Finding Bliss

By: Dina Silver

Narrated by: Cristina Panfilio

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Chloe Carlyle has always longed for the perfect family.

Growing up with an alcoholic single mother, Chloe has seen her share of heartbreak and disappointment, and is striving to build a new legacy for herself. After graduating from college, she takes a job working as a summer girl for the Reeds - a wealthy, accomplished family that personifies her American dream. Her summer takes an unexpected turn when the Reeds' eldest son, Tyler, the star quarterback for Notre Dame, shows up and turns her life upside down.

An ambitious young woman with a wry sense of humor, Chloe never imagined herself as the type to succumb to the looks and charms of the hometown hero, but she falls hard for Tyler, and is devastated when they part ways at the end of the summer. As she heads off to law school, Chloe tries to convince herself this was just a fling, but she can’t quite get over him. It’s not until Tyler contacts her out of the blue late one winter night that everything changes.

After doing everything in her power to build the perfect life, Chloe soon learns that there are things beyond her control. She must draw on inner reserves of strength as her life takes unpredictable - and sometimes heartbreaking - twists and turns, and she finds herself faced with decisions she never thought she’d have to make.

Poignant, heartfelt, and emotional, Finding Bliss is a reminder that you don’t have to live a fairytale life in order to have a happy ending.

©2013 Dina Silver (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Finding Bliss is an emotionally charged book!

My first thought was how realistic this story seemed to be.This is the second book I've read of Dina Silver and I've noticed that she focuses on real issues that people can relate to. The writer explores a variety of topics in this book such as alcoholism, mental illness, marriage, infertility issues, spousal cheating, etc. We are able to watch a woman try to overcome obstacles and learn to appreciate the ups & downs of her rollercoaster life. She deals with the good, bad, and the ugly. The story begins when Chloe is in her early twenties and she is preparing to go stay with the Reed family as their nanny for the summer. During the summer, she starts to fall for the Reed's eldest son Tyler who also happens to be the Notre Dame quarter back. In the beginning, you see how this normally responsible girl is still very naïve when it comes to Tyler Reed. Honestly, I never connecting with Chloe & Tyler's relationship through out the entire book. I did however feel more of a connection between Chloe & Cam. As you can tell, I'm more of a team Cam rather than team Tyler. You watch Chloe fall in love and endure what life throws her way. Regardless, I found this book refreshing and raw. There is a wide variety of characters in this book. Some you will adore and some you will want to throttle. You will experience happy moments and then heart wrenching moments. You experience love, hope and then pain, anger. This book ends with many questions left unanswered. I'm hopeful there is a sequel so I can finally know what happens next in Chloe's life. I highly recommend this gut wrenching book!

20 of 22 people found this review helpful

fantastic book, terrible ending.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. It was so detailed that i thought the ending was going to reveal the author as the main character. As the story unravels, you see the plot twists coming. thankfully, the main character isn't oblivious and makes all the assumptions I did as i was reading. I will say that the ending is abrupt and leaves me wanting more, but content with the stopping point.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

not bad but...

Story was good. Covered a lot of time by skipping ahead. This is not the normal romance. More of telling the story of one woman's struggle finding love and then having a baby. As I said it's a good story. However, the end is abrupt and leaves too many strings hanging. Nothing is tidied up and you are left hanging. Doesn't seem like it'll be part of a series.

There haven't been many books that left me feeling bereft once finished, but this is one of them. There is no sense of contentment once finished, where series or not. Too much a sense of unease and discontentment.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not a definitive ending

I hate when books leave you hanging! Wish it had stated if Chloe got forgave Tyler and they got back together, or if she gets together with her college friend.

More than I thought.

I began the story thru audible, than switched to reading the story. I had a hard time pulling myself away from the story. The obstacles to overcome to fight for their love only to realize the other person they thought they were fighting for is not fighting as hard. They realize the people who love them has been fighting along side them just not distracting them from their focus.

Good Read

I really enjoyed this book. You get attached to the characters and the real life struggles they deal with throughout the story. My only problem is this audio version completely left out the epilogue. I was left feeling let down because there wasn't really a ending until I was discussing the book w a coworker who had also read it and she told me that wasn't how it ended. But the book itself was good and I will be reading more from this author.

another wonderful listen

Any additional comments?

Dina Silver writes stories that cause me to respond emotionally. It's like she is writing the book just for you. You find hidden messages about the bigger issues in life within the pages of her novels. You find yourself inspired, reflecting and hopeful when reading her words. Silver writes stories that get into my bones and stick there. In her newest novel Finding Bliss, Silver writes a story that kept me up late into the night, one that was hard to put down, one that moved me once again. Finding Bliss is about so much more than young love. It is about staying true to oneself and about making it through the bumps in the road with your head held high and your dignity intact. Silver writes a beautifully woven story that is thoughtful, funny and memorable. Her story is one that makes you certain that there is not just one path in life, but many and one must choose their own path in order to find bliss!!! I LOVED this book and rate it 5 stars!!!

Bring the tissues

I cannot believe it took me nearly 3 quarters to figure out the connection with One Pink Line. What a roller coaster of emotions this book was. Oh the feels. I kept needing to know what was going to happen in her journey.
The only thing I didn't like too much was the slow pace and big gaps in the middle of the story. While I understood I was not sure if there was ever going to be a twist in the story. Once it got there, OMG, I need more tissues. Beautiful story and maybe we can get a novella or some follow up later. It did not feel like a full conclusion even if she found her "bliss" in a way.

Most of the story I kept thinking that Tyler is the most obvious match, but really rooting for Cam.

Awkward ending

Loved the story it was very relatable and the story drew you in but the ending was quite abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered

Did I miss the ending? (Spoiler)

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the writing of this book, but did I miss something at the end? Who did she pick? She doesn't make a great declaration of independence or dedication to anyone so I was confused the book ended abruptly and without an answer. I did enjoy the other aspects of the book. It did make me laugh and cry.