Searching For Love

4.25 stars--SEARCHING FOR LOVE is the sixth instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult THE BRADENS AND MONTGOMERYS: PLEASANT HILL-OAK FALLS erotic, romance series. This is treasure hunter/diver Zev Braden, and chocolate shop owner Carly Dylan’s story line. SEARCHING FOR LOVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines and series is revealed where necessary. THE BRADENS AND MONTGOMERY: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls series is a spin off from several of the author’s other ongoing series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zev and Carly) SEARCHING FOR LOVE is a second chance romance focusing on treasure hunter/diver Zev Braden, and chocolate shop owner Carly Dylan. Childhood best friends Zev and Carly’s world fell apart approximately ten years earlier when their best friend Tory Raznick was killed leaving Zev struggling with guilt, and Carly alone to battle the heart break when Zev walked away. Fast forward to present day wherein Zev’s brother’s Beau wedding to Charlotte would reunite our story line couple but not before the pain of loss would remind Zev and Carly that love is stronger the second time around. What ensues is the rekindling romance and relationship between Zev and Carly, and the potential fall-out as Zev’s business has literally stuck gold, and Zev must get back to his treasure hunting ways.

Carly Dylan’s lost two people the day her best friend Tory died: Tory to a car accident, and Zev to his personal guilt and grief but Carly was caught unaware of Zev’s need to run, a need that left our heroine heart broken and barely able to survive. Zev Braden struggles with issues of guilt in the aftermath of Tory’s death, a death that was not his fault but a death he continues to blame on himself. Running from Carly was the biggest mistake of his life, a mistake of which he needs to make amends in the face of his continuing love for the woman who still holds his heart.

The relationship between Zev and Carly is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that must face another obstacle as Zev’s deep sea adventures has struck gold, adventures of which Carly had always wanted to be a part. Having spent most of their youth and teenaged years together skydiving, cliff diving, parasailing and deep sea diving, Carly and Zev looked forward to a life together until Zev ran without looking back. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we have met in previous stories and related series including Carly’s co-workers Birdie and Quinn; Zev’s parents and his siblings Beau, Nick, Graham, and Jillian; cowboy and Charlotte’s friend Cutter Long. Thank goodness a family tree is supplied at the beginning of the story ;)

SEARCHING FOR LOVE is a story of second chances; of grief and healing; of family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is spicy, imaginative yet heart breaking; the romance is tender, seductive and provocative; the characters are spirited, energetic, and animated but it is the wounded hearts of Zev and Carly that cry for healing and love. SEARCHING FOR LOVE is another intoxicating look at the people who live and work in Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls.

Just like the cover this book will not disappoint- sexy, funny great characters
Excellent read especially if you’re already a fan of Melissa’s books

Zev & Carly a story full of love, heartbreak, angst and a tragic past. Dive back into Melissa’s world with the Bradens. Catch up with old characters and meet new ones.
Zev is back for his brothers wedding and low and behold who is catering the desserts; the love of his life who he left after tragedy struck. Carly sees Zev at the wedding and vows to be strong. Can she stay strong or will her heart break again because of the guy she’s loved her whole life.
Dive into this adventure filled book and come along for the ride as Zev and Carly learn who they are now, with sparks and all. Chemistry is still red hot between the two of them, hold on for the adventure of their lifetime.