Bodhi might just be the hottest Sugar Lake man yet. Bridgette is a single mom, who's sweet and carrying a broken heart. Together they find a fire that neither can ignore or put out. However, even a raging inferno of lust sometimes leaves behind smoldering coals of more than passion. Love might just arise from the ashes of their desire if only they can move past their fears of having something more.

4.5 Stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
The Real Thing (Sugar Lake #1)

This is Bridgette and Bodhi’s story. Bridgette is a single mom and widow. She does not have time for a relationship. She does have time for a fling. He next door neighbor is just the one she wants for said fling. He looks like he could be quite the distraction. She needs a distraction. Bodhi has noticed his neighbor but he knows that he is not a forever kind of guy. His job revolves around dangerous missions. His neighbor has already been through a loss. But chemistry has a way of pulling them both together. When he has to leave for his next mission he just might be leaving more than the neighbor behind. Can these two have a forever? Or will on night and a mission change everything?

I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I highly recommend this book.

When you pick up a book and start to read and within the first few minutes you are laughing and loving the characters already it is a really good sign. I loved this one. Brodhi & Bridgette are so stinking sweet together and throw in a sweet little boy, a dog, and family that not only stick together but offer unconditional support and you have a book you won't want to put down for a second.

This one requires some tissues so be prepared... Five stars just aren't enough

The second in Melissa Fosters' Sugar Lake series lives up to all the promise of a sweet and sultry "insta" read. The attraction between Bodhi and neighbor Bridgette is instantaneous, but the journey to love is a bit slower. Both Bodhi and Bridgette have reservations about romantic entanglements and approach their relationship knowing they have an expiration date. This is supposed to protect their hearts, but emotions have a way of developing against their wishes.

Inspired by single mother Bridgette and her young son, Melissa Fosters writing is introspective and especially poetic. Early on, we learn about Bridgette's standing as a single mother and just how she came to this place in her life. " She’d gardened her broken heart out, creating lush, bountiful flower beds throughout the property, full of new life that needed nurturing and could not be ignored. Louie gave her purpose." Her son is rightly the center of the universe, but with Bodhi pushing his way into her life, she finds her resolve crumbling. And who could blame her? Bodhi is an enigma. This tough as nails, special ops, handy man, he has good reason to keep Bridgette and Louie at arms length, but there is something in this little family that calls to his soul, and it's not long before he's breaking all the rules that he sets. He's just so charming and I love the way he treats Bridgette and Louie. There is one thing that made him completely endearing, and that is the fact that he is a romance reader. Yes, a man who reads the same type romance novels you or I read. He's perfect!

I adore Melissa's writing. The characters are always well rounded, with distinct dialogue for her characters' voices. Only For You is a lively and well paced story that made this a one sitting read. 4 Stars and once again, I find myself recommending a Melisa Foster book!

Every now and then, a book grabs you by the heart on page one and doesn’t let go...even after The End. Bodhi and Bridgette’s story did that for me!
This strong, silent guy bumps into the sweet, widowed, single mom at her sister’s bakery and suddenly she’s all he can think about. And, bonus...he’s fixing up the house next door to hers for his mom. Little does he know that she’s staring right back...especially after catching him in just a towel. Had to fan myself during that scene.
Bodhi is only in town for 2 weeks, Bridgette doesn’t seem to be a fling type of girl...not with a precious 5 yr old to raise on her own. But just like in every good romance, sparks fly, clothes fly off and sexy times ensue. Only that’s not all that ensues. Bodhi gets Bridgette...down to her flower loving soul, to the fierce love and protectiveness of her son Louie. And to her desire to never grieve for another lost love.
I cried, I laughed, I swooned...and cried some more! I enjoyed the sexy times...it is a Melissa Foster romanc, after all! But most of all I loved the friendship, the support, the understanding and the joy that Bridgette and Louie brought to Bodhi...and vice versa.
Second book in the Sugar Lake series, it can definitely be read alone. A great introduction to Foster if you’re a new reader, and more than likely a new favorite for long time fans. Awesome!

Only for You is book 2 in the Sugar Lake series by Melissa Foster but can be read as a standalone.
 
Both Bodhi and Bridgette have suffered loss in their lives. Bridgette lost her husband in a tragic accident when her son was very young. She isn't interested in a serious relationship and just wants to focus on raising her son. Bodhi is ex-Special Forces who now works for a civilian company performing covert operations. He takes his job seriously and although he would love to find his HEA, it hasn't been easy. When sparks fly between them, Bodhi gives Bridgette the option for him to stay or him to leave to go on his next mission. Which will she choose?
 
I really enjoyed this book. In true Melissa Foster fashion, she has given us a book that is hard to put down and that will give you all the feels. I can't wait to read more in this series!

Only for You had that little extra something that just had me gushing out everywhere. I won’t call it complete emotional melt down but it was touching in its own ways. Bodhi was the man that never ever left any one behind. He may just have to leave the beautiful single mom and her son behind this time.

Bridgette’s life takes a turn when she loses her husband. She makes the decision to return home and family. She made a way for herself and her son. Now it was time for her to have a little fun. Of course, why not have fun with the new sexy stud next door.

Bodhi was only in town to fix the home his mother was to retire to. She was his mission at the moment. At least, until the missions he lived for came up again. He was a man that prided himself on his skills and ability to never leave anyone behind. He also never expected to be pulled in to the world of the sexy widow next door and her son.

Returning back to Sugar Lake and the quaint surroundings and good characters was enjoyable. The romance was building the relationship between the three was sweet. Watching them grow as more was well worth the short time it took to read it. I was transported to a small town with characters and events that gave me a sense of being right there.

This is the first book I've read by Melissa Foster and it will not be the last! I absolutely loved Bodhi and Bridgette's story. Tough rescuer meets hometown girl. He needs to be rescued now. I laughed, cried and felt warm and fuzzy all over. You can't miss this one! I also, loved how the flowers sent to Bridgette were decoded and the hidden message was revealed. I never knew flowers had a specific meaning and my Mother was a florist.

You’ve read my previous book reviews of Melissa Fosters books, so you should know it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of her stories. This one was no different. Melissa Foster never seems to what makes a person their strongest and she always seems to write that into her stories. Bridgette and Bodhi will capture your heart and pull on every emotion you might have, and even some you don’t know you have! What an amazing read!

I’ve read a lot of Melissa’s books, but I believe this has to be my favorite. This book is so heartwarming, genuine, and believable. Bridgette is a widow with a small son, Bodhi is her temporary neighbor. He is fixing up the house next door for his mother. There attraction is instant. This book has a huge twist and a happily ever after isn’t guaranteed.
I love how they are respectful of Louie’s feelings and awareness and keep their relationship on the down-low when he is around.
You will fall in love with Bodhi.

Since The Real Thing I have been dying to read Only for You, and boy did Melissa do a stand up job with it. We have returned to the shores of Sugar Lake in the small town of Sweetwater, where things are really hotting up for Bridgette Dalton and Bodhi Booker. Not only is Bridgette, Williow’s sister but she is also a widow and single mother to her five year old son Louis, she hasnt had a relationship since her husband died in a car crash when Louis was just months old, guys see a child as a burden and she doesn’t want to put her son through that. That is until Bodhi moves in next door and he is all she can fantasise about.

Bodhi is only in town to fix up the house for his mother to move in then he is back to the city, that coupled with his dangerous job of being a special ops rescuer puts him in the mindset of not looking for a long term relationship, but in true Melissa style that is until he meets Bridgette and falls for her hard and fast.

They are both so intense and the fire was lit long before they even kissed, that just happened to fuel the fire even more

This was one hot but sweet read at the same time, how Bodhi is with her son will melt your heart. Being a single mother is hard but Melissa captured the family dynamics and worries of Bridgette perfectly.

What an amazing book! It has everything I love in a romance….steam but yet sweet, and it definitely pulled at my heartstings!

Bridgette is an amazing mother. She has had to be mother and father to her young son, Louie, after her husband died years ago. She has a great support group of family and friends, but she hasn’t found love again and doesn’t think she ever will. She is one tough cookie. She has worked hard to create a loving, warm life for Louie. However, she is lonely. She isn’t looking for a relationship but a distraction, and her sexy neighbor, Bodhi, might just fit the bill.

Bodhi is the whole package…sexy, sweet, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor. Not many women could resist him. Like Bridgette, he isn’t looking for a relationship either. He doesn’t hide that fact either. The chemistry between these two sizzles, and they believe a casual affair will work perfectly for them. As they spend more time together, and Louie seems to become more attached to Bodhi, things get complicated. This is the point that Bodhi and Bridgette have to decide if they can put their fears aside and make their own HEA.

I loved the characters, even the secondary ones, and as you can imagine, I adored little Louie. He could melt anyone’s heart. They added a deeper level to the book, and as always Foster writes with such emotion, I couldn’t help but be under Melissa Foster’s spell. Waiting for the next one in the series!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

This second novel in the Sugar Lake series focuses on Bridgette Dalton and Bodhi Booker and is packed with so many swoon-worthy moments! Bridgette owns the flower shop connected to her sister Willow’s bakery and is a single mom raising her five-year-old son Louie. Bridgette has always put Louie first and tried to create a life of love and stability for Louie since her husband Jerry died when Louie was just a baby. Bodhi lives a life on the edge as a rescuer in secret missions, but is Bridgette’s temporary neighbor since he bought a home for his mother in Sweetwater for her to live after her retirement. Bodhi never does relationships because he can’t promise he’ll make it back from his missions alive, and Bridgette has never brought men into Louie’s life, hoping to save him from the heartbreak of a man going away again.

Bridgette is a fantastic, dynamic character who is so easy to relate to as she juggles the joys and challenges of being a single, working mom. She’s such a fluid character that was smart, funny, beautiful, and caring. Bodhi did not appear to have a sweet or gentle side at all in the first portion of the book. Actually, he was the epitome of a hot, brooding, closed-off loner that you would want to avoid. However, as the novel progresses, Melissa Foster reveals an amazingly caring, romantic, loyal, and loving man that made my heart so happy! As always with Foster’s novels, the supporting characters were also wonderful, but Louie was the cutest thing ever. For a five-year-old character, Louie is so well-developed and steals the spotlight numerous times with his sweet innocence.

Only For You embraces the concept of love and the sacrifices that we will make for those that we love. Themes include dating and relationships when one of both parties have children, as well as, the importance of strength, love, and support within families. My main thoughts after reading are that some things are just meant to be despite walls we build around ourselves. Every once in awhile people are just magnetically drawn to one another despite how hard they may resist the pull, and some have killer chemistry 🙂 Bodhi and Bridgette’s story will definitely not disappoint contemporary romance fans and I promise that you will fall head over heels for both Bodhi and Louie. As per the norm, I have fallen in love with another Melissa Foster and another one of her leading men!

*Thanks so much to Beck Valley and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was absolutely fantastic. It hit me in the feels in the best way. Bridgette and Bodhi were impossible not to love.

Bodhi and his gruff exterior was instantly appealing because I wanted to know what his story was. Learning what his history and present were moved that appeal to me being his full blown cheerleader and wanting him to have the wonderful family he was on the verge of having with Bridgette and her sweet little boy.

Bridgette was this fiercely strong, loving, and just amazing character. She had already suffered through so much heartache and pain so I didn't blame her for not wanting to risk being hurt again. Plus she also had her son's feelings to consider. But seeing the chemistry and just all around happiness Bodhi brought them both, I kept reading in hopes the the author would find a way to give both of these characters what they needed.

In the end every thing was perfect but the journey and experiencing through words everything this book had to offer was the best part. I look forward to the rest of the Dalton siblings getting their own stories.
~Shy

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
After losing her husband five years ago, Bridgette Dalton is back home in Sweetwater with her son, making a life with her family close. When a handsome man shows up in town and ends up next door to Bridgette, she can't help noticing him and the flutter her heart makes when he is near her.

Bodhi Booker is in Sweetwater to work on the house he bought for his mother to retire in. Just a few weeks and she can move in and he will back on his way to another rescue mission. It's what he does and one of the main reasons he doesn't do relationships. When he notices his sexy, beautiful neighbor, he is drawn to her and her precious son.

When it seems that Bodhi and Bridgette can't stay away from each other any longer, they decide to make the most of the time they have with each other without the promise of forever. But with every minute they spend together, will they be able to let go when the time comes?

I love Melissa Foster and I knew going in that this one would tear me up and yes, it did. I was laughing one minute and crying like a baby the next. But believe me, the story is perfect and could not have been any better. I can't wait to see which sibling’s story is going to be next.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of passion and friendship

This is the second in the series, and is just as fabulous as the last one. This time it is Willow's widowed sister, Bridgette, who finds love. The other sisters (and brother Ben) are always around, and there are some strong hints as to future storylines – which always makes me happy. And once again, their mother, Roxie, is mixing love potions and taking the credit!

New neighbours, Bodhi and Bridgette find each other utterly irresistible, but widowed Bridgette looks after her son and her floristry shop. There is no time for freshly cooked meals, forget hot men. Luckily, she soon forgets this and we get an absolutely delicious, romantic, and very sweet story. Louis, her son, and Dahlia, Bodhi's dog, are so central to the story, because these two are faithful, caring, and loyal to a fault. They agree to just live for now, both knowing how the future can fall apart, but wow, their now is perfection.

I love that we know the story from both sides, how we can see their behaviour towards each other develop so naturally, and that they are so oblivious of others. I also adore her openness with her sisters, it is so funny and refreshing. I laughed and gasped and hoped, and as always, Ms. Foster did not let me down.

Roll on book #3, please!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book, the way it was written and how two people who clearly didn't want to fall in love did just that.

Bridgette wants the world to think that she can do it all, especially her parents. Raising her son, owning a flower shop, and getting by with the help of her family, she thinks she does a pretty good job. But the nights get lonely and when Bohdi Booker moves in next door, her imagination runs wild. She doesn't have time for a relationship, but someone to help her scratch the itch now and then wouldn't be so bad.

Bohdi is in town remodeling the house he bought for his mother. He notices the woman next door, but he doesn't do relationships, and definitely stays away from women with children. He is focused on saving others, on reuniting families, so that no other child has to experience the loss of a parent like he had. But there is something about Bridgette that calls to him.

The feelings expressed by Bridgette and Bohdi are so heartfelt and real, it was as if they’re my next door neighbors and I was anxious as they were to see how all this played out.

MY REVIEW:

OMG All of the promotional hype for this book did not give justice to Bodhi Booker!

First of all, I love this series. Sugarlake, though a fictional little town, sounds like just the place I'd like to live. The people within the town, seem kind, wonderful, have your back type of folks, not that my neighbors aren't the same.

There is something about the Dalton family, whether it is the fact that there are four girls and one brother which draws me, or just thinking of how much teasing brother Ben Dalton must have lived through with four sisters before he, Zane and their friends escaped the female influence. While I know there are more books to come, this is ranking as my all-time favorite book by Melissa Foster. I want to find a real Bodhi Booker of my own.

The last thing widow, Bridgette Dalton wanted in her life was a man. Especially not with an impressionable pre-kindergartner soaking up everything the giant of a man and his dog, Dahlia did for them. But the heart wants what the heart wants and denying their attraction was a no go for both of them. When the kissing started, they were both a lost cause to their passion.

I loved each aww factor Foster inserted into the book and I think one of my favorite sections is where Bodhi sends Bridge flowers with a special meaning for just the two of them.

This is by no means a easy HEA book. Booker has issues he works through. Bridge has her son to protect, but when they get together it is combustible. This is definitely a book I am getting for my closest friends.

This is the second book in the Sugar Lake series. It's a stand alone, so you don't need to read the first one to read this one. I was kind of underwhelmed by the book. I didn't buy into the romance because it was so much a lust at first sight book. I get that you can be really attracted to someone, but they didn't even know each other. Honestly, it was like a pheromone overload. I didn't really feel like they spent enough time together to warrant forever. Don't get me wrong, it has a sweet HEA, but it wasn't for me.

There truly isn't anything much better than a quick read with just the right amount of angst, heat and a happily ever after. Melissa Foster's latest installment in the Sugar Lake series delivers all of the above. Only for You is about what happens when your best intentions get waylaid by your heart's desire.

Bodhi Booker is only in town to get the house he bought for his mom ready for her. He has just a few weeks to make some basic renovations and then it's back to work as a special operative working in search and rescue. Even though he's technically off of work to finish getting his mom's house ready, he could be called out at any time for a mission. His lifestyle is one that doesn't allow for roots to grow or relationships to take hold, and he likes it that way. His next mission could be his last. He certainly can't be bothered by the woman next door.

Bridgette Dalton does not have time for anything. She can barely close her flower shop on time to pick up her son and feed him dinner. She hasn't had a relationship with a man since her husband died when her son was just a baby. She hasn't had the time or desire to head back into the relationship world. That doesn't mean that she hasn't noticed the hot guy working on the house next door! The first time they meet is truly a catastrophe, but that doesn't mean sparks don't fly. Bridgette and Bodhi make the very adult decision to enjoy each other for whatever time they have. Neither one of them counted on their lust for the other getting shoved aside by their hearts.

Only for You was the kind of book you read when you want to get out of your head and lose yourself in someone else's story. The setting and the supporting characters are easy to see and relate to. I kind of want to go to the Peach Festival, no joke! I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series. I wonder whose story Melissa Foster will tell next!

4.5 Stars

Sweetness and romance abound in Melissa Foster's newest release, Only for You. Book Two in the Sugar Lake Series combines hot-as-sin but sweet as all get out Bodhi with not quite sure if she's ready to take the plunge single mom next door Bridgette.

Little Louie steals the show as Bridgette's little boy and he tugs hard on the heartstrings. Melissa Foster wrote Bridgette as being gunshy and maybe to me she was a little too slow to pull the trigger, but Bodhi had me hanging on from the get-go.

The story is one of trust and love and Melissa keeps your heart in knots as she works out the intricacies of their romance. As always, family is a big part of Melissa Foster books and Only for You is no different. You'll see a lot of sibling interaction throughout the book and that's what brings me back for more. Of course, the hunky heroes don't hurt either. Another great read from Melissa Foster and I cannot wait to see what she has in store next.

Bridgette and Bohdi. I loved these characters so much. Bridgette has spent the past five years taking care of her son and building her business. She has no desire to look for a man. Bodhi is completely dedicated to his dangerous job. He doesn't want any attachments in case he doesn't make it back from his latest mission. Then they meet. So, so good! Bodhi is amazing. I loved his protective nature of both Bridgette and Louie. I can't wait for the next book in this series!