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Nothing Heals Me Like You Do
When two worlds collide, a love story begins
Justine Blackburn has dedicated her life to the Rainbow Shelter, providing a safe haven for homeless queer youth. When her story is brought to life on the big screen, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Sienna Bright, the magnetic actor portraying her former lover.
But Justine's old wounds run deep, and Sienna's Hollywood life seems worlds apart from Justine's reality. Can they overcome their fears and take a chance on love, or will past hurts keep them apart?
Get ready to fall head over heels as Justine and Sienna's unputdownable story steals your heart and makes you believe in the power of love to heal even the toughest scars.
Grab your copy of this steamy and emotional sapphic age gap romance now!
Justine Blackburn has dedicated her life to the Rainbow Shelter, providing a safe haven for homeless queer youth. When her story is brought to life on the big screen, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Sienna Bright, the magnetic actor portraying her former lover.
But Justine's old wounds run deep, and Sienna's Hollywood life seems worlds apart from Justine's reality. Can they overcome their fears and take a chance on love, or will past hurts keep them apart?
Get ready to fall head over heels as Justine and Sienna's unputdownable story steals your heart and makes you believe in the power of love to heal even the toughest scars.
Grab your copy of this steamy and emotional sapphic age gap romance now!
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2024
86 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
138 books2,359 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 17, 2024
5⭐️
"Nothing Heals Me Like You" is a touching, emotional, beautiful story and much more than just a romance. Harper Bliss is at her best. For me one of my new favorite books by this author, besides "A Breathless Place".
54-year-old Justine has built a concrete wall around her heart, not because she isn’t caring, but because as a teenager, she was kicked out of her home and had to survive on the streets. Together with her best friend Rochelle, she founded the Rainbow Shelter for homeless queer youngsters. And this is still her single focus in life. But now her life will be shown in a movie. She only agreed to the money she would get to keep the shelter going. She has no idea of the roller coaster she will have to get through during the film production.
The actress Sienna Bright, 36, lived all her life in the Hollywood movie industry. She plays the role of Rochelle, for the biopic about the Rainbow Shelter and their founders. Her father, one of the most famous and rich actors himself, warned her about taking a role as a (still alive) real person. Neither Justine nor Sienna could imagine what big changes would come because of this movie.
I fell for Justine right away, she has the biggest heart ever and cares big time for all the lost queer kids, who have nowhere to go. They always come first, nobody else – not the best prerequisites for a relationship. But Sienna has a way to slowly creep into her heart, more than any other woman before. What was a casual roll in the bed, soon turned into an affair, and then some more, much more. Typically Bliss, the romance is emotional and steamy.
The story is very moving. Especially what Justine had to experience breaks your heart. But everything she has had to experience has also made her extremely strong. How she can use all this energy single focus for her life's work, the Rainbow Shelter, is remarkable and unfortunately still necessary almost everywhere today. She has learned to protect her heart - until Sienna comes into her life.
Both learn from each other, for example, that one does not always put herself first and the other, conversely, puts herself first for once. They also learn that an unexpected loss can throw you completely off course. But also, that love can help to heal deep wounds and process grief.
A very emotional and moving book that I won't forget in a hurry.
"Nothing Heals Me Like You" is a touching, emotional, beautiful story and much more than just a romance. Harper Bliss is at her best. For me one of my new favorite books by this author, besides "A Breathless Place".
54-year-old Justine has built a concrete wall around her heart, not because she isn’t caring, but because as a teenager, she was kicked out of her home and had to survive on the streets. Together with her best friend Rochelle, she founded the Rainbow Shelter for homeless queer youngsters. And this is still her single focus in life. But now her life will be shown in a movie. She only agreed to the money she would get to keep the shelter going. She has no idea of the roller coaster she will have to get through during the film production.
The actress Sienna Bright, 36, lived all her life in the Hollywood movie industry. She plays the role of Rochelle, for the biopic about the Rainbow Shelter and their founders. Her father, one of the most famous and rich actors himself, warned her about taking a role as a (still alive) real person. Neither Justine nor Sienna could imagine what big changes would come because of this movie.
I fell for Justine right away, she has the biggest heart ever and cares big time for all the lost queer kids, who have nowhere to go. They always come first, nobody else – not the best prerequisites for a relationship. But Sienna has a way to slowly creep into her heart, more than any other woman before. What was a casual roll in the bed, soon turned into an affair, and then some more, much more. Typically Bliss, the romance is emotional and steamy.
The story is very moving. Especially what Justine had to experience breaks your heart. But everything she has had to experience has also made her extremely strong. How she can use all this energy single focus for her life's work, the Rainbow Shelter, is remarkable and unfortunately still necessary almost everywhere today. She has learned to protect her heart - until Sienna comes into her life.
Both learn from each other, for example, that one does not always put herself first and the other, conversely, puts herself first for once. They also learn that an unexpected loss can throw you completely off course. But also, that love can help to heal deep wounds and process grief.
A very emotional and moving book that I won't forget in a hurry.
September 4, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Harper Bliss who manages to absolutely ace the angsty, steamy age gap romances.
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do by Harper Bliss fits this to a tee. Justine is older and has a lot of emotional baggage. Sienna is a young, free-spirited actress who seems enamoured by Justine. They are from completely different backgrounds and have little in common.
After their first meeting, they fall into bed together. This relationship, initially based on physical attraction, evolves into something deeper as the book goes on. For me, the rapid progression of their romance made it difficult for me to connect or feel invested in their relationship. Particularly because they are so very, very different and I needed more from Sienna to get why she was enamoured with Justine.
Regardless, another great romance from Harper Bliss but just didn't hit home for me as they usually do.
Many thanks to Harper Bliss for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do by Harper Bliss fits this to a tee. Justine is older and has a lot of emotional baggage. Sienna is a young, free-spirited actress who seems enamoured by Justine. They are from completely different backgrounds and have little in common.
After their first meeting, they fall into bed together. This relationship, initially based on physical attraction, evolves into something deeper as the book goes on. For me, the rapid progression of their romance made it difficult for me to connect or feel invested in their relationship. Particularly because they are so very, very different and I needed more from Sienna to get why she was enamoured with Justine.
Regardless, another great romance from Harper Bliss but just didn't hit home for me as they usually do.
Many thanks to Harper Bliss for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2024
Okay book, but a bit longwinded and too many repetitions of the dedication, circumstances and character of mainly Justine, without really going deeper. Same goes for Sienna, though the feeling that I already knew what I read was I bit l less. I skimmed some passages in this book because of this and it made the story drag a bit. I am used to feel more exhilarated when reading a book from Bliss. But it was still okay and I liked the premise.
September 3, 2024
3.25 stars
I liked this book, but it didn't "grab" me like most in the Bliss Verse. I'm not sure if it was because I didn't buy the pairing, or what. Still - I'm a huge Harper Bliss fan and will continue reading all her books!
I liked this book, but it didn't "grab" me like most in the Bliss Verse. I'm not sure if it was because I didn't buy the pairing, or what. Still - I'm a huge Harper Bliss fan and will continue reading all her books!
October 27, 2024
"After all these years—decades, really—she still felt as though she had something to prove. That it meant something beyond the sheer pleasure it provided. Something beyond what happened in the privacy of her bedroom. Even though it took place behind closed doors, to Justine, it was still an act of outward rebellion. Because of who she was, where she came from, and what she had devoted her life to. She could scream from the rooftops how normal it was to be gay, but too many people on this planet still refused to believe her."
وای خدای من. این کتاب قطعا تا اینجا کتاب مورد علاقم از هارپر بلیس بوده. حتی نمیدونم چطوری توصیف کنم که چقدر عاشق این کتاب و شخصیتهاشم و وقتی میگم عاشق، واقعا عاشق.
موضوع کتاب عالی بود. عاشق این بودم که از نزدیک میدیدیم که فیلم زندگی جاستین داره ساخته میشه ولی توی قضیه نبودیم و از بیرون داشتیم میدیدیمش.
جاستین شخصیت جذاب و درگیر کنندهای بود. انگار برای خواننده هم کلی دیوار داشت و از ما هم داشت خیلی چیزا رو قایم میکرد. خوندن زندگیش خیلی مهم بود. پیزی که پشت سر گذاشته بود و هدفی که براش میجنگید. پناهگاهی که برای نوجوونای lgbtqia+ ساخته بود که هیچوقت مجبور نشن تجربهی اونو داشته باشن و سخنرانی تکون دهندهش راجبش فوقالعاده تاثیرگذار بود.
“Each cheer tonight wasn’t just for the queens and kings who owned the stage. It was a cheer for every young person who has had to navigate the stormy waters of identity in a world that can be so unkind. It was a cheer for the joy of being gay—for the love that refuses to be hidden, for the colors of pride that paint our streets every June, and for the everyday acts of courage that go unseen.”
سییِنا گرم و صمیمی و دوست داشتنی بود. یه آدم مهربون با یه قلب بزرگ و یه لبخند آفتابی. به عنوان یه بازیگر ذات خیلی خوبش تکون دهنده بود و اینکه کاملا در جریان اینکه یه زندگی پرنعمت داره بود و سعی میکرد ازش استفاده کنه تا به بقیه کمک کنه خیلی خوب بود.
رابطهشون بی نظیر بود. قشنگترین، بهترین، صافتترن و دوست داشتنیترین رابطهی ممکن بود. لاس زدناشون یه لول دیگه بود؛ سکسشون عالی بود و مکالمههاشون درباره ی مشکلاتشون و اینکه توش کاملا صادق بودن و میتونستن بازترین و بهترین مکالمهها رو داشته باشن خیلی قشنگ بود.
چیزیکه انتظارشو نداشتم ولی خیلی عجیب تکونم داد این بود که یه سوگ بزرگ توی داستان بود و یکی از شخصیتها خیلی شدید باهاش درگیر بود و متاسفانه کسی که از دست داده بود پدرش بود و به عنوان کسی که باباش دنیاشه و عزیزترین کسشه دردناکترین چیز ممکن بود برام ولی خوندن اینکه چطوری با اون سوگ کنار اومد و احساسات پیچیدهش رو هندل کرد به نوعی کمک کننده بود؟ نمیدونم.
به چارلی یه اشارهای شد و بازم توی دنیای به هم وصل شدهی هالیوود هارپر بلیس بودیم. یکم فقط اشاره به آدمای قبلی کمتر بود و واقعا دلم برای بقیهشون تنگ شده. مخصوصا جیمی و مک که خیلی وقته اسمی ازشون نیومده.
وای خدای من. این کتاب قطعا تا اینجا کتاب مورد علاقم از هارپر بلیس بوده. حتی نمیدونم چطوری توصیف کنم که چقدر عاشق این کتاب و شخصیتهاشم و وقتی میگم عاشق، واقعا عاشق.
موضوع کتاب عالی بود. عاشق این بودم که از نزدیک میدیدیم که فیلم زندگی جاستین داره ساخته میشه ولی توی قضیه نبودیم و از بیرون داشتیم میدیدیمش.
جاستین شخصیت جذاب و درگیر کنندهای بود. انگار برای خواننده هم کلی دیوار داشت و از ما هم داشت خیلی چیزا رو قایم میکرد. خوندن زندگیش خیلی مهم بود. پیزی که پشت سر گذاشته بود و هدفی که براش میجنگید. پناهگاهی که برای نوجوونای lgbtqia+ ساخته بود که هیچوقت مجبور نشن تجربهی اونو داشته باشن و سخنرانی تکون دهندهش راجبش فوقالعاده تاثیرگذار بود.
“Each cheer tonight wasn’t just for the queens and kings who owned the stage. It was a cheer for every young person who has had to navigate the stormy waters of identity in a world that can be so unkind. It was a cheer for the joy of being gay—for the love that refuses to be hidden, for the colors of pride that paint our streets every June, and for the everyday acts of courage that go unseen.”
سییِنا گرم و صمیمی و دوست داشتنی بود. یه آدم مهربون با یه قلب بزرگ و یه لبخند آفتابی. به عنوان یه بازیگر ذات خیلی خوبش تکون دهنده بود و اینکه کاملا در جریان اینکه یه زندگی پرنعمت داره بود و سعی میکرد ازش استفاده کنه تا به بقیه کمک کنه خیلی خوب بود.
رابطهشون بی نظیر بود. قشنگترین، بهترین، صافتترن و دوست داشتنیترین رابطهی ممکن بود. لاس زدناشون یه لول دیگه بود؛ سکسشون عالی بود و مکالمههاشون درباره ی مشکلاتشون و اینکه توش کاملا صادق بودن و میتونستن بازترین و بهترین مکالمهها رو داشته باشن خیلی قشنگ بود.
چیزیکه انتظارشو نداشتم ولی خیلی عجیب تکونم داد این بود که یه سوگ بزرگ توی داستان بود و یکی از شخصیتها خیلی شدید باهاش درگیر بود و متاسفانه کسی که از دست داده بود پدرش بود و به عنوان کسی که باباش دنیاشه و عزیزترین کسشه دردناکترین چیز ممکن بود برام ولی خوندن اینکه چطوری با اون سوگ کنار اومد و احساسات پیچیدهش رو هندل کرد به نوعی کمک کننده بود؟ نمیدونم.
به چارلی یه اشارهای شد و بازم توی دنیای به هم وصل شدهی هالیوود هارپر بلیس بودیم. یکم فقط اشاره به آدمای قبلی کمتر بود و واقعا دلم برای بقیهشون تنگ شده. مخصوصا جیمی و مک که خیلی وقته اسمی ازشون نیومده.
September 26, 2024
Boilerplate: A reminder that two-stars means "It was OK" whereas three-stars means "liked it" (and four-stars means "I only paid attention during the erotic scenes" and five-stars means "I'm a lying shill or a bot" Soooo, since I can't go that far, I'm dropping a deuce on this one. Wow, phrasing.
It seems as if the Blissverse is getting as unwieldy as the MCU. Characters are name-dropped with little to no context as if the reader should know who they are even when they aren't characters from other novels. That most of those "dropped" don't matter to the story only serve to clog it up.
In this case, while some early erotica probably helps grab the reader, it highlights the rushed nature of the romance. The allure between Justine and Sienna was insisted upon, but I didn't really feel it.
In fact, insistent repetition is one of the major flaws of this novel. For example, how do we know Justine is amazing, selfless, and dedicated? A couple of moments maybe, but mostly because characters say it constantly! The last few chapters of the book were, for the most part, alternating between Justine and Sienna saying how awesome the other one is without advancing their romance or any other part of the story.
Two-thirds into the story the apparently inevitable break-up happens, and it is stretched out like a piece of Bubble-Yum. A bunch of pointless whining and self-justification that is ultimately rendered meaningless when both MCs reverse themselves later.
Worse, the break-up was ONCE AGAIN rooted primarily in miscommunication. Justine doesn't communicate with Sienna about the attempted suicide at the shelter as if there was no possible way she could use a phone or remember she was dressed for a funeral. She also doesn't communicate with her friends or coworkers to handle it until she can get there. Worst of all, she doesn't answer or respond to Sienna's texts. Then, when she finally meets up with Sienna, she doesn't emphasize that Ashley had tried to kill herself and maybe that should take precedence over Sienna's feigned emotions for a father she didn't actually like. Then again, the whole family was playing it up, but Sienna's mom and sister seemed to loathe him. A rather disgusting display. All of which is to say, a stupid reason to break up.
As an aside, Justine notes that it is a little weird to fall for a person playing your ex but not as disturbing as falling for the person playing her in the film. However, it probably would have been more interesting, from a psychological perspective, for her to have done just that. Also, it would have made more logistical sense, Justine should have spent more time with her doppelgänger and seeing Alexis re-enact the traumatic scenes from Justine's past would have been even more traumatic and bonding.
Overall, there just isn't much to this story. The romance is flat. The stakes are low. There are no surprises. Justine and Rachelle's earlier life sounded much more compelling. Telling that story, instead of merely referencing it, could have made this a novel of much greater substance.
Also, frankly, I have trouble buying into the age-gap HEAs. They are almost always implicitly HFNs. Sure, there is no such thing as a true HEA since we're all going to die, but when it's a nearly 20-year gap...well, let's just say there's a good chance Sienna will probably be alone by the time she's Justine's 54.
It seems as if the Blissverse is getting as unwieldy as the MCU. Characters are name-dropped with little to no context as if the reader should know who they are even when they aren't characters from other novels. That most of those "dropped" don't matter to the story only serve to clog it up.
In this case, while some early erotica probably helps grab the reader, it highlights the rushed nature of the romance. The allure between Justine and Sienna was insisted upon, but I didn't really feel it.
In fact, insistent repetition is one of the major flaws of this novel. For example, how do we know Justine is amazing, selfless, and dedicated? A couple of moments maybe, but mostly because characters say it constantly! The last few chapters of the book were, for the most part, alternating between Justine and Sienna saying how awesome the other one is without advancing their romance or any other part of the story.
Two-thirds into the story the apparently inevitable break-up happens, and it is stretched out like a piece of Bubble-Yum. A bunch of pointless whining and self-justification that is ultimately rendered meaningless when both MCs reverse themselves later.
Worse, the break-up was ONCE AGAIN rooted primarily in miscommunication. Justine doesn't communicate with Sienna about the attempted suicide at the shelter as if there was no possible way she could use a phone or remember she was dressed for a funeral. She also doesn't communicate with her friends or coworkers to handle it until she can get there. Worst of all, she doesn't answer or respond to Sienna's texts. Then, when she finally meets up with Sienna, she doesn't emphasize that Ashley had tried to kill herself and maybe that should take precedence over Sienna's feigned emotions for a father she didn't actually like. Then again, the whole family was playing it up, but Sienna's mom and sister seemed to loathe him. A rather disgusting display. All of which is to say, a stupid reason to break up.
As an aside, Justine notes that it is a little weird to fall for a person playing your ex but not as disturbing as falling for the person playing her in the film. However, it probably would have been more interesting, from a psychological perspective, for her to have done just that. Also, it would have made more logistical sense, Justine should have spent more time with her doppelgänger and seeing Alexis re-enact the traumatic scenes from Justine's past would have been even more traumatic and bonding.
Overall, there just isn't much to this story. The romance is flat. The stakes are low. There are no surprises. Justine and Rachelle's earlier life sounded much more compelling. Telling that story, instead of merely referencing it, could have made this a novel of much greater substance.
Also, frankly, I have trouble buying into the age-gap HEAs. They are almost always implicitly HFNs. Sure, there is no such thing as a true HEA since we're all going to die, but when it's a nearly 20-year gap...well, let's just say there's a good chance Sienna will probably be alone by the time she's Justine's 54.
September 21, 2024
This was a brilliant age gap romance with lots of depth!
I really enjoyed the development of both characters as they navigated themselves towards a relationship with each other whilst battling issues from their past and present! This for me had a deeper feel to it then some of Harpers other books and I really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed the development of both characters as they navigated themselves towards a relationship with each other whilst battling issues from their past and present! This for me had a deeper feel to it then some of Harpers other books and I really enjoyed it!
July 28, 2024
This beautiful and introspective story is the reason why Harper Bliss will always be one of my favorite authors. Love will always be a healing force and that’s why nothing else could heal Justine’s broken heart except Sienna’s unconditional love. This author has a bad habit of taking me on emotional roller coaster rides with her lovely characters and I never get tired of taking these trips. This delightful age gap novel is perfect in every sense of the word because it has the right amount of steamy sex scenes, tender romance, lots of angst and indecision and heart tugging moments. By the way, have I mentioned how much I love this gorgeous book cover?
November 24, 2024
I love Harper Bliss' books because while they're fairly easy to engage with romances, the characters and relationship dynamics are usually very emotionally intelligent, which I always appreciate. I enjoyed this one because the characters that are in their thirties and fifties act their age (you would think this would be a given but is unfortunately rare). There are ups and downs, discussions and clear communication about what they want, what they're doing, and even some irrational emotions in the face of traumatic events, but the characters behave like mature adults, as they should be at their age and with their life experiences. Easy to read, engaging and mature characters is a good summation of this book.
August 7, 2024
Many characters introduced and although they may have appeared in other Bliss novels I have read, I found it a bit overwhelming at the start. This meant I felt a bit out of sorts in the beginning. Then a bit of flirting happens and it all felt a bit sudden. I normally get grabbed by the start of a Bliss novel. Not with this one.
There is normally a barrier, and although ethics maybe could play a part here, they don’t really. Age, a bit, but not much. One main is totally work consumed, nearly 40% and it is not negatively impacting the relationship. There is no real tension, nor have I such a relationship with the mains, or indeed so enamoured with their chemistry, that I am loving seeing them get on. It’s all a bit…. Treading water. Normally Bliss characters zing. There is a humanity to them. I’m not seeing it here. However, I will of course keep at it. Naturally, with a Bliss book there are many intimate scenes, and naturally Bliss uses these to give us further insight to the characters. Which is just as well as, probably because of my lack of engagement with the mains, I’m not really getting much out those many scenes.
The writer has described this book as being more socially conscious than she is used to writing. Funnily enough my favourite of Bliss’s books have all given me food for thought, a different angle to difficult situations. The humanity in different situations. I think perhaps the setting of this one, around a homeless shelter, although not the only location for action, it is practically another character. This coupled with so many characters that are already in the Blissverse so are not as well drawn or at least background given has resulted in an uneven book. I don’t mean pacing is uneven, it is pretty steady, but a bit of a jog rather than a fast paced blur of activity. Perhaps the writer was focused on delivering message rather than the story selling her message by osmosis.
The break up before make up section however was vintage Bliss. The human frailty in this writers best work was all there. The reason for the relationship blip had sort of been foreshadowed, although we hadn’t see it happen, when it did, and in such a stark way, was good. The wrestling with grief and the mains path back to each other, for me was the strongest section of the book.
There is normally a barrier, and although ethics maybe could play a part here, they don’t really. Age, a bit, but not much. One main is totally work consumed, nearly 40% and it is not negatively impacting the relationship. There is no real tension, nor have I such a relationship with the mains, or indeed so enamoured with their chemistry, that I am loving seeing them get on. It’s all a bit…. Treading water. Normally Bliss characters zing. There is a humanity to them. I’m not seeing it here. However, I will of course keep at it. Naturally, with a Bliss book there are many intimate scenes, and naturally Bliss uses these to give us further insight to the characters. Which is just as well as, probably because of my lack of engagement with the mains, I’m not really getting much out those many scenes.
The writer has described this book as being more socially conscious than she is used to writing. Funnily enough my favourite of Bliss’s books have all given me food for thought, a different angle to difficult situations. The humanity in different situations. I think perhaps the setting of this one, around a homeless shelter, although not the only location for action, it is practically another character. This coupled with so many characters that are already in the Blissverse so are not as well drawn or at least background given has resulted in an uneven book. I don’t mean pacing is uneven, it is pretty steady, but a bit of a jog rather than a fast paced blur of activity. Perhaps the writer was focused on delivering message rather than the story selling her message by osmosis.
The break up before make up section however was vintage Bliss. The human frailty in this writers best work was all there. The reason for the relationship blip had sort of been foreshadowed, although we hadn’t see it happen, when it did, and in such a stark way, was good. The wrestling with grief and the mains path back to each other, for me was the strongest section of the book.
November 3, 2024
This book is essentially an homage to people who provide services for unhoused queer youth. Harper Bliss paints a clear picture of their struggle without sharing the harrowing details and it makes me want to give, time, money, everything to these kids. On the romance side, I liked the characters and the struggles they faced. I thought it was a realistic look at what happens when two people respect each other enough not to make the other change and what happens when their expectations are so different. I don’t often read age gaps where the younger woman has such a great relationship with her (supportive) mother, so I also enjoyed that. I listened to this one and as always Abby Craden brings the secret sauce to her narration.
Short summary: when Sienna is cast to play Justine’s love interest from twenty years ago, she never expects to actually fall for Justine, or for the woman to have so little time for her.
Short summary: when Sienna is cast to play Justine’s love interest from twenty years ago, she never expects to actually fall for Justine, or for the woman to have so little time for her.
December 5, 2025
3.5 to 4 stars
The first half was quite annoying with everyone going all Justine is so awesome, she is next to God and the constant repetition of how Sienna likes a difficult chase.
But honestly speaking, Justine really did redeem herself by being there for Sienna when she needed support.
This book has a good story with emotional twists and turns and good character arcs.
I wish there was some more elaboration regarding Justine's backstory apart from subtle references about a messed up relationship with parents who disowned her after she came out.
The first half was quite annoying with everyone going all Justine is so awesome, she is next to God and the constant repetition of how Sienna likes a difficult chase.
But honestly speaking, Justine really did redeem herself by being there for Sienna when she needed support.
This book has a good story with emotional twists and turns and good character arcs.
I wish there was some more elaboration regarding Justine's backstory apart from subtle references about a messed up relationship with parents who disowned her after she came out.
March 13, 2025
A bit too spicy for my taste and not enough plot, but still a pretty decent story.
March 19, 2025
3.5⭐
I thought they were cute together but at the same time I didn't really buy their love for each other.
I feel like I know basically nothing about these characters and they know nothing about each other either.
The plot was interesting but the execution was very boring in my opinion, to the point I didn't even care about the plot.
It was cute and enjoyable but I'll probably won't remember much about this in the near future.
I thought they were cute together but at the same time I didn't really buy their love for each other.
I feel like I know basically nothing about these characters and they know nothing about each other either.
The plot was interesting but the execution was very boring in my opinion, to the point I didn't even care about the plot.
It was cute and enjoyable but I'll probably won't remember much about this in the near future.
November 7, 2024
4.75 Stars
August 1, 2024
Fist of all, i would like to thank Harper Bliss for sending me a copy of the beautiful book.
I genuinely loved every aspect of this book. It is very well written and, above all, talks about very important topics such as: Homophobia, child abandonment, finding love in your 50s, sex life in your 50s, BRUTAL trauma and the healing that comes with it.
This book shows us a very mature love story were we see both women making effort to understand one another and to try and be better for one another.
It is undoubtedely hard to read about the reality that, unfortunately, we still live in. To read about how mnay children are abandoned by their parents just because they're queer. But it gives hope to know that, in real life, there ar people just like Justine that spend their lives trying to help those children.
GREAT book, five stars <3
I genuinely loved every aspect of this book. It is very well written and, above all, talks about very important topics such as: Homophobia, child abandonment, finding love in your 50s, sex life in your 50s, BRUTAL trauma and the healing that comes with it.
This book shows us a very mature love story were we see both women making effort to understand one another and to try and be better for one another.
It is undoubtedely hard to read about the reality that, unfortunately, we still live in. To read about how mnay children are abandoned by their parents just because they're queer. But it gives hope to know that, in real life, there ar people just like Justine that spend their lives trying to help those children.
GREAT book, five stars <3
December 21, 2024
A great age gap, ice queen romance with signature Harper Bliss style hot and sexy and plenty of emotional ups and downs. I love Justine, the 54 years old workaholic owner of homeless shelter for LGBTQ teenagers, her compassion, her life long effort to help those unfortunate teens, is admirable. She is the ultimate ice queen with a heart of gold. The movie star Sienna is almost 20 years younger but she is wise beyond her years, she is beautiful inside and out and she is the perfect match for the emotionally distant Justine. Together they helped each other through the tragedy and heartache, and finally got their HEA. This is the book that I can read it over and over and never tired of .
August 9, 2024
This age-gap novel has all the feels and heat expected with Harper Bliss novels. Harper Bliss the master of showing us all how love can always heal the most fractured of hearts.
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do, has it all.
Justine Blackburn thrown out of her home by her Homophobic parents and left to fend for herself on the streets, then starting and dedicating her life to the Rainbow Shelter for LGBTQI kids. Justine is carrying a lot of emotional baggage which is hard to see how she will overcome.
Sienna Bright a rising actress who seems to have it all, raised in the Hollywood movie industry. On the surface she appears full of self-confidence, dig down a bit, not so much.
How Harper Bliss weaves this story intertwining with past love to current, the emotional baggage, insecurities and that almost instant physical attraction, is worth the read
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do, has it all.
Justine Blackburn thrown out of her home by her Homophobic parents and left to fend for herself on the streets, then starting and dedicating her life to the Rainbow Shelter for LGBTQI kids. Justine is carrying a lot of emotional baggage which is hard to see how she will overcome.
Sienna Bright a rising actress who seems to have it all, raised in the Hollywood movie industry. On the surface she appears full of self-confidence, dig down a bit, not so much.
How Harper Bliss weaves this story intertwining with past love to current, the emotional baggage, insecurities and that almost instant physical attraction, is worth the read
September 5, 2024
~ ☆ 2.5 stars ☆ ~
When I first saw HB post about this release, I was really excited because the premise seemed really interesting. Falling for the younger actress playing the woman you used to love?? Yes, I needed it immediately. HB delivers on the age gap trope and I love so many of her books, but unfortunately this one didn’t live up to my expectations.
~ ✾ My Thoughts ✾ ~
⚘ Justine was really frustrating throughout the whole book. Some of that is the baggage she carries around (sure… okay), but ultimately she just felt really flat and kinda unlikable. Sienna definitely deserved better.
⚘ That being said, I’m not sure I really understood what Sienna saw in Justine. I think her pull to Justine felt a little too insta-lovey-esque and despite everything Justine did, she still wanted to be with her?? *eyeroll*
⚘ I get what the book was trying to do and the LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness awareness aspect was really awesome, I just wish I felt more of a connection between these two.
About That Kiss is definitely still my favorite, but I will always come back to read anything HB writes. ♡
November 27, 2024
Here’s the thing: I usually think Harper Bliss’s writing is great. A Breathless Place was one of the best books I read this year. And I probably need to acknowledge that age gap romance, especially one with a gap of nearly 20 years, is not something I particularly enjoy and that probably colors my view of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do. But this...this didn't feel like Bliss.
Justine is 54, a workaholic who is shaped by a traumatic past. We get to read all about how much it affected her, how much the community respects her for it, how selfless and dedicated and caring she is, but I didn’t really see it. There’s no explanation of what she went through other than brief mentions that her parents kicked her out when she came out to them as a teen, and that she lived on the streets before founding a homeless shelter for queer teens where she still works. There’s not even an expositional conversation where we find out what she went through with any substance, but we’re supposed to believe that she was impacted by this past to such an extreme that she neglects nearly every part of her life other than the shelter, where she can save kids from the same fate.
Sienna is 20-ish years her junior, a famous actress with famous parents who is as surprisingly down to Earth as every other love interest actress in every other romance novel. She’s playing Justine’s former girlfriend in a biopic film about her life, and…well, that’s all I really got from her character. For some reason when Justine flirts with her the very first day they meet she runs with it and they hop into bed, and then do it again…and again. Other than that I didn’t see any real connection between the two women, and I just did not get what either of them saw in each other beyond their bedroom chemistry.
They have a tiff because Justine isn’t there for Sienna at a crucial time, and she didn’t even tell her because she was so caught up in an emergency at the shelter that she couldn’t be bothered. When Sienna broke up with her because of it I didn’t even care if they got back together. The whole story felt flat and rushed, the characters shallow without any real diving into what made them who they are, and I ended it thinking “what the hell was that?”
Justine is 54, a workaholic who is shaped by a traumatic past. We get to read all about how much it affected her, how much the community respects her for it, how selfless and dedicated and caring she is, but I didn’t really see it. There’s no explanation of what she went through other than brief mentions that her parents kicked her out when she came out to them as a teen, and that she lived on the streets before founding a homeless shelter for queer teens where she still works. There’s not even an expositional conversation where we find out what she went through with any substance, but we’re supposed to believe that she was impacted by this past to such an extreme that she neglects nearly every part of her life other than the shelter, where she can save kids from the same fate.
Sienna is 20-ish years her junior, a famous actress with famous parents who is as surprisingly down to Earth as every other love interest actress in every other romance novel. She’s playing Justine’s former girlfriend in a biopic film about her life, and…well, that’s all I really got from her character. For some reason when Justine flirts with her the very first day they meet she runs with it and they hop into bed, and then do it again…and again. Other than that I didn’t see any real connection between the two women, and I just did not get what either of them saw in each other beyond their bedroom chemistry.
They have a tiff because Justine isn’t there for Sienna at a crucial time, and she didn’t even tell her because she was so caught up in an emergency at the shelter that she couldn’t be bothered. When Sienna broke up with her because of it I didn’t even care if they got back together. The whole story felt flat and rushed, the characters shallow without any real diving into what made them who they are, and I ended it thinking “what the hell was that?”
August 20, 2025
I’m currently 50% in and this book keeps on dragging. First of I hate it when they start with early spicy scenes, because I’m a slow burn type of a person and all for feels and that ruins the whole experience for me. Yes maybe it grabs some attention but then it’s boring again. Second, this book starts off with a lot of character’s names introduced and you get confused as to who is who and I had to read the couple of first pages a few times so it was clear to me as to who is who. Then the whole relationship between Justine and Sienna…I am really not into 20 plus age difference and they don’t seem to have chemistry, I mean i can’t feel it. I will try to finish it because I don’t like leaving books unread, but it’s nothing special, doesn’t have much of a plot and also doesn’t hit you in the feels as it should. The writing is nothing to write home about.
Update, SPOILER ahead:
I have finished the book now and like I previously said it is nothing special. It seems that the death of Sienna's dad is there only for the dramatic purpose so it can create some sort of a wedge between Sienna and Justine, and it came so out of nowhere. If the author decided for the third act break up, it could have been done way better imo; however, it was done in the most useless sense, using the death of a side character. Of course the two MCs then come back together, or well it seems like they can't stay away from each other and it ends like a happily ever after book. Not to mention that all the sex scenes are sooooo repetitive, it seems like the reader is only reading one sex scene over and over again, like come on use your imagination a bit, make them do different positions, different things, and it seems that all they can do is have sex. Emotions and chemistry between them was lacking for me. All in all, nothing special, writing, story and execution could have been done better.
Update, SPOILER ahead:
I have finished the book now and like I previously said it is nothing special. It seems that the death of Sienna's dad is there only for the dramatic purpose so it can create some sort of a wedge between Sienna and Justine, and it came so out of nowhere. If the author decided for the third act break up, it could have been done way better imo; however, it was done in the most useless sense, using the death of a side character. Of course the two MCs then come back together, or well it seems like they can't stay away from each other and it ends like a happily ever after book. Not to mention that all the sex scenes are sooooo repetitive, it seems like the reader is only reading one sex scene over and over again, like come on use your imagination a bit, make them do different positions, different things, and it seems that all they can do is have sex. Emotions and chemistry between them was lacking for me. All in all, nothing special, writing, story and execution could have been done better.
November 27, 2024
2,5/5 ⭐️
I enjoy it but was not amazed either. But, it’s a good story and if you’re looking for lesbian romance : this will do the trick !
What I liked: real good erotic scenes, the love between the two characters, the queerness. The Rainbow Shelter.
I just think the cover is missing some elements. Sienna has braids and on the cover she has straight hair. 🤔
And Justine is 54 but she appears younger on the cover.
So it’s weird. But I really enjoyed reading sapphic romance (it made me realize that it was missing in my life) and read romance with adult characters: YES !
(I have the impression that too many romance had young adults characters like, if you are not anymore in your twenties, you’re probably not going to be into romance.)
I enjoy it but was not amazed either. But, it’s a good story and if you’re looking for lesbian romance : this will do the trick !
What I liked: real good erotic scenes, the love between the two characters, the queerness. The Rainbow Shelter.
I just think the cover is missing some elements. Sienna has braids and on the cover she has straight hair. 🤔
And Justine is 54 but she appears younger on the cover.
So it’s weird. But I really enjoyed reading sapphic romance (it made me realize that it was missing in my life) and read romance with adult characters: YES !
(I have the impression that too many romance had young adults characters like, if you are not anymore in your twenties, you’re probably not going to be into romance.)
July 17, 2024
Deep feelings. Deep-seated trauma. Profound changes.
All of this is part of this fantastic novel by Harper Bliss.
She brings us Justine as the main character, who we initially get to know as a difficult but determined woman.
Someone who doesn't have time to see life as anything other than what it is. Hard.
As a young woman, Justine built the Rainbow Shelter for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community who were rejected from home and thrown out onto the streets unloved. Just like herself!
This experience shaped a strong woman who dedicates herself to her task with everything she has. To this day, at the age of 54.
This story, her own hard truth and past with her then girlfriend Rochelle, is now being made into a film. From Mimi St. James that we know and love! We meet Nora Levine again too!
The money for it was the decisive factor in agreeing to it.
Good money for the shelter.
This film brings Sienna Bright into her life, who will turn it completely upside down.
An enormous attraction brings these two women together very quickly and a hot affair develops...or is it more?
Sienna, at 34, already seems to know exactly what she wants and who she is.
Someone who makes a huge impression on Justine.
The challenges for both of them are anything but easy, however. Sienna plays Rochelle and this film is basically a bitter trip into the past and opens up old wounds.
Justine has to face all lot of challenges with herself, with what she can give and with what she wants.
Will she be capable to be more for a woman than she has been in the past? Or will she stay who she is and apparently not change for anyone? Her life is the shelter. And that comes first! Always.
The topic touched me deeply and there were many very sad moments, but the way Harper Bliss writes it, they are not overwhelming.
It doesn't go into detail and that's a good thing, because the focus is on Justine and her way of running the shelter.
That alone is intense and moving.
I love Sienna and Justine.
They are absolutely perfect for each other and their story is beatiful addition to the books about Nora, Mimi, Ida...
As always, brilliantly written, with lots of love, beautiful and sensual kisses, intimate and extremely hot scenes!
All of this is part of this fantastic novel by Harper Bliss.
She brings us Justine as the main character, who we initially get to know as a difficult but determined woman.
Someone who doesn't have time to see life as anything other than what it is. Hard.
As a young woman, Justine built the Rainbow Shelter for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community who were rejected from home and thrown out onto the streets unloved. Just like herself!
This experience shaped a strong woman who dedicates herself to her task with everything she has. To this day, at the age of 54.
This story, her own hard truth and past with her then girlfriend Rochelle, is now being made into a film. From Mimi St. James that we know and love! We meet Nora Levine again too!
The money for it was the decisive factor in agreeing to it.
Good money for the shelter.
This film brings Sienna Bright into her life, who will turn it completely upside down.
An enormous attraction brings these two women together very quickly and a hot affair develops...or is it more?
Sienna, at 34, already seems to know exactly what she wants and who she is.
Someone who makes a huge impression on Justine.
The challenges for both of them are anything but easy, however. Sienna plays Rochelle and this film is basically a bitter trip into the past and opens up old wounds.
Justine has to face all lot of challenges with herself, with what she can give and with what she wants.
Will she be capable to be more for a woman than she has been in the past? Or will she stay who she is and apparently not change for anyone? Her life is the shelter. And that comes first! Always.
The topic touched me deeply and there were many very sad moments, but the way Harper Bliss writes it, they are not overwhelming.
It doesn't go into detail and that's a good thing, because the focus is on Justine and her way of running the shelter.
That alone is intense and moving.
I love Sienna and Justine.
They are absolutely perfect for each other and their story is beatiful addition to the books about Nora, Mimi, Ida...
As always, brilliantly written, with lots of love, beautiful and sensual kisses, intimate and extremely hot scenes!
September 12, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do is a touching romance that beautifully explores themes of acceptance, compassion, and authenticity. On the surface, Justine and Sienna couldn’t be more different—Justine runs The Rainbow Shelter for LGBTQI+ teens, while Sienna is an actress from a famous family. However, when they meet, the undeniable chemistry between them draws them closer. Justine’s focus has always been on her shelter, but she soon finds herself falling for Sienna, determined to be a better partner than she’s been in the past. Although Sienna has typically been drawn to women who play hard to get, she isn’t trying to change Justine. Instead, she cherishes every moment with her, and the more she learns about Justine, the deeper her love grows.
It’s refreshing to read a story where the main characters are unapologetic about their feelings for each other. The thing is, love is never the issue between them. The real challenge lies in Justine’s commitment to always putting the shelter first. The dynamic between Sienna and Justine, combined with their honesty and open communication, gives readers a clear view of the profound connection they share. Though they face obstacles, the authenticity of the writing makes the hurt/comfort dynamic feel both relatable and believable.
Abby Craden delivers an outstanding narration of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do. Her performance brings the story to life with distinct, consistent voices that perfectly capture the deeply emotional core of the narrative.
I highly recommend Nothing Heals Me Like You Do, as it shines a light on the vital work being done for LGBTQI+ youth and emphasizes the importance of places like the fictional Rainbow Shelter. This deeply emotional and passionate story is a must-read, and whether you choose the book or the audiobook, you won't be disappointed.
Nothing Heals Me Like You Do is a touching romance that beautifully explores themes of acceptance, compassion, and authenticity. On the surface, Justine and Sienna couldn’t be more different—Justine runs The Rainbow Shelter for LGBTQI+ teens, while Sienna is an actress from a famous family. However, when they meet, the undeniable chemistry between them draws them closer. Justine’s focus has always been on her shelter, but she soon finds herself falling for Sienna, determined to be a better partner than she’s been in the past. Although Sienna has typically been drawn to women who play hard to get, she isn’t trying to change Justine. Instead, she cherishes every moment with her, and the more she learns about Justine, the deeper her love grows.
It’s refreshing to read a story where the main characters are unapologetic about their feelings for each other. The thing is, love is never the issue between them. The real challenge lies in Justine’s commitment to always putting the shelter first. The dynamic between Sienna and Justine, combined with their honesty and open communication, gives readers a clear view of the profound connection they share. Though they face obstacles, the authenticity of the writing makes the hurt/comfort dynamic feel both relatable and believable.
Abby Craden delivers an outstanding narration of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do. Her performance brings the story to life with distinct, consistent voices that perfectly capture the deeply emotional core of the narrative.
I highly recommend Nothing Heals Me Like You Do, as it shines a light on the vital work being done for LGBTQI+ youth and emphasizes the importance of places like the fictional Rainbow Shelter. This deeply emotional and passionate story is a must-read, and whether you choose the book or the audiobook, you won't be disappointed.
August 28, 2024
As much as I love all of Harper's books, this one didn't do much for me. I feel as if it was written as anything else, with romance on the side, it would've been much better.
For starters, I didn't connect much to the characters. The story shows us gimpses of Justine's lifestory through the movie they're making and her healing process, which I wholly believe would've been a better story in itself. Maybe if this book told us her story, from her early childhood to how the Shelter came to be, things would be completely different. Instead, we get her jumping into bed with someone she's met that day and the story just... passes by? Their relationship seems to develop over sex and sex only, so they go 1-100 really fast. We don't get any backstory on any of the main characters before they're all tangled up in each other, so we don't actually get WHY they are how they are. And, with Justine being 54 and Sienna being 36, I felt like they had all sorts of stories to tell.
Secondly, the magnitude of Justine's work felt diminished because of how rushed those movie passages were just so the focus could return to her relationship with Sienna, and important plot parts happening off-scene. Even if the whole plot was her being emotionally unavailable due to her Shelter responsabilities, we get very little glimpses of her actually working in there. As such, besides a single character that we meet early on, we don't get too attached to the cause cause we actually don't get to meet any of the Shelter characters. It all felt shallow, somehow. Which is a shame, cause it's a very noble and important cause, even if it's fiction.
I'm sorry, Harper, I really wish I had liked this one more, but I really just couldn't connect to anyone.
For starters, I didn't connect much to the characters. The story shows us gimpses of Justine's lifestory through the movie they're making and her healing process, which I wholly believe would've been a better story in itself. Maybe if this book told us her story, from her early childhood to how the Shelter came to be, things would be completely different. Instead, we get her jumping into bed with someone she's met that day and the story just... passes by? Their relationship seems to develop over sex and sex only, so they go 1-100 really fast. We don't get any backstory on any of the main characters before they're all tangled up in each other, so we don't actually get WHY they are how they are. And, with Justine being 54 and Sienna being 36, I felt like they had all sorts of stories to tell.
Secondly, the magnitude of Justine's work felt diminished because of how rushed those movie passages were just so the focus could return to her relationship with Sienna, and important plot parts happening off-scene. Even if the whole plot was her being emotionally unavailable due to her Shelter responsabilities, we get very little glimpses of her actually working in there. As such, besides a single character that we meet early on, we don't get too attached to the cause cause we actually don't get to meet any of the Shelter characters. It all felt shallow, somehow. Which is a shame, cause it's a very noble and important cause, even if it's fiction.
I'm sorry, Harper, I really wish I had liked this one more, but I really just couldn't connect to anyone.
September 5, 2025
I'm a total Harper Bliss fan and I've read most of her books by now. And loved them!
To be honest, I've been initially reluctant to pick up "Nothing heals me like you do" because of the topic. In many ways it struck very close to home. Although, in the end, I'm so glad I bought and read it. This book is necessary representation for people whose families didn't react well when they came out, or flat out refused to accept them altogether. Even though many things have improved for the LGBTQIA-community, there is a long way to go and many parents aren't ready or willing to accept their child just the way they are. Too often parents' expectations of what their kids should be like end family-relations and make the person choose between the closet or their family's love.
In that regard, the journey of Justine is remarkable, because of course, these things leave deep imprints on a person. I also wondered what kind of reaction Justines parents might have had upon the release of their daughters' life in theatres all over the country and their own role in it. I would have loved to read about that. The fact that Harper Bliss chose not to write anything about that connects to the reality of so many people who do not have their life-story put on screens and who might really never know whether their parents miss them or not, whether their parents would, at some point in life, be interested in re-connecting or not, or simply, if their parents are even still alive.
So, even though I kind of didn't feel the relationship between Justine and Sienna, I can totally appreciate the journey they both take during the book.
Well done, Harper Bliss and thank you so much for your novels.
To be honest, I've been initially reluctant to pick up "Nothing heals me like you do" because of the topic. In many ways it struck very close to home. Although, in the end, I'm so glad I bought and read it. This book is necessary representation for people whose families didn't react well when they came out, or flat out refused to accept them altogether. Even though many things have improved for the LGBTQIA-community, there is a long way to go and many parents aren't ready or willing to accept their child just the way they are. Too often parents' expectations of what their kids should be like end family-relations and make the person choose between the closet or their family's love.
In that regard, the journey of Justine is remarkable, because of course, these things leave deep imprints on a person. I also wondered what kind of reaction Justines parents might have had upon the release of their daughters' life in theatres all over the country and their own role in it. I would have loved to read about that. The fact that Harper Bliss chose not to write anything about that connects to the reality of so many people who do not have their life-story put on screens and who might really never know whether their parents miss them or not, whether their parents would, at some point in life, be interested in re-connecting or not, or simply, if their parents are even still alive.
So, even though I kind of didn't feel the relationship between Justine and Sienna, I can totally appreciate the journey they both take during the book.
Well done, Harper Bliss and thank you so much for your novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
I just wrapped up Nothing Heals Me Like You Do by Harper Bliss, and I have to admit, I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. The beginning was a bit of a struggle for me, but the book won me over in the end.
Justine Blackburn, falls for the actor playing her former lover. Sienna Bright, catches her eye and there’s an undeniable spark between them. At first, it felt like there were some unresolved issues from Justine’s past relationship with her former partner, which was a bit of a tough sell for me.
Sienna is drawn to Justine’s dedication and passion for the shelter, but she’s also hurt when Justine isn’t there for her when she needs support. Justine’s actions seem pretty unforgivable at one point, and I struggled to understand why Sienna would be willing to give their relationship another shot.
However, the book ultimately made me see that sometimes, the reasons people choose to mend their relationships are deeply personal and not always clear to outsiders. It’s a reminder that rebuilding after a significant rupture is something only the individuals involved can truly comprehend. By the end, I appreciated how Sienna’s loved ones gradually see how Justine makes amends and steps up, which helps heal the wounds created by her past actions.
In the end, this book gave me a better understanding of why people choose to stay together and rebuild. Despite my initial reservations, I’m rounding up to four stars because the emotional depth and message of healing resonated with me.
September 3, 2024
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Harper Bliss novel so I thought I’d give her another shot. The premise sounded promising. Bliss is expanding beyond her comfort zone of Hollywood celebrities. Instead of both mains, only one is an uber-rich, uber-famous actress. The other is a former throwaway kid who survived the mean streets to establish a very successful halfway house for LGBTQ teens. So far, so good.
The problem is in the execution. I think Bliss just doesn’t have it in her to write a deeply emotional story that pulls at the reader's heartstrings. So instead of showing us things in a way that would emotionally resonate, she tells us things (mostly how hard the characters' lives are). She does so with a great deal of repetition, and without much substance. (For example, we never learn the details of the plot's main back story of Justine's early life.)
This would be 2.5 stars but I’m rounding up for the plot line about LGBTQ youth homelessness.
***
A technical quibble: I get that authors think it is writerly to employ metaphors. But metaphors should deepen the reader’s comprehension or engagement, not stop us in our tracks and make us scratch our heads. The second sentence in Chapter 1 is:
“Alexis Dalton’s grip was as light as the blue of her eyes.”
In this sentence, Bliss conflates two entirely separate meanings of the word “light” – color and strength. That doesn’t work!
The problem is in the execution. I think Bliss just doesn’t have it in her to write a deeply emotional story that pulls at the reader's heartstrings. So instead of showing us things in a way that would emotionally resonate, she tells us things (mostly how hard the characters' lives are). She does so with a great deal of repetition, and without much substance. (For example, we never learn the details of the plot's main back story of Justine's early life.)
This would be 2.5 stars but I’m rounding up for the plot line about LGBTQ youth homelessness.
***
A technical quibble: I get that authors think it is writerly to employ metaphors. But metaphors should deepen the reader’s comprehension or engagement, not stop us in our tracks and make us scratch our heads. The second sentence in Chapter 1 is:
“Alexis Dalton’s grip was as light as the blue of her eyes.”
In this sentence, Bliss conflates two entirely separate meanings of the word “light” – color and strength. That doesn’t work!
January 25, 2025
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Look I just can’t force myself to finish this. The technical writing is okay, on par for Bliss.
BUT Justine is a fucking terrible character. Over 50 and long over due for therapy. NO one can have trauma or sad moments around her because hers is ultimately sadder than yours. She doesn’t deal with her own shit by dedicating her every last breath to saving others or fucking to escape it. (Mind you… how do you teach healthy coping if you yourself aren’t capable of it either). None of her friends even say anything good about dating her just that she’s a train wreck and to watch out. She absolutely hates Sienna and is jealous of the childhood she had (mind you that childhood was okay, not perfect either mind you) but there’s so much ICK to the way that Justine views Siennas life that I can’t see any love there. Like it’s just not there. They can do the deed and that magically pulls them together? Yeah nah.
I liked Sienna…. But didn’t understand her desperate need to date someone like her father? Her type seems to be dismissive, avoidant, and likely to abandon her for selfish reasons.
Can we also talk about them getting together and doing the deed at 14% of the way in?? There’s no passion, no interest, and no heat.
Bottom line: EVERYONE IS GETTING THERAPY or at least they should to stop being such shitty human beings.
Look I just can’t force myself to finish this. The technical writing is okay, on par for Bliss.
BUT Justine is a fucking terrible character. Over 50 and long over due for therapy. NO one can have trauma or sad moments around her because hers is ultimately sadder than yours. She doesn’t deal with her own shit by dedicating her every last breath to saving others or fucking to escape it. (Mind you… how do you teach healthy coping if you yourself aren’t capable of it either). None of her friends even say anything good about dating her just that she’s a train wreck and to watch out. She absolutely hates Sienna and is jealous of the childhood she had (mind you that childhood was okay, not perfect either mind you) but there’s so much ICK to the way that Justine views Siennas life that I can’t see any love there. Like it’s just not there. They can do the deed and that magically pulls them together? Yeah nah.
I liked Sienna…. But didn’t understand her desperate need to date someone like her father? Her type seems to be dismissive, avoidant, and likely to abandon her for selfish reasons.
Can we also talk about them getting together and doing the deed at 14% of the way in?? There’s no passion, no interest, and no heat.
Bottom line: EVERYONE IS GETTING THERAPY or at least they should to stop being such shitty human beings.
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