One wrong move, and she meets a guy with all the right ones… the best way to start the day, but it might be the type of shake-up she needs.
Male dancer Derek Grant has goals, and nothing is going to get in the way of achieving them. As a graduate student and the sole caretaker of his ailing father, he hasn’t much time for relationships. Then Talia crashes into his life. Sweet, pretty—and so buttoned-up that he can’t wait to help her cut loose.
For Derek, falling in love was a beautiful accident waiting to happen. And it might be exactly what Talia needs—if she’s willing to let go of the past and embrace every surprise Derek has to offer.
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
This is the third book in the series, and at least as good as the other two, possibly better. One can pretty much guarantee that Melissa Foster will deliver a sexy, smart, fun, and family-focused story, with tears and smiles pretty evenly distributed. There is always cuteness, but never an overload, and drama, but not of the over-the-top variety. Basically, a really good read!
In this installment, the sensible, guarded professor, Talia finds out that maybe she has to accept that her mother’s love potions do work… in a roundabout way. We get a real feel for the kind of person that Talia is, thanks to meeting her friend Fletch, his dog Molly, and her revealing how she generally dealt with her big loud family by reading off to the side. She also has to overcome the damage done by a heartless boyfriend who put her down and ruined her confidence of being a desirable woman. Luckily Derek has nothing but praise and admiration for the sexy professor who nearly runs him over and is determined to pursue her. It is fun watching her break down her barriers because she recognises that her trust will not be misplaced this time.
Jonah’s story is heart-rending and beautifully written. The scenes with Louie are just perfect and will require a tissue or two. Foster has done an amazing job of writing about the pleasure, the guilt, and the time demands of having such a parent, as well as the possibility of inheriting the disease, yet never in a preachy or sentimental way. It forms a key part of the book, but certainly does not overshadow the pleasure that Derek and Talia experience together, nor the talent that both Derek and his father have in drawing cartoons. The very descriptions of them brought them to life, which was again thanks to the skill of this talented author.
Thank you for another lovely, fun, sad, and ultimately uplifting book of life and love.
Mary –
This is the third book in the Sugar Lake series and all about Talia, the oldest of the Dalton siblings. She is a college professor and thinks her life is fine just as it is. But her sisters will not settle for fine. They want to see Talia happy and in a relationship that might lead to love. Or maybe for her to let her hair down a little. But Talia has to keep control and guard her heart. She will not let any man hurt her again. While on the way to school one day and talking to her sisters and being distracted from driving, she almost runs over a man. A very gorgeous and sexy man with bedroom blue eyes and he seems to have stirred something inside of her.
Derek Grant can’t believe that a woman almost ran him over, she wasn’t even paying attention. When she got out of the car, he did notice she was very sexy, even in her rattled state. As he hurried to his class, he can’t stop thinking about her. After his class and on the way out of the building, he hears a familiar voice, the woman who almost ran him over and she is a professor. So he sits down and listens to her for the rest of the class. Funny how he attends a class that he isn’t even enrolled in just to be near her.
Talia and Derek hit it off because they are two peas in a pod. They are made for each other and their story is a perfect mix of funny, sweet, sexy, loving, heartbreaking, and forever. And don’t forget that Talia still has to put up with her crazy family and their meddling and her mom and her love potions.
I love this series and I think this is my favorite couple so far. If you are looking for the perfect mix of emotional reading, then you need to read this series or better yet, any series by Melissa Foster. She will have you glued to every page until the end and leave you smiling. I never read the synopsis of any of Foster’s book, I know I will want to read them when they come up in the review group. So get something to drink and enjoy the ride with Talia and Derek, I loved it and I hope you do too.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Love Like Ours (Sugar Lake #3) by Melissa Foster to read and review.
I want to go to Sugar Lake. The characters that live there are sweet, sexy, thrilling, amazing, and just wonderful in every way. Talia Dalton feels she is not sexy and not woman enough for any man after a disastrous college relationship. Then she meets Derek Grant, well she doesn’t exactly meet hi but almost run him over while distracted by her family. One look into those gorgeous blue eyes and she is gone.
I love how professional Talia is. She works, she covers classes for her friend and co-worker while he is unable due to a sickness, and she takes care of said co-worker in her spare time. Derek is a dancer and a caregiver. He takes care of his father who has Alzheimer’s. He won me over instantly when he was honest about the time he must spend taking care of him and how he isn’t willing to let it go. With Talia’s protected heart and his loving heart their relationship can handle anything.
I did want Talia to be a little stronger, not to dwell on her past relationship, not to worry about what her family would think, and definitely not to worry what her co-worker would think. She seemed a little meek to start with but grew stronger as the story went on and she learned to open her heart, trust Derek, and most importantly trust herself.
I started reading this book and was so immersed in it that the next thing I knew it was at the end and I wanted more. I always love visiting our friends we’ve gotten to know but I especially love visiting the Dalton family and our friends we’ve gotten to know through them. This book was great from Roxie and her lotions and potions and her showing Talia the text message and telling her ‘Do not Scroll, to Derek and Talia starting their romance and Talia overcoming some of her preconceived ideas about certain things and of course it wouldn’t be the Dalton’s without our favorite Louie. I thought that Melissa Foster did a great job of handling Jonah and him having Alzheimer’s. I don’t think it’s an easy topic to talk about much less write about, but the way she made it part of the story and handled the subject was very touching. This definitely touched home for me having dealt with this years ago with my grandmother. I really enjoyed this book and it is my favorite of the Sugar Lake series so far. I definitely hope we get to see how Jonah is doing in other books in this series even if it’s a check in and also how things are with the project Derek was trying to get off the ground.
Heartwarming, sexy, fun and emotional romantic journey that gives two sweetly charming charters a chance at true love that they were not planning on….. could not put it down.
Talia Dalton is a smart, charming and determined to live her life with out a man after her last relationship went down hill…. Derek Grant is a sexy, sweet and deeply caring guy with a huge heart. They are perfect for each other and I was highly entertained from beginning to end.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Talia Dalton shows how distracting family can be. Derek Grant takes family obligations very seriously. Family is a strong theme here – both good and bad. Derek’s character is someone that I can relate to having taken care of both my parents. Their emotions may be something that a reader can identify with. He created something very special for Talia and I kept wishing I could take a peek.
As the story progresses, Derek asks Talia a very simple question, “Why?” Talia’s answer may have seemed simple but it spoke volumes. This story seems to have touched my heart more than any of our author’s books to date. Partly because of the way she creates her characters and partly because I know what Derek has been through. Talia has some apprehensions but that doesn’t stop her willingness to try and follow her heart. That’s one thing that I love about Ms. Foster. She creates an easiness with how her characters seem to connect with both each other and the reader.
Everything you read is possible because it all seems so realistic. I love the fact that with this author, I never have trouble sitting back, feeling as if I could be a part of her story, and just being able to relax and enjoy. My one disappointment is the story is over before I know it. But my spirits were lifted as I read a very romantic ending with a bittersweet twist.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
What a wonderful book this is! It is so much more than just a remance book. Talia is a professor, and a rules follower. It is a story of her coming out of her careful comfort zone. She has a large family that are really close, and brings a lot of laughter to the book. There is also Derek. He is taking care of his father that has Alzheimers, as well as earning his master’s degree. In order to be able to do that, he is a bartender and dancer. The chemistry between them is off the charts, but it is also a story of family and love. Melissa Foster did a great job showing the difficult life of being a caregiver of someone with this horrible disease. I know that because my mother has Alzheimers, and she is spot on showing what it is like. Through all this, there is the love between Derek snd Talia, but there is also, the love and compassion of family. I very highly recommend this book.
Talia Dalton is a professor and likes her life in as much order as possible and avoids any chance of heartache after having her heart broken in the past. Yet when she almost runs over a man something changes within her the moment she meets him.
Derek Grant is not your average guy. He has put his own dreams aside to take care of his father who has Alzheimer’s and he is a bartender/dancer in the evenings to support them while trying to take classes during the day. He has never let a woman distract him before but when he meets Talia he knows he wants her.
With Talia and Derek’s different lives/careers is there a chance they can make it? With the pressure that Derek has taking care of his dad will it be too much to handle a relationship with Talia as well?
This was such an awesome book and I loved the focus on Alzheimer’s as both of my grandma’s had it as have several other family members.
I thought Talia was an awesome character and I understood why she guarded her heart. Her family was awesome through the whole book and I loved that they were each so unique. I hated that Talia thought less of herself compared to her sisters.
Derek was definitely the kind of guy that women dream about! I loved how dedicated he was to his father and truly what he gave up for him. His job gave him the money to pay his bills and I understood why he was continuing to do it but at the same time I did understand where Talia didn’t necessarily like it.
I loved how much fun Talia and Derek had together and how he really brought out a different side of her that challenged her to do new things and have fun doing them. It was such an ideal pairing and it made my heart burst.
The apprehension that both felt at different times of the book was so realistic and happens to so many of us.
I absolutely loved Talia’s family and the support they gave Talia and also gave Derek the moment he came over. There was so much love!!
Loved the end!!
Talia, a professor at the local university, lives a life of consistency, control. Since a couple of her sisters have found love, they’re always trying to set her up. While driving to work, Talia is distracted to the point of almost running over a man. Not just any man, but “Mr. Blue Eyes”. He’s absolutely gorgeous, but not at all her type. Yet she finds him intriguing. Making sure he’s all right, Talia heads to class.
Derek, a student who is one class shy of finishing his degree, is running late when he’s almost hit by an incredibly gorgeous woman. After teasing Talia a bit, he rushes off to class. After class, he walks by a class in session hearing a familiar voice. Intrigued, he decides to listen to the lecture. Derek finds Talia to be an amazingly smart and beautiful woman. Even though Derek is not enrolled in the class, he attends a couple more lectures when not caring for his father or working.
When Talia decides to take Derek up on his offer to meet up at a local high-end bar, she discovers Derek is a male dancer. Even though their chemistry is off the charts and Derek is captivating, Talia’s not so sure she can get past Derek’s current profession. Derek gently tells her, “It’s what I do, not who I am”. Best quote EVER!!! Even if she could accept Derek as a dancer, she knows nothing can happen between them as he is currently her student. Or so she thinks.
I LOVED this novel. Derek and Talia’s journey was so original and well written! Melissa Foster nailed it!!! The witty banter and intellectual aspects were endearing. Alzheimer’s effects on the family and the difficulty in finding reliable care for suffering family members, are very real issues. Add in Derek’s friends, support group…LOVED it! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
Talia is a practical, by the book professor. She’s extremely cautious & guards her heart from pain. Her mother & sisters are driven by her nuts trying to fix her up. While on the phone with them & driving her car, she almost ran over Derek in the college parking lot. With his ratty jeans & long hair & obviously being a student, she shouldn’t be interested. Why can’t she get his blue eyes off her mind? When she finds out he’s a stripper/dancer, she knows she really can’t be interested in him.
Derek has every second of his day booked. With work, college, his thesis & being the primary caretaker for his father who suffers from Alzheimer’s, he doesn’t have time for a relationship. Something about Talia makes him keep hanging around. There’s no way she’d be interested in him, right?
The character development is this book is wonderful! I love that Ms. Foster has the man being the caretaker instead of the typical woman. The interactions between Derek & his father are both heartbreaking & affectionate. The love is apparent even through the mind fog the writer perfectly describes & has them dealing with. I love that the father’s character was treated with warm & dignity & was such an integral part of the story. Talia has to break through her own reservations about Derek & his job. Knowing that a professor’s reputation should be spotless, you knew her reservations weren’t just to protect her heart. This has to be one of my favorites!
This is the third in Foster’s Sugar Lake series, but the first that I had read. While this does read it as a standalone, but you might get more out of it having read the first two books as the characters do play a significant role.
Having recently lost my mom to Alzheimer’s, I found that aspect of the story very poignant. Many aspects and issues concerning the disease were dealt with head-on and were dealt with well (and thoughtfully). That being said, there were parts of this story that were just a little too “saccharine” for my taste.
For some reason, although Talia was supposed to be a college professor in her 30s, she often acted more like someone in her early 20s. That’s not to say that “older” women can’t have doubts and insecurities, because I certainly know first-hand that we can, but she just struck me as being younger than she was supposed to be. I also thought the drama over Derek’s dancing was a bit overdone (maybe because that’s because I don’t think that Derek’s dancing was such a big deal in the first place). And finally, I have to say that I think I wanted to punch Talia’s sister Piper 90% of the time. I’m sure she’ll be getting her own book – I hope she’s far less annoying by that point.
Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Was it the worst? Absolutely not. It was perfectly fine, but it didn’t blow me out of the water.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Yummy! Grant is the rare breed of sweet alpha male. Talia is a loner who needs a sweet alpha male. They meet through unusual circumstances and the heat that glows is off the charts. May we all find the type of love that makes us risk all.
What an amazing story!! This is book 3 in the Sugar Lake series…each book draws you in more and more, to where hours have passed, yet it feels like minutes of reading.
Talia and Derek stole my heart in this story!! Derek is a saint for taking care of his dad, who has Alzheimers.
Talia is shy, focused and has no desire to have a man in her life. However, her family feels she needs someone. Especially her mom with her hocus pocus potions!! I loved her family!! She meets Derek and there are sparks. However, his career choices aren’t so great.
Derek’s take on his job choice is, your job doesn’t define who you are. Yes, he’s a bartender and sometime male dancer, but it doesn’t define who he is. He’s just doing what he has to do to make ends meet while taking care of his dad! *sigh*
LOVED this story and couldn’t put it down until I was done!
This is an emotionally charged and sweet romance and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this straight-laced professor who literally collides into Derek in the parking lot. He is a graduate student (though not one of hers) who is also a bartender/dancer at night and taking care of his father who is suffering with Alzheimer and even though his life is pretty full and chaotic he falls for the professor and makes it his duty to shake up her life, and he does. She definitely comes out of her comfort zone pretty fast and they fall pretty quickly. Was it the love potion her mother put in her car or was it fate? This was so well written and perfectly done, I did not feel I had missed anything by not reading the first two books in this series even though I am going to go back and find them now because I am totally drawn in by this Dalton family!
This is probably one of the most important books I’ve read. Melissa always entertains me and makes me believe in happily ever afters…but the story of Talia and Derek is heartbreaking and beautiful.
Talia is cautious. She has been burned by love and is not going to take any chances, even after seeing her sisters fall in love with their guys. She just wants to stay under the radar and not make waves.
Derek knows how fast life can change. All the plans in the world don’t make a difference when fate steps in and throws you a curve ball. But he will do what he has to do and that includes making Talia his.
Alzheimers Disease is an evil disease for both the patient and the family. Melissa handles the topic with great respect but brutal honesty and I admire her for it. If this love story can thrive in the midst of that chaos, it will survive forever.
Thank you Melissa Foster from a grateful daughter and faithful reader.
One of her greatest book!
“Princes are given everything in life, I prefer a man who gives as much as he gets.”
This book is a typical Melissa Foster book with amazing characters, friends and families we all wish we could be part of! Without of course forgetting about the hot and steamy scenes, sexy men and sassy women with passion and heat!
The reality of Alzheimer is so well described that I felt the struggle, the pain but also the moments of happiness Derek feels towards his father, the illness and the precious shared memories. I also loved how he met Talia and how she evolved, got pass her comfort zone and trusted someone else beside her safe family haven. The strong bond between two people, how they can help each other thru different insecurities, life’s barriers and how being loved an loving back can help to live easily and happily no matter what.
Derek needs someone to give him a break with his father’s illness. Talia needs someone worthy of her trust that can bring her out of her shell.
A touching, loving and amazing book!
Derek and Talia are a perfect couple.
Talia is a professor that is helping a close friend by teaching his class while he’s on medical leave. Derek is a man that is NOT in her class but decides to attend after walking by the classroom and noticing her, which has nothing to do with her almost running him over.
Talia is not big on relationships and trusting guys because of a cheating ex of hers. But Derek wants to show her not all guys are bad and untrustworthy.
Derek is unbelievably sensational. Derek would be a dream come true. The love he has for his father even while facing all the struggles to take care of him and put his life on hold is remarkable.
Will Tal have the trust needed to be with a man that is a dancer in a bar? Will she have the patience to accept a man that puts his father front and center?
You will fall in love with them instantly. I didn’t want the story to end. I can’t wait to see how their story continues in future books.
The details in the story dealing with Jonah (Derek’s father) are truly amazing. Melissa hit the nail on the head with this book. I also have a father that has dementia due to multiple strokes and reading about Jonah and Derek really hit close to home. I commend you Melissa Foster. FANTASTIC BOOK!!!
I re-read the other Sugar Lakes books before diving into Talia’s story. I love this family. Their love for one another and by extension their love for the ones their loved ones love is heartwarming. Talia is the serious older sister. She’s always a little prim and proper. Until she meets Derek after almost running him down in the school parking lot. He gives her love and support and she blooms. And Talia gives Derek her heart and her unwavering support. A beautiful love story. Not just between her and Derek but also about their families. Derek’s love and support of his father and his Alzheimers is touching. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
What happens when you get a prim and proper teacher who meets a male dancer? You get a hot sizzling couple Talia and Derek. Like the saying goes “You can’t judge a book by its cover” Well, you can’t judge a HOT dancer just because he dances in a bar. Derek is the caretaker for his ailing dad who has Alzheimers. He works at the bar simply because he is able to support his father and the hours work well for him. Talia is a college professor who is filling in for another professor, at the local college, who is recovering from a medical issue.
How Talia and Derek met was quite interesting. Talia was on a call with her siblings who were driving her crazy. Distracted she nearly hits Derek with her car. Next thing you know Derek wonders into Talia’s class after hearing her from the hallway. Talia thinking he is one of her students she knows “nothing” can happen with their budding friendship. Once Talia finds out he really is not in her class all bets are off.
I LOVED how Derek cared for his father. He arranged visits to places that are familiar to his dad, Jonah to help spur his memory. I love how Derek then included Talia in these plans. I love how Talia was so careful not to upset Jonah and to be respectful of Derek’s caring for his father. Jonah’s lucid moments were beautiful. Melissa knew when to make those memories become alive.
The story was wonderful. Derek became not only my book boyfriend du jour but my hero. Once again, Melissa Foster had me laughing and crying all on the same page. The HOT parts of the book were HOT. However, there was so much tenderness within the book that you would make me sigh.
I am looking forward to the next book in the Sugar Lake series!
I’ve read other Melissa Foster books, but this is my first in the Sugar Lake series. This book is an excellent example of her skill at writing real people and the connections that develop among them. It was a delight to immerse myself in Talia and Derek’s story, including meeting their friends and families.
Talia is a cautious college professor who has recently watched two of her younger sisters find true love. She wants the same for herself but hasn’t been able to let down her guard and connect with anyone. Derek is a good guy in a tough spot as the only child of his ill widowed father. His life is complicated, and his job is a bit outside Talia’s strict comfort zone.
Absolutely loved it.
What an absolutely beautiful story…not to mention my falling in love with Talia and Derek. I love the Sugar Lake series but I think this might be my favorite!!! There is not a book of Ms. Foster’s that I don’t love but this has to be my new number ONE!!!