LOVING EDEN is the continuation of the love story between Grey and Eden in KISSING EDEN. I am huge fan of the “ever after” stories that happen once the guy gets the girl and love is declared. This “ever after” story delivered in every possible way, adding it as yet another favorite book by TA Foster! The beginning of this book starts months later after Eden and Grey’s reconciliation in North Carolina at the end of KISSING EDEN, when Eden is making a cross country road trip to move to Texas to start a new life with Grey. When she arrives, they live in a perfect bubble for a little while and then there seems to be one hit after another. It starts off as little things and then the an unforeseen person enters Grey’s life, causing mayhem and frustration, which almost seems like too much for this new couple to bear.

 Throughout this story, I admired the perseverance of Eden. When Grey is hurt or being a moody man, she takes the reins and tries to make decisions and keep things going in the right direction. She is a young woman who had lived life on her own terms for quite a while, which means that co-habiting and making life choices with another person are foreign concepts for her. Often times, she makes decisions without Grey’s input, not realizing the consequences and frustration she might cause him. Yet she picks up and makes the best of each situation, coming up  with new ideas on how to make the motel business thrive. Her heart is in the right place and all she wants is for their relationship and the motel to flourish. She loves Grey but there are insecurities that have weaseled their way into her subconscious. Watching her battle her mind, emotions, and situation was impressive, displaying her as a true heroine of this story! I loved how she has grown from the first book and become a strong and courageous woman.

Grey was, as always, sweet and sexy moody man. Quite often I wanted to smack him upside the head. He was living in his head and not fully embracing the new life he was living with Eden. You never doubt his love and  affection for her, but he allows his circumstances (which are a valid overwhelming thing for him) to wedge a gap between him and Eden. It is all about communication! Once he takes the steps to talk to Eden about everything going on in his head, they become a force to be reckoned with. It is an example of a couple that is truly stronger together than apart!

I felt like this book displayed a very realistic view as to what a new couple would go through when moving in together. They are trying to learn what their relationship looks like. Eden is sorting out her identity outside of the academic world. Grey is still grieving the loss of his grandfather and trying to make the Palm Springs Motel a successful business. All the individual turmoil and questions bleeds into their relationship, making it a bit rocky here and there, yet they always come back to each other and realize that this is where they belong: together.

I enjoyed every moment of this book. It was a wonderful conclusion that made me happy! Well written TA Foster! I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!