BOOK REVIEW- THE BRIDEGROOM (Stone Creek #5) by Linda Lael Miller

Undercover agent Gideon Yarbro is renowned for stopping outlaws almost before they commit a crime. But now he must stop a wedding—despite the bride’s resistance. Lydia Fairmont will lose everything if she doesn’t honor her betrothal to a heartless banker. The only loophole is if she marries someone else instead, but to her, one loveless match is the same as another. 

It’s not good enough for Gideon. Determined to honor his own decade-old promise to help Lydia, he carries her off to Stone Creek and makes her his reluctant wife. Forget a honeymoon for “show”—not with a vengeful ex-fiancé on their trail and a hired gun on the loose. But there just might be hope for the marriage…and two hearts meant for each other.   AMAZON  3.5 STARS 
Originally published in 2009

While I liked this book, I wouldn't say that it's a favorite. It's kind of slow at times.  I did like the main characters and the supporting cast of people.  Gideon had some really good brothers who added to the story.  So did their wives and children.  It was interesting that the brothers had found good lives after the criminal life they had before.  
Gideon was an honorable man who cared about others.  He had been hurt deeply as a very young child when he suffered a horrible loss.  In some ways it was still affecting him as an adult.  Gideon had a big chip on his shoulder when it came to his being called "little brother".  Even though he'd had some dangerous careens, he was so often feeling like he had to prove himself to his two older brothers. He was tired of being treated like a kid and often tried to rile his brothers because of it.  Underneath it all was the knowledge that they all had each other's backs though.

Lydia was in a tight spot trying to save everyone and not seeing to be able to save herself from a horrendous marriage.  As the blurb mentions Gideon does ride to her rescue although at times breaking her heart at other times.  He didn't mean to but that didn't help Lydia all that much at times.  Lydia's two elderly aunts were a whole lot of fun as was their housekeeper Helga.  Helga was so much more than JUST a housekeeper.  And because of that she felt absolutely free to say exactly what she thought about things.  

There is a huge twist or two towards the end of the book and also includes an Epilogue.