Hearts at Play by Melissa Foster

Love in Bloom:  Snow Sisters & The Bradens Book 9

Racecar driver Hugh Braden has lived the fast life, fast cars and fast women.   After seeing the rest of his siblings find their happy ever after he has decided that he needs to slow down and maybe settle down.   His pit crew manager, Art, sets him up on a blind date and they meet at an out of the way bar.   The date shows up, but he only has eyes for the bartender/waitress Brianna.

Brianna grew up without a father, who left when she was eight.  Her mother worked two jobs to be sure she had everything she needed.  Immediately after college she got pregnant and became a single mother to Layla, a cute six year old.   She is on a twelve year plan, no men until Layla goes to college.   Then she waits on Hugh.   All plans fly out the window.

My Review:

In all the books in this series Hugh has been portrayed as a fast and hard man.   Hearts at Play show how he is a romantic, sexy (as if there was any doubt, he is a Braden), compassionate, and incredible man.  I always thought Treat, from Book 4 Lovers at Heart, was my crush, but very quickly into Hearts at Play Hugh took over that spot.   He won me over but not only dating and wooing Brianna, but he wooed Layla too.  He included her in their outings, thought about her when he was making plans with Brianna, and just made her feel like she was truly a princess.  The thoughtfulness and care he took with Brianna and all her insecurities made him the most amazing man I have ever read about.  

Brianna is the type of mom everyone needs.   Her every thought was concerning Layla and how her actions would affect her.   I had tears in my eyes many times while reading her thoughts on Layla and her concerns.  Watching her struggle with her feelings towards Hugh and seeing her overcome her fears showed how strong of a woman and mother she truly is.   Kat, her best friend, and her mother, Jean, had to shake her a few times and get her to open her eyes to how amazing Hugh is, but that is what best friends and mother’s are for, right?!

I cannot end this review without mentioning the bombshell that Max and Treat dropped at the end of the book.  I LOVE IT!

I am sure I have said this in all my other reviews for this series, but OH MY…. This is my favorite book so far.   I cannot wait to see what the rest of this series will bring me.  Will a Remington replace Hugh as my crush?   If you have not checked out this series you are seriously missing out on some HOTNESS.   This book, as with the others, can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend you check out the entire series. 

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About the Author

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, theWorld Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Authors Links:

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                         Purchase Book 1 of this series Sisters in Love Book 

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