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 collection. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone or may be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.In USA TODAY bestseller … TODAY bestseller SEARCHING FOR LOVE…
Zev Braden and Carly Dylan were childhood best friends, co-explorers, and first loves. Their close-knit families were sure they were destined to marry—until a devastating tragedy struck, breaking the two lovers apart. Over the next decade Zev, a nomadic treasure hunter, rarely returned to his hometown, and Carly became a chocolatier and built a whole new life across the country. When a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s lives, can they find the true love that once existed, or will shattered dreams and broken hearts prevail? Find out in Searching for Love, a deliciously sexy, funny, and emotional second-chance romance.
Love in Bloom novels feature alpha male heroes and smart, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and women’s fiction.
THE BRADENS & MONTGOMERYS (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls). Order of future books is subject to change.
Embracing Her Heart
Anything For Love
Trails of Love
Wild Crazy Hearts
Making You Mine
Searching for Love
Our Wicked Hearts
Summer of Love
Hot for Love
Claiming Her Heart
Sweet Sexy Hearts
Winter of Love
“When it comes to contemporary romances with realistic characters, an emotional love story and smokin’ hot sex, author Melissa Foster always delivers!” The Romance Reviews
“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” New York Times Bestseller J. Kenner
“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” New York TimesBestseller Lauren Blakely
“Melissa Foster writes her romance novels similarly to my favorite adult romance author, Danielle Steel: the perfect blend of drama, romance, friendship, love and passion.”- Andrea Buginsky, author
“I highly recommend this book to fans of Nora Roberts (one of my personal faves) and fans of a sweet story filled with heat and heart.” – Tia Bach, author
“Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis’ books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness.” –Books Like Breathing (on Fated for Love)
“I highly recommend the Snow Sisters all the Braden and Remington books….I am sure there are going to be other family’s that intertwine and that is what I love most about these books. They remind me of the McCarthy of Gansett series and The Green Mountain series. I am a huge fan of Marie Force. And now Melissa Foster has joined her ranks….” – I Love NY, Reviewer
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4.5 Stars for Searching for Love (The Bradens & Montgomery’s; Pleasant Hill- Oak Falls, #6)
This is a series that has me feeling like I’m home, visiting family and friends and Zev Braden and Carly Dyla’s was everything I have come to expect from Ms Foster and my group of friends. It’s an entertaining story that captivated me from the first page to the last line.
Zev and Carly have a history, they were meant to be together and they had dreams to travel the world treasure hunting but fate had other ideas and Zev left town to follow the dream and he is only back because of family commitments, has fate brought this couple together again, can Zev convince Carly to give him another chance to prove the love they once shared it still alive …
A heartfelt, emotional story that ticked all my boxes, I swooned, I sighed and I smiled a lot as Zev and Carly reconnect, I loved the story and the characters and once again Ms Foster took me home.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Zev Braden isn’t quite sure as to what’s going on. Carly Dylan isn’t quite sure what she’s going to do. There comes a time where she’s frustrated and you can feel it coming off the page. Another time she’s reminiscing with Zev and that may just have you doing some of your own.
Carly has a really good friend and you will absolutely love her when you meet. She gave me a couple of good chuckles during the story. I loved one particular conversation. It may have you feeling like a snoop or a fly on the wall. Either one is good because it makes you feel a part of what’s going on.
This was one adventure that I didn’t want to end. It helps me to forget everything that’s going on around me. I can feel like I’m sitting in the sun, feeling the ocean breeze blowing my hair, listening to the seagulls as they fly around. It might be reading another of Ms. Foster’s books – or even rereading this one. It could be just enjoying nature, or even having quiet time with friends and family. One thing that will never change is being left with a smile on my face when I come to the very last word in the story.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Ms. Foster has once again brought all the feels. Zev and Carley’s story was took us through every emotion and back again. I love a good second chance romance and this might be the best I have read yet. Their story took us full circle, from childhood friends to reconnecting. I love that they have so much history together. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Love IS the Treasure!
Searching for Love is the 6th book in this series, but I believe Melissa Foster has supplied sufficient background so the reader does not need to read the previous books to lo along. However, they are all so good, why wouldn’t you treat yourself?
In this book, Carly and Zev get a second chance at love. They were in love when they were young, but the death of their best friend, and the ensuing guilt and lack of maturity in dealing with the emotions, tore the two apart. Now, years later, Zev sees Carly at his brother’s wedding, and he is consumed with her once more. Carly, is determined to avoid Zev, but it doesn’t take long for her to break down and open up for Zev and love once more.
I really enjoyed the unique career Zev has made for himself, and how he brought Carly along even when she was unaware he had done so. I also loved how Zev helped Carly to become more of an open spirit and willing to try things she would have done years before she became “conservative “. The chemistry between these two main characters is phenomenal and the secondary characters bring levity at the appropriate points. Another fabulous book!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
This is another wonderful story from the Bradens & Montgomerys series full of Big Families, lots of friends, Romance, tradgedy, healing, and second chances. Searching for Love is about Zev and Carley who have loved each other since second grade. They were best friends, adventure junkies and big dreamers until the death of a friend devistated them both and tore them apart. They both go in different directions only to reunite 10 years later. This book made me laugh and cry and as many of Melissa Foster books do, I want to go live there and be friends with these people. It’s an emotional second chance romance that is so very good. Kudos Melissa Foster for another great love story.
There are two words that are perfect for this book. Absolutely Exceptional!! I really enjoyed this read. I always enjoy Melissa Foster’s books, but some get me even more than others.
Carly is a treasure hunter turned bakery shop owner. Carly found her one true love Zev back when she was a kid. Growing up hanging out with Zev and treasure hunting was their “thing”. Carly loved Zev with everything in her. She and Zev did everything together. So, when Zev broke her heart by breaking up with her and leaving her as young adults, she was crushed. To make things worse he chose to break up and leave right after her best friend Tory died, leaving Carly to feel totally alone and heartbroken. Years later when Carly see’s Zev at her friend’s wedding, her plans to ignore him went right out the window. How can you just forget about the one boy, turned man that you have always loved with your whole heart.
Zev is back in town for his brothers wedding. Unexpected to him, he see’s the one woman that he has never been able to forget. The love of his life, the only woman he ever gave his heart to and the only woman that to this day still holds his heart in her hands.
Zev has loved Carly since he first laid eyes on her in 2nd grade. Growing up they became best friends, to boyfriend/girlfriend, to lovers, to each other’s everything. They used to treasure hunt, skydive, cliff dive, anything adventurous they did together, always. So, after their friend Tory’s death, Zev left town without even an explanation to Carly.
Now after all this time, seeing Carly at the wedding was a total shocker to Zev. But knowing he was stuck there for a week in the same town as Carly, to help his brother with his animals while he is on his honeymoon, was something he never imagined. So, what does he do, he decides he is going to talk to her and explain to her why he broke up with her and left all those years ago. He is also hoping for a 2nd chance with the one woman that can make or break him.
There is so much to this story, I do not want to give it all away. This read will make you laugh, cry and fall in love. This is a true love that can never be broken.
I’ve mentioned before how much I adore reading second chance to get it right journeys but when you add to that the leads being childhood friends and/or enemies, and you’ve made this reader a very happy person! There is something so poignant about a story where people have known each other thru different phases of their lives and have watched each other grow thru those phases! I just love it!!
At this point in my Melissa Foster journey, it is hard for me to come up with new and unique compliments for her, but she deserves every one of them. It is amazing to pick up one of her books and know without reading a single thing about it before hand that you will have a pleasurable experience! I cannot emphasize that more. She is one of a handful of authors I can say that about. It’s a glorious feeling!
Zev and Carly entertained me like nobody’s business! Their story was not only heartwarming, but also captivating, heartfelt, and super sexy! I loved the incorporation of their past with their present best of all. We got to experience their joys and downfalls and not just be told what happened. It added a layer of depth to the connection that Zev and Carly had and made for a very intriguing read!
It is very very rare when I am not super stoked after I read a Melissa Foster story and this is not one of those time. My heart is full 🙂
I’ll say this time and time again, I love getting lost into the world Melissa Foster has created for us. This is Zev and Carly’s story, it is one of young love, devastating heartbreak, and second chances.
If you have read any of Melissa Foster’s books before you know that she doesn’t sugar coat things, she deals with some difficult subjects. With Zev and Carly’s story we find out more about the breakup between the two of them when they were younger and some other things we haven’t been privy to until now. They have not had it easy both still loving the other from a far but a chance encounter at a wedding can be the thing that changes everything for them.
I loved watching Carly regain some of her old self when she was with Zev. This was a beautiful second chance romance that has first loves reuniting and finding their HEA with the help of a four legged matchmaker.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Second Chance Romances, or Women’s Fiction I would recommend this book to you. If you have read Melissa Foster before this is one you need to add to your TBR shelf and if you haven’t read any of her books this is a perfect time to dive in.
Happy Reading!!!
It is always like coming home to read a Braden book, and specially this one that is finally the story of Zev Braden. Zev and Carly were high school sweethearts and very much in love until a tragedy occurred and separated them. Zev and Carly were much too young to deal with the consequences and they ended up apart for many years.
One brief encounter in Mexico had serious consequences and now years later they meet again in Colorado. This is the chance to finally talk and try a closure, but little do they know that maybe this time is finally their time to be together.
This book is super well written, and I have to say that it is wonderful. Zev and Carly are a sensitive couple and have so many things in common. It is a sad story at the beginning, but they grow so much and their connection and attraction are irresistible.
A wonderful book!
I love it!
I”m giving this 4 stars simply because of the second half. I did enjoy the book, but I struggled to get into it until about halfway through. At that point the story really picked up for me as Zev and Carly started their “new” romance. Since this is a second chance romance mixed with a childhood friends/sweethearts story there’s a history behind them. A history that has a lot of hurt. My heart broke for them as they navigated their emotions and talked about what happened back then. But then! Oh then we get to the good stuff and boy was it hot and fun. Cliff diving was just the beginning. Literally. It was the jumping off point in many ways for them as Zevy/Carls 2.0. Their love grows and blossoms from where it had been when they were young.
They bring a lot of their old “things” (like the pictures and sugary cereal), but in a good way that shows who they really are together. Not only did my heart break for them, but I felt so happy when they were in the midst of getting their HEA and the big declaration/moment happened. There’s other fun stuff with the minor characters too, including the dog Bandit.
Zev and Carly fell in love in second grade. They remained in love from grade school through college.Their love never dimmed through the years. Zev is every woman’s dream. He is gorgeous, sweet, has a good sense of humor but can be naughty when he wants to be. Carly has the heart of every man in town. She is beautiful, adventurous and could give Zev smoldering looks that melted his socks. They had a wonderful life and then tragedy hit. You are going to love following this story that will make you cry and laugh and maybe swoon a little bit.
**Review Update** I read this book when it was first published. I just l finished listening to the audio book. I love the narrations of Virginia Rose and Brian Pallino. I love audio books, I listen while I’m in my car, cooking and I put my headphones in and listen right before bed.
Zev and Carly dated young till college. Once their friend was killed in a car accident, Zev took off without any warning. He was gone for years, which ripped Carly apart. Carly has now settled down in her life, running her chocolate store. Knowing she would see Zev at her friends wedding. She wanting to show how over Zev she was. So Carly brought a friend as a date. Zev had no idea she would be at his brothers wedding. Zev was determined to win Carly back. This book for me was an emotional rollercoaster. At some points I found myself mad at Zev for leaving Carly. You know you’re reading a good book when your emotions go up and down. That’s what makes Melissa’s books so good. As always, Melissa’s wrote a fantastic book. I love how Melissa includes previous characters in all her books. This book has a HEA with no cliffhanger. You will not be disappointed.
This was a sweet and sexy second chance romance. There was plenty of romance and a dash of angst. I loved the chemistry between Zev and Carly and flew through this story – an enjoyable read.
Do you remember the Braden creed of family knows no boundaries? Well this book tops that and proves love knows no boundaries. Carly and Zev we’re inseparable from the moment they met in 2nd grade. Nothing can stop Carly and Zev from being together. Not years apart, hurt or what seemed like unbearable loss or even unwarranted guilt. Zev thought he was doing the right thing leaving all those years ago and maybe he was right to leave. But these two need each other, their adventures and dreams together like we need oxygen to breathe.
Carly established herself in Colorado and found a great group of friends that I had so much fun hanging out with. Wait, did I just say that? Well, it sure felt like I was right there in the story with them all. Let’s see there’s Birdie, Quinn, Cutter, Dare that are all so fun, but also would do anything to protect Carly. Oh and Zev brings along Randi and Ford. Those two are a hoot. And so many more friends and family.
If all that doesn’t get you to read this story then I say you’re crazy and missing out on a great couple and their story.
SEARCHING FOR LOVE by Melissa Foster. Wow! Ms. Foster once again has captured my heart and didn’t let go. From page one, I was hooked. I adored both characters – Zev and Carly. Individually, they were strong, independent people but together, they were unstoppable and amazing! Their love was so true, it made me swoon just a bit. Throughout the entire tale, Ms. Foster manages to pen a story that has all the feels – heartbreak, love, happiness, sadness, a touch of angst and so much more. There is adventure and hometown life, too, that is filled with family and friends. Ms. Foster certainly has the talent to create these stories that are heartwarming and make my heart swell with feeling. I highly recommend this one and look forward to upcoming works as well.
What a heart touching, second chance love story! Ms. Foster has such a way with words that Zev and Carly’s love is felt from the beginning and gets stronger as the book goes on. I have never felt so much love between two characters before. It was so much fun reading about all the crazy and funny things the two did as teenagers and also as adults. The family and friends they have are so supportive and show so much love. The beginning broke my heart, but boy was it healed once the two met each other again! This is such a fun and heartfelt book. I loved it and strongly encourage you to read it. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
I had all the feels reading this. I love second chance romances and this one was one I am glad I picked up. Zev and Carly are soul mates but circumstances threw them apart and when they see each other again, I swear I could see the sparks coming off the page. This is sweet, sexy, and funny. There were moments I couldn’t stop laughing or smiling.
To start with you can read this book or any book by Melissa Foster as a stand alone so please jump right in and read this book. There has not been a book by Melissa Foster that I have not absolutely loved. You will need both tissues and a fan while reading this book. The book has all the feels, heart, love, laughter, heat and passion. The love that Carly and Zev have for each other is off the charts and sizzles with each page. I also had a fun time learning info about treasure hunting. I can’t think about how much I loved this book.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*
I loved Zev and Carly! Their story is a swoony, sexy second chance romance following a tragic event that tore them apart. Full of feels and a little bit of ansgst, along with a dash a humour and some much loved Love In Bloom characters, I devoured in one sitting.
Let me just say the names…Zev Braden and Carly Dylan. Doesn’t that sound perfect together? Guess what, they are perfect together. They’ve been together since they were in elementary school, dated in high school, and then as they grew into young adults and life threw them some curveballs that they didn’t know how to handle so they fell apart. Yet, their love for each other never left them and when they meet again as adults, with their lives in order, the love they share comes shining through. Now, I say their love shines through but holy heat! The sparks were flying when their eyes met across the room and no matter how hard they tried not to recognize what was still between them the heat never let up.
I really enjoyed that they had a happy history together. That they loved each other and had many happy adventures and memories. This helped them rebuild their relationship because they had such a strong friendship base. They did not forget what had happened in the past, but they talked about it, argued about it, and then realized that the past did not have to stop them from finding the happily ever after.
Pick up this book, meet these amazing characters and their wonderful friends, and love the town of Pleasant Hills-Oak Falls. Searching for Love is the perfect book to fall into and never want to leave.