I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Together by Linda Lael MillerPublished by Avon on July 25th 2017
Genres: Anthology
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062005901
For the first time in over ten years comes
New York Times bestselling author
Linda Lael Miller’s breathtaking stories filled with the promise of love.
Five unforgettable tales,
Together in one volume...
Together…for a second chance at life and love—THAT OTHER KATHERINE
Together…when misdirected desire unexpectedly leads to lasting happiness—STORE-BOUGHT WOMAN
Together…as mistrust turns into steadfast devotion—THE SCENT OF SNOW
Together...a couple once torn apart by greed is now reunited by a vow of eternal love—IN ALL SEASONS
Together…a cat in the family way helps ignite love in two sparring neighbors—FAMILY AFFAIR
Together is a wonderful anthology that groups together five different stories from various era’s and unique couples.
Our first couple, is in our story In All Seasons we have a story where we have a young couple who fell in love young. However they were separated in the worst of ways,and our heroine Mellisande, was told that Christian, was killed. Mellisande almost never recovered from the grief in believing that Christian was dead. Now she is residing at a nunnery, when an injured man is delivered to their door, and its none other than the man she thought was dead, a man who hates her who believes she is responsible for all the suffering he has been dealt over the past few years. As Mellisande brings about healing for Christian, they also start healing the bridges between them, and search for the truth and re discovering the long-lost love they once had for each other.
I honestly enjoyed this book quite a bit here, I just couldn’t get enough of this one. I love a second chance romance, especially when it wasn’t of the couple’s own design. It is a very short story, but a sweet and tender love tale.
In our second story Scent of Snow is a story about a young woman who is in charge of taking care of her two younger sisters. When she learns that Lucas Kiley, an acquaintance has been severely injured and high chance to die, she decides to move to his property, making the claim that she is his “wife” so that her sisters may have a roof over their heads. Time passes, and Rebecca starts to make a good life, and then as the Christmas holiday draws closer, Lucas arrives on the doorstep. Rebecca expected Lucas to kick them out, but he only treats her as a wife in truth. This was a cute and charming story of forgiveness, healing and acceptance. It the wonderful way that Miller creates a story.
In our third story we have a tale that begins in That Other Katherine that delves into a time travel romance. In this story, we have a contemporary heroine, who has just been in a car accident, and is dying, and pleads with a light for a second chance, and she soon finds herself into a body not her own, and not in her own time, giving birth to a son. She has a husband that is furious with her, living in the 1800’s, and Katherine will need to prove that she is not who he thinks she is. This story was written in such a well thought out way, I was really captivated by these two. Our hero is hurt because his wife cheated on him and practically shamed him in public. Now his wife, is a completely different person and he is very confused. Seeing Katherine and Gavin connect to each other, learning new things about each other, and seeing the way that our heroine fights for her marriage and prove to Gavin how different she really is. I adored this couple quite a bit, especially the characters. I just wanted more of them in this story.
In the next story that we have, is Store Bought Woman we have a mail order bride romance with a twist. Bess applied to be a mail order bride, trading letters to get to know her future husband. But when she arrives, she learns that the groom has fled to hunt for gold somewhere up north, and his brother is offering himself to be her groom. Will is a man of honor and hard work, when his brother leaves, Will knows that this could be a chance to find love and happiness with Bess if she will accept him. Bess has no idea what she really wants to do but the more she spends time and works along side with Will on his farm, she starts to slowly fall in love with him. But we also see that even though Bess wants to accept being Will’s wife, and to love him, she also experiences some fears about the reality of living in this rugged territory. But I do love seeing the way that Linda Lael Miller spun this story, about conquering our fears and embracing love and commitment.
In our final installment of this anthology, we have a contemporary setting here, with Switch. Our heroine is a twin, and her life is mundane and she is struggling financially. And then her twin gives her a deal. To trade places with her for a short time, and she will have more than enough financial compensation to live a comfortable life. Jamie decides to go for it, even though she doesn’t understand what is making her twin so fearful and desperate. As she trades places, to take on the identity of her sister Sara, she is put in a position where she doesn’t know who is friend or foe. And meets up with a man who could be her enemy or her greatest ally. She is caught up in a suspenseful story, where her life is in danger involving a stolen artifact. Switch was probably my least favorite of the stories, however I did enjoy the thrilling plot of the artifact, and having the heroine’s life in danger and the most enchanting feline that brings together this couple.
Overall a anthology of small romances that will lighten your load, make your laugh and give you some delights along the way!!
From that cover I did not expect this
oh I know, especially since all but one are historical novella’s, the last one is the only contemporary.
Oh I like that the anthology spans different eras. Good review!
It is pretty neat isn’t it? I had never read an anthology like this one. And its a republishing of one of her older books, so I really had a blast with that.
How interesting that this tackles different eras! I’m most interested in the first book you mentioned with the second chance romance. The premise of Switch would stress me out though! I’d probably skip that one!
haha yeah the Switch was my least favorite of the stories, I will admit. The romance wasn’t as well done as the others. I think its because the other four are part of the original anthology when it was published years ago, and Switch was one she added in. But I did like seeing the various settings and era’s since I had never seen that before.
I enjoy Miller and use to read every dang release. I think I grab this, since I love anthologies for late night, when I am not quite done reading, but finish a book and fear beginning a new one and being up all night reading just one more chapter.
I enjoy her as well, I definitely think you would enjoy this, since its a republishing of her original antholgy that was written many years ago.
What is your favorite books from her? My personal favorite was the original McKettricks with the four brothers.
Yes..I loved that series too. I have a weakness for brothers 🙂
Brothers are just awesome aren’t they? Did you ever read her duo book “Two Brothers”, that was a pretty fantastic book too.
Hmm, if one was a gunslinger then yes I did.
Wow, I really like the sounds of having 5 love stories all in one books. I think is a wonderful way to be able to read a little at a time, like in between books or something. I love it! Great review.
Yes, it was a great experience. They were smaller, but cute and charming love stories.
Nice review! Linda writes some wonderful stories and I somehow hadn’t seen this anthology yet. What a cool idea to have the different eras all in one place!
Thank you Michele. She does have some fantastic books. And yeah I liked that she did a mix between contemporary and historical—I had never read an anthology like that before so it was a bit different but fun.
Oh goodness. The first one sounds like quite the story. I do enjoy Miller so will have to get to this one 🙂
I love having an anthology around to listen to a short story here and there. Glad you enjoyed this one.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I used to read anything by Linda Lael Miller that I could get my hands on but I haven’t read her in ages. This sounds fantastic. Great review!