Derek and Talia are an unexpected couple. But honestly, that made me want to keep reading (while holding my eyes open with toothpicks because it's so good!). I like to think that we're all designed to perfectly match up with one other human in our lives - our true soul mate. Melissa creates the perfectly balanced couples I've ever read. She also puts a lot of research into the backgrounds of her characters. Having factual advice about Alzheimer’s enhances the story as you can place the characters into shoes of people you know in real life. Derek's career choice is more about a need to make money and take care of family while Talia's career is driven by her need to make everyone happy around her. She's responsible and closed off -- the perfect opposite of the open and passionate Derek. Together, this couple creates a balance that is incredibly sexy and irresistible. 

I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

This review is one of the hardest and easiest ones for me to write. Melissa Foster has a way with making the toughest of topics resonate so clear that you can't help but fall in love with each one of her characters and sub characters. Love Like Ours was no different in dealing with the topic of Alzheimer's. This book broke me in so many ways in a good way that I couldn't put it down. I lost my own grandmother to this disease and the way that Derek is with his father reminds me of what my family went through. You have days that are good and days that are bad, yet you find a way to cherish each of those days until the end. Talia, in a way is a lot like me scared of the unknown and worried about what people will think. Derek is her perfect match in showing her it is OK to step out side your comfort zone and still be the person people adore. The support that Derek receives from Talia's family is proof that there are tons of support systems in place for people that are dealing with any issue, Alzheimer's included. A beautiful dream was made a reality because two people fell in love. Love Like Ours definitely is one of my top reads this year .

I did not get into the story and was not able to get past some of the shaming done on the main character.

This author can take two people who can seem all wrong for each other and just make them written in the stars fun. Derek is almost run over by controlled personality Talia. His father has Alzheimer’s and Dereks life revolves around taking care of his dad. Talia really steps outside her comfort zone to be with Derek and that makes all the difference.

What did I like? I love that the author doesn’t just give you a silly romance but two characters that you can connect to with real life issues and drama. You watch them meet, have real life problems and solve them with camaraderie and family. It’s a touching yet moving story.

Would I buy or recommend? Yes, this author has a great bunch of series with covers that would love to sit on your bookshelf. She’s the type of author you can just binge read and laugh over her books.

Thoughts for the author? Loved this book, thanks for a copy. Great series!

Another exceptional book by Melissa Foster! Talia and Derek were not what I was expecting at all. At one point in the story, Talia and Derek are talking about what people expect of her. That conversation was the "ah ha" moment I had in the book - based on the previous two books I had expectations for Talia's happily ever after and it was nothing like what ended up happening. Talia and Derek's story is a beautiful portrayal of the idea that sometimes a crazy incident "happens" so you meet someone who becomes so big in your life. Talia's journey to break out of what is "expected" of her is one of ups and downs but as a couple, Talia and Derek work together to overcome all obstacles to reach their own happily ever after.

I am eagerly awaiting the next Sugar Lake Book

Reviewer’s note: It’s been a while since I read a book by Melissa Foster, but the synopsis of this book captured me and so I jumped on it. I didn’t know that the hero’s dad had Alzheimer’s or that the day I chose to read the ARC would be the three week anniversary of my dad’s death from that disease. As soon as I realized what was going on in the book, I wasn’t sure I could continue it, I wanted to make sure my life experience wasn’t tainting my feelings for this book, but I decided to keep on and also decided that if for some reason I felt I couldn’t be impartial I would ask one of our other reviewers to step in and read and review it. I can honestly say I’m glad I kept going and was happy at the way this story played out. Fact is in real life things like being a parent’s caretaker or dealing with social stigma from one’s job happen and it only makes sense that these be addressed in romance novels. It is everyday life for many people and to pretend otherwise is discounting what people do day in and day out to pay for care, put a roof over their heads, to put food on the table, and to simply exist. I want to thank Ms. Foster for the compassionate way she handled this horrible disease and for giving readers a glimpse into those who love someone with it. I also want to tell readers that this was a small part of the book, but it did affect everything in the hero’s life; however despite that he found a woman who understood, supported him, and loved both him and his father.

Out of whack and being berated by her loving sisters and mom, Talia Dalton almost runs over a long haired man with piercing blue eyes in the parking lot at the university where she teaches. Little does she know that this man who is the opposite of everything she thinks she wants in a man, is exactly who she needs; she just doesn’t realize that there is so much more going on behind those eyes that mesmerize her.

I loved everything about this couple from the unique way they met, to their intellectual conversations, to their playful banter, and even the mistakes they made. There was a realism in this story that captivated me and held my attention from the first page to the last. Watching Talia blossom with Derek was beautiful and seeing her accept all parts of his life including his father and his job made it easy to overlook her inability to share everything with her family at first. Derek’s drive and perseverance was admirable and watching him wrestle with wanting a life outside of the small world he’d allowed himself was both heart breaking and heart-warming. Talia’s family rallying around Derek and his father was what I would hope for anyone dealing with a debilitating disease and Derek’s friends accepting Talia into their fold gave her the confidence to realize how important he was in her life.

Sometimes you read a book you think might be difficult and instead it uplifts your spirit and that is exactly what Melissa Foster has done for me in Love Like Ours. Thanks so much Ms. Foster, this book could not have come at a better time for this reader.

Melissa Foster hit a grand slam with this 3rd book of the series Sugar Lake titled Love Like Ours! Talia is conservative professor that is so uptight and never lets her guard down. Until the day she almost runs over Derek while being on the phone with her sisters. Derek shows up in her classroom that she is substituting for her friend. Derek starts falling for Talia but then Talia finds out he is a bartender so she goes to see him one night. She quickly discovers that he is a male dancer and she liked what she saw but was to worried about what fellow professors and family would think of her. But grab your tissues and be prepared to fall hard for Derek when you realize he is doing this for his father. Yeah for Melissa to bring this terrible disease (Alzheimer’s) to the fore front. Derek is a beyond a great caretaker! A definite must read!

Yummy!  Grant is the rare breed of sweet alpha male.  Talia is a loner who needs a sweet alpha male.  They meet through unusual circumstances and the heat that glows is off the charts.  May we all find the type of love that makes us risk all.

I’ve liked all the men of Sugar Lake, but Derek Grant is my absolutely favorite.  I still love the family dynamic present in the books, and all that they do for those they allow into their circle.  
Talia is a little harder for me to like than the other sisters have been.  Not entirely sure why.

Love Like Ours was a great read by Melissa Foster. This is book three in the Sugar Lake series. Talia is a successful professor that rarely takes chances. One morning she took her eyes off the road while driving and almost ran over the sexiest man shes ever seen. Derek is a male dancer that is a graduate student who is also taking care of his sick father. When Talia crashes into his life, he helps try toloosen her up. I loved Talia and Derek's story and can't wait to read more by Melissa Foster.

Love Like Ours

**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great story of two people who seem like they wouldn’t fit together, being exactly what the other one needs. Talia is a smart, sophisticated woman who always does what is expected of her and never has the fun she deserves. While Derek knows that life is short and makes the most of everyday even while taking care of his father. He will push Talia in ways she didn’t know she needed and might just find the one that she could spend her life with, if she gives him a chance.

The book starts out with Talia talking to her family and they are set on her finding love and have her so distracted that she nearly runs a hunky Derek down. Derek has so much going on in his life, working, school and taking care of his father who has Alzheimer's that he hasn't really dated in years. That changes when he meets an interesting Professor...Talia. While they seem like an unlikely pair, she has to continually step outside her comfort zone to be with Derek and with his continued help she does just that. Her family is very close, loving and a true cast of characters, but they are quite accepting of Derek when they meet him and see how much he cares for Talia and just how happy she is. Derek's friends have become an extended family for him and they too, are very welcoming to Talia. Ms. Foster tackles the difficult subject of Alzheimer's and being a caregiver. You will laugh and cry as these two help each other. I wasn't ready for it to end as it did, so I'm hoping there'll be another book that will catch us up with these two and the plans Derek has for his business. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Tali’s never expected to fall in love and under such interesting circumstances. Derek was everything she could have possibly imagined and he fell so seamlessly into her life. She finally was able to feel that peace that had been missing for too long. Derek has his own struggles and he is trying to make a brighter future for his father. Great story!

I love how this starts off fairly light-hearted, despite having a couple of very serious (and very sexy) main characters. Talia is coping with pressure from those who love her to get out there and have some fun, which leads to the moment that changes her life forever. Derek was just trying to hold his life together when love just about runs him over. After a series of misunderstandings, things go from quietly smoldering to muy caliente in a heartbeat. The best Melissa Foster book I've read yet!

What an awesome story!  I hadn't read the other stories in the Sugar Lake series, but now want to go back and get them.  They aren't necessary to appreciate the story, but I want to know more about Talia's family.  Talia and Derek have an unconventional meeting.  She nearly ran him over!  Derek is such a great lead character.  He is so easy to fall in love with.  Talia is a lucky lady.  I loved seeing Talia grow more confident with the love of Derek!  I'm not even sure what to say about this story.  I loved every minute of it.  The obstacles were real and not based on misunderstandings.  It is a story full of serious topics but with a sense that you can overcome whatever life brings with the help of people that love you. I received an advance copy for an honest review.

Talia Dalton is a professor and likes her life in as much order as possible and avoids any chance of heartache after having her heart broken in the past. Yet when she almost runs over a man something changes within her the moment she meets him.

Derek Grant is not your average guy. He has put his own dreams aside to take care of his father who has Alzheimer's and he is a bartender/dancer in the evenings to support them while trying to take classes during the day. He has never let a woman distract him before but when he meets Talia he knows he wants her.

With Talia and Derek's different lives/careers is there a chance they can make it? With the pressure that Derek has taking care of his dad will it be too much to handle a relationship with Talia as well?

This was such an awesome book and I loved the focus on Alzheimer's as both of my grandma's had it as have several other family members. 

I thought Talia was an awesome character and I understood why she guarded her heart. Her family was awesome through the whole book and I loved that they were each so unique. I hated that Talia thought less of herself compared to her sisters.

Derek was definitely the kind of guy that women dream about! I loved how dedicated he was to his father and truly what he gave up for him. His job gave him the money to pay his bills and I understood why he was continuing to do it but at the same time I did understand where Talia didn't necessarily like it. 

I loved how much fun Talia and Derek had together and how he really brought out a different side of her that challenged her to do new things and have fun doing them. It was such an ideal pairing and it made my heart burst.

The apprehension that both felt at different times of the book was so realistic and happens to so many of us. 

I absolutely loved Talia's family and the support they gave Talia and also gave Derek the moment he came over. There was so much love!!

Loved the end!!

This was a great story with great characters. It flowed nicely without rushing the story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author! Read it and you won't regret the time spent.

Talia has met her match Derek. Talia is a professor for a local small university. Derek is obtaining his Master's degree. Talia almost runs Derek over. Derek is taking care of his father who has Alzheimer. Will he find true love? Can these two survive all the hurdles? You must read! Absolutely loved this book!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Unfortunately, this was one I chose not to finish.  My apologies for the late notice.  As I don't want my low rating to appear on the site and potentially impact the choices of other readers, I wait until after a title has been published/no longer able to be downloaded.  

Inadvertently, I waited much longer than intended to give feedback for this title.

I look forward to the next title through your company!

Thanks,
Laura

Melissa Foster surely knows how to weave a sexy romance, with alpha males that can be vulnerable at times and vulnerable females who can be made of steel when it counts. Talia Dalton is a quiet professor who lives her life as calm, cool and collected as possible. After having her heart broken and stomped on by a former lover, she is so careful with her heart she doesn't risk it at all. Until the day she practically runs over the sexiest man she's ever laid eyes on. Male dancer Derek Grant probably would have seen the sweet and sexy professor who nearly killed him, had he not been running on fumes. But as a graduate student, the sole caretaker of his ailing father, and a bartender/male dancer he hasn’t had much time for sleep or relationships, but for Talia, he is willing to make more than a few exceptions... Thing is he can't help but want to spend time with her in and out of bed. She is smart, intriguing and beautiful. She understands and gets him. She also gets his father. It's his job she has a hard time with... Still, with finesse and more than a little charm, Derek chips away at her resistance and wins her heart or so he thought. A sexy, seductive, love story where two very different people learn that they are a perfect match if only they can ignore the opinions of others and rely on what really matters.