Happily Ever After in Bliss

5 Star Review Happily Ever After In Bliss (Nights In Bliss Colorado #11) by Lexi Blake/Sophie Oak I have always loved the character of Nell Finn, so innocent and yet such a passionate advocate for the causes she supports. I was thrilled when she and John Bishop aka Henry Flanders got together and hopeful that things would work out for one of my favourite Bliss couples, so learn that they are about to have a baby was even more exciting. Henry has led a life of sacrifice, surrounded by death. Just when it looks like all is going to plan, it appears that Henry’s past is about to catch up with him in a horrendous way. Not only that but it will lead Nell to question the man she loves and their future together. This was a roller coaster of a read, that had me on the edge of my seat at times. This book also crosses over with Lexi's Masters and Mercenaries series and there are appearances by Ian, Ten and Kayla which was awesome. It is always enjoyable catching up with the Bliss characters that I have come to love. Happily Ever After In Bliss is full of twists and turns with some surprises thrown in. It was well written and had me captivated from the first to the last page.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS is the eleventh full-length instalment in Lexi Blake’s contemporary, adult NIGHTS IN BLISS, COLORADO erotic, BDSM, romantic suspense series focusing on the small town of Bliss, Colorado. This is the continuing story of former US army soldier/former CIA operative turned history professor John Bishop aka Henry Flanders, and his wife Nell Flanders. HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading ONCE UPON A TIME IN BLISS for Henry and Nell’s backstory. SOME BACKGROUND: Nell Flanders is an idealist; a naïve dreamer; an optimist who is hoping to change the world one protest at a time. A vegan, a pacifist, a woman who believes that even little white lies are unacceptable in the grand scheme of peace and unity. John Bishop is a former US army soldier/former CIA operative turned history professor who now identifies as Henry Flanders but Henry is always on the offensive knowing his past is always one step behind Told from dual third person perspectives (Henry and Nell) HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS fast forwards Nell and Henry’s life approximately six years wherein Henry’s past is about to destroy any semblance of peace for our story line couple. Now pregnant with their first child, Nell Flanders has no idea about the life her husband once led, and with the past now intent of destroying their lives, Nell is no longer sure if the man that she loves, is the man with whom she will continue her life. With both the CIA, and the Mexican cartel hot on his heels, John Bishop attempts to head off any further attacks, but in doing so continues to anger the people he’s wronged. The relationship between Nell and Henry struggles in the face of Henry’s secrets and lies. Nell, a woman with strong convictions against war, killing, eating meat and any number of ideologies and actions she which she is willing to protest, protect or panhandle-in other words, the complete opposite of the man with whom she had fallen in love. With the revelations about Henry’s past, and the life she knew nothing about, our heroine struggles going forward including the belief that the father of her child is capable of killing another human being. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate with some light discipline and Dom/sub scenarios. There is a large ensemble cast of familiar secondary and supporting characters from a number of Lexi Blake’s interconnected series including the Masters and Mercenaries series including Ten Smith and Ian Taggart, and The Lost Boys. HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BLISS is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love. A story of secrets and lies; revelations and acceptance. The premise is emotional, heart breaking and engaging; the characters are energetic and captivating. HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS BLISS is a spicy, imaginative and intriguing second look at one of the oddest couples in Lexi’s series.

Henry and Nell’s story was everything I ever could have imagined! Having had them show up in other stories along the way, and then have that integrated into their book, I loved it. This story takes place over a year, and in it, we get a full Blissian experience. I laughed, I giggled, I cried, I swooned, I aww’d, I snorted, and I ended up with a huge smile on my face. The town embraced its’ own, the townsfolk love as only they can, and the world, while not perfect, found a patch of happiness and joy for the inhabitants. Henry and Nell strengthened their bonds, understood each other more, and loved all the deeper because the bad times made them look to themselves and each other.