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The Scarsdale Fosters #4
Loaded
When life has taught you to hide, can you ever spread your wings in the light?
Writing songs has always been the way that Beatrice Cipriani processes the world around her, but as a painful introvert, none of those songs are ever performed. She excels at being invisible—she’s the best server in a fancy restaurant. Sometimes, though, it feels like she’s dying a little more with every passing day.
Easton Moorland has finally made it big, but with a public company comes a board that has demands. As the chairman of a luxury brand, all eyes are on him, and they want him to look the part. That means he needs a girlfriend, or better yet, a wife. Only, Easton’s never had time to date, much less to develop any kind of relationship.
When the board insists that Easton sign up with an exclusive dating agency, he takes his first match to the nicest place in town. Only, he can’t remember his date’s name—he’s too enthralled by their server. It’s a woman he’d met before—it’s his sister Elizabeth’s new sister-in-law, in fact.
But can a dating newbie like Easton coax a painful introvert into the limelight at his side? Or will old fears destroy their chance at a happily ever after before it can even begin?
Writing songs has always been the way that Beatrice Cipriani processes the world around her, but as a painful introvert, none of those songs are ever performed. She excels at being invisible—she’s the best server in a fancy restaurant. Sometimes, though, it feels like she’s dying a little more with every passing day.
Easton Moorland has finally made it big, but with a public company comes a board that has demands. As the chairman of a luxury brand, all eyes are on him, and they want him to look the part. That means he needs a girlfriend, or better yet, a wife. Only, Easton’s never had time to date, much less to develop any kind of relationship.
When the board insists that Easton sign up with an exclusive dating agency, he takes his first match to the nicest place in town. Only, he can’t remember his date’s name—he’s too enthralled by their server. It’s a woman he’d met before—it’s his sister Elizabeth’s new sister-in-law, in fact.
But can a dating newbie like Easton coax a painful introvert into the limelight at his side? Or will old fears destroy their chance at a happily ever after before it can even begin?
358 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2024
79 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
B.E. Baker
47 books163 followersBridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days).
She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)
B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.
Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!
She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)
B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.
Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 21, 2024
I enjoyed Bea's story. As someone who is also an introvert, I could relate to some of what she experienced in this book. One thing I appreciated was that she found a way to do what she loved without letting anyone push her into doing it in way that she wasn't comfortable with. She got out of her comfort zone just enough to grow, but not so much that she wasn't being true to herself or her personality.
I also enjoyed Easton's part of the story. Like Bea, I found Easton easy to like. I liked the way his romance with Bea came together, despite some obstacles. One of those obstacles was Bea's foster brother, Jake. I have to say that Jake had to grow on me. He threw up some red flags for me in the beginning with the way he behaved around Bea and other men that entered her life. Fortunately he ended up getting called out on his behavior and he took a look at himself and realized some things. I liked that he grew as a person and began to change. I'm not sure if I like his personality yet, but the next book will be about him, and I'm sure I will like him by the end of it.
This book, like all the others in this series, had some really heartwarming moments and one in particular was when Bea's foster mom, Seren talked with her about all the grief in her past including not being able to have children, and how she didn't yet know that her children were already out there. She just had to find them. These moments are what make this series good.
If I had any kind of critique, it would be that sometimes I wish this series didn't include people coming into wealth, connections with famous or wealthy people, and brand name dropping so much. I also wish the book titles reflected the more heartwarming aspects of the stories instead of wealth or money because they are about so much more than that. Bridget has a real talent for weaving serious topics into her stories without them weighing the story down too much. Her stories focus on the good that can come of things instead of lingering on the bad too much, and I appreciate that. There's also always humor injected into the stories that keep them light and I enjoy that aspect of the books as well.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
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I also enjoyed Easton's part of the story. Like Bea, I found Easton easy to like. I liked the way his romance with Bea came together, despite some obstacles. One of those obstacles was Bea's foster brother, Jake. I have to say that Jake had to grow on me. He threw up some red flags for me in the beginning with the way he behaved around Bea and other men that entered her life. Fortunately he ended up getting called out on his behavior and he took a look at himself and realized some things. I liked that he grew as a person and began to change. I'm not sure if I like his personality yet, but the next book will be about him, and I'm sure I will like him by the end of it.
This book, like all the others in this series, had some really heartwarming moments and one in particular was when Bea's foster mom, Seren talked with her about all the grief in her past including not being able to have children, and how she didn't yet know that her children were already out there. She just had to find them. These moments are what make this series good.
If I had any kind of critique, it would be that sometimes I wish this series didn't include people coming into wealth, connections with famous or wealthy people, and brand name dropping so much. I also wish the book titles reflected the more heartwarming aspects of the stories instead of wealth or money because they are about so much more than that. Bridget has a real talent for weaving serious topics into her stories without them weighing the story down too much. Her stories focus on the good that can come of things instead of lingering on the bad too much, and I appreciate that. There's also always humor injected into the stories that keep them light and I enjoy that aspect of the books as well.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Follow me at:
Recordings of a Reader on Youtube
Writings of a Reader at Blogspot
Writings of a Reader on Facebook
July 1, 2024
Loaded With Love
The fourth book in this series gives you the story of Bea (Beatrice), foster daughter of Seren and Dave (Seed Money). Formed by a drug addicted mother and a power hungry grandfather she became proficient in becoming invisible. Seren and Dave discovered her musical talents and brought her a piano. Many songs were composed and left in boxes.
When she meets good looking, rich businessman Easton, she can’t believe that he is interested in her. He has carried a torch for her since he met her through his sister and her brother (Nouveau Riche). With ups and downs these two find their way towards each other.
Of course, not every character in the book has a silver lining, but the love Seren and Dave have for each other and their foster kids shines through all the pages. Even when an outside eye is necessary to push some self-invoked boundaries away. This book is good for many laughs and some tears and also to cheer the MCs on their path to a more fulfilled life. Ms Baker knows how to paint these emotional processes of acceptance and growth in a way that made me be right there with all the characters and happenings. Highly recommended.
The fourth book in this series gives you the story of Bea (Beatrice), foster daughter of Seren and Dave (Seed Money). Formed by a drug addicted mother and a power hungry grandfather she became proficient in becoming invisible. Seren and Dave discovered her musical talents and brought her a piano. Many songs were composed and left in boxes.
When she meets good looking, rich businessman Easton, she can’t believe that he is interested in her. He has carried a torch for her since he met her through his sister and her brother (Nouveau Riche). With ups and downs these two find their way towards each other.
Of course, not every character in the book has a silver lining, but the love Seren and Dave have for each other and their foster kids shines through all the pages. Even when an outside eye is necessary to push some self-invoked boundaries away. This book is good for many laughs and some tears and also to cheer the MCs on their path to a more fulfilled life. Ms Baker knows how to paint these emotional processes of acceptance and growth in a way that made me be right there with all the characters and happenings. Highly recommended.
October 4, 2024
I liked most of this book a lot and it would have had a four star rating if the last chapter were removed. It totally changed the mood and ruined the happy ending for me. This is the kind of thing that should have been put in as a prologue or a flashback in the next book instead, where the subsequent chapters could redeem the mood afterwards. I hate it when authors use the end of a romance (which is supposed to be a guaranteed happy ending) to tease the next book with some kind of foreshadowing.
May 19, 2025
I loved this book. It’s my favorite of the series. Our heroine Bea has low self esteem brought on by her life before she entered the foster system. Our hero Easton (brother to Elizabeth from book 2) has his own, very successful, company that he took public a bit ago. He’s had to overcome issues with his own parents and wasn’t such a “trust fund baby” as everyone things. In other news, he’s never been one for dating and was head over heels for Bea the instant he saw her. As he discovers where she works as a waitress during a blind-ish date, he puts plans into motion to be at her restaurant, in her section, at least once a week. This forced proximity, along with pieces of help from siblings, leads them closer together.
This book is so much more than just a romance. Jake, Bea’s foster brother, features prominently and I’m loving getting to know him and cannot wait for his book! Bea’s biological grandfather, the governor, pops up some and he is a villain. We meet another lovely gal that I cannot wait for more of. And there is piano and music and songs. Found family, and so much more make this just an amazing read with reminders on worth and beauty. I cannot wait for more. This book was so good that no content notes could lower my rating. This is a just kisses romance.
Content Notes: a scene with a gay character, multiple mentions about whether someone is or is not gay, one instance of swearing
This book is so much more than just a romance. Jake, Bea’s foster brother, features prominently and I’m loving getting to know him and cannot wait for his book! Bea’s biological grandfather, the governor, pops up some and he is a villain. We meet another lovely gal that I cannot wait for more of. And there is piano and music and songs. Found family, and so much more make this just an amazing read with reminders on worth and beauty. I cannot wait for more. This book was so good that no content notes could lower my rating. This is a just kisses romance.
Content Notes: a scene with a gay character, multiple mentions about whether someone is or is not gay, one instance of swearing
July 9, 2024
If you want a book that has love, inner turmoil, past background baggage, acceptance of yourself, betrayal, but mostly love, this is the book for you.
Even though this book is the fourth one on The Scarsdale Foster series it can be read as a standalone, with a little caveat that there will be some details you won't be fully getting.
On this book we focused on the story of Beatrice, the girl that was left behind by her addicted mother at Seren and Dave's Inn. Now Beatrice is a grown up woman, who's a musician who prefers to be always in the background and as inconspicuous as possible. That's why her job as a waitress is the best one for her, costumers don't really "see" their servers.
Easton is a millionaire who's made his money from scratch thru hard work, he's also Beatrice's foster brother brother in law. He falls in love with her but she doesn't want to have nothing to do with him, or does she?
Reading this book felt like having a warm embrace, it gave me such a well being feeling.
The ending of the book sets up an intriguing beginning for the following and last book of the series that I can't wait to read.
Even though this book is the fourth one on The Scarsdale Foster series it can be read as a standalone, with a little caveat that there will be some details you won't be fully getting.
On this book we focused on the story of Beatrice, the girl that was left behind by her addicted mother at Seren and Dave's Inn. Now Beatrice is a grown up woman, who's a musician who prefers to be always in the background and as inconspicuous as possible. That's why her job as a waitress is the best one for her, costumers don't really "see" their servers.
Easton is a millionaire who's made his money from scratch thru hard work, he's also Beatrice's foster brother brother in law. He falls in love with her but she doesn't want to have nothing to do with him, or does she?
Reading this book felt like having a warm embrace, it gave me such a well being feeling.
The ending of the book sets up an intriguing beginning for the following and last book of the series that I can't wait to read.
July 9, 2024
This really hits you in all the right places. A wonderful story as we get Bea’s & Easton’s story. Bea is a talented song and jingle writer but is painfully shy and suffers terrible stage fright and so does her best to be invisible to the world. Easton has hit the big time but with that comes larger responsibilities and an image to uphold but he doesn’t want some gold digger on his arm, he wants some like Bea. Someone who is cute, someone who is real and reliable and someone who is like family. This enthralling read has you in its hooks as we watch their journey unfold, as they discover each other and themselves and all they can be. It will make you laugh, it’s will make you cry and it will make you shout in frustration but in the end you will be left with a happy heart and a smile.
July 25, 2024
Bea and Easton, Far Sure!! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert
Shy, musically talented, Bea, aka Hornet, finally met her true HEA, rich, self-made clothing mogul, Easton Moorland. From their third encounter Easton was set on convincing her to be his forever. Battling his selfish parents, her controlling NY Governor as a grandfather, JakeP, and his board of directors, Easton not only pushed Be a to write and sing her songs with facially disfigured Octavia, she accepted his wedding proposal.
I loved Easton's character and dialogue plus this novel showed how people bloom, once pushed off the cliff. A Must-Read, but Jake's long con cliff hanger is intriguing; is Jake still that person??
06/14/24- 07/22/24/
Shy, musically talented, Bea, aka Hornet, finally met her true HEA, rich, self-made clothing mogul, Easton Moorland. From their third encounter Easton was set on convincing her to be his forever. Battling his selfish parents, her controlling NY Governor as a grandfather, JakeP, and his board of directors, Easton not only pushed Be a to write and sing her songs with facially disfigured Octavia, she accepted his wedding proposal.
I loved Easton's character and dialogue plus this novel showed how people bloom, once pushed off the cliff. A Must-Read, but Jake's long con cliff hanger is intriguing; is Jake still that person??
06/14/24- 07/22/24/
July 10, 2024
Bea and Easton have know of each other for awhile due to their siblings being together. Easton develops a crush and try’s to flirt- if you can call it that. Bea is not interested in a relationship and enjoys being by herself. She applies for job and has to get out of her comfort zone but things don’t go as she expected. Easton and another friend push for her to try something else, that they know she will be great at. While Easton has his own troubles to deal with, with his job and the board. One thing they didn’t count on is the governor governing them a hard time.
July 5, 2024
Amazing! I love following along a series and having appearances from characters I've met previously. Definitely an unexpected twist in there, and an interesting perspective that outsiders can see what you need more closely than the people near you. It is fascinating watching people challenge and overcome childhood trauma. Seren and Dave definitely sound like the best possible foster parents a child could have!
July 9, 2024
This book is book 4 in the Scarsdale Fosters series but if you wanted to you could easily read it at any point (though I do think it’s best in order). I loved seeing the dynamics between the foster siblings and of course I loved the tension between the humor (I laughed out loud at parts) and the drama (yep, I also cried). I definitely recommend adding this book not only to your TBR pile but your have read pile!
July 8, 2024
The fourth book of The Scarsdale Fosters focuses on Bea(trice). Bridget does a great job once again of making you feel for her main character, who had her own share of dark times before coming to live with her foster parents. The love story takes a few different turns, but the best love story in this isn't between Bea and Easton, but between Bea and herself.
July 19, 2024
Easton knew from the moment he met Bea that she was special but the more he gets to know her and her musical talents the more he can't help falling in love with her. Bea has a messed up family but luckily she has people that she can depend on. This series has been full of wonderful characters and sweet romances.
July 26, 2024
This book grabbed me from the very first page! A very enjoyable read. It went off the path a little around the halfway point, when the main character, Bea, took a 180 on her personality. All turned out well and a life lesson on accepting others was taught. Overall, a great book that I highly recommend!
July 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It had me feeling all the feels! I laughed, I cried, I was mad for characters and mad at characters! This book hit it out of the park like all the others! I cannot wait for book 5!
July 9, 2024
This follows the story of one of the foster children, Bea, and Easton, a single, handsome, work-focused millionaire. He would be a catch for anyone, but she turns him down flat. This story follows everything after and will have you laughing, crying, and everything in between. Really sweet story!
July 9, 2024
This is a perfect addition to this series. I really connected with this book. Easton is so sweet with Bea. I liked learning more about the family and each foster child's story.
I loved how they worked through real issues and communication. Just a great book.
I loved how they worked through real issues and communication. Just a great book.
July 24, 2024
This author blows me away with her stories. Each one is better than the last. Unfortunately I am running out of her books since I have read most of her series. Love the characters and the plotlines.
January 22, 2025
DNF
This wasn’t for me. It had a fine premise but overall, the characters just seemed childish. Also, one of my pet peeves is characters throwing food. This book lost me when the CEO of a company threw a scallop. Sigh. Give me a break.
This wasn’t for me. It had a fine premise but overall, the characters just seemed childish. Also, one of my pet peeves is characters throwing food. This book lost me when the CEO of a company threw a scallop. Sigh. Give me a break.
July 7, 2024
great to read
I enjoyed being captivated by this book and its characters. I looked forward to resuming the story when I had to take a break. Fun read.
I enjoyed being captivated by this book and its characters. I looked forward to resuming the story when I had to take a break. Fun read.
July 8, 2024
This book was such a quick, easy, feel good read! A little bit funny, a lot of family without too much drama, people communicating and actually dealing with their issues, just a really pleasant read!
July 11, 2024
This is a great series. I have enjoyed each book. The characters have developed nicely and there is always some significant narrative.
July 11, 2024
Always a beautiful love story when Bridget writes :) I love the scarsdale world! Ready for the next one :)
July 10, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this story. These characters really come to life and feel so very real. This whole series gives me all the feels. <3
February 8, 2025
Loaded is definitely loaded with a fantastic story and characters that you can't forget. Bea has always had music in her mind, but she doesn't feel like she is good enough. She feels that jingles are her only means to an end. In the meantime, she will continue to waitress. She encounters Easton, her sister in law's brother, but again she thinks she is not worthy of him, but he thinks otherwise. We run into the rest of the family, along the way, that make this story real. Powerful subjects to overcome. Bravo Bridget, you did it again
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews