Title: Hearts at Play
Author: Melissa Foster
Series: Love in Bloom: Snow Sisters & The Bradens #9; Love in Bloom: The Bradens #6
Published: January 2014, World Literary Press
Format: E-copy, 300 pages
Source: Publicist
Brianna Heart has a
six-year old daughter and a twelve-year plan to keep her life as simple
as possible until Layla turns eighteen. That means swearing off
relationships and the drama that goes along with them, working two jobs,
and being the best damn mother she can be.The last thing
Capital Series Grand Prix racer Hugh Braden wants after dating
media-hungry leggy models and money-hungry fan girls is a blind date.
But how could he turn down a favor to one of his best friends? Hugh
expected the date to go poorly, but he didn’t expect to be intensely
attracted to the beautiful brown-eyed bartender who completely blows him
off—and steals his every thought thereafter.When Brianna’s
perfectly orchestrated life turns upside down, Hugh is there to help,
softening the turmoil, and maybe even rescuing her heart from the lonely
place where it has been hiding. Can a man who doesn’t believe in fate
and a woman who doesn’t believe in true love find happiness in each
other’s arms forever?
My thoughts: As I said in my review of the previous book in this series, I’ve really loved this series (the books I’ve read so far), but let me tell you – this one was hands down, my favorite! Maybe it’s because as the series progresses, we really got to see a change in Hugh or maybe it’s just the story itself, but this one is definitely a story that will give you goosebumps and have you reaching for the tissues quite a few times!
Hugh and Bree’s story is a bit different from the ones we’ve seen so far in the fact that there’s a child involved. And that child is Bree’s whole world – she’s the first thing on Bree’s mind and so, in dating Bree, Hugh quickly learns and comes to appreciate how he must adapt to not only letting Bree into his life, but also a little girl. For Bree, she was fine with not dating until her daughter, now age 6, was 18, but after meeting Hugh, realizes, with the help of her friends and mother, that that’s not only impractical but also not healthy.
I loved the whole theme of princess and prince woven throughout the book, especially when it came to the way Hugh treats both Bree and her daughter. This certainly is a fairy tale and there are so many times when Hugh go out of his way to show how he really is Bree’s prince charming…times when those tears were flowing down my face!
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Braden book without having the whole family make an appearance – and without giving anything away, it’s a gathering filled with lots of joy and some big news, too!!! While I’m sad that this is the last of the Braden books (although I have to still go back and read book 1), I am happy to say that I heard that there will be another series of Bradens coming out this summer – cousins to these Bradens!!! Oh, this makes me so happy!!!
Books in the 14-book Love in Bloom series:
Snow Sisters
1. Sisters in Love
2. Sisters in Bloom
3. Sisters in White
The Bradens
4. Lovers at Heart
7. Sea of Love
9. Hearts at Play
The Remingtons
10. Game of Love
11. Stroke of Love
12. Flames of Love
13. Slope of Love
14. Read, Write Love
*** Both Sisters in Love and Lovers at Heart are currently free on Amazon US.
More information about this series can be found here:
About the author: Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author.
She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s
fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling
characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her
books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa
hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted
and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in
Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.
Authors Links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
Says a lot when books this far into the series get better and better! I have some of these and will read them eventually 🙂
Mary – they are really good!!! The romance is sweet and I just love stories about families – probably b/c I'm from a large one myself!
Oh this sounds like a series I need to put on my list! I don't need more on my list but on my list it goes LOL
Felicia – the books are quick reads – most are under or right around 300 pages and can be read in a day or two!
I'm so happy you grew so attached to the Bradens! And I'm even more happy to bring you MORE Bradens 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for sticking with the series! XOXO
Kristin, another fab review. You've really taken this family to heart 🙂
Thank you for hosting on Melissa's tour.
Shaz