What do you think?
Rate this book
Lyssa Jones #1
Living in Bliss
Welcome to Bliss, where the streets are lined with endless charm, every storefront has a story, and the Pen & Pages Book Festival brings more drama than a bestselling novel. For Lyssa Jones, returning home was supposed to be a soft landing, not a dive into a mystery deep enough to drown her sorrows. If navigating her new life wasn’t complicated enough, her recently deceased father, Jimi Jones, has decided it's the perfect time to become a ghostly adviser, chiming in with unsolicited advice and quirky observations from the beyond. His spectral suggestions and incorporeal insights add an otherworldly charm to Lyssa's quest for peace and purpose.
After seven years away, Lyssa's life reads like a cautionary divorced, unemployed, and at a crossroads. But Bliss, with its quirky residents and small-town warmth, is the perfect place to figure out what’s next. That is until her volunteer gig at the book festival thrusts her into the middle of a feud between two literary stars, both vying for the coveted top prize, and both annoying in their unique ways.
When one of the authors is found dead, the plot thickens faster than Aunt Maybee's buttercream frosting. Speaking of Maybee, she's suddenly the prime suspect, accused of a crime that could crumble her business and her spirit. But in Bliss, family and friends don't let accusations go uncontested.
Lyssa, with the help of her best friend and town Mayor Holly Bliss, dives headfirst into detective work. Unfortunately all of their investigative skills come from what they’ve seen on television shows. Fortunately, they aren't alone. Trouble, the family feline, has a paw in the game. With a whisker for clues and a tail that twitches in the face of danger, Trouble refuses to be left out of solving this mystery.
"Living in Bliss" is a cozy mystery that wraps you in warmth like the best comfort food, served with humor, heart, and a hint of danger. Join Lyssa, Maybee, Holly, and Trouble as they navigate the twists and turns of small-town secrets, proving that home is not just where the heart is, but also where you solve your first murder case.
Book one in the Lyssa Jones cozy mystery series!
After seven years away, Lyssa's life reads like a cautionary divorced, unemployed, and at a crossroads. But Bliss, with its quirky residents and small-town warmth, is the perfect place to figure out what’s next. That is until her volunteer gig at the book festival thrusts her into the middle of a feud between two literary stars, both vying for the coveted top prize, and both annoying in their unique ways.
When one of the authors is found dead, the plot thickens faster than Aunt Maybee's buttercream frosting. Speaking of Maybee, she's suddenly the prime suspect, accused of a crime that could crumble her business and her spirit. But in Bliss, family and friends don't let accusations go uncontested.
Lyssa, with the help of her best friend and town Mayor Holly Bliss, dives headfirst into detective work. Unfortunately all of their investigative skills come from what they’ve seen on television shows. Fortunately, they aren't alone. Trouble, the family feline, has a paw in the game. With a whisker for clues and a tail that twitches in the face of danger, Trouble refuses to be left out of solving this mystery.
"Living in Bliss" is a cozy mystery that wraps you in warmth like the best comfort food, served with humor, heart, and a hint of danger. Join Lyssa, Maybee, Holly, and Trouble as they navigate the twists and turns of small-town secrets, proving that home is not just where the heart is, but also where you solve your first murder case.
Book one in the Lyssa Jones cozy mystery series!
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 21, 2024
Living in Bliss is a cozy mystery that feels like a warm hug with a side of suspense. Lyssa Jones returns to her hometown hoping for a fresh start, but instead finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery at the local book festival. With the help of her quirky best friend, the mayor, and her cat Trouble, Lyssa dives into sleuthing, all while getting some ghostly advice from her recently-deceased dad, Jimi.
The small-town charm of Bliss is irresistible, and I loved how the characters—especially Lyssa and her father’s spirit—bring both heart and humor to the story. The mystery itself is engaging, though a bit predictable at times, but it’s the delightful mix of quirky characters and their interactions that really made this book fun for me. The perfect escape if you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery with a lot of warmth and a little supernatural twist. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Bliss! Highly recommend.
The small-town charm of Bliss is irresistible, and I loved how the characters—especially Lyssa and her father’s spirit—bring both heart and humor to the story. The mystery itself is engaging, though a bit predictable at times, but it’s the delightful mix of quirky characters and their interactions that really made this book fun for me. The perfect escape if you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery with a lot of warmth and a little supernatural twist. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Bliss! Highly recommend.
June 17, 2024
Brand new series!
3.5 Stars
This was a really fun book, especially for book 1 in this new series. The whole cast of characters is likable, and the friendship between Holly and Lyssa is what best friends look like. The banter was great. The only issue I had was too much filler. I didn’t need to know everything that was in every room. Other than that, I will definitely be following this series
3.5 Stars
This was a really fun book, especially for book 1 in this new series. The whole cast of characters is likable, and the friendship between Holly and Lyssa is what best friends look like. The banter was great. The only issue I had was too much filler. I didn’t need to know everything that was in every room. Other than that, I will definitely be following this series
May 28, 2024
Amazing read! Would definitely recommend it. There were times I was trying to figure out why something was mentioned to "Oh... that's why!" I can't wait to find out more about Lyssa and Bliss!
June 26, 2024
3.5 stars
June 1, 2024
Welcome to Bliss!
Divorced, unemployed Jones returns to her hometown Bliss following the passing of her father Jimi (she now hears his voice like a ghostly adviser). Meet her Aunt Maybee and Lyssa’s best friend and town mayor Holly Bliss.
Bliss is a quaint and quirky town, with plenty going on. The Pen & Pages Book Festival is one of the annual highlights - until the sudden death of a star author, with one of those closest to Lyssa a prime suspect.
Living In Bliss is full of warm and quirky character. A curl up with blanket, cat, cup of tea and a piece of cake cozy mystery. The characters and the feel of the town are just right. Sara Isabelle has created a great character in Lyssa Jones, and the supporting cast of friends and family. The quirky setting is perfect and I’m looking forward to visiting Bliss again for the next cozy mystery.
It’s happy and wholesome, quirky and full of warm character. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Living In Bliss if you enjoy cozy mysteries or want to try one.
Sara Isabelle is the ‘sweeter side’ of Sara Ennis, best known for crime thrillers such as The Dollhouse and Little Doves. I applaud her skill and versatility in this trip to the cozy side of town and wish every success for Living In Bliss and the Lyssa Jones series.
🙂📚
Living In Bliss: A Lyssa Jones cozy mystery is included with kindle unlimited.
Divorced, unemployed Jones returns to her hometown Bliss following the passing of her father Jimi (she now hears his voice like a ghostly adviser). Meet her Aunt Maybee and Lyssa’s best friend and town mayor Holly Bliss.
Bliss is a quaint and quirky town, with plenty going on. The Pen & Pages Book Festival is one of the annual highlights - until the sudden death of a star author, with one of those closest to Lyssa a prime suspect.
Living In Bliss is full of warm and quirky character. A curl up with blanket, cat, cup of tea and a piece of cake cozy mystery. The characters and the feel of the town are just right. Sara Isabelle has created a great character in Lyssa Jones, and the supporting cast of friends and family. The quirky setting is perfect and I’m looking forward to visiting Bliss again for the next cozy mystery.
It’s happy and wholesome, quirky and full of warm character. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Living In Bliss if you enjoy cozy mysteries or want to try one.
Sara Isabelle is the ‘sweeter side’ of Sara Ennis, best known for crime thrillers such as The Dollhouse and Little Doves. I applaud her skill and versatility in this trip to the cozy side of town and wish every success for Living In Bliss and the Lyssa Jones series.
🙂📚
Living In Bliss: A Lyssa Jones cozy mystery is included with kindle unlimited.
February 24, 2025
I enjoyed Living in Bliss which is actually Bliss, Iowa. Alyssa Jones left Washington, D.C. and traveled back to Bliss when her father died. He left her his Spirits Bar & Grill--a blues and alternative rock venue/bar. Her best friend, Holly Bliss and her Aunt Maybelline "Maybee" Gladstone live and work there. Currently the Pen & Pages Festival is happening in Bliss. The town is hosting best selling authors. Halfway through the book, author Julian Harker is found dead and Alyssa is determined to find out who is framing her Aunt Maybee for murder. I liked the lines, "Get your poop in a group." and "playing the part of the bereaved with an enthusiasm that would've made Shonda Rimes proud." The author takes time to let readers get familiar with the town and the characters before getting to the murder. I liked the characters and I think this will be a fun cozy mystery series.
February 26, 2025
Page 37 - “You’re as plain as unsalted porridge, clutching at our family’s wealth with greedy, sausage-shaped, grasping hands. A gold-digger, through and through, hiding behind that country bumpkin charm.”
Page 44 - the MSUs: “Making (stuff) up.” My imagination would write stories with minimal facts supporting them.
Page 44 - Put your big girl panties on, Lyssa Noelle. Put ’em on and pull ’em up and walk up she once asked Park, with me standing next to him, why he married the carriage mouse instead of Cinderella.
Page 87 - Julian offered a tight-lipped smile, the kind that often masks not-safe-for-work thoughts.
Page 90 - “Ah, Baby Girl, don’t be sad. The whole point of life is to make memories and share them with the people we love.”
Page 181 - We were oil and water, fire and ice—pick your metaphor; we were it.
Page 44 - the MSUs: “Making (stuff) up.” My imagination would write stories with minimal facts supporting them.
Page 44 - Put your big girl panties on, Lyssa Noelle. Put ’em on and pull ’em up and walk up she once asked Park, with me standing next to him, why he married the carriage mouse instead of Cinderella.
Page 87 - Julian offered a tight-lipped smile, the kind that often masks not-safe-for-work thoughts.
Page 90 - “Ah, Baby Girl, don’t be sad. The whole point of life is to make memories and share them with the people we love.”
Page 181 - We were oil and water, fire and ice—pick your metaphor; we were it.
July 25, 2024
Living in Bliss: A Lyssa Jones cozy mystery (Lyssa Jones Cozy Mysteries), my second read from author Sara Isabelle. An enjoyable well-written, cozy mystery, the second in a series of oh-so-enjoyable reads. The story moved along quickly and was a fun read.“I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. The next book in the series is A Taste of Bliss: A Lyssa Jones cozy mystery (Lyssa Jones Cozy Mysteries) & just happens to be next on my TBR list. Sara Isabelle is the nom de plume or pen name of author Sara Ennis who write psychological thrillers (that sounds enticing). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
June 7, 2024
Thank you to StoryOrigin for the ARC!
This was a cosy, fun fantasy about a woman named Lyssa who returns to her hometown of Bliss after being gone for 7 years. While intent on only staying for a little while, she ends up getting more than she bargained for when two authors end up dead, and her aunt is the prime suspect.
Living in Bliss was a fun, quick action-packed read that was very enjoyable. I will say that I would have liked to see more showing and not telling, as there was a lot of characters that needed to be introduced, which slowed the pacing for me a bit. But overall it was very fun!
This was a cosy, fun fantasy about a woman named Lyssa who returns to her hometown of Bliss after being gone for 7 years. While intent on only staying for a little while, she ends up getting more than she bargained for when two authors end up dead, and her aunt is the prime suspect.
Living in Bliss was a fun, quick action-packed read that was very enjoyable. I will say that I would have liked to see more showing and not telling, as there was a lot of characters that needed to be introduced, which slowed the pacing for me a bit. But overall it was very fun!
August 25, 2024
Great beginnings!
In Living in Bliss, we are introduced to Lyssa. She is living in a small studio apartment in D.C., working for a none profit, divorced and unhappy, beaten down by the divorce, and her horrid x-mother in law. The death of her father, gives her an excuse to leave. Packing up her life she returns home to the welcome arms of her aunt and best friend, only to face a murder mystery. The story is well written, and excellently plotted. This is a wonderful introduction that builds a firm foundation for the future series.
In Living in Bliss, we are introduced to Lyssa. She is living in a small studio apartment in D.C., working for a none profit, divorced and unhappy, beaten down by the divorce, and her horrid x-mother in law. The death of her father, gives her an excuse to leave. Packing up her life she returns home to the welcome arms of her aunt and best friend, only to face a murder mystery. The story is well written, and excellently plotted. This is a wonderful introduction that builds a firm foundation for the future series.
September 13, 2024
Four and three-quarters stars, actually
Amusing, interesting, never boring. The requisite body doesn't show up until halfway through the book, but it's not a problem. The story moves along through the first half just fine without it. I've waded through books recently with 20-somethings whining and acting like everyone owes them, so this was a treat to have these young women being fairly sensible, being intelligent, and being successful as they solve a mystery and live well. A couple of proofreading errors got in the way of pure enjoyment.
Amusing, interesting, never boring. The requisite body doesn't show up until halfway through the book, but it's not a problem. The story moves along through the first half just fine without it. I've waded through books recently with 20-somethings whining and acting like everyone owes them, so this was a treat to have these young women being fairly sensible, being intelligent, and being successful as they solve a mystery and live well. A couple of proofreading errors got in the way of pure enjoyment.
May 30, 2024
After the death of her father Lyssa goes back to Bliss, her home town. When an author gets killed, her aunt becomes a murder suspect. This story has nice characters and is well written and entertaining. It takes quite a while before the 'real stuff' happens but that's not that bad because the story is very good. A recommendation.
I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
June 21, 2024
Cozy mysteries are never great literature, but this one is a very good example of the genre. It loses a star for its proofreading failures.
Lyssa is believable, the other characters, while not fully developed, are coming along nicely, and the scenarios are reasonably believable. I generally judge based on whether or not I'd read the next in the series, and this one I would.
Lyssa is believable, the other characters, while not fully developed, are coming along nicely, and the scenarios are reasonably believable. I generally judge based on whether or not I'd read the next in the series, and this one I would.
June 22, 2024
Book Review:
I really enjoyed this book it had quirky character's and a mystery attached to solve as well....I enjoyed the storyline and ot was a puzzle to sew how it all ended....I hope to read more books about " Living In Bliss"! By this author ...Thanks for the quick enjoyable read ...
.😊
I really enjoyed this book it had quirky character's and a mystery attached to solve as well....I enjoyed the storyline and ot was a puzzle to sew how it all ended....I hope to read more books about " Living In Bliss"! By this author ...Thanks for the quick enjoyable read ...
.😊
August 9, 2024
Fun cozy mystery!
I don't normally read cozy but this was fun. I enjoyed the world of Bliss and the colorful characters. Way to set the stage, propel the story forward, and end in an HEA. What a fun-to-solve mystery and interesting read. I mostly want to live in Bliss because with a name like that, why not?
I don't normally read cozy but this was fun. I enjoyed the world of Bliss and the colorful characters. Way to set the stage, propel the story forward, and end in an HEA. What a fun-to-solve mystery and interesting read. I mostly want to live in Bliss because with a name like that, why not?
August 17, 2024
What a great start to this cozy mystery series which includes a touch of magical realism! After the death of her father Lyssa goes back to her hometown Bliss. When an author is found dead, her aunt becomes a murder suspect. Lyssa needs to solve it with the help of her deceased dad. There's a cat named Trouble who assists. This was quirky and fun!
October 15, 2024
Comedic and Suspenseful
Great read that kept me laughing, guessing and a fanatic of the lovely characters of Bliss, Iowa. I was glad to see Lyssa make some solid choices for her present & future as well as handled unfinished business of her past.Can't wait to see how life unfolds for the others!
Great read that kept me laughing, guessing and a fanatic of the lovely characters of Bliss, Iowa. I was glad to see Lyssa make some solid choices for her present & future as well as handled unfinished business of her past.Can't wait to see how life unfolds for the others!
August 1, 2025
I really, really enjoyed this book and will definitely read the others in the series. it was a refreshing and fun read. I love a good Cozy Mystery. this one delivered with character development, plot development and giving you a good feel for the town and it's people!
is there a Bliss? because I'd love to visit!!
is there a Bliss? because I'd love to visit!!
June 15, 2024
Great read with interesting characters
This is a one-of-a-kind read that pulls you in from the first paragraph. There are no dull spots in this fast-paced story. And the characters are people you’ll want to keep reading about. Can’t wait for the next adventure in Bliss!
This is a one-of-a-kind read that pulls you in from the first paragraph. There are no dull spots in this fast-paced story. And the characters are people you’ll want to keep reading about. Can’t wait for the next adventure in Bliss!
June 22, 2024
Great read!
If you like books with a good story line that doesn't need "sex scenes" to move the story along, or profanity to show intense feelings,then you'll like LIVING IN BLISS as much as I did.
If you like books with a good story line that doesn't need "sex scenes" to move the story along, or profanity to show intense feelings,then you'll like LIVING IN BLISS as much as I did.
August 13, 2024
Experience the joy of living in a town where you can be smart & quirky & pursue your best life! If you are looking for something light hearted with interesting characters, you’ll love this cozy mystery.
May 22, 2025
Excellent first book in a new - to me - series. Bliss is a lovely place, and Lyssa is a great character. Solid mystery with some cool side characters, too. The paranormal aspect alluded to in the blurb was very light, so don't expect much there.
Overall a good book, and I'm looking forward to more.
Overall a good book, and I'm looking forward to more.
November 1, 2025
Very entertaining, fun cozy mystery. The characters are engaging, and I look forward to seeing their progression through the series. Also, those covers are awesome! Living in Bliss is what we all want, right?
June 4, 2024
It is always fun to read the first book in a series. To be introduced to a cozy town, quirky characters, a loveable pet...and murder. Quite the twist at the end I might add!
August 14, 2024
This was a clean mystery with many characters. I really did not care for this read & will not be looking at the rest of the series.
August 31, 2024
3.5 rounded up
November 18, 2024
Interesting
The well written mystery is a fresh take on the ghost whisperer. The storytelling is detailed and layered with little things to keep it interesting.
The well written mystery is a fresh take on the ghost whisperer. The storytelling is detailed and layered with little things to keep it interesting.
March 30, 2025
great read
My first experience with this series. Loved it and am looking forward to reading more. Now to find them quickly!
My first experience with this series. Loved it and am looking forward to reading more. Now to find them quickly!
May 23, 2025
A fun read
The author has created an interesting and exciting plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an interesting and exciting plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
January 5, 2026
I loved it..I am from Iowa...and this just hits home...and loved the twists & turns of the murder mystery...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews