Bliss: A Memphis To Syracuse Novella

by French Alsabrooks

This isn't one of those romantic, second chance, holiday stories. There is no female main character that will be getting bent over the counter and f*cked passionately while she is waiting for Christmas cookies to finish baking in the oven. This isn't a story that will remind you of a Hallmark movie that you have seen a hundred times before that made you wish you weren't single. You have read those stories several times before.

This is a story of how the life of Bliss Smith went to hell in one day on Christmas Eve. This is a story of realizing that things could always be worse, while acknowledging that nothing in life goes according to plan. For those that are lucky, they have family to support and uplift them. Bliss is a far cry from lucky.

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2024

Reviews

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bliss is a sharp-tongued, independent lady formed by a strained connection with her mother and a life lived solely on her own terms. Returning to cold Syracuse out of obligation, she navigates bereavement, family conflict, and her own restless independence with brutal honesty and guarded humor. Under her sarcasm and fury, she carries loneliness, guilt and the residual wounds of past trauma, trying to reconcile the woman she is now with the kid she was once.

This Amazon Kindle short read tells a heartfelt holiday narrative that defies clichés. Bliss is a complicated heroine who deals with familial pain, personal loss, and unexpected connections while remaining humorous and fiercely real. The book strikes a balance between emotional depth and clever, engaging dialogue, resulting in a story that is both moving and wonderfully amusing. A riveting read for anyone who enjoys imperfect, realistic characters who live life on their own terms.

A Kindle Unlimited read.

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLISS…

I CAN’T LIE AND SAY I DIDN’T ENJOY THIS SHORT READ, AND I KINDA WISH IT WAS LONGER BUT, THE EDITING WAS HORRIBLE 😔

BLISS HAD BEEN THROUGH IT 😔. AFTER GOING AGAINST HER BETTER JUDGEMENT AND RETURNING TO HER HOMETOWN BLISS WAS STILL OPTIMISTIC. BUT FROM THE DELAY AT THE AIRPORT, TO DELAY WITH HER UBER, TO THE HORRIBLE UBER RIDE🙄, TO HAVING TO GO TO YOUR MOMS DUE TO A HOTEL BOOKING MIX UP. THE HEARTBREAK THAT SHE EXPERIENCED FROM HER SO CALLED FAMILY ONCE SHE ARRIVED🤬. HER AND JACK BOTH SHARING THEIR TRUTHS 💔.

THAT ENDING WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THEY BOTH NEEDED THE INTIMACY🥹

[Lala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bliss' goodbye to her mom does not go as she wants/plans. I teared up a little because Bliss' mom was mean to her starting at least at the age of 7 and that same hatred continued into Bliss' adult life. I went into this story blindly and with slight hopes, but the underlying message of this book has to be that life does not go as planned and the main part of it is Bliss' day had no peace.

[Jordan Leger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bliss by French Alsabrooks

This was not a bad read. It was short as a novella should be, but when reading, I got the point of the story. I read it in one sitting. I like a book that will draw me in and hold my attention. Bliss did just that. My heart went out to Bliss and the struggles. I felt this character's heartache and the wanting to belong.

Very nice little novella.

[Ieshia Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bliss

This was a slower pace than others I’ve read from Frenchy but it was still good nonetheless! Bliss’s family was full of it. They know they were wrong from the start even her TWIN! Her meeting Jack Snow didn’t go how I was expecting it to. Bliss had to overcome a lot but most of her problems need therapy! I liked it only gave 4 stars due to grammatical errors.

[Alfie C. Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bliss

I loved this cute read! What a dysfunctional family to not tell her of her mother's passing! Whatever went on in Bliss and her Mother's past, no one should be denied of such critical information! I'm glad she found solace in Jack who mistreated her in her past ( a second chance romance). I do recommend this short read.

[Fatima Munroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie, but still good

I strongly dislike the way Bliss’s relatives handled her. Robbing her of the closure she seeked was petty and childish. Jack’s presence was very much needed. Overall a good read.

Wait, I almost forgot about the Uber driver. SIS. Get it together. 🤦🏾‍♀️😑🤣

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short read

This is the first book I've read by this author and it was a great read. I only took a star away because there was a couple of spelling and grammar issues but otherwise it was enjoyable. Well done.

[MobettaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one!! Bliss protected her peace from her past hurt from her family and also found peace from Jack, someone else who hurt her in the past! She may have not gotten. The apology that she needed from her mother but she got the apology from Jack. Novellas always leave me wanting more!

[M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick and good

This is not your typical holiday book. A lot of different topics are explored that have you wondering about.. idk. Past things you could’ve been through. Well
Some!

[Anniee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

the plot twist made my jaw drop 😭 it was a good read

[DAWNA gAINES · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not get into it….glad it was a short read.