Crushing on LovePublication Date: September 21, 2016
Shannon was doing research in the mountains of Colorado when she became attracted to Steve. She returned to her Maryland home and then signed up for another research project to see if anything happened between them. Steve doesn’t do casual affairs. He likes Shannon. She may talk too much, but she’s a burst of fresh air in his normal tranquil, very quiet days. Because Steve recognizes that Shannon needs people and a social life while he’s happy just staying on his mountain he knows that their relationship has an expiration date.
The steam rises from Shannon and Steve’s interactions. If you want to talk combustible lust, here you go. For most of Crushing on Love they can’t keep their hands off of each other. But they also have a nice rapport with sweet nicknames, Butterfly and Grizz, and flirtatious dialogue, which is quite enjoyable reading. The characters are relateable and come across as very real.
This is the first novel I’ve ever read by Melissa Foster although lately it seems her name is everywhere. While all of the blurbs say that Crushing on Love can be read as a standalone novel, I’m pretty sure that I found that to be untrue.
The blurbs also say that the characters in previous novels show up in future novels. This I did find to be true. Unfortunately having 15 or more characters who I didn’t know, didn’t care about, show up in a novel was distracting and took away from the couple that I wanted to care about and focus on. If I had read the preceding novels, I have no doubt that I would be telling you a different tale as I do like to catch up, to some—sometimes very limited—degree, with characters in a series. If you have been following the previous Braden novels, I think you will be very much swept up by this novel and will enjoy the reunion. I just found that after a while all of those extra characters just became “names” to me and not people.
However, Foster is a good writer and there were many lovely scenes. Steve’s grand gesture for Shannon, learning to dance, was sweet and also more than a bit funny. I think I would happily read more Foster novels, but next time I’ll start at the beginning rather than the middle.
rating: 
(3 butterflies and a ladybug out of 5 butterflies)
Book Blitz Review
Crushing on Love
Melissa Foster
(The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor)
Publication date: September 21st 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
The Bradens are a series of stand alone novels that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series.
“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!” NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” New York Times Bestseller Julie Kenner
“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely
In CRUSHING ON LOVE…
Steve Johnson is living his life’s passion watching over the Colorado Mountains as a ranger and wildlife consultant. But his peaceful life is upended when overzealous and insanely beautiful Shannon Braden flits back into his life after returning from a brief trip home to Maryland. He thought his attraction to her was under control—after all, she’s only in Colorado temporarily, and he doesn’t do casual affairs.
Shannon’s return to Colorado has as much to do with the game of cat and mouse she and Steve have been playing as it does the data she’s been hired to collect. But despite her efforts to explore the undeniable heat simmering between them, Steve’s intent on keeping his distance.
When a ranch abutting the national park goes up for sale, Steve will do whatever it takes to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. And when all his attempts fail, he’s left with no alternative but to follow Shannon’s guidance into the online world he abhors in order to raise the funds. The more time they spend together, the deeper their attraction becomes, and a game of cat and mouse turns into an unstoppable connection. But when Shannon’s assignment comes to an end, will it mean an end to them, too?
***
The Bradens are part of the Love in Bloom big family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books.
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Author Bio:
Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, and the Wild Boys After Dark. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.
Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.
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GIVEAWAY!
- 2x ebook copies of Read. Write, Love (The Remingtons)
Thanks for being on the tour! This sounds like a fun read! 🙂
Thanks for giving it a try! There are plenty of Braden books to catch up on if you have the interest. I appreciate your review and hope you have a great weekend XOXO
I will. Before I started reviewing books on this blog I never started in the middle of a series. I liked Crushing on Love, I just know I would have liked it so much more if I’d started at the beginning (of the series). It’s a little like a newcomer kid at the edge of a party where everyone else knows each other. 🙂 You have a great weekend as well!