I haven’t read a Melissa Brayden book I didn’t like, and there’s a lot to like here. I enjoyed both Kate and Autumn as characters, and found their chemistry and relationship (which builds despite all reasons, and good ones at that, for it not to) to be both believable and fun.

I did have a bit of trouble with the obligatory breakup, or the semi resolution of it anyway, because, like Autumn, I did think that maybe Kate was just latching on for want of soething else, although the ending did somewhat redeem her. I also liked that Kate was more a part of the group and the overall ‘Shores scene’ than Taylor got to be, (even in this book Taylor still seems on the outskirts, and I could not fathom why Izzy and Taylor, who’ve been together for awhile here were still not living together, it was a bit weird).

There’s something about this series, I’m not sure what it is, but it feels like the friendship stuff is trying too hard. All the witty banter grows tiresome after awhile, there were a few scenes where the friendship stuff struck home (Had and Autumn at the wedding, Gina and Autumn at the clinic/breakfast) but for the most part it’s a bit cutesy for me.

Still, as always Melissa delivers a sweet romance that has you rooting for the HEA, and this is a fairly charming romance. 4 stars.

Sooooo, I read Melissa Brayden’s newest book, Hearts like Hers. OMGeezy, let me tell you something, Melissa Brayden is a true romance badass. This book is everything. E V E R Y T H I N G! I could throw out adjectives for greatness all day long and it still wouldn’t be enough. The queen of romance has dazzled me yet again, and I cannot thank her enough for it. Brayden doesn’t just write a love story, she writes an epic love story!

Hearts like Hers focuses on Autumn Primm, the owner of The Cat’s Pajamas coffee shop. Autumn is witty, she’s sarcastic and an all-around adorable character. She has spent her life up until now completely learning the coffee trade and now running her small business. An invitation to her ex-girlfriend, Olivia’s, wedding hit Autumn especially hard. Not for the fact that she has any residual feelings for her former lover, no, that ship has sailed. What she feels is more the loss of a chance, she has let her love life evaporate while she has been solely focused on business. So she forces herself to watch the ex get hitched and comes to the conclusion its time to have a child, she’s going to take that next step in life even though she has not found her Mrs. Right.

Kate Carpenter is the newest residence at the Seven Shores apartment complex. She has taken a two-month hiatus from her job fighting fires in a small sleepy town in Oregon. She needed to get away. Kate was in the right place at the right time to save two small children from a house fire, but it wasn’t without pain and suffering for everyone involved. Touted as the town’s hero, Kate wants anything but the attention. She heads to Venice for some rest, relaxation and far away from anyone that will call her a hero.

This book, to me, deviates from the Brayden formula just enough. Now, I have never been one to knock said formula because to me it works and it works exceptionally well. There is a reason that readers drop everything for these books, they are time and time again outstanding reads. What I’m saying is this book is captivating and keeps you on your toes. The slight change up works but even more than that it’s just about two fabulous characters that have so much chemistry. I’m talking chemistry for days. Big and bold smoldering chemistry! This book is hot and sexy, with all the wit and spark you expect from the master of dialogue. Brayden stepped up to the plate with this one, she pointed her bat Babe Ruth style into the grandstands, and nails that sucker out of the park. This is a true romance that does every single thing to perfection. Every. Single. Thing! Once again Melissa Brayden stands at the top. She unequivocally is the queen of romance.

All the stars!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2245805633?type=review#rating_146697346

Overall, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The beginning seems to lay out a narrative that seems inevitable, and cliche but then deviates from it in a satisfying way. I haven't read the first book in the series, and understood the world and characters perfectly well regardless. That being said, a lot of effort is put into hinting at the lives of the background characters, setting up hints for their own turn in the spotlight, when some of that time could have been spent on the romance between Kate and Autumn. We get a lot of them interacting with friends and setting up connections in the world that will pay off in future books, which is nice to see if you plan on reading the whole series, and a bit frustrating if you're not.
The romance between Autumn and Kate was mature and I liked them together. I liked that they mostly avoided cliches, and had support systems to fall back on. There is sex, but it doesn't turn trashy, or steal the plot. This was well written and fun to read.

Not my favorite Brayden, but still a good read. I have been fighting a reading slump this past week. Brayden has helped me out of them on more than one occasion, so I was excited to read this. Maybe I’m still a little cranky from my slump and it’s why I didn’t OMG love this, but it’s still a book I would recommend.

This is book 2 in the Seven Shores series. Autumn, the one who owns the coffee shop, was the star of this book. After attending the wedding of an ex, Autumn decides she needs to really start living her life. And when a sexy firefighter Kate rents an apartment next to her friends, this might be the bit of fun Autumn is looking for.

I was glad to read Autumn’s story. I ended up liking her more than I expected. Gia is still the most mysterious out of the whole group, and I am still dying to read her book. I don’t know what happened to Isabel though. Her dialog was really off for me. I loved how sarcastic and funny she was in Book 1, but she wasn’t funny in this book. Hadley wins the awards for most improved. Her character was cute and way less annoying than before. I’m actually looking forward to her book now.

When it came to the most important part, the romance, I enjoyed it. I thought Kate and Autumn had a ton of chemistry together. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow, and thought it went at a really good pace. However, I did have problems at the end. I found myself getting really frustrated. I like a romance that the characters are so in love they will be together because they can’t stand being apart, and they work on issues together. That’s not what happened. I also found myself getting angry at Kate. I was glad Brayden had Autumn call her out, but she didn’t call her out on what I felt the real problem was. (view spoiler) Once we got to the actually ending of the book, it was sweet and I was happy. I just wish it was handled a bit differently before that.

This book had a few bumps for me. Some I didn’t mention because I would be adding a ton of spoiler tags. But overall I would still easily recommend this to romance fans. Brayden is a special writer who I always enjoy reading her books. I cannot wait to read Book 3. Gia is the character I have been the most interested in; I’m ready to enter the world of professional surfing.

As an avid reader of all types of genre, I can unequivocally say that Melissa Brayden is one of the best romance writers to date. Her story is engaging, her characters are realistic, her dialogue is emotional and at times so damn funny!
She is a consummate writer and deserves all the accolades that come her way. Her latest book, Hearts Like Hers, is such an enjoyable read that I couldn’t wait to finish it, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end.
This is a story about survival, healing, friendships, and of course, love. It’s a story that will tug at your heart and pull you into these characters’ lives. This book deserves so much more than a 5 star rating.

I have anxiously been waiting for this second book in the Seven Shores series and it certainly did not disappoint. Autumn, is a coffee conneuseur, and owner of the Cats Pajamajas in Venice beach who longs for more. She meet Kate, a firefighter from Oregon, looking for an escape. They said they’d keep it simple, but things don’t always go the way they are planned. I absolutely loved this book. Autumn and Kate are fantastic, well rounded mains. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies of Seven Shores better. This book could be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading Eyes Like Those first. Thanks Melissa for another amazing read!

I think she just knows how, that’s what it is! Melissa Brayden has THE recipe for writing beautiful romance, full of very appealing banter, wonderful wit. I am so in love with her characters! They are so intelligent, so beautifully humoresque and so... complete! They are real, their struggles and thoughts are realistic and very real-life existing and that’s what makes them even more attractive! Autumn and Kate are no exception! I’m going to say that I like this book even more than Seven shores romance - Book 1, and I can only hope the next ones will live up to my expectations because surely Melissa Brayden sets the bar so high and is kind of in a league of her own.