Such a lovely second chance romance. I have read a few books by Debbie Mason and in my experience they are always equal parts beautiful, fun, and emotional. Starlight Bridge is definitely all of those things and much more. It blends the perfect amount of romance, tension, heartbreak, rivalry, and humor. There's even a meddling ghost! This is definitely not just a fluffy romance. There is true depth and emotion in these pages and I for one just could not get enough!

Ava and Griffin are both wonderful characters and you can't help but to become personally involved in their story, cheering for them to get back together and see through their past difficulties to see that they are meant to be. It just seems so perfect that Griffin helps Ava to overcome her current obstacles while they both work on trying to figure out how to overcome the obstacles from their past. It seems like poor Ava's life just took a dramatic downturn after the events that took place that caused her to ask Griffin for a divorce. So I was beyond thrilled to get to see her be happy again. The twist that is thrown in with Griffin's ex Lexi was a little nerve wracking at first because I thought it was going to keep them apart. But of course I don't want to give too much away.

Overall this is a wonderful read and I would highly recommend it to all fans of romance with great humor and depth.

After reading Mistletoe Cottage I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I started reading it as soon as I possibly could and I loved this story!!

In this book we follow Ava and Griffin. I really wanted to know what led to there break up , so when I found out this was there book I was so happy. Ava and Griffin still care about each other even though they got divorced , I was rooting for these two so much in this story I was so invested in there relationship. When I found out what happened to cause the divorce I so upset about what happened , but at the same It filled me with such happiness knowing that they were reconnecting and getting closer again , these two characters are perfect for each other and I think Debbie Mason did an amazing job writing there love story Besides the sweet sexy romance , I loved the setting ,there is just something about this town and the people , they feel like a big family and I loved that . I could not not but this book down it was so good there was drama , romance and moments that are bound to warm your heart . Starlight Bridge is an excellent addition to the Harmony Harbor series.

Starlight Bridge is a wonderful story with a sweet sexy second chance romance . I am very excited to get my hands on the next book in this series!.If you love all these things in your books you should definitely pick up a copy ,

This is book #2, in the Harmony Harbor series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and understanding, I recommend reading series in order.

Griffin & Ava have a past as husband and wife. There is much pain and reminders are everywhere when he returns. How can he not want the love of his life back?

Ava knows how she feels for Griffin. She also knows there are too many factors keeping them apart. Can they meet in the middle and conquer the obstacles?

I do not do spoilers. I will say that this story has so much to it - you will want to read it all at once, as I did. These characters are so easy to root for, and very much should be together. I cannot wait to read the next book in the Harmony Harbor series!


***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.

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.

This is the second book in the Harmony Habor Series. And I have to admit I had to think really hard if I read the first one in this series. I really couldn't remember if I had or not, but than I remembered I had.

I loved Griffin in this book. I thought he was sweet, caring, protective, and quite funny. I kind of felt bad for him because he hadn't seemed to have any luck in marriages. You could tell right off the bat there was still a connection between him and Ava.

I felt for Ava in this book, I really did. At times I wanted to be angry at her for letting her dad treat her the way he did. Other times I really felt for her.

This book had a little bit of everything: laughter, drama, secrets, and a meddling dead grandmother. There was a ton of talk about the elusive hidden book that had people's secrets written in it. There's so much going on in this book that you almost forget about the secret book.

I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5!!!!

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.

A delightful second chance romance.
Griffin has his work cut out for him besides wanting the family to sell the families estate; he finds himself battling old feelings for the one woman who will always have his heart. Griffin is home to stay with a huge secret following him in the shadows, something that could change his future.
Ava is everything a truly wonderful down to earth heroine should be; caring, loyal, protective to all who come into her life, even ones who have doubted her from the beginning. Ava is just shattered when she learns Griffin is back and has put her on his radar. The only thing left is for Ava to decide if that is a good thing or the worst thing ever.
Upon their first run in sparks flew between Griffin and Ava as they did all those years ago, Griffin knew he was in trouble in that first touch. He was a man going up in flames, but truly why should he be the only one craving. Ava knew with one look upon Griffin’s Naked Body she was in trouble. Griffin and Ava have many things from their past and present to sort out, but in the end, will Ava and Griffin be strong enough to with stand the secrets they discover from one another or will the damage already be done?
Supporting characters just added many levels to Starlight Bridge they helped bridge the gap between Griffin and Ava. I must include how powerful my dislike was toward everyone who acted against Ava throughout Starlight Bridge, but Ms. Mason has shown how strong Ava’s character is to with stand it all and come out to be a character that I will long remember. There were many supporting characters that challenged me in Starlight Bridge, but none could hold a candle to what I was feeling toward Lexi. I had to strap myself in for the emotional roller coaster this character took me on. In the end understanding, enlightenment and admiration for Lexi’s character occured.
The plot thickens as “The Secret Keeper of Harmony Harbor’s journal” is still unfounded. Everyone rushes to locate it before their secrets are revealed. The plot thickens with many twist and turns that kept me reading from cover to cover in one setting. I found moments of cheerfulness and sadness. Ms. Mason thank you for the lighter minutes with Ava, she has had so many disheartening moments I found myself enjoying her smile. I will admit I about died waiting for Griffins bombshell to hit, it filled me with so much anticipation I was waiting literally for that other shoe to drop. *grins* Along with characters that demand your attention, town folk that keep you talking Debbie Mason knows how to keep you pulse pumping till the last page is turned. I highly Recommend the Harmony Harbor Series.
Rated 4 Stilettos by De

“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.

Second chance romance with surprising emotional twists that make for a great and unexpected read

Starlight Bridge is a second chance romance with surprising emotional twists that completely catch you off-guard but make this such a great and unexpected read. Following on from the first book, this can be read as a standalone, however, there is an ongoing storyline in the background (with a mixed in spiritual element) that is easier to follow if you have read the first book, although each book focuses on a different couple so can be read as a standalone with HEA but won’t necessarily wrap up everything in the bigger picture. Starlight Bridge is a clean, heart warming romance that I thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to read more from the series.

Told mostly from Ava’s and Griffin’s points of view (a couple parts from other perspectives), Ava and Griffin have a painful past that still greatly impacts on both in different ways. However, when things culminate both are forced to face up to situations in their lives which result in the two growing closer again. However, things are never simple and Griffin’s ex throws in a new twist that has you wondering whether or not Ava and Griffin will ever have a chance at a second chance happily ever after. I will say I loved the element of Lexi, especially as her character unravels. For those who read book one, plenty of familiar faces pop back up to give readers the chance to catch up with them and their stories.

Overall, I really enjoyed this well written, sweet and witty, steadily paced romance and can’t wait to read more book in this great series!

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