Fool for Love

High Rise #1

by Harper Bliss

Betrayed by her long-term girlfriend, Alex moves into The Ivy to share a flat with her friend Nat. When she meets their neighbour Maddie, a jaded expat who’s had about enough of Hong Kong’s demanding life style, both Maddie and Alex are forced to reassess their warped view on love.

Fool for Love is the first novella in the High Rise series.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Erotica, Lesbian, Contemporary, Adult, Novella

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

About the author

Harper Bliss is a best-selling lesbian romance author. Among her most-loved books are the highly dramatic French Kissing and the often thought-provoking Pink Bean series. She is the co-founder of My LesFic, a weekly newsletter offering discount deals on lesbian fiction.

Harper lived in Hong Kong for 7 years, travelled the world for a bit, and has now settled in Brussels (Belgium) with her wife and photogenic cat, Dolly Purrton.

Together with her wife, she hosts a weekly podcast called Harper Bliss & Her Mrs.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a good thing I swing all sorts of ways, because if I read f/f exclusively, I'd be screwed.

You know how, even though you end up disliking a book, there often still are certain aspects that you thought were okay? The author had original ideas, but executed them poorly. The characters were deliciously quirky, but they lacked that sizzling chemistry. That's not the case with Fool for Love: If I'd bought a paperback instead of an ebook, I'd facepalmed myself with it.

Fool for Love grabbed my attention for multiple reasons. One of which is that it's set in Hong Kong. Lately I've read a few excellent short stories by Remittance Girl that are set in Asia. She describes the humidity, the exotic scents and street life perfectly. So I was looking forward to lesbian erotica with a similar atmosphere. This might as well have been situated in Milan, New York or an obscure Dutch village though.

I honestly wish I could say something nice about what was supposed to be a fun and sexy buddy read with Anna and Lee. Unfortunately, IMHO the author doesn't show any talent for writing. She doesn't have a distinctive voice and the story itself is plain and superficial. It was a bit like listening to a homely colleague describing how she met her partner and, while she's at it, filling you in on her supposedly terribly witty banter with her friends about her new flame, her occasional trips to the gym, her new H&M jeans and iPhone and....

Gym instructor Alex has the best body in Hong Kong and just ended her relationship with a banker who cheated on her. She then falls in instalust with - surprise! - banker Maddie, who just put her pointless affair with some married woman on hold. Because of her ex, Alex considers all bankers a bunch of cold-hearted bitches and therefore Maddie is just like her ex. Very mature, yes. When she finds out about Maddie's married lady, she - bring on the lezzie drama! - throws a temper tantrum on their first date and ends up crying in a corner and having super awkward, clinical, unsexy solo sex with herself the next morning, during which she - oh dear! - suddenly finds herself fantasizing about Maddie.

Really, when your own life is so much more exciting than that of the characters in your book, you know your time is wasted.

[Anna (Bananas) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great but not one or two star awful, as some would lead me to believe. (Yes, YOU guys.) I did feel twinges of emotion for the characters, minor nudges in my heart region, and I'm interested enough to read the next novella. But honestly...I was hoping for more.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie is an investment banker working in Hong Kong and despondent over the way her personal life has become a shambles. After leaving her longtime lover in Australia for business in Hong Kong, she has been "the other woman" to a woman cheating on her husband. Maddie finally breaks it off and it is made worse by the fact that June is a coworker. To release of this negativity, Maddie takes exercise classes.

The instructor of these classes, Alex, is going through similar issues. Her long time girlfriend left her for another woman. She believes in love, not one night stands like her roommate Nat. Alex notices Maddie and feels some attraction. They agree to a date and after a rough first one,a romance blossoms.

There are many reasons I really enjoyed this story. The first is that at its core...it is a romantic love story between two people who are both feeling very blue about love at the moment they met. While the story is fairly short the budding romance didn't feel rushed...more like something that was meant to be.

Second reason to love this story...the reader will connect easily with all the characters even though there are major differences. Not only did I feel connected to Maddie and Alex, but also with Nat and Isabella, who is a friend of Maddie. I felt the most connection with Alex as I know what it's like to have a significant other do that,only to find someone else with whom you want to share everything.

Third reason is Harper Bliss and her wonderful portrayal of the physical pleasure Alex and Maddie share. As has been the case with all stories I have read by this author,I enjoy the sex scenes for not only the heat and arousal, but also for the emotions that the women feel. It's not just the orgasms, it's the total bliss and emotions that keep me glued to my readers. A great romance between two women that was a pleasure to read. Looking forward to the next story in the series.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Harper Bliss and all I can say is I want more!! Her writing style, plot and character development is refreshing.

I found this story to be believable, a must for me, and was pleased there was no insta-love between the two MC's. The erotic scenes were more quality than quantity, and had my inner lesbian purring, lol.

23,000 words

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting location set in Hong Kong featuring Australian, American and Chinese characters, who are fallible and struggling despite otherwise appearing successful in their careers and finances.

It's ends to make you continue the series. Which I would definitely be interested in reading. Although it's not amazing, it could have had a bit more emotion.
The emotion seemed to come more so after the sex, and just as I was starting to get invested in the couple and their roommates possible coupling, it ended TBC.

[Amris]

DNF @4%

“She didn’t need to be so Chinese and repressed about it” is a WILD thing to say about your closeted Asian subordinate/affair partner.

[nursé · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute lil romance 🥰 can’t wait to read the whole series

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this and I'm still in love with it. The characters are amazing and he way the author writes is just magical for me. I get sucked in from page one until the end and no matter how great the ending is I always want more.

Cover :- 5 stars
Sex/steaminess :- 4 stars
Story line :- 4 stars
Characters :- 4 stars
Overall rating :- 4.25 stars

Personal rating :- 4 stars

Book Pairing:- F/F
Did it give me a book hangover :- No
Is this a review book or personal read :- Personal Read

Why I chose this book?

I'm gradually making my way through all of Harper's work.

What I liked about this book.

* It sets up the story well.
* It's written like no other series I have read before.
* It sucked me in.
* I really want to read the next one.

What I didn't like about this book.

Nothing really.

Would I read more from this author?

Yes

Would I recommend this book?

Yes

[Sandra★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ★

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a delightful erotic story from a new to me author. In Fool for Love, it starts out with a theme I'm not fond of - cheating. Afraid that this book is about infidelity in a romance setting, I nearly stopped reading. However, the writing voice captivates me and I want to learn more about Maddie.

Maddie, short for Madison is an expat in Hong Kong. She's an investment banker from Australia, living the life in HK. It appears, Maddie also suffers from yellow fever. This story which starts out with a train wreck dead end relationship quickly turns into a blossoming romance. The new love interest, Alex, is nursing her own broken heart. What is it with bankers being cheaters? Oh right, they have so much money they can buy what they want.

Ms. Bliss's story brings a bit of nostalgia for me. This is because she describes Hong Kong and I can see it in my mind so well. It's not often I read a romance where it is f/f and it is with Asians, specifically Chinese. Both of these elements add a bit of realism and is better for me. The storyline is smooth and realistic. The focus it nice and tight on Maddie and Alex, yet it leaves room for secondary characters who will be featured in the next book in this series. I'm interested and want to read the next! This book is a 3.5 star for me. I recommend this sweet romance for f/f readers interesting in the journey to finding love.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the 1st story in Harper Bliss's High Rise Series and I am already hooked!!! This author is one if not my favourite f/f writers - her characters are sexy, sassy, gorgeous and manages in the short amount of pages to develope them in such a way that you are unable to connect and engage with them.

The sex scenes are hot, sensual, steamy but never smutty. And I love that she uses different and exciting and such exotic locations/settings - Hong Kong, Thailand, France.

And a series about 4 gorgeous and exciting women living in Hong Kong....and it starts off with Maddie - one of those high-power woman, a bit of a cynic..well wouldn't you be in her situation...moves in with her friend, Isabella....I can just picture The Ivy..anyway, Maddie meets Alex (wow love her name...same as mine!!!!)the gorgeous instructor who lives with her friend, Nat (geez don't you just love their names!!!)and suddenly ....something sparks between the two.

Now can I please find out what happens next????

I can't wait for more..........

Sorry..forgot to mention.......I loved reading this (far too short) story!!!!

Keep writing Harper!!!!!!!!!

[Aղցela W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read it was a short F/F. Investment Banker Maddie is having a torrid affair with June, one of her married work colleagues. Maddie’s friend Isabella persuades her to go to the body combat class she attends. It’s here that Maddie and Alex meet for the first time. They both feel the pull of an attraction between them. The sex is hot. Alex and Maddie share a connection outside the bedroom. This is my second or third book I have read by Harper Bliss and I must say that this one is better than the last one.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Harper Bliss novella, but certainly not my last. I'd really give this 3 1/2 stars. Interesting story about two wounded women who find each other living in the same high rise building in Hong Kong. Plenty of getting to know you moments, false starts and simmering attraction. Well written and story is believable and makes sense. Only irritant is the reference to "yellow fever" which could be described differently. Looking forward to other books in the series.

[SaturNalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maddie is a banker in Hong Kong, having an affair with a married co-worker, she hates herself for it but can't seem to stop. Alex is an instructor at a gym, who was betrayed by her banker girlfriend. Simple story with simple characters. I didn't feel I knew the characters very well, because they were so shallow and simple.

[Sassafrass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of f/f because I usually like some man parts sprinkled in a story but this was a cute short. Lots of build up of sexual tension and then it seemed to just end. I wanted more of this story, so I was a little disappointed there.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fool For Love (High Rise #1) — Harper Bliss (? chapters — No real chapters; breaks rotate between characters) July 4-5, 2018

Note: This is a super sexy book involving four women of consenting age. There are explicit sexy scenes. Only intended for readers of legal age: 21 and above in America.

Short/sweet review.

There is no in between for me when I read Harper Bliss books. I either like them or they are just ok, if not bland. The way this book started I was afraid it would turn out to be the latter. But it didn’t, although it did take me longer to read it than I thought.

Alex and Maddie are heartbroken over lost loves when they first meet. But it quickly changes to something more. Is it worth it or do they get caught up in past mistakes that lose out on love?

Isabella and Nat’s relationship is a different story. In this one, they are just getting to know each other, and the build up is more of a slow burn. This book centers more on Maddie and Alex, but Isabella and Nat are central to the action.

The ending leads into the next book.

Three stars.

[Ann (Literary Lust) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted something quick to read and this was on my kindle. I should have perhaps read the synopsis before purchasing and reading this short story as I don’t read F/F. Putting that to one side, the storyline wasn’t great in all honesty. There was no build up to the relationships. I didn’t like the author’s use of some words. However, it ticked a box in that it filled a few moments of my time whilst I couldn’t sleep.

I sadly won’t be continuing with the series.

[Ashka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it was extremely short and didn’t feel like it had much content. It’s a sexy lesbian romcon but the ending was cut very abruptly for such a short book which makes me think the writer just wanted to end it to get people to buy the next book.

I got the book on unlimited kindle day so I’m unsure if I’ll read the next one, or three more.

It’s a good short read for a book cleanser in between two bigger books

[Shirley Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't thrilled

Incident really enjoy this read. I'm sure there's many that would just not my thing i guess. Enjoy Goodreaders I'm sure there's a million out there that will be thrilled just not me:)

[R.C. Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm disappointed to only give this three stars because the book had such great potential. The characters are good but needed more development as did the relationships. This could have benefited from a slower build up in a longer story.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Hong Kong is an exotic city. No one would expect a banker and a fitness trainer to match up so well. Marvelous read.

[Phyllis Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved reading this book a dn I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I will even read it again later. I just wish the other books were available as single books.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely need the rest of the series!

This is a great read. Now I have to get the rest of the series. As with any Harper Bliss book, it doesn't disappoint.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this could have been so much better. The story seemed flat to me.

[Keisha Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hahaha I don't remember much of it

It's a short read nothing much resolved but there's apparently more books in the edition so that could be the reason for the process

[Serena · Rating 1 out of 5]

How many times did the author write Chinese fetishization and not realize it was disgusting as fuck, ffs

[Celina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved the content, the pace and emotions. It kind of inspired me to go to the gym again... I might. I hope there is more to these characters.

[Petrina Binney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, and felt that the characters and their relationships developed well. Really didn't care for the term 'yellow fever'.

[Esther Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get into it. Ugh.

[Stephenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

Very good read! Can't wait to get the next one! Very hot! I fantasized it was me and my crush the whole time!