What do you think?
Rate this book
At the Water’s Edge #1
At the Water's Edge by Harper Bliss
After a traumatic event that has left her in deep need of healing, Ella Goodman returns to her hometown in Oregon. While staying at her family’s cabin at the West Waters lake resort, she finds an unexpected friend in level-headed owner Kay Brody. But Ella’s sole objective is to restore the broken ties with her family, and she has no time for distractions like falling in love. The healing process is confrontational and difficult though, and she is soon forced to realize that people like Kay only come along once in a lifetime.
Paperback
First published November 13, 2014
152 people are currently reading
1656 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
137 books2,409 followersHarper 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
July 17, 2017
Surprisingly good! interesting,fun,emotional and a thought provoking storyline which had a few relatable and also likable characters included...well written
January 15, 2019
Rep: lesbian mcs, non-white side characters
It's a shame this book turned out like it did, because it actually contained some of the better writing I've read in adult and new adult wlw lit. And that's saying something - there were some incredibly cringey lines here.
My biggest issue with this was that the author goes down the "sex curing her depression" route. I truly wish I was paraphrasing that more than I am. At one point, while they're having sex, the main character (Ella) thinks to herself "If this is not saving me, I don't know what would", and also, "As if by her penetration, she's giving herself to me - she's healing me." Then there's the idea that's presented every few pages, that she's "broken". Neither of these things are challenged by anyone (not her therapist, not therapist-lite - oh sorry, I mean Kay, her girlfriend), and that's my major sticking point. I don't have a problem at all with the storyline - that she's depressed and goes to talk things through with her family, and just so happens to fall in love along the way - that's great. It's how the narrative frames these things that I didn't like.
I also couldn't help but notice that, for all the mentions of her therapist, Ella doesn't actually seem to pay attention to anything he says until Kay starts saying the same things (hence the label of therapist lite). It just felt a little like she was becoming dependent on Kay more than learning to deal with depression herself. Similarly with the whole idea that Kay is healing her. It's never mentioned outright that this is the case, but it certainly feels a bit like that.
This one did have initial promise - I was thinking up until at least halfway through that I'd rate it as high as 4 stars - but in the end it didn't live up to that. So my search for a good adult/new adult wlw book goes on.
It's a shame this book turned out like it did, because it actually contained some of the better writing I've read in adult and new adult wlw lit. And that's saying something - there were some incredibly cringey lines here.
My biggest issue with this was that the author goes down the "sex curing her depression" route. I truly wish I was paraphrasing that more than I am. At one point, while they're having sex, the main character (Ella) thinks to herself "If this is not saving me, I don't know what would", and also, "As if by her penetration, she's giving herself to me - she's healing me." Then there's the idea that's presented every few pages, that she's "broken". Neither of these things are challenged by anyone (not her therapist, not therapist-lite - oh sorry, I mean Kay, her girlfriend), and that's my major sticking point. I don't have a problem at all with the storyline - that she's depressed and goes to talk things through with her family, and just so happens to fall in love along the way - that's great. It's how the narrative frames these things that I didn't like.
I also couldn't help but notice that, for all the mentions of her therapist, Ella doesn't actually seem to pay attention to anything he says until Kay starts saying the same things (hence the label of therapist lite). It just felt a little like she was becoming dependent on Kay more than learning to deal with depression herself. Similarly with the whole idea that Kay is healing her. It's never mentioned outright that this is the case, but it certainly feels a bit like that.
This one did have initial promise - I was thinking up until at least halfway through that I'd rate it as high as 4 stars - but in the end it didn't live up to that. So my search for a good adult/new adult wlw book goes on.
February 14, 2015
Where to start?
This book touched me deeply, for personal reasons. Harper Bliss was able to write such a compelling story of despair and love.
I suffer from mild depression and have never read a better description of what it feels like. The darkness, the hopelessness, the helplessness of not knowing HOW to be happy. How to enjoy more than fleeting moments of contentment. Ella's story broke my heart in millions of pieces, it was so beautifully written. Bliss writes with emotions, and in every word she uses there is feeling. It's so rare.. so wonderful, to feel so much while reading a story written by someone you know nothing about but who seems to know you. I want to shout to Harper Bliss "YES. You understand. You're wonderful. How? How do you know?".
As you can guess this is not a feel-good story. But it's a very realistic one, because life is never as easy as some books make it out to be. It's a constant struggle to find happiness. And I like that Harper Bliss's solution to that is love. Because I also think that true love can save broken people, can make them feel alive and stay alive.
Ella has suffered from depression almost her whole life, and comes back to where she grew up with the hope of finding the roots of it all and getting better. There, she meets Kay again, a girl she knew growing up. Kay is down to earth, adventurous, charming, understanding, vulnerable and strong at the same time. She is not unhappy in her life, but she yearns to find what her father always hoped she'd find: happiness in the form of love. But the real love, the forever kind of love, the inevitable kind of love. Not the one that ever goes away. The love that keeps you alive.
And she finds it. YES. Ella and Kay fall in love so helplessly and so undoubtedly. Because Kay is the only person who can save Ella and the only person Ella wants to bear her soul to. And it's absolutely amazing to read about how Ella finds light in the darkness again, how she can finally be herself with someone who understands and accepts everything about her.
I have another question to Harper Bliss: How can you use such few words but evoke so many feelings? You are able to tell stories in a way very few writers can.
Really, this is what I would call a short book, but by the end of it I felt like I had lived a whole life.
Because the story is written from Ella's POV, the reader is able to feel everything Ella does. I started the story with a heavy heart, a sort of pain in my chest (I silently and discreetly cried a lot), and with every chapter the heavy pain lifted, while Ella fell in love and opened up, I fell in love with the irresistible Kay and felt giddy and happy.
And the sex... is hot, with the tenderness of love and the passion of desire. The best kind. The orgasms that bring tears to your eyes because they are not just physical, and when Ella comes, she falls in love with Kay a little bit more. Until she feels completely safe, and understands that this is where she wants to be always.
Despite the heavy aspect of it, At The Water's Edge is indisputably a story of hope. And now, one of my favorite romance novels.
This book touched me deeply, for personal reasons. Harper Bliss was able to write such a compelling story of despair and love.
I suffer from mild depression and have never read a better description of what it feels like. The darkness, the hopelessness, the helplessness of not knowing HOW to be happy. How to enjoy more than fleeting moments of contentment. Ella's story broke my heart in millions of pieces, it was so beautifully written. Bliss writes with emotions, and in every word she uses there is feeling. It's so rare.. so wonderful, to feel so much while reading a story written by someone you know nothing about but who seems to know you. I want to shout to Harper Bliss "YES. You understand. You're wonderful. How? How do you know?".
As you can guess this is not a feel-good story. But it's a very realistic one, because life is never as easy as some books make it out to be. It's a constant struggle to find happiness. And I like that Harper Bliss's solution to that is love. Because I also think that true love can save broken people, can make them feel alive and stay alive.
Ella has suffered from depression almost her whole life, and comes back to where she grew up with the hope of finding the roots of it all and getting better. There, she meets Kay again, a girl she knew growing up. Kay is down to earth, adventurous, charming, understanding, vulnerable and strong at the same time. She is not unhappy in her life, but she yearns to find what her father always hoped she'd find: happiness in the form of love. But the real love, the forever kind of love, the inevitable kind of love. Not the one that ever goes away. The love that keeps you alive.
And she finds it. YES. Ella and Kay fall in love so helplessly and so undoubtedly. Because Kay is the only person who can save Ella and the only person Ella wants to bear her soul to. And it's absolutely amazing to read about how Ella finds light in the darkness again, how she can finally be herself with someone who understands and accepts everything about her.
I have another question to Harper Bliss: How can you use such few words but evoke so many feelings? You are able to tell stories in a way very few writers can.
Really, this is what I would call a short book, but by the end of it I felt like I had lived a whole life.
Because the story is written from Ella's POV, the reader is able to feel everything Ella does. I started the story with a heavy heart, a sort of pain in my chest (I silently and discreetly cried a lot), and with every chapter the heavy pain lifted, while Ella fell in love and opened up, I fell in love with the irresistible Kay and felt giddy and happy.
And the sex... is hot, with the tenderness of love and the passion of desire. The best kind. The orgasms that bring tears to your eyes because they are not just physical, and when Ella comes, she falls in love with Kay a little bit more. Until she feels completely safe, and understands that this is where she wants to be always.
Despite the heavy aspect of it, At The Water's Edge is indisputably a story of hope. And now, one of my favorite romance novels.
June 25, 2015
This is my family!
The way Harper described the barely concealed disdain and contempt between parents, the never forgotten or forgiven past infidelity and the frigid silences, oh! the silence that screams with anger and pain.
Wonderfully heartfelt and emotional book that really resonated with me.
The romance is nicely handled and the steamy bits were appropriately steamy.
Great read and not at all what you would expect from this author's previous works. Looking forward to more of the same.
Excellent.
The way Harper described the barely concealed disdain and contempt between parents, the never forgotten or forgiven past infidelity and the frigid silences, oh! the silence that screams with anger and pain.
Wonderfully heartfelt and emotional book that really resonated with me.
The romance is nicely handled and the steamy bits were appropriately steamy.
Great read and not at all what you would expect from this author's previous works. Looking forward to more of the same.
Excellent.
January 19, 2018
4.4 stars. I wasn't going to write a review for this one but here's a short one. It's good but there are very little "good feels" because it's essentially about finding hope when you're in complete despair.
That grim tone never eases and continues to the end and it hits too close to home. I'm grateful for what it is, it made me self reflect on many of the same issues it covers but that's also where it failed to be an escape and instead became reality. That is why it's not a 5 star book for me (and also the first person view).
That grim tone never eases and continues to the end and it hits too close to home. I'm grateful for what it is, it made me self reflect on many of the same issues it covers but that's also where it failed to be an escape and instead became reality. That is why it's not a 5 star book for me (and also the first person view).
September 1, 2022
What sort of depression was Harper Bliss going through when she decided to write this story. This is one of the most depressing romances I've ever read.
I could not stand Ella, the main character. She just whines and whines over her dysfunctional family and how they ruined her life and at the same time saying how she loved them cause they are family. She blames all her unhappiness on them. Yet she is a successful teacher in boston.
An incident happens that forces her to come home to confront this family. I dont know what all her whining was about? Her parents weren't the greatest but they seemed like a normal boring family.
And then there is Kay, the other main character. She's the best character but overly wise. She has something wise to say about all of Ella's whining. What Kay sees in Ella is beyond me.
Even the sweet ending could not overcome this very sour story.
I kept waiting for something more to happen in the story besides Ella's whining about her sad life. But alas no...it just went on and on.
I could not stand Ella, the main character. She just whines and whines over her dysfunctional family and how they ruined her life and at the same time saying how she loved them cause they are family. She blames all her unhappiness on them. Yet she is a successful teacher in boston.
An incident happens that forces her to come home to confront this family. I dont know what all her whining was about? Her parents weren't the greatest but they seemed like a normal boring family.
And then there is Kay, the other main character. She's the best character but overly wise. She has something wise to say about all of Ella's whining. What Kay sees in Ella is beyond me.
Even the sweet ending could not overcome this very sour story.
I kept waiting for something more to happen in the story besides Ella's whining about her sad life. But alas no...it just went on and on.
October 4, 2021
Slow pace, cheesy plot with barely any development and a very annoying narrator. Also, sex portrayed as a cure for depression? Really?
August 13, 2025
4 Stars for At The Water’s Edge (audiobook) by Harper Bliss read by Abby Craden.
Ella decides to move back to her family’s cabin where she has happy memories and feels safe. While she’s there she meets Kay who runs the near by lake resort. Finally Ella might take the time for love.
Ella decides to move back to her family’s cabin where she has happy memories and feels safe. While she’s there she meets Kay who runs the near by lake resort. Finally Ella might take the time for love.
September 30, 2022
I read At the Water’s Edge for the first time last year, and although I don’t tend to recall specific details about books for long after I’ve read them, I know that Harper Bliss is a brilliant writer, and Abbey Craden one of my favourite narrators, so I was keen to check this out as soon as it was released.
Ella returns to her hometown, choosing to stay in her family’s cabin where she enjoyed summers as a child to try to reconnect with her inner self. Ella is relatable, and parts of her story resonate, reflecting real-life emotions and turmoil. Kay, the woman who owns the resort and someone Ella knew as a kid, inserts herself into Ella’s day-to-day life and soon becomes someone she is drawn to, even if that’s the last thing Ella wants. Kay is the perfect woman, supportive, understanding, and honest. Deep down though, she carries her own insecurities which are brought to the surface by Ella’s sudden appearance, and how perfectly she fits into Kay’s world.
In true Harper Bliss style, there is a lot of sentiment and heartache, though it is the undeniable love and friendships which develop that move the story forward. The dark subject matter becomes something more than taboo – for Ella, it is a learning curve, a way to grow and connect with the people she has craved a connection with her whole life.
Harper Bliss’ talent at writing internal dialogue is one of her draw cards, and the books in which her characters tend to reflect within themselves are among my favourites. This new edition audiobook is not only narrated by Abby Craden, who portrays each character beautifully, but it also contains a sequel novella that rounds the story out perfectly.
Ella returns to her hometown, choosing to stay in her family’s cabin where she enjoyed summers as a child to try to reconnect with her inner self. Ella is relatable, and parts of her story resonate, reflecting real-life emotions and turmoil. Kay, the woman who owns the resort and someone Ella knew as a kid, inserts herself into Ella’s day-to-day life and soon becomes someone she is drawn to, even if that’s the last thing Ella wants. Kay is the perfect woman, supportive, understanding, and honest. Deep down though, she carries her own insecurities which are brought to the surface by Ella’s sudden appearance, and how perfectly she fits into Kay’s world.
In true Harper Bliss style, there is a lot of sentiment and heartache, though it is the undeniable love and friendships which develop that move the story forward. The dark subject matter becomes something more than taboo – for Ella, it is a learning curve, a way to grow and connect with the people she has craved a connection with her whole life.
Harper Bliss’ talent at writing internal dialogue is one of her draw cards, and the books in which her characters tend to reflect within themselves are among my favourites. This new edition audiobook is not only narrated by Abby Craden, who portrays each character beautifully, but it also contains a sequel novella that rounds the story out perfectly.
August 1, 2022
I've grown to love Harper Bliss's work so much that her last ten books have been on auto-buy. I know I'm going to get quality. I know it's going to be original. I know the sex is going to be delicious.
And lately, with audiobooks she's been on an Abby Craden roll - and I will never complain about that! Harper tends to write angst and Craden delivers that like no other.
I hadn't read this one - which was one of Harper's first releases back in 2014. It had also been released on audio in the past, but Harper decided to re-release it with her favorite narrator - Craden - who she considers "the best." Since her new releases are now auto-buys I picked it right up and I'm so glad I did. This was so well done. I'm always amazed by the quality of her storytelling, the language she uses, and how she brings the emotions of characters to the surface.
This wasn't an easy story to tell. It's about a woman who had attempted to take her own life and then travels back to her hometown to try and make peace. Not only with herself, but her dysfunctional family. There is also a lovely romance along her journey.
A real bonus of this release was that the audiobook included a follow-up novella where we get an update on these characters three years down the road. What a great gift that was!
Loved it. With each book of hers I experience, I become an even bigger fan.
And lately, with audiobooks she's been on an Abby Craden roll - and I will never complain about that! Harper tends to write angst and Craden delivers that like no other.
I hadn't read this one - which was one of Harper's first releases back in 2014. It had also been released on audio in the past, but Harper decided to re-release it with her favorite narrator - Craden - who she considers "the best." Since her new releases are now auto-buys I picked it right up and I'm so glad I did. This was so well done. I'm always amazed by the quality of her storytelling, the language she uses, and how she brings the emotions of characters to the surface.
This wasn't an easy story to tell. It's about a woman who had attempted to take her own life and then travels back to her hometown to try and make peace. Not only with herself, but her dysfunctional family. There is also a lovely romance along her journey.
A real bonus of this release was that the audiobook included a follow-up novella where we get an update on these characters three years down the road. What a great gift that was!
Loved it. With each book of hers I experience, I become an even bigger fan.
January 8, 2018
This is a raw and difficult read, but oh so important. It's difficult because it's real this book deals with grief, family issues and depression
I had to drop it a couple of times because I just couldn't deal with how much I have felt the exact same way, everything just clicks so much that for people like me who have lived, and still do, through those dark places it gets too emotional, too close to the truth.
A round of applause for Harper Bliss because writing about this, about the darkness..
I had to drop it a couple of times because I just couldn't deal with how much I have felt the exact same way, everything just clicks so much that for people like me who have lived, and still do, through those dark places it gets too emotional, too close to the truth.
A round of applause for Harper Bliss because writing about this, about the darkness..
August 20, 2019
This was not for me. I chose it for the Popsugar Reading Challenge, for Two Books that Share the Same Name, with the plan of also reading At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen. If it weren’t for that, I don't think I would have finished this book. I liked the prospect of a lesbian romance in Oregon, and I’m trying to be nicer about my reviews, but I honestly think that the message of this book is really irresponsible.
The book description alludes to the main character, Ella, recovering from a traumatic event, but the book takes a while to say exactly what happened. Because of that, I’m going to do spoiler tags before discussing the story in detail.
The book description alludes to the main character, Ella, recovering from a traumatic event, but the book takes a while to say exactly what happened. Because of that, I’m going to do spoiler tags before discussing the story in detail.
August 21, 2019
... sex does not equal therapy...
November 14, 2014
I'm Stunned and Pleased to Say the Least!
This is NOT the typical Harper Bliss drama. Don't get me wrong, all the heat we have come to know and adore is there and then some but this saga is so emotion driven! It is intense, strong, hard and weak, tender and tearful. It is more than wonderful....
Told in the first person we are able to see through Ella's eyes, experience the decisions that have brought her to West Water and the ones she makes after. We get to sense her falling in love, to forgive, to accept and finally to heal. It is a beautiful journey towards living.
This is a just so much more than a romance novel. It is a multi-dimensional, thought provoking, powerful and just excellent showcase of Ms. Bliss' talent and I for one am so grateful for the chance to experience it.
Thank you Ms. Bliss.
This is NOT the typical Harper Bliss drama. Don't get me wrong, all the heat we have come to know and adore is there and then some but this saga is so emotion driven! It is intense, strong, hard and weak, tender and tearful. It is more than wonderful....
Told in the first person we are able to see through Ella's eyes, experience the decisions that have brought her to West Water and the ones she makes after. We get to sense her falling in love, to forgive, to accept and finally to heal. It is a beautiful journey towards living.
This is a just so much more than a romance novel. It is a multi-dimensional, thought provoking, powerful and just excellent showcase of Ms. Bliss' talent and I for one am so grateful for the chance to experience it.
Thank you Ms. Bliss.
March 4, 2019
Weird: read back in 2017 & brought again as different cover & I missed that I'd read it which shows, I guess, the impact it had back in 2017! But I enjoyed it, so let's move on!
November 12, 2015
I knew from the description that At the Water's Edge was going to be a darker, more serious story, but I found myself not clicking with Ella at all and becoming frustrated while reading. Ella has returned home after nearly 20 years in order to heal herself and her relationship with her family. She's been struggling with depression, and is trying to put her life back together after trying to end it. There she's also reunited with Kay, but she isn't ready for a relationship. But you can't exactly control falling in love.
At the Water's Edge started off really slow. It takes several chapters to learn what has brought Ella back to her family's lake house. I'm generally not a fan of these drawn out reveals unless it's a mystery/suspense type plot, which this is definitely not. It just made the beginning very vague and I couldn't get a feel for Ella or where she's at emotionally and mentally. Once her story is finally out, and I was getting into it, it was over. I guess it was too late.
One thing that I loved about At the Water's Edge was Kay. She is biracial and bisexual, and she owns it! She very explicitly states these things and I wanted to cheer! She isn't confused or flaky. She doesn't choose one half of her whole to fit the situation. She just is. All too often characters who are attracted to men and women, or who claim to be attracted to minds not genders, also reject labels. Like somehow they're above it, so it's like bi/poly/pan don't even exist, but they do!
At the Water's Edge just wasn't the story for me. It took too long to get to the meat of it, so by time that it did, I was no longer interested. The romance portion was okay. There's a lot of push and pull, but the sex is pretty hot.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
At the Water's Edge started off really slow. It takes several chapters to learn what has brought Ella back to her family's lake house. I'm generally not a fan of these drawn out reveals unless it's a mystery/suspense type plot, which this is definitely not. It just made the beginning very vague and I couldn't get a feel for Ella or where she's at emotionally and mentally. Once her story is finally out, and I was getting into it, it was over. I guess it was too late.
One thing that I loved about At the Water's Edge was Kay. She is biracial and bisexual, and she owns it! She very explicitly states these things and I wanted to cheer! She isn't confused or flaky. She doesn't choose one half of her whole to fit the situation. She just is. All too often characters who are attracted to men and women, or who claim to be attracted to minds not genders, also reject labels. Like somehow they're above it, so it's like bi/poly/pan don't even exist, but they do!
At the Water's Edge just wasn't the story for me. It took too long to get to the meat of it, so by time that it did, I was no longer interested. The romance portion was okay. There's a lot of push and pull, but the sex is pretty hot.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
June 24, 2015
This is a tricky one to rate because I enjoyed so much of the emotional growth and relationship building in the story, but I feel there were some pretty big problems with some of the execution. The story is told from first-person POV, which I think ended up being a great choice, as I got to see some the depth of Ella's responses and personality that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise.
However, I think it acted as a hindrance at the start primarily due to the 'big reveal' that occurs later on. Ella keeps eluding to an incident that just happened, but then puts it aside to be described later. Which, if done in third person where we are picking up hints along with the secondary characters, it would have been more effective. It just didn't really make as much sense to me, since we are in the protagonist's brain, to keep this dangling carrot when she would already know what the carrot was. Now I kind of want a carrot.
Additionally, the sex scenes felt completely out of place. You're riding along, watching someone going through a truly emotionally devastating time, and then BAM you're in an erotica novel with really graphic descriptions. Which would be completely fine in another context, but didn't feel right for these characters and their journey. It almost felt like I was reading two different books because of it, and I ended up skipping through some of them because it just ripped me too much out of the story due to it's imbalance.
Aside from that, I am glad I read it, and think the author can really go places with her ability to write complex characters that have a lot of work to do and are self aware enough to recognize that. This is my first Harper Bliss book, and I'll probably read another one at some point to see where she decides to go next.
However, I think it acted as a hindrance at the start primarily due to the 'big reveal' that occurs later on. Ella keeps eluding to an incident that just happened, but then puts it aside to be described later. Which, if done in third person where we are picking up hints along with the secondary characters, it would have been more effective. It just didn't really make as much sense to me, since we are in the protagonist's brain, to keep this dangling carrot when she would already know what the carrot was. Now I kind of want a carrot.
Additionally, the sex scenes felt completely out of place. You're riding along, watching someone going through a truly emotionally devastating time, and then BAM you're in an erotica novel with really graphic descriptions. Which would be completely fine in another context, but didn't feel right for these characters and their journey. It almost felt like I was reading two different books because of it, and I ended up skipping through some of them because it just ripped me too much out of the story due to it's imbalance.
Aside from that, I am glad I read it, and think the author can really go places with her ability to write complex characters that have a lot of work to do and are self aware enough to recognize that. This is my first Harper Bliss book, and I'll probably read another one at some point to see where she decides to go next.
November 22, 2016
Ella returns home to Oregon and lives in her parents cabin at a lake resort. She becomes friends with the resort owner Kay and sparks begin to fly between them. But Ella’s her to fix her life and she can’t do that while falling for the girl she’s always been looking for… But is there ever right time?
I adored 'At The Waters Edge'. Harper has a way of making you feel like you know the characters personally by how invested you get in their story. I got rather invested in the happiness of both Lead heroines, hoping that they would make it through the rough circumstances to get their HEA.
I love how brave Harper Bliss is about tackling Mental Health or Emotional issues. She has done this in few of her novels and it has worked really well and the reader feels like the story is representing real life events in a realistic way.
Great and emotional read. 5 Stars.
I adored 'At The Waters Edge'. Harper has a way of making you feel like you know the characters personally by how invested you get in their story. I got rather invested in the happiness of both Lead heroines, hoping that they would make it through the rough circumstances to get their HEA.
I love how brave Harper Bliss is about tackling Mental Health or Emotional issues. She has done this in few of her novels and it has worked really well and the reader feels like the story is representing real life events in a realistic way.
Great and emotional read. 5 Stars.
January 15, 2015
Actual rating : 3.5 stars
Looking for an adult romance between two women? This book might be for you.
I enjoyed that this story involves two women that are in their forties. I don't know if I have ever read a romance where the leads are both over forty. And I have read many romances. This is a romance and it does have some sexy times, but it also deals with some very serious issues. The MC, Ella, returns home to repair herself and her relationship with her family. While staying at her parents cabin on the lake she reconnects with Kay. Their budding relationship and the vivid writing about the scenery were my favorite parts. I did tire of Ella's issues with her family towards the end.
The reason I chose to read this ebook was because of the beautiful cover and I'm glad I did.
Looking for an adult romance between two women? This book might be for you.
I enjoyed that this story involves two women that are in their forties. I don't know if I have ever read a romance where the leads are both over forty. And I have read many romances. This is a romance and it does have some sexy times, but it also deals with some very serious issues. The MC, Ella, returns home to repair herself and her relationship with her family. While staying at her parents cabin on the lake she reconnects with Kay. Their budding relationship and the vivid writing about the scenery were my favorite parts. I did tire of Ella's issues with her family towards the end.
The reason I chose to read this ebook was because of the beautiful cover and I'm glad I did.
October 28, 2022
This book is at least cringe-y and a bit deplorable in the declaration of sex as a cure to depression, and no mild case of depression but suicide-attempting depression. I felt a bit nauseous along the read. The MC, Ella, is so embarrassingly immature with her irrational emotional outbursts toward family whom she frequently blames for an assortment of feelings, and at times toward Kay, her childhood friend turned lover turned girlfriend, that it was simply unrealistic to me that someone like Kay who behaved like as a therapist-lite much of the time would fall so desperately in love with Ella. It took me over a month to get through this one. I was at the water’s edge myself a few times - of throwing this one away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2019
This really was a surprising read. I hadn't expected the story to be quite as dark as it was. It touched on themes such as depression and suicide which doesn't make it a light quick read. It however is still a very captivating book because of the author's ability to describe in an honest and sometimes painful way what someone goes through when suffering from a depression.
The dialogue and interaction between the main characters was fascinating due to the great chemistry they have. Harper Bliss once again does not disappoint!
The dialogue and interaction between the main characters was fascinating due to the great chemistry they have. Harper Bliss once again does not disappoint!
April 8, 2015
This is an honest and touching story about a woman dealing with depression. As the story progresses, the author shows more and more of the good and bad of Ella and her family. She does this masterfully and it’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Piece by piece the picture becomes clear. This method allows the reader to stay engaged in the story and to slowly process all of the emotional trauma going through Ella’s mind. It’s an emotional and insightful read.
May 6, 2021
This is an emotionally charged story. I have been in a dark place a time or two and I could relate to Ella. Having to face her family after what she did was brave and necessary. Kay was amazing and strong the perfect person to talk to. She called Ella out on her bullshit. You can’t read this and not feel a boat load of emotions. This story was beautifully written with care and love.
December 16, 2019
"if" and "only" are the two most useless words in the human vocabulary.
despite some cringey moments, i really enjoyed the writing, which makes it such a shame that this book was lacking in every other aspect.
my biggest issue with this book is the implied pretense that sex and/or love can "cure" depression. also, wow, this is just so dismissive of mental health professionals. the main character, who allegedly goes to therapy, basically ignores everything her therapist ever said to her and proceeds to do the opposite, and only tries to give any of his suggestions importance when they come out of her partner's mouth.
let me just get this out of the way, in case the way i feel hasn't been clear up to this point: love does not equal therapy. sex does not equal therapy.
weak and seriously flawed plot, uninteresting characters, little to no development. overall, this just wasn't for me.
despite some cringey moments, i really enjoyed the writing, which makes it such a shame that this book was lacking in every other aspect.
my biggest issue with this book is the implied pretense that sex and/or love can "cure" depression. also, wow, this is just so dismissive of mental health professionals. the main character, who allegedly goes to therapy, basically ignores everything her therapist ever said to her and proceeds to do the opposite, and only tries to give any of his suggestions importance when they come out of her partner's mouth.
let me just get this out of the way, in case the way i feel hasn't been clear up to this point: love does not equal therapy. sex does not equal therapy.
weak and seriously flawed plot, uninteresting characters, little to no development. overall, this just wasn't for me.
June 24, 2025
6/24/25 - did a second read of this one and liked it much better. Some of the same things bugged me but my likes and dislikes have adjusted in the 10 years since my first read. Wow, to the exact day!
*****
I liked the dark tone of the book and the family dynamics involved. There were a couple of things that did bother me though. I thought the sex scenes would be much better served in a work of erotica, not in a book about emotional healing. It just didn't lend itself to the loving connection that the characters had going on. At least not to me. The other thing that pulled me out of the story a bit was the non-American words and phrases that these born and raised Americans used.
*****
I liked the dark tone of the book and the family dynamics involved. There were a couple of things that did bother me though. I thought the sex scenes would be much better served in a work of erotica, not in a book about emotional healing. It just didn't lend itself to the loving connection that the characters had going on. At least not to me. The other thing that pulled me out of the story a bit was the non-American words and phrases that these born and raised Americans used.
January 3, 2015
Ella Goodman returns home to West Waters after taking leave from her professorship job in Boston. It has been many years since she came back home and to see her family again. As the story unfolds, we share the journey Ella goes through and her recovery progress. While she is battling with her demons, she meets Kay Brody. Both women have complications but can they overcome them? An emotional read and giving you an insight into a subject matter that has been sensitively handled.
January 4, 2016
I can't say I enjoyed this as much as many of her other books, but it also moved me more than her others usually do. This is not a fun, dirty book. This is a difficult, naked, emotional book. It's rare to see a romance novel that deals unflinchingly with mental illness and avoids stigmatizing people who live with mental illness, but I think this is an important book because it shows that recovery (and love!) is possible.
October 25, 2015
This is a very beautiful story. As usual for a Harper Bliss story, the characters are all very easy to relate to. I feel as if I know each of the main characters personally. It is also easy to picture the locations based on Harper's descriptions. I would recommend this story to anyone who is a hopeless romantic like me.
January 24, 2021
Read this again. This is not a very light book to read, but it still gave me a positive feeling. Despite having a troublesome past and a disposition that makes it very difficult to overcome her troubles, Ella finds a way to happiness. I also loved Kay and her sincerity. Very well written book. 4.3 stars, recommend.
May 16, 2020
Yet again another emotional read from Miss Bliss. I like the fact that this book cover such taboo topics which most authors would skirt over. I liked how the book doesn't just cover through a strong topic But Harper also shows the start of the recovery too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews