Something Old, Something New (Hitched) (Harlequin Romance, No 3426)

Rating:
Summary: Premise worthy of a longer novel
Review: Lillabeth "Lily" Alexander's husband had been missing--and presumed dead--for seven years. Lily loved and grieved for Saige Alexander with passion. But life goes on: Lily is now engaged to a successful lawyer named Randall Carver. While she may not love him with the same intensity she felt for Saige... Randall can provide Lily with a stable future. Something her adventurous husband could not.

But at the annual Fourth of July parade, Lily sees a ghost. Saige has returned to Deep Water, Montana. He refuses to tell Lily the reasons behind his disappearance, yet is determined to get his life--and his wife--back. With only a month until the wedding, Lily must decide if she wants to take another risk with Saige or settle for second best with Randall.

Stephanie's Review:

I have to admit that I was prepared to dislike this book since it dealt with a cowboy who worked on a ranch, but I was pleasantly surprised. I felt for Lily and what she was going through: The hurt--yet happiness--when Saige returned, the disappointment when she discovered that Randall wasn't the man she thought he was, and the confusing from loving two men.

However, I found character motivation lacking. Lily seems like a strong woman, yet has moments where she regresses to a child; letting someone else handle her problems for her. Saige resumes ranching life far too easily with little negative effect from his seven year disappearance. Randall is nothing more than a stereotypical rich man.

The premise could've easily been expanded to a longer novel, yet it still manages to work in this shorter length. The "other man" storyline, which isn't usually popular with romance readers, works. And it's a quick read as you'll keep turning the pages to find out if Lily will follow obligation or follow her heart.

Rating:
Summary: It was very good, and improves on every reading
Review: This book glues you to your seat...on the second or third reading. At first the romance between Saige and Lily was hard to grasp and frusterating beyond belief. But, nearing the end, the character's make sence. A nice romance, not to phisical, very good. Lily seems so confused it makes you feel like you want to grab her out of the book and shake her. I enjoy this book, but if you are looking for a quick, easy read, you might want to look else where.