Destined for Love

Love in Bloom, Volume 5 (The Bradens, Book 2)

De: Melissa Foster

Narrado por: B.J. Harrison

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 40 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.

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.

©2014 Melissa Foster (P)2014 Melissa Foster

Stories of the Bradens are not to be missed

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4


Rex Braden knows that managing a ranch, while occupying much of his time, is not everything. He thinks he wants more, just defining that ‘more’ isn’t the easiest part of the decision. That is, until he runs into Jade, recently home after some drastic life events. Her family’s land borders the Braden’s property line, and the unexpected meeting with Rex due to an injured horse makes being home just a little more interesting.

But a family feud between the Bradens and Johnsons, over a reason that no-one can even remember, could be the monkey wrench in Rex’s plans, before he even gets a chance to make one. When you add in Jade’s ex who can’t take no for an answer, Rex’s horse Hope, who like all of the Bradens has her own way of thinking about things (perhaps not as the family would wish), the families and their own bluster as the ‘existence of the feud’ is more relevant than the actual reasons, or overcoming them…..

Rex and Jade are wonderful together, and their path to a romance, with or without family intervention, is perfectly paced and keeps listeners engaged Fast-paced dialogue, demonstrable connections and a wonderful horsey inset that adds humor and a sense of reality for anyone who has ever known a horse, the story just flies along.

Narration for this story is provided again by B.J. Harrison, who presents the characters, story and adds emotional context without getting in the way with overacting or dramatic vocal alterations to present unique voices for each character. The care in delivery, the staggered pacing and subtle tone changes that help provide character distinction and emotional impact are there. What I am finding is that I believe this book would have benefited from an additional narrative voice to provide contrast and auditory variance.

While each of these books work as a stand-alone title, the people, writing and stories of the Bradens are not to be missed.

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.

A Braden and a Johnson together? Wow.

This Braden book focuses on the relationship between Jade Johnson and Rex Braden. Their families are like the Hatfield and McCoys so they have avoided each other most of their lives while living on ranches next to each other. They have much to deal with as they realize they are meant for each other and must maneuver around an argument between their fathers they know nothing about. Melissa Foster's writing is praiseworthy. She weaves an intriguing and emotional story. The reading by BJ Harrison was flawless. His inflection and voices contributed to a positive audio experience. I highly recommend this audio book.

Family Feud

This is a Hatfields vs McCoys type story. We have two feuding families and no one knows why except for the two fathers and neither will discuss it. And don't you dare embarrass the family by going against their feud. But that is exactly what Rex and Jade do. They can't help themselves.

These two have been in love with each other since they were teenagers. But neither one of them would go against their fathers. Fast forward 15 years ... Now they can't help themselves and nothing is going to stop them from loving each other.

When the confrontation occurs between the two families, what will happen? Will Jade and Rex be able to be together? Will the feud be resolved?

I love BJ Harrison's version of Rex. He's a rough cowboy with a chip on his shoulder most days, but he also has a sensitive side that most people don't get to see. I can' wait for more Bradens and to see what happens with Jade and Rex.

Modern time Romeo and Juliet

If you could sum up Destined for Love in three words, what would they be?

Loyalty, Sinful, and Romance

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rex Braden. He is the embodiment of a Cowboy.

Have you listened to any of B.J. Harrison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my 2ND book by B.J. Harrison. I absolutely love to hear his take on character voices. He really makes the listener believe there are different people narrating.

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

Hearts divided

Feuding Families

Destined For Love is super sweet, super hot small town country romance. The forbidden aspect was a feud between two families that had gone on way too long and needed a bit of shaking up.
Jade Johnson and Rex Braden know they shouldn’t be attracted to each other. But when the attraction is just too strong to resist, it might be the only thing that will force them to reevaluate the long standing field between their families.
Both Jade and Rex gave in way too much to what their fathers thought it wanted. I quite often wanted to shake them and tell them to grow up.
What could have been a fairly blah story was brought up a notch in audiobook by really good narration!
-3.5 Stars-

Rex and Jade

These Braden men are going to be the end of me. Each time I meet a new one, I swear he is my favorite, and this one is no exception! Rex is somewhat of broody cowboy. Always interested in Jade Johnson, the daughter of his father's nemesis has left him lonely. Not that he doesn't attract women, because all that Braden goodness absolutely does. Now that Jade is back in town though, his feelings are rekindled. When she ends up in a precarious situation, he comes to her aid, and our love story begins. It is a little of Romeo and Juliet, a little of second chances to find their love and a beautiful story. Jade is an amazing woman. I love her horse whispering and her ability to calm the animals. It shows just how compassionate and loving she is. Rex is all we want in a man. Slightly mysterious, loyal til the end, this man won my heart. Plus we get to see others we have met and loved as well. It's an easy listen and has left me wanting to have more of this incredibly interesting family.

BJ Harrison continues his narration of the series and I really enjoy his voice. He has an effortless feel to his performance and just lets us lose ourselves in the story. Each voice easy to distinguish and his story telling is spot on. Another wonderful portrayal of the Bradens.

Love can overcome anything

Even a family feud can’t keep these two destined love birds from being together. Rex and Jade have so many things stacked against them but because of their destined love each challenge they are faced with results in them coming closer together.
Give this audiobook a listen this holiday season and you’ll be destined to fall in love with their love story too!!

sexy!!!

Destined for Love is about Rex Braden and Jade Johnson. Rex and Jade's father's have been in a fued for 40 years. So for them to fall in love is definitely not a good thing. Both Rex and Jade are loyal to their families and do not want to hurt them. They can't stay away from each other no matter how much they try. Lucky for them love conquers all!!! Book has some amazingly hot sex. Sexy Rexy is definitely one of my favorite Braden men. Narration by BJ Harrison was on point again. Nice job keeping all the different male and female voices different.

5 star review..

What was one of the most memorable moments of Destined for Love?

A long standing family feud is keeping Rex Braden and Jade Johnson from the happy ending they both deserve and want. Rex’s dad and Jade’s dad grew up as best friends and continued that friendship into adult life. Then one day it all fell apart and they no longer would even acknowledge each other. The rules were set to the kids of the Johnson and Braden families to not have ANY contact with the other family. But love comes flying above the feud. Rex and Jade have circled around each other since they were teenagers, now as adults they cannot keep their feelings in check. Their hope is that their families will come together and support each other, or their only option will be to move out of their hometown so they can find the happy ever after they need.

Destined for Love is book 5 of 9 in the Love In Bloom series. I cannot say it is my favorite, since I have loved each of the stories for their own tale, but it is definitely one of them.

Rex is hot from the minute he is introduced to the reader in Book One of the Bradens stories and I could not wait to know what would come of him. I knew and hoped that his true love would come riding in and turn his life upside down. My favorite part of this story is certainly the hot and steamy scenes where there were no holds barred and the love and sexiness shined between Rex and Jade. But this story also showed how two adults, who love their respective families, can stand up to their fathers and make them realize that they had made mistakes and that forgiving was part of living in order to be able to live their lives together.

I easily give this book five stars, more if that is possible. There are some extremely sexy and hot scenes that are not suitable for all readers. Once you start reading Destined for Love you will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend you read all the books in this series, but it is not necessary to enjoy this book.

Love Conqures all.

Would you listen to Destined for Love again? Why?

Yes!! I love Melissa Foster and her books. The narrator does an excellent job telling the story.

What other book might you compare Destined for Love to and why?

Not Sure

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the end where Rex stands up to his dad for Jade. He tells him how it is and his siblings stand behind him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!!!!