Falling for the Fling: A Small Town Second Chance Romance

Bliss River, Book 1

By: Lili Valente

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Lili Valente

Show of hands, ladies - who has time for the one who got away?

Not me. I’m a busy woman. It’s wedding season in Bliss River and my catering business is slammed.

The last thing I need is a blast from the past, sweeping into my perfectly ordered life, talking sweet and acting even sweeter, making me think about kissing so often I start to wonder if there’s something wrong with me.

Spoiler alert: There is.

It’s been waaaay too long since I’ve made room for kissing on my To Do list.

Easy fix: I’ll play doctor with Mason Stewart until I get my ex out of my system. It shouldn’t take long. I give him seven days - seven dates - and then we’ll go our separate ways and I’ll finally move on.

The only problem? Turns out Mason is even dreamier, sexier, more intense and magnetic than he used to be, and the only place I want to move is into his bed. Full time.

Maybe a second chance is exactly what the doctor ordered? Or do I need a second opinion?

Includes the sweet and sexy bonus novella Friends With Bang-i-fits, narrated by Lili Valente and Jason Clarke!

Dating Dr. Dreamy was previously published as Betting on You. It has been extensively revised and expanded for this new edition.

©2020 Lili Valente (P)2020 Lili Valente

A new series by my favorite? Yes, please!!

There is nothing more exciting than one of your favorite authors releasing a new series, especially if that author is Lili Valente. This small town, second chance romance is the first book in the Bliss River series.

Lark just knew that one day she would marry Mason. Why wouldn’t she? He did propose to her after all, but then he left; he left Bliss River without a word, without explanation, and without looking back. Four years later, Mason is back with the sole purpose of winning Lark back. Lark, however, isn’t the same girl whose heart he shattered. She isn’t the same girl he left behind. What happens when time doesn’t always heal old wounds? Are you able to open up your heart to the one person who destroyed it?

I loved this book. I both read the kindle version and listened to the audible. First of all, Lili Valente and Jason Clark never disappoint when they’re narrating a book. They do such an amazing job in bringing the characters to life, making us feel every single emotion.

One of the things I loved about this book is that Mason came back with the purpose of getting Lark back. He wasn’t forced to come back to Bliss River, he wanted to come back. He wasn’t afraid to grovel and plead for forgiveness. While he explained his reasons for leaving he didn’t use them as an excuse to make Lark feel pity for him. He was holding nothing back. He knew he messed up big time and he was willing to take a chance and risk his own heartbreak for the only woman he ever loved.

Yes, the way he left was messed up and I’m still mad at him for taking four years to reach out to Lark, but at the same time he needed that time to heal internally, to grow and get the help he needed in order to be the man he felt Lark needed. While four years is a long time, it made this story more relatable. A person doesn’t heal from so many traumatic experiences from one day to another. It takes time and that’s what Lili did with Mason’s character. She gave him time. I understand Mason’s struggle but I also understand Lark’s pain. The one important trait Mason and Lark both possessed was their ability to forgive and give love another chance.

I also have to say that I love the sister bien between Aria, Lark and Melody. They are a force to be reckon with. I know Aria and Nash’s story is going to be hot. Can’t wait to dig into that one.

Dating Dr. Dreamy was a fantastic start to this new series!

Loved loved loved

Loved this so much. Great second chance romance between Mason and Lark. Mason left 4 years ago without a word after proposing to Lark. Lark was able to take that hurt and channeled that into starting her own business. She was doing good until she saw him again at her friend’s wedding and the hurt and feelings came back. He wanted another chance, but Lark worked so hard to be free from the hurt. She is successful and not willing to go back and have her heart broken again. Or will she? Will Mason be able to convince her that he is still in love with her? Can she get over the hurt and open her heart back up to her one true love? Second chance romances have always been a favorite trope of mine because I love watching people find love again with the one person they were meant to be with. This story was no exception. Loved Lili and Jason as Mason and Lark. They really brought the characters to life and I was all for it. I had a smile the entire time I was listening to the story. Great listen and I highly recommend it

A beautiful second chance at love

Mason and Lark were high school sweethearts. They were in love and planning to get married, except Mason leaves town the night he proposes to Lark. It’s been four years since he left, and Mason is back to win back the only woman he’s ever loved. Lark, who is now a successful caterer with her sisters, wants nothing to do with Mason.

Lark tries to avoid Mason, but he’s determined to show her he’s a changed man, and is now the man she deserves. But Mason’s got some ghosts of his own he needs to lay to rest. The road back to Lark is paved with a bunch of crap.

This was a beautiful and sweet second chance at love. I loved Mason’s kind heart. Lark’s sisters were so supportive, and ready to lend a helping hand to help Lark figure things out.

Jason Clarke and Lili Valente do a great job narrating this first. This was a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Great Story!

I love a second chance romance. Mason and Lark were meant to be together until he left. Now he is back and wants to make things right.
This story is filled with fun, love, laughter, and pain but watch out for lark's sister who has been burned and doesn't want to see her get burned too.
This is a first for me from this author and I enjoyed the story and the one after it. I will be looking for more to read from her.
I listened to the audio version of this book and loved that the author was also narrating it along with Jason Clark, what a great duo.

Second chance love

An emotional ride to a second chance. I loved how these characters still have the love and spark they had as young adults but how Lark will make Mason work to get a second chance with her heart.

Bliss River Georgia is small town and everyone knows everything about their neighbors so when Lark got her heart ripped out years ago the whole town knew about it and now that the heart breaker is back in town and trying to get her forgiveness they all know that as well. There's lots of time to make up for but Mason is willing to do what it takes to win Lark back.

Second chances at love are so emotional. They have the baggage to weed through from the original hurt and everything that has happened in between. This is a great story that lets them get to the other side and find the love they once lost.

Lili Valente and Jason Clarke were perfect as Lark and Mason. Loved their voices and their timing was perfect.

I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Loved everything about this story!!

I absolutely loved everything about this story!! It is sweet, funny and full of so many emotions, with the perfect side of heat. Mason and Lark are both such likable and lovable characters, and rooting for their second chance at love to work out was simply a pleasure! I was praying Lark would give Mason another chance because he sure seemed to deserve it. He did not exactly leave her in a way that would be easy for anyone to be forgiving though. They had some difficult emotional bridges to cross but love isn’t always neat and easy, sometimes it is messy and difficult and needs to be worked at. It was perfectly clear how much they still loved each other and their chemistry was undeniable. Lark has a great support system with her two sisters, Aria and Melody, but sometimes that can have a negative effect as we end up seeing. Looks like the start of another amazing series for Lili Valente!!
Besides reading, I also listened to the audiobook. I enjoy doing that when I can. It brings the book to life for me even more than my imagination can do when I read. The narration is on point with Jason Clarke as Mason-he could read me the specials at a dumpy roadside diner and I would honestly swoon! The man has one of the best voices for audiobooks. And Lili Valente as Lark is amazing as always. She also has a great voice for audio. I love that with both of them, you feel their emotions in how and what they are saying and it is almost like listening to a movie from the other room.
I honestly can’t wait for the next book! I knew we were not seeing the last of Nash after those sparks with Aria! I hope Jason and Lili narrate that one too!

Swoon

Is there anything better than a second chance romance set in a small town with lovable characters? I don’t think so. And Lili Valente certainly knows how to put it all together in a romantic and humorous way.
I think I knew from the start that Mason and Lark would rekindle their romance but watching them get to that point was simply delightful. I love a good romance without too much drama or angst and this book delivered 100%.

Deceiving

The length of the book is deceiving. Too short for the cost. Was pleased with book and narration overall

I love Lili and Jason together! Swoon!

Dating Dr. Dreamy is the first book in the Bliss River series by the talented Lili Valente. A new series by one of my favorite authors? Yes, please! This is a second chance romance with fun and sexiness! It's been four years since Mason left a broken hearted Lark. He just left without a word and now he's home and wants her back. It took Lark a long time to get over him and she's not giving in. She can't put herself through that again. She's built a life for herself and it doesn't include letting Mason back into her heart. Mason isn't going away. He isn't giving up. He's still in love with Lark and he's going to prove to her that he's changed and she can trust him. Will Lark give Mason a second chance? Will she be able to let go of all the hurt and move forward with the only man she ever loved? I loved this story! I love a second chance romance, they just warm my heart. It's all about forgiveness and healing! Mason and Lark are just made for each other and once they realize they want to try again, it's a beautiful thing to witness! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Audio: I love Lili and Jason together! Their voices just make me swoon and make me happy. The sexy and sultriness of Lili's voice is always a pleasure to listen to! Jason, was great as always!

Fun, small town, second chance romance

I loved this second-chance romance by Lili Valente. Mason had proposed to Lark one day and then left her the next. Five years later, Lark runs into Mason at a wedding and Mason is determined to win her back. When she reluctantly agrees to spend time with him, the old feelings resurface, but can she trust Mason with her heart a second time?

Lark was devastated when Mason left her, but she had started a successful catering business in his absence and she had worked to become a strong, independent woman. Mason had fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor, but he had never forgotten about Lark. He had some issues from his childhood that he had to deal with before he felt he was able to let go of his past and become the man that Lark needed.

I loved Mason’s determination to win back Lark. He pulls out all of the stops. The pair have undeniable chemistry and are truly meant to be. Of course, there are lots of twists and turns along the way along with Valente’s trademark humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Bliss River series and I’m anxiously waiting to find out what happens between Nash and Arial.

Jason Clarke's narration was spot on as usual. He really brought Mason to life for me. I could feel his regret, longing and love for Lark. This is the first time I've heard Lili Valente narrate and she was fantastic. I loved her. It's special to have the author bring their character to life and I'm anxious to hear her narrate more books in the future. These two together were a great duo and made for an awesome listening experience.