Trusting the Ex

Small Town Desires #2

by Missy Walker

This is a story about heartbreak and second chances.
Guaranteed HEA.

Lily

He took my virginity, then he vanished. The boy next door, Blake Carter left me a shattered mess when he left for New York. Five years later I’d forgotten about his dirty blonde hair and green eyes and was living a free-spirited life.
That was, until he returned, engaged.


Blake

Being the youngest, most successful Hedge Fund manager wasn’t by chance. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I’d got there all on my own. No emotions, pure drive.

Lily represents everything I left behind. So, when I have to rush back to Australia, my world spins on its axis. The petite, blonde, blue-eyed girl I’d avoided makes me question everything I ever wanted.
Now, I have two choices.

This is a standalone novel with interconnecting characters throughout the series.

**This title was previously published as Return to Home. It has been extensively rewritten, re-edited, and has a new cover.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2021

About the author

Missy is an Australian author who writes kissing books with equal parts angst and steam. She loves writing stories about billionaires, enemies to lovers, and the boy next door- just to name a few.

When she’s not writing, she’s taking care of her two daughters and doting husband.

Inspired by the acreage she lives on, Missy regularly distracts herself by visiting her orchard… some days more often than writing!

Then there’s her overweight cat, Charlie, chickens, and bees if she needed another excuse to pass the time.

And, when the day ends, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a gin and tonic as the sunsets surrounded by the ones she loves.

Reviews

[Kristina Waible · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited a day to write this review. The blurb does state who each person is. That being said I loved Lily. She was dealt a bad hand at age fifteen when she ended up living with her aunt. The plus was that she lived next door to Blakes and his father. Blake let what is mother did when he was five and then later the guys at the elite school he had a scholarship to give him drive to make them not look down at him all cost. He and Lily became best friends when she lived next door she 15 he was 16. On his graduation it goes farther. Lily loves him but his ego and ambition is more to him than she is. After a night of being with her he sneaks out gets in a plane no goodbye not a word in 6 years shattering her. His father and Lily keep their friendship he is like a father to her. He is not impressed with his sons actions. The life Blake has in New York astounds me. If a woman had done everything he did to go up the corporate ladder and warp speed there would be strong words for her. But it’s ok for a guy. When he has to go home and stay for two weeks he is engaged but feeling come up for Lily and of course she has always loved him. So again what his ego needs bs k in Bew York is with more than Lily in the little town in Australia and he leaves again. But this time she lays it all in the line to him how she feels even tell him he is a coward and he is. You’ll have to read the book for how it turns out. Fir me he never really redeems himself. I received a free copy for a honest review

[Carrie O · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly struggled with this one. So. Yeah. Cannot say that I enjoyed this story. I wanted to enjoy it. And I finished it, to be sure how it ended and in hope that somehow we could redeem the "hero"...

Lily is the orphaned neighbor to Blake. She lost her parents in her teens, and he was abandoned by his mother [as was his father]. So... wounds. But they were great friends, and became more. Until... stupid happens. And we get lots of stupid. So very much stupid that I could not find it in me to like Blake. At all. So many people to not like, in this story. For all her supposed quirks, Lily is a sweetheart. A wee bit flighty, prone to bounce from one passion to the next, and filling her days with gratitude and joy. Except for that Blake portion.

Amber, Jazzie, and Lily are the heart of this series. Easy to like and to understand. Kit and Jazzie worked, but I'm seriously not feeling Blake... so many character flaws in one guy [and he's the good guy, among so many truly wretched men in this story]. The ratio of groveling to crap-thrown-at-Lily is not sufficient. And a massive hole that sucked Robert and Camille to the center of the earth would have been appreciated.

All that said... it wasn't a difficult read, just an unpleasant one [YMMV].

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superbly written steamy, contemporary romance between Blake and Lily, Australian best friends who have a second chance romance. They grew up as neighbours and Blake was Lily's first lover but straight afterwards, he leaves her to seek his life's path in NYC. Six years later, Blake is engaged to a socialite and is at the top of his profession when his father dies and he has to return to Australia and Lily. What follows is how they finally communicate their feelings and hurts, and what decision Blake has to ultimately make. What I didn't like was that there was infidelity by Blake (and his fiancée). Lily was lovely and I really was rooting for her and Blake. The characters were relatable and well developed, the storyline was interesting and I was engaged throughout their story. There is also a bonus epilogue available with a newsletter sign-up. A really enjoyable read which I rate 4.5*. I have received an ARC for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – Trusting the Ex by Missy Walker is the story of Lilly and Blake. After taking her virginity, Blake hops a plane to NY to become a hedge fund manager. He gets caught up in the money hungry ways of the Street and plans to marry his boss’s spoiled socialite daughter. It is more of an arranged marriage, not even close to love or lust.

When Blake’s father passes away, Blake must return to Australia to attend the funeral and estate. Under the terms of the will, Blake must work with Lilly for 2 weeks in order to keep the house from going to a jerk from Blake and Lilly’s high school days. Blake and Lilly fall in love again. Each of them has issues that they need to work through in order to be together.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading another from this author. In full disclosure, I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Maddy Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake left Lilly after he to her v-card the night of his graduation. The next day he boarded a plane to New York City and six years later he’d still not looked back. Now he’s engaged to be married to some socialite. The only reason he’s back in this town is because his father died. At the wake at his father’s home Blake asks Lilly to come to him because he wants to hug her, give her comfort, she did. I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. There’s nothing I hate more than a woman who’s a doormat. If she’d punched him in the nose or kicked him in the nuts I’d might have given this book more stars. The story is good and had a good ending. I’m giving it four stars and I recommend it.

[Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily and Blake had a relationship years before till he went away but when he goes back home he is engaged but he has to decide if he still wants Lily.
Romantic, but lots of friction, drama and intense moments. I was pulling for them to get their act together. Their chemistry was good and i liked how they were together.
Well written, with great characters and a story with lots of give. Good book!

This was an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Sarah Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wtf…
Childhood sweethearts, he left small town autralia for new york to become a hedge fund manager.
He is now engaged to his spoiled boss’s daughter
Does not make sense how he loves lily but agrees to mary the daughter for money…

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

Not my kind of romance. Didn’t like either of the main characters, and I got bored.

[Miss Rachael Calver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Missy you broke me with this one, tears flowed. Another 5* from me

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was the ugliest story I’ve read in a while.
Guy is a dick. Girl is dumb. Story is whack. The end

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake Carter walked away from the love of his life Lily Stone after taking her virginity. HIs reason was he didn't believe in love after his mom left his dad Al. when he was younger. His father was a carpenter & enjoyed his life. They made ends meet. Which for a boy going to a prestigious high school on scholarship he was determined to prove to those snob boys that he was going to make it in this world & be successful & rich.
Lily Stone lost everything when she was young. When her parents died in a car accident. She had to live with her Aunt. When she arrived, she met her Aunt's neighbor Alistair & his Son Blake Carter. The ball thrown over the fence changed the rest of Lily's life. They went from best friends all thru their childhood. Now during Blake's graduation party he took her Virginity. Then left in the middle of the night for America to follow his dreams & be successful & wealthy. Now a successful broker, he has the life, if a fancy place, number one at his job. And a fiance who he cares about. Until he catches her cheating on him. Which is where he is when he gets a call from AUSSIE, hospital to tell Blake that his father has passed.
He now has to go back home and deal with his death, & the woman that he left 5 years ago. Since Lily never left her neighbor. She also never became serious about anything. She always felt that she would be abandon like when her parents died if she kept to a commitment. She was a care free spirit.
Can Lily change Blake to the man she fell in love with as a teenager. Not marry a woman he doesn't love for a career & a successful payout.
Can Blake admit that he was always afraid of Love because of his mother walking out on him & his dad.
Well Blake will have two weeks to figure this out. Since his father's will stipulated that they work on refurbishing the house, cottage to sell. If Blake doesnt stay the two weeks. The house goes automatically to his high school rival. Blake will not let that happen. Read & find out if teenage love turns into every lasting love?

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return Home by Missy Walker is book 2 in her Sassy Seaview Series. This story is a coming-of-age story about Blake and Lilly who were next-door childhood neighbors. Blake always yearned for the riches he never owned growing up and Lilly, trying to fulfill a void from losing her parents when she was young. With an end-of-school romance between Lilly and Blake heat up, he takes all she offers then walks out the door and leaves her with no communication for five years. Blake just wanted to leave the small- going nowhere town to make his mark as he entered the New York world of high finance. Lilly is crushed to see she meant so little to Blake for him to leave with no backward glances. Blake only returns home after his father suddenly passes away and leaves the home property to both Lilly and Blake. The conditions state they both need to renovate the property together for 2 weeks or the homeplace will go to Brennan, an archenemy of Blake. Those two weeks open the doors to sharing, instant chemistry that flames as high as their tempers over the past and Blakes’ current plan to marry the boss’ daughter. The bride-to-be is a deceitful nightmare who only lives for her pleasure. Only for the vulgar number of billions of dollars is Blake willing to enter a loveless marriage to Camille. But can he give up his true love for Lilly once they re-connect? What will Lilly do once the property sells? Will Blake leave Lilly for the 2nd time? The book has a guaranteed HEA, but how Lilly and Blake get there is quite the journey. The time spent together runs the gamut of emotions from anger, crushing hurt, frustration, grief, and red-hot passion that leads to longings for a future together. I loved this story and can’t wait to read the final book, Beyond Melting, about Amber, the girlfriend of Jasmine and Lily due out on November 1st

[Marsha Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liliy at a young age hard her share of darkness .then a Brite light shines it's way into her life . Blake is the cute boy next door. Him and Lily become best friends. Then one night Lily and Blake go over the best friends line. Blake up and leaves with out word . Lily trys move on but she just lining to herself. Blake has one track mind to be rich powerful at any cost to prove he not under the rich kids from his school. But a major loss brings them back together and they must c work has one to reach a goal in a very short time will they let loose and fan the flames that still burn in them. Will question be answered why he left Wil she forgive him. This is great read recommend it. It will get ya in your feels

[Jennifer Soppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes the reader through the feels

Lily, a freelance digital marketer, thinks she is over Blake her first love and heartbreak, and doesn’t expect what she sees when she tracks him down five years later. As the story progresses an unexpected loss takes her down, an unwanted reunion takes her out, and an unacknowledged feelings could end up biting both of them in undesirable places. Missy Walker’s Back to Home takes the reader through the feels and that is just in the first few chapters. This book of the Sassy Seaview series leaves the reader wondering just how difficult will Amber’s journey be.

I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

[Angelica Andersson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Sassy Seaview series, I didn't realize it at first but it can be read as an standalone. This book is about Lilly and Blake, two childhood friends that have know each other for many years. This didn't really end so good between them when Blake just left for New York.

Not to spoil anything but I really liked this book and I love Lily and how she speaks her mind. It was a good read and I just had to know what would happen for them.

[Cheyanne carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible romance with so much steam!

I read all three books in this series along with missy walkers other books and I must say I love her! Her books have the most heart warming stories with the perfect spiciness and steam. I love her writing style 10/10! The best character development and relationship development. And the sex scenes are chefs kiss. If you're thinking about reading any of her books here is your sign to take the leap, you will not be disappointed!!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book overall! Giving your heart to someone and then experiencing heart break was too much for Lily. She move forward only to find him five years later and engaged. Continued loss, and unwanted feels come flooding back. Can Lily and Blake find their happily ever after?

What a great series and looking forward to the next book in the series

[Cindie Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was decent. Lily and Blake were likable characters. It goes into how big corporations work and how loss can change a persons life. Whoever the author uses as a proofreader should probably be fired. There were so many sentences where there were wrong words, left out words, or too many words, making sentences incorrect. It was very distracting.

[Jamanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy walker is fast becoming one of my favourite author's. This is book 2 in service series and it just keeps getting better. It's beautiful, sexy, addictive and amazing. Highly recommend this series

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Lily and Blake. I enjoyed this second chance romance with all the emotional upheaval that occurs. This one had me rooting for this couple. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Missy Walker]

Loved writing about these two love birds!