Crushing on Love: Shannon Braden (Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, #4)

by Melissa Foster

CRUSHING ON LOVE IS A USA TODAY BESTSELLER



HEARTS COLLIDE when a feisty city girl steps into Steve "Grizz" Johnson's rural mountain retreat. The Bradens are a series of stand alone novels that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series.



"When it comes to contemporary romances with realistic characters, an emotional love story and smokin' hot sex, author Melissa Foster always delivers!" The Romance Reviews



"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 



"With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" New York Times Bestseller Julie Kenner



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



In CRUSHING ON LOVE... 

Steve Johnson is living his life's passion watching over the Colorado Mountains as a ranger and wildlife consultant. But his peaceful life is upended when overzealous and insanely beautiful Shannon Braden flits back into his life after returning from a brief trip home to Maryland. He thought his attraction to her was under control-after all, she's only in Colorado temporarily, and he doesn't do casual affairs. 



Shannon's return to Colorado has as much to do with the game of cat and mouse she and Steve have been playing as it does the data she's been hired to collect. But despite her efforts to explore the undeniable heat simmering between them, Steve's intent on keeping his distance. 



When a ranch abutting the national park goes up for sale, Steve will do whatever it takes to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. And when all his attempts fail, he's left with no alternative but to follow Shannon's guidance into the online world he abhors in order to raise the funds. The more time they spend together, the deeper their attraction becomes, and a game of cat and mouse turns into an unstoppable connection. But when Shannon's assignment comes to an end, will it mean an end to them, too? 



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WANT MORE BRADENS? All Braden books can be read as stand-alone novels or as part of the series: 

THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)

Healed by Love (Nate) 

Surrender My Love (Cole) 

River of Love (Sam) 

Crushing on Love (Shannon) 

Whisper of Love (Tempest) 

Thrill of Love (Ty)

• ISBN10: 194148042X
• ISBN13: 9781941480427
• Publish Date: 3 November 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 27 January 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: World Literary Press
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 300
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I have officially found a new book boyfriend. I am so crushing on Steve Johnson right about now. The man is fine in every sense of the word. I consider him to be the total package. He is kind, caring, sensitive, protective and manly. All I can say is Shannon Braden is one lucky woman. How many men would be willing to step outside their comfort zone to please the woman they love? I am not sure of the answer to that question, but Steve Johnson is one such man.

It was evident from the start of the book that there was chemistry between Steve and Shannon. They knew each other before, so this connection was not an instant thing. It had been brewing for several months. Steve, however, was wary of risking his heart where Shannon was concerned. He considered her to be off limits due to the miles that separated them and the fact that they both viewed life differently. He like his solitude and rarely socialized, while Shannon was the type of person who needed people around her. She strived on socialisation. She, however, was determined to pursue the attraction between them to see if it would amount to anything. Steve had no idea that his world was about to change in ways he would never have never expected.

I knew going into this book that I would be in for a sweet romantic ride with a little steam added for good measure. You may be wondering how I knew this. Hello! It’s Melissa Foster we are speaking about here. The moments between Steve and Shannon were not only sweet but hot as hell. It’s a wonder my kindle did not combust. I have not been able to read all her books, but, for those that I have read the thing that has remained constant is her ability to pull me into her stories and have me completely invested in the lives of her characters. As a result, I can never seem to get enough of them. Steve and Shannon’s story was no different.I so wanted to see these two get their act together. I hoped that they would eventually realise that any obstacles to their relationship would be the ones they chose to erect. Love is a powerful emotion and it can move mountains and traverse distances. They would have to be willing to make it work.

There was no drama which allowed for the romance to move along smoothly. The only thing I had to worry about was the steps they would take to ensure that they both got the happiness they deserved.This installment is a great addition to the series. It can be read as a stand-alone, however, I would recommend that you read the previous books in the series to learn more about the supporting characters.

If you enjoy sweet and steamy contemporary romances, then you will love this book. For that matter I think you should go and buy the other books in the series as well, I am sure you will enjoy the journey.

[Lynn]

Solitude on the mountain. That's just how Steve Johnson likes his life as he literally lives where he works. He's a ranger and wildlife consultant and prefers a quiet laid-back lifestyle away from hustle and bustle of a town. When Shannon Braden comes back to spends time researching foxes, he can no longer deny his attraction to her, only she lives on the East Coast and is only here a short time. He doesn't do casual relationships plus, she just doesn't stop talking and shatters his peace! 

Shannon enjoyed the time staying at her Uncle's ranch so much whilst doing research that she seizes an opportunity to come back to Colorado again. Her motives are personal because she wants to know if there's a real attraction between the gruff man who lives on the mountain or not. This time around she's staying in a cabin close to his to tempt fate. Knowing she's only here a short time, a short fling is just what she needs, only the big man on the mountain doesn't do 'casual' hook-ups. 

I admit to feeling a little bit nervous about how Steve 'Grizz' Johnson would handle a woman like Shannon 'Butterfly' Braden. I strongly relate to his personality traits and know that this woman with her effervescent personality would be a bit too overbearing for him to deal with sometimes. Of course, I needn't have worried because the author has a knack of bringing together couples that don't instantly seem like a good fit. Easy banter flies effortlessly between the pair and it's adorable. Both are clearly attracted to each other, but both are on different pages when it comes to whether to act on their sizzling chemistry or not. Their mutual love of wildlife is their common bond and when Steve wants to protect a piece of land from becoming developed, Shannon uses her skills to show Steve how to make his wishes come true. A gesture which lays tentative foundations for a future together.

Compromise. This couple had it by the bucket load, but it took a time to get to the place they needed to be on the relationship front. Their ability to meet each other half way is palpable, as they get to know and understand each other's personal needs and adapt themselves accordingly. Steve is passionate, yet reserved. Shannon's need for personal company and be near to her personal creature comforts. It's important to her, but she realises she can have both. 

One of the biggest pulls for me with Melissa Foster's books is the strong sense of family and/or community within the beautiful stories she writes. The secondary characters never dominate, but always enhance an enticing plot. Crushed On Love is a very sexy read with fabulous dialogue exchange against a backdrop of the Colorado mountains.

Another first-class book finished and enjoyed. 

***arc generously received courtesy of World Literary Press via Tasty Book Tours***

[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 Lisa for letting me take part in this Blog Tour.

This is the 4th book in the Peaceful Harbor Braden series. The previous books have centred on Shannon’s brothers and have been set in Peaceful Harbor. This book however is set in the Mountains of Weston where Treat, Rex and the original Braden gang all hail from.

I loved the original Braden gang and they have a special place in my heart so I was very happy to check back in with this lot. Treat and Max’s children are adorable and I loved seeing the way the family all rally around each other.

We first see Shannon with Steve at Jade and Rex’s wedding and the attraction was clear from the beginning. Shannon is a social ‘butterfly’ where as Steve ‘Grizz’ Johnson likes the solitude of the mountain. Steve worries that life on the mountain will never be enough for Shannon.

I really loved these two. Their characters were compelling and you just wanted them to be happy. Deep down Steve is quite the sweetie. I won’t give it away but he does something extremely sweet just for Shannon which made me so happy.

I love Melissa’s books and this one was no exception. I can’t wait to read more from Melissa.