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The Bradens at Weston, CO #1
Lovers at Heart, Reimagined
Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster's writing, and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the Bradens.
In LOVERS AT HEART, REIMAGINED…
Treat Braden wasn’t looking for love when Max Armstrong walked into his Nassau resort, but he saw right through the efficient and capable facade she wore like a shield to the sweet, sensual woman beneath. One magnificent evening together sparked an intense connection, and for the first time in his life Treat wanted more than a casual affair. But something caused Max to turn away, and now, after weeks of unanswered phone calls and longing for the one woman he cannot have, Treat is going back to his family’s ranch to try to finally move on.
A chance encounter brings Treat and Max together again, and it turns into a night of intense passion and honesty. When Max reveals her secret, painful past, Treat vows to do everything within his power to win Max’s heart forever—including helping her finally face her demons head-on.
A Note From The Author:
If you're new to my stories, get ready to meet the couple who started the Braden sensation! Avid fans of the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection may have read Treat and Max’s original story, Lovers at Heart. For the past several years, I have had the nagging feeling that there was MORE to Treat and Max’s story than I had originally thought. If you read and loved their original story, you'll adore this new, more mature and detailed spin on it! Find out the REST of Treat and Max's story and fall in love all over again in LOVERS AT HEART, REIMAGINED!
***
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. All Love in Bloom books may be read as stand-alone novels or as part of the larger series.
In LOVERS AT HEART, REIMAGINED…
Treat Braden wasn’t looking for love when Max Armstrong walked into his Nassau resort, but he saw right through the efficient and capable facade she wore like a shield to the sweet, sensual woman beneath. One magnificent evening together sparked an intense connection, and for the first time in his life Treat wanted more than a casual affair. But something caused Max to turn away, and now, after weeks of unanswered phone calls and longing for the one woman he cannot have, Treat is going back to his family’s ranch to try to finally move on.
A chance encounter brings Treat and Max together again, and it turns into a night of intense passion and honesty. When Max reveals her secret, painful past, Treat vows to do everything within his power to win Max’s heart forever—including helping her finally face her demons head-on.
A Note From The Author:
If you're new to my stories, get ready to meet the couple who started the Braden sensation! Avid fans of the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection may have read Treat and Max’s original story, Lovers at Heart. For the past several years, I have had the nagging feeling that there was MORE to Treat and Max’s story than I had originally thought. If you read and loved their original story, you'll adore this new, more mature and detailed spin on it! Find out the REST of Treat and Max's story and fall in love all over again in LOVERS AT HEART, REIMAGINED!
***
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. All Love in Bloom books may be read as stand-alone novels or as part of the larger series.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2018
1928 people are currently reading
1599 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Foster
168 books11.9k followersNEW 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
May 12, 2020
I can’t compare the two Lovers…
When I was offered a chance to read and review Lovers at Heart Reimagined, I didn’t hesitate to sign up. Sure, I did look at the “reimagined” part and questioned WHY? But, as the author stated, she felt there was more needed to be given to the original Lovers, and she wanted to give it. Who am I to question whether it was needed or not? I hadn’t read the first Lovers at Heart so I couldn’t tell you the changes or if it’s better or more enhanced. I can tell you that I read it in a day and I was left satisfied in the end.
I don’t know if I’ve become jaded from old age but I can’t help but feel that this story read like a fairy-tale, Prince Charming and all. Treat, the hero of the story, was in touch with his emotions (GASP!!). Honestly, I don’t know many blokes who share their emotions without a chisel and hammer taken to their protective shell. Even my loving hubby has to have it pried out of him for me to know how he’s feeling. Sure, hubby tells me he loves me regularly, but those other pesky emotions like frustration, disappointment and even excitement, need to be coaxed out of him.
I recently read an article about boys being taught to hide their emotions to become “real men”. While I found Treat a little unreal, it was a bit of a treat (wink, wink) to have a hero who was handsome, tall and masculine, who wasn’t afraid to express how he felt. This character openly hugged his siblings and father and told them he loved them. When he could see Max putting up her shields, he didn’t scurry off to let her work it out for herself, he was determined to talk it out. It was refreshing for a “real man” to share his pesky emotions without the chisel and hammer.
Again, I have a deep desire to encourage all boys/men to read romance. Reading romance has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I have been reminded to be thoughtful at times when I’ve been self-centred. A few books have reminded me to be more conscious of the environment and the damage we are doing to our beautiful world. Different cultures, politics and laws made me aware that there is a world outside my door. There were a few food items mentioned in my reads that had me searching for recipes. Historical Romances have taken me back in time to see the realities of sexist times at their highest. Why can’t boys/men be exposed to emotions like love without the constant ridicule attached to a man reading romance? They might learn something...
I guess what I’m trying to say is that even when I scoffed at a hero who was in touch with his emotions, I couldn’t help but think…geez, they’re getting to their HEA much more efficiently. If only men shared their emotions more, wouldn't that be a treat (wink, wink).
Lovers at Heart Reimagined was a pretty easy book to read. There are plenty of emotions and challenges that Treat and Max face, but deep down they know that they are it for each other. Their challenges were faced together in a supportive but non-obtrusive way. Both Treat and Max have faced heartbreak in their lives but recognise what they have is worth fighting for. They're not afraid to look into their past and make sure they don't make the same mistakes again. Max even managed to conquer her fears and address the issues that had held her back. It was all wrapped up in a nice little package with no bits hanging to be addressed in the future.
Melissa Foster has Reimagined her story and shared her more that was needed for Treat and Max. I don’t know where or how she changed it, but it was pretty bloody good. If you’re looking for an easy and comfortable read packed with emotion, lusty love and a happy ever after, look no further.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
When I was offered a chance to read and review Lovers at Heart Reimagined, I didn’t hesitate to sign up. Sure, I did look at the “reimagined” part and questioned WHY? But, as the author stated, she felt there was more needed to be given to the original Lovers, and she wanted to give it. Who am I to question whether it was needed or not? I hadn’t read the first Lovers at Heart so I couldn’t tell you the changes or if it’s better or more enhanced. I can tell you that I read it in a day and I was left satisfied in the end.
I don’t know if I’ve become jaded from old age but I can’t help but feel that this story read like a fairy-tale, Prince Charming and all. Treat, the hero of the story, was in touch with his emotions (GASP!!). Honestly, I don’t know many blokes who share their emotions without a chisel and hammer taken to their protective shell. Even my loving hubby has to have it pried out of him for me to know how he’s feeling. Sure, hubby tells me he loves me regularly, but those other pesky emotions like frustration, disappointment and even excitement, need to be coaxed out of him.
I recently read an article about boys being taught to hide their emotions to become “real men”. While I found Treat a little unreal, it was a bit of a treat (wink, wink) to have a hero who was handsome, tall and masculine, who wasn’t afraid to express how he felt. This character openly hugged his siblings and father and told them he loved them. When he could see Max putting up her shields, he didn’t scurry off to let her work it out for herself, he was determined to talk it out. It was refreshing for a “real man” to share his pesky emotions without the chisel and hammer.
Again, I have a deep desire to encourage all boys/men to read romance. Reading romance has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I have been reminded to be thoughtful at times when I’ve been self-centred. A few books have reminded me to be more conscious of the environment and the damage we are doing to our beautiful world. Different cultures, politics and laws made me aware that there is a world outside my door. There were a few food items mentioned in my reads that had me searching for recipes. Historical Romances have taken me back in time to see the realities of sexist times at their highest. Why can’t boys/men be exposed to emotions like love without the constant ridicule attached to a man reading romance? They might learn something...
I guess what I’m trying to say is that even when I scoffed at a hero who was in touch with his emotions, I couldn’t help but think…geez, they’re getting to their HEA much more efficiently. If only men shared their emotions more, wouldn't that be a treat (wink, wink).
Lovers at Heart Reimagined was a pretty easy book to read. There are plenty of emotions and challenges that Treat and Max face, but deep down they know that they are it for each other. Their challenges were faced together in a supportive but non-obtrusive way. Both Treat and Max have faced heartbreak in their lives but recognise what they have is worth fighting for. They're not afraid to look into their past and make sure they don't make the same mistakes again. Max even managed to conquer her fears and address the issues that had held her back. It was all wrapped up in a nice little package with no bits hanging to be addressed in the future.
Melissa Foster has Reimagined her story and shared her more that was needed for Treat and Max. I don’t know where or how she changed it, but it was pretty bloody good. If you’re looking for an easy and comfortable read packed with emotion, lusty love and a happy ever after, look no further.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
August 9, 2021
This is totally not a romance. The characters fall for each other six months before the story starts and all they really need is to get past a misunderstanding (and poor response) to get back together. Mostly this is the introduction of a new series featuring a group of siblings; and a little bit about two people who have some demons to get past and how they help each other do so.
The author is one of those who has all her novels relate, so there are more than a few happy couples sprinkled in who are obviously from prior books. It's annoying, but I knew going in that'd it'd be the case. Frankly, her backlog is such that I just picked a relatively recent start and dove in. I'm not sure if this was a good choice or not because it's not a romance.
I had to just hang on for a lot of this. The characters are kind of interesting and their journey to towards each other isn't nothing. Max has a bad experience that has come to define relationships for her and she has to get past that (I'm not really happy with how that turned out, actually, but for reasons that I don't care enough to go into). And Treat (these names!) has some life changes he needs to make as well.
I am concerned for the author's sense of time. I'm not chafed that they're nine years apart (he's thirty-seven, so it's not too big a gap), but his mother died when he was eleven and his father purchased a horse around when she got sick and named it Hope. That horse features a bit in a woowoo capacity as a commune point for their mom. But the biggest woowoo that isn't on the page is that the horse is still healthy enough to carry two riders, one of whom is 6'4". (wait, was he 6'2"? Crap, I forget). Given the internal timeline, that horse has to be at least 26 years old and that's getting right up there.
And if I could be doing horse math (and looking up horse actuarial information), you know I wasn't fully engaged. But hey, now I can tackle the next one and see if these are for me, after all. Given this one, I'm predicting a solid maybe.
A note about Steamy: There's an explicit sex scene but if there was another, I forgot it, so this is on the light side of my steam tolerance. It was incredibly important to get this right, and at least Foster nailed it with all the sensitivity it needed (given Max's history). So I'm encouraged.
The author is one of those who has all her novels relate, so there are more than a few happy couples sprinkled in who are obviously from prior books. It's annoying, but I knew going in that'd it'd be the case. Frankly, her backlog is such that I just picked a relatively recent start and dove in. I'm not sure if this was a good choice or not because it's not a romance.
I had to just hang on for a lot of this. The characters are kind of interesting and their journey to towards each other isn't nothing. Max has a bad experience that has come to define relationships for her and she has to get past that (I'm not really happy with how that turned out, actually, but for reasons that I don't care enough to go into). And Treat (these names!) has some life changes he needs to make as well.
I am concerned for the author's sense of time. I'm not chafed that they're nine years apart (he's thirty-seven, so it's not too big a gap), but his mother died when he was eleven and his father purchased a horse around when she got sick and named it Hope. That horse features a bit in a woowoo capacity as a commune point for their mom. But the biggest woowoo that isn't on the page is that the horse is still healthy enough to carry two riders, one of whom is 6'4". (wait, was he 6'2"? Crap, I forget). Given the internal timeline, that horse has to be at least 26 years old and that's getting right up there.
And if I could be doing horse math (and looking up horse actuarial information), you know I wasn't fully engaged. But hey, now I can tackle the next one and see if these are for me, after all. Given this one, I'm predicting a solid maybe.
A note about Steamy: There's an explicit sex scene but if there was another, I forgot it, so this is on the light side of my steam tolerance. It was incredibly important to get this right, and at least Foster nailed it with all the sensitivity it needed (given Max's history). So I'm encouraged.
February 15, 2022
It was Valentine’s Day … I figured, I’ve been reading lots of serious, soul-wrenching books lately, and Barnes and Noble was offering free e-books … so I downloaded the Braden Family box set and convinced myself that reading a romance book on Valentine’s Day was acceptable …
Ugh, I thought after the first several chapters … am I committed to this book? Do I have to break up with it in person, now that I’ve read the sex scene?
But I persevered … if I could read The Girls of Canby Hall, I could finish this Braden book …
And I did finish it …
This book was definitely a guilty pleasure …
Not in the Catholic sense, where I have to say 2000 Hail Marys to cleanse my soul after reading the myriad sex scenes … more of a “here I just read one of the deepest books in my life (The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz) and now I’m reading a formulaic romance?
Okay, so at times, I thought to myself how I longed for the complexity and sophistication of a Stephenie Meyer novel … Treat Braden (yes, his name is Treat, I just read a book with a hero named Treat) and Max Armstrong (pronoun “she”) shared an intense yet celibate night at a resort in the Bahamas that ended tragically - Treat thought he caught Max in the middle of a Walk of Shame with another man … so they left the Bahamas thinking they would never see each other again, and that their deep feelings would never be satisfied …
Which brings me to one of my gripes - was this passionate night in Nassau part of another book in this series that I should have read first? I would really have liked to read these actual chapters instead of being told about them … but I’m not going to pay to read another book in the series, I’m just not … that would be admitting that I actually kinda liked this book …
Despite the fact that there was no character development in the first 25 chapters of this book … because Treat and Max just happen to hook up at a Colorado film festival that is being held in Treat’s hometown and that was organized by Max … they frolic for a while in Colorado, then frolic in Cape Cod … we learn that Treat is very much in tune with his emotions, and Max is hopelessly awkward … and I think I’m supposed to just like them as characters because of their sexual chemistry … but come on! Not a single turnoff in either one?
One of my pet peeves in any type of book I read is when the character is so perfect that even the coffee they brew is tremendously spectacular … everybody has flaws! But no, Treat brews a great cup of decaf … *sigh* … and he even secretly unpacks Max’s suitcase in Cape Cod and places her shampoo in the shower for her …
I like the fact that my boyfriend can barely brew a Keurig cup … and that the one time he bought shampoo for me it was Head and Shoulders …
But I digress …
Or do I? Because there’s not too much more substance to this story … In chapter 26 (out of 33 chapters), Max decides to confront her violent ex-boyfriend and poor sensitive Treat decides to apologize to his family for being the world’s worst brother … don’t worry, his brothers and sisters assure him that his brotherliness is super spectacular … not a flaw, not a flaw …
But sometimes … sometimes the sarcasm can get in the way of a meaningful sexual experience, even that between a silly romance novel and a cynical reader … this book does not promise to illuminate the Meaning of Life … it lives up to its promise to distract one from the fact that her boyfriend remembered that yesterday was the Super Bowl but forgot that today was Valentine’s Day …
If he was Treat, he would have surprised me with a bouquet of Knock Out Roses …
Oh, I just figured out Treat’s one flaw! His name is actually “Treat” …
Ugh, I thought after the first several chapters … am I committed to this book? Do I have to break up with it in person, now that I’ve read the sex scene?
But I persevered … if I could read The Girls of Canby Hall, I could finish this Braden book …
And I did finish it …
This book was definitely a guilty pleasure …
Not in the Catholic sense, where I have to say 2000 Hail Marys to cleanse my soul after reading the myriad sex scenes … more of a “here I just read one of the deepest books in my life (The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz) and now I’m reading a formulaic romance?
Okay, so at times, I thought to myself how I longed for the complexity and sophistication of a Stephenie Meyer novel … Treat Braden (yes, his name is Treat, I just read a book with a hero named Treat) and Max Armstrong (pronoun “she”) shared an intense yet celibate night at a resort in the Bahamas that ended tragically - Treat thought he caught Max in the middle of a Walk of Shame with another man … so they left the Bahamas thinking they would never see each other again, and that their deep feelings would never be satisfied …
Which brings me to one of my gripes - was this passionate night in Nassau part of another book in this series that I should have read first? I would really have liked to read these actual chapters instead of being told about them … but I’m not going to pay to read another book in the series, I’m just not … that would be admitting that I actually kinda liked this book …
Despite the fact that there was no character development in the first 25 chapters of this book … because Treat and Max just happen to hook up at a Colorado film festival that is being held in Treat’s hometown and that was organized by Max … they frolic for a while in Colorado, then frolic in Cape Cod … we learn that Treat is very much in tune with his emotions, and Max is hopelessly awkward … and I think I’m supposed to just like them as characters because of their sexual chemistry … but come on! Not a single turnoff in either one?
One of my pet peeves in any type of book I read is when the character is so perfect that even the coffee they brew is tremendously spectacular … everybody has flaws! But no, Treat brews a great cup of decaf … *sigh* … and he even secretly unpacks Max’s suitcase in Cape Cod and places her shampoo in the shower for her …
I like the fact that my boyfriend can barely brew a Keurig cup … and that the one time he bought shampoo for me it was Head and Shoulders …
But I digress …
Or do I? Because there’s not too much more substance to this story … In chapter 26 (out of 33 chapters), Max decides to confront her violent ex-boyfriend and poor sensitive Treat decides to apologize to his family for being the world’s worst brother … don’t worry, his brothers and sisters assure him that his brotherliness is super spectacular … not a flaw, not a flaw …
But sometimes … sometimes the sarcasm can get in the way of a meaningful sexual experience, even that between a silly romance novel and a cynical reader … this book does not promise to illuminate the Meaning of Life … it lives up to its promise to distract one from the fact that her boyfriend remembered that yesterday was the Super Bowl but forgot that today was Valentine’s Day …
If he was Treat, he would have surprised me with a bouquet of Knock Out Roses …
Oh, I just figured out Treat’s one flaw! His name is actually “Treat” …
December 2, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I had a good time with this audiobook. I have read a handful of books written by Melissa Foster and have found that I really do like her writing style. I was really excited about this book because I was eager to hear Max's story, who has played a role in earlier books in the Love in Bloom series. This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone but is a part of the Love in Bloom series and also kicks off The Braden's series. This was a really nice listen.
Treat and Max first crossed paths in a previous book. They had a lot of sparks then but it didn't go further due to a misunderstanding. When they see each other again at the start of this book, I was ready to see some sparks fly. Things heat up pretty quickly and they fall for each other pretty hard and fast. I did really like both Treat and Max. Max had some issues from her past to deal with and I was pleasantly surprised at how everything worked out as she found the resolution that she needed.
I love the narrating pair of Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. I think that their voices really complement each other in this kind of story. Both narrators did a great job of bringing Treat and Max to life. I thought that they both added a lot of emotion into their reading. I listened to the book for hours at a time and feel like the narration added to my overall enjoyment.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I found this to be a wonderful feel-good romance between a pair of wonderful characters. I am looking forward to getting to know Treat's siblings a little better as I continue with the series.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist.
I had a good time with this audiobook. I have read a handful of books written by Melissa Foster and have found that I really do like her writing style. I was really excited about this book because I was eager to hear Max's story, who has played a role in earlier books in the Love in Bloom series. This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone but is a part of the Love in Bloom series and also kicks off The Braden's series. This was a really nice listen.
Treat and Max first crossed paths in a previous book. They had a lot of sparks then but it didn't go further due to a misunderstanding. When they see each other again at the start of this book, I was ready to see some sparks fly. Things heat up pretty quickly and they fall for each other pretty hard and fast. I did really like both Treat and Max. Max had some issues from her past to deal with and I was pleasantly surprised at how everything worked out as she found the resolution that she needed.
I love the narrating pair of Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. I think that their voices really complement each other in this kind of story. Both narrators did a great job of bringing Treat and Max to life. I thought that they both added a lot of emotion into their reading. I listened to the book for hours at a time and feel like the narration added to my overall enjoyment.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I found this to be a wonderful feel-good romance between a pair of wonderful characters. I am looking forward to getting to know Treat's siblings a little better as I continue with the series.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist.
Read
April 3, 2019DNF. Ended at 34%. My TBR list is way too big to spend time on books that are slow moving and not all encompassing. I liked Max and Treat enough, it just was sort of boring. 🤷🏻♀️
October 10, 2018
I’ll be honest here. I’m getting really confused with all the characters and series that Melissa Foster has. She has spin-offs of spin-offs and really, they are basically the same to me. So I am struggling to find what makes each series unique other than the setting or characters.
This book is part of The Bradens series and is part of the larger Love in Bloom too. (Do you see what I mean when I say it gets confusing?) Another thing that kept throwing me off was the hero and the heroine. I don’t know why but I kept reading Treat’s name as Trent and kept thinking Max was a guy. Maybe that’s just the pre-wiring of my brain, but every time their names were mentioned, I got confused.
Apart from that, the actual writing isn’t bad. I always enjoy Foster’s writing style. It’s always has a great pace and dialogue but for this one, I also kind of wished that there was a better focus. With everything else that is going on, it kind of makes it hard for me to focus on the couple and then you lose the interest when they aren’t the main point.
So, I’m hoping Foster simplifies things in her series. It’s great to have such a large cast and various spin-offs, but when your genre is small-town romance, the world doesn’t feel so cozy with so many extra things going on.
February 23, 2022
3.5⭐️
I liked the story, but the lower rating is because the backstory for this couple was created in a different book.
Their initial meeting and all that “getting to know each other” time was introduced in a different series (I think it was the Snow Sisters series).
I didn’t even get any flashbacks to help me recapture what happened with them. And apparently a lot happened. It sounds like there was quite a bit of a ramp up for them with their phone calls about someone’s wedding, and then meeting and spending some quality time together at the wedding. Then…..a big misunderstanding, which is where this story picks up.
So if the reader didn’t read the other series (which was about a completely different couple) then they missed all that backstory.
I felt like I entered their story in the middle and that was disappointing because I missed all those first tingles and zings that happen when a couple first meets.
I will continue on with the rest of the series, but I was disappointed this one didn’t capture Max and Treat’s full story from beginning to end.
- Who is the Hero? Treat Braden, Age: 37, Occupation: Owns upscale resorts all over the world
- Who is the Heroine? Max Armstrong, Age: 28, Occupation: Festival Organizer
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: heroine had a bad sexual experience with boyfriend. It wasn’t rape, but it was traumatic for her
- Setting: Weston, Colorado
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: yes. The Sisters in Bloom series
- POV: Dual POV
- Hero likeable? yes
- heroine likeable? yes
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 21%
- First time they sleep together: 43%.
- Safe sex? Yes. Condoms were used
- First time they say I Love You 54%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? I thought they had good chemistry
- OW/OM drama? Not directly. only from a “baggage” perspective
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? a few weeks i think (however ling it was between the misunderstanding in the “Sisters In Bloom” series and the start of this book
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Max tells Treat about her past trauma around 40%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes. Treat had a sensitive side and some swoony moments
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? No. the final chapter kind of sets up the couple for the next book
- Recommend? as mentioned above, it was a bit difficult to settle into the story because I felt like I missed the beginning
Quotes:
“Every woman wants her man to read between the lines, and because of that, she leaves a bread-crumb trail for you to find her.”
“Everyone has something to overcome. I don’t care if it’s the prince of Egypt or the first lady. We all have broken pieces, and we have choices to make. We can either tiptoe around those pieces forever and let them guide our happiness, or if we’re lucky, we can find someone who has a broom, a dustpan, Quotes:
“Every woman wants her man to read between the lines, and because of that, she leaves a bread-crumb trail for you to find her.”
“Everyone has something to overcome. I don’t care if it’s the prince of Egypt or the first lady. We all have broken pieces, and we have choices to make. We can either tiptoe around those pieces forever and let them guide our happiness, or if we’re lucky, we can find someone who has a broom, a dustpan, and a bottle of glue, and try to make it work.”
“I wish I’d known you then. I’d have stayed with you forever.” a bottle of glue, and try to make it work.”
“I wish I’d known you then. I’d have stayed with you forever.”
I liked the story, but the lower rating is because the backstory for this couple was created in a different book.
Their initial meeting and all that “getting to know each other” time was introduced in a different series (I think it was the Snow Sisters series).
I didn’t even get any flashbacks to help me recapture what happened with them. And apparently a lot happened. It sounds like there was quite a bit of a ramp up for them with their phone calls about someone’s wedding, and then meeting and spending some quality time together at the wedding. Then…..a big misunderstanding, which is where this story picks up.
So if the reader didn’t read the other series (which was about a completely different couple) then they missed all that backstory.
I felt like I entered their story in the middle and that was disappointing because I missed all those first tingles and zings that happen when a couple first meets.
I will continue on with the rest of the series, but I was disappointed this one didn’t capture Max and Treat’s full story from beginning to end.
- Who is the Hero? Treat Braden, Age: 37, Occupation: Owns upscale resorts all over the world
- Who is the Heroine? Max Armstrong, Age: 28, Occupation: Festival Organizer
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: heroine had a bad sexual experience with boyfriend. It wasn’t rape, but it was traumatic for her
- Setting: Weston, Colorado
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: yes. The Sisters in Bloom series
- POV: Dual POV
- Hero likeable? yes
- heroine likeable? yes
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 21%
- First time they sleep together: 43%.
- Safe sex? Yes. Condoms were used
- First time they say I Love You 54%
- steamy? Yes. Descriptive bedroom scenes
- Chemistry? I thought they had good chemistry
- OW/OM drama? Not directly. only from a “baggage” perspective
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? a few weeks i think (however ling it was between the misunderstanding in the “Sisters In Bloom” series and the start of this book
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Max tells Treat about her past trauma around 40%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? No
- Did I swoon🥰? Yes. Treat had a sensitive side and some swoony moments
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? No. the final chapter kind of sets up the couple for the next book
- Recommend? as mentioned above, it was a bit difficult to settle into the story because I felt like I missed the beginning
Quotes:
“Every woman wants her man to read between the lines, and because of that, she leaves a bread-crumb trail for you to find her.”
“Everyone has something to overcome. I don’t care if it’s the prince of Egypt or the first lady. We all have broken pieces, and we have choices to make. We can either tiptoe around those pieces forever and let them guide our happiness, or if we’re lucky, we can find someone who has a broom, a dustpan, Quotes:
“Every woman wants her man to read between the lines, and because of that, she leaves a bread-crumb trail for you to find her.”
“Everyone has something to overcome. I don’t care if it’s the prince of Egypt or the first lady. We all have broken pieces, and we have choices to make. We can either tiptoe around those pieces forever and let them guide our happiness, or if we’re lucky, we can find someone who has a broom, a dustpan, and a bottle of glue, and try to make it work.”
“I wish I’d known you then. I’d have stayed with you forever.” a bottle of glue, and try to make it work.”
“I wish I’d known you then. I’d have stayed with you forever.”
November 18, 2019
Read on Kobo!
Lovers At Heart is the first book in Melissa's romance series following one family falling in love and having sizzling romances. In this case, the love is between Trent Braden who is a successful businessman and Max Armstrong who organises festivals. It was quite slow-moving and at times, the characters felt a little off to me. It is quite steamy and now learning that this is actually a re-written version of an original story, I'm wondering whether I should have read the first version first... I still own this as well as books 2 and 3 on my Kobo library, so I may read on into the series further but as of now, I'm undecided!
Lovers At Heart is the first book in Melissa's romance series following one family falling in love and having sizzling romances. In this case, the love is between Trent Braden who is a successful businessman and Max Armstrong who organises festivals. It was quite slow-moving and at times, the characters felt a little off to me. It is quite steamy and now learning that this is actually a re-written version of an original story, I'm wondering whether I should have read the first version first... I still own this as well as books 2 and 3 on my Kobo library, so I may read on into the series further but as of now, I'm undecided!
October 11, 2018
I absolutely loved the first book, so I was not sure what Melissa Foster was going to do to reimagine it. Well, after reading it, I can say she made a wonderful book, even better. It was great seeing both Treat and Max taking care of things from their past, because it is correct that many times things in our past influence our present. It is a true love story, and as it is with life, it rarely flows smoothly without hitting some rocks along the way, but I love a happy ending. I also love the strength of the Braden family, and Max fits right in. I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2019
Although I love the narrators and they did an amazing job as always I just couldn’t connect to the story. I found it too fairy tale like and the hero didn’t feel real to me. Couldn’t even finish it.
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March 24, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/10/2020)! 🎁
October 8, 2018
Lovers at Heart Reimagined is Treat Braden and Max Armstrong’s story. The sizzling chemistry between Treat and Max drew me into the story. The emotion, passion and pure romance of their romance kept me turning the pages.
I liked that Treat and Max got to know each other as they planned a double wedding in Nassau. The couple talked for several months over the phone as they planned a wedding and the chemistry between them sizzled. Loved that they both had romantic fantasies about each other. They meet in Nassau and share a romantic evening. Treat sees Max the next morning wearing the same outfit as the night before, misreads the situation and heads home to Colorado to spend time with his family.
Loved the scene when Treat sees Max at a party in Colorado—I could feel the attraction between the couple—it sizzled! Both Treat and Max have trust issues. While the couple dances, Treat apologizes and explains why he left her in Nassau. Max shares a bad experience that she had with her college boyfriend.
Treat Braden is one of my favorite Melissa Foster heroes. He realizes that he has misjudged Max and owns his mistake. This was his second chance and he was not going to let it slip by. Treat has family issues to resolve and the author does a fabulous job introducing the Braden clan. He’s got trust issues and a family rivalry to work through; these issues show he’s not perfect. Loved the dialogue between the Braden brothers and the bigger than life character of Hal Braden.
Max Armstrong is a successful event planner who thrives on multi-tasking. I loved that she wanted to put her past behind her by confronting her college boyfriend. Max’s feelings for Treat overwhelmed her at times. But, she knew that she needed to put the past in its place. These scenes were very painful and emotional—and perfectly written.
The romance between the couple unfolds with each chapter. They share romantic dinners, bond over chocolate cake and visit Cape Cod. Treat listens to Max-he hears her—and they begin a relationship built on trust—this part of the storyline worked for me. I liked that the couple worked together—their communication wasn’t always perfect—but they learned to believe in each other and their love. The last few chapters of the book were very intense; with brotherly rivalry, business decisions and family and romantic pressures all coming into play. The ending was fabulous and full of Hope!
Lovers At Heart Reimagined has it all- characters who will steal your heart, beautiful settings, an emotional story filled with joy, passion, forgiveness, love and a bit of magic. I loved every word—and hope you will too!
I liked that Treat and Max got to know each other as they planned a double wedding in Nassau. The couple talked for several months over the phone as they planned a wedding and the chemistry between them sizzled. Loved that they both had romantic fantasies about each other. They meet in Nassau and share a romantic evening. Treat sees Max the next morning wearing the same outfit as the night before, misreads the situation and heads home to Colorado to spend time with his family.
Loved the scene when Treat sees Max at a party in Colorado—I could feel the attraction between the couple—it sizzled! Both Treat and Max have trust issues. While the couple dances, Treat apologizes and explains why he left her in Nassau. Max shares a bad experience that she had with her college boyfriend.
Treat Braden is one of my favorite Melissa Foster heroes. He realizes that he has misjudged Max and owns his mistake. This was his second chance and he was not going to let it slip by. Treat has family issues to resolve and the author does a fabulous job introducing the Braden clan. He’s got trust issues and a family rivalry to work through; these issues show he’s not perfect. Loved the dialogue between the Braden brothers and the bigger than life character of Hal Braden.
Max Armstrong is a successful event planner who thrives on multi-tasking. I loved that she wanted to put her past behind her by confronting her college boyfriend. Max’s feelings for Treat overwhelmed her at times. But, she knew that she needed to put the past in its place. These scenes were very painful and emotional—and perfectly written.
The romance between the couple unfolds with each chapter. They share romantic dinners, bond over chocolate cake and visit Cape Cod. Treat listens to Max-he hears her—and they begin a relationship built on trust—this part of the storyline worked for me. I liked that the couple worked together—their communication wasn’t always perfect—but they learned to believe in each other and their love. The last few chapters of the book were very intense; with brotherly rivalry, business decisions and family and romantic pressures all coming into play. The ending was fabulous and full of Hope!
Lovers At Heart Reimagined has it all- characters who will steal your heart, beautiful settings, an emotional story filled with joy, passion, forgiveness, love and a bit of magic. I loved every word—and hope you will too!
October 11, 2018
You can see this review along with an excerpt and giveaway here Nadine's Obsessed with Books Four years ago I read the original Lovers at Heart by Melissa Foster and loved it, honestly at that time I didn't think the story needed improvement at all, I was a new fan of Melissa's and I was loving everything she was writing. So when I heard that she was rewriting Lovers at Heart I was both confused and intrigued, wondering what she was going to change and what would remain the same. Now, remember I read this book four years ago and I have read close to a thousand books in between, so I was also curious as to how much I would remember and if I would notice what was different.
I must admit there were a few times I questioned myself as to if this was in the first book and I just didn't remember but I did remember a lot of key parts and to me that is the making of a great book. If I can point out parts and say "hey I remember that" and "oh, wait a second she changed this a bit" about it after so many years you know the book has not only a great story but great characters that resonate with you and stay with you long after the book is over.
I really enjoyed this Reimagined look back at Treat and Max's story and quite honestly I would love if she did this with a few more of her books.
Lovers at Heart, Reimagined was a special treat for fans of the series because we get to revisit one of our all time favorite couples and I can guarantee if you read this book that Max and Treat will become a favorite of yours as well. Each of the books in the Love in Bloom series, which is the main series in which all of Melissa's books sprout from, can be read as a standalone so why not dive right in and see what you have been missing...you wont be sorry, well maybe that it took you so long to find Melissa's books but honestly that would be the only reason. Happy Reading!!!
October 12, 2018
I was so happy to see Treat and Max get a reboot. Although I loved the first story of Treat and Max, I think the retaling of one of my favorite couples, was perfection. Just a little more heat and I think the storyline flowed a little easier this second time around.
Whether you are reading Treat and Max for the first time or tenth time, they are absolutely one of my favorites in the series.
Treat Braden is a successful hotel and resort entrepreneur who is so busy he doesn't really have time for love. So why was it that all he could think about for the past six months was Max Armstrong, a woman who organized a wedding at his Nassua resort.
He needs to get away. The stress of his job and thinking about the girl who got away are just too much. So what better way than to spend time with his family on their ranch in Colorado. What he never expected was to run into Max.
Sparks fly between the two but Max is running from her own set of problems. The only thing is that Treat wasn't going to let another opportunity pass him by. Both have been hurt in the past but can they let down their guards long enough to see what's right in front of them?
Like I said these two are scorching hot together and if you haven't read any of Melissa's books, this is a great place to start!.
Whether you are reading Treat and Max for the first time or tenth time, they are absolutely one of my favorites in the series.
Treat Braden is a successful hotel and resort entrepreneur who is so busy he doesn't really have time for love. So why was it that all he could think about for the past six months was Max Armstrong, a woman who organized a wedding at his Nassua resort.
He needs to get away. The stress of his job and thinking about the girl who got away are just too much. So what better way than to spend time with his family on their ranch in Colorado. What he never expected was to run into Max.
Sparks fly between the two but Max is running from her own set of problems. The only thing is that Treat wasn't going to let another opportunity pass him by. Both have been hurt in the past but can they let down their guards long enough to see what's right in front of them?
Like I said these two are scorching hot together and if you haven't read any of Melissa's books, this is a great place to start!.
October 15, 2018
LOVERS AT HEART REIMAGINED by Melissa Foster is a contemporary romance collection with fiercely loyal heroes, smart, and empowered women. A new release to an older version of this story, updated and expanded. Set in Weston, CO. Love in Bloom Big-Family Romance Collection, The Bradens (at Weston). Features, Treat Braden, wealthy and the oldest Braden and Max Armstrong, Festival organizer. The characters are flawed, funny, and easy to relate to. The sizzling chemistry between Treat and Max, will pull at your heartstrings. The emotion, passion and pure romance of this story will keep you turning pages. A smexy, sassy, sultry story with strong women who are flawed but with huge hearts, the heroes are loyal and fierce. A steamy but fun read. Readers of sizzling chemistry, sexy heroes, strong, sassy women, are sure to enjoy this romantic Contemporary Romance. Wel done, Melissa Foster!
I received this book throughly Beck Valley Books BookTours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
I received this book throughly Beck Valley Books BookTours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
October 10, 2018
So, I have to start by saying that the original Lovers at Heart was my first Melissa Foster book, and I loved Treat and Max back then, they have always been one of my favorite couples. When I heard that their story was being redone, I was curious, but I had to revisit this couple, after all, if the author felt a need to retell their story, I needed to know why. So, now I’m even more in love with Treat and Max then ever before. This is that couple that gives you hope, the couple you think of when someone asks you to describe a romance book relationship. They have their ups and downs, they’re damaged in some ways, there are major misunderstandings in their relationship, but still, they talk, they try to be there for each other, they compromise. Needless to say, this book definitely is one that gives all the feelings.
November 16, 2018
Lovers at Heart, Reimagined by Melissa Foster (Love in Bloom: The Bradens) I have a confession to make, I have not read Treat and Max’s original story, so how this is re-imagined I am not sure, but one thing I am sure off is that this is a truly heartwarming story of second chances by the very talented Melissa Foster.
Her Love in Bloom universe is immense and each book is different but all have characters that are real, relatable and easy to fall for.
Lovers at Heat is an emotional ride for Treat Braden and Max Armstrong. They shared a magical evening together and the day after based on a misunderstanding Max ran from Treat and he has been longing for her every since. Six months later Treat heads back home to his father ranch and family and a chance meeting sees him bump into Max! The desire he felt for all this time bubbles to the surface and he is determined not to let her run away again.
Max has been betrayed in the past and never in a million years did she expect to fall hard for Treat – a man who could have any woman on earth by the way, but he chose her. But her past insecurity and betrayal caused her to run, and Treat had no idea just what he had done.
Once they finally get together again, and Max explains her past, Treat tells her about his own betrayal and proves that he is nothing like her ex.
This is one emotional story for Max, and I absolutely loved every moment of it from the first to last page, I loved how they were together and how above all love prevails no matter what happens.
Her Love in Bloom universe is immense and each book is different but all have characters that are real, relatable and easy to fall for.
Lovers at Heat is an emotional ride for Treat Braden and Max Armstrong. They shared a magical evening together and the day after based on a misunderstanding Max ran from Treat and he has been longing for her every since. Six months later Treat heads back home to his father ranch and family and a chance meeting sees him bump into Max! The desire he felt for all this time bubbles to the surface and he is determined not to let her run away again.
Max has been betrayed in the past and never in a million years did she expect to fall hard for Treat – a man who could have any woman on earth by the way, but he chose her. But her past insecurity and betrayal caused her to run, and Treat had no idea just what he had done.
Once they finally get together again, and Max explains her past, Treat tells her about his own betrayal and proves that he is nothing like her ex.
This is one emotional story for Max, and I absolutely loved every moment of it from the first to last page, I loved how they were together and how above all love prevails no matter what happens.
September 14, 2018
How often do you get the chance to visit with old friends? Lovers at Heart, Reimagined felt like going home again. Max and Treat have always held a special place within my heart. After all they are the reason my love affair with Melissa Foster got it's start. At first meeting two out of sync personalities make a deep connection. The match is less than ideal, but hopelessly overpowering. When facing forever, will they allow themselves to be vulnerable? Or will fear get in the way of what their hearts want? It's fitting that Max and Treat were the beginning, because like a rose at first bloom, my love for this series continues to grow.
October 10, 2018
Time to be honest here. I don't understand why this book is called reimagined when it's practically the same story. I don't know how many differences it has from the original, but I just finished "A love so sweet" by Addison Cole aka MF alter ego and it was the same story. I don't know if changes were made for that book also, but I feel like I read the same book twice. It wasn't bad, but I once I finished ALSS I began this one, so it felt like it was just a repeat reading. So basically I am going to write the same review for both books.
My final rating for this book is 3.5 stars because it didn't blow my mind and at the same time it wasn't bad. I will round it up to 4 because as you know I am a kind person when it comes to rating a book. I would have given it a higher rating, but I couldn't get into it for some time. Things got better over time and I liked it overall. This branch of Bradens is a promising one and I will certainly read the rest of the books someday. All of them were interesting for different reasons and it looks like it's going to be one heck of a ride.
Treat and Max had their ups and downs, but it was mostly ups. They had a misunderstanding 6 months ago, when Treat thought that Max had a one-night stand with another man, but now he is determined to be the one and only in her life. He is not afraid to show emotion and admit his feelings which is something that doesn't happen often these days with heroes in romance novels. Max has her demons and that is hurting her and prevents her from enjoying her life. I did not like what happened to her, but I liked the way it was resolved and how she was able to move on afterward. They had a good relationship that was solid in my eyes.
The book is a good beginning for a new series. We meet all the future main character from the Braden side of the family and I liked all of them, even Dane who made a huge mistake in the past. With a little hesitation, I would recommend it.
My final rating for this book is 3.5 stars because it didn't blow my mind and at the same time it wasn't bad. I will round it up to 4 because as you know I am a kind person when it comes to rating a book. I would have given it a higher rating, but I couldn't get into it for some time. Things got better over time and I liked it overall. This branch of Bradens is a promising one and I will certainly read the rest of the books someday. All of them were interesting for different reasons and it looks like it's going to be one heck of a ride.
Treat and Max had their ups and downs, but it was mostly ups. They had a misunderstanding 6 months ago, when Treat thought that Max had a one-night stand with another man, but now he is determined to be the one and only in her life. He is not afraid to show emotion and admit his feelings which is something that doesn't happen often these days with heroes in romance novels. Max has her demons and that is hurting her and prevents her from enjoying her life. I did not like what happened to her, but I liked the way it was resolved and how she was able to move on afterward. They had a good relationship that was solid in my eyes.
The book is a good beginning for a new series. We meet all the future main character from the Braden side of the family and I liked all of them, even Dane who made a huge mistake in the past. With a little hesitation, I would recommend it.
December 26, 2019
How do you give an old book that has been reimagined a review that does not give away the new reimagined possibilities? I am not sure, but I will tell you that from someone that has read the original and the clean-romance version, this one has that something extra that you didn't know you were missing, but somewhere within you were wanting to know more about. Treat and Max were a puzzle that needed to be put together. They both intrigued you from the start of there meeting for the first time in Nassau for the Snow sisters wedding. There encounters were one sided for us and the looks were just leading one to want more. Now, we get that chance to see just a bit more of what we were wanting to see from the first.
If you have not read the first book, this will be the one you want to go with. It is all the extras but mixed in smoothly that you wont even notice it was missing from the first one and you will not miss the things that were in the first and cut out of this one. This one is most certainly named correctly with the added Reimagined. You will fall in love with Treat and Max and all the others family, friends, coworkers.
The first of the Bradens of Weston to be coupled up finds that his story has a different spin put on it. You, the reader, get to have a look at more of Treat and Max. I liked it very much. Melissa Foster made her 7-layered iced cake into a show piece.
If you have not read the first book, this will be the one you want to go with. It is all the extras but mixed in smoothly that you wont even notice it was missing from the first one and you will not miss the things that were in the first and cut out of this one. This one is most certainly named correctly with the added Reimagined. You will fall in love with Treat and Max and all the others family, friends, coworkers.
The first of the Bradens of Weston to be coupled up finds that his story has a different spin put on it. You, the reader, get to have a look at more of Treat and Max. I liked it very much. Melissa Foster made her 7-layered iced cake into a show piece.
October 10, 2018
I haven't read the original Lovers at Heart so I honestly cannot tell you how or what is different in this edition. I know the author explains her reimagined theme to be a more mature spin of the original. Without reading the original, I couldn't tell you what that means but I can tell you I enjoyed reading Trent and Max's journey a lot. It was easy to read and it made me feel good.
Max and Trent both have their own personal demons that they need to slay (for lack of a better term) in order for them to actually work out. It happens in the story and they do it together. THAT'S what I loved the most. I was reading adulting done well LOL I don't know any other way of putting it. It didn't feel fictional to me, it felt real. Their journey was both sexy and sweet and maybe sometimes a little frustrating, but they communicated like champs. You don't see that a lot in fiction. Lack of communication is a preferred conflict in romacelandia. I enjoyed that wasn't the major case in this story. Yes, it happened, but it wasn't the main focus. I could go on but .... Just read the book. I promise you will enjoy it. You'll actually enjoy any Melissa Foster book out there. I know I have. Yes, on different levels, but enjoyed just the same.
4.5 Stars
Copy provided for blog tour
Max and Trent both have their own personal demons that they need to slay (for lack of a better term) in order for them to actually work out. It happens in the story and they do it together. THAT'S what I loved the most. I was reading adulting done well LOL I don't know any other way of putting it. It didn't feel fictional to me, it felt real. Their journey was both sexy and sweet and maybe sometimes a little frustrating, but they communicated like champs. You don't see that a lot in fiction. Lack of communication is a preferred conflict in romacelandia. I enjoyed that wasn't the major case in this story. Yes, it happened, but it wasn't the main focus. I could go on but .... Just read the book. I promise you will enjoy it. You'll actually enjoy any Melissa Foster book out there. I know I have. Yes, on different levels, but enjoyed just the same.
4.5 Stars
Copy provided for blog tour
April 14, 2020
This isn't for me. This relationship is too perfect. No depth to the characters. DNF.
October 5, 2018
***3.5 Stars***
Have you ever read a book that, when everything was said and done, you can honestly say you enjoyed even though there were some things that happened in it that had you going ‘Really? Seriously???’ and had you arguing with that little voice in your head over the rating which makes it difficult to get the words for a review out?
Well, THIS is that book for me. Overall, I really did enjoy this story. I got sucked in to the MC’s journey and NEEDED to see how they worked out all of the issues they were dealing with. It was sweet, smexy and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, but I gotta be honest and say that there were some things that had me doing the rapid eye blinking in disbelief thing which then led to the rolling of the eyes thing.
Treat and Max are both sweet, hard working and just all around good people with good hearts. But both of those hearts have been battered and bruised by past events and they are carrying the weight of those events around them like bullet proof armor which has kept them from living their best lives. I really liked both Treat and Max, and I empathized with all that they had gone through in their lives, but I won’t deny that I liked them a lot more once they decided to truly do something about the demons that plagued them.
As for their journey to their HEA...this is where things got a little murky for me. I have no issue with insta-love, I don’t and I love when one or both of the parties involved are all about communication and being as absolutely honest as they can be, I really do. I love it when adults act like adults and for the most part Treat and Max do act like adults. But there were times when the honesty was a bit OTT for me and didn’t give me the swoony twitterpatted feelings they should have. I hate to admit that, but when I have a “really” moment I can’t just ignore it. Outside of that. Treat and Max are cute together and I liked them together once they worked through their issues.
Now, for the whole ‘Reimagined’ situation. I have not read Treat and Max’s original story, I have it, but there are just not enough hours in my day, so I did the most rational thing and went and read the reviews for it on GR and made sure to read not only the positive ones, but the not so positive ones, and feel it’s safe to say that the Treat and Max in the Reimagined version are more mature than they were in the original.
This was a difficult review to get the words down, but sometimes it happens. But regardless of my issues, the writing was engaging and I definitely enjoyed meeting the Braden clan, all of whom have some issues they need to work through and had me wanting to reach out and Gibbs smack some sense into them, but also had me wanting to know more about all of them, so I’ll be add the rest of the Braden family’s books to the TBR and will hopefully get to them sooner, rather than later.
~ Copy provided via the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Have you ever read a book that, when everything was said and done, you can honestly say you enjoyed even though there were some things that happened in it that had you going ‘Really? Seriously???’ and had you arguing with that little voice in your head over the rating which makes it difficult to get the words for a review out?
Well, THIS is that book for me. Overall, I really did enjoy this story. I got sucked in to the MC’s journey and NEEDED to see how they worked out all of the issues they were dealing with. It was sweet, smexy and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, but I gotta be honest and say that there were some things that had me doing the rapid eye blinking in disbelief thing which then led to the rolling of the eyes thing.
Treat and Max are both sweet, hard working and just all around good people with good hearts. But both of those hearts have been battered and bruised by past events and they are carrying the weight of those events around them like bullet proof armor which has kept them from living their best lives. I really liked both Treat and Max, and I empathized with all that they had gone through in their lives, but I won’t deny that I liked them a lot more once they decided to truly do something about the demons that plagued them.
As for their journey to their HEA...this is where things got a little murky for me. I have no issue with insta-love, I don’t and I love when one or both of the parties involved are all about communication and being as absolutely honest as they can be, I really do. I love it when adults act like adults and for the most part Treat and Max do act like adults. But there were times when the honesty was a bit OTT for me and didn’t give me the swoony twitterpatted feelings they should have. I hate to admit that, but when I have a “really” moment I can’t just ignore it. Outside of that. Treat and Max are cute together and I liked them together once they worked through their issues.
Now, for the whole ‘Reimagined’ situation. I have not read Treat and Max’s original story, I have it, but there are just not enough hours in my day, so I did the most rational thing and went and read the reviews for it on GR and made sure to read not only the positive ones, but the not so positive ones, and feel it’s safe to say that the Treat and Max in the Reimagined version are more mature than they were in the original.
This was a difficult review to get the words down, but sometimes it happens. But regardless of my issues, the writing was engaging and I definitely enjoyed meeting the Braden clan, all of whom have some issues they need to work through and had me wanting to reach out and Gibbs smack some sense into them, but also had me wanting to know more about all of them, so I’ll be add the rest of the Braden family’s books to the TBR and will hopefully get to them sooner, rather than later.
~ Copy provided via the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
October 10, 2018
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’ll be honest here. I’m getting really confused with all the characters and series that Melissa Foster has. She has spin-offs of spin-offs and really, they are basically the same to me. So I am struggling to find what makes each series unique other than the setting or characters.
This book is part of The Bradens series and is part of the larger Love in Bloom too. (Do you see what I mean when I say it gets confusing?) Another thing that kept throwing me off was the hero and the heroine. I don’t know why but I kept reading Treat’s name as Trent and kept thinking Max was a guy. Maybe that’s just the pre-wiring of my brain, but every time their names were mentioned, I got confused.
Apart from that, the actual writing isn’t bad. I always enjoy Foster’s writing style. It’s always has a great pace and dialogue but for this one, I also kind of wished that there was a better focus. With everything else that is going on, it kind of makes it hard for me to focus on the couple and then you lose the interest when they aren’t the main point.
So, I’m hoping Foster simplifies things in her series. It’s great to have such a large cast and various spin-offs, but when your genre is small-town romance, the world doesn’t feel so cozy with so many extra things going on.
*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Annie❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
October 29, 2020
‘Lovers At Heart’ was the very first book I read that introduced me to Melissa Foster’s books, and it started an obsession and a full on love of the romance genre. So when I learnt of the audio book and a reimagined version of a story I loved so much, I was so excited to give it a listen.
I really enjoyed the narrators of this story, having a male for Treat’s perspective and a female for Max, enabled the story to feel very believable and like a drama playing out in my mind. Their clear and soft tones really portrayed the romantic elements of the story well, and I enjoyed listening to the audio book to wind down from a busy day.
This audio book is ideal for those who struggle to read physical books, but want a well-written and clearly narrated story that captured the full essence of love story.
Treat Braden is the eldest of his siblings, and he feels a lot of accountability and responsibility due to the loss of his mother. So it’s not often that he would consider wanting something for himself, but there’s something about Max that captivated his mind, and is unshakeable. So when they run into each other again after a fun evening in each other’s company, it feels kismet, and Max cannot help but feel unsettled and hot under the collar.
The two are on fire, and their romance is off the scale, realistic, believable and totally catapulted me as a reader into a fictional world I’ve remained trapped in.
I’d recommend all of Melissa Foster’s books to those who love sweet romances, and strong inspirational characters. All can be read or listened to as stand-alones or as part of a full series.
I really enjoyed the narrators of this story, having a male for Treat’s perspective and a female for Max, enabled the story to feel very believable and like a drama playing out in my mind. Their clear and soft tones really portrayed the romantic elements of the story well, and I enjoyed listening to the audio book to wind down from a busy day.
This audio book is ideal for those who struggle to read physical books, but want a well-written and clearly narrated story that captured the full essence of love story.
Treat Braden is the eldest of his siblings, and he feels a lot of accountability and responsibility due to the loss of his mother. So it’s not often that he would consider wanting something for himself, but there’s something about Max that captivated his mind, and is unshakeable. So when they run into each other again after a fun evening in each other’s company, it feels kismet, and Max cannot help but feel unsettled and hot under the collar.
The two are on fire, and their romance is off the scale, realistic, believable and totally catapulted me as a reader into a fictional world I’ve remained trapped in.
I’d recommend all of Melissa Foster’s books to those who love sweet romances, and strong inspirational characters. All can be read or listened to as stand-alones or as part of a full series.
October 9, 2018
I've been waiting to go into the life of Treat Braden more ever since I first met him. I knew Melissa Foster would eventually get to telling this story but I had to wait patiently. I had read the original Lovers at Heart but, like Melissa, felt it was missing something. Now I've read this reimagined version, I'm craving more.
Treat Braden is the oldest in his family. While I am definitely not male, I am the oldest so can relate in many ways. You feel a responsibility for your younger siblings when you are the oldest. Max is an only child. There have been days in my life I wished for this but I wouldn't give anything for my siblings.
People talk about how opposites attract. While they may be opposite in size of family they come from, I really think Max and Treat are cut from the same cloth. It's odd how an oldest child and an only child can be from the same cloth but these two were meant to be together.
You should pick up a copy of Lovers at Heart, Reimagined and follow Treat and Max on a journey that is filled with ups and downs right from the beginning. I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
Treat Braden is the oldest in his family. While I am definitely not male, I am the oldest so can relate in many ways. You feel a responsibility for your younger siblings when you are the oldest. Max is an only child. There have been days in my life I wished for this but I wouldn't give anything for my siblings.
People talk about how opposites attract. While they may be opposite in size of family they come from, I really think Max and Treat are cut from the same cloth. It's odd how an oldest child and an only child can be from the same cloth but these two were meant to be together.
You should pick up a copy of Lovers at Heart, Reimagined and follow Treat and Max on a journey that is filled with ups and downs right from the beginning. I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
November 2, 2024
Bedankt @oona.agency voor dit recensie-exemplaar
Treat Braden is niet geïnteresseerd in de liefde, totdat Max in zijn leven komt.
Er ontstaat een band tussen de twee. Maar iets zorgt ervoor dat Max afstand wil nemen.
Een toevallige ontmoeting brengt de twee weer bij elkaar.
Max moet haar eigen demonen onder ogen komen. En Treat steunt haar daar met liefde bij.
Ik heb na het lezen van dit boek het gevoel dat dit een spin-off is.
Ik mis hier en daar behoorlijk wat informatie lijkt het.
Ik kwam hierdoor niet helemaal lekker in het boek.
Gelukkig kwam alles nog goed.
Ik had verwacht dat het boek super spicy zou zijn, maar de eerste helft was daar niks van te merken. In de tweede helft was dit wel het geval, maar het viel nog wel mee. Het boek draaide er niet om.
Maar toch voelde ik het allemaal niet in dit boek. Ik voelde de chemie en de spanning niet echt.
Het boek was me ook net een tikkeltje te oppervlakkig. Tot de laatste 70 blz en toen pakte het me een stuk meer!
Al met al moest ik nogal inkomen, maar ik kan eindigen met zeggen dat ik het een intens maar heel fijn boek vond.
Op naar deel 2 binnenkort!
Treat Braden is niet geïnteresseerd in de liefde, totdat Max in zijn leven komt.
Er ontstaat een band tussen de twee. Maar iets zorgt ervoor dat Max afstand wil nemen.
Een toevallige ontmoeting brengt de twee weer bij elkaar.
Max moet haar eigen demonen onder ogen komen. En Treat steunt haar daar met liefde bij.
Ik heb na het lezen van dit boek het gevoel dat dit een spin-off is.
Ik mis hier en daar behoorlijk wat informatie lijkt het.
Ik kwam hierdoor niet helemaal lekker in het boek.
Gelukkig kwam alles nog goed.
Ik had verwacht dat het boek super spicy zou zijn, maar de eerste helft was daar niks van te merken. In de tweede helft was dit wel het geval, maar het viel nog wel mee. Het boek draaide er niet om.
Maar toch voelde ik het allemaal niet in dit boek. Ik voelde de chemie en de spanning niet echt.
Het boek was me ook net een tikkeltje te oppervlakkig. Tot de laatste 70 blz en toen pakte het me een stuk meer!
Al met al moest ik nogal inkomen, maar ik kan eindigen met zeggen dat ik het een intens maar heel fijn boek vond.
Op naar deel 2 binnenkort!
October 10, 2018
I read the original Lovers at Heart years ago and I remember loving it then--this same holds true for the new "Reimagined" edition. The charactors are even more human then I remember and their background stories are more in depth. Melissa Foster did an amazingly good job with this one. Although I remembered parts of it-it was different enough that it kept me reading anyway. I tried looking for my original review-of course I could not find it!
Trent and Max are meant for each other--it just takes them a while. Trent is not going to make the same mistake he made when he first met Max. He is going to let it go slow. Max has to confront her past in order to let it go. Trent has to face his loving family (they really are all great) and explain all the guilt he has hidden for years. What a wonderfully happy ending--too bad it had to end with two wrecked cars (nobody was hurt!)
If you have already read the original of Lovers at Heart I suggest you read this rendition-it is just different enough that it will hold your attention.
Trent and Max are meant for each other--it just takes them a while. Trent is not going to make the same mistake he made when he first met Max. He is going to let it go slow. Max has to confront her past in order to let it go. Trent has to face his loving family (they really are all great) and explain all the guilt he has hidden for years. What a wonderfully happy ending--too bad it had to end with two wrecked cars (nobody was hurt!)
If you have already read the original of Lovers at Heart I suggest you read this rendition-it is just different enough that it will hold your attention.
February 8, 2019
I had already been completely pulled into Treat and Max's 'will they, won't they' relationship when I read the original version a few years ago, but I am so pleased I got another chance to read their story, this time with the benefit of a more in-depth understanding of their first meeting and their relationship. I hadn't really missed it before but once I had read this version it made things connect much more easily for me.
For Treat and Max, it was definitely love at first sight, but due to their own inner issues, a miscommunication could cause them both to lose the potential love of their life. Yet fate works it's mysterious charm and weeks later when Treat visits his hometown he and Max are brought together again, but will they allow themselves to step over what is holding them both back and enjoy the happiness they could share together?
I think I love this book more the second time around, I melted as Treats lovable protective side came oozing out for the girl he had so many feelings for. I also found myself tearing up at one point in the story, so moving!
For anyone who has yet to be introduced to the Braden family, wow, they have the most beautiful family bond you could hope for. They have issues and demons to face like most families do but deep down they will always be there for each other, no matter what.
A thoroughly enjoyable, emotional, spicy romance which will have you begging for the next read!
For Treat and Max, it was definitely love at first sight, but due to their own inner issues, a miscommunication could cause them both to lose the potential love of their life. Yet fate works it's mysterious charm and weeks later when Treat visits his hometown he and Max are brought together again, but will they allow themselves to step over what is holding them both back and enjoy the happiness they could share together?
I think I love this book more the second time around, I melted as Treats lovable protective side came oozing out for the girl he had so many feelings for. I also found myself tearing up at one point in the story, so moving!
For anyone who has yet to be introduced to the Braden family, wow, they have the most beautiful family bond you could hope for. They have issues and demons to face like most families do but deep down they will always be there for each other, no matter what.
A thoroughly enjoyable, emotional, spicy romance which will have you begging for the next read!
October 5, 2018
5 Star review of Lovers At Heart: Reimagined (Love In Bloom: The Bradens & by Melissa Foster
Not having read the previous edition of this book I went in with an open mind. I was excited to learn about the book that started it all with Trent Braden and Max Armstrong’s story.
Treat had no interest in finding love,happy with the casual hook ups he has had, but when he met Max it was like lightening striking, such was their connection.
However it is not all smooth sailing as Max refuses to answer his calls and he has no idea why. When fate brings Treat and Max together again he will not lose the opportunity.
I loved how Melissa Foster wove a story about hope, of overcoming one’s past and embracing ones present and moving forward together. As with real life not all goes smoothly but it is the ”realness” of their relationship that she describes that makes this such a great book.
Lovers At Heart: Reimagined is a beautiful and romantic love story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Not having read the previous edition of this book I went in with an open mind. I was excited to learn about the book that started it all with Trent Braden and Max Armstrong’s story.
Treat had no interest in finding love,happy with the casual hook ups he has had, but when he met Max it was like lightening striking, such was their connection.
However it is not all smooth sailing as Max refuses to answer his calls and he has no idea why. When fate brings Treat and Max together again he will not lose the opportunity.
I loved how Melissa Foster wove a story about hope, of overcoming one’s past and embracing ones present and moving forward together. As with real life not all goes smoothly but it is the ”realness” of their relationship that she describes that makes this such a great book.
Lovers At Heart: Reimagined is a beautiful and romantic love story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
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