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Finding Love
Dawn Henderson's coworker and friend Pamela Lynn gets married on Valentine's Day. As Pamela Lynn leaves for her Hawaiian honeymoon, on the same holiday, Dawn's long-term boyfriend, Salvador Romero, breaks up with her and breaks her heart. This is a San Diego based story of a woman's struggle to find true love.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 11, 2025
Melissa Cantrell's Finding Love offers a deeply personal and often raw exploration of one woman's journey through the labyrinthine world of modern relationships. Far from a prescriptive self-help manual, Cantrell crafts a narrative that feels more like a candid conversation with a trusted friend, chronicling her experiences with dating, heartbreak, and the often elusive pursuit of genuine connection. The book doesn't shy away from the messy realities of love, presenting both the euphoric highs and the crushing lows with an unvarnished honesty that is both refreshing and relatable.
Readers will find themselves nodding along in recognition at the awkward first dates, the miscommunications, and the universal longing for someone who truly understands. Cantrell's writing style is accessible and engaging, imbued with a quiet wit and a profound sense of introspection. She navigates complex emotional landscapes with sensitivity, inviting the reader to reflect on their own romantic histories and hopes.
While the path to "finding love" is, by its very nature, unique to each individual, Cantrell provides a comforting and insightful companion for anyone currently navigating the often-turbulent waters of the heart. Her story is a testament to resilience, the enduring power of hope, and the ultimate belief that true connection, despite its challenges, is always worth the search.
Readers will find themselves nodding along in recognition at the awkward first dates, the miscommunications, and the universal longing for someone who truly understands. Cantrell's writing style is accessible and engaging, imbued with a quiet wit and a profound sense of introspection. She navigates complex emotional landscapes with sensitivity, inviting the reader to reflect on their own romantic histories and hopes.
While the path to "finding love" is, by its very nature, unique to each individual, Cantrell provides a comforting and insightful companion for anyone currently navigating the often-turbulent waters of the heart. Her story is a testament to resilience, the enduring power of hope, and the ultimate belief that true connection, despite its challenges, is always worth the search.
July 15, 2025
There’s a lot of heart in Finding Love by Melissa Cantrel, and I really respect that. However, I think it could do with a solid edit. For one, it’s longer than it needs to be—it makes a point, then circles back and makes it again (almost as if the author doesn’t quite trust the reader to get it the first time). The main character is also constantly referred to as Pamela Lynn (okay, yes, we get that’s her last name—repeating it so much feels redundant), except when she’s suddenly Pamela, or just Pam. It gets confusing. There’s also a bit too much ‘tell’ and not enough ‘show,’ plus some stilted dialogue that occasionally took me out of the story. But when the book hits its stride, there’s some genuinely interesting exploration of modern relationships.
Another note: don’t judge this book by its Amazon cover, which screams erotica or maybe dark romance—it’s totally not. I’m not sure what the author was thinking with that choice, but I worry readers will either avoid it, assuming it’s hardcore erotica, or pick it up expecting some super explicit smut and be disappointed. The book is definitely more about exploring the characters’ emotions (rather than physical entanglements), so check it out if that’s what you’re after.
Another note: don’t judge this book by its Amazon cover, which screams erotica or maybe dark romance—it’s totally not. I’m not sure what the author was thinking with that choice, but I worry readers will either avoid it, assuming it’s hardcore erotica, or pick it up expecting some super explicit smut and be disappointed. The book is definitely more about exploring the characters’ emotions (rather than physical entanglements), so check it out if that’s what you’re after.
May 4, 2025
I quite enjoyed “Finding Love” by Melissa Cantrell, the highly readable sequel to “Finding the Way Home.”
This novel follows further developments in the difficult personal life of young Dawn Henderson, an early-twenties professional at a financial services firm.
Dawn progresses through a number of very difficult romantic relationships, including a childhood friend whom she had always loved, to a rich client who blows her away with his wealth and power and animal magnetism.
For such a smart and sensitive woman, one ready to settle down in a committed relationship and even start a family, Dawn seems to be a very poor judge of the men with whom she spends time.
Simply put, the tender and well-intentioned Dawn has very bad luck with men, who often seem to detect in her someone who can be used.
This leads the reader to wonder how and when she will see the light, and ever be happy . . . and thus we have the makings of a novel!
When Dawn attends the Valentine’s Day wedding of her boss, Pamela, little does she know that her longtime friend from childhood, and now her boyfriend, Salvatore Romero, will dump her later in the day. And break up with her he does, claiming he is not ready for marriage though she wants a commitment . . . but in the ensuing days, that break-up doesn’t stop him from often showing up on her doorstep for booty calls, without any commitment to a renewed relationship.
In a case of inexplicably bad judgment, Dawn allows herself to continue to be used by Salvatore (who is juggling other women on the side) until the cad finally leaves for a six-month job posting in Chile. It doesn’t take long before word filters back that he is up to his old tricks and has already been with two Chilean women in just a few weeks down in South America. Dawn, fed up, decides that’s the end of their relationship.
The story then takes another interesting twist when a wealthy Iranian client, Cameron, for whom Dawn manages a stock portfolio, reveals a desire to be with Dawn and in a physical relationship. This part of the story is reminiscent of the movie PRETTY WOMAN. She succumbs to his charms, happy to spend his money in high-glitz shopping sprees in the daytime and occupy his bed at night.
That's enough of an appetizer for you -- you surely get the idea how this story moves along.
Author Cantrell writes in an easy-to-read, relatable style, and the reader is quickly hooked and roots for Dawn to wake up and take charge of her life. The flow of the storyline is enjoyable and one can easily see all of this developing in the mind’s eye. There are quite a lot of pretty steamy scenes included so, for some, this novel might not be an appropriate read.
There are a few nits to pick about the editing. Firstly, it was a bit jarring how character names continually alternated, back and forth, at random, between a character’s full name and just first name. Also, there was a lot of repetition in the story which could have been edited out for a tighter read. Many of Dawns doubts and concerns and nagging thoughts about her men are repeated, over and over. After a while it gets tiresome.
But overall, this is an interesting, sexy, romantic story that will keep readers turning the pages.
This novel follows further developments in the difficult personal life of young Dawn Henderson, an early-twenties professional at a financial services firm.
Dawn progresses through a number of very difficult romantic relationships, including a childhood friend whom she had always loved, to a rich client who blows her away with his wealth and power and animal magnetism.
For such a smart and sensitive woman, one ready to settle down in a committed relationship and even start a family, Dawn seems to be a very poor judge of the men with whom she spends time.
Simply put, the tender and well-intentioned Dawn has very bad luck with men, who often seem to detect in her someone who can be used.
This leads the reader to wonder how and when she will see the light, and ever be happy . . . and thus we have the makings of a novel!
When Dawn attends the Valentine’s Day wedding of her boss, Pamela, little does she know that her longtime friend from childhood, and now her boyfriend, Salvatore Romero, will dump her later in the day. And break up with her he does, claiming he is not ready for marriage though she wants a commitment . . . but in the ensuing days, that break-up doesn’t stop him from often showing up on her doorstep for booty calls, without any commitment to a renewed relationship.
In a case of inexplicably bad judgment, Dawn allows herself to continue to be used by Salvatore (who is juggling other women on the side) until the cad finally leaves for a six-month job posting in Chile. It doesn’t take long before word filters back that he is up to his old tricks and has already been with two Chilean women in just a few weeks down in South America. Dawn, fed up, decides that’s the end of their relationship.
The story then takes another interesting twist when a wealthy Iranian client, Cameron, for whom Dawn manages a stock portfolio, reveals a desire to be with Dawn and in a physical relationship. This part of the story is reminiscent of the movie PRETTY WOMAN. She succumbs to his charms, happy to spend his money in high-glitz shopping sprees in the daytime and occupy his bed at night.
That's enough of an appetizer for you -- you surely get the idea how this story moves along.
Author Cantrell writes in an easy-to-read, relatable style, and the reader is quickly hooked and roots for Dawn to wake up and take charge of her life. The flow of the storyline is enjoyable and one can easily see all of this developing in the mind’s eye. There are quite a lot of pretty steamy scenes included so, for some, this novel might not be an appropriate read.
There are a few nits to pick about the editing. Firstly, it was a bit jarring how character names continually alternated, back and forth, at random, between a character’s full name and just first name. Also, there was a lot of repetition in the story which could have been edited out for a tighter read. Many of Dawns doubts and concerns and nagging thoughts about her men are repeated, over and over. After a while it gets tiresome.
But overall, this is an interesting, sexy, romantic story that will keep readers turning the pages.
May 26, 2025
It’s like Sex in the City - Southern California style.
Melissa Cantrell’s Finding Love starts with two major days: Valentine’s Day and a wedding. What initially appears to be the story of a bride preparing for her big day keeps you on your toes when you realize the bride isn’t our main character, and in fact, our main character is the only person helping the bride prepare on her wedding day. It’s poignantly touching, yet lonely at the same time, and a reveal for things to come.
After Dawn Henderson helps her girlfriend get her wedding world in order, we enter into hers, and it’s, well, a bit of an exciting mess, but still a mess. She has a guy named Salvador, and I think it’s fair to say they start on the rocks. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so let’s say she’s probably had better V-days.
Her story can be raw and honest, with quite a few unexpected scenarios. She has a range of men she meets, and some of the scenes are very, very hot. Even though she’s a career woman, her family is still very important to her, and her family dynamics are so spot on, you’d think this woman has been visiting your home. In other instances, it gets a bit crazy. I’d give my favorite example, but you’ll have to read it yourself. There is a lot of drama here, and if that’s what you’re looking for, this is the read for you.
Some of her dialogue, though intense and heartfelt, can be repetitive, but isn’t life just that way sometimes? The locations throughout southern California felt very authentic, and were so detailed at times that she brought you right into the page. Having said that, there were quite a few grammatical errors, yet the story was so compelling I could easily overlook them, even though some may not feel the same.
I love it when a story comes full circle, beginning where it ends. Dawn’s journey is one that each of us can relate to - younger or older, woman or man. We’ve all been that person on both sides of the coin of love. She ends the story on a questioning, not questionable note, and I’d love to see where that question leads. I’d like to take that ride.
Melissa Cantrell’s Finding Love starts with two major days: Valentine’s Day and a wedding. What initially appears to be the story of a bride preparing for her big day keeps you on your toes when you realize the bride isn’t our main character, and in fact, our main character is the only person helping the bride prepare on her wedding day. It’s poignantly touching, yet lonely at the same time, and a reveal for things to come.
After Dawn Henderson helps her girlfriend get her wedding world in order, we enter into hers, and it’s, well, a bit of an exciting mess, but still a mess. She has a guy named Salvador, and I think it’s fair to say they start on the rocks. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so let’s say she’s probably had better V-days.
Her story can be raw and honest, with quite a few unexpected scenarios. She has a range of men she meets, and some of the scenes are very, very hot. Even though she’s a career woman, her family is still very important to her, and her family dynamics are so spot on, you’d think this woman has been visiting your home. In other instances, it gets a bit crazy. I’d give my favorite example, but you’ll have to read it yourself. There is a lot of drama here, and if that’s what you’re looking for, this is the read for you.
Some of her dialogue, though intense and heartfelt, can be repetitive, but isn’t life just that way sometimes? The locations throughout southern California felt very authentic, and were so detailed at times that she brought you right into the page. Having said that, there were quite a few grammatical errors, yet the story was so compelling I could easily overlook them, even though some may not feel the same.
I love it when a story comes full circle, beginning where it ends. Dawn’s journey is one that each of us can relate to - younger or older, woman or man. We’ve all been that person on both sides of the coin of love. She ends the story on a questioning, not questionable note, and I’d love to see where that question leads. I’d like to take that ride.
July 23, 2025
I must say, the cover on Amazon made me think this would be erotica, so I was very surprised! There is a different cover on Goodreads, so it could well be misleading.
Melissa Cantrel’s Finding Love is a heartfelt, contemporary romance set in San Diego, cantering on Dawn Henderson, a young woman navigating the emotional fallout of a Valentine’s Day breakup just as her close friend Pamela Lynn departs for a honeymoon. What unfolds is a raw and often poignant exploration of modern love, identity, and the search for lasting connection.
Cantrel captures the highs and lows of romantic entanglements with emotional honesty and moments of heat, balanced by genuine reflections on family and career. The Southern California setting is richly evoked, grounding the story in a vivid sense of place. However, the novel would benefit from tighter editing.
Despite these flaws, Finding Love offers compelling drama, relatable emotion, and a satisfying full-circle conclusion. It’s more introspective than its provocative cover suggests, focusing less on physical encounters and more on emotional depth. Ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a touch of spice and realism.
Melissa Cantrel’s Finding Love is a heartfelt, contemporary romance set in San Diego, cantering on Dawn Henderson, a young woman navigating the emotional fallout of a Valentine’s Day breakup just as her close friend Pamela Lynn departs for a honeymoon. What unfolds is a raw and often poignant exploration of modern love, identity, and the search for lasting connection.
Cantrel captures the highs and lows of romantic entanglements with emotional honesty and moments of heat, balanced by genuine reflections on family and career. The Southern California setting is richly evoked, grounding the story in a vivid sense of place. However, the novel would benefit from tighter editing.
Despite these flaws, Finding Love offers compelling drama, relatable emotion, and a satisfying full-circle conclusion. It’s more introspective than its provocative cover suggests, focusing less on physical encounters and more on emotional depth. Ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a touch of spice and realism.
October 19, 2025
Please, do not let the cover of this book scare you off at all. It truly does not do the story justice.
This is a story that follows a young woman experiencing the all too familiar, and horrifying, struggles of the dating pool after having had her heart broken (right around Valentine’s Day, no less!). The reader is allowed to see her grow as a person throughout all of this. Sometimes, it can be a bit frustrating. But Dawn’s choices are very human and real, so you can’t blame her too much.
The dialogue is very modern in its approach, and you can definitely see that the author went out of her way to make the characters speak in a way that would feel authentic. Certain word choices are definitely representative of the Californian location, and serve to deepen the atmosphere of the story in general.
While I can’t say Dawn didn’t annoy me sometimes, I can say that her experiences were relatable and her story conclusion satisfactory. This is one of those contemporary reads that serves as a very good snap shot of a time and place. Feel free to give it a read.
This is a story that follows a young woman experiencing the all too familiar, and horrifying, struggles of the dating pool after having had her heart broken (right around Valentine’s Day, no less!). The reader is allowed to see her grow as a person throughout all of this. Sometimes, it can be a bit frustrating. But Dawn’s choices are very human and real, so you can’t blame her too much.
The dialogue is very modern in its approach, and you can definitely see that the author went out of her way to make the characters speak in a way that would feel authentic. Certain word choices are definitely representative of the Californian location, and serve to deepen the atmosphere of the story in general.
While I can’t say Dawn didn’t annoy me sometimes, I can say that her experiences were relatable and her story conclusion satisfactory. This is one of those contemporary reads that serves as a very good snap shot of a time and place. Feel free to give it a read.
July 2, 2025
Kept me reading to find out what happens. Good storyline. The protagonist, Dawn Henderson is young, attractive and trying to find her lifetime partner. It isn't easy. She encounters pitfalls many modern-day adults find when navigating love. There are times when the reader feels nothing but pity for Dawn and other times you want to shake her. Nothing forced... Dawn's emotions are real. She encounters unfortunate situations which mirror many real-life situations.
This book takes you through several romances and a proper ending. A good, spicy read for those looking to sit on a beach or curl up in bed for a journey through a young women's life. The ending was satisfying and has a "circle of life" feel to it. The book has several story lines, including Dawn's professional lives and reflects some hardships women must endure.
The author is from the San Diego area and includes some language that is not necessariy common to the broader US like "casita" which I had to look up.
This book takes you through several romances and a proper ending. A good, spicy read for those looking to sit on a beach or curl up in bed for a journey through a young women's life. The ending was satisfying and has a "circle of life" feel to it. The book has several story lines, including Dawn's professional lives and reflects some hardships women must endure.
The author is from the San Diego area and includes some language that is not necessariy common to the broader US like "casita" which I had to look up.
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