The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter's latest Big Sky Romance novel released in January. I love her cowboy stories!

Listen to this premise: two people who were planning to marry years ago, had even signed their marriage license on the court steps but never married, participate in a re-enactment for their town’s historical celebration portraying other people and end up actually married. This is the predicament Denise Hunter’s characters find themselves in. And though Travis is hip to the idea, Shay is not. She’s been rejected too many times, including painfully by Travis. But Travis prayed for a second chance and now has it! If only he could win Shay over before their self-imposed trial period ends. The tender pursuit is on. It may be one-sided, but like Hosea, Travis is committed to Shay for the long haul. In this way, this character is a picture of Jesus.

I like stories that include the married element. Writers can explore more in the romance between the characters than usual. And to the reader's delight, Denise does.

The story deals with trust issues and is very relatable in that. There were a few believability issues, but I chose to overlook them because the story was so enjoyable. Plus, the author addresses them in the author's note. The pacing keeps you reading; I had a hard time putting the book down.

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I've reversed things today. Here are the official summary and the links (print and e-book format, in that order).

When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay finds she's an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water-and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders' Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart-the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?