LISTEN-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY NOVELLA - DARING HER LOVE: A Braden Novella by Melissa Foster Narrators Andi Arndt & Aiden Snow

DARING HER LOVE  
A Braden Novella
Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #10
Melissa Foster
Narrators: Andi Arndt & Aiden Snow
4 hrs and 1 min
January 2nd 2026

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Race-car driver Eric James will stop at nothing to make Kat Martin his. This fun, sexy standalone novella features Kat Martin, Brianna Heart’s best friend from Hearts at Play (The Bradens at Weston), and race-car driver Eric James, a lifelong friend of the Bradens. You do not need to listen to Brianna’s story, or any other Braden book, to enjoy this one.

Kat Martin knows what she wants in a man—someone stable, adoring, and definitely not the type of guy who treats sex like a pit stop. After all, she’s built her life on making all the right choices. That is, until she meets seductively enticing Eric James, and suddenly wrong has never felt so right.

When it comes to his career, race-car driver Eric James is intense, obsessive, and passionate, and when it comes to sex, there’s only one kind: daring, unbridled, and no strings attached.

One stormy night, a delayed flight and the dangerous allure of the unknown lead Kat to throw caution to the wind, and she indulges in a rendezvous that she vows to immediately forget. But the secret tryst stirs something more in Eric, and he has other plans.

**This book was previously published by 1001 Dark Nights with the same title and a different cover.**

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . DARING HER LOVE (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #10) . . .    A High-Octane Braden Masterclass in Chemistry!

It’s great to dive back into the Love in Bloom world with you. Melissa Foster proves once again why the Bradens are romance royalty with this novella.

Originally a part of the 1001 Dark Nights collection, Daring Her Love is a fun, sexy, and incredibly intense addition to the series that would have been a tragedy to keep from the masses!

One Stormy Night and a Dangerous Allure
Kat Martin is a woman of "right choices"—she wants stability, adoration, and a man who takes his time. Then she meets Eric James, a race-car driver who is as intense and obsessive in the bedroom as he is on the track. When a delayed flight strands them together on a stormy night, Kat throws her rulebook out the window for a rendezvous she never intended to remember.

But Eric isn't a man who forgets. What was supposed to be a "no-strings" pit stop turns into something much deeper. Eric is relentless in his pursuit, determined to show Kat that "wrong" has never felt so right.

Audio Perfection: Arndt & Snow
The narration for this novella is a total dream team. Andi Arndt and Aiden Snow bring an "exceptional" energy to Kat and Eric’s connection:

Aiden Snow (Panty Melting): His voice is pure, concentrated heat. Like you said, Aiden Snow could warm you up if you were stranded in an ice storm for hours! He perfectly captures Eric’s daring, unbridled passion.

Andi Arndt (Amazing as always): Andi nails Kat’s transition from a cautious, stable woman to someone who is willing to take a high-speed risk on love.

Why This Story is a Must-Listen:
Instant Intensity: Their first meeting is packed with a "panty-melting" intensity that sets the tone for the entire book.

The Braden Family Connection: It was wonderful to see the "old characters" again, especially Papa Braden. His brand of love and acceptance remains the heart of this entire series.

Standalone Speed: Even though it’s book #10 in the Braden lineup, it works perfectly as a sexy standalone for anyone needing a quick, high-heat fix.

Relentless Romance: Eric’s refusal to let Kat go after their "secret tryst" makes for a romantic and deeply satisfying payoff.

My Final Verdict
Daring Her Love is a super sexy, high-speed journey into the heart of the Braden world. The chemistry is so "amazing" that it’s clearly seen by everyone around them. Between the high-stakes world of racing and the top-tier narration, this is an exceptional five-star listen that you’ll want to put on repeat! 🏎️🔥🏁

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster's writing and see why millions of listeners have fallen in love with the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone or may be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in. Checklists and family trees can be downloaded from Melissa’s website.

LISTEN-2-REVIEW - Friendship on Fire (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #3) by Melissa Foster Narrator: B.J. Harrison

FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE 

(Love In Bloom: The Bradens,#3)

by Melissa Foster 

Narrator B.J. Harrison

February 2nd 2015

Listening Length: 10 hours 45 minutes

You met Josh and Riley in Destined for Love (The Bradens, Book Two). Follow these two young lovers to New York and see what fate has in store for them.

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FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE is a steamy contemporary romance with alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable for readers who enjoy adult romance, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.

Small-town overachiever Riley Banks has finally scored her big break—working in Manhattan as a fashion design assistant for her childhood crush, Josh Braden. She enters her new job hoping to make a name for herself and—just maybe—explore the romance that slipped through her fingers way back when.

Josh Braden has models at his beck and call, a staff that never says never, and an elegant clothing line for the holiday season. When he hires Riley Banks he expects her to learn the business from the ground up. But the girl next door turns out to be much more than he remembered.

Josh and Riley’s friendship heats up. Every steamy kiss, and every erotic caress stirs a love they cannot deny. But when Riley designs a wedding gown that would cause even the most jaded fashion editors to swoon, Riley's mentor accuses her of stealing the design.

Facing indisputable proof and the mistrust of her lover, Riley is not sure she can take the heat of life in the fast lane of the fashion industry—and Josh is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the career he adores.


The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #3) . . . Bradens romance number three was not what you think but really was. Josh and Riley makes you fall in love and then some. You want to see them succeed. 
  
Its hard to put this in to words and not give away the story. Josh and Riley are from the same small town in CO. They went to the same school and know many of the same people, but to call them friends before this past season would be straining the truth just a bit. While in town earlier in the year Riley and Josh got to know each other a bit more than they had in their passing in the past. They formed a friendship.

On to the big city where back stabbing and sabotaging are a way of life for those in the industry of fashion. Riley finds that sometime dreams can and do come true, but at what price. She has been a die hard lover of fashion and designing from early on in her life. She wants nothing more than to make a name for herself and be a success at what she loves. The golden ticket was Josh. He was not a part of the bargain of living in the city and realizing her dream.

Josh was in a world that he hid himself from. He was there but not really there. He held himself back in many aspect but in others he was open like a book. He worked hard to form a business and contact that would launch his lines and boost his career further. Living in the city was what he wanted. He knew what he was and what he was not. He also knew what he was looking for in a woman and what he would not tolerate in a partner. All he could every want was right there before his eyes. It just took him a little longer to realize that he could have it all. But as you know all things come with a price. The price of having his career and the woman of his dreams was jealousy and lies.

Watching Josh and Riley find their way in to a relationship both professional and personal was an added bonous. There was something more about watching this Braden fall in love and discovery just what he would and would not do to maintain his love.

MF brings us some characters that we already liked a lot and just morphed in to love and then a character or two that you just want nothing to do with. This will always be a part of writing a success. You can't love every character you read but reading the differences in them makes for a story that you will remember. I loved Josh and Riley.

BJ Harrison came back to narrate this third book in the series. It was pleasant and consistent with previous narration of the Braden characters. I loved Braden senior and the richness of the voice BJ provides for him. It has a touch of wisdom behind the tones and pitch of the voice. The Braden brothers have strength in their voices also.

Overall    4 out of 5 stars
Performance    3 out of 5 stars
Story    5 out of 5 stars

Author Info
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:  

Website:  Facebook:  Twitter:  GoodReads:   Newsletter: BookBub: Instagram:

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LISTEN-2-REVIEW - Destined for Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #2) by Melissa Foster Narrator: B.J. Harrison

Destined for Love Audiobook

(Love In Bloom: The Bradens,#2)

by Melissa Foster 

Narrator B.J. Harrison

January 8th 2015

Listening Length: 8 hours

You met Rex Braden in Lovers at Heart, Book One of the The Bradens (Love in Bloom Series). Jade Johnson is about to turn his comfortable rancher's life upside down. Don't miss this powerful love story.

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DESTINED FOR LOVE is a hot contemporary romance with alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable for readers who enjoy adult romance, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.

Rex Braden is wealthy, hard working, and fiercely loyal. Sweat at his brow, he works the family ranch by day, then kicks back at night with part time lovers who require nothing more than his physical presence a few times each week. But that was before. Before Jade Johnson, the daughter of the man his father has been feuding with for over forty years, moves back into town.

After ditching a horrific relationship—and her veterinary practice in the process—Jade Johnson returns to the safety of her small hometown and finally finds her footing. That is...until her horse is injured and Rex Braden comes to her rescue. The last thing she needs is a bull-headed, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Braden complicating her life.

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER, Readers’ Favorite Awards, Romance Sizzle category

Despite the angry family history, sparks fly between Rex and Jade, and attitudes follow. Fifteen years of stifled, forbidden love stirs a surge of passion too strong for either to deny—and the rebel in each of them rears its powerful head. Loyalties are tested, and relationships are strained. Rex and Jade are about to find out if true love really can conquer all.



The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . DESTINED FOR LOVE (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #2) . . .  Rex and Jade are back and scorching looks up and down go so much further when not in the presences of other Braden's. I highly recommend reading/listening to Lovers at Heart, Reimagined before jumping in feet first with Rex and Jade's story. You will go in to Destined for Love with more than you eyes open. 

I got answers to questions from the first in the Braden series. I wanted to know what bothered Rex so much that he was so bottled tight. I found a man that had so much put on his shoulders as a child, a teen, and then the life as an adult. He lived the code: Family first, Family honor, Family love, Family.

Jade had loved Rex for years. It was a forbidden love broken by family boundaries. Rex and Jade both wanted the other but saw no real way to achieve that and not disappoint their families.

There was a strong center of family, pride loyalty, friendship, love, destiny. And we can't forget Hope.

This single narrator did the job of making the characters come to life, but there was something missing. I think it has to do with the fact that it was a male bring female characters to life and they all seemed to run together. It was good that during most of the audio it was only Jade we had to deal with until it was time for Savannah and Jade's mom.


You got more of the Braden's clan and a feud that will melt your heart . . . 

Overall    4 out of 5 stars
Performance    3 out of 5 stars
Story    4 out of 5 stars

Author Info
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:  

Website:  Facebook:  Twitter:  GoodReads:   Newsletter: BookBub: Instagram:

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LISTEN-2-REVEIW - Lovers at Heart, Reimagined (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #1) by Melissa Foster Narrators: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York

Lovers at Heart, Reimagined 

Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #1

by Melissa Foster

Narrators: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York

December 18th 2018

Listening Time: 6 hours and 59 minutes

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Handsome, wealthy resort owner Treat Braden is used to getting what he wants. When Max Armstrong walked into his life six months earlier, he saw right through the efficient and capable façade she wore like a shield, to the sweet, sensual woman who lay beneath. She sparked an unfamiliar desire in him for more than a one-night stand, leaving his heart reeling and his blood boiling. But one mistake caused her to turn away, and now, after six months of longing for the one woman he cannot have, he's going home to try to forget her all together.

Max Armstrong has a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, and she's never needed a man to help her find her way--until Treat Braden caught her attention at a wedding in Nassau, causing a surge of emotions too reminiscent of the painful past she'd spent years trying to forget. Max will do anything to avoid reliving that pain--including forgoing her toe-curling, heart-pounding desire for Treat.

When a chance encounter turns into a night of intense passion, Treat realizes that the mistake he made six months earlier may cause him to lose Max completely. He will do everything within his power to win her heart forever--and Max is forced to face her hurtful past head on for the man she cannot help but love.

The Bradens are a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom series - Voted BEST BOOK SERIES by Supportive Business Moms, UK

LOVERS AT HEART is a SILVER MEDAL WINNER in the Readers' Favorite Awards - Contemporary Romance Category




The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LOVER AT HEART, REIMAGINED (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, #1) . . . Treat & Max are back from the glimpses we had of them in Sisters In White (Love in Bloom, #3). The heat between these two is sizzling. 

The first of the Bradens of Weston to be coupled up finds that his story has a different spin put on it. You, the reader, get to have a look at more of Treat and Max. I liked it very much. Melissa Foster made her 7-layered iced cake into a show piece.

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. Their 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 them the first time we met them.

If you have not read the first book of the Love in Bloom series, this will be the one you want to go with. You will fall in love with Treat and Max and all the others from the Bradens' family, their friends, and some coworkers. 

Having the dual narration from Andi and Sebastian will be just the spark needed to make you feel as if you are right her with the new couple as they go from one hiding or running, to battling being together, to the misunderstanding that breaks them apart, to them reconnecting. 

Overall     5 out of 5 stars
Performance     5 out of 5 stars
Story     5 out of 5 stars

Author Info
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:  

Website:  Facebook:  Twitter:  GoodReads:   Newsletter: BookBub: Instagram:

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