River of Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens): Sam Braden

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD #3

by Melissa Foster

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
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The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor are the newest addition to the award-winning Braden series and the LOVE IN BLOOM family, joining the Snow Sisters, the Bradens, the Remingtons, Seaside Summers, and The Ryders. (Voted BEST BOOK SERIES by Supportive Business Moms, UK).


Fall in love with sexy Sam Braden in RIVER OF LOVE.


SAM BRADEN never backs down from a challenge, and he's about to face his biggest challenge yet--winning sweet Faith Hayes's heart, despite his brother, and her boss's, warnings to stay away. Faith has been hurt before, and she knows all about Sam's naughty reputation, putting him at the top of her fantasy-only list. She's no match for the sinfully sexy playboy who's determined to make her his. But for a smidgen of a weak second, she wonders if she ever could be.
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Read the full LOVE IN BLOOM series:
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SNOW SISTERS
BOOK 1: Sisters in Love
BOOK 2: Sisters in Bloom
BOOK 3: Sisters in White
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THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)
BOOK 1: Lovers at Heart (Treat & Max)
BOOK 2: Destined for Love (Rex & Jade)
BOOK 3: Friendship on Fire (Josh & Riley)
BOOK 4: Sea of Love (Dane & Lacy)
BOOK 5: Bursting with Love (Savannah & Jack)
BOOK 6: Hearts at Play (Hugh & Bree)


THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)
BOOK 1: Taken by Love (Luke)
BOOK 2: Fated for Love (Wes)
BOOK 3: Romancing My Love (Pierce)
BOOK 4: Flirting with Love (Ross)
BOOK 5: Dreaming of Love (Emily)
BOOK 6: Crashing into Love (Jake)
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THE BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Promise My Love (Rex & Jade's Wedding Novella)
**Best if read after Weston & Trusty Bradens**
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THE REMINGTONS
BOOK 1: Game of Love (Dex)
BOOK 2: Stroke of Love (Sage)
BOOK 3: Flames of Love (Siena)
BOOK 4: Slope of Love (Rush)
BOOK 5: Read, Write, Love (Kurt)


SEASIDE SUMMERS
BOOK 1: Seaside Dreams (Bella)
BOOK 2: Seaside Hearts (Jenna)
BOOK 3: Seaside Sunsets (Jamie)
BOOK 4: Seaside Secrets (Amy)
BOOK 5: Seaside Nights (Sky)
COMING SOON
BOOK 6: Seaside Embrace (Hunter)
BOOK 7: Seaside Lovers (Grayson)
BOOK 8: Seaside Whispers (Matt)
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THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
BOOK 1: Healed by Love (Nate)
BOOK 2: Surrender My Love (Cole)
BOOK 3: River of Love (Sam)
More Coming Soon!
BOOK 4: Crushing on Love (Shannon)
BOOK 5: Whisper of Love (Tempest)
BOOK 6: Thrill of Love (Ty)
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REVIEWS
"...love, loss, lies, grief, finding happiness in the face of adversity, romance, humor, bravery, hot hot hot sex scenes, marriages, births and totally awesome characters." --Supportive Business Moms, UK


"Like Nora Roberts, Melissa Foster has captivated me with her fantastic, sexy, romantic stories." Kimberly Winning, avid reader
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AUTHOR BIO
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Family, M F Romance, Fiction, Ebooks

ebook

First published April 20, 2016

About the author

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Never miss a release! Follow Melissa here on Amazon and sign up for her newsletter: https://MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter

Start FIVE of Melissa's series FREE in ebook format here: https://MelissaFoster.com/LIBFREE

FREE Love in Bloom Family Trees: https://MelissaFoster.com/RG

FREE Series Reading Order Checklist: https://MelissaFoster.com/SeriesCheck...

FREE Series Order Checklist by Publication Date (recommended): https://melissafoster.com/SeriesCheck...

Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole here: https://addisoncole.com

Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on social media.

Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately...I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose

"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might miss out on a really great story if you judge a book by its cover.

When Faith Hayes’ ex cheated on her, she was humiliated and crushed. In her devastation she started WAC, Women Against Cheaters, an online support group she’d started for women who had been cheated on. And she also moved to a new town, where she loves her job as a physician’s assistant. These days she only dates boring and slightly nerdy men. Men she’s sure wouldn’t break her heart. If it wasn’t for her unwanted attraction to Sam Braden, the town’s resident manwhore, her life would be perfect and safe.

Sam loves women. He doesn’t do commitments, and he’s not ashamed of it. But lately it’s been impossible to ignore his attraction to one specific woman, his brother’s assistant, Faith. She makes him have feelings that are definitely out of character for him. Feelings he hasn’t felt since a teenager, feelings he didn’t want to feel again. But she intrigues him like no other woman ever has.

Can a woman who learned the hard way that not all men can be trusted and the town’s biggest playboy have a future? Can Sam convince the very reluctant Faith to take a chance on him, to prove that for the right woman commitment wouldn’t be a curse for him, but a gift?

Sam made her feel loved, and special, and confident in all aspects of her life.

Faith was such a relatable heroine. Her reactions to Sam’s playboy past, her reluctance in believing he only wanted her, knowing his reputation, seemed so realistic, especially with her past. Honestly, my response to someone with Sam’s past would have been the same. Faith was very sweet and funny, and I really liked her. And I loved how being with Sam gave Faith back her confidence in herself and her choices.

“I’ve spent my life avoiding anything remotely close to emotional connections, but I can’t avoid it with you. You’ve gotten under my skin, and I don’t want to ignore what I’m feeling.”

I loved Sam and the fact that he’s always been attracted to Faith. Once he decided to pursue her there was no one else for him. And the way he pursued her was probably one of the most romantic and sweetest ways ever. I also loved how easy it was for him to change, to commit to Faith, and how honest he was about his past and his feelings.

“You’re everything I never thought you were.”
Still caught up in her and his all-consuming emotions, his answer took no thought. “You’re everything I always knew you were.”

The romance was simply wonderful. Playboys don’t usually bother me, I like the idea of a guy not being able to settle down because he hadn’t met the right woman yet. So at first it did bother me that Sam and Faith had known each other for a while, but the more I got the know them and their pasts, the clearer it became that if Sam had made a move earlier, Faith never would have accepted. She was too broken after her ex cheated on her. Both of them needed time to change, Faith to regain confidence in herself and Sam to realise that being with Faith was all he wanted. The sexy times were incredibly hot, and I really loved Faith and Sam together.

There’s something so comforting about small town romance, and this book was no exception. I loved all the Braden family members, and I definitely want to know more about all the other siblings.

The angst at the end I could have done without, but luckily it wasn’t something that ruined the romance. This book was just what I needed, the perfect blend of sweet and sexy. And it left me with a very goofy smile on my face ;-D Especially after that perfect HEA ending.

“Marry me, Faith. Let me love you, embarrass you, and dance with you until the day you bury me six feet under. Then I’ll wait for you on the other side, knowing that whatever else there is, we’ll experience it together.”

This was my first book by this author, and I loved her writing and her romance. This is a book I will be re-reading many times in the future. And I will definitely be reading more books by this author. A must read for all romance fans who need an incredibly sweet and sexy romance.

[Rejane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was refreshing regarding its plot is about a couple building their relationship a day at a time. There's no angst. I don't read many books like this. There's always a break up and the make up. Not here. But that's the only plus. Honestly, the worse character here was the heroine's bff. She's just a bitter, pessimistic person really fast in judging without not even knowing the person. She was always planting a bad seed of doubt in heroine's head making her doubt herself and her decisions all the time. I understand they both were cheated before but that doesn't give you the right to put every man in a single box of cheaters dishonest assholes. The bff treated the h as a incapable person. Watching her as you do with a child telling her how she should interact with men and controlling her actions. She would give the heroine a lecture and get mad at her when the heroine was talking to the hero or telling her something about him. this is not a good friend. She is a permanent black cloud above the heroine's head. What brings me to the heroine. A walking weakness. A push over when it comes to the bff. When she made a decision she was always wondering what Vivian (the bff) would think about it to the point to when she really decided to date the hero she was avoiding to take the friend's call because she didn't know how she would react.
Well, the hero... he was a manwhore, a BIG one. But after he makes up his mind about the heroine there's zero ow drama. BUT... his past conquests were ALWAYS mentioned by the heroine. Things like when they were out she would ask him if he could see any woman he had slept with, or was she supposed to expect a ex hook up to show up, and she even told him she was afraid she wasn't experienced enough as probably many of his women were and that she wasn't about the wild side and would never bring someone to "play" with them. Just a few examples. If it wasn't for the h, I probably would forget he was a manwhore, but she made it impossible. And imo, this book could be cut in half so repetitive it was. Anyway, I don't recommend. but if you're looking for a no angst book, this is it

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster’s that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there’s quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn’t allow that to overshadow the romance.

And oh, what a romance it is. Our heroine, Faith Hayes, is against all men since she was cheated on. The bad breakup was so severe that she even started an organization that supports women who have been cheated on. So it’s quite interesting that Foster paired Faith up with the love em and leave em type of Sam Braden.

Sam has a reputation of a womanizer and at first, I wondered if this was going to be one of “those” books. The one where the heroine gets falls foolishly in love with the bad boy hero and gets her heart broken. Thankfully, it wasn’t like that at all and Sam actually turned out to be quite the catch.

Foster gives so much depth to Sam’s character that you’re helpless but to fall in love with him. I can totally understand Faith’s uncertainty and mistrust concerning men after what she went through but Sam is honestly such a good boy that it’s hard not to care. His persistence and honesty is not only endearing but it made me melt countless times throughout the story. The romance is so strong in this book that I think readers will have a tough time NOT falling in love with these characters.

With fifteen books in the series already, you may balk but I’m actually really excited. I’ve found a new author and more books to devour so I can’t wait to try the others and find out what I am missing. If you like your Contemporary Romances very sweet and heavy on the romance (kind of like Bella Andre’s Sullivans style) then you absolutely need to try Melissa Foster!

Favorite Quote:

You don’t need a life jacket, Faith. I’ll keep you afloat.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
 
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own
 
There are a few authors whose novels can keep me glued to the pages. Melissa Foster falls into that category.  (There may be one or two that falls through the cracks). The portrayal of her characters and the emotions they elicit as a result makes for a compelling read.  ‘River of Love’ was no exception.
Who would have thought that Sam Braden, the consummate playboy would be brought to his knees by the very thing he did not believe in, LOVE?  This is what happened when he met Faith Hayes. He first met Faith when he visited his brother’s (Cole) office.  Since then he has found every excuse to go back just to see her.  However, Faith would not give him the time of day because of his playboy reputation.  Sam is not the type to give up and so he was not about to stop until he broke down all the barriers she had built around her heart.
 
Faith was attracted to Sam; however, she was not willing to give into her feelings. She was recovering from a break-up that emotionally devastated her.  As a result, she started an online support group called ‘Women Against Cheater’ (WAC).  She believed Sam was a cheater and so she was reluctant to trust him with her heart. Will Sam be able to convince her that he is a changed man and that she is the only woman he wants?
 
Connecting with the characters was easy, which is no less than I expected from the author. I could relate to Faith on so many levels. (It’s quite ironic that her name is Faith.) Having been hurt in the past makes it difficult to trust your heart to someone else. The healing process takes time and if the other party is not patient, then things will not work out.  Patience is an important ingredient for love and Sam demonstrated this on all levels.  Right then and there I knew he was genuine in his feelings for Faith.  He was willing to wait for her to trust that he would not intentionally hurt her.  If only she would have faith and seize what belongs to her.
 
“Cheating is a cognitive, willful act, a decision someone makes knowing the pain they’ll cause to their partner”.
 
I found the story engaging. It conveyed a range of emotions. I laughed, especially at the antics of Sam and his brothers. The interaction between Sam and Faith was heartfelt. I could not help but root for them at every page turn. I was eager to see how things would unfold. I must confess that there were times I jumped ahead just so I see what was going to happen.
 
Ms. Foster has proven once again why she is on my list of read authors.  ‘River of Love’ is a story about family, friendships, love, healing and trust.  It demonstrates that at times we have to be willing to take risks no matter how painful to realise our dreams. I enjoyed this installment and I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance.
 
N.B. Although River of Love is a part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone.

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster's that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there's quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn't allow that to overshadow the romance.

And oh, what a romance it is. Our heroine, Faith Hayes, is against all men since she was cheated on. The bad breakup was so severe that she even started an organization that supports women who have been cheated on. So it's quite interesting that Foster paired Faith up with the love em and leave em type of Sam Braden.

Sam has a reputation of a womanizer and at first, I wondered if this was going to be one of "those" books. The one where the heroine gets falls foolishly in love with the bad boy hero and gets her heart broken. Thankfully, it wasn't like that at all and Sam actually turned out to be quite the catch.

Foster gives so much depth to Sam's character that you're helpless but to fall in love with him. I can totally understand Faith's uncertainty and mistrust concerning men after what she went through but Sam is honestly such a good boy that it's hard not to care. His persistence and honesty is not only endearing but it made me melt countless times throughout the story. The romance is so strong in this book that I think readers will have a tough time NOT falling in love with these characters.

With fifteen books in the series already, you may balk but I'm actually really excited. I've found a new author and more books to devour so I can't wait to try the others and find out what I am missing. If you like your Contemporary Romances very sweet and heavy on the romance (kind of like Bella Andre's Sullivans style) then you absolutely need to try Melissa Foster!

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Annie

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[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading a story where the playboy gets knocked to his knees by his HEA. I don't know why, but it just makes for some of the best romance novels out there! And Melissa Foster delivered in a style that wasn't cliche or predictable! #WIN

One thing I want to mention is that River of Love, as with all of Melissa Foster's books, can actually be read as a stand-alone. I've read a big amount of her books, all out of order, and enjoyed every single one. However, the characters in her previous books will appear and be somewhat part of each story ... so I wouldn't actually recommend it. I think you will get a phenomenal experience, rather than just great, if you start from the beginning of each family section. I myself have decided that at this point, I will go back and start from the beginning after reading River of Love. Because the family dynamics and secondary characters are all so intriguing I just can't wait to read all their stories :)

If you're a fan of contemporary romance stories, then Melissa Foster will deliver ever time. She will make sure her characters are fully developed and the story unfolds realistically. Every time! Her style and voice have heart. It oozes off the pages. Reading her books will put a smile on your face even if a hero or heroine might grate on your last nerve LOL You will always end up rooting for them.

Pick this book up or any other book in her series and I promise you will not be disappointed!

ARC provided for blog tour review

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

River of Love had become one of my favorites!! Sam knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. Faith works for Sam's brother and loves her job helping others. Sam is always flirting with Faith even tho the flirting is not returned.
Sam finally wears Faith down and she agrees to go out with him. Sam is the perfect gentlemen and starts to change how Faith views him. These two make such a great couple. I just wish all the Braden men didn't have the reputation of having any woman they want and being with lots of women and having to work to shake that reputation. This book was great to listen to. The narrator keeps you engrossed in the story and makes you feel like you are right there with Sam and Faith.

[Cathy Tremblay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Braden is a hot sexy, enigmatic player. All the women swoon over him and he wants them back but only for a night. Love them, please them, leave them panting for more but only for one night; that’s his way. Big Sammy is all about fun with no strings attach kinda guy.

Faith loves her job, her friends she met thru the group she started; Women against Cheaters and she surely keeps away from big sexy alpha males. She learned her lesson the hard way to never trust a man but that’s until Sam Braden starts to make her blush.

Sam will stop at nothing to pursue Faith and make her his…….but she is worried about his reputation and letting herself fall freely for him.
Will she listen to her heart or her head?

Loved it! Sam will melt your heart !

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't as good as I had wanted. Faith really drove me nuts for a decent amount of the book and by the time she was more likable it was too late. I hated how she assumed Sam was a certain way. Even though he never showed or told her otherwise. She kept just going on about what she thought he was like. Needless to say, I was annoyed by that and it was hard for me to really get into this book. The good thing is that in the end they finally got it together.

[Meredith Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome free book from the romance book club. Playboy Sam got put in his place by the strong Faith. I loved that Faith didn't just give in right away, Sam really had to work for that first date which was super cute. He really became an awesome guy. Think I am going to have read more about the other Braden guys.

[Books, Coffee & Passion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books, Coffee & Passion
River of Love is the third book in Melissa Foster’s The Bradens - Peaceful Harbor, MD Series and it can be read as a standalone.

Sam Braden is a playboy, he's sexy, strong, determined and honest about the way he lives his life. He has a reputation of sleeping around and he enjoys his single life, but he knows something is off with him when he starts making up excuses to visit his brother's office, just to see Faith...

Faith is a sweet smart girl who has been hurt in the past and as a result, she founded an online support group: WAC (Women Against Cheaters). She dates boring, reliable, smart men because she thinks that's the only way she won't get hurt again. She's very much attracted to Sam and she's fighting their attraction not only because he's Cole's brother but also because she knows his reputation.

The player is usually the one who falls the hardest and Sam is no exception. As soon as he realizes he wants Faith not just for a night, he goes out of his way to get her to date her, to prove to her that he's much more than a playboy. Let me just add that the way he sets up their first date is EPIC! I loved it! I loved Sam, the fact that their sexual tension is through the roof and even though I didn't quite love Faith at first, the whole "judging a book by its cover" was a little annoying, I certainly understood her reasons.

Sam and Faith's chemistry is red hot, as their relationship develops they open up to each other and Sam slowly proves Faith that he's, in fact, a very sweet, romantic guy but will Faith be able to trust again? Can Sam really change his player ways?

Melissa Foster delivers an extra hot contemporary romance with relatable characters, an awesome united family and a sizzling chemistry. River of Love is a beautifully written love story and it's definitely a must read!

[Annis-Bücherstapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Durch eine Leserunde auf Lovelybooks bin ich auf das Buch „Liebe gegen den Strom“ aufmerksam geworden. Der Klappentext war es, der mich sofort überzeugt hat, denn er verspricht nicht nur Liebe, sondern deutet einen (zu diesem Genre) passenden Konflikt an. Und natürlich wollte ich dann auch wissen, ob die Protagonisten zueinander finden.

Das Cover ist sehr schlicht gehalten. Ein Mann hebt eine Frau hoch und sie schauen sich verliebt an. Im Hintergrund spiegelt sich die Sonne in einem Gewässer. Rechts am Bildrand kann man ein Stück Strand und weiter hinten ein wenig (ich vermute mal) Wald erkennen. In der linken unteren Ecke schielt eine rote Blume ins Bild. Ehrlicherweise muss ich gestehen, dass das Cover aus meiner Sicht nicht unbedingt zur Geschichte passt und mich auch nicht richtig gepackt hat. Es wirkt irgendwie kühl und spiegelt meines Erachtens nicht die Atmosphäre dieser Story wider. Aber das ist nur mein persönlicher Geschmack. In der Buchhandlung wäre ich wahrscheinlich daran vorbeigelaufen.

Tatsächlich hatte ich Glück in dieser Leserunde und gleich nachdem die Gewinner feststanden, wurde mir das eBook übersandt.

Der Liebesroman „Liebe gegen den Strom“ von Melissa Foster ist am 17.04.2019 im World Literary Press - Verlag erschienen:

Faith ist eine selbstbewusste, junge Frau, die als Arztassistentin in Peaceful Harbor arbeitet. Der Bruder ihres Chefs versucht seit geraumer Zeit sie für sich zu gewinnen, doch nach ihrer letzten Beziehung, in der sie schändlich betrogen wurde, wehrt sie jeden Annäherungsversuch des smarten Womanizers Sam Braden ab. Zu groß ist die Angst vor einer erneuten Verletzung und Demütigung. Doch Sam lässt nicht locker. Auch wenn er jede haben kann und es in der Vergangenheit auch gern für sich genutzt hat, ist es nun nur noch Faith, die ihn interessiert. Dafür lässt er sich so einiges einfallen, was Faith natürlich nicht kalt lässt. Vor ihr liegt eine sehr emotionale Zeit, die geprägt ist von ihrem inneren Konflikt, sich vor einer erneuten Enttäuschung zu schützen, also auf ihren Kopf zu hören oder aber auf ihr Herz und ihren Gefühlen nachzugeben.

Gut 4 Stunden habe ich für dieses Buch gebraucht, das mich glücklich und zufrieden zurücklässt.

Die Protagonistin Faith ist eine toughe, junge Frau. Sie hat sich geschworen, nie wieder etwas mit einem Mann anzufangen, der ihrem Ex JJ nur im Geringsten ähnelt. So fällt auch Sam Braden dieser Entscheidung zum Opfer. Zumindest am Anfang. Denn Faith ist schon beeindruckt von Sams Bemühungen, sie für sich zu gewinnen. Nach und nach gibt Faith ihrem Herzen nach und hofft, dass es nicht nach hinten losgeht.

Sam ist ein smarter Womanizer, der zwar alle Frauen haben kann, aber nur Faith will. Er ist total sympathisch und seine Versuche, Faith für sich zu gewinnen, machen ihn noch sympathischer. Wirklich beeindruckend, was er sich alles einfallen lässt. Wer da noch glaubt, er könnte es nicht ernst meinen, dem ist wohl nicht mehr zu helfen…

Beide Protagonisten sind mir sofort ans Herz gewachsen. Sie sind sehr sympathisch und authentisch. Sie haben in der Vergangenheit negative Erfahrungen in ihren Beziehungen gesammelt, d.h. beide wurden zutiefst verletzt. Trotzdem geben sie der Liebe eine zweite Chance. Sam und Faith machen eine beobachtbare, glaubhafte Entwicklung durch, die sie am Ende genau dahinbringt, wo sie immer hin wollten. Mir gefallen die beiden sehr gut.

Auch alle anderen Figuren sind super gelungen und entwickelt. Ganz besonders Sams Familie ist der Wahnsinn. Bei ihren Treffen fühlt man sich wohl und wäre unheimlich gern dabei. Sie strahlen alle so viel Wärme aus.

Lediglich Vivian (Faith beste Freundin) mag ich gar nicht. Über das gesamte Buch dachte ich immer, es kommt noch raus, dass sie was mit Sam hatte oder in ihn verknallt ist, weil sie ihm gegenüber so negativ eingestellt war und ihn Faith ständig ausreden wollte. Am Ende findet sie ihn dann ganz plötzlich toll. Diese Entwicklung ging so für mich gar nicht. Ein Menschenbild ändert sich nicht einfach. Erst viele positive Erfahrungen überlagern eine negative.

Die Handlung des Buches hat mir auch gut gefallen. Für meinen Geschmack gab es aber zu wenig Spannung. Das Buch ist sehr schön, sehr romantisch, wirklich toll. Aus meiner Sicht gibt es aber keine Hürden für die Protagonisten zu überwinden (außer für Sam am Anfang). Alles ist sehr harmonisch, nur dass Faith immer mal wieder Zweifel an Sams Aufrichtigkeit hat. Da hätte ich mir eine deutlich ausgeprägtere Spannungskurve vorgestellt und gewünscht. Auch die Subplots verlaufen alle positiv. Alles kommt irgendwie so, wie es sich alle wünschen. Kurz vor dem Ende gibt es nochmal einen winzigen Konflikt, der wird aber auch sofort wieder gelöst.

Besonders gefallen haben mir Sams Bemühungen um Faith. Das erste Date ist der Wahnsinn und mir ging echt das Herz auf. Auch das „Familienlagerfeuer“ ist eine meiner Lieblingsszenen - was für ein herzliches, warmes Miteinander. Den Schluss finde ich persönlich sehr gelungen und musste auch ein paar Male schlucken. Wirklich ergreifend.

Aber wie liest sich das Buch nun?

Es sind 31 längere Kapitel + Epilog, die in der 3. Person in der personalen Erzählform abwechselnd aus Sams und Faiths Sicht geschrieben sind. Das hat mir sehr gefallen, vor allem um sich gut in beide Protagonisten und ihre Gefühlswelt hineinversetzen zu können.

Bisher habe ich noch kein Buch von Melissa Foster gelesen, was sich jetzt aber definitiv ändern wird. Sie schreibt flüssig mit wundervollen Beschreibungen, sowohl der Settings, als auch der Figuren. Sie schafft eine romantische Stimmung und eine absolute Wohlfühl-Atmosphäre. Die Dialoge empfinde ich sehr unterhaltsam und nicht gestelzt oder zu künstlich. Durch ihren Schreibstil berührt sie den Leser/ die Leserin total.

Besonders gelungen fand ich die Beschreibung der Gefühle der Protagonisten. Dadurch hat man mit ihnen mitgelitten, mitgehofft, mitgebangt und sich vor allem mitgefreut.

Mein Fazit nach 304 Seiten:

„Liebe gegen den Strom“ ist ein wunderschöner Liebesroman, der sehr emotional zeigt, dass es die große Liebe wirklich gibt, auch wenn man sich manchmal ein bisschen gedulden muss, bis man sie findet. Bloß nie die Hoffnung aufgeben…

Wer einen romantischen Liebesroman sucht, der keine großen Konflikte aufwirft und keine schwierigen Themen beackert, der dürfte mit diesem Buch gut beraten sein. Ein paar schöne, verträumte Lesestunden sind garantiert.

Von mir erhält diese Buch eine klare Kaufempfehlung (4/5 Sternen), weil die Figuren so wunderbar entwickelt und sympathisch sind und die Geschichte wirklich süß ist und mich berührt hat. 1 Sternchen ziehe ich ab, weil es für meinen Geschmack zu wenig Spannung gab.

Insgesamt ist es ein sehr gelungener Roman, den ich nur weiterempfehlen kann.

Vielen Dank an Melissa Foster für diese Geschichte.

[Emma Star Crossed Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Lisa for letting me take part in this tour. I've been looking forward to hearing Sammy's story for quite a while.

Sam Braden is a well known player in Peaceful Harbor. He works hard and he plays even harder. The girls Sammy hooks up with don't mean anything to him and he was just looking for some fun. That is until he meets Faith.

Faith is a smart girl. She's not going to be one of Sam Braden's playthings. She's been hurt before and she won't let a man like him hurt her all over again.

I have to say that naughty Sammy won my heart. I've loved all the Braden men but he wiggled himself a bigger piece of my heart than the others. He is permanently honest. He constantly thinks about what Faith needs and how everything affects her.

I loved seeing Sammy change into the man he is deep down and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the Peaceful Harbor series.

[Amy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book boyfriend now! So we met Sam and Faith in Surrender my Love. Sam is Cole's younger brother and Faith is Cole's PA that works at his clinic with him.

Ever since he met Faith, something clicked. He knew she was different somehow. Every time he went to visit his brother at work, he would always say hello which would cause her to stutter and get really nervous. He liked pushing her buttons.

Faith is a PA who works with Cole. Every time his sexy brother Sam comes to visit, she gets so nervous, she can't talk. Finally, at Cole's wedding he asks her to dance and she says...no! No one is more shocked than Sam. She doesn't want to be another "notch" on his belt or just another girl to him. She has been hurt in the past and doesn't want that again. After being turn down by her, Sam wants to change...to be the man Faith deserves. He wants to prove it to her that he can be that man. What we get is one of the most romantic, loyal, sexy story yet. Sam is determined to show everyone the new Sam Braden...but will his past come back to bite him? Can Faith learn to trust? I think is her best one yet! Thank you Melissa!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith is the Physician's Assistant at Sam Braden's brother, Cole's medical office. Knowing Sam's playboy reputation, Cole has warned him off of nice girl Faith. Because Cole has issued this warning, Faith has become forbidden fruit to Sam. Whenever Sam comes around the medical office Faith turns all flustered. She, too, is attracted to Sam, but she knows his history with women. She's once burnt and twice shy when it comes to all men. With his reputation, she tries to steer clear of Sam. Sam has to prove to Faith that the reputation that proceeds him isn't as accurate as everyone thinks...He decides actions speak louder than words, so he sets out to show Faith she needs to have a little faith in him.

[Donna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

There is no way you could read one of these books and not love it. It might not be your favorite but you will live it. This is one of my favorite Peaceful Harbor Braden's books. Every mini series in this hugh love in bloom series I have a few favorites in each. I hope you enjoy Sam as much as I did.

[Gail R. Diel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Change worthy

I knew Sam was worthy. Burden family keeps growing. Can't wait for the rest of siblings to find love. I feel I know them.

[Svanvithe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Braden betreibt in Peaceful Harbor ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen für Rafting- und Abenteuertouren. Außerdem ist er – salopp gesagt - ein Frauenheld, und reihenweise erliegt das weibliche Geschlecht seinem Charme. Eine feste Beziehung kommt für ihn nicht in Frage, bis er sieht, wie glücklich seine Brüder mit ihren Partnerinnen sind und er das Gefühl hat, etwas zu verpassen. Und bis er ein Auge (oder vielmehr zwei) auf Faith Hayes, die Arztassistentin seines Bruders Cole, wirft. Diese lässt ihn nämlich abblitzen, obwohl sie – zugegebener Maßen – auch ihn richtig heiß findet, allerdings von seinem Ruf abgeschreckt wird…


Mit „Liebe gegen den Strom“ nimmt uns Melissa Foster erneut mit zu den Bradens nach Peaceful Harbour. Im dritten Band der Reihe steht Sam, ein weiterer unverschämt gut aussehendes Mitglied der Familie, im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens. Er ist nicht nur nett und anziehend, sondern auch selbstbewusst, fokussiert und entschlossen. Sam hat viel Spaß mit Frauen, behandelt diese jedoch immer respektvoll und macht die Stunden des Beisammenseins zu etwas Außergewöhnlichem. Als er sein Herz für Faith entdeckt, glaubt er, die richtige Frau fürs Leben gefunden zu haben. Und je mehr er sich um sie bemüht, umso intensiver werden seine Gefühle für sie.

Faith ist mit einer ganz besonderen Persönlichkeit ausgestattet. Nachdem sie selbst die schmerzvolle Erfahrung machen musste, in ihrer Beziehung betrogen worden zu sein, gründete sie ein Online-Forum. Women Against Cheaters - Frauen gegen Fremdgänger bietet all den Betroffenen eine Austauschmöglichkeit.

Die junge Frau ist intelligent und hübsch und fühlt sich von Sam angezogen, obwohl ihr bewusst ist, dass dieser hinreißende Mann wahrscheinlich schon den meisten Frauen in Peaceful Harbor näher gekommen ist.

Wegen der eigenen Vergangenheit und auch wegen des Rufes von Sam will Faith seinen Avancen widerstehen. Doch der möchte die Meinung, die Faith über ihn hat, ändern und zieht alle Register. Mit vielen unerwarteten Überraschungen und ausführlichen Gesprächen will er ihr beweisen, dass sie ihn nicht an seiner Vergangenheit messen soll, sondern an dem, was Gegenwart und Zukunft bereithalten. Und dass sie in einer Beziehung nur einander „gehören“. So baut Faith langsam, aber stetig Vertrauen zu Sam auf und lässt ihr anfängliche Wachsamkeit und die Befürchtung hinter sich, Sam würde mit ihr spielen.


Melissa Fosters Liebesgeschichten sind keine von der lauten Sorte. Sie schreibt in einer offenen, verständlichen Weise und hält die Romantik und die Innigkeit in der Beziehung ihrer Helden hoch. Ihre erotischen Szenen sind geschmackvoll, und die Probleme zeigen sich in der Regel nicht als so gravierend, dass sie nicht gelöst werden können. Ihre Protagonisten haben zwar Fehler und Schwächen wie alle anderen, sind indes ausgereift und einfühlsam charakterisiert und darum hauptsächlich mit guten Eigenschaften ausgestattet. Damit wirken sie – wie auch im Falle von Faith und Sam - sympathisch und herzlich. Außerdem sind die Emotionen im Umgang miteinander und gleichfalls in der Aktion mit den weiteren Figuren der Geschichte jederzeit nachzuempfinden.

Wer einmal davon „gekostet“ hat, möchte unbedingt mehr davon…

4,5 Sterne

[Tina Slotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Liebe gegen den Strom" von Melissa Foster

Faith ist eine starke, junge Frau, die in der Vergangenheit von ihrem ( Ex- ) Freund betrogen wurde. Sie verlässt ihre Heimatstadt und baut sich ein neues Leben in Peaceful Harbor auf. Da sie anderen Frauen helfen möchte mit dem Schmerz des Betrogenwerdens umzugehen, gründet sie eine Online-Selbsthilfe Gruppe.
Sam ist ein Womanizer, der in seiner Jugend betrogen wurde. Weil er diesen Schmerz nicht noch einmal erleben möchte, lässt er sich auf keine Beziehungen mehr ein, sondern hat nur noch One Nightstands.
Zwei unterschiedlichere Menschen als Faith und Sam kann es wohl kaum geben. Warum fühlen die beiden sich nur so von einander gezogen?
Kann Sam Faith beweisen das er nicht der Mann ist, der er zu sein scheint?
Kann Faith die Schatten der Vergangenheit begraben und Vertrauen?

Melissa Forster hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil und so konnte ich schnell und gut in die Geschichte eintauchen.
Obwohl dies mein erster Roman aus der Reihe war, hatte ich nie das Gefühl etwas Entscheidendes oder Wichtiges verpasst zu haben. Alle wichtigen Informationen erfährt man genau an dem Punkt, an dem man sie braucht, um in der Geschichte weiter zu kommen. Und um die Hintergründe zu verstehen.
Die einzelnen Charaktere sind angenehm und wirken spätestens auf den zweiten Blick symphatisch. Sie sind liebevoll ausgearbeitet und wirken wie du und ich. 
Die Story ist ohne große Höhen und Tiefen in einem Rutsch durchzulesen und unterhaltsam. Genau das richtige um für ein paar Stunden aus dem Leben abzuschalten und eine eigene Welt einzutauchen.
Das Cover passt gut zum Buch. Und die abgebildete Szene findet sich so oder ähnlich auch in der Geschichte wieder.

Bei "Liebe gegen den Strom" handelt es sich um den dritten Band aus der "Die Bradens in Peaceful Harbor"  Reihe. Diese Reihe gehört in Melissa Fosters "Love in Bloom - Herzen in Aufbruch" Universum.

Klappentext:
Sam Braden, Besitzer einer Firma für Abenteuerurlaube und Raftingtouren, lebt nach dem Motto: Wer viel arbeitet, soll auch viel feiern. Er ist schnell, konzentriert und entschlossen - und es mangelt ihm nie an Frauen, die ihre Zeit mit ihm verbringen wollen. Das Problem ist, dass die einzige Frau, die ihm wirklich etwas bedeutet, ihn immer wieder zurückweist.

Die Arztassistentin Faith Hayes hat ihre schmerzliche Vergangenheit hinter sich gelassen und sich in Peaceful Harbor ein sicheres und friedliches Leben aufgebaut. In ihrer Online-Selbsthilfegruppe Women Against Cheaters unterstützt sie andere Frauen, die ebenfalls von ihren Partnern betrogen worden sind. Als der unverschämt gut aussehende Bruder ihres Chefs ein Auge auf sie wirft, ist ihr klar, dass sie einen großen Bogen um diesen bekennenden Frauenheld machen sollte, und sie ist fest entschlossen, ihm zu widerstehen.

Sam lässt jedoch nicht locker und beweist Faith, dass seine Vergangenheit keineswegs die Weichen für die Zukunft stellen muss. Als sie sich allmählich hinter ihrer Schutzmauer hervorwagt und beginnt, Sam zu vertrauen, bleibt es nicht bei intensiven Gesprächen. Als jedoch Gegenwart und Vergangenheit aufeinanderprallen, ist es plötzlich Faith, die etwas beweisen muss.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 Stars

River of Love (Love in Bloom Book #24) by Melissa Foster.
The Love in Bloom series proved to be a heartwarming journey through love, family, and personal growth. Spanning multiple interconnected series/stories, it offers a wonderful blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth that kept me reading the whole way through.
Ms. Foster crafted fully developed, relatable, and multidimensional characters who added an extra element of emotion and interest to my overall reading experience. The heroes are fiercely loyal and endearing, while the heroines are smart, empowered, and refreshingly ‘real’. Each character feels like someone you could know in real life, making their struggles and triumphs, high and lows, all the more impactful.
The stories have a perfect balance of steamy romance mixed with heartfelt moments. But that doesn’t mean that Ms. Foster shies away from exploring deeper themes like forgiveness, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships – adding dynamic layers to the storyline/s. But, despite the emotional depth, the series still maintains more of a lighthearted charm, sprinkled with humor and tender family connections.
While each novel can be read as a standalone, there is an interconnectedness with the recurring characters and overlapping storylines - which help create a sense of community that feels warm and inviting. It’s like being welcomed into a big, loving family where everyone has a worthwhile story to tell.
‘Within the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection you'll find fiercely loyal heroes and smart, empowered women on their search for true love. They're flawed, funny, and easy to relate to. Characters from each series appear in future Love in Bloom books…’
If you are a fan of contemporary romance or simply looking for a feel-good series to escape into, this series is a worthwhile binge read…
Love in Bloom is made up of the following series:
- Snow Sisters
- The Bradens (Weston, CO)
- The Remingtons
- The Bradens (Trusty, CO)
- The Bradens Novellas Collection
- The Bradens (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
- Seaside Summers
- Bayside Summers
- The Ryders
- The Steeles at Silver Island
- The Silvers at Silver Island
- Wild Boys After Dark
- Bad Boys After Dark
- The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor
- The Bradens & Montgomerys, Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls
- The Bradens at Ridgeport
- The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside
- The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch
- Romantic Comedy Series Collection
- Sugar Lake
- Harmony Pointe
- Harborside Nights
- Nice Girls After Dark
- The Steeles
- The Stones
- Blazing Summer
- The Brays

Happy Reading…

[A.M.]

Sam Braden loves women. But recently he’s caught himself hanging around his brother’s surgery just to talk to the medical assistant, Faith Hayes. She’s not interested in dating him and she’s busy setting up her club for women who’ve been cheated on.
But she’s different. And he wants her.
***
Because it’s the intro for yet another Braden series it’s very ‘you know XX, he’s my sister’s cousin’s boyfriend’s boss’ as everyone is introduced.
But I’ve read a few of her books, and this one… idk… the language seems really stilted. Not up to her usual level.

“I thought about getting you jeans or a dress,” he admitted. “But when I think of you, I see comfort, sweetness, and your alluring confidence, and that’s hotter than form-fitting jeans or a short skirt could ever be.” (pp. 103-104).

Do people really talk like this?
I’m ten chapters in and I have that feeling that the manufactured conflict is going to irk me. Everything seems to be going so well. *eyes off how many chapters are left*
She insists that he take her places he’s never hooked up with anyone in before and given he’s the town stud that makes things difficult. He owns a motorbike (which she thinks is hot) but when he takes her to the local biker bar - a place he loves because he can talk about his favourite hobby - this is her reaction:

She looked over her shoulder and shuddered at the thought of going inside. She imagined the types of guys who might sell women for…she didn’t know what. A bike? She knew that was a gross generalization based on nothing more than bad rumors, but still. She was a smart girl, and smart girls weighed risky situations. (pp. 143-144).

Oh boy. I’ve just gone to actively DISliking this heroine.
The ‘conflict’ is clearly just going to be Faith wrestling with dating a player when she had been cheated on in the past… but I just don’t like her. She harps on about it all the time. He’s been pretty clear that he doesn’t cheat. I might have been happier with some manufactured conflict because this endless repetition is dull.
And her bff Vivian? Ugh. She’s just the worst friend to Faith.
The GR summary says this has been optioned for a movie. Good luck with that, but really this is the most boring Foster book I’ve read. [out of 8]
Did not finish at 43%

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an audio ARC of River of Love: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, Book 3 by Melissa Foster (Sam & Faith) in exchange for an honest review.

Faith is a dedicated, sweet, caring Physician's Assistant who works for Cole Braden in his medical practice. Cole feels protective of Faith and makes it clear that she is off limits to his womanizing brother Sam. So of course Sam can't seem to stay away. At first the challenge of forbidden fruit beckons Sam, but as you get to know him you realize Faith is more than a hook-up to him and wants her to give him a chance to prove he's more than his reputation.

Faith has founded an online support group Women Against Cheaters after being cheated on by her former boyfriend. She can't help but judge Sam by his well-earned reputation and sees Sam as exactly the kind of guy to steer clear of, but her attraction to him won't go away.

It was easy for me to put myself in Faith's place and ask myself all the same questions. How do you go anywhere locally and not wonder how many of the women you come across have already been with Sam? Would the green monster drive you crazy? Would it be worth the effort?

But this is Melissa Foster we're talking about and the depth of her characters make them real in every sense of the word. Why is Sam a playboy? Is it fair for Faith to look at most men as potential cheaters? Once Sam convinces Faith to go on one date, to do something with her he's never done with anyone else, the real Sam is beyond appealing. He works hard to show her not to judge a book by its cover. As the layers of each character are revealed you find yourself rooting for Sam and Faith and the absolute sweetness of their relationship! I absolutely loved their story, enough to read it again as soon as it ended!

Sam redeems himself in so many ways and the patience and love and thoughtfulness make him a total swoon worthy hero in every sense of the word! A Must Read!

I love audio books and B.J. Harrison does an exceptional job again! His ability to make you forget it's his voice and not the character's is nothing less than astonishing. He easily switches characters seamlessly and even when a character is thinking something, you know whose thoughts they are. It's amazing to me that he does such a wonderful job you don't need a male and female narrator - he can do it all!

[Radd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

River of Love centers on Sam Braden, the free-spirited member of the Braden family, whose reputation as a ladies’ man is well-established. He’s built his life around excitement and avoiding commitment, even as some of his brothers seem to be settling down and growing roots.

Faith Hayes (Sam’s brother’s nurse) was hurt when her ex cheated on her, and she created a support group for women who’ve experienced similar betrayal.

Together, Sam and Faith’s relationship unfolds with a natural push and pull. Faith has to reconcile her instinctive wariness about Sam’s reputation with the reality of who he is: open, respectful, and genuinely kind.

What stood out to me was how Sam’s past was handled. In most romances with a “man-whore” hero, the man eventually feels shame, regrets how he treated women, or needs the heroine to be the one who redeems him. With Sam, it was different. He didn’t apologize for his past because he never felt he did anything wrong. The women he dated knew the score—he was clear, honest, and no one left bitter or misled. There weren’t exes hovering in the background full of resentment. That lack of manufactured drama around his history actually made him feel surprisingly refreshing. Usually, a character like Sam would rub me the wrong way, but here, it didn’t. Instead, his ease with himself made me reflect on how rare it is to see a hero whose past doesn’t have to be rewritten to make him likable.

Faith’s arc provided the emotional weight of the story. She had to decide whether she could trust a man whose past set off every alarm from her own experiences. Her hesitation made sense, and her journey wasn’t about “fixing” Sam but about realizing that vulnerability doesn’t automatically equal betrayal. I appreciated that the push and pull between them came more from her perspective than from him needing to redeem himself.

Overall, River of Love is a sweet romance with plenty of chemistry, steamy bedroom scenes and family connection.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Sam overcome his reputation? Is Sam just going against his brother to go after Faith? These are some of the questions confronted by both Sam and Faith in River of Love. Sam has fallen for Faith and has to work hard (which is not his normal MO), to make sure Faith knows his lightbulb went off and she is it for him. Sam wants to make sure Faith understands how important she is to him by showing her "firsts" with a woman - first motorcycle ride and first time at his bar. The strength of family is truly shown in this book as Sam shows how much he respects his brother by ensuring Cole finds out about the two of them from Sam, because as we all know the only reason Sam visited his brothers office was to see Sam. Sam is a changed man and getting over his reputation is difficult but he slowly breaks down the walls erected by Faith one piece at a time - those places no woman has been before and by showing he is truly a good guy and what you see is what you get. You will fall in love with the tenacity and care Sam shows in making Faith see he is the one for her.

BJ Harrison does a great job narrating this novel, at times I felt like I could even "feel" Faith blushing with the way he narrated the novel. Once you get used to the nuance of his voice and delineating between narration and dialogue it will be smooth sailing on listening to the story. I felt that BJ did a great job in vocalizing the emotions of the characters. You will not be disappointed in listening to Faith and Sam's story!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Melissa Foster has written another great book about the Braden’s, this book is Sam’s story! Sam meets Faith at his brothers medical practice, everyone wants him to stay away from Faith because he hops from woman to woman and no one thinks he will stick with Faith, not only does he have to prove to her but his brother and her best friend too. Sam has his work cut out and Melissa knows how to spin a great story. I simply love how she pulls you into a story and keeps you engrossed in the story. I read the book first then was offered the audio version and let me just say listening to B.J. Harrison narrate, he was phenomenal. Didn’t want him to stop talking in my ear 😄. When ever I got to my destination I didn’t want to turn off the book, I wanted to keep listening to BJ’s voice. He just has a way with narration that keeps you listening. Melissa you know how to pick great narrators, I hope you keep BJ for future books as well. Go grab the eBook as well as the Audio version as well, you will love it. Thanks for letting me listen to the audio book, I really enjoyed it and look forward to hearing more of your books read by BJ Harrison. I highly recommend this audio book!!!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story narrated by BJ Harrison. I love audio books but this one was outstanding. BJ Harrison has a way of transporting you to a front row seat to all the action. With Melissa's word magic you feel like you're witnessing close friends and family live life and find love. In this fun loving romance we meet Sam Braden (which quite possibly is one of my favorite Bradens) and he's an adventure guy with his own company filled with river rafting and adventure fun...so his days are filled with what he loves already. In enter Faith and his playboy ways are put to the side. He finds any reason to visit his brother to catch a glimpse of Faith. Faith is a dedicated worker for Cole and she although is attracted to Sam has been burned in the past and doesn't want to risk being crushed again. As these two spend more time together, their interests start flying and well it's a devilishly good time to be had. Love is in the air or rather flowing down the river for these two in the most delicious romance yet. Truly a must add to your audio collection. You'll melt right into this love affair.

[dawn hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a person's ability to change in order to be worthy of someone's love and the other person's learning to trust enough to let love in.Sam's brother has warned him away from Faith, the physician's assistant that works in Cole's practice. He knows Sam is a huge player and doesn't want to see Faith hurt. Sam's attraction to Faith overcomes everything else and he wants to get to know her better. Unfortunately, Faith knows about his reputation, too.She's convinced he's a cheater.
When Sam shows up at an event to raise money for the group Faith has put together to help women who have been cheated on, his jumping in to help is the first chink in Faith's armor against Sam. He has lots more work to do to get close to her.
I absolutely loved that Sam was so determined and worked so hard to try to get Faith to give him a chance.
B.J. Harrison's narration is a smooth, melodious delivery that relaxes you from the first word and oozes romance.

[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how easy the playboy was tamed and he hadn't even had a date with Faith yet. He was so determined to honor his brother's wishes of not toying with her that he took his time and got to know her first. It was the first time he was committed and the first time he respected the woman and himself.

Faith is the opposite of what I thought Sam would go for. She's not outgoing or outwardly affectionate; she's more of a homebody and private person. The other opposite thing I noticed was that Faith did not talk about her family much or have much involvement with them and Sam is sucha family guy. I mean family is everything to him with his parents and siblings, but also his cousins. They say opposites attract and in this case it was a definite.

As always, BJ Harrison portrays the strength, but gentleness, of the Braden men and their love for family and significant others.

[Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was a really sweet book. Having been cheated on before, Faith was afraid to take a risk on Sam, who had a certain reputation with the ladies. I do love seeing how Sam put in so much effort to make sure she knew he only wanted her.

Eventually she started seeing Sam for what he truly was, a man who did not cheat on people, and a very kind man. It was heartwarming to see the process of her slowly learning to let her insecurities go and trust Sam. The chemistry between them was alright, more banter would be nice.

It was a little weird for me that they got together pretty early in the book. And even weirder because my name is also Faith and the heroine’s name is Faith, so I was feeling all kinds of weird whilst reading the book. It wasn’t the type of book that made me feel sad when it ended, nor did it have me excited to turn every page, but it was a cute story, seeing them just bond and fall for each other.

[Wendy Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book and these characters!

I have this book 5stars because 1) I couldn't put it down 2) the story was engaging and compelling 3) I never became frustrated with the storyline as I have with some other authors I've read. By that I mean there were no parts I found boring or where the story strayed off about something irrelevant just to cause conflict between the couple 4) The male lead, Sam, was strong and masculine yet vulnerable in ways that showed that his heart was sensitive, but he wasn't ashamed of it. It didn't come off as a weakness - It just made him more lovable. 5) The female lead,Faith, was soft and feminine but also evolved into a brave and strong woman. I felt both characters matured as they got closer. Bottom line - fantastic love story with likeable characters and a compelling storyline! Thank you, Ms. Foster!