River of Love

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, Book 3

By: Melissa Foster

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

River rafting and adventure company owner Sam Braden works hard and plays harder. He's fast, focussed, and determined - and never at a loss for a willing woman to share his time with. The trouble is, the only woman he wants refuses him at every turn.

Physician assistant Faith Hayes escaped her painful past and built a safe, happy life in Peaceful Harbor. She's also put what she's learned to good use helping others by founding Women Against Cheaters, an online support group. When her boss's sinfully sexy brother sets his sights on sweet Faith, she knows the self-professed player is everything she shouldn't want, and she's determined to resist him.

Sam pulls out all the stops, proving to Faith that his past doesn't have to define his future. As she lets down her guard and begins to trust Sam, intense conversations turn to intimate pleasures. But when real life steps in and their pasts collide, it's Faith who's left with something to prove.

©2016 Melissa Foster (P)2016 Melissa Foster

Don't Always Judge a Book by its Cover

If you could sum up River of Love in three words, what would they be?

I would have to say, Don't Always Judge, for my 3 words for this book. Don't always be so quick to judge others until you have all of the information.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sam was DEFINITELY my favorite character within the book. He really had to work hard to prove himself to Faith and show her that he is a good guy. I loved how confident he was with himself and how hard he was willing to work every time Faith tried to hold him at a distance. The two of them together were scorching.

What does B.J. Harrison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

When reading a book, you are really only able to get so much out of it. You create the characters in your mind and can really only get so much out of it. B.J. Harrison helped bring the characters to life and add depth to them throughout. I loved how he brought a new side and view to things and made it even more enjoyable for readers throughout the book.

If I had just read the book, I think that there are details I would have missed had I never listened to the audiobook.

Favorite Audio

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes because I love Melissa Foster books especially the Bradens

What did you like best about this story?

How Sam changes himself for Faith

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

He is very consistent

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

Definitely

Journey Into Love

I received an audio ARC of River of Love: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, Book 3 by Melissa Foster (Sam & Faith) in exchange for an honest review.

Faith is a dedicated, sweet, caring Physician's Assistant who works for Cole Braden in his medical practice. Cole feels protective of Faith and makes it clear that she is off limits to his womanizing brother Sam. So of course Sam can't seem to stay away. At first the challenge of forbidden fruit beckons Sam, but as you get to know him you realize Faith is more than a hook-up to him and wants her to give him a chance to prove he's more than his reputation.

Faith has founded an online support group Women Against Cheaters after being cheated on by her former boyfriend. She can't help but judge Sam by his well-earned reputation and sees Sam as exactly the kind of guy to steer clear of, but her attraction to him won't go away.

It was easy for me to put myself in Faith's place and ask myself all the same questions. How do you go anywhere locally and not wonder how many of the women you come across have already been with Sam? Would the green monster drive you crazy? Would it be worth the effort?

But this is Melissa Foster we're talking about and the depth of her characters make them real in every sense of the word. Why is Sam a playboy? Is it fair for Faith to look at most men as potential cheaters? Once Sam convinces Faith to go on one date, to do something with her he's never done with anyone else, the real Sam is beyond appealing. He works hard to show her not to judge a book by its cover. As the layers of each character are revealed you find yourself rooting for Sam and Faith and the absolute sweetness of their relationship! I absolutely loved their story, enough to read it again as soon as it ended!

Sam redeems himself in so many ways and the patience and love and thoughtfulness make him a total swoon worthy hero in every sense of the word! A Must Read!

I love audio books and B.J. Harrison does an exceptional job again! His ability to make you forget it's his voice and not the character's is nothing less than astonishing. He easily switches characters seamlessly and even when a character is thinking something, you know whose thoughts they are. It's amazing to me that he does such a wonderful job you don't need a male and female narrator - he can do it all!

Loved It!

First, is the story. Sam, well known for his many women that he has been with, finally asks out Faith, his brother's physician assistant. She is recovering from a cheating ex, so is very careful, and so she tries very hard not to fall for him, but there are three positives about Sam. He is a hard worker, honest, and very determined to have Faith. From there, Melissa Foster, has written a wonderful story, as Sam tries to prove to not only Faith, but also to their families and friends that he can be trusted. Then, there is B.J. Harrison that narrates this book. He is one of the best. He does such an amazing job with this book. His voice and Melissa Foster's words are a winning pair.

One to keep you hooked...

River of Love is the third book in the The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor series. This book is Sam and Faith’s story and can be read as a standalone; however, reading the others in the series will enhance the story enjoyment. Sam has a history of being a player but now is hooked on the one woman that wants nothing to do with him. Faith is recovering from a break-up that emotionally devastated her. As a result, she starts an online support group called WAC ‘Women Against Cheaters’. As they spend more time together, they each learn more about the other, and the attraction rises. This story is engaging and will keep you hooked. I enjoyed listening to this narrator, and definitely recommend this book.

Love River of Love

River of Love had become one of my favorites!! Sam knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. Faith works for Sam's brother and loves her job helping others. Sam is always flirting with Faith even tho the flirting is not returned.
Sam finally wears Faith down and she agrees to go out with him. Sam is the perfect gentlemen and starts to change how Faith views him. These two make such a great couple. I just wish all the Braden men didn't have the reputation of having any woman they want and being with lots of women and having to work to shake that reputation. This book was great to listen to. The narrator keeps you engrossed in the story and makes you feel like you are right there with Sam and Faith.

sigh... I love Sam

As with the rest of this series, BJ Harrison is amazing. The characters are brought to life with the changing tones of his voice, his smooth cadence, and his wonderful reading of River of Love. There were many times that I found myself lost in his voice not paying attention to what else I was doing.

Just the thought of The Braden’s bring butterflies to my stomach. I can hardly wait to read each new book as Melissa Foster releases them. This is The Braden’s at Peaceful Harbor, which are the cousins of the other Braden’s in the Love in Bloom Series.

This is the first book in this series that I felt a connection to the woman character before I fell for the man. While Sam Braden is amazing, Faith was even more amazing. She was hurt, badly, yet she stepped out of all her comfort zones and became a better, strong, and more sufficient woman. Her life could have go the other way and she could have wallowed and lost her way yet she not only made something of herself she helped so many others become better people too. I believe she made Sam a much better person just by being around him.

Sam is of course wonderful. He also has been hurt, yet he acts out and becomes a person that he doesn’t always like so much. The best part is the romantic part of him Sam. I believe this a part that he didn’t know existed within him and when it comes out he becomes the best man he can be. When faced with hard work and a challenge he steps up and conquers it.


Of course, I love Sam and Faith. I recommend this book. It is part of a series, but Melissa’s Love in Bloom series each book can be read as a standalone. If read in order they are even better since you will be more familiar with the characters and settings.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

It gets better and better!

This book is about a person's ability to change in order to be worthy of someone's love and the other person's learning to trust enough to let love in.Sam's brother has warned him away from Faith, the physician's assistant that works in Cole's practice. He knows Sam is a huge player and doesn't want to see Faith hurt. Sam's attraction to Faith overcomes everything else and he wants to get to know her better. Unfortunately, Faith knows about his reputation, too.She's convinced he's a cheater.
When Sam shows up at an event to raise money for the group Faith has put together to help women who have been cheated on, his jumping in to help is the first chink in Faith's armor against Sam. He has lots more work to do to get close to her.
I absolutely loved that Sam was so determined and worked so hard to try to get Faith to give him a chance.
B.J. Harrison's narration is a smooth, melodious delivery that relaxes you from the first word and oozes romance.

Loved it!

This is an amazing story about how someone can change when they find true love. Sam has a reputation as a ladies man but before Faith it has never mattered. Faith has been hurt before and isn’t sure if she can trust Sam because of his reputation. The narrator does a wonderful job of making you believe their story. I had a hard time taking breaks and wanted to finish the story as soon as possible because it was so good.

When adventure boy finds love

What made the experience of listening to River of Love the most enjoyable?

This was an amazing story narrated by BJ Harrison. I love audio books but this one was outstanding. BJ Harrison has a way of transporting you to a front row seat to all the action. With Melissa's word magic you feel like you're witnessing close friends and family live life and find love. In this fun loving romance we meet Sam Braden (which quite possibly is one of my favorite Bradens) and he's an adventure guy with his own company filled with river rafting and adventure fun...so his days are filled with what he loves already. In enter Faith and his playboy ways are put to the side. He finds any reason to visit his brother to catch a glimpse of Faith. Faith is a dedicated worker for Cole and she although is attracted to Sam has been burned in the past and doesn't want to risk being crushed again. As these two spend more time together, their interests start flying and well it's a devilishly good time to be had. Love is in the air or rather flowing down the river for these two in the most delicious romance yet. Truly a must add to your audio collection. You'll melt right into this love affair.

What did you like best about this story?

The fun loving nature of the book and the sexy loving going on.

What about B.J. Harrison’s performance did you like?

The ways he changed characters and kept me engaged the whole time...truly and art form

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

yes, I had to keep putting this on hold just to tell my family directions on what to do but trust me I didn't want to pause it at all.

Any additional comments?

Truly and sexy sinful romance!!!