Review: The Bride Wore Starlight by Lizbeth Selvig (Seven Brides for Seven Cwoboys #3)

Note: This ARC was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

"None of those things will go back to being exactly what they were," he said. "But that doesn't meant they aren't healed. Or healing. You proved on Saturday you can do things you said you couldn't. You danced. Why are you remembering the two minutes of embarrassment and not the twenty minutes of amazing fun?"

"I..." She couldn't answer.

"Because you're not used to being embarrassed. You're not used to being less than perfect."

I've enjoyed the Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys series from the get-go and it appears as if Lizbeth Selvig's stories about the Crockett sisters and the cowboys who steal their hearts get better with each new addition. The Bride Wore Starlight is the third book in the series and it's definitely proven that third time's the charm (although the first two times were quite delightful as well) because this was the one that hit all the right notes. Maybe it's because Joellen Brigitta Crockett Foster has been the sister I've been most curious about since the beginning, due in large part to the life-altering automobile accident that left physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred and needing to make adjustments in order to live her new life with the remnants of her extensive injuries. On top of that, Joely had a cheating husband she was more than ready to divorce but circumstances had her somewhat stalling. She has a more than supportive family in her sisters, soon-to-be brothers-in-law, mother, and grandmother, but she still felt very lost and adrift.

Of all the men she could have been paired up with, I think she absolutely needed someone like Alexander Morrissey, and not just because Alec was a good-looking man. He refused to pity her or let her continue feeling as if her life meant nothing now that she was damaged goods. He knew from experience what it was like to have something taken from you and be forced to make the necessary changes and adjustments in order to live your new normal. I liked that he was the combination of confidence, cockiness, and care, but for all of that, he still had shadows living in the depths of his being, hidden from those who didn't know him well. He wanted to be there for Joely and pushed her beyond her comfort zone, but he had his own share of hard limits that he refused to budge on. These were two people who had more than their fair share of stumbling blocks and while they were able to manage to hurdle some on their own, it was when they found each other and worked together as a couple that they were finally able to overcome the worst.

This was a beautiful and inspiring story of how love, self-belief, and perseverance can help you conquer what you once thought was impossible. Everyone has their struggles, even someone like Alec who seemed to have all the answers. The fact is, he didn't; no one does. But like Joely learned, choosing not to find those answers is what will lead one to be a defeatist and moving forward and deciding to put in the effort and the work may not always be easy, but the rewards and results will be more than worth it. Their love story was told with heart and honesty and the development of their relationship felt real and natural, but then the first three sisters have all had great love stories to tell, so the triplets, and Lizbeth Selvig, have their work cut out for them. Because the series is about seven brides and there are six sisters, I wonder who the seventh bride will be, not that it matters since I have yet to be disappointed with what the author has given all of us to read. The Bride Wore Starlight had everything I could have asked for. Five-plus stars. ♥

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Read my reviews for the Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys series:

 

The Bride Wore Denim (book one) - 4.5 stars - My Review

The Bride Wore Red Boots (book two) - five stars - My Review

The Bride Wore Starlight (book three) - five-plus stars - My Review (posted above)

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Date Read: 16 February 2016

Learn more about Lizbeth Selvig.

Purchase The Bride Wore Starlight on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.