River of Love by Melissa Foster

Oct 10, 2016 Jo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-5-stars, book-boyfriend, feel-good-read, gr2016, sugarland, mine

You might miss out on a really great story if you judge a book by its cover.

When Faith Hayes’ ex cheated on her, she was humiliated and crushed. In her devastation she started WAC, Women Against Cheaters, an online support group she’d started for women who had been cheated on. And she also moved to a new town, where she loves her job as a physician’s assistant. These days she only dates boring and slightly nerdy men. Men she’s sure wouldn’t break her heart. If it wasn’t for her unwanted attra

You might miss out on a really great story if you judge a book by its cover.

When Faith Hayes’ ex cheated on her, she was humiliated and crushed. In her devastation she started WAC, Women Against Cheaters, an online support group she’d started for women who had been cheated on. And she also moved to a new town, where she loves her job as a physician’s assistant. These days she only dates boring and slightly nerdy men. Men she’s sure wouldn’t break her heart. If it wasn’t for her unwanted attraction to Sam Braden, the town’s resident manwhore, her life would be perfect and safe.

Sam loves women. He doesn’t do commitments, and he’s not ashamed of it. But lately it’s been impossible to ignore his attraction to one specific woman, his brother’s assistant, Faith. She makes him have feelings that are definitely out of character for him. Feelings he hasn’t felt since a teenager, feelings he didn’t want to feel again. But she intrigues him like no other woman ever has.

Can a woman who learned the hard way that not all men can be trusted and the town’s biggest playboy have a future? Can Sam convince the very reluctant Faith to take a chance on him, to prove that for the right woman commitment wouldn’t be a curse for him, but a gift?

Sam made her feel loved, and special, and confident in all aspects of her life.

Faith was such a relatable heroine. Her reactions to Sam’s playboy past, her reluctance in believing he only wanted her, knowing his reputation, seemed so realistic, especially with her past. Honestly, my response to someone with Sam’s past would have been the same. Faith was very sweet and funny, and I really liked her. And I loved how being with Sam gave Faith back her confidence in herself and her choices.

“I’ve spent my life avoiding anything remotely close to emotional connections, but I can’t avoid it with you. You’ve gotten under my skin, and I don’t want to ignore what I’m feeling.”

I loved Sam and the fact that he’s always been attracted to Faith. Once he decided to pursue her there was no one else for him. And the way he pursued her was probably one of the most romantic and sweetest ways ever. I also loved how easy it was for him to change, to commit to Faith, and how honest he was about his past and his feelings.

“You’re everything I never thought you were.”
Still caught up in her and his all-consuming emotions, his answer took no thought. “You’re everything I always knew you were.”

The romance was simply wonderful. Playboys don’t usually bother me, I like the idea of a guy not being able to settle down because he hadn’t met the right woman yet. So at first it did bother me that Sam and Faith had known each other for a while, but the more I got the know them and their pasts, the clearer it became that if Sam had made a move earlier, Faith never would have accepted. She was too broken after her ex cheated on her. Both of them needed time to change, Faith to regain confidence in herself and Sam to realise that being with Faith was all he wanted. The sexy times were incredibly hot, and I really loved Faith and Sam together.

There’s something so comforting about small town romance, and this book was no exception. I loved all the Braden family members, and I definitely want to know more about all the other siblings.

The angst at the end I could have done without, but luckily it wasn’t something that ruined the romance. This book was just what I needed, the perfect blend of sweet and sexy. And it left me with a very goofy smile on my face ;-D Especially after that perfect HEA ending.

(view spoiler)

This was my first book by this author, and I loved her writing and her romance. This is a book I will be re-reading many times in the future. And I will definitely be reading more books by this author. A must read for all romance fans who need an incredibly sweet and sexy romance.

...more

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Nov 27, 2016 Rejane rated it it was ok

Shelves: i-don-t-recommend, not-enough-reviews, just-blame-it-on-the-past, overused-plot, boring, weak-heroine

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was refreshing regarding its plot is about a couple building their relationship a day at a time. There's no angst. I don't read many books like this. There's always a break up and the make up. Not here. But that's the only plus. Honestly, the worse character here was the heroine's bff. She's just a bitter, pessimistic person really fast in judging without not even knowing the person. She was always planting a bad seed of doubt in heroine's head making her doubt herself and her decision This book was refreshing regarding its plot is about a couple building their relationship a day at a time. There's no angst. I don't read many books like this. There's always a break up and the make up. Not here. But that's the only plus. Honestly, the worse character here was the heroine's bff. She's just a bitter, pessimistic person really fast in judging without not even knowing the person. She was always planting a bad seed of doubt in heroine's head making her doubt herself and her decisions all the time. I understand they both were cheated before but that doesn't give you the right to put every man in a single box of cheaters dishonest assholes. The bff treated the h as a incapable person. Watching her as you do with a child telling her how she should interact with men and controlling her actions. She would give the heroine a lecture and get mad at her when the heroine was talking to the hero or telling her something about him. this is not a good friend. She is a permanent black cloud above the heroine's head. What brings me to the heroine. A walking weakness. A push over when it comes to the bff. When she made a decision she was always wondering what Vivian (the bff) would think about it to the point to when she really decided to date the hero she was avoiding to take the friend's call because she didn't know how she would react.
Well, the hero... he was a manwhore, a BIG one. But after he makes up his mind about the heroine there's zero ow drama. BUT... his past conquests were ALWAYS mentioned by the heroine. Things like when they were out she would ask him if he could see any woman he had slept with, or was she supposed to expect a ex hook up to show up, and she even told him she was afraid she wasn't experienced enough as probably many of his women were and that she wasn't about the wild side and would never bring someone to "play" with them. Just a few examples. If it wasn't for the h, I probably would forget he was a manwhore, but she made it impossible. And imo, this book could be cut in half so repetitive it was. Anyway, I don't recommend. but if you're looking for a no angst book, this is it ...more

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Mar 22, 2016 Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, author-melissa-foster, genre-contemporary-romance, king-of-the-harem, my-hottie-harem, read-in-2016, review-requests, series-love-in-bloom-the-bradens

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster’s that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there’s quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn’t allow that to

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster’s that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there’s quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn’t allow that to overshadow the romance.

And oh, what a romance it is. Our heroine, Faith Hayes, is against all men since she was cheated on. The bad breakup was so severe that she even started an organization that supports women who have been cheated on. So it’s quite interesting that Foster paired Faith up with the love em and leave em type of Sam Braden.

Sam has a reputation of a womanizer and at first, I wondered if this was going to be one of “those” books. The one where the heroine gets falls foolishly in love with the bad boy hero and gets her heart broken. Thankfully, it wasn’t like that at all and Sam actually turned out to be quite the catch.

Foster gives so much depth to Sam’s character that you’re helpless but to fall in love with him. I can totally understand Faith’s uncertainty and mistrust concerning men after what she went through but Sam is honestly such a good boy that it’s hard not to care. His persistence and honesty is not only endearing but it made me melt countless times throughout the story. The romance is so strong in this book that I think readers will have a tough time NOT falling in love with these characters.

With fifteen books in the series already, you may balk but I’m actually really excited. I’ve found a new author and more books to devour so I can’t wait to try the others and find out what I am missing. If you like your Contemporary Romances very sweet and heavy on the romance (kind of like Bella Andre’s Sullivans style) then you absolutely need to try Melissa Foster!

Favorite Quote:

You don’t need a life jacket, Faith. I’ll keep you afloat. ...more

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Nov 21, 2016 Tina marked it as stay-away-not-for-me

note for me: never ever ever, I can't believe this is the same author that wrote the wonderful hero from Tru Blue

just my preference not a review :)

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May 17, 2016 Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own

There are a few authors whose novels can keep me glued to the pages. Melissa Foster falls into that category. (There may be one or two that falls through the cracks). The portrayal of her characters and the emotions they elicit as a result makes for a compelling read. ‘River of Love’ was no exception.
Who would have thought that Sam Braden, the consummate playboy would be brought to hi

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own

There are a few authors whose novels can keep me glued to the pages. Melissa Foster falls into that category. (There may be one or two that falls through the cracks). The portrayal of her characters and the emotions they elicit as a result makes for a compelling read. ‘River of Love’ was no exception.
Who would have thought that Sam Braden, the consummate playboy would be brought to his knees by the very thing he did not believe in, LOVE? This is what happened when he met Faith Hayes. He first met Faith when he visited his brother’s (Cole) office. Since then he has found every excuse to go back just to see her. However, Faith would not give him the time of day because of his playboy reputation. Sam is not the type to give up and so he was not about to stop until he broke down all the barriers she had built around her heart.

Faith was attracted to Sam; however, she was not willing to give into her feelings. She was recovering from a break-up that emotionally devastated her. As a result, she started an online support group called ‘Women Against Cheater’ (WAC). She believed Sam was a cheater and so she was reluctant to trust him with her heart. Will Sam be able to convince her that he is a changed man and that she is the only woman he wants?

Connecting with the characters was easy, which is no less than I expected from the author. I could relate to Faith on so many levels. (It’s quite ironic that her name is Faith.) Having been hurt in the past makes it difficult to trust your heart to someone else. The healing process takes time and if the other party is not patient, then things will not work out. Patience is an important ingredient for love and Sam demonstrated this on all levels. Right then and there I knew he was genuine in his feelings for Faith. He was willing to wait for her to trust that he would not intentionally hurt her. If only she would have faith and seize what belongs to her.

“Cheating is a cognitive, willful act, a decision someone makes knowing the pain they’ll cause to their partner”.

I found the story engaging. It conveyed a range of emotions. I laughed, especially at the antics of Sam and his brothers. The interaction between Sam and Faith was heartfelt. I could not help but root for them at every page turn. I was eager to see how things would unfold. I must confess that there were times I jumped ahead just so I see what was going to happen.

Ms. Foster has proven once again why she is on my list of read authors. ‘River of Love’ is a story about family, friendships, love, healing and trust. It demonstrates that at times we have to be willing to take risks no matter how painful to realise our dreams. I enjoyed this installment and I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance.

N.B. Although River of Love is a part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone. ...more

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May 02, 2016 Under the Covers Book Blog rated it really liked it · review of another edition

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster's that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there's quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn't allow that to

RIVER OF LOVE is the first book of Melissa Foster's that I read without a co-author. I actually discovered her writing though Bella Andre and have been meaning to read more of her work since. Even though this is technically book fifteen in the Love in Bloom: The Bradens series, I found that I could easily slip into this world that Foster has created. As you can expect, there's quite a big cast of characters as it revolves around a family and their friends but Foster still doesn't allow that to overshadow the romance.

And oh, what a romance it is. Our heroine, Faith Hayes, is against all men since she was cheated on. The bad breakup was so severe that she even started an organization that supports women who have been cheated on. So it's quite interesting that Foster paired Faith up with the love em and leave em type of Sam Braden.

Sam has a reputation of a womanizer and at first, I wondered if this was going to be one of "those" books. The one where the heroine gets falls foolishly in love with the bad boy hero and gets her heart broken. Thankfully, it wasn't like that at all and Sam actually turned out to be quite the catch.

Foster gives so much depth to Sam's character that you're helpless but to fall in love with him. I can totally understand Faith's uncertainty and mistrust concerning men after what she went through but Sam is honestly such a good boy that it's hard not to care. His persistence and honesty is not only endearing but it made me melt countless times throughout the story. The romance is so strong in this book that I think readers will have a tough time NOT falling in love with these characters.

With fifteen books in the series already, you may balk but I'm actually really excited. I've found a new author and more books to devour so I can't wait to try the others and find out what I am missing. If you like your Contemporary Romances very sweet and heavy on the romance (kind of like Bella Andre's Sullivans style) then you absolutely need to try Melissa Foster!

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Annie

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...more

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Apr 26, 2016 Jessica Alcazar rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-blog-tour-read, pr-tasty-book-tours, foster-melissa, kindle-doc

I love reading a story where the playboy gets knocked to his knees by his HEA. I don't know why, but it just makes for some of the best romance novels out there! And Melissa Foster delivered in a style that wasn't cliche or predictable! #WIN

One thing I want to mention is that River of Love, as with all of Melissa Foster's books, can actually be read as a stand-alone. I've read a big amount of her books, all out of order, and enjoyed every single one. However, the characters in her previous books ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Cami rated it it was amazing

4.5 Sweet Stars!!!

I have never read a Melissa Foster book and didn’t even have her on my radar since I’ve never marked one of her books as one to be added to my TBR. Clearly my mistake because I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. I received this book free and am very glad I did since I have already added several more of her books to my TBR.

Sam Braden comes from a large very close knit family. He is the owner of a river rafting and adventure company. He works hard and plays harder. As a matter of ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

River of Love had become one of my favorites!! Sam knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. Faith works for Sam's brother and loves her job helping others. Sam is always flirting with Faith even tho the flirting is not returned.
Sam finally wears Faith down and she agrees to go out with him. Sam is the perfect gentlemen and starts to change how Faith views him. These two make such a great couple. I just wish all the Braden men didn't have the reputation of having any woman they want a ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 Cathy Tremblay rated it it was amazing

Sam Braden is a hot sexy, enigmatic player. All the women swoon over him and he wants them back but only for a night. Love them, please them, leave them panting for more but only for one night; that’s his way. Big Sammy is all about fun with no strings attach kinda guy.

Faith loves her job, her friends she met thru the group she started; Women against Cheaters and she surely keeps away from big sexy alpha males. She learned her lesson the hard way to never trust a man but that’s until Sam Braden ...more

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Feb 27, 2019 ☆☆Hannah☆☆ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This just wasn't as good as I had wanted. Faith really drove me nuts for a decent amount of the book and by the time she was more likable it was too late. I hated how she assumed Sam was a certain way. Even though he never showed or told her otherwise. She kept just going on about what she thought he was like. Needless to say, I was annoyed by that and it was hard for me to really get into this book. The good thing is that in the end they finally got it together.

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Apr 18, 2018 Meredith Kennedy rated it it was amazing

Another awesome free book from the romance book club. Playboy Sam got put in his place by the strong Faith. I loved that Faith didn't just give in right away, Sam really had to work for that first date which was super cute. He really became an awesome guy. Think I am going to have read more about the other Braden guys.

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Apr 25, 2016 Books, Coffee & Passion rated it it was amazing

Books, Coffee & Passion
River of Love is the third book in Melissa Foster’s The Bradens - Peaceful Harbor, MD Series and it can be read as a standalone.

Sam Braden is a playboy, he's sexy, strong, determined and honest about the way he lives his life. He has a reputation of sleeping around and he enjoys his single life, but he knows something is off with him when he starts making up excuses to visit his brother's office, just to see Faith...

Faith is a sweet smart girl who has been hurt in the ...more

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Apr 17, 2019 Annis-Bücherstapel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Durch eine Leserunde auf Lovelybooks bin ich auf das Buch „Liebe gegen den Strom“ aufmerksam geworden. Der Klappentext war es, der mich sofort überzeugt hat, denn er verspricht nicht nur Liebe, sondern deutet einen (zu diesem Genre) passenden Konflikt an. Und natürlich wollte ich dann auch wissen, ob die Protagonisten zueinander finden.

Das Cover ist sehr schlicht gehalten. Ein Mann hebt eine Frau hoch und sie schauen sich verliebt an. Im Hintergrund spiegelt sich die Sonne in einem Gewässer. Rec ...more

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Mar 30, 2016 Emma Star Crossed Reviews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Lisa for letting me take part in this tour. I've been looking forward to hearing Sammy's story for quite a while.

Sam Braden is a well known player in Peaceful Harbor. He works hard and he plays even harder. The girls Sammy hooks up with don't mean anything to him and he was ju ...more

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Apr 20, 2016 Amy Williams rated it it was amazing

My favorite book boyfriend now! So we met Sam and Faith in Surrender my Love. Sam is Cole's younger brother and Faith is Cole's PA that works at his clinic with him.

Ever since he met Faith, something clicked. He knew she was different somehow. Every time he went to visit his brother at work, he would always say hello which would cause her to stutter and get really nervous. He liked pushing her buttons.

Faith is a PA who works with Cole. Every time his sexy brother Sam comes to visit, she gets s ...more

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Apr 25, 2015 Tina rated it it was amazing

Faith is the Physician's Assistant at Sam Braden's brother, Cole's medical office. Knowing Sam's playboy reputation, Cole has warned him off of nice girl Faith. Because Cole has issued this warning, Faith has become forbidden fruit to Sam. Whenever Sam comes around the medical office Faith turns all flustered. She, too, is attracted to Sam, but she knows his history with women. She's once burnt and twice shy when it comes to all men. With his reputation, she tries to steer clear of Sam. Sam has ...more

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Nov 15, 2016 Donna Morrison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Loved it

There is no way you could read one of these books and not love it. It might not be your favorite but you will live it. This is one of my favorite Peaceful Harbor Braden's books. Every mini series in this hugh love in bloom series I have a few favorites in each. I hope you enjoy Sam as much as I did.

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May 01, 2016 Gail R. Diel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Change worthy

I knew Sam was worthy. Burden family keeps growing. Can't wait for the rest of siblings to find love. I feel I know them.

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Apr 17, 2019 Svanvithe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Sam Braden betreibt in Peaceful Harbor ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen für Rafting- und Abenteuertouren. Außerdem ist er – salopp gesagt - ein Frauenheld, und reihenweise erliegt das weibliche Geschlecht seinem Charme. Eine feste Beziehung kommt für ihn nicht in Frage, bis er sieht, wie glücklich seine Brüder mit ihren Partnerinnen sind und er das Gefühl hat, etwas zu verpassen. Und bis er ein Auge (oder vielmehr zwei) auf Faith Hayes, die Arztassistentin seines Bruders Cole, wirft. Diese lässt ih Sam Braden betreibt in Peaceful Harbor ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen für Rafting- und Abenteuertouren. Außerdem ist er – salopp gesagt - ein Frauenheld, und reihenweise erliegt das weibliche Geschlecht seinem Charme. Eine feste Beziehung kommt für ihn nicht in Frage, bis er sieht, wie glücklich seine Brüder mit ihren Partnerinnen sind und er das Gefühl hat, etwas zu verpassen. Und bis er ein Auge (oder vielmehr zwei) auf Faith Hayes, die Arztassistentin seines Bruders Cole, wirft. Diese lässt ihn nämlich abblitzen, obwohl sie – zugegebener Maßen – auch ihn richtig heiß findet, allerdings von seinem Ruf abgeschreckt wird…

Mit „Liebe gegen den Strom“ nimmt uns Melissa Foster erneut mit zu den Bradens nach Peaceful Harbour. Im dritten Band der Reihe steht Sam, ein weiterer unverschämt gut aussehendes Mitglied der Familie, im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens. Er ist nicht nur nett und anziehend, sondern auch selbstbewusst, fokussiert und entschlossen. Sam hat viel Spaß mit Frauen, behandelt diese jedoch immer respektvoll und macht die Stunden des Beisammenseins zu etwas Außergewöhnlichem. Als er sein Herz für Faith entdeckt, glaubt er, die richtige Frau fürs Leben gefunden zu haben. Und je mehr er sich um sie bemüht, umso intensiver werden seine Gefühle für sie.

Faith ist mit einer ganz besonderen Persönlichkeit ausgestattet. Nachdem sie selbst die schmerzvolle Erfahrung machen musste, in ihrer Beziehung betrogen worden zu sein, gründete sie ein Online-Forum. Women Against Cheaters - Frauen gegen Fremdgänger bietet all den Betroffenen eine Austauschmöglichkeit.

Die junge Frau ist intelligent und hübsch und fühlt sich von Sam angezogen, obwohl ihr bewusst ist, dass dieser hinreißende Mann wahrscheinlich schon den meisten Frauen in Peaceful Harbor näher gekommen ist.

Wegen der eigenen Vergangenheit und auch wegen des Rufes von Sam will Faith seinen Avancen widerstehen. Doch der möchte die Meinung, die Faith über ihn hat, ändern und zieht alle Register. Mit vielen unerwarteten Überraschungen und ausführlichen Gesprächen will er ihr beweisen, dass sie ihn nicht an seiner Vergangenheit messen soll, sondern an dem, was Gegenwart und Zukunft bereithalten. Und dass sie in einer Beziehung nur einander „gehören“. So baut Faith langsam, aber stetig Vertrauen zu Sam auf und lässt ihr anfängliche Wachsamkeit und die Befürchtung hinter sich, Sam würde mit ihr spielen.

Melissa Fosters Liebesgeschichten sind keine von der lauten Sorte. Sie schreibt in einer offenen, verständlichen Weise und hält die Romantik und die Innigkeit in der Beziehung ihrer Helden hoch. Ihre erotischen Szenen sind geschmackvoll, und die Probleme zeigen sich in der Regel nicht als so gravierend, dass sie nicht gelöst werden können. Ihre Protagonisten haben zwar Fehler und Schwächen wie alle anderen, sind indes ausgereift und einfühlsam charakterisiert und darum hauptsächlich mit guten Eigenschaften ausgestattet. Damit wirken sie – wie auch im Falle von Faith und Sam - sympathisch und herzlich. Außerdem sind die Emotionen im Umgang miteinander und gleichfalls in der Aktion mit den weiteren Figuren der Geschichte jederzeit nachzuempfinden.

Wer einmal davon „gekostet“ hat, möchte unbedingt mehr davon…

4,5 Sterne ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 A.M. added it

Shelves: i-own, e-books, did-not-finish

Sam Braden loves women. But recently he’s caught himself hanging around his brother’s surgery just to talk to the medical assistant, Faith Hayes. She’s not interested in dating him and she’s busy setting up her club for women who’ve been cheated on.
But she’s different. And he wants her.
***
Because it’s the intro for yet another Braden series it’s very ‘you know XX, he’s my sister’s cousin’s boyfriend’s boss’ as everyone is introduced.
But I’ve read a few of her books, and this one… idk… the langua Sam Braden loves women. But recently he’s caught himself hanging around his brother’s surgery just to talk to the medical assistant, Faith Hayes. She’s not interested in dating him and she’s busy setting up her club for women who’ve been cheated on.
But she’s different. And he wants her.
***
Because it’s the intro for yet another Braden series it’s very ‘you know XX, he’s my sister’s cousin’s boyfriend’s boss’ as everyone is introduced.
But I’ve read a few of her books, and this one… idk… the language seems really stilted. Not up to her usual level.

“I thought about getting you jeans or a dress,” he admitted. “But when I think of you, I see comfort, sweetness, and your alluring confidence, and that’s hotter than form-fitting jeans or a short skirt could ever be.” (pp. 103-104).

Do people really talk like this?
I’m ten chapters in and I have that feeling that the manufactured conflict is going to irk me. Everything seems to be going so well. *eyes off how many chapters are left*
She insists that he take her places he’s never hooked up with anyone in before and given he’s the town stud that makes things difficult. He owns a motorbike (which she thinks is hot) but when he takes her to the local biker bar - a place he loves because he can talk about his favourite hobby - this is her reaction:

She looked over her shoulder and shuddered at the thought of going inside. She imagined the types of guys who might sell women for…she didn’t know what. A bike? She knew that was a gross generalization based on nothing more than bad rumors, but still. She was a smart girl, and smart girls weighed risky situations. (pp. 143-144).

Oh boy. I’ve just gone to actively DISliking this heroine.
The ‘conflict’ is clearly just going to be Faith wrestling with dating a player when she had been cheated on in the past… but I just don’t like her. She harps on about it all the time. He’s been pretty clear that he doesn’t cheat. I might have been happier with some manufactured conflict because this endless repetition is dull.
And her bff Vivian? Ugh. She’s just the worst friend to Faith.
The GR summary says this has been optioned for a movie. Good luck with that, but really this is the most boring Foster book I’ve read. [out of 8]
Did not finish at 43% ...more

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Dec 12, 2017 Denise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an audio ARC of River of Love: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, Book 3 by Melissa Foster (Sam & Faith) in exchange for an honest review.

Faith is a dedicated, sweet, caring Physician's Assistant who works for Cole Braden in his medical practice. Cole feels protective of Faith and makes it clear that she is off limits to his womanizing brother Sam. So of course Sam can't seem to stay away. At first the challenge of forbidden fruit beckons Sam, but as you get to know him you realize F I received an audio ARC of River of Love: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, Book 3 by Melissa Foster (Sam & Faith) in exchange for an honest review.

Faith is a dedicated, sweet, caring Physician's Assistant who works for Cole Braden in his medical practice. Cole feels protective of Faith and makes it clear that she is off limits to his womanizing brother Sam. So of course Sam can't seem to stay away. At first the challenge of forbidden fruit beckons Sam, but as you get to know him you realize Faith is more than a hook-up to him and wants her to give him a chance to prove he's more than his reputation.

Faith has founded an online support group Women Against Cheaters after being cheated on by her former boyfriend. She can't help but judge Sam by his well-earned reputation and sees Sam as exactly the kind of guy to steer clear of, but her attraction to him won't go away.

It was easy for me to put myself in Faith's place and ask myself all the same questions. How do you go anywhere locally and not wonder how many of the women you come across have already been with Sam? Would the green monster drive you crazy? Would it be worth the effort?

But this is Melissa Foster we're talking about and the depth of her characters make them real in every sense of the word. Why is Sam a playboy? Is it fair for Faith to look at most men as potential cheaters? Once Sam convinces Faith to go on one date, to do something with her he's never done with anyone else, the real Sam is beyond appealing. He works hard to show her not to judge a book by its cover. As the layers of each character are revealed you find yourself rooting for Sam and Faith and the absolute sweetness of their relationship! I absolutely loved their story, enough to read it again as soon as it ended!

Sam redeems himself in so many ways and the patience and love and thoughtfulness make him a total swoon worthy hero in every sense of the word! A Must Read!

I love audio books and B.J. Harrison does an exceptional job again! His ability to make you forget it's his voice and not the character's is nothing less than astonishing. He easily switches characters seamlessly and even when a character is thinking something, you know whose thoughts they are. It's amazing to me that he does such a wonderful job you don't need a male and female narrator - he can do it all!
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May 09, 2017 Katie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Can Sam overcome his reputation? Is Sam just going against his brother to go after Faith? These are some of the questions confronted by both Sam and Faith in River of Love. Sam has fallen for Faith and has to work hard (which is not his normal MO), to make sure Faith knows his lightbulb went off and she is it for him. Sam wants to make sure Faith understands how important she is to him by showing her "firsts" with a woman - first motorcycle ride and first time at his bar. The strength of family ...more

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May 28, 2017 Annie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was an amazing story narrated by BJ Harrison. I love audio books but this one was outstanding. BJ Harrison has a way of transporting you to a front row seat to all the action. With Melissa's word magic you feel like you're witnessing close friends and family live life and find love. In this fun loving romance we meet Sam Braden (which quite possibly is one of my favorite Bradens) and he's an adventure guy with his own company filled with river rafting and adventure fun...so his days are fil ...more

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Dec 20, 2017 dawn hampton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is about a person's ability to change in order to be worthy of someone's love and the other person's learning to trust enough to let love in.Sam's brother has warned him away from Faith, the physician's assistant that works in Cole's practice. He knows Sam is a huge player and doesn't want to see Faith hurt. Sam's attraction to Faith overcomes everything else and he wants to get to know her better. Unfortunately, Faith knows about his reputation, too.She's convinced he's a cheater.
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Jul 05, 2018 Karen rated it really liked it

Loved Sam and Faith's story. Who knew the playboy and king of one-night stands could fall hard for someone? That is exactly what happened with Sam. One look at Faith and he was hooked, however it took him two years to figure out that she was what he needed.

Faith has been burned in the past and has some major trust issues. So when the town playboy catches her eye, she knows she is in trouble. She also does not want to be another notch on his belt. However the chemistry is intense and she can't de ...more

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May 16, 2017 Wendy Frye rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

LOVED this book and these characters!

I have this book 5stars because 1) I couldn't put it down 2) the story was engaging and compelling 3) I never became frustrated with the storyline as I have with some other authors I've read. By that I mean there were no parts I found boring or where the story strayed off about something irrelevant just to cause conflict between the couple 4) The male lead, Sam, was strong and masculine yet vulnerable in ways that showed that his heart was sensitive, but he w ...more

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Dec 20, 2018 Sandra rated it liked it

After reading a handful of Melissa Foster's books I've decided they should go into one of two categories: Sweet and a Little Sexy or Syrupy (Sickeningly?) Sweet. "River of Love" belongs in the Sickeningly, uh sorry, Syrupy Sweet category. Faith had her heart broken by her cheating ex so she founded WAC (Women Against Cheaters). Then she meets Sam Braden, notorious womanizer and all-round bad boy who's the antithesis of everything Faith is looking for in a man. But Sam turns out to be not just a ...more

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May 30, 2018 Virginia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What fun Melissa has given us! B. J. Harrison's narration of the audiobook was perfection!
Sam Braden was the owner of Rough Riders Rafting Company. He saw Faith in a bar. She worked in his brothers medical practice as a PA. He thought that he shouldn't be thinking of laying her down on the bar and having his way with her. He had been banging every woman that caught his eye, but Faith was what he really wanted. He went over to her and asked her to dance and she turned him down and went out the do ...more

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Dec 26, 2017 KimberlyDawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

River of Love is the third book in The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor series. This book is Sam and Faith’s story and can be read as a standalone; however, reading the others in the series will enhance the story enjoyment. Sam has a history of being a player but now is hooked on the one woman that wants nothing to do with him. Faith is recovering from a break-up that emotionally devastated her. As a result, she starts an online support group called WAC - ‘Women Against Cheaters’. As they spend more t ...more

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