Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster’s writing, and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the fiercely loyal and sassily sexy characters in the Love in Bloom big-family romance families.Welcome to Oak Falls, Virginia, home to horse farms, midnight rodeos, bookstores, coffee shops, and quaint restaurants where you’re greeted like family and treated like … family and treated like treasured guests. Buckle up for a wild ride. Like any Southern girls worth their salt, the sweet-talking, sharp-tongued Montgomery sisters can take men to their knees with one seductive glance or a single sugarcoated sentence.
A second chance at their first love…
Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.
Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.
Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…
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The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection featuring alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and women’s fiction.. All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.
PLEASE NOTE: Future books in the original Montgomery series are crossing over to the Bradens at Pleasant Hill, and for this reason I have combined the series into THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls).
THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls).
Embracing Her Heart
Anything For Love
Trails of Love
Making You Mine
Wild Crazy Hearts
Our Wicked Hearts
Searching for Love
Hot For Love
Summer of Love
Sweet Sexy Hearts
Winter of Love
Claiming Her Heart
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Love in Bloom features Characters from each sub-series appear in future books.
Love In Bloom Series
Snow Sisters
The Bradens at Weston
The Bradens at Trusty
The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor
The Bradens & The Montgomerys
The Remingtons
The Ryders
Seaside Summers
Bayside Summers
Wild Billionaires After Dark
Bad Billionaires After Dark
Harborside Nights
Tru Blue and The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor
The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside
“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely
Perfect for fans of big-family, small-town romance featuring billionaires, blue collar workers, and everything in between. The heroes are loyal, loving, and you’re always guaranteed happily ever after.
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*5 Stars*
As with all of the Melissa Foster books I have read so far, I loved this one, and I loved the characters. Set in Gracie and Reed’s small town home, these two reconnect after a decade apart. This is one second chance romance I thoroughly enjoyed.
Their connection was still their from the moment they meet back up, and I also liked that fact that Reed pushed for an honest discussion about their past right away. I truly loved watching these two get to relearn each other and for Gracie to come to love her small home town again.
Lots of fun secondary characters in this one as well, and I can’t wait to read more about those guys in the future. A nice and easy read, and I definitely recommend.
I truly loved reading this book!
Embracing Her Heart is funny, sexy, heartwarming, emotional & romantic.
Great characters, romance, make it
the perfect read.
Grace, headed home to teach a class
for her sister & visit with her family.
In the early morning, her sisters kidnapped her to watch the “HOT” cowboys. But, she was shocked to see, the only man she ever loved.
Reed, was rebuilding the porch, when
out walks a gorgeous pair of legs.
Looking up, he see’s the last person he never expected to see again. His Grace.
Grace & Reed steal your heart from
the very first pages to the last.
Grace Montgomery had dreams of what she wanted to do. She wanted to become a playwright and that meant college and New York City. She came home for visits but never stayed long. She also never has found the one. She had it and let him go. Her dreams were more important. Reed Cross was from the other football team. From the moment they met, sparks were flying. He knew how much her dreams meant to her and he let her go. He couldn’t stay. He found his place in the world. Little did they know that the fates were conspiring against them. He was back to help his uncle and Grace was back to help her sister and plan a baby shower. From the moment they see each other, sparks are flying. Can long distance work or will they walk away. I enjoyed this book.
Grace is a big time producer in New York and returns home to Virginia for three weeks. Reed does renovations on old houses. He and Grace dated their senior year but kept it a secret. They were school rivals and didn’t want trouble with their friends. Grace went to New York for school and then Reed took off to Michigan to get away from the memories. Reed and Grace never loved anyone else and Reed makes them talk about their past. But this time is not letting Grace go without a fight. Grace has a play she’s producing and has to go back earlier than expected but she finally realizes she needs to spend more time with her family and friends. Time is too short for regrets.
Great second chance story. I laughed, almost cried, and wanted to reach through the book and smack the daylights out of Grace. Reed is the perfect man, sexy , smart, and adores Grace. Ms. Foster does it again. Plenty of sex that will leave you needing a cold shower.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for the author *
This book was… fine for me. The writing was fine, the story flowed, but nothing about it really held my attention or made me feel like I’ll be thinking about this book beyond finishing it. Embracing Her Heart follows Grace, the eldest of the Montgomery children, back in her hometown of Oak Falls, Virginia. Grace has spent the last few years making a name for herself as a producer in New York City, but now that she’s back home for a few weeks to teach a screenplay writing class, her world’s been turned upside down. Because she’s not the only person back in town. Reed Cross, her secret high school sweetheart, is also back. Reed always said that he’d never leave Oak Falls, which was the major reason he and Grace broke up after high school. She had big dreams, but he wanted to stay where he was. Until he didn’t. Reed didn’t plan on coming back to Oak Falls either, but sometimes when you catch your girlfriend in bed with your business partner and your uncle has a heart attack and needs help with his business, coming home just feels like the right choice. They’ve been apart for years, but now that they’re serendipitously back in each other’s lives, Grace and Reed can’t help but fall into their old relationship all over again.
I think the biggest issue I had with this book was that I didn’t like Grace. At all. I felt like she spent most of the book bemoaning all the reasons she didn’t like New York City and her job there, but then also completely ripping apart all the things that made her hometown quaint and a good escape from the struggles of the city. Grace seemed to absolutely despise everything about Oak Falls, from the small town gossip to the clothes even to her family at times. She was so utterly dismissive of her sisters, chalking them up to just their stereotypes and what they were like when they were younger and then being shocked when they were more than that. And after a while, I started to find that grating.
And while Reed was fine, he also didn’t really suck me in and make me root for them as a couple. If anything, there were certain instances before they were back together where I found him too pushy and forceful when it came to inserting himself into Grace’s temporary life back home. And because they got together so early in the book and I wasn’t particularly invested in their relationship, I felt like there wasn’t enough tension or conflict, so most of the middle of the novel dragged on, describing moments in their relationship but not really winning me over about their love. I felt like most of the conflict stemmed from Grace not permanently being in Oak Falls (which seemed to have an easy fix) and that once upon a time, their relationship was secret, so Grace had all this guilt over lying (also an easy fix and ultimately something that felt like a non-issue). Once there was more drama, like Reed’s long absent father showing back up, I felt like the plot got a tiny bit more interesting, but overall, the book was fine, but it lacked any sort of “wow” factor for me.
Melissa Foster does it again! If you’re looking for a second chance romance that is steamy and tender, then this book is for you. The chemistry between Grace and Reed is sensational, and their emotional journey will keep the pages turning.
Once again I can say when I sit down with a Melissa Foster contemporary romance, I am never disappointed. I might debate if the plot was or was not my favorite, but I am ALWAYS in love with her characters!
EMBRACING HER HEART (The Bradens & Montgomerys, #1) by Melissa Foster is a second chance contemporary romance that had me swooning over the hero and empathizing with the heroine. This book is part of the Love In Bloom romance collection which can all be read as standalones.
Grace Montgomery has returned to her small hometown for a three week vacation from her hectic life as a writer/producer in NYC. Years before, she graduated high school and could not get out of town fast enough even though she was leaving her loving family and high school boy friend behind. She was off to chase her dream and leave her small town ways behind.
Reed Cross has always loved working with his hands and becomes a leading historical preservationist. He is back home after is uncle suffers a heart attack. He has always felt something was missing in his life and when he has a chance encounter with Grace and her sisters it brings make memories he has been trying to forget.
They only have three weeks. Do they still feel the same even with the years they spent apart? Reed is home to stay, but Grace has commitments and a life she fought to achieve in NYC. She is no longer that small town girl. Can they make it work?
Grace and Reed are characters that could walk off the pages, they are so realistic. I especially love that there are no misunderstandings that they do not talk out. This whole story is about communicating and respect. I felt like Grace, being the oldest in my large family, I could not wait to run away to college. When you come home, you realize what is really important and childhood issues are not necessarily how you deal with your siblings as adults. The romance pacing is realistic and the sex scenes are hot. I can highly recommend this book for a heartwarming and sexy second chance romance!
Embracing Her Heart is the first book in a brand new series by Melissa Foster. Although this is a new series, the heroine appeared in Brett (Bad Boys After Dark) Mention was also made of characters from the author’s other series. As a big fan of the second chance trope, I was glad for the opportunity to read and review this new release.
The hero and heroine have a romantic history. They were high school sweethearts, and the biggest drawback to their relationship at the time was it had to be kept a secret. This was due to them attending rivalling high schools. Circumstances led to them separating. Grace left for New York to pursue her dream of becoming a top-notch producer. Reed moved to Michigan where he became the leading historical preservationists. When his uncle had a heart attack, he left everything behind and returned home to assist in the family business. He never expected to come face to face with the only woman he ever loved.
Grace Montgomery returned to Oak Falls, but only for three weeks, to teach a screenwriting class. She never expected to bump into her first love; after all, he is supposed to be in Michigan. She is determined not to fall back in to the small town life and Reed Cross is a strong reminder of that life. Therefore, she did not intend to fall under his spell.
I enjoyed watching Reed and Grace rekindle the flames of their love. It was as if the years never separated them. During this time, they came to the realisation that although they were both successful, their lives were incomplete. The rekindling of their love affair would help to make was once incomplete, complete. The love scenes were intense and passionate but not too graphic. The flashbacks into their past helped me to see how much they loved.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is the bond Grace shared with her family. The camaraderie between her and her siblings was delightful. They helped to remind her of the beauty of her hometown. This was reinforced when the community rallied together to help get a project off the ground. The bond of family and friendship featured strongly, which came as no surprise.
Reed is such an awesome person. The way he treated Grace both in the past and currently, showed that he was quite the gentleman. Despite this, he had issue from his past, which seem as if it would swallow him whole. I admired how he did not allow these issues to dominate his life. I believe he was a better person because of it.
I admired Grace independent streak and driving ambition. I was upset with how she treated Reed on her return to Oak Falls. However, as the plot developed my initial reaction changed, and I loved her whole persona. They were perfect for each other. They were each other voices of reason when it came to making the difficult choices.
Conclusion/Recommendation
I enjoyed meeting the Montgomery Clan and I am curious to read the stories of the other characters. Embracing Her Heart is a sweet and passionate second chance romance. If you enjoy stories set in a small featuring family dynamics and a passionate second chance romance, then this book is for you.
Ms. Foster has done it again. I love second chance romance but lately they have all seemed too alike. Ms. Foster has reminded me once again why I love a great second chance romance and why hers are the best.
I couldn’t help but root for Grace and Reed for the very start. Reed is the perfect book boyfriend we all want and so does Grace, even if she doesn’t want to admit it. Grace needs a nudge to allow herself to give in to her heart but once she does she doesn’t look back.
The world building these series has always blown me away and now I’m even more excited to see what will happen when the Braden’s and Montgomery’s come together.
Another classic Melissa Foster story that’s a hot, small town Romance that creates a world you love to get wrapped up in!
This is a second chance romance that will make you laugh and swoon.
Grace is a strong independent woman who left Oak Falls and Reed to chance her dreams and get OUT of Oak Falls. She was destined for things outside Oak Falls and she was making it happen. And Reed. Oh just like every other Melissa Foster hero, he’s perfect. He’s hot and sweet and he knows that his Gracie is back and he’s going to get her.
I love the Montgomery sisters and their craziness! Another Melissa Foster series I’d be sucked into if I wasn’t already devouring everything she’s ever written!
Embracing Her Heart has it ALL!!
It’s a sweet, second chance romance filled with captivating characters set in a small town in Virginia. Melissa Foster superbly blends the love of family, career pressures and new beginnings in this novel.
A successful playwright and producer, Grace has returned home to teach a three-week playwriting course at her sister’s bookstore. Returning to Oak Falls provides workaholic Grace with a much needed break from her stressful job and a chance to spend time with her parents and sisters. She never expected to find her high school boyfriend Reed repairing her parent’s front porch much less feel the same physical attraction towards him!
Reed sold his business in Michigan after being burned by his business partner and girlfriend. He decides to return to Virginia when he learns that his uncle has had a heart attack. Reed is looking forward to working with his uncle and to resume his career, renovating historical buildings in Oak Falls.
Grace and Reed are provided a second chance to explore their relationship in Embracing Her Heart. After ten years, the couple’s chemistry sizzles but they have a new set of problems to work through. As Grace spends time with Reed, her family and with her writing group, she realizes that by focusing on her career she has missed out on a lot of life’s every day pleasures. She looks at her small town with a new appreciation. Reed’s conversations with Grace about her career and life in New York provide insight to Grace’s character. Reed figures out that Grace is conflicted about her career in New York but is unsure what steps she needs to take to focus on writing.
Reed decides to win Grace’s heart by romancing her. Loved the chapter where he packs a picnic dinner and the couple watch a movie outside the Majestic Theater. Grace is overwhelmed by his gesture because he remembered how special this spot was to them. Reed is surprised when a person from his past pays him an unexpected visit. The visit brings up a lot of raw emotions for Reed.
The secondary characters add so much color and life to this novel! Each character was well developed and added to the storyline. Loved Grace’s parents, Reed’s aunt and uncle and my favorite Sophie’s grandmother, Nana. There is angst and conflict in the novel but, the author chooses to focus is on the enduring love and passion between Grace and Reed. This choice drew me into the story immediately and I read the book in one sitting.
Embracing Her Heart is a warm, feel good love story and holds a special place on my keeper shelf!