Seaside Lovers (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers) (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, #7)

by Melissa Foster

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Melissa Foster has done it yet again! She hardly ever fails to keep me entertained with her well thought out plots, relatable characters, and awe-inspiring stories. Every time I hear she has a new book out my excitement levels increases and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. What I love most about her stories, especially the Seaside series, is the portrayal of family and friendships. They never fail to evoke a warm and fuzzy feeling within me. ‘Seaside Lovers’ was no different.

Losing a loved one is never easy as Parker Collins would discover. Having never been close to someone, until the day Bert Stein entered her life, she never knew how devastating his loss would be. Added to this was the burden of guilt she shouldered for not being there when he needed her most. Parker's pain emanates from the pages. It was easy to relate to her grief. I could also relate to her uncertainty as it relates to the mending of fences with Bert’s brother on his behalf. I found this aspect of the story quite emotional.

Parker is a sweet, generous and loving person. I loved that she was willing to help others. She tries to see the best in everyone she comes in contact with. She dreams of having a real family and living a normal life where she can be her true self but feels she can’t have that has long as she is an actress. She will discover, however, that all that she dreamed was indeed possible.

Grayson Lacroux knew after several months of communicating with Parker long distance that she was it for him. So when she failed to show for their planned meeting he believed that what he felt was one-sided. However, when he discovered the true reason for her not going through with their plans he made it his mission to help her come to terms with her loss.

It is my belief that these two were perfect for each other, despite them being from different worlds. It was evident that they had chemistry. It’s rare to read a romance these days where the main characters are not instantly attracted to each other and falling in love in no time. This was not the case with Parker and Grayson. They have been communicating for several months via emails. The conversations had via this medium was meaningful which aided in them developing a relationship that went beyond the physical.

The story was very well written. I could not wait to see how Parker’s desire to mend fences with her mentor’s brother on his behalf would work out. The events that unfolded as a result of her bold step were pleasantly surprising. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and all the feels that came with it.

This story reminded me of a very important lesson I learned as a child. The dangerous impact that pride can have on our lives. It can lead to our destruction. I was also reminded that loss is inevitable, but if we accept it and face it head we can gain so much more. Parker had lost the one person who meant the world to her, but in the end, she gained more than she could ever dream.

Verdict: I loved this book. If you love romance stories that are sweet, romantic and hot then you will love Seaside Lovers. This is a must read for fans of Melissa Foster.