Dreaming of Love (The Bradens at Trusty, #5)

by Melissa Foster

• ASIN: B00QQRIRQ0
• Publish Date: 2015 (first published 5 March 2015)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Format: eBook (Kindle)
• Pages: 385
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Thanks, Beck Valley Books for the privilege of getting to know Melissa Foster through her fantastic writing. Every time I take up one of her books I know I am in for a great romantic adventure. Dreaming of Love was no exception. This story reminded me why she is one of my favourite romance authors.

Dreaming of Love, book #19 in the Love in Bloom series tells the story of Emily Braden, the youngest member of the Braden family. She is a successful business woman, but felt that there was something missing from her life. Over the years she has watched her brothers find their soul mates. She is happy for them, but she wishes that she too would one day find such happiness.
Her chance of finding this missing piece of her life came when on vacation in Tuscany she met Dae Bray. The attraction between them was instantaneous and electrifying. Dae was not sure what to make of his instant attraction to Emily but the one thing he knew is that he never felt this way about any other woman before.

They grew close in a very short time. (I believe that the romantic setting in Tuscany contributed to the whirlwind romance). Although the romantic element of the story moved quickly I found it to be credible. However, the road to true love is not without its obstacles. They are both successful in their respective careers, however, their beliefs when it came to the way buildings are to be treated were different. Emily is an architect and believes in the preservation of buildings and Dae is a demolitionist. When she discovered that he was in Tuscany to destroy a building that meant a lot to the local women she had a hard time dealing with it.

She is torn between her fundamental beliefs and her feelings for Dae. Love means meeting your partner half way and finding a common ground. It’s clear she does not view it that way. Will she allow such a simple matter to destroy the very thing she has spent her whole life searching for?
Initially Dae came off as a bit overbearing, but as the story progresses it is clear that he is a sweet and caring guy. He is the type of man that most women would find appealing. It was easy to fall in love with him. He, unlike Emily was willing to look past their differences.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am eager to see what next Melissa Foster has in store for her fans.

[Lynn]

There is a lot happening within the two week time-line of this story but nothing feels rushed. Against a stunning Tuscan backdrop, two people that may first appear to be poles apart with regards to their chosen careers, find a deep connection with one another.

Dae Bray loves his job as a demolitionist, which takes him to various locations around the world. Work is his sole purpose for his stay at the villa near Florence until another guest arrived – a beautiful, sexy and smart woman that intrigues him. Just a shame he doesn't do flings anymore!
Emily Braden is in Tuscany to stay at a villa designed by one of her favourite architects. A workaholic and herself an architect specialising in passive-house design, she's on a much needed holiday. Relationships have always been on the back-burner especially when she has five over-protective brothers watching out for her. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law tells her Emily to have fun, but can she throw caution to the wind when the only other guest in the villa is deliciously muscled tall guy?

The relation between Dae and Emily feels convincing even though this is an instant attraction and their relationship develops at lightning speed. They both come from large families and share similar values which cements the foundations of their developing relationship. Their careers cause a conflict of interest when the building Dae has assessed for demolition is the same one that the locals call Casa Dei Desideri – the house of wishes – the old house with a huge, gnarled olive tree growing in the wall of the house. A poignant sub-plot with Adelina and Serafina adds weight to the argument for keeping the house safe as Dae learns about the local legend surrounding the property. Both he and Emily are torn apart but thankfully approach the problem regarding the house in a thoughtful, mature way, ever mindful that a wrong decision could end a promising happy ever after for them both.

This is my first Melissa Foster book and will definitely be catching up on all of Dae and Emily's families very soon. This is a sexy love story but what makes this book really shine is the Tuscan setting. I've been to Florence and was able to fully absorb and re-live my own memories of this Italian city through Ms Foster's writing.

***arc received courtesy of author***

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to JB for letting me take part in this blog tour.

Emily is sweet and sassy. She grew up with 5 brothers and was always competing to be better than them which she has now transferred into her work. She wants to be the best damn passive house architect. So of course she hasn't taken any time off and even in Tuscany she can't seem to put her phone down. That is until Dae Bray walks in.

Dae Bray is hot hot hot. If you are a big Melissa fan like me then you will recognise his surname, he is the loving brother of Leanna Bray from Read, Write, Love. Dae is sweet and caring. He is big hearted and he only wants to do the right thing.

I loved Tuscany. I really love Italy in general and I have visited Rome and Venice both of which I loved. I felt like I was in Tuscany with these two visiting the cathedral, the house of wishes, the poppy field and the sunflower field.

I loved the supporting characters of Adelina and Serafina.

I absolutely loved Luke and Daisy's wedding and I really loved the ending of this book. Once again Melissa had me in tears. It was incredibly sweet.