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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Melissa does it again! Low on angst and lots of love and emotion! Perfect book to curl up with!
Melissa Foster always delivers! Embracing Her Heart will melt YOUR heart!
Can we outgrow our dreams? Once we reach them, do we become dissatisfied or do we reach for new dreams? Grace Montgomery has done it. She’s writing & producing plays in New York. She hasn’t been back to Oak Falls since she left for college. Three weeks off to enjoy being home & not be bothered by work. Grace never felt like she fit in so why is she finding all these happy memories? Only two things are bothering her, the constant calls from New York with problems & her “secret” boyfriend being back in town. He wouldn’t leave town for her but he sure didn’t wait long to leave after she was gone.
Reed Cross can’t believe Grace is back in town & that their chemistry is still red hot. They thought they did a good job covering their relationship when they were teenagers but anyone seeing them today knows what’s going on. Reed hadn’t been able to survive in town surrounded by memories of Grace so he left. Can he survive her leaving a second time?
I loved this book! The siblings relationships were witty, sarcastic, loving & realistic. The interactions between them provided a perfect backdrop for the evolving relationship between Grace & Reed. Coming from a small town with intense rivalries, the idea that they had to sneak around totally made sense. I found this one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time.
4.5 stars–EMBRACING HER HEART is the first instalment in Melissa Fosters’ contemporary, adult The Bradens and Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls, erotic romance series-a spin off from the author’s Bradens at Pleasant Hill series. This is historical preservationist and builder Reed Cross, and screen-play writer Grace Montgomery’s story line. EMBRACING HER HEART can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the original series is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Reed and Grace) EMBRACING HER HEART is a second chance romance focusing on the rekindling relationship between historical preservationist and builder Reed Cross, and screen-play writer Grace Montgomery. With the recent heart-attack of his beloved uncle Roy, Reed made the decision to return to Oak Falls in the hopes of forgetting out the disaster and betrayal by his business partner, he left behind in Michigan. What Reed never expected was to come face to face with the woman he has always loved, his high school sweet heart, Grace Montgomery, back in town to teach a course on playwriting. Grace, home for a three-week hiatus, cannot help but be drawn to the man that broke her heart. What ensues is the quick rekindling relationship between Grace and Reed, and the potential fall-out as Grace prepares to head back to New York, and the lifestyle in which she has become accustomed.
Grace Montgomery is a successful screen-play writer whose return to Oak Falls comes with too many reminders about the past-a past that continues to break her heart. Reed Cross, raised by his aunt and uncle, knew he belonged back in Oak Falls but something or someone was missing, from his heart and his home.
The relationship between Grace and Reed is one of second chances; a high school romance that was destroyed when Grace went off to college, and Reed ran to forget about the girl that broke his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Grace’s rather large collection of successful siblings: Brindle (high school teacher), Amber (book store owner), Pepper (research and development scientist) and her twin sister Sable (musician), Morgyn (small business owner), and their only brother musician Axsel: their parents Marilynn and Cade Montgomery; Grace’s childhood best friend Sophie; and the Jericho brothers/ranchers-Trace, Justus, Shane and Jeb. We are introduced to Reed’s uncle Roy and aunt Ella, as well as a large assortment of townsfolk and visitors including Brett Bad and Sophie Roberts (Bad Boys After Dark #4).
The world building looks at the second chance romance between Reed and Grace. We are privy to their memories of the past including Reed’s less than pleasant thoughts about the parents he never knew. A small town romance EMBRACING THE HEART follows the ups and downs, gossip and friendships of Oak Falls, Virginia
EMBRACING HER HEART is a sweet story with a sexy and sensual rekindling romance. The premise is heart warming; the characters are energetic and spirited; the romance is provocative and intense. Melissa Foster writes an inspiring tale about second chances, first loves, family and heart.
Melissa Foster does it again! The chemistry between Grace and Reed is sensational, and their emotional journey gives all the good feels. If you are looking for a second chance romance, this is the book for you!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader –
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Grace has been living a very successful life. She has come home for just a few short weeks to visit, but she knows that she made the right choice in following her dreams and leaving her small town. Her dream was to write and work on plays. However, being back home with her family and sisters, she realizes that she was missing something… she was missing the connection to living.
Reed is back home to help his uncle. There are memories everywhere of his time, and when he runs in to Grace, his first love, sparks fly. Reed is sure that he is living the life he has wanted, but when his past comes back, Reed is confronted with truths that alter his perception of his life.
Grace and Reed have to decide if their love, which still burns bright for each other, is strong enough for distance and obstacles. It’s a sweet story about finding love again, never losing hope, and finding the joys in life. I really enjoyed watching Grace and Reed figure out what made them happy, as well as finding a happy medium with their own families. The chemistry between Reed and Grace was hot and well developed.
Jordan –
Embracing Her Heart by Melissa Foster was a lovely, heartfelt read with just the right amount of heat! This was my first time reading any of Foster’s books, but I have to say so far, I am totally into these cowboys! The first book in The Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls) series follows the story of Grace Montgomery and Reed Cross, which was an easy story to find myself fully invested in. I love a good second chance romance!
Grace left her small-town home in Oak Falls, Virginia to pursue her dreams in New York City and she’s now a successful independent producer for off Broadway. When she returns to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class at her sister’s bookstore, she never imagined she would run into Reed, her first love. Due to a stupid high school rivalry, they kept their relationship a secret from all their friends, but they’re not high schoolers anymore and all those old feelings are rushing back.
I loved that Grace’s character was such a strong independent woman and I was completely smitten with Reed! They had such amazing chemistry on the pages and I loved reading about how their characters have grown over the years. Plus, all of Grace’s siblings were such a riot and I can’t wait to see what mischief they’re up to in future books. All in all, it was a perfect choice for those of us who love a good contemporary romance and some southern charm!
5 STARS for Embracing Her Heart by Melissa Foster.
Mary Jo –
Small town romances can be hard when the people involved are in high school, go to different schools, and what to do after graduation looms in the background. Grace and Reed’s love story ended almost as soon as it began. Grace wanted bright lights and big city, while Reed never wanted to leave their hometown. She broke up with Reed so that he could find someone in their small town to make a family with while she pursued her dreams. She thought he would never leave Oak Falls and when he did, she was devastated.
When Gracie takes a break and comes home, she’s surprised to find Reed building a deck for her parents. Reed is just as surprised to see Gracie and happy to learn that she’s single. Grace is not sure if she wants to get involved with Reed again, after all, she’s living in New York and he’s in Oak Falls.
Reed is willing to do anything for Grace – he wants her to live her dreams and he will do anything to make them come true. All he wants Grace to do is to follow her heart.
First loves may not always turn out to be lifelong love stories, but when they do, it gives everyone hope.
Ruthie –
This is another lovely read from Ms. Foster. My only warning is that once you start, you really will just want to read it straight through!
This is a fabulous second chance romance – and as what happened first time around is uncovered, we can really only love them both all the more, and it certainly makes Grace realise that what she had held as true for a very long time, was not. Poor Reed also gets to make a family discovery which affects him deeply. Yet they are now both mature enough to recognise that things may be different, but they still love each other, and time has not changed the bond.
Utterly adorable as a couple and surrounded by some wonderful characters too, this manages to be very hot and steamy, as well as hilarious, and even very moving. There is no doubt that there is plenty more to come out of the Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls series. As long as we have plenty of interjections from Nana, I will be happy!!
Just grab a copy, find a hideaway, a drink, and indulge in the warmest, cheekiest read… nirvana.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Embracing Her Heart (The Bradens & Montgomerys, #1) by Melissa Foster to read and review for this tour.
Y’all, why did I wait so damn long to read a Melissa Foster book? I loved the characters and the setting, the romance and the family relationships. Reed and Grace’s second chance romance gave me all the feels.
5 stars
Yay! We finally met the Montgomerys in this book and I’m so happy about that. I love this family and their family values. Such a great start to a new series and can’t wait to meet the Bradens. Looking forward for interconnection between all these characters.
A heartwarming story about second chance at love. It left me swooning and empathizing with both hero and heroine.
Grace and Reed are really great characters. They felt so real and down to earth. They were high school sweethearts but Grace broke up with him leaving them both heartbroken. Now years later they both found each other again. There’s a lot of hurt but what I love about them is that they really talk everything out, cleared the misunderstandings and were honest with each other. The chemistry between them still exists and is off the charts. Love how they were reconnecting and learning about each other again. Easy going manner and flirty banter are one of the things I love most about them. I love that this book was about importance of communicating, family values and respect. Love/hate and low angst and so much UST between them. I love their history and that they both grew so much individually so now they can grow together.
Such an amazing secondary characters that I look forward to see and get to know more.
From beginning to end I was in love with this story, Grace & Reed deserve this second chance and after 10 years apart it is clear the passion and attraction of the first love is just as ever present as it was when they were teenagers.
Grace and Reed dated in secret when in high school they were each others firsts – love and everything in between. The broke off when Grace left after high-school and when she learned that Reed left also it left her with a bad feeling about him as he vowed never to leave home. Grace is back in her hometown of Oak Falls for a three week vacation and to help do a screen writing class for her sister, little did she know that Reed is back and living in Oak Falls, until she discovers him on her mothers porch one morning,
The past feelings came flooding back for both of them, and they finally learn just how heartbroken each were all those years ago when they parted ways and just how much they have pined after each for the last 10 years.
Their second chance story is just amazing and so perfect for them, the passion and chemistry is off the charts and in true Melissa fashion you cant help but fall in love with the characters she creates.
4.5 Stars
Embracing Her Heart is the first title in the Pleasant Hill series, featuring The Bradens and The Montgomery’s. It’s a heartwarming, and sweet story full of heat, heart and humor. If you love a second chance romance, or small town trope this may be the book for you.
Although this is the first title in the Pleasant Hill series, the town and several of the secondary characters have appeared in Melissa Foster’s previous titles including Swept Into Love, Touched By Love and Bad Boys After Dark: Brett.
Reed Cross is such an endearing character, and has the makings of a perfect book boyfriend. He’s kind, loyal, caring, compassionate and above all determined. He’s a carpenter and very good with his hands.
Grace is fiercely independent and strong, and was desperate to escape the small town of Pleasant Hill the minute she finished high school. Although she’s successful and accomplished her childhood dreams and goals, she’s finding it’s not as wonderful or fulfilling as she had expected.
The sexual chemistry between Grace and Reed is undeniable and intense, and their connection just oozed off the page.
I adored Grace’s quirky and fun siblings, each with a distinct personality and I can’t wait to see more of them in future titles.
If you are looking for a well written read, interconnected standalone look no further than Melissa Foster, but be prepared once you start her books you will be sucked into her fictional worlds.
I am a huge fan of the second-chance-at-love trope so I knew I would enjoy this read because honestly there hasn’t been a book that Melissa Foster has written that I didn’t enjoy. This though, went past what I was expecting with the the second chance at your first love, you know the one that got away, the one you still pine for all those years later. Grace and Reed were meant to be together and their ten year separation was nothing more than a bump in the road.
Grace was a fun character when I first met her in Bad Boys After Dark: Brett which is her best friend Sophie’s story (we get to see what is happening with Brett and Sophie in this story as well), so I was looking forward to her finding her HEA. Little did I know at the time that she had already found her one true love while she was a senior in high school.
This was a low angst story which made for more of a fun and steamy read. I’m not saying there isn’t any drama because there is, it just that it is worked out rather quickly which I appreciated because Grace and Reed needed to make up for lost time not endure more of it.
As with other books by Melissa Foster, I highly recommend this read especially if you enjoy the second-chance trope. I am really looking forward to seeing how the Braden and the Montgomery families join together in this series. In Embracing Her Heart we meet the Montgomery sisters (and one brother) in the next book Anything For Love we will meet the Bradens’ but it’s the third book which brings both families together Trails of Love where Graham Braden and Morgyn Montgomery get their HEA.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
What an amazing story of love, healing, and happily ever afters!!!
I loved Reed and Grace. After a rocky past, when they reunite they just click. There’s not a whole lot of drama that goes with this story, but just enough. I love the small town vibe of the story, and how when someone thinks they’ve got a “secret”, you can guarantee most of the town knows lol. A wonderfully written story that is a must read!!
3,5* for this one.
I’ve deducted 1,5* due to the fact that Grace bugged the hell out of me in the begging. Her attitude toward Reed as to why they broke up in high school or when he told her he was engaged just didn’t sit well with me.I just couldn’t get past that at first.
But as the story continues mostly due because of Reed I started worming up to her and her character. As far as Reed goes – that man can have me any day of the week.
After I got past annoyance with Grace this story developed beautifully and was funny and sweet by the end.
It wasn’t my favorite but I’ll be picking up Mellissa’s book in the future for sure.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
4.5 Stars for book one in the Pleasant Hill- Oak Falls Series by Melissa Foster, this author is fast becoming a go to author for me so it really wasn’t any surprise when I jumped on this book.
Welcome to Oak Falls, Virginia, home to horse farms, midnight rodeos, bookstore, coffee shops and the sharp-tongued Montgomery sisters, this book will certainly have you feeling like your part of the family, they will treat you like treasured guests as they welcome you into their life’s.
This is Reed and Grace’s story and what a story they have to tell, both are back in town for different reasons but as soon as they see each other it feels like they never left but will the past prove too much, will this couple have their second chance at love ………..
As always Melissa Foster gives us adorable characters, she gives us towns and families we will fall in love with and this book is no different, if you love big families, small towns and second chance romance this book will be a must click, loved it and looking forward to more in this series
Embracing Her Heart is Melissa Foster’s newest sweet and sexy romance. It is the story of Grace and Reed. They were in love with each other when they were younger, but Grace left Oak Falls, Virginia to pursue her dreams in NYC. She left Reed heartbroken, and he ended up leaving as well. Now years later, both have returned to their hometown. Grace has come home for several weeks to teach a playwriting class to help boost her sister’s bookstore. Reed is home to help run his uncle’s business after losing his ex to his now ex business partner.
Grace never forgot Reed even though she was the one to walk away. She tricks herself into believing she is over him. When she sees him again one night, all those old feelings come rushing back. She is determined that he will not have any affect on her whatsoever. Yeah, that is easier said than done when Reed is involved. She is so strong, independent, and determined, but not where Reed is concerned. Inside, she is sweet and loving, and Reed becomes determined to rediscover and get to know “his Gracie” again.
These two have amazing chemistry! I could easily feel the connection they shared, and I wanted them to rekindle that love. However, there were a lot of things these two had to work through as a couple. In addition, Reed has his own issues about his past, and when someone from his mother’s past shows up out of the blue, he will finally have to face them head on.
As with all of Foster’s books, she creates a memorable and complex group of secondary characters that tug at my heart and pull me even further into her books. I loved the relationship Grace has with her sisters, and I was so glad to find out that each of these amazing women will be getting their own book. One of my favorite things about Foster’s books is that characters from previous ones always show up in current ones. I always feel like I’m catching up with old friends. As usual, I’ll be awaiting the next one!!!!
***Read and Reviewed by Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I’m giving you a little warning that you may choose to ignore. If you don’t want a hint as to where this series is going don’t read the Note to Readers – but now that I’ve told you, you may not be able to help yourself. Or you could just scroll down to the bottom of the note and follow the link to her Reader’s Goodies page.
Grace Montgomery and her two sisters have an interesting way to spend their morning. I would be more than happy to have a morning like that any day. Reed Cross seems to want to make up for lost time. Your e-reader may get a little sticky because when he talks to Grace you can see the honey drip slowly off the honeycomb.
If you love a small town romance than you’ll be happy with this one. Even though the story focuses on Reed and Grace, you still get that sense of a rural town where they still have all things that you may have to go miles in order to find. It’s also a story about family. I never had sisters but it was fun watching the fun the Montgomery sisters had.
Grace seems to be the skittish one here. Ryan seems to know what he wants. It was interesting to watch as they navigate from what they had to what they want now. Can you go back and reminisce and make it work in the future? Have you ever wondered what happened to your high school sweetheart? What would you do if you ever came across each other again? There is plenty of heat between our main characters but it’s also a very sweet romance. It all ends with a smile, a laugh, and looking forward to more. And I’m left doing a happy dance because the next book in this series comes out on my birthday – I know what I’ll be doing on that day.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Embracing Her Heart was a really good book. I was sucked into Grace and Reed’s story from the start, and I never wanted it to end. I definitely recommend it.
5 Star review of Embracing Her Heart (The Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls) #1) by Melissa Foster
Having read several books by Melissa Foster I jumped at the chance to read this one and I was in no way disappointed
When Grace Montgomery returns home she is suddenly made to realise just how easy it was for her to remove herself from her sisters drama filled lives when she was living in New York. Not only do they draw her in, but she comes face to face with the one man she hoped never to see again, Reed Cross.
Reed too has returned home and crosses paths with the woman he was once in love with, his first love Grace, a woman he has never truly forgotten.
What happens, when Reed wants to re connect and Grace is bound and determined not too? Who will win this battle? When circumstances finally bring these two together, their obvious chemistry and passion cannot be denied, however at what cost? Will Grace be prepared to give love with Reed another chance?
Grace is a strong and independent woman who certainly gave as good as she got, I really liked her. Her family was hilarious and I cannot wait to read more about them in coming releases.
This is a well written story that tugged at the heart strings and is a second chance at love story; full of hopes and dreams and one that I recommend.
I loved this book!!! This is such a sweet second chance romance. As always Melissa Foster gives us a wonderfully written, sweet, fun and sexy story. This one is about Grace Montgomery & Reed Cross effectively starting us off with a whole new family to fall in love with and want to be a part of. How does she do it?
This is one of those love stories years in the making for this couple or rather one that never really ended but instead had a very long intermission in the middle.
I like how there was no pretending when these two finally see each other again and it doesn’t take long to fuel the flames from the fire that has just been on a slow smolder since high school when Grace left to pursue her dreams and broke Reed’s heart in the process. Reed is undeniably swoon worthy and Grace is just amazing! Neither has ever been able to really move on for all these years because sometimes not only do you never forget your first love, but you were always meant to be together. So good! So heartwarming. Such a special couple!!
Modern meets small town with huge personality. You can take the girl out of the city, but can you take the city out of the girl? Grace is no one’s country girl. Fireworks are what she needs, not country living. So why is she rethinking her stance on cowboys? Reed is a walking heartache. Been there, done that and have the bruises to prove it, are the words swimming in her head. Will she listen to her head or follow her heart? Embracing Her Heart brings a colorful canvas of heat, heart and humor to an already picturesque landscape.
Audiobook Review: Embracing Her Heart (The Bradens & Montgomerys [Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls], #1) by Melissa Foster (Author), Andi Arndt (Narrator), Sebastian York (Narrator)
Watch your step or you could lose your heart. Foster laid the groundwork for an instant hit. Reed and Grace are the perfect blend of heartache and hope. Embracing Her Heart feels like a country song. With a melody that’s hard to forget and a delivery that targets emotion, Foster, Arndt and York create harmony that will haunt long after the last note.