Friendship on Fire
The Bradens Series Book Three
By: Melissa Foster
Small-town overachiever Riley Banks has finally scored her big break—working in Manhattan as a fashion design assistant for her childhood crush, Josh Braden. She enters her new job hoping to make a name for herself and—just maybe—explore the romance that slipped through her fingers way back when.
Josh Braden has models at his beck and call, a staff that never says never, and an elegant clothing line for the holiday season. When he hires Riley Banks, he expects her to learn the business from the ground up. But the girl next door turns out to be much more than he remembered.
Josh and Riley’s friendship heats up. Every steamy kiss and every erotic caress stirs a love they cannot deny. But when Riley designs a wedding gown that would cause even the most jaded fashion editors to swoon, Riley’s mentor accuses her of stealing the design.
Facing indisputable proof and the mistrust of her lover, Riley is not sure she can take the heat of life in the fast lane of the fashion industry—and Josh is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the career he adores.
Josh Braden has models at his beck and call, a staff that never says never, and an elegant clothing line for the holiday season. When he hires Riley Banks, he expects her to learn the business from the ground up. But the girl next door turns out to be much more than he remembered.
Josh and Riley’s friendship heats up. Every steamy kiss and every erotic caress stirs a love they cannot deny. But when Riley designs a wedding gown that would cause even the most jaded fashion editors to swoon, Riley’s mentor accuses her of stealing the design.
Facing indisputable proof and the mistrust of her lover, Riley is not sure she can take the heat of life in the fast lane of the fashion industry—and Josh is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the career he adores.
✦CHECK OUT MY REVIEW FROM THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES✦
Have you met the Braden’s yet? If you
haven’t – you are missing half of your life right now! Ever since I have read
Treat’s story, I was already HOOKED into this series. I love every single Braden
men – and of course woman there is, but sorry to say, Cowboy Rex would always
top my list (as of the third book, that is). Tell me who doesn’t love him who’s
not shy to tell people he loves, yes, even his brothers, I LOVE YOU? Hal and
Adriana had taught their children well.
Don’t get me wrong – I’d wanted to
read Josh’s story ever since he and Riley hit it off at the concert. They had
already unspoken chemistry then, and I was looking forward on how it will work
out on this book, when Josh becomes her boss.
She graduated on top of her class and
won two awards for her design, but Riley Banks just got her big break and is
now in New York City working for one top designer, namely, Josh Braden. She
wanted to make a name for herself, conquer the world of fashion and design, and
if she gets luckier, maybe she can explore the sizzling chemistry that is
brewing between her and her childhood crush.
Josh Braden had his fair share of
women he SHOULD date and he SHOULD parade in front of the papparazi. He is
surrounded by women who men dreams about, but deep inside, he knew he wanted
more. He wanted what his brothers Treat and Rex has with Max and Jade. He wanted
what his dad has with his mother – LOVE.
To me, that’s what love is. It’s a commitment for a person that goes beyond their being physically present, and maybe it’s beyond being defined.
He hires Riley Banks when he saw her
potential, but who is he kidding? He was crushing on her since he was in high
school.
When their friendship suddenly makes a
huge turn into relationshipville and they give into their desires, both of them
found themselves in a crossroad: Riley didn’t want to be the girl who is known
to sleep her way to the top, and Josh wanted nothing more than to shout his
feelings for her…
Another problem added up when Riley
designs and elaborate wedding gown and was accused of stealing the design. OMG.
When this situation finally came out, I can feel my breath hitched, my
heartbeat took a nasty scale going up as I sit there with my fingers crossed as
a series of events unfolds before my entire eyes. Their relationship, her
reputation, career and her life is all in Josh’s hands – how in the world will
he be able to handle it without breaking both their reputation, & career
and most especially her heart? There was no evidence of her making the design,
there is a question of trust – will Riley be strong enough to withstand the callousness
of the fashion industry?
Although Rex topped my list, I was
sure I fell in love with this Braden man too. I like the control he has over
his emotions. If Rex was all macho, Josh was the pacifier. But when they were
talking about Riley, maligning her – I can sense the anger brewing inside him,
choking him, eager to get out of his skin. I understand why he loved his
career, and why he couldn’t give it up for the woman he loves at the beginning.
He strived his way to the top, it was his dream, and it was something he loved.
But in the long run, he got to make a choice, and I’m so glad he did the right
thing. I may not like some of the things he did, but he was torn, so it was
pretty much understandable. Another thing I loved about this guy is despite the
fact he’s living in New York, he still brought a piece of home with him. He communicates
with his family, he plastered pictures of them all over his house. He’s still
family-centered despite his busy career.
Riley, on the other hand, may have
lost some of her feistiness when she worked with Josh and was placed under the
supervision of Cruella. She missed home, she missed her friends, good thing she
had adjusted well in the city and gained some friends at work. She was a
well-adjusted person until the problem started. I felt bad for her. She felt so
alone in the big city, Josh was starting to question her capabilities, and all
she wanted was to go home. I was glad she had Jade, and even though they were
miles away, she was able to put some sense into her.
What I love most about this series is
the fact that it stresses the importance of FAMILY. It will make you fall in
love, your toes will curl with all those steamy scenes, you will swoon with the
men, and you will love the woman, but at the end of each story, what touched me
most is how close their family is, and despite the distance, and the craziness
of their schedule – their relationship is still intact, the communication lines
are open, and they would go fly to another continent if one of them needs the
other…
People matter. Family matters. The rest of that bullshit – fame, cars, high-rise apartments – it’ll all mean nothing without a full heart.
Melissa Foster, you did it again. I
look forward for more of this sexy men, and of course, Savannah’s as well!
What makes a man isn’t what he’ll give up, Josh. It’s the grace in what he lives his life. The level of honesty and the moral code he lives by. The ethics of being aboveboard and the value he places on those he loves combined with the efforts he takes to protect them. Those are the qualities that make a man.
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose
Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Socialnetwork for women | WorldLiterary Café | FosteringSuccess | FacebookMelissa Foster | Goodreads
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Wow! I always LOVE the effort you go through with your graphics and reviews! Thank you for everything-you ROCK!! XOXO
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