Amazement

Would you consider the audio edition of Lovers at Heart to be better than the print version?

I believe it's to close to call.. I love books. I love reading. This was the first time I used an Audio book and I was very pleased. I loved how having someone read to me, made the book come alive.

What other book might you compare Lovers at Heart to and why?

I am a Melissa Foster fan. All her books are captivating, amazing, and a chance to escape for a while.

What does B. J. Harrison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

B.J. Harrison helps bring the book to life. He is an exquisite narrator. I would love to listen to him again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Two hearts that beat as one.

2 people found this helpful

Oldest Braden brother Treat find love with Snow sisters friend Max

Slow moving romance that continues the drama of these two characters from the 3 rd Love in Bloom book about the Snow sisters wedding. Both characters work through their communication problems , their self doubt and issues. Not much plot and not a lot of action. Also since this was not part of the Romance Package it was pricey for a very simple romance. Maybe some of the other family members stories are better but am willing to wait until these are in the package or on sale. In addition there is the issue of a single narrator who is monotone at times. A dual narration would have helped. Not worth a credit.

1 person found this helpful

Max and Treat!

What a couple. They both come into their relationship with so much life baggage that it takes them most of the book to both be on the same page at the same time. But it was worth the wait!! Another wonderful story from Melissa Foster and (if you read the books in order) our first full on adventure into the world of the amazing and beautiful Braden clan!! This audio book was heaven sent as I listened during our recent trip to Cape Cod. I highly recommend you take a listen. Five stars all the way!!

1 person found this helpful

there was a TON of back and forth with these two

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4

A story that best works after reading the Snow Sisters series, but can stand alone, Lovers at Heart focuses on Treat and Max’s stories, and the aftermath of a destination wedding. Max is the organizing guru with more than a dash of neuroses and ocd, and while helpful with her planning work, is often detrimental to her personal life. She’s clever, driven, outwardly self-confident and wholly in charge of her life. Treat owns several resorts, is always bouncing about and around, and he’s got a serious case of wedding hangover after a memorable, if not his best, moment at the wedding.

Together – these two get another chance to make things right DESPITE their both having serious reservations and issues. Treat is very metrosexual – he’s a solidly good guy who I seriously hoped would find some emotional control. His own dedication to his family and to seeing them happy and settled, often to the detriment of his own forward progress and growth wasn’t over the top, until you add in his bone-deep fear of finding that “love” and then losing it. There’s plenty of growth that needs to happen for Treat, and while I like characters that are in touch with their emotions, there was a bit of “not again’ with each new emotional revelation for him.

On the other hand, Max is almost closed off from her inner voices, until or unless she encounters someone who reminds her of all the bad moments with her ex. Unwilling to stand for any critical judgments from any man, she just shuts down and pushes people away from her, with an almost angry overtone. We do see that her self-confidence from her work, which she does near perfectly, isn’t always translating over, and that makes her very defensive. Oh – and when she’s angry or feeling pressured by anything BUT work, she’s a horrible listener, and refuses to ask questions or hear explanations. So there was a TON of back and forth with these two. And, I kind of have to give Treat kudos for sticking in there, making it clear that he wanted her and her alone, and that he wouldn’t stop pursuing her. In the abstract, for a story, it’s pretty damn romantic…although I can see how it could dance over the edge to stalker if their connection wasn’t so palpable and obvious to everyone else.

Narration is again provided by B, J, Harrison, who again does a lovely job in presenting characters, story and emotional layers without overworking the emotion or getting in the way of the story as it unfolded. But it is less a critique of performance than musing over the ‘rightness’ of this narrator for this book. I would have liked a dual narrator team for this title, while Harrison does a wonderful job in separating and distinctly presenting both male and female voices, I would have appreciated the addition of a female to narrate the women’s parts. There was just a little something not quite fitting with the characters as I envisioned them – and having read and listened to this story (I own the title) there was a piece missing, some youthful edge, that would have added to the performance here.

I received an Audiobook copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

1 person found this helpful

Treat and Max caught my eye . . .

I could feel the chemistry of Treat and Max as they caught my eye in the last book of the sisters from the first three books of the Love in Bloom series, Snow sisters. Treat and Max were a puzzle that needed to be put together. They both intrigued you from the start of there meeting for the first time in Nassau for the Snow sisters wedding. There encounters were one sided for us and the looks were just leading one to want more. Now, we get that chance to see just a bit more of what we were wanting to see from the first.

B. J. Harrison was not a bad narrator but I felt that this one would have done better with multiple narrators. The skills of the narrator still allowed for an enjoyable experience of the story.

Another great book!!!

I’m listening to this series and it’s great!!!! I love how the characters go from one book to the next! Excited to hear the next book and see where the story goes from here.

Sweet Story!

This is the first book in The Bradens Series. This Series is also part of the Love in Bloom Series (book 4). For a better enjoyment, I suggest you to read the three books in the Snow Sisters Series before. Treat and Max's story has a slow development, filled with misunderstandings, insecurities and doubts. After a few bumps in the road, they got their happy ending. I can't wait for the next book in the Series, Destined for Love, Jade and Rex's story. B.J. Harrison has done an amazing job with all the characters and voices. I enjoyed my listening. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

A favorite author

While reading The Snow Sisters series, I got a little hint of something between Max and Treat. It really got me excited to read their story. Max seemed like such a bad**s character. I couldn’t wait to see what hoops she might make handsome Treat jump through.

“Isn’t that the greatest feeling? That instant when you know someone recognizes that you’re something more than what anyone else sees?”

I was a little disappointed when it ended up that Max was hiding so much insecurity under her tough armor. But I’m glad that Treat was able to see through the tough and past the self-doubt and right into the amazingness that was the real Max.
I loved listening to this story on audiobook! The narrator really helps me feel the emotions of the characters!
-4 Stars!-

The Braden Saga Begins

This was my first Melissa Foster book that kept me coming back for more. I have both read and listened to it and each time I get a little more out of their story and it holds a special place in my heart.

Treat, the oldest of six children, lost his mom at the tender age of eleven and tried to step up and help each of them deal with their devastating loss. We get to see the Braden family dynamics and I think that is my favorite part of the book. Hal Braden is the patriarch of the family and is a strong, alpha male who sets a fine example for his children. Never one to shy away from showing his love for them and the woman who still owns his heart, he’s always there. I love Hal. He gave each of his children the opportunity to pursue their own dreams and Treat went on to become a wealthy resort owner, traveling the world looking for the next new venture.

Max Armstrong has built a very comfortable life for herself as a successful event planner. This is how Max and Treat come to know each other, as she plans the destination wedding for her boss and friends Chaz Crew and Kaylie Snow and Kaylie’s sister Danica and Blake Carter, Treat’s cousin. We meet them in Sisters in White, Book 3 of The Snow Sisters (Love in Bloom). Max is efficient and detail oriented, which makes her a real asset in her job, keeping everything organized and running smoothly. However, her personal life is almost non-existent due to a painful past relationship that she hasn’t really come to terms with. In truth, she’s run from her past and as we all know, it eventually catches up with you.

Treat Braden and Max Armstrong are two flawed people each dealing with issues from their past who meet in person at the destination wedding after having worked together for months over the phone planning it and a relationship of sorts forms.

Treat is older than Max and a confirmed bachelor until he meets her. He doesn’t understand the instant attraction that is more than physical and the shifting of his heart, at first confuses and almost irritates him. He’s also quick to pass judgement and that comes back to haunt him.

Max is a strong willed woman who can’t escape her own past and it threatens everything she wants.

I won’t go into detail beyond what brought them together or sent them in opposite directions - all the other reviews do that. I will say fate keeps bringing them together and neither can forget the other, but if they want a chance at a real relationship, at love - they both have painful issues to deal with first. We travel with them from Nassau to Weston, CO to Wellfleet, MA. I especially loved the time in Wellfleet, it gives more insight into what makes Treat the man he is and shows another side to him.

Take the time to read and listen to this first book in the Braden saga and you’ll get hooked. B.J. Harrison does a great job of narrating with his soothing voice that easily transitions from one character to the next without getting lost and that always manages to transport me into the story.

Pretty good

This story was pretty good. Lots of cliches and some pretty cheesy lines. The characters annoyed me at times, but overall it was good. It held my interest although it’s predictable.