Starlight Bridge
4.3
23
5
1
352
5.99
In Stock
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781538701904 |
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| Publisher: | Grand Central Publishing |
| Publication date: | 02/18/2020 |
| Series: | Harmony Harbor Series , #2 |
| Pages: | 352 |
| Sales rank: | 115,823 |
| Product dimensions: | 4.10(w) x 6.60(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Starlight Bridge
4.3 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
23 reviews.
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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.
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Ava doesn't believe in happily-ever-after any longer. She had that once and although it didn't end up as she'd thought it would she hasn't ever stopped loving Griffin, that wasn't why she had asked him for a divorce all those years ago. The reason is written down in Colleen's Book of Memoirs that no one can seem to find. Ava is trying to find the book of secrets before anyone else does. The Widow's Club named Colleen's book~ The Secret Keeper of Harmony Harbor, it has everyone's secrets written in it. If the book were to land in the wrong hands it could devastate or ruin many people. Ava also wants to save and restore Graystone Major from being sold to a developer who wants to tear it down to make room for new condos. All 10 of Colleen's great grandchildren need to decide to sell the place or become what's now called "Team Graystone" to save it.
Griffin has come back to Graystone Manor to help them prepare for the bridal show they have coming up, his second exwife thinks he's still in love with Ava his first which he denies... Until he can't anymore and had to admit she's right. However what is he going to do, walk away or fight to have the happily ever after they both deserve?! You'll have to read yet another awesome story about Graystone Manor, Debbie has done an awesome job with this series and i cannot wait for more!!! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book via Tasty Book Tours through NetGalley for an honest blog tour review.
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With so many plots entwined itwas ahard book to put down
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Had a few twists and turns to keep you guessing. A good romance if you like romance stories with a little wimsy.
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I found this book easy to read, the situation entertaining, but order of discovery was anticlimactic. I think discoveries should have been in a different order to add to the suspense.
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This was a fun read. It was entertaining from the first page. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. The storylines were well thought out and kept me interested throughout the book. I loved that it was a good clean reading, funny and heartwarming all at the same time.
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I would just like to say it saddened me when I saw that the author used God's name in vain. When I got to page 34 and saw GD I could not believe it. I have really enjoyed many of her books until this one. So for this reason I won't purchase anymore. I see many readers loved it and didn't care about this so I guess for Debbie Mason that's a good thing.
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Ava DiRossi is on a mission. If she doesn't find Colleen Gallagher's hidden diary, the diary that contains the secrets of Ava and other residents of Harmony Harbor, things are going to get ugly. Because there are things in that diary, things that are best kept covered up. And with the return of Ava's ex-husband, Griffin Gallagher, to Harmony Harbor, she's more determined than ever to find the diary and keep her secrets in the past.
STARLIGHT BRIDGE, the second book in the Harmony Harbor series by author Debbie Mason, is a lovely combination of second-chance love story with a twist of mystery and a wee bit of the paranormal. I love stories that revolve around small-town life, and Harmony Harbor is just that sort of place, a place where love, friendship, and community are the focal points, and everyone looks out for each other.
When Griffin returns to find that life for Ava is anything but easy, his unexpected feelings of protection point to deeper emotions that he thought he'd put to rest. Never fully understanding why she'd ended things the way she had, Griff is determined to start fresh with Ava. But that darned diary. Ava is certain that the secrets that it hides could rip them apart forever.
I am a sucker for an happy ending, and second-chance love is so much the sweeter sometimes. The obstacles that Griff and Ava have to overcome to get their HEA are heartbreaking, but seeing them get past those things made me a happy reader.
STARLIGHT BRIDGE is the sort of book that makes me remember why I return to romance again and again. It's got heart and friendship, and the focus isn't on fan-your-face steaminess. It's just a sweet read that shows how important it is to take a chance with your heart, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. An easy 4 stars, I highly recommend this book, and look forward to visiting Harmony Harbor again soon.
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Starlight Bridge is the second book in the Harmony Harbor and continues the story started in Mistletoe Cottage. Ava is a talented cook who works for her ex-husbands family, while caring for her abusive and alcoholic father. When Griffin returns home Ava is desperate to avoid him. Griffin is licking his wounds from another divorce and isn't looking for another relationship. But the Ghost of the Manor is determined that Griffin will find happiness, and decide against selling the estate. The plot is complicated Ava's big secret, a food competition, a saboteur in the kitchen and an ex-wife who is pregnant with Griffin's child. If your a fan of Gothic romances, this is a book for you. Unfortunately it wasn't really my cup of tea. I was given a free copy for an honest review.
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Life has been difficult for Ava for a long time now. The past has a way of coming back and making itself known. Destroying the past and hampering her future. Life has been difficult for her since that day all those years ago. The one person she should have been able to confined in. She left him to make assumptions. Griffin Gallagher was the man of her heart for so many years and one night took all that away from her. Now, he has come back home and this time he’s not willing to just walk away so easily.
Graystone Manor has lots of secrets that it holds, hides, keep, and will eventually reveal. Now, it Ava and Griffin that will have to stand the test of the secrets held so close for so long. I loved Ava from book one. I was getting a better handle on Griffin with book one and his appearance in book one point five. To have them both here together and seeing what started it all and how they worked around, through, and with it was beautiful. I felt a deep connection with Ava and her pain of the past. I hurt with her and grieved with her.
There are many more secrets that Graystone Manor holds and I can’t wait to see them and what else they reveal. There’s a deep romance with the beauty of the manor and the possibilities that are there for its future. I highly recommend that you come on aboard and see what lies in wait for you at the Graystone Manor and Harmony Harbor. You will find something that will have you coming back again and again.
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I was anxious to read Ava’s story in Starlight Bridge by Debbie Mason. Hers was a story that needed to be told. I wanted her to have a happily ever after and knew that she was getting in her own way to achieving it. Thanks to a friendly ghost who kind of acts like a fairy godmother now, happily ever afters are just what every character might get in this series.
Ava, has practically given up. I felt for this character. Of course curiosity about why she is the way she is also played a role into why I felt such sympathy over her. Someone does not go from normal, happy, and outgoing to withdrawn, sad, and almost reclusive for no reason.
‘She’d tried to disappear, to hide in plain sight. She hadn’t wanted to attract attention. She understood why she hadn’t then. But more than a decade passed, and still she wore ugly clothes that were two sizes too big. She didn’t care what she looked like.’
A character like this is bound to pull at any readers’ heart strings. She pulled mine. I desperately wanted to know what happened to her and when there was a little hint to what it was...I felt dread, anger, and sadness all at the same time. Wow, Debbie Mason, thanks for that whammy of a backstory.
So, of course, like our friendly ghost Colleen, I wanted Ava to be happy. Seriously, I would have done exactly what Colleen did to help bring Ava and Griffin back together again. He needed to know what happened so he wouldn’t be mad at her anymore. I’ve never felt such a pull into a story before.
But, melodrama aside, it’s not all seriousness. There are humorous moments that involve a cat who happens to be Colleen’s sidekick, and a scene with cookies (see my post on that here.) Of course, firemen and hoses, play a role too...
“I bet you have a very big hose,” an older woman said to Griffin with a lascivious wink.
“I’m with the Coast Guard, ma’am. My brother here is the firefighter. His hose isn’t that big though.”
Overall, if you like a story that tears your heart out and puts it back together again, then you will love this one.
A little note...
Can be read as a standalone...BUT if you want the true backstory (especially about Colleen’s state) read the series from Book 1. If not, you can still get the overall gist of it.
You get to read Ava, Griffin’s, and Colleen’s POV.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy (Via Netgalley) of this book.
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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.
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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?
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I loved this romantic story. I love the Widows club and how they want to get everyone matched. I think this would be an interesting town to live in but I like my anonymous life in a bigger city. Ava and Griffin needed to learn how to talk about their problems. I love the Gallagher family (alive and dead). I received this book from Grand Central Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I have given of my own free will.
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Debbie Mason's Starlight Bridge has all of the drama and conflict that fans of Women's Fiction crave. Along with a very healthy helping of charm and "happily ever after" styled romance.
Graystone Manor may be a hotel. But to the family that has called the both the manor house and the surrounding grounds home for generations; it is so much more. Now, that family legacy and all that it stands for hangs in the balance. With the death of family matriarch Colleen still fresh in the hearts and minds of all concerned, and the still missing status of her famed "journal of family secrets". Not to mention, money hungry developers with dollar signs in their eyes, and the manor in their sights. Things seem to be going from bad to worse...fast.
Or so one would think...
There is however, always hope...and Colleen. Because though she may be dead, she is far from gone. As such, she is doing all she can from the great beyond, to see things put to rights.
While all of this drama swirls around the two. Leading lady Ava Rossi, and her counterpart, Griffin Gallagher, have a long standing date with fate and each other. When his return to the manor house in order to conduct business, brings the now divorced pair face to face, and heart to heart.
Starlight Bridge offers readers the perfect escape full of charm, wit, heart, and drama. Much of the story focuses on Ava, her past, her relationship to Griffin, and her secrets. She is a likeable creature for the most part, though rather weak. But the antics of Colleen's ghost, in addition to other busy bodies hell bent on getting the two together; do a lot to spare readers the drudgery of her martyrdom.
This is a very well written book. Its only detraction and fatal flaw being that it suffers from a case of
" if you would just..." In this case, the if you would just being "if you would just tell the truth." The characters in this book spend so much time hiding from what they feel, know, and want that the title of this book should be Peekaboo.
If however, you are a reader who relishes long, drawn out, bouts of 'should I or shouldn't I'. This is the book for you.
Reviewer's Note: This book is the second in a closely related continual series. Though this book may be read as a standalone, important details are contained in book 1.
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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!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.
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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.
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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!
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I love reading romantic suspense books and when you add in humor and a match making ghost it makes a great read. There is an urgency felt throughout the book as Ava searches for a lost journal that holds not only her deep dark secret, but also the secrets of several others in town. When Griffin, Ava's ex husband, comes back to town, Ava is desperate to keep the journal from him. He must never know the real reason she left him, or that she never stopped loving him. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and I loved reading the push-pull between the characters. Definitely a 5 star second chance romance story that I encourage you to read.
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Starlight Bridge is the second in Debbie Mason’s Harmony Harbor series. This lighthearted series picks up several months after the last installment. If you read Christmas with an Angel, just ignore it. GG is still trying to find her memoirs and right the wrongs of her life. This time she’s trying to get Griffin and Ava back together, thus ensuring Griffin’s place on Team Graystone. There are a few somewhat predictable twists and it takes far too long to reveal what broke up Griffin and Ava in the first place, though an astute reader will have figured it out fairly early. All in all, this is a solid story that will warm the hearts of small-town lovers. I really enjoy this series and am very much looking forward to the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
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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 Deb!
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Ava and Griffin were once happily married, but then something happened and Ava wasn't quite sure how to handle it, so she stupidly pushed Griffin away, which ultimately let to their divorce. Letting Griffin go was the hardest thing that Ava has ever had to do, and it has haunted her everyday since, and no matter how hard she has tried to convince herself it was for the best, her heart just doesn't believe it. There is only one other person who knows the real reason why Ava pushed her husband away, and she decided to take that little secret that was supposed to be kept just between them, and put it in writing, in a special diary. Now this secret little diary is about to be discovered and Ava can't bare the thought of her little secret being discovered, so she is determined to find the diary before it lands in the wrong hands... the hands of her ex-husband.
Griffin has never really understood what changed between him and his beautiful wife and what caused her to push him away, and ask for a divorce. Walking away from her, and mustering the courage to move on is one of the hardest things he has ever had to do, he's made great efforts to let her be, but his heart has never completely let her go. He is filled with reservations about returning home to Harmony Harbor, and having to face her again, but he also has hope that maybe he'll finally have some answers as to why she walked away from their marriage.
This was my first experience with Ms. Mason's work, and I have to say it left a pretty memorable first impression, those endearing characters of hers really lured me into their little town, and had me never wanting to leave. I thoroughly enjoyed Ava and Griffin's story, it instantly grabbed my attention, and had me flying right through the pages, and staying up well past my bedtime just to see them find their well deserved second chance at a happily ever after. So happy I decided to request this one, it is definitely one of the most enjoyable first reads I have had in a while!!
Highly recommend you acquaint yourself with the folks from Harmony Harbor, they are sure charm their way into your heart, and make you feel right at home!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
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