeful note, I would have liked an ending that wasn't quite so abrupt. Maybe an epilogue. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am hoping Miller has plans to return to Montana for more McKettrick stories. And I wouldn't be at all disappointed if we got to catch up with Liam, Madison, and the kids along the way.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Linda Lael Miller knows how to write the connections in characters and I truly enjoyed it. Twisty, suspenseful, and unique.

Where the Creek Bends by Linda Lael Miller is a poignant, captivating tale of self-discovery, mystery, and second chances. Madison Bettencourt returns to her Montana hometown to care for her ailing grandmother, but her life feels far from perfect. Having called off her wedding, she’s haunted by the dreams of a family that seem to be slipping away.

As she settles back into the family home, childhood memories resurface, particularly the disappearance of her best friend, Bliss Morgan, who vanished years ago without a trace. Madison is determined to uncover what happened to Bliss, a journey that leads her to Liam McKettrick, a widowed father also navigating his own heartaches. Together, they form an unlikely bond as they unravel secrets from the past that blur the lines between memories and present-day life.

Miller expertly weaves a story full of emotion, nostalgia, and the deep complexities of family, regret, and the healing power of love. Where the Creek Bends will resonate with readers looking for a heartfelt and mysterious journey of personal growth, proving that sometimes, finding yourself means embracing the past and following your heart, wherever it may lead.

This is a classic Linda Lael Miller romance! Small town life, with a healthy dose of drama and mystery to keep things interesting. No one does it better!

This book gave me all the feels and I’m still thinking about it today!!

Madison is a runaway bride like she literally ran away from the groom , and finds herself at the bar where she meets bartender/ architect Liam McKettrick in the living history town of Painted Pony Creek. After she drinks enough alcohol which then has her opening up , she tells Liam how she can’t possibly marry a mama’s boy and Liam loses his heart !! Madison Bettencourt then returns to her Montana hometown to care for her ailing grandmother, she’s facing her own shattered dreams after her failed wedding. She soon finds herself reminiscing about her childhood and the mystery that surrounding her friend, Bliss Morgan and how she just disappeared only leaving a note and a friendship bracelet. , Morgan finds her later uncovering the secrets within the walls of Bettencourt Hall.
Liam McKettrick, a widower striving to mend his relationship with his children after years of emotional turmoil. He feels a connection to Madison the bride who showed up and poured her heart out. We watch as these two are drawn together and face the hurt from the past and soon realize what is in front of them!! I loved this book so much!! This book had everything with a dash of magic!

I enjoyed the book, I was unsure how the author would connect all of the pieces of both main characters and their own family dramas but she did so nicely.

I’m a sucker for a small town romance. Throw in a mystery element and I’m all in. This story sucked me in from the very first page. I read this in one sitting. I wish the ending would have been a little longer as it did feel a little bit rushed but overall I absolutely loved this. Can’t wait to read more by this author

Where the Creek Bends is a captivating timeslip novel that beautifully blends romance, mystery, and family drama. The story follows Madison Bettencourt's return to her Montana hometown, weaving together themes of personal discovery, second chances, and unresolved childhood mysteries.
The novel expertly balances multiple storylines, creating a rich narrative that keeps readers engaged. The storytelling shines with complex characters and a touch of supernatural intrigue. Liam McKettrick's character adds depth to the romance, while the mysterious elements surrounding Bliss Morgan keeps the plot compelling.
While the final revelations did feel slightly rushed, the emotional journey and atmospheric setting make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of small-town romances with a hint of mystery will definitely want to pick this up!

This book was alot.
Love, Loss, Pain, Regret, Humor a little bit of everything but then a whole lot of something.
The characters were likable. Especially Madison and Liam. I adored Bliss just needed more of her. I think it would have played the story well to have her incorporated in other ways. I wanted to love and nourish her throughout the book but, couldn't because she would come and go in odd ways.
This book was a cute, fun, easy, snowy day read.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's been a few years since I've read anything from this author. I was happy I picked up this one. I liked the characters. The start of the book made me laugh imagining it. The story of what happened to Bliss was surprising and had me intrigued immediately. I hope there will be more books set in this town as there were a number of characters that I would love to know more about. I read this one quickly and found it to be a great escape. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Where the Creek Bends by Linda Lael Miller isa wonderful written contemporary romance with a splash of suspense.
A very enjoyable and thoughtful read.
A real page turner that really grabbed me tight and didn't let go.

Linda Lael Miller has again given her readers a story that will be loved by many. I enjoyed Where the Creek Bends a lot.
Madison thought she had her life set to go in the direction she wanted but she decides at the very last moment not to walk down the aisle and get married. She stays to take care of her ailing grandmother in Montana.
I liked the connection and interaction of all the characters in this book. They fit together so well.
Thank you NetGalley, Linda Lael Miller and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of Where the Creek Bends. This is my personal review.

Where the Creek Bends by Linda Lael Miller

This is a story of family, life and the curves that take you to unexpected places.

Madison Bettencourt is the last of her family line. She's not made wise decisions in her tallying, but coming home to stay may be her best decision ever. Even if it brings sadness, there is also joy and answers.

Liam McKettrick (yes, those McKettricks) had a horrible marriage, but he'd do it all again because he got his kids. Now he's trying to mend the broken pieces left behind by their mother and her family. And finding a run away bride who steals his breath is an unexpectedly interesting turn.

There is magic in this book and you have to accept the whims where they take you.

I enjoy magical realism and timeslips, so I picked up Where The Creek Bends by Linda Lael Miller. Madison Bettencourt’s life has turned upside down, and she wonders what happened to the Bliss, her childhood friend whom everyone suspected was her imaginary friend. Readers will discover a romance new begins and questions answered in this women’s fiction timeslip.

It’s been a spell since I’ve read this author, but I always enjoy her books. Where The Creek Bends is ambitious. It’s about finding yourself, new beginnings, and goodbyes wrapped around a sweet small-town romance and a mystery that includes a timeslip.

The story opens in Bitter Gulch, Montana. A fake western town owned and managed by Liam McKettrick. He is waiting on his staff to arrive before tourists, when he spots a bride entering town straight from the chapel across the way. She enters the saloon, assumes Liam is the bartender, and orders a drink before confessing she left her own nuptials.

The story centers on Madison Bettencourt, the runaway bride and heir to Bettencourt Hall. Her grandmother is living in the local assisted living center, and Madison is staying Bettencourt, her childhood home, while reassessing her life choices. While there she remembers her childhood friend, Bliss Morgan, who left her a friendship bracelet when they were eight before leaving. She wonders what happened to her. Her grandmother believed Bliss was Madison’s imaginary friend, but Madison knows she was real and set out to find her. I loved this thread from the journals to the discoveries.

The romance between Liam and Madison was a slow-burn, filled with puppies and two children. While I struggled with the whole dumping a guy at the altar and stumbling on the “one” thread, to her credit, Miller did a good job of molding it into something that at the end felt genuine.

The story tackles a lot from Liam’s children to an ailing grandmother, but in true Miller fashion, the author pulled all the strings together and created a story that I enjoyed.

I enjoyed getting the answers to who and where Bliss Morgan is are revealed and we learn more about Bettencourt Hall and the grounds surrounding it. Fans of small-town romances, a little mystery and finding one’s self, will appreciate Where The Creek Bends.

I am always up for a good Linda Lael Miller, so when given the opportunity of an ARC from NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. But I'll be honest, it was a little let down for me. While Linda always writes amazing books, the time travel, and fantasy just didn't do it for me. When reading this book, you are immediately thrown into the life of Liam and Madison. However, I felt their chemistry in this book was "off". But also in this book, you are put into the story of her childhood best friend Bliss. I almost felt I was reading two novels at once. When they both deserved their own story. I also felt the ending was just abrupt. It just stops.
These are my honest opinions.

There's a lot going on in this book! Madison Bettencourt, accustomed to a privileged yet lonely life, returns to her Montana hometown to care for her ailing grandmother, Coralee. Madison is also dealing with the aftermath of abandoning her fiancé at the altar. Meanwhile, Liam McKettrick, a hardworking father of two and owner of a local saloon, crosses paths with Madison. As their lives become intertwined, Madison’ finds herself drawn to Liam. At the same time, Madison becomes involved in a mysterious situation with her young friend, Bliss Morgan, who experiences strange, almost supernatural events. As Madison seeks to uncover the truth behind Bliss's odd experiences, the story weaves between family drama, romance, and a touch of mystery, but the conclusion feels rushed as the two storylines converge.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Linda Lael Miller, and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read Where the Creek Bends.

Loved this book! An enjoyable and thoughtful read. A charming romance with some mysterious elements. Bliss was my favorite character but they were all well thought out. A beautifully written story with unexpected revelations. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

WHERE THE CREEK BENDS – Linda Lael Miller
A Perfect 10
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-00639-4
December 31, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Painted Pony Creek, Montana – Present Day

Madison Bettencourt planned the perfect life as one marriage ended, and she wanted a baby. She agreed to marry a man despite her reservations about his attachment to his mother. It came to a head on her wedding day when she learned that her mother-in-law would be going on the honeymoon with them. She walked out and retreated to her grandmother’s mansion. Her grandmother is currently in a nursing home, where dementia has slowly taken her away from Madison. As she spends time in the mansion, memories resurface of a little girl who befriended her years ago—and then disappeared. What happened to Bliss Morgan?

While on Madison’s escape from her wedding, she went into a local bar and met the bartender, Liam McKettrick, a local rancher and single father of two children who lost their mother a year ago. Liam and Madison click, but both feel they are not ready for a relationship. Besides, Madison will probably leave once her grandmother dies, while Liam has to deal with the tension he has with his children. But they seem perfect for each other. Is there a way they can find a future together?

Madison lost her parents when she was young, and she came to live with her grandmother. But after Madison started asking questions about Bliss, her grandmother sent her away to boarding school, with only an occasional visit home. As she grapples with sadness over her grandmother’s medical condition, she decides to occupy herself with finding what happened to Bliss. No one seems to know what happened to her.

Liam’s children have been living with their maternal grandparents, but they are getting up in age and are not well, so the children are currently with their aunt. But now it’s time for the children to move to Montana, a place that his daughter is not happy about. Liam gets to know Madison better in the meantime, but they have to stop whatever is brewing between them when his kids arrive. Things are not easy as the reunited family adjusts. Will therapy and time heal this family?

While most of the points of view are Madison and Liam, we also get to see a third one in WHERE THE CREEK BENDS. It’s Bliss Morgan. Turns out that down by the river which runs behind Bettencourt Place is a secret place that sucks people into the past. Bliss finds herself in a time period she doesn’t recognize but is taken in by a kindly widow with a young son, Jack. Readers get the first hint that maybe the past and present are tied together. You will have to read this tale to see why.

WHERE THE CREEK BENDS is a mix of contemporary romance with a side of suspense. What happened to Bliss? Will Madison be able to talk to her grandmother to find out if she knows what happened to the child? Will Liam mend fences with his children? The story sizzles with on-the-edge storytelling and the reason why I am giving it a Perfect 10. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. Pick up WHERE THE CREEK BENDS and plan to spend lots of time immersed as you find out what happens to everyone.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

It's been many years for me since I've read a book by Linda Lael Miller but I remember enjoying them so I jumped at the chance to read her latest, Where the Creek Bends, which has time travel in it!

Madison moves back home to Montana when her grandma is close to dying. She meets handsome Liam McKettrick, father of two kids, soon after fleeing from her wedding when she realizes it would be a mistake. He is working on reconnecting with his children and she is trying to uncover the mystery about her childhood friend, Bliss. I eagerly kept reading so I could learn what had happened to Bliss and what the future holds for Liam and Madison.

I truly enjoyed this but felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have loved to have an epilogue telling me a bit more!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 31 December 2024