Destined for Love

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

By: Melissa Foster

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's Summary

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

Awesome story!

I loved this book and the one before this. It had the right amount of sex scenes and regular relationship interactions. I will definitely read all the other books in the series.

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 nice romance

This was a nice romance. I enjoyed meeting the Braden family earlier in the previous book in this series so I was looking forward to Rex's story. There are some familiar characters in this book for fans of the series but this book would work well as a stand-alone as well. I had a really good time watching Jade and Rex fall for each other in this novel. Rex takes care of the family ranch and doesn't spend a lot of time on relationships. Jade is just getting out of a bad relationship and has moved back home with her parents. Rex and Jade's families have been feuding for the past 40 years and there is no way that anyone would accept them as a couple. Unfortunately, these two can't seem to stay away from each other. I liked Rex and Jade as a couple. They had incredible chemistry with each other and seemed to have a deeper connection early in their relationship. I liked the way that they worked together to address the obstacles to their relationship. B.J. Harrison did a good job with the narration of this book. I did have a little hiccup with some of the voices that he used at the start of the book but that was only an issue for a short time. I think that his narration added a lot of emotion to the story and added to my overall enjoyment of the story. I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I found this to be a very nice romance with characters that I was invested in from the start. I cannot wait to read more of this wonderful series. I received a copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist.

a great book

loved it was a great book and the story line was perfect like always .

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!!

Tough Guy Falls Hard

Rex Braden is the sexy, quiet, home-body rancher Braden brother. He has dedicated his life to taking care of the family ranch. Jade Johnson is the daughter of the neighboring ranch. Rex is attracted to Jade. Jade is attracted to Rex. Both have had feelings for each other for years. Unfortunately, the long-running feud between Rex’s dad and Jades’s dad has kept them apart. It is time for these two lovers to decide whether to put their needs and desires first or tow the family lines which would keep them apart. As usual, Melissa Foster provides a strong story about family. This story centers on the conflict between family duty and personal needs and desires. It took me a little while to warm up to Rex but once his true colors came out I fell for him. Although he presents as the quiet tough guy type, he was really a softy inside. He was so dedicated and selfless. Jade had some initial hard edges as well but I warmed up to her. By the end she was fully becoming a Braden family member. B. J. Harrison did his usual excellent narration of this book. This story was a great addition to the Love in Bloom series and I look forward to the next Braden brother finding his match. ***I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.***

Dance of Two Lovers

I really enjoyed this story. Rex Braden and Jade Johnson have had feelings for each for a while, but due to a family feud with their father’s, being seen together or even talking, could have ramifications. It was interesting to see what would happen with Rex and Jade because they wanted to be together, but at what cost for themselves and their families. I always like the family loyalty and having each other backs, in this story, that definitely came into play in a lot of ways. I loved the ending and how everything came together for Jade, her dad and her family and Rex, his father and of course his family. It also set up things nicely for the next book. I listened to this as an audiobook once again narrated by B.J. Harrison. I enjoyed his narration of this story and thought his cadence along with way was great. A couple of my favorite parts during his narration was at the jewelry store and toward the end with the two families. I do enjoy listening to his narration.

Sexy Rexy, Jade and Fate

Sexy Rexy, Jade and Fate I enjoyed learning the story of the feud between the Bradens and the Johnsons and the past between Rex and Jade. Jade has a great fierceness to her and Rex has a sweetness to him, which makes them great together as they try to have a Forbidden romance together. I enjoyed following them through their journey and having the other Bradens back again (especially Treat and Max). I loved this book and look forward to the next book in the series. Narration was very good.

Totally hooked!

These books are awesome! I cannot wait for all of the weddings and children!! I love the eY favorite characters have cameos in other stories.

Loving this series!

Audiobook:  Narrator - B.J. Harrison This was a very nice narration by Mr. Harrison.  He brings so much emotion and life to the characters.  I did struggle a bit with the accent he gave to a few of the women characters, but it didn’t hinder my listening enjoyment.  Definitely knows how to do slow, sensuous, and emotion filled.  There’s no denying I’m a fan of this family so when I realized that Jade and Rex’s story was going to be a bit like a romance between the offspring of the Hatfields and McCoys (more earthy than Romeo and Juliet), I couldn’t wait to jump in.  And oh yeah, it was soo good!  This couple not only have to work through their own issues that have held them back throughout the years, they then have to deal with the issues wrought by their families. My heart hurt for Rex before he ever got his own book and now I’m completely in love with him.  Jade also won me over pretty quickly for a variety of reasons...her vocation and how she used it was pretty amazing.  Together they suffered a bit of angst but watching them pull themselves out of the box they were forced into due to their families was awesome. There were so many plot points in this book that had me totally captivated to find out more that I often found myself continuing to listen after I would normally turn it off.  Can’t wait to get more of this family!!!

Destined to fall in love with these characters.

I was first introduced to Rex Braden in Melissa Foster’s ‘Lover’s At Heart’ book about 5 years ago, and went on to read the paperback of Destined For Love. So to learn this was now in audiobook format, I full on fan-girled. I had completely forgotten how utterly in love with these characters I was. Rex is a big burly cowboy who appears as one thing, but underneath he is like a marshmallow with a gooey centre. Jade Johnson is the woman he would love to hate, and if he was to listen to the words of his family, he is very much meant to hate her. But in true romance style, the heart wants what it wants, and Rex and Jade end up falling head over heels and into the precipice of their love. Jade is headstrong, she knows what she wants, and I’ve always admired her character. She has left a practice and is essentially back home to start over, Rex and Her have a bond with horses, and are both stubborn as hell. Their sparring and romantic flirtation will keep you on your toes, and you won’t be able to stop yourselves from becoming obsessed with the Bradens. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook, the narration was clear, fun, and B J Harrison and one of those voices that makes you believe you are listening to Rex himself. I would recommend this audiobook to those who love energies to lovers, forbidden romance, and people who enjoy being catapulted into an amazing fictional world and series. This can be listened to as a stand-alone, and cannot wait to listen to more of the Braden stories.

INCREDIBLE!

There are so many words for this audiobook. Amazing doesn't even come close. Rex Braden is a dream, he gives off the bad boy persona but the love, loyalty and protectiveness he shows not just his family but Jade too is enough to make you swoon. Jade is feisty and loves just as wholeheartedly as Rex and they are a perfect match for each other. Their road to happily ever after is not an easy one but the saying is true love really does conquer all! This audiobook shows you just how much The Bradens truly love and respect each and how much they are willing to do for each other, incredible!

Fall in Love with Sexy Rexy

I have read this book and have now listened to it as well. I never thought I would listen to audio books but I love them. Rex is a a man who loves his family and the values his father has instilled into all his brothers and sister. Jade has returned home after a break up and looking to establish her career. Their families have been feuding for over 40 years so a relationship between them could tear the families apart. When Rex rescues Jade and her horse the sparks start to fly. They keep the relationship to themselves at the beginning until a fright with Hope the horse Rex's father brought for their mother. From then on fences are mended. This is another good book by Melissa and another good narration by BJ Harrison

Rex and Jade smoking hot!!

Having read this book countless times it was great to hear it in audio book. The Love between Rec and Jade comes through powerfully as does the family feud. Definitely one to listen to as the emotions are so powerful.