The wedding crasher and the cowboy

Bielman (Kissing the Maid of Honor) tugs at the heartstrings with this enjoyable tale of a second chance at love. Maverick Owens's beloved partner, Nicole, died of ALS three years ago--and with her, their dream of opening a veterinary practice in Maverick's rural hometown of Windsong, Calif. After Kennedy Martin's old friend--and onetime boyfriend--Reed calls her in a drunken panic from his bachelor party, she decides to crash his wedding, which is taking place at Maverick's family ranch. Maverick and Kennedy were college rivals. They haven't seen each other in seven years and they're shocked to reunite now, but the chemistry that always characterized their feud quickly reignites. In the week leading up to Reed's wedding, Kennedy and Maverick fall hard and fast for each other. But their future is jeopardized when Kennedy faces a tragedy, misinterprets a letter Maverick wrote to Nicole, and receives a coveted job offer in Boston. How Bielman manages to bring them from this crisis to their happily-ever-after is both somewhat surprising and emotionally fulfilling. Meanwhile, Kennedy's sidekick, Andrew, steals many scenes with his zany humor. This smart, heartfelt small-town romance will have readers eager for a return trip to Windsong. (Nov.)

An emergency room doctor reconnects with a college enemy in this small-town romance. After a rocky romantic past--her boyfriend left her for her sister and now the two are engaged --Kennedy Martin is looking toward a bright future. The physician is interviewing for a prestigious position in Boston and hoping to leave Los Angeles behind for good. But a late-night call from Reed, another ex-boyfriend, throws a challenge into the mix. The two broke up on good terms and are still friends, and when Reed calls Kennedy from his bachelor party and expresses doubts about his upcoming marriage, she knows she needs to help. The only problem: She wasn't invited to the wedding. Determined to make things right and accompanied by her best friend, Andrew, Kennedy heads to bucolic Windsong, California, a few hours away, to keep an eye on Reed from afar. But she's barely set foot at The Owens House Inn and Guest Ranch, where the wedding will take place, when she encounters Maverick Owens, her college nemesis whom she hasn't seen in years. After an intense academic rivalry with Kennedy, Maverick eventually skipped veterinary school to travel the world with his girlfriend, Nicole Morisette, who suffered from and eventually succumbed to Lou Gehrig's disease. Maverick now runs the ranch with his loving family and is days away from another international trip, but will the presence of his gorgeous former enemy change everything? Alternating Kennedy's and Maverick's perspectives, Bielman's novel gives each a rich history, caring relatives and friends, and strong individual goals. Rather than silly communication mishaps, the couple have genuine obstacles and are still mourning past lovers and lost opportunities while doing their best to move forward with the lives they have now. Their journey isn't without comedy, mostly involving a mule named George and Maverick's adorably precocious niece, Jenna. The tale is also interspersed with sweet moments, such as Maverick's mother, Mary Rose, taking Kennedy under her wing from the get-go. Even Reed's fiancee, Elle, is a good person, wanting to make sure her soon-to-be husband is doing what's right for him and welcoming Kennedy with open arms. An upbeat love story chock-full of intriguing, funny characters. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.