Review: The Real Thing by Melissa Foster

The Real Thing (Sugar Lake Book 1)

by Melissa Foster

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as a player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later—even if it comes with a real diamond ring?

Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move…provided no one gets hurt.

Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing—including them.

My review: 4 stars

I have been enjoying reading Melissa Foster's work as Addison Cole, so I was excited to start her Sugar Lake series. Fake engagements are always fun, and I really enjoyed the set-up for Zane and Willow's "relationship" and their backstory as well. These two have great chemistry, and a great friendship as well. It was an enjoyable super-sweet romance.

Review: Swept into Love by Melissa Foster

Swept into Love

by Melissa Foster

The happily ever after you've been waiting for...

In USA Today Bestseller SWEPT INTO LOVE...
It's been years since Sally Tuft's husband died and she was left to raise her teenage son alone. And almost as long since she told the only other man she'd ever wanted that they should be just friends. Now her son has left for college and Sally has no distractions to keep her from thinking about her best friend and coworker, Gage Ryder, and what could have been.

Gage always believed that one day Sally would move past the death of her husband and they would finally explore the passion that's simmered between them since the day they met. Tasked with opening a new youth center in Oak Falls, Virginia, Gage hopes the trip away is just what they need to finally come together.

Before Gage and Sally ever reach Oak Falls, one night at a conference changes everything, putting their friendship--and their love--on the line, and the two must decide if getting swept up in love is the beginning of forever, or the end of their friendship as they know it.

My review: 4 stars

Although I am totally new to Melissa Foster's interconnected books (see the super long list below- this book is #41!), I really enjoyed this sweet friends to lovers story. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I was more familiar with the side characters, but I still found it a satisfying read. I felt for Sally and what she had been through and appreciated her need to be be cautious about a new relationship. But Gage was quite the guy- and they had quite the chemistry. Foster writes with lots of humor and certainly a lot of heat. I am looking forward to checking out more of her work.

GET MORE RYDERS!
Seized by Love (Blue)
Claimed by Love (Duke)
Chased by Love (Trish)
Rescued by Love (Jake)
Swept Into Love (Gage)

***

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

"Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely

**

The Ryders are a series of sexy stand-alone romances. These hot contemporary romance novels feature alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction.

The RYDERS are part of the LOVE IN BLOOM big family romance collection. Each book may be read as a stand-alone novel, or as part of the series. Enjoy the complete LOVE IN BLOOM series:

SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White

THE BRADENS (at Weston, CO)
Lovers at Heart (Treat & Max)
Destined for Love (Rex & Jade)
Friendship on Fire (Josh & Riley)
Sea of Love (Dane & Lacy)
Bursting with Love (Savannah & Jack)
Hearts at Play (Hugh & Bree)

THE BRADENS (at Trusty, CO)
Taken by Love (Luke)
Fated for Love (Wes)
Romancing My Love (Pierce)
Flirting with Love (Ross)
Dreaming of Love (Emily)
Crashing into Love (Jake)

THE BRADENS (at Peaceful Harbor)
Healed by Love (Nate)
Surrender My Love (Cole)
Crushing on Love (Shannon)
River of Love (Sam)
Whisper of Love (Tempest)
Thrill of Love (Ty)

BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Promise My Love (Rex & Jade's Wedding Novella)
Daring Her Love (1001 Dark Nights)

THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love (Dex)
Stroke of Love (Sage)
Flames of Love (Siena)
Slope of Love (Rush)
Read, Write, Love (Kurt)
Touched by Love (Boyd)

SEASIDE SUMMERS
Seaside Dreams (Bella)
Seaside Hearts (Jenna)
Seaside Sunsets (Jamie)
Seaside Secrets (Amy)
Seaside Nights (Sky)
Seaside Embrace (Hunter)
Seaside Lovers (Grayson)
Seaside Whispers (Matt)