Melissa Foster

Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom

Cindy McKee

I really liked the sense of deep friendship the main character had with her childhood friends. It felt authentic and real. The love story was good, but the characters were often times a bit wishy washy for my tastes. I would probably read other stories in this series, just to learn more about these friends though.

Seaside Hearts (Love in Bloom

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

First published at GenGen's Book Blog

I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It's a been a while since I have read an Adult Contemporary Romance that had me yearning for more. Seaside Hearts won my heart, especially Pete. Pete wormed his way into my heart and has current possession of it. He is one of the most thoughtful and caring book boyfriend I have read in an Adult story. 


  He lifted her chin. "No. It means I've memorized exactly what it takes to satisfy you. Sixty-seven seconds on each side, held about five inches from the fire, then twenty seconds from the tip of the marshmallow aimed directly at the flames, but a few inches away so it doesn't burn."


If that doesn't say thoughtful and romantic, I don't know what does. 

Jenna and her friends conversations were ones I kept wanting to read. Those conversations had me grinning and laughing at times. They are so carefree and enjoying life that you can't help but want what all four of them have: their friendship.

I admire Jenna for never giving up on Pete after all those years. She knew what her heart wanted and she kept pursuing it, even if she would get all flustered and would barely speak a word to Pete, which is why he always was confused as to how Jenna was feeling about him because she would be all shy around him. It took making Pete jealous so he could realize he has always had a spot in his heart for Jenna, he just hadn't realized it before. 

Over the years, he had watched and knew exactly what she liked and disliked, her favorite restaurant, what she liked to do, etc. Pete is a very observant man and those are very hard to come by.

The sexual tension...I was swooning and fanning my face and taking deep breaths because I was feeling the heat! It was before they kissed for the time and I was already going crazy, imagined when the real action happened. Pete Lacroux will satisfy your needs. Add to that his romantic gestures, and he will worm into your heart as well.

Seaside Secrets (Love in Bloom

This was...it was a painful read for the most part. I was aching, guys. This is no joke. I felt every painful emotion that this book carries. I don't want to give out any spoilers so this will be a short review.

Ever since I read Seaside Hearts, I wanted to read Tony and Amy's story and I finally did. They have so much history—a devastating history. I felt so bad for both Tony and Amy, especially Amy for everything she went through. I would have liked if she hadn't pushed Tony aside when she needed him most back then. Now, Tony is trying to push back into Amy's life and make sure she doesn't push him away this time. He is so caring for her, he has always been and she always thought it was because he considered a friend, when in reality, Tony's feelings never left.

I don't normally find a book that has this kind of story and I am glad Melissa Foster put it out there—it really touches reader's hearts. It is heart-breaking, but I couldn't put it down. I was blind-sided with what happened between Tony and Amy. I really wish they had worked everything out before but even then, I was plunged into the story and I just had to finish it and I am so glad I did.

Totally Addicted to Reading

This is the second book by Melissa Foster that I have read and the feeling I got when I first read her work has intensified.

Seaside Dreams is the first book in the Seaside Summer series and based on what I have read so far It appears that this will be a great series. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for her fans with this brand new series.

It tells the story of Bella Abbascine and Caden Grant. Bella, a teacher quit her job after a bad breakup with a fellow teacher. She relocated to Wellfeet Massachusetts to spend time with her friends and to begin a new chapter in her life. She has sworn of relationships and her main focus was the launching of a project to help teenagers find a sense of purpose. Little did she know that her decision to swear of relationships would come under threat when she came face to face with Caden Grant.

Caden is a police officer and a single father of a fourteen year old boy. Caden decided that he had enough of the city life after his partner was killed in the line of duty. He relocated to Wellfeet to start over and create a safer life for his son. 

The initial meeting between Caden and Bella was comical and their attraction was off the charts. These two are the polar opposites of each other which makes for an interesting read. I like the fact that Bella is willing to embrace Evan (Caden’s son). Caden’s honesty is refreshing which helped to catch Bella hook, line and sinker. The romance between them is sweet, hot and passionate. I loved the way the author developed their romance. It was not rushed, which made it credible. 

Seaside Dreams is a beautiful story that depicts how love has a way of entering our lives when we least expect it. It has a funny way of derailing our plans.



If you love your romance novels hot and spicy with a hint of sweetness, then you need to get yourself a copy of Seaside Dreams.

I enjoyed all the books I have read in the Seaside Summer series, but without a doubt this is my favourite by far. I have been eagerly awaiting Tony and Amy’s story for some time now and from the moment I began reading I knew I would not be disappointed. This is a beautiful tale of love, healing, forgiveness and second chances.

It tells the story of two people who have loved and lost. They have maintained their friendship throughout the years; however the pain of the past has proven to be a hindrance to their moving on. After much agonizing they finally decided to take the steps needed to overcome this obstacle. Slowly and patiently they are able to heal and come to terms with their past, thus enabling them to cease their future.

It was easy empathizing with Tony and Amy. Experiencing a tragic loss is difficult, especially for ones so young. They were unable to deal with the pain and as a result, it led to years of unhappiness. There are a lot of things taking place in this story, but in the midst of it Tony and Amy’s story rang true. This was not a fairy tale read; it was true to life in every sense of the word. You will find yourself crying and laughing along with them through their journey of re-discovery. It was great to see them move past their pain and begin the healing process.

The story took me on an emotional ride that I may not soon recover from. It is an engrossing read which held my attention from beginning to end. I was made to feel as if I was a part of the story and I found myself rooting for Tony and Amy

If you are looking for a story that will engage your emotions in a satisfying way, then look no further. Seaside Secrets will do this and more.

Seaside Embrace (Love in Bloom

Melissa Foster has done it once again. Each time I choose to read a book written by Ms. Foster I am guaranteed a heartwarming story. Seaside Embrace was no different as it provided me with that and more. I have been following the Seaside series from the beginning, and the stories get better with each installment.  She elicits a myriad of emotions in this addition to what I consider to be a great series. What I love about this series is that each book can be read as a stand-alone therefore you can read them in any order you so desire. However, I should warn you the moment you begin this series you will not be able to stop at just one book. 

In the previous installments, we were introduced to Hunter Lacroux and Jana Hunter. I was secretly wishing they would get their own story and now my wish has been granted. Hunter and Jana are not your typical couple. They have been indulging in casual sex with each other for some time, unbeknownst to their family and friends. Their connection was combustible and addictive. Eventually, what started out as casual became something with substance. However, because of their stubborn natures, they were determined to fight their feelings. Hunter is a womanizer who was not looking for a permanent relationship and Jana had commitment phobia.  Will these two be able to move past their pain and fear, and cease their chance at love? 

I enjoyed reading about Hunter and Jana. It was easy to relate to them. I liked that they were not afraid to acknowledge their weaknesses and took steps to address them. Hunter was patient, especially when it came to Jana. He loved her and wanted to change the status of their relationship. However, he was willing to wait until Jana was able to acknowledge her feelings.  That's the power of love. 

Jana is strong, but beneath that tough exterior lies a wounded soul. She has had her share of pain, hence her fear of commitment.  She had allowed her fears to control her, eventually, though she was able to move past it and reclaim her life. 

The sub-plot was an eye-opener. It dealt with the problems, that couples have to deal with in their marriage.  It demonstrated that no matter how much we love someone if we don't address these problems and seek help then it's likely to lead to an end of the relationship.   It's my belief that the problems Hunter's best friend were faced with helped him to better handle his relationship with Jana. 

The story, which is beautifully written, was engrossing. I was pulled in from the start and was eager to see the direction the story was going to take. Like all her stories, Seaside Embrace is a story about love, hope, struggles, and friendships.  Each of her stories is different with unique characters.  There is so much laughter, camaraderie, and tears flowing between the pages that you can't but help feel like you are a part of this group of friends.  

Fans of Melissa Foster you do not want to miss out on this one. For those who are new to her work, you need to get a copy of Seaside Embrace. You will love every moment of it! I for one am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Seaside Sunsets (Love in Bloom

I enjoyed this story. It was what I have come to expect from Melissa Foster. Once again she has proven that she is worthy of remaining on my list of must read authors. Seaside Sunset is a beautiful story of friendship, heartache, loss, love and new beginnings. It will tug at your emotions and totally captivate you.

This book is number 23 in the Love in Bloom series and number 3 in the Seaside Summer series; however it can be read as a stand-alone. Like the previous books in the series Seaside Sunset takes place in the Cape. This series centers on a group of friends who spends their summer in the Cape and in the process finds love.

The instant I began reading, I was pulled into the story and I had difficulty putting it down. This was an easy read which flowed beautifully from beginning to end.

The story is about Jamie Reed and Jessica Ayers. I was briefly introduced to Jamie in previous books in the Seaside Summer series and I was glad to see him getting his own story. From the moment these two met it was clear that they had chemistry. Their initial meeting was somewhat awkward and a bit funny depending on how you look at it. Jessica in a fit of frustration had thrown her phone, over her balcony, hitting Jamie in his head. 

Jessica, a cellist, came to the Cape to re-evaluate her life and career. In the process she found love and forged new friendships. Jaime is a multi-billionaire and the owner of One click, an internet search engine. He came to the cape for a much needed vacation and to spend time with his grandmother. The one thing he never expected to find was love.
The spark between two was sizzling and their romance was sweet and endearing. Everything seemed so perfect, however it has been said the road to true love never runs smoothly. Secrets, misunderstanding and interference from well-meaning friends puts a cinch in their blossoming romance. Will these obstacles prevent them from holding on to the best thing to ever have happened to them?
The story is witty and entertaining. There were some LOL moments and there were instances when I felt like I would knock one or two of the characters over the head. The story is well written and I would recommend it to readers looking sweet, hot and steamy romance. 

DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.

Melissa Foster proved time and time again that she is an author to contend with and Seaside Hearts is no different. This is a story of unconditional love, healing and forgiveness. It’s funny, entertaining, emotional and gut wrenching ad it will keep you into the wee hours of the morning.

Seaside Hearts is number 22 in the Love in Bloom series and just like the other books it can be read as a standalone. This a great addition to the series.

It tells the story of Jenna and Peter. These two have been friends for some time now, however, Jenna was hoping that they would move beyond friendship. Jenna has loved Pete for quite a while, but he has always kept her in the friend zone. She became tired of waiting for him to acknowledge her as more than a friend so she decided to make him jealous by dating a construction worker. What followed as a result is a series of entertaining and humourous events.

The characters were well developed. These are persons who are faced with real life issues to which readers can relate. I like Jenna’s fiestiness and sassy attitude, however, this all disappears whenever she is in Peter’s presence. It’s easy to understand why she would be tongue tied and nervous around the guy she has been crushing for the longest while. This is something that most have us gone through at some point in our lives. What I didn’t like though was in her bid to make Peter jealous she was using another man. This poor guy had no clue that she is in love with someone else.
Peter was faced with the dilemma of giving in to his feelings for Jenna and dealing with the personal/family issues he felt was not conducive to long term relationship. He finally convinced himself that he was not about to let those issues get in the way of his happiness. I am really glad he made that decision.

These two are good together. The sexual chemistry is off the charts. It is obvious that Peter cared for Jenna even with her quirks which some may find strange. There was a time I began to feel irritated with them both. I just could not fathom why they would not admit their feelings and quit the game of trying to make each other jealous.
I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.


Favourite quote,
Peter to Jenna

“It’s okay Jenna. I can see this is hard for you. Take your time” He lowered his lips until they brushed her ear and whispered, “One day it’ll be my name coming off your lips as you fall apart, and I promise you, after that, when you forget how to talk, it’ll be worth every erotic, sensual second”.


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

Fall in love with Sky Lacroux and Sawyer Bass in Seaside Nights, the fifth book in the Seaside Summers series by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster! "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 Sky Lacroux has finally realized her dream and opened her own tattoo shop in Provincetown, Massachusetts. She's happy as can be, preparing the shop for its grand opening and renting a cottage in the Seaside community while renovations to her new apartment are being completed. The only thing missing is the one thing she longs for, and has no control over--love. Sawyer Bass, a professional boxer, plays his guitar at a local bar to escape the painful reality of his father's deteriorating health and a recent health warning of his own. But when he spots a stunning brunette across the room, escaping reality goes out the window, and the beautiful woman becomes the focus of his next song--and maybe even the rest of his life. When Sawyer walks into Sky's tattoo shop and sees the woman from the bar--Sky--the chemistry between them is instant. Sawyer is everything Sky could ever hope for in a man. He's honest, loving, sensitive, and potently virile--but boxing goes against everything Sky believes in. The closer they become, the more she realizes that her alpha boxer is waging his own emotional battle--only the battle she thinks he's waging isn't the one that threatens to tear them apart. READ THE FULL LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES: SNOW SISTERS: Sisters in Love, Sisters in Bloom, Sisters in White THE BRADENS (Weston, CO): Lovers at Heart, Destined for Love, Friendship on Fire, Sea of Love, Bursting with Love, Hearts at Play THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO): Taken by Love, Fated for Love, Romancing My Love, Flirting with Love, Dreaming of Love, Crashing into Love THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD): Healed by Love (Nate), Surrender My Love Coming Soon - River of Love THE REMINGTONS: Game of Love, Stroke of Love, Flames of Love, Slope of Love, Read, Write, Love Coming Soon - Touched by Love SEASIDE SUMMERS: Seaside Dreams, Seaside Hearts, Seaside Sunsets, Seaside Secrets, Seaside Nights, Seaside Embrace Coming Soon - Seaside Lovers THE RYDERS: Seized by Love Coming Soon - Claimed by Love, Chased by Love

Seaside Summers, Book 5)

Seaside Nights (Love in Bloom

I am a big fan of Melissa Foster’s Seaside Summer series and was happy to receive a copy of Seaside Nights in exchange for a honest review. This is book #25 in the Love in Bloom series and book #5 in the Seaside Summer series and like its predecessor it can be read as a stand-alone.

What I like about this series and any book of Melissa Foster for that matter is that her stories are usually centered on real life issues. Her characters are easy to relate to as a result. They each face challenges and issues that I am sure most readers can identify with.

Seaside Nights tells the story of Sky Lacroux and Sawyer Bass. I adore them both. Sky a professional tattoo artist is a free spirit and a lover of poetry. She is still reeling from the loss of her mother, which had some adverse effects on her and her family. She was able to overcome those effects and has now realized her dream that of owning her own tattoo parlour. Sawyer is a professional boxer who writes and plays music. His main focus was on winning his up and coming fight so that he would be able to pay his father’s medical expenses. However, getting involved in one more fight may prove fatal. Sawyer is faced with the difficult choice of fighting and winning to assist his father or not fighting at all.

“Now it’s like looking in a mirror, at what could happen to me if I get hit in the head again. Now I hear his slowed voice telling me to give it up and follow my heart to something else. Now I’m standing between two rivals playing Russian roulette. On one side is my father’s care and quality of life. On the other is something I haven’t thought about with any great significance- my own well-being.”

I believed that these two were perfect for each other. They were both caring and sensitive individuals. The attraction between them was evident from the start. The romance developed rather quickly, but it was evident that cared deeply for each other. Things were going great until Sky discovered Sawyer’s real profession. Sky hates fighting and as such was not comfortable with Sawyer’s profession. Will she be able to live with his career choice or will she force him to choose between her and his career? 

This is a beautiful story of love, family and friendships. It shows how deep the bonds of family and friends can go. It depicts the difficult choices that we are faced with on our journey through life and the impact that the decisions made have on our lives and those close to us. It also shows that if we open our hearts and our minds, we will discover that there is usually more than one solution to problems we believe are unsolvable. 

This was an engaging read from start to finish. It was well written and it’s sure to take you on an emotional ride. I definitely would recommend this title to lovers of romance. If you have never read a book by Melissa Foster then you can start here and then you will understand why I and others like myself enjoy her stories so much.

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