Returning to Greystone Manor in Starlight Bridge, the second book in this delightful series lived up to my expectations as we catch up on all the shenanigans in Harmony Harbor.

Ava DiRossi has barely existed these past few years never mind lived. With a broken heart, she's juggled work with caring for her ornery, sick father. Unfortunately, there's little time for herself. The result...she's exhausted from working and not eating. She's a shadow of her former self. When her ex-husband returns to visit the Manor, it re-ignites feelings and desires that never went away but feels embarrassment and shame when he takes pity on her. Only, the spirit of Greystone is keen for them to reconcile, but will secrets of the past become uncovered to spoil the plans?

Shocked, Griffin Gallagher's reaction to seeing his ex-wife at Greystone Manor. She looks thin, tired and down. However, the sight of her reminds him that Ava DiRossi is the only woman he has truly loved and memories of their life before it abruptly ended come crashing back.

The second chance romance between Griffin and Ava is adorable, although the way to their eventual happy ever after is rocky and chaotic. The drama of their reconciliation is wrapped around a fun scheme to help and promote the Manor. However, with deception and revenge on the menu served courtesy of the new 'French' chef, priorities are constantly shifting. Plus the added complication of Griffin's second ex-wife turning up with life changing news. The result? A delicious, highly entertaining story of two people trying to rebuild a new relationship together...against the odds!

The delightful secondary characters add humour to the proceedings as we catch-up with the likeable bunch we were first introduced to in book one. There's never a dull moment as Ms Mason keeping us on our toes in this beautifully written action-packed tale.

Starlight Bridge is a standalone novel, however, to fully appreciate the dynamics of Greystone Manor, in particularly ghostly Colleen...I highly recommend reading Mistletoe Cottage first. You won't be disappointed.

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Forever Romance***

I can tell you this book was so good that I want the next book in the series. If you haven't given this a series a try I highly recommend you do! This is a second chance romance. Trust me after reading about Ava and Griffin you will be rooting for them. There is still the hunt for the memoir and the secrets it holds. There is a secret in there Ava desperately wants to keep hidden. Griffin is back in town and every time he sees Ava he remembers all the good times they with one another. Soon the old flame rekindles, but it's not smooth sailing. It's an interesting dynamic when Griffin's other ex-wife comes to town. I truly adored Ava. Though life has kicked so many times she's still a caring, giving, shining light. Can she finally find her HEA that she surely deserves?

Another good book by Debbie Mason!

This one took me quite a while to get into, but my life has been super crazy right now. However, Debbie never seems to let me down.

I am really liking this series. Ava and Griffin were perfect in this book. They just fit so well together. They reminded me of Michael and Shay in Christmas with an Angel.

Mason sucks you into each of her worlds; this one is Harmony Harbor. It's as beautiful as Mason's writing style. I will definitely be reading the next one!

Review posted on From the TBR Pile March 6, 2017: http://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/2017/03/blog-tour-review-excerpt-of-starlight.html

Goodreads 3.5 stars: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1933653790

Starlight Bridge is the second book in the Harmony Harbor series. This is Ava and Griffin's story. They were seen in the first book. Having been married to each other at a young age, their marriage fell apart and Griffin never knew why. Now he is moving back to Harmony Harbor and is hoping for a second chance with his ex-wife. But, there are a few obstacles in the way.

I didn't love this one as much as I did the first one. Don't get me wrong, I loved Ava and Griffin! I a was rooting for them to get back together. Ava's secret was horrible and gut wrenching. Their HEA was really sweet. I just wish the story focused more on the two of them. I will admit that some of my favotire scenes include Colleen the ghost. She was a favorite from the first book and I was happy to see her back.

I kind of felt like there was a bit too much going on in this book. Between Ava's father, the hunt for the book and the cooking competition, it felt a little chaotic. I really didn't care for the storyline with Griffin and Lexi. It just felt really uncomfortable and I thought everyone was too OK with it.

I'm not sure this one stood up well as a stand alone book. Having read the first one, I knew the back story behind the hotel and Colleen the ghost. I'm not sure there was enough in this book that would help out a new to the series reader. A new reader to the series would probably benefit from reading Mistletoe Cottage first. I do recommend reading both though. I look forward to the next one. -Kari

Harmony Harbor, a small town, idyllic, where everyone knows everyone but one lady more so than the others. When Colleen Gallagher passed away, she brought with her the secrets of some of people in town. Most of them belong to the widow's club and one of them is Ava deRossi. For more than ten years Ava has been living in a bubble, ever since her divorce with the love of her life, after a very traumatic experience she refuses to talk about. But she did tell it to one person and now that person was Colleen Gallagher, who happens to have written a memoir where every secret she knew was written down, including Ava's. When Ava's ex-husband, Griffin Gallagher comes back, its more important to find that memoir but now Ava is starting to realise that keeping that particular secret wasn't a good idea at all especially when she still loves Griffin.

Starlight Bridge may have a very dark theme beneath all that wonderful characters and charming backdrop but it doesn't take away the message of hope it brings. There is still laughter, friendship, sisterhood, a sense of family, a ghost and of course a cat that seems sentient which makes it all the more special. Its all about acceptance, growth, regret and redemption and yes happiness and hope. A definite feel good comfort read!

Ava and Griffin were in love and seemed to have a wonderful marriage, until evil in disguised as a friend, entered their lives and destroyed everything they had, not that Griffin ever knew what happened to change Ava, all he knew was Ava filed for a divorce and broke his heart.

After fleeing to Harmony Harbor, and finding a job with Giffin's grandmother Collen, she reveal her secret, knowing that Colleen would protect it. It was only after Colleen died, did Ava realize that Colleen has written her secret in her diary, but the diary has gone missing and Ava is scared that her secret will be revealed.

But add to that stress, Griffin is back in Harmony Harbor and newly single after his second divorce, but he was shocked to see just how run down Ava is! Especially her shoes! She seemed to have lost that sparkle, but Griffin is still very much in love with Ava, even though he was hurt by her actions.

But things don't go smoothly for Ava and Griffin, especially when a pregnant ex wife arrives and Ana's painful secret is revealed! Are Griffin and Ava ever destined to be together?

Wow! This book really packs a punch! And not just one!! Boy oh boy do the hits keep coming and I have barely scratched the surface with this gut wrenching story. Even though I'm not normally keen on stories that feature ghosts, the author has done an amazing job of keeping the integrity of the story, with her truly spectacular writing.

I give Starlight Bridge 4 stars!

I'm a sucker for a good second chance love story and have been waiting for Griffin and Ava's since I met them in The Christmas Cottage. All I knew at the time was that they had been divorced for more than 10 years and while she still loved him, he had moved on, remarried and divorced, but was still friends with his second wife. Ava is keeping a big secret about why she divorced Griffin, and it is all the secret journal his great grandmother Colleen kept. The problem is no one knows where that journal, and Ava is determined to find it before someone else discovers it and learns its secrets. That is how the books opens and sets the stage for the their second chance at the life and love they once shared. Ava and Griffin’s journey is not easy, events from both the past and present combine to break them apart once more. There was a twist I was not expecting, but it worked out really well. I loved this book from beginning to end, can’t wait for the next one!

Favorite Quotes:

She doesn’t look suspicious, she looks constipated.

Ava took a long, satisfying drag on her cigarette. She’d given in to its siren call after she’d eaten the two cupcakes she’d snuck from the kitchen at the manor. Sadly, they were divine, and probably a thousand calories each.

I wanna write a new ending to our story. One that has you growing old by my side.

My Review:

This series is an amusing hybrid of genres including cozy mystery, contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and paranormal. Starlight Bridge continues to provide a clever and amusing premise with ongoing family drama, feuds, angst, ghostly interference, gossip, espionage, sabotage, busy body aunties, rivalries, greed, heartbreak, and a few second chance romances. The storyline is a slowly evolving melodrama with multiple plot threads with quirky and intriguing characters that seem to have their own secrets and agendas. Thankfully, among the tension and angst, I also found an equal amount of comical scenes and amusing banter. I enjoyed the humor as well as the use of a fumbling ghost who is hampered by limited energy and ghostly knowledge as well as a small territory for her haunting, yet her cat taught her to use him as her minion to influence or garner the attention of the living. As a cat lover, I found that to be quite clever. I am looking forward to the next installment and hope to ascertain the mystery behind Dana as well as the contents of the Book of Secrets. Color me intrigued.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Starlight Bridge by Debbie Mason is the second full novel in the Harmony Harbor series and follows the eldest Gallagher brother as he returns home to find that he not only still has feelings for his ex-wife but she may also have the same for him.

I’ll be honest I was more than a little curious about Ava’s story after reading the first book. Sophie’s concern for her cousin and how much the woman had changed was intriguing. It was even more so as I read the book. Ava is a head-strong, independent woman. Or at least she used to be and still believes she is. Instead she is a victim. It is written all over her in the form of having no appetite, keeping her head down, being timid and allowing others to do work she should be doing. It is obvious to the reader even if it isn’t as obvious to the character which for me just intrigued me more. I liked Ava! She is a character that I found myself routing for and hoping she’d find her way into a happy ending.

Griffin is another story. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about him. He’s had not one, but two failed marriages and seems to still love the first one but can’t let go of the second either. I mean, seriously?! How does that even work that you can be best friends with your ex? It just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Aside from that, Griffin is a great character, albeit a confused one. He is a retired Navy SEAL and well retirement doesn’t really suit him well. He is an active guy who needs to be doing something. When he’s invited to help at the manor, he goes and hopes he can avoid Ava. BUT in seeing her, old feelings resurface and he has this overwhelming urge to protect her.

You know how they say you never get over first love? Well in Griffin and Ava’s case this is true. I loved reading as their story and past unfolded. My heart ached for them both. It’s a sweet, yet predictable story. There is a nice curve ball thrown in for those that are on his second ex-wife’s team though. I found myself routing for all three of them which when you read the story you’ll understand. It’s hard to dislike any of the characters and even harder to understand the relationship among them. BUT it works.

Overall, this is a sweet, unputdownable book. Literally I started it at 10pm thinking I read one or two chapters and finished the book at 4:30am. Who needs sleep?! If you enjoy sweet, contemporary romance, I highly recommend picking up this book! While it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading the first book as it helps with the background story.

Oh how I enjoy these books!

Honestly they are just so addicting! I can read them in one sitting easily because there’s always a new mystery to solve, a plot twist that you didn’t see coming and always a lot of swoony moments that make your heart melt.

In Starlight Bridge we get up close and personal with Ava and Griffin, and by reading the past book we know that they were married a long time ago and that their marriage ended in an abrupt way.

I was so excited for their story because Ava really caught my attention in the first Harmony Harbor book, I just knew she had a sad story to tell and I wanted to know what that story was, I have to say Debbie Mason took me by surprise with Ava and after finishing the book I can appreciate just how strong she was.

Oh and don’t get me started on Griffin! At times I wanted to smack him on the back of the head but most of the time I was really glad he was back by Ava’s side.

My reading experience with this book was wonderful; I laughed and teared up a bit at the end and it just made care even more for the characters that live in this crazy town. I can’t wait to know who is next!

The Harmony Harbor series and this author are quickly becoming a bit of a must read for me.

Add in the beautiful second chance romance of Starlight Bridge and I was a goner.

We met Ava in the first book Mistletoe Cottage, but you don't really need to read it before Starlight Bridge (though why would you want to miss any of the goodness?)

Family tensions, business dramas, ghostly interventions - none of this can stop our Ava and Griffin from falling in love - again.

I love the banter and snark between the characters. Not going to lie though, for a while I didn't think there was a snowflakes chance of Ms Mason pulling it all together, everyone with their HEA. But she did it, and did it well.

I have quickly become enamoured with the ladies and gents of Harmony Harbor and can't wait to see what adventures Ms Mason takes us on next.

“Starlight Bridge” is a charming and heartfelt story set in a picturesque manor, modelled after a medieval castle, Greystone Manor. This book was a very entertaining read with a few unexpected twists I hadn’t seen coming. I love a book with a whimsical touch!

Although the manor has been family owned for generations, Greystone Manor is in danger, the Gallaghers must decide if they can afford to keep it. This enchanting building has a spirit of its own, though, well decided to ensure its perennity!

Griffin Gallagher and Ava DiRossi were soulmates, but their marriage ended in divorce after Ava suddenly decided to cut Griffin out of her life with no real explanation. For years, Griffin has put his memories of their love away, keeping his distances from Ava. As a retired Navy Seal, he must find a new life purpose and is back for good in Harmony Harbor. Ava never really moved on and has loved her ex-husband from afar, fully expecting him to hate her for what she did to him.

Their reunion is bittersweet. Their chemistry was palpable, but their relationship is complicated. For years, Ava has carried the burden of a heartbreaking secret and she seems stuck in the past, Griffin has been deeply hurt and is used to shut off his emotions. I loved how their relationship progressed as the story unfolded, it was perfectly paced and felt realistic. These two endearing characters definitely deserved a second chance and a new start.

This uplifting and heartfelt family story pulled me in from the first page and I finished reading it with a big smile on my face! I loved the matchmaking “spirit” of the manor and the unexpected twists in the story. It is obvious that Debbie Mason writes from the heart, her writing is touching and emotion-inducing, her storytelling is creative, enchanting and inspired. I’m happy to have found a new author to follow! Starlight Bridge is the second book in the “Harmony Harbor” series but can be read as a standalone.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

Harmony Harbor book two, Starlight Bridge. I love a good second chance romance and this one was wonderful. Ava and Griffin never stopped loving each other but for reasons Ava never shared they divorced. The two characters, Ava and Griffin, were we written and very easy to connect with their chemistry was palpable. The love and loyalty to Griffin in the Gallagher family is obvious because of their dislike toward Ava after the divorce. As a whole this book has so much going on; Sophie, from Mistletoe Cottage book one of the series, is still trying to save Greystone Manor and make it successful and trying to convince Ava to take on the head chef's position. When Greystone Manor gets into a wedding show competition with a rival there is more at stake then just the competition.

Ava quit school and moved back home to take care of her father who was in a bad crash and became paralyzed. Ava silently withdrew more and more into herself and became just a shadow of the person she once was. Griffin tried to move on even remarried and divorced again all the while convincing himself he hated Ava and trying to figure out what he did wrong to push her away. The only person Ava told the truth to was Colleen Gallagher, and when Colleen died and admitted to writing down all the secrets in her memoirs in her video will Ava knew she had to find that before anyone else to make sure her secret stayed a secret. Ava has successfully avoided Griffin for the better part of the decade but when he comes home to help with the renovations at the manor and is staying at the manor there is no avoiding him. Especially since a certain ghost and her cat keep trying to push them together. But with the Bridal show competition going one and someone trying hard to make sure they fail and to make things even worse for Ava, Griffin's second wife shows up unexpectedly and is determined to make Ava's life hell.

Lexie, Griffin's other ex, blames everything on Ava. I hated Lexi for most of the book, understandably Lexi's dislike toward Ava was because she didn't know Ava and all she was the the "broken" Griffin she left behind but Lexi's dislike became childish after a while. Griffin and Ava are meant to be together and no matter of disgruntled ex-wives, belligerent french chefs, or suspicious butlers will stand in their way to be together again. But when the past rears it's ugly head it may be more than Ava can handle.

Overall, Great book. It was a great romance with some excitement, angst, and humor.

4.5 Star

This is the second full novel in the Harmony Harbor series and this time around we finally get to see what went wrong with Ava and Griffin over ten years ago. I've been anxious for their story because of all the hints in the previous books that Ava had some sort of huge secret that she was keeping from everyone, including Griffin. I needed to know why she asked him for a divorce out of nowhere so long ago. I can't honestly say that I wasn't expecting the answer I got. My heart wept for both of them when her secrets were finally revealed. They lost so many years and their lives were affected in drastic ways because of what happened and her choice to hide it from him, but it's also understandable considering.

Much like her previous books, I find myself drawn to the small town feel of this story and the strong familial ties between all of the characters. However, I also still find myself mystified by her choice to insert some sort of female drama into the relationship between her hero and heroine every time. It frustrates me to no end how she writes these awful, meddling females into the story and how much I hate them throughout the story yet, somehow, by the end of the book I am able to look past all of that anger and annoyance and end up loving the story anyways. This time around it's Lexi, Griffin's other ex-wife, and she's pretty damn awful. Fortunately, unlike some of Ms. Mason's other heroes, Griffin manages to find a balance between being respectful to Lexi and standing up for Ava. Admittedly though, I can see this whole relationship dynamic being an issue with a lot of readers considering I still struggled with it a little bit.

This is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a well-written, clean, contemporary romance with a bit of a paranormal twist.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

Ava and Griffin are made for each other, but so many things stand in the way. At one time they were married, but then Ava get a divorce explaining nothing. They have not really seen each other since he shipped out. Now Grif is back! Sparks fly as Ava tries to find a book that contains all the secrets of the community, including hers., Griff 's 2nd ex-wife is pregnant and a ghost keep stirring the pot. A fun book all the way around., with a most satisfying, although unusual ending.

Debbie Mason has release a very emotional romance story that it will keep you on your toe in order to find the ending between Ava and Griffin in Starlight Bridge.
Starlight Bridge will give Ava and Griffin another chance in romance but it will definitely take some time between them because Ava is carrying a huge secret that tear them apart from the beginning.
Ava is very beautiful yet intelligent women that any man is lucky to have her. But she carry a huge secret that tear her away from her Griffin that she is determined to keep the secret hidden no matter what. But you know what they say about secrets, it will always comes out one way or the other. And it will.
While Ave is determine to hide the secret, she gets see Griffin again. And boy does Griffin have it bad. Griffin definitely felt heartbroken when Ava left years ago but hen he saw her again, he is determined to be with her again. No matter what he will always love her.
It is going to be a very emotional journey between them. But it is definitely worth it since they truly are meant for each other. Starlight Bridge is a very emotional romance story that it will make you ride a huge roller coastal until the end. Four Stars.

I just knew the moment I picked up Starlight Bridge by Debbie Mason that this was going to be the book that will briefly pull me out of my reading slump, and I was right.

We met Ava and Griffin in book one, and ever since then I have wanted to know their story.

Ava and Griffin are divorced. They use to have one of a kind love, but after Griffin get’s deployed, something happens that changes Ava and suddenly she is serving the divorce papers. It didn’t take long for the readers to kind of learn what happened to Ava, but Ava doesn’t want Griffin to find out. The problem is, Colleen, Griffins great-grandmother wrote it down in a journal that now everyone in Graystone Manor and their enemies want to get their hands on.

This book did not disappoint. I was a little worried about how I would feel about it after not liking Sophie in book one, but I totally loved and adored Ava – she had such a big heart when it came to Griffin and her own father no matter the circumstances. I felt for the girl, I really did. What happened to her was horrible and who caused, it was even more heart breaking. But, I enjoyed the simmering attraction and love between Ava and Griffin and I loved watching it unfold through the story. It was sweet, it was wondering and no amount of time took away from the strong hold the two have on each other. Watching them as they worked on staying together despite Griffin’s families opinion on her was endearing and left me cheering them on.

There is so much going on. Outside of battling her attraction for her ex-husband, Graystone Manor is still in trouble and Griffin is one of the siblings that is ready to vote to sell the place. A lot of the Gallagher’s don’t want that, so they hope that Ava can change his mind. Ava is also dealing with her father, who had an accident years ago and now cannot walk. He spends his days chain smoking, watching TV, and drowning his sorrows with liquor. When he isn’t doing that, he is letting his anger explode on Ava and she is suffering, but she loves her father, so she does everything she can to help him.

This really was a great page turner. Another book that I had a hard time putting down and found myself reading at four in the morning. I loved that Colleen is still around as a ghost. I think I had an issue with it in the first book, but once I got passed it, I found that I enjoy that part of the book. It’s different and I am okay with that.

Tons of secondary characters are in book two, so we get to see how Liam and Sophie are doing. I have to admit, I still don’t like her and this book did nothing to change my opinion on her. The way she treated her cousin when things were rough at the Graystone manor with the new cook went uncalled for. I thought Sophie of all people would understand. Rose, the DiRossi grandmother is still funny and great, I loved her character in book one as well as this one.

There was a development between Griffin and Lexi – his second ex-wife that even though at the time I found annoying and unnecessary – I grew to respect when my opinion of Lexi changed by the end of the book.

Overall, I really loved this. The storyline follows what’s been happening in book one with the Manor, so even thought this could be read as a standalone – I feel like the readers would be confused with some of the stuff that happens in this book – so I strongly recommend starting with book one.

Circling around the restoration and renewal of Greystone Manor, and the people who are working to make this forgotten gem a going concern. In this book we have Ava, a well-known and regarded chef, brought in by Sophie (the nexus of the project to save the manor) to help out. But there are issues. See, Ava was once married to Griffin, and after a huge mistake, she used her fear to drive her next steps – pushing Griffin away, even though they both still loved one antoher. Now, even though she was back in town to help her dying father, she’s retreated from life and further from Griffin and his family, hoping to keep him away from the real reasons she walked from their marriage.

Griffin, for his part, never stopped loving Ava, even remarrying (although now divorced) didn’t keep him from thinking about her, wondering what he did wrong, and having the repeated ill-will toward her from his family reinforced. No one really understands why they split so long ago, and the one person who may have known is long since gone, having never shared the why to a person, but left behind in a memoir. Ava is desperate that the reasons never come to light, so her need to find this memoir, left somewhere in the Manor house, is reaching critical mass. Avoiding Griffin, who is helping with the renovation is a close second on her list.

Oh this was fun, when two people are desperate to avoid one another, and interference and coincidental moments are fueled by a ghost and a cat, the façade that Ava has constructed to hide her ever-present love for Griffin is crumbling. And together, despite bickering, ignoring and desperate attempts to not address one another directly, the passion, emotion and connection between them is clear and palpable. They just need to be honest, and despite some childish and petty behavior meant to distract and disrupt the connection from Griffin’s ex Lexi, the developer’s monkey wrenches thrown to discredit the new owners and their attempts to make the business a success and the meddling ghost, the story moves forward until Ava needs to confront or run from the secrets of the past.

Given plenty of time to reacquaint themselves, despite the back and forth, the connection and regard that Ava and Griffin have is clear, and while Ava mistakenly and rather childishly decides that her answers are the best ones, the gradual understanding and growth that she finds in the solidity of Griffin and the power of truth and honesty to allow you to move forward is clearly drawn and brings the couple together in ways unexpected. Tension from the threats to the Manor, the attraction between Ava and Griffin and the curious interferences from the ghost add a solid underlayment that draws you forward, keeping you engaged. A wonderful installment in the series, I can’t wait for the next.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

This series is turning out to be a wonderful ride. It's heartwarming, romantic and funny! The trifecta of a good romance for me. A book works better when I find myself crying one second, laughing the next and sighing after.

I'm not always a fan of second chance romances. I feel like it's a song played twice with the first time not being so good. But since I love Mason's books I just had to give it a try. Plus, it didn't hurt that I really liked the two main characters for this book.

From the first book I wanted to know what happened with Ava. I knew it had to be something bad, she just all but shut down and from what you learn in the first book, it wasn't like her. What you find out is both shocking but not. I know you'd love to know what it was, well get started reading and you too will know.

I also liked Griffin, his taste in second wives not so much. Lexie is just....I'd love to say more about her but believe me it truly would ruin the book for you. Some things are meant to be learned as they happen.

I will say this, so much of this story pulled at my heartstrings. I don't think anyone could be as nice as Ava is. She goes above and beyond for everyone.

Starlight Bridge has a slight mystery that started in Mistletoe Cottage. The author is doing a wonderful job of keeping us on our toes. I can't wait to see what happens in Primrose Lane. I wasn't sure that after loving Mason's Christmas Colorado series I'd be able to fall in love with a new series. I'm glad to find out that I have. The Harmony Harbor series is just so wonderful.

Instead of telling the only man she's ever loved the secret she's kept hidden from everyone, Ava DiRossi asked for a divorce. Now years later, Griffin Gallagher is back in town. Determined to hide the truth for as long as she can, and make sure his great-grandmother's memoir doesn't fall into the wrong hands, Ava does her best to remain neutral to her ex. Except it's hard to ignore the chemistry that still blazes between them, no matter how hard she tries. Will she find it within herself to reveal her secret, so she and Griffin can have a second chance at love?

The first book of this series was really good, but I loved this one so much more. Right from the beginning, this story was a beguiling, fast-paced read that I could not put down and I loved the way it started with Ava needing a miracle; someone to help her get through the hard times she's had over the years dealing with her injured father. However, it was from the moment that Griffin and Ava came face-to-face for the first time in this story where things became very interesting. The heroine doesn't know how to act around Griffin, and it's palpable he doesn't want anything to do with her because of the way things ended between them. She didn't give him a good enough reason for the divorce.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the obstacles this couple face on their journey to happy ever after, what someone is trying to do to see that the Gallaghers sell Greystone Manor; and the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine. She's been through so much in the years since divorcing Griffin and it made me feel sorry for her, because her dad is hard work always ordering her around and complaining; treating her like a servant instead of his daughter. However, I liked that she didn't let it break her, even when she had every reason to fall apart. Really, she's strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to move on with her life, once things started turning around for her and she could actually live her life the way she wanted.

While Griffin, he was a fantastic hero. He has some major decisions to make that aren't easy for him, but I liked the choices he did make, because he deserved a second shot at forever love with Ava. Moreover, I liked how protective he was of Ava and how he dealt with the situation between his ex-wife Lexi and Ava. They needed to hash things out to make Lexi see that Ava isn't the evil witch she thinks she is, and besides, the two women needed each other to help them deal with Ava facing the past and Lexi's uncertain future.

Overall, Ms. Mason has penned a wonderful story in this book where I could feel every emotion along with the characters; the intimacy was on the sweet side with closed bedroom scenes; and the secondary characters entertained me just as much as the main ones, especially a particular ghost that wants Ava and Griffin back together. The way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because it proves that Ava isn't going to let what happened to her in the past stand in the way of her and the hero getting their second chance at love. Besides, Griffin needed to know Ava's reason for leaving him in the past and what Lexi is going through now. I would recommend Starlight Bridge by Debbie Mason, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Susan Mallery, Brenda Novak or RaeAnne Thayne.