Worth the Chance

Blue Falls #1

by Stella James

**Author's note - the cover for this book has since been updated***


Lily
I am Lily Jensen and I am safe.
I repeat the words over and over until I almost believe them.
I repeat the words until the dark edges of my past retreat and I can breathe again.
I deserve happiness. I deserve love. I am safe.

Cole
Never in my life have I felt an attraction so intense. Everything about her is beautiful. I can’t explain my need to protect her or the fact that one look from her ignites every possessive instinct within me. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

Lily Jensen escaped an abusive marriage and finds herself beginning a new life in the small town of Blue Falls, nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains. Every day is a battle against the memories of her past. She hasn’t so much as looked at a man in over two years. Until Cole.

Cole Stone has made a name for himself as the head of the family contracting business and has no plans of settling down with one woman. Until Lily.

Can Lily overcome her insecurities and trust herself enough to give love a second chance?
Will Cole succeed in convincing her that he’s a worthy choice?

18 + Due to content.
Contains elements of domestic violence that some readers may have difficulty with.

Each book in the Blue Falls series can be read as a standalone. However, in order to fully enjoy the supporting characters and story lines, it is recommended that you read the books in order.

Genres: Romance, Abuse, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Romantic Suspense

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2016

About the author

Stella James is a Canadian indie author of the romance variety. She enjoys reading, yoga and fitness, a good rosé and the occasional beer (because, Canada). She currently resides on a small acreage with her husband and three young daughters.


 

Reviews

[Rebecca Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very smooth easy read. The storyline is well written. The characters are sexy and fun. This is part one of a series and the Author does an exellent job giving us a glimpse to what's to come. From start to finish I was drawn into the story. She gives us HEA with no cheating. I am eager to read the next part and the next.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This is a nice romance about an abused woman who finds a new life and a new love in the small town of Blue Falls.
Annemarie couldn't believe her luck when she met and then married Kevin but the dream soon turned into a nightmare when he became more and more abusive to the point where she feared for her life.
Annemarie became Lily she escaped and left her old life behind finally ending up in the small town of Blue Falls where she lives a quiet and lonely life. This all changes the second she meets Cole Stone and she wonders if it's possible for her to love again. Cole feels the same way and slowly Lily's confidence returns and after all she's suffered is it possible she's right where she was supposed to be all along.
This is a lovely sweet romance, nice characters, humour and although it goes exactly as expected it's a nice journey.
It ends with a brief look at Trace's book and now I just have to read that.

### Very Slight Spoiler ###

I can be too picky I know but doesn't it take years to be able to claim life insurance without a body.

[Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Cole was amazing, possesive and protective hero.
I love lily she was a strong heroine.
Can't wait to read more from this author.

[Jos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 Stars LOVED it:)

This story was a quick read and the fact that it was low on drama and angst made it a perfect read for me before bed last night:) Sometimes if I read a high angst and drama book before bed, I cannot sleep because it's on my mind, lol.

Anyways, as quick of a read as it was, I would have LOVED to have read MORE on this couple! They were both PERFECT. Cole....oh my, he was so loving and caring and so alpha....I was in total and complete LOVE with him. Lily, she was the perfect heroine and most especially for Cole. I loved that Lily was so strong and I especially loved how honest and true she was with her feelings and love. She could have let her past define her future and she did NOT and I loved how free she felt with Cole. The sex was HOT, so full of passion and the love the had for one another was so genuine and real, I loved it!

The storyline was great, I LOVED all of the characters including the secondary and yes, oh yes, I can't wait for Trace's story next:)

Great stuff!!!!! A perfect in between read that leaves you feeling all giddy and in love:)

[SB*needs low angst books* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Jensen is a librarian with a past who moves to Blue Falls. She wants to build onto the library for a children's corner and gets the green light for the project. Cole Stone is volunteered for the project by his sister and when he hears the new librarian's voice on his voicemail it has him intrigued. When they meet there is attracting on both parts but she resists at first. He pursues her anyway but because she wants to move on with her life she gives in and they begin a relationship neither expected but her past comes back to haunt her.

I liked the main characters and enjoyed their relationship. Why did this not get a higher rating is that I really wished for more and the hero's sister and the sister's BFF annoyed me. I didn't like how the sister just came in his house we no notice. I hate that and that was a huge issue for me especially when the heroine was around. Call first period.

So while I loved that it was low angst I just wanted a little more before the end but it was a great read.

[Barbara➰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread January 2017

I liked it a little better this time. It fit my need for some insta-lovin'.

Original Review September 2016
**3.5 Stars**

A quick fairly predictable read. Not necessarily a new storyline but I did enjoy the epilogue.

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆ Light, low angst stars ☆☆☆☆

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It was a light, extremely low angst and serves up some sizzling a steam.

Lily escapes an abusive marriage and creates a new life in small town USA. Complete with a new name, a new job and the hope that her days of living in fear are over.

Cole is a good guy, but he doesn't do relationships. He is content with ONS's that don't expect anything more than a night with him. That is until he is asked to remodel a section of the towns library. That is when he meets Lily and all bets are off.

-hot alpha who was 100% devoted to heroine
-sweet strong heroine who was on the run from an abusive husband
-no pushing away
-steamy sex scenes
-no ow/om drama whatsoever her ex tracks her down but it's resolved quickly
-heroine was technically was married when she was with hero, however he beat the daylights out of her and she created a new life for herself.
-great seconday characters, especially Cole's mom
-Fantastic epilogue....this is how an epilogue is done people!

This was a fairly short read so there wasn't extremely deep character development. It was a great debut book and I will for sure check into book 2.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insta love at it's finest. I loved that as soon as Cole saw Lily, he knew that he was going to pursue her. He didn't worry about losing his bachelorhood and the life he'd grown used to. No, he came at her with everything that he had. Lily was super sweet and I really felt for what she had been through in the past. It was great watching her grow into the person that she was meant to be. Loved the secondary characters and I can't wait to read their stories as well. The two I am most excited about are Kate and Asher.

[Mizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://romanticcynicblog.wordpress.c...

Beware of Spoilers!

Star Ratings:
Heroine (Lily): 28yrs old – 3/5
Hero (Cole): 30yrs old - 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Grovel: none
Cheating: none
HEA: yes with a great epilogue
Triggers: domestic abuse

Average score: 2.5/5

Best Line: “Tonight, I will prove to him that I am more than just nothing.”

Worst Line: “I had yet to meet someone who gave me the desire to settle down permanently, so it was casual hook ups for the time being and it suited me just fine.”

Personal Review:
This was an ok love story between a woman on the run from an abusive ex and a man who protects her. I would have rated it higher but the writing style let it down for me.

Random Ramblings
•I would love to live in/above a library!
•I admired the h for escaping the abuse
•A lot of ‘telling’ and not much ‘showing’

Overall Feeling:

[Nicla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and enjoyable low angst read. Instant love with an alpha hero who never waivers in his feelings and a sweet heroine. The only thing is I felt like that could have been a bit more to the story (I read it one sitting) but I think this could have been the authors debut novel. I am definitely interested in trying more books by Stella James.

HEA Yes
Cheating/OW/OM No cheating or scenes with OW/OM
Any push/pull No
Any couple separation No
Angst Level: Low
Heat Level: High

[sl.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love small town romances and Blue Falls is one town I would love to live in! It's filled with warm welcomes and charming characters I have fallen in love with!

Cole and Lily is one couple you will want to meet. I loved their immediate attraction and seeing how their relationship grew. Their sweet and steamy story is one you don't want to miss.

I can't wait for more from this series!!

[Mojo_Mama · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cuppa. So sweet and vanilla I got nauseous.

[Yesenia Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book of Lily moving on from an abusive marriage. When she lands herself in Blue falls she finds the small down perfect for her to move on. She ends up taking care of the library and living up stairs she decides to remodel it to add a children's area. She meets Cole the one who will be handling the construction when they meet sparks fly and he finally knows she will be it for him. I liked them together Cole was such a great guy and lily was learning to trust men as well as finding out those around her care for her. she happy but soon realizes her ex husband is on the hunt for her and Cole will do what he cant to protect her.
I loved loved loved the epilogue so sweet!

[Jenny Prose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously I've been living under a rock, if this is the first time I'm reading a Stella James novel. I know I suck, but at least I can say I know Stella and think she's amaze-balls. Now I can say she's an amaze-balls author too!
Worth the Chance is book 1 in the Blue Falls series. I seriously want to be friends with Lily and Cole, and all the other amazing charters we meet in this first book. This book was one of those books that quietly grabs you and has you slip into this new world with characters who are so realistic that you just cant help but love them. This story had me wishing for Lily to get her HEA and loving Cole for being a man to love a women with a rough past.
I immediately grabbed book 2, then book 3 plus the two novellas in the series and hope I finish them just in time for book 4's up coming release so I have no down time away from Blue Falls. Stella can I live in the reality you have created?
To say I loved this book is an understatement. I love to read to escape my reality, and the world I slipped into with Stella's book was the perfect distraction from the real world.
5 Stars!

[Wonder Tre Reads -Tre Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I instantly felt connected to Lily and what she went through and to be such a strong woman to push forward just makes me feel good knowing the role women will have in this story. Then were introduced to Cole, oh Cole is everything you would want in a man. I don't want to give much away because you need to read their story but I will say that it's beautiful and sexy. Cole's family, oh my gosh I want them to be mine. They're beyond hilarious and so down to earth. I literally laughed out loud with the name of their dog and just the way they are with one another. Yep not giving many details into this book because I want you to read it. I cannot see anyone being disappointed . It is a standalone book but I'm already jumping into Worth The Risk. Stella James is a wonderful writer and will continue to read her work.

[May Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
Triggers: Abuse
Short Hot read
Loyal Alpha male
Insta Connection
Great characters!
I can't wait to read all the books from the other characters
Safe Read
A must read

[Amelia Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from beginning to end! Strong characters, great opening for the rest of the series, can't wait to read them! Awesome work Stella!

[Fiction Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Love this story.
•Fast read
•Epilogue: 5 years, then 10 years.
https://storiesinreview971130128.word...

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars !

This was extremely well written and a pretty good story. It felt very similar to a movie I saw once, so it didn't feel like anything new per say, but the characters were very likable!

The female MC has a dark past that she is on the run from. I love that Lily finds her own way and is independent before she starts to fall in love. I liked that she was a strong heroine and takes some time to make decisions opposed to just falling into insta-love. Quick love, yes, but I mean it's a book... love is always pretty quick!

Cole was a great male MC, his character didn't have as much depth or background as Lily, but he was what she needed him to be. He wasn't over the top alpha, but he had alpha tendencies! He was considerate of Lily and it felt like he knew exactly what she needed without her ever saying. They just clicked!

The naughty bits are hot, the writing is great, and there's even a bit of suspense!

I loved the side characters and can't wait to read the rest of this series!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not very often that I actually write a review. I give a rating and move onto the next book. I couldn't help it on this book, I needed to share my opinion.
I love a short, steamy romance that I can get through in a few hours. They are my favorite!
This book fell into that category perfectly. It was the perfect blend of lovey dovey; hot sex; humor; crazy friends and family and a past that makes all of the above even better.
This book was listed as book 1, which leads me to believe future books will be written about the other characters in this book. That leads me to think about how they will play out. Stella does a good job of giving a glimpse in the epilogs.
All that said, there is one thing that drove me crazy in this book. It was the formatting, the whole book was centered. I didn't realize I had OCD, until I realized the left margin wasn't straight.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an incredible book! I couldn't put it down! What can I say about Cole apart from the fact I'd have him any day

[BookBarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this author and her first book.

This is definitely a must read along with book 2 "Worth The Risk".

Check this author out. You won't be disappointed!!!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was a quick, easy, sweet, and sexy read. Everything I could ever need. The characters are so great. I really really enjoyed it! I'm excited to read more of this series.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet and predictable,.

2.5 stars

[Djg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible triggers h is abuse survivor who escaped her abusive cop husband. Abuse is told after the fact by the h and in some dreams she has.

Bit of a fairy tale but loved the h, she was a strong take on the abused-heroine. She is two years away from her ex and has settled the last 6 months in a small mountain town. She has sought support from Domestic Violence groups to help her heal. Loved the H and the secondary characters were funny.

It almost was too quick to have the woman on the run storyline. I think it would have worked as well if she had just left her abuser without having him be continued threat.

Liked it though, good for a freebie.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet romance about Lily who has been in hiding for the past two years after escaping from her abusive husband who was a police officer. She meets Cole and an instant attraction happens between them. Lily needs to learn to trust people and Cole feels an overwhelming need to protect her from day one. This is a well written story about a woman rebuilding her life with the aid of an amazing guy and community by her side.

[Melissa Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Stella James and I loved it! Great quick read and the story of Cole and Lily was beautiful! This story was powerful in its meaning of overcoming and getting out of a toxic relationship and starting over and finding love again. Stella wrote so beautiful and heartfelt and I loved being in Blue Falls!

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't need to know about him sleeping around before he met Lily. Just not needed... takes away from the story and... doesn't endear him to me. I just want him to get regular checks. Apart from that, straightforward romance with a little ( tiny weeny little ) bit of trepidation thrown in.

Trace next. And I am not excited by him... at all.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was like 150 pages long . . .with an extended reply-mix epilogue!
I just couldn’t wrap my head around some of the stuff in this book. She was clearly a domestic violence victim, yet she falls into Instalove and is essentially “owned” by the hero!

Paint by numbers plot that you will see coming from a mile away!