Can the Bradens books be read as standalones?

Yes, each novel in the series features a complete standalone romance with a resolved happy ending, so you can jump in anywhere. However, reading them in order helps you appreciate the family dynamics and character crossovers.

What is the difference between Lovers at Heart and Lovers at Heart, Reimagined?

Lovers at Heart, Reimagined is an updated, expanded, and rewritten version of the original 2013 book. Melissa Foster added more depth and a mature tone in 2018, and this version has replaced the original in the official reading order.

Where should I start reading Melissa Foster's Bradens series?

If you want to focus only on the Bradens, the best starting point is Lovers at Heart, Reimagined . If you want the entire Love in Bloom experience, start with the Snow Sisters trilogy first.

How do the Montgomerys fit into the Bradens books?

The Bradens & Montgomerys series is a crossover subseries where members of both prominent families meet and fall in love, serving as a bridge between their respective worlds.

Are the novellas required reading to follow the series?

No, novellas like Promise My Love are optional companion stories that give updates on previous couples. You can skip them without losing track of the main series plots.

Love in Bloom: The Bradens Books in Order

The Best Starting Points for The Bradens

Melissa Foster’s expansive Love in Bloom universe is famous for its wealthy, loyal heroes, independent heroines, and strong family dynamics. Within this universe, The Bradens stand out as fan favorites. Because the series features dozens of interconnected stories spanning multiple geographic locations, new readers often wonder where they should begin their journey.

You have two main pathways to choose from when starting the series:

The Bradens-Only Entry Point (Weston, CO): If you want to dive straight into the Braden family, start with Lovers at Heart, Reimagined. This is the definitive first book of the original Weston branch and introduces you to the core dynamics of the family.
The Complete Love in Bloom Entry Point: Since the Bradens are part of a larger universe, readers who want a fully chronological experience should start with the Snow Sisters trilogy (beginning with Sisters in Love). The characters in the Snow Sisters trilogy crossover directly into the early Weston Braden books.

Although each book is written to function as a standalone romance with a guaranteed happy ending, reading them in order allows you to watch the family grow and appreciate the recurring appearances of previous couples.

Lovers at Heart vs. Lovers at Heart, Reimagined

When searching for the first book in the series, you will likely encounter two versions: the original Lovers at Heart (published in 2013) and Lovers at Heart, Reimagined (published in 2018). Melissa Foster completely rewrote and expanded the original story of Treat Braden and Max Armstrong to give them a deeper, more mature romance with extra scenes. The Reimagined edition has replaced the original version in the official reading order and is the recommended version to read today.

The Bradens Subseries Breakdown

The Bradens series is organized into distinct subseries based on location. Each subseries focuses on a different branch of the family tree, allowing you to follow specific groups of siblings and cousins.

The Bradens at Weston, CO

The original subseries that started it all. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Colorado, these books follow the Weston branch of the Braden family as they navigate intense chemistry, personal growth, and family loyalty.

Lovers at Heart, Reimagined (2018)
Destined for Love (2013)
Friendship on Fire (2013)
Sea of Love (2013)
Bursting with Love (2013)
Hearts at Play (2014)
Promise My Love (2015) - Novella
Daring Her Love (2015) - Novella
Our New Love (2015) - Novella
Story of Love (2017) - Novella
A Very Braden Christmas (2018) - Novella

The Bradens at Trusty, CO

This subseries shifts the focus to Trusty, Colorado, introducing another set of siblings. These books are filled with rugged charm, emotional healing, and small-town warmth.

Taken by Love (2014)
Fated for Love (2014)
Romancing My Love (2014)
Flirting with Love (2014)
Dreaming of Love (2015)
Crashing Into Love (2015)

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD

Moving away from the mountains, this coastal subseries brings the romance to Peaceful Harbor, Maryland. The stories here offer healing from past traumas, secondary chances, and beautiful seaside backdrops.

Healed by Love (2015)
Surrender My Love (2016)
River of Love (2016)
Crushing on Love (2016)
Whisper of Love (2017)
Thrill of Love (2017)
Love at Last (2018)

The Bradens & Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill - Oak Falls

This crossover series blends the worlds of the Bradens and the Montgomerys. Set in Pleasant Hill and Oak Falls, it features members of both families finding love, creating a larger, richer tapestry of interconnected stories.

Embracing Her Heart (2018)
Anything For Love (2018)
Trails of Love (2019)
Wild, Crazy Hearts (2019)
Making You Mine (2020)
Searching for Love (2020)
Hot for Love (2021)
Sweet, Sexy Heart (2021)
Then Came Love (2022)
Rocked by Love (2023)
Falling for Mr. Bad (2024)

Understanding Chronology, Crossovers, and Novellas

While reading by subseries is the most straightforward method, it does create minor chronological overlaps. For example, characters from the Trusty and Peaceful Harbor subseries often appear in the background of each other's books. If you want the most seamless experience, follow the general publication order of the books, which mirrors how the author wrote them and introduced the characters.

Novellas like Promise My Love and A Very Braden Christmas offer short updates on previous couples and are perfect for holiday reading. However, they are not strictly mandatory to understand the plot arcs of the main books, so you can skip them or save them for later if you want to focus purely on the full-length novels.