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The Pink Bean #5
Water Under Bridges
ASIN B07BGQVYSF moved to the most recent edition
Can you build a future if you don't let go of the past?
Louise Hamilton has returned to Sydney after her long term relationship broke down in Brisbane and she's loving her new job at Glow, Darlinghurst's freshly opened yoga studio. She's found new friends in her boss Amber and the gang at the Pink Bean and feels like her life is finally back on track. Until a figure from her past unexpectedly comes back to haunt her.
Mia Miller has just been hired as the Pink Bean's new manager. She's delighted to leave behind the corporate life and become part of a small business whose owners and patrons give her the sense of community and family she's been missing. When a Pink Bean customer catches her eye and she tries to establish a connection, her advances are met with nothing but indifference and disdain.
What happens when a dark past comes back to slap you in the face? And can people ever truly move on from a deeply traumatizing experience?
Find out in this new installment of best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss' Pink Bean series. Every book in this series can be read as a stand-alone without having read the other instalments.
Can you build a future if you don't let go of the past?
Louise Hamilton has returned to Sydney after her long term relationship broke down in Brisbane and she's loving her new job at Glow, Darlinghurst's freshly opened yoga studio. She's found new friends in her boss Amber and the gang at the Pink Bean and feels like her life is finally back on track. Until a figure from her past unexpectedly comes back to haunt her.
Mia Miller has just been hired as the Pink Bean's new manager. She's delighted to leave behind the corporate life and become part of a small business whose owners and patrons give her the sense of community and family she's been missing. When a Pink Bean customer catches her eye and she tries to establish a connection, her advances are met with nothing but indifference and disdain.
What happens when a dark past comes back to slap you in the face? And can people ever truly move on from a deeply traumatizing experience?
Find out in this new installment of best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss' Pink Bean series. Every book in this series can be read as a stand-alone without having read the other instalments.
238 pages, ebook
First published June 26, 2017
91 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
137 books2,409 followersHarper Bliss is a best-selling lesbian romance author. Among her most-loved books are the highly dramatic French Kissing and the often thought-provoking Pink Bean series. She is the co-founder of My LesFic, a weekly newsletter offering discount deals on lesbian fiction.
Harper lived in Hong Kong for 7 years, travelled the world for a bit, and has now settled in Brussels (Belgium) with her wife and photogenic cat, Dolly Purrton.
Together with her wife, she hosts a weekly podcast called Harper Bliss & Her Mrs.
Harper lived in Hong Kong for 7 years, travelled the world for a bit, and has now settled in Brussels (Belgium) with her wife and photogenic cat, Dolly Purrton.
Together with her wife, she hosts a weekly podcast called Harper Bliss & Her Mrs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 7, 2019
Is it possible to forgive - forget - move on and be in a relationship with your tormenter?
When I was 13, handball was my favorite team sport and I was chosen by the coach as the goalkeeper for the school team. During my first tournament, I let in too many balls into my goal and the vultures decided there and then to start picking on me. Moving on, a few years later I was unfortunate to be in the same class as one of the vultures. They stopped tormenting after the first year, but I hadn't forgotten nor forgiven. Surprisingly, by the end of the school year, we became friends. Finding out that he was a victim too, helped me in my decision to befriend him. Btw, Books really helped me to go through the dark year.
I'm going to confess that I adore this author and her wickedly erotic, mind-blowingly forbidden, and downright fascinating stories that keep me on my toes and leave me reeling with twist after turn. I think it will never cease to amaze me, the things Harper Bliss can come up with and the originality behind her stories is the main driving force of why her books are such a smashing success... Bliss' fans, can I get an Amen?
Earlier this year, I read a similar book but that one went something like this: Please bear in mind, your something and mine might be different so let's be adults and not hide each other's vibrators.
That Book
Lead 1: OMG, that bitch made my life a living hell in high school but look at her now, she's got the looks.
Lead 2: Wow, check out the new instructor! She's beautiful.
Lead1: She doesn't recognize me, I don't believe this shit. She is indeed beautiful though.
Lead2: I'm divorced, I have a great relationship with my ex, we have a beautiful daughter and I am interested in this beautiful woman, my life can't be more perfect.
This book is a complete surprise. I only planned on listening to the first 11% to get the feel for the story but before I know it, 5 hours passed. What an emotionally gripping and realistic story(compared to the book above, this is way better)
Ms.Bliss's take on the same storyline is totally the opposite. She deals with the harsh/heavy issues that plague the characters’ lives as the main plot and put the light-hearted and 1 portion of sweet romance on the side.
This is the 5th book in the Pink Bean.. gulp series. To those who are familiar with Heidi Lowe's books, you'll get why I gulped. Is it necessary to read in order? I don't think so, but I did struggle a bit to identify the characters, who's who and how are they related - I have 4 kids, I call them by numbers 1-4 so no surprise there. Plenty of characters but all great, cool and lesbians. If you've read that book and survived, I do recommend you reading/listen to this. Angela Dawe, do I need to say more?
I think I rated that book 3 stars, so this gets a 4⅜ :D and many thanks Corrie for your convincing review.
When I was 13, handball was my favorite team sport and I was chosen by the coach as the goalkeeper for the school team. During my first tournament, I let in too many balls into my goal and the vultures decided there and then to start picking on me. Moving on, a few years later I was unfortunate to be in the same class as one of the vultures. They stopped tormenting after the first year, but I hadn't forgotten nor forgiven. Surprisingly, by the end of the school year, we became friends. Finding out that he was a victim too, helped me in my decision to befriend him. Btw, Books really helped me to go through the dark year.
I'm going to confess that I adore this author and her wickedly erotic, mind-blowingly forbidden, and downright fascinating stories that keep me on my toes and leave me reeling with twist after turn. I think it will never cease to amaze me, the things Harper Bliss can come up with and the originality behind her stories is the main driving force of why her books are such a smashing success... Bliss' fans, can I get an Amen?
Earlier this year, I read a similar book but that one went something like this: Please bear in mind, your something and mine might be different so let's be adults and not hide each other's vibrators.
That Book
Lead 1: OMG, that bitch made my life a living hell in high school but look at her now, she's got the looks.
Lead 2: Wow, check out the new instructor! She's beautiful.
Lead1: She doesn't recognize me, I don't believe this shit. She is indeed beautiful though.
Lead2: I'm divorced, I have a great relationship with my ex, we have a beautiful daughter and I am interested in this beautiful woman, my life can't be more perfect.
This book is a complete surprise. I only planned on listening to the first 11% to get the feel for the story but before I know it, 5 hours passed. What an emotionally gripping and realistic story(compared to the book above, this is way better)
Ms.Bliss's take on the same storyline is totally the opposite. She deals with the harsh/heavy issues that plague the characters’ lives as the main plot and put the light-hearted and 1 portion of sweet romance on the side.
This is the 5th book in the Pink Bean.. gulp series. To those who are familiar with Heidi Lowe's books, you'll get why I gulped. Is it necessary to read in order? I don't think so, but I did struggle a bit to identify the characters, who's who and how are they related - I have 4 kids, I call them by numbers 1-4 so no surprise there. Plenty of characters but all great, cool and lesbians. If you've read that book and survived, I do recommend you reading/listen to this. Angela Dawe, do I need to say more?
I think I rated that book 3 stars, so this gets a 4⅜ :D and many thanks Corrie for your convincing review.
August 4, 2017
Hmm this one is tough!
Why? Because it is a subject very close to my heart. I love Bliss as an author and I think I have read everything she has written. I know she likes to write about controversial subjects. I also know she loves to push societies boundaries. She has a unique writing style and as a story teller she is amongst the few who really excel at it.
As we all know bullying is a subject many of us can admit to being part off or knowing someone who has suffered. Not many gay people can hold up their hand and say I was never on the receiving end of a snide comment or in fact being bullied constantly all because we are different. Also I know many bullies are victims themselves. But that doesn't excuse the damage they do.
This book is the fifth book of The Pink Bean series and is the only one I struggled with. I believe in forgiveness, I believe in moving on. But when does that end? I'm not sure if I would have that amount of forgiveness in me. Bullies are vicious. They damage all they touch. I know people can change but you can't change what happened and you can't change the damage.
I gave this 3 stars because I honestly don't know if someone could be forgiven that much. I would have given it 5 stars except for the subject matter. Maybe I'm wrong I guess I just hope I'll never be in that situation. Enjoy!
Why? Because it is a subject very close to my heart. I love Bliss as an author and I think I have read everything she has written. I know she likes to write about controversial subjects. I also know she loves to push societies boundaries. She has a unique writing style and as a story teller she is amongst the few who really excel at it.
As we all know bullying is a subject many of us can admit to being part off or knowing someone who has suffered. Not many gay people can hold up their hand and say I was never on the receiving end of a snide comment or in fact being bullied constantly all because we are different. Also I know many bullies are victims themselves. But that doesn't excuse the damage they do.
This book is the fifth book of The Pink Bean series and is the only one I struggled with. I believe in forgiveness, I believe in moving on. But when does that end? I'm not sure if I would have that amount of forgiveness in me. Bullies are vicious. They damage all they touch. I know people can change but you can't change what happened and you can't change the damage.
I gave this 3 stars because I honestly don't know if someone could be forgiven that much. I would have given it 5 stars except for the subject matter. Maybe I'm wrong I guess I just hope I'll never be in that situation. Enjoy!
February 5, 2020
Books about bullying make me quite emotional and sometimes uncomfortable. Thankfully this was a Harper Bliss book so not unnecessary drama, in fact it all felt very realistic. Like Louise I've experienced bullying and like Mia I am not the same person I was in school. I relate to Louise more but it's easy to see both their sides. Things between the MCs were quite intense from the start only it became different kind of intense as they got to know each other. It was a very slow burn and so worth the wait. The transition of Louise from hating Mia to understanding and forgiving her to eventually falling for her was superb. Only problem was that the ending felt way too rushed to me.
May 15, 2018
4.5 STARS rounded up to 5 stars
This maybe my favorite Bliss book yet. A slow burn romance which is so different from her norm. I'm liking this series much more than her earlier books which seemed more sex driven than character driven. You may disagree me on that point, but what can I say, that is my impression. I think this series shows how much she has grown. Granted I haven't read all of her recent books prior to Pink Bean.
Anyway - this is a story of forgiveness and the human capacity to forgive and to change. I rarely highlight passages - but I did this one
“In order to truly move on, she would need to forgive herself, but she would need Lou’s forgiveness first to make that happen. Which made them unlikely co-travelers on this path.”
I wonder what the next story will be? Maybe the older couple Annie and Jane? A new barista? No matter, I'll read it!
This maybe my favorite Bliss book yet. A slow burn romance which is so different from her norm. I'm liking this series much more than her earlier books which seemed more sex driven than character driven. You may disagree me on that point, but what can I say, that is my impression. I think this series shows how much she has grown. Granted I haven't read all of her recent books prior to Pink Bean.
Anyway - this is a story of forgiveness and the human capacity to forgive and to change. I rarely highlight passages - but I did this one
“In order to truly move on, she would need to forgive herself, but she would need Lou’s forgiveness first to make that happen. Which made them unlikely co-travelers on this path.”
I wonder what the next story will be? Maybe the older couple Annie and Jane? A new barista? No matter, I'll read it!
September 5, 2019
I’m really beginning to love these Pink Bean audio books and I think Angela Dawe’s awesome narration is key to that success. Wow, leave it to Harper Bliss to make the improbable work. Can you fall in love with your bully? The girl who made the last year of high school a personal hell? Who undermined your self esteem so badly it took you many years to recover from it? You would think not. And even after reading three quarters of the book I still thought it couldn’t be done.
To keep it believable it had to be extremely slow burn (and it was). I think this is one of Harper Bliss’ least explicit books but I found it a very interesting journey. Many of the Pink Bean cast is there in supporting roles (and Angela Dawe has a different voice for each and every one of them. Amazing!)
f/f sloooooooow burn
Themes: can you forgive your bully, yoga, barista, coffee shop, save the indie book shop.
4.5 Stars
To keep it believable it had to be extremely slow burn (and it was). I think this is one of Harper Bliss’ least explicit books but I found it a very interesting journey. Many of the Pink Bean cast is there in supporting roles (and Angela Dawe has a different voice for each and every one of them. Amazing!)
f/f sloooooooow burn
Themes: can you forgive your bully, yoga, barista, coffee shop, save the indie book shop.
4.5 Stars
February 5, 2018
“Water Under Bridges (Pink Bean #5)” is another audiobook I’m returning because of terrible quality, regardless of the story. Get with it narrators, authors and Audible.com. I’m done paying for crappy squeaks and other bad noises. I send badly cooked food back at restaurants and I’m sending badly recorded audiobooks back too.
As with many of the “Pink Bean” topics, Harper Bliss presents us with a difficult one here. Intensive bullying. What causes a person to bully? What short and long-term effects does bullying have on the bullied….and on the bully? Can a person change, or is “true personality” baked-in after a certain point? Is anything unforgivable? The passage of time often reduces pain, but does it also mitigate acts that caused pain?
I struggled, as I’m sure Harper intended, with these issues.
MCs Lou and the not-the-same-person-that-she-was version of MC Mia are both wonderful people, and Harper writes a delightful romance for them. The other Pink Bean characters we’ve gotten to know are really terrific in this 5th book, and play real roles throughout the book. The new characters, bookstore owners Annie and her wife Jane also play great roles with helping Lou and Mia develop trust, mutual respect and love. But, I must say that it makes no sense whatsoever that Annie did not know of Lou and Mia’s history, given that Annie has known Lou since she was a child, and would surely have known of the bullying by Mia, and she has known Mia for years. 2+2, Annie, 2+2.
I enjoyed the optimistic tone of “Water Under Bridges”, and I generally prefer forgiveness to harboring anger. But…in a world where victims of bullying commit suicide, I felt that the impact of bullying was glossed over despite Lou’s speech to Mia. Many of Lou’s friends said that after 15 years, it’s time to forgive. The news is filled today with rich and powerful people expecting forgiveness for sexual harassment, and even forgiveness for abuse and rape because the events occurred a decade ago. Did the passing of time make their actions less heinous?
Lou became a strong person despite her terrible experiences being bullied. Had she succumbed to her depression and committed suicide in high school, would we still be expected to forgive Mia for her bullying? Is forgiveness for an action dependent on the results of an action? It often is, of course - we sentence attempted murderers to less time in prison than successful murderers, so the result of two identical actions can and do differ dependent upon the results of those actions.
But, I struggle with accepting that it’s ok years later to forgive the heinous actions of Mia. I want to forgive her, and I accept that Lou does, but it just feels too crammed down our throats. Especially because Harper gives us a but-my-dad-was-a-bad-influence on me excuse for Mia. At 7yo kids often do and say bad things because of their parents. I can forgive a 7yo bully who changes. At 17yo one is responsible enough to to take ownership for bullying behavior, and it’s more difficult to forgive. Mia does take ownership, though, and that goes a long way toward my accepting Lou’s forgiveness for Mia’s bullying.
Well, I’ve rambled on about the theme without saying a whole lot about the book. I like that it made me think about things for which there can be great pain, but there are no easy answers. I like that in “Water Under Bridges” Mia truly hates who she was, and has become a person I’d like to meet. And I like that Lou won’t carry anger and bitterness and hatred in her heart for the rest of her life. Would that we all could let go of hurts and move forward into a happier and loving future. 4* for “Water Under Bridges”. Harper Bliss wrote a terrific story with terrific characters. Angela Dawe did a good job with voicing the book, but a terrible job with the recording. Or, perhaps, post-production by an audio engineer introduced defects into her recording….I guess I don’t know the origin, but I was very annoyed with what Audible.com is selling us.
As with many of the “Pink Bean” topics, Harper Bliss presents us with a difficult one here. Intensive bullying. What causes a person to bully? What short and long-term effects does bullying have on the bullied….and on the bully? Can a person change, or is “true personality” baked-in after a certain point? Is anything unforgivable? The passage of time often reduces pain, but does it also mitigate acts that caused pain?
I struggled, as I’m sure Harper intended, with these issues.
MCs Lou and the not-the-same-person-that-she-was version of MC Mia are both wonderful people, and Harper writes a delightful romance for them. The other Pink Bean characters we’ve gotten to know are really terrific in this 5th book, and play real roles throughout the book. The new characters, bookstore owners Annie and her wife Jane also play great roles with helping Lou and Mia develop trust, mutual respect and love. But, I must say that it makes no sense whatsoever that Annie did not know of Lou and Mia’s history, given that Annie has known Lou since she was a child, and would surely have known of the bullying by Mia, and she has known Mia for years. 2+2, Annie, 2+2.
I enjoyed the optimistic tone of “Water Under Bridges”, and I generally prefer forgiveness to harboring anger. But…in a world where victims of bullying commit suicide, I felt that the impact of bullying was glossed over despite Lou’s speech to Mia. Many of Lou’s friends said that after 15 years, it’s time to forgive. The news is filled today with rich and powerful people expecting forgiveness for sexual harassment, and even forgiveness for abuse and rape because the events occurred a decade ago. Did the passing of time make their actions less heinous?
Lou became a strong person despite her terrible experiences being bullied. Had she succumbed to her depression and committed suicide in high school, would we still be expected to forgive Mia for her bullying? Is forgiveness for an action dependent on the results of an action? It often is, of course - we sentence attempted murderers to less time in prison than successful murderers, so the result of two identical actions can and do differ dependent upon the results of those actions.
But, I struggle with accepting that it’s ok years later to forgive the heinous actions of Mia. I want to forgive her, and I accept that Lou does, but it just feels too crammed down our throats. Especially because Harper gives us a but-my-dad-was-a-bad-influence on me excuse for Mia. At 7yo kids often do and say bad things because of their parents. I can forgive a 7yo bully who changes. At 17yo one is responsible enough to to take ownership for bullying behavior, and it’s more difficult to forgive. Mia does take ownership, though, and that goes a long way toward my accepting Lou’s forgiveness for Mia’s bullying.
Well, I’ve rambled on about the theme without saying a whole lot about the book. I like that it made me think about things for which there can be great pain, but there are no easy answers. I like that in “Water Under Bridges” Mia truly hates who she was, and has become a person I’d like to meet. And I like that Lou won’t carry anger and bitterness and hatred in her heart for the rest of her life. Would that we all could let go of hurts and move forward into a happier and loving future. 4* for “Water Under Bridges”. Harper Bliss wrote a terrific story with terrific characters. Angela Dawe did a good job with voicing the book, but a terrible job with the recording. Or, perhaps, post-production by an audio engineer introduced defects into her recording….I guess I don’t know the origin, but I was very annoyed with what Audible.com is selling us.
May 16, 2018
I think this has been my favourite in The Pink Bean series so far. Mia, a new employee of The Pink Bean, sees Louise come in for coffee with her friends and immediately thinks she's attractive. Louise feels the opposite when she looks into the face of the person who bullied and tormented her, making the last year of school a living hell.
I think the complexities and nuances of the bully/bullied relationship were exceptionally well-dealt with here, albeit on an accelerated timeline. Lou's feelings at being thrown right back into the past were beautifully expressed. Mia's shock at not having recognised the person she abused daily and her forced recognition of who she herself was, was just as powerful.
I've read a few novels using a similar theme and I never felt that the relationship would work.
I've read the books in this series in order but also quite far apart from each other. They can probably be read as standalone novels without losing out on too much but they probably would hang together better if read sequentially.
I think the complexities and nuances of the bully/bullied relationship were exceptionally well-dealt with here, albeit on an accelerated timeline. Lou's feelings at being thrown right back into the past were beautifully expressed. Mia's shock at not having recognised the person she abused daily and her forced recognition of who she herself was, was just as powerful.
I've read a few novels using a similar theme and I never felt that the relationship would work.
I've read the books in this series in order but also quite far apart from each other. They can probably be read as standalone novels without losing out on too much but they probably would hang together better if read sequentially.
April 26, 2019
Another good one in this series (#5) and I liked it very much. It's the story of Mia and Louise. Mia is the newly hired manager for the second Pink Bean Coffee shop, which will be opening in the near future. Louise is a teacher at the Glow Yoga studio, the studio of Amber and Mickey from earlier in this series.
Mia and Louise have a common past, and it wasn't a good time they had. Louise immediately recognized Mia and had to realize, the past isn't forgotten.
There is a serious troubling theme as the background and at the beginning, I couldn't imagine, that they would be able to overcome the resentment and anger from the past. But Harper Bliss did a very good job with the help from the Pink Bean gang, which are wonderful secondary and also complementary characters. The way they helped the two MCs was really nice to see.
This is my favorite one in the series till now. And with Harper Bliss, you can't go wrong for a great romance. So just enjoy.
My rating 5
Mia and Louise have a common past, and it wasn't a good time they had. Louise immediately recognized Mia and had to realize, the past isn't forgotten.
There is a serious troubling theme as the background and at the beginning, I couldn't imagine, that they would be able to overcome the resentment and anger from the past. But Harper Bliss did a very good job with the help from the Pink Bean gang, which are wonderful secondary and also complementary characters. The way they helped the two MCs was really nice to see.
This is my favorite one in the series till now. And with Harper Bliss, you can't go wrong for a great romance. So just enjoy.
My rating 5
April 3, 2023
Bullying.
The 5th book of the Pink Bean series tells the story of forgiveness and redemption. Lou and Mia, two former high school classmates who find themselves reunited years later at the Pink Bean where Mia now works as the new manager. Mia was Lou's school bully where she and her friends made Lou's life a living hell though constant teasing and racist name-calling. Now, years later, after walking back into each other's lives, Lou is still affected by the bullying but Mia is a different person. She's apologetic and ashamed of her past behaviour and as they try to grapple with the scars of their past, they also start considering acting on their attraction towards each other.
I suppose this story highlights the psychological effects of bullying and the impact it can have on a person's emotional well-being. It also gives us a different perspective by shedding light on the reasons behind Mia's behaviour and showing how a person can genuinely change, which I suppose adds a bit of depth to her character. However while I initially thought the complex dynamics of Lou and Mia's relationship was interesting, I quickly found it boring because the characters were very fixated on the past. It all seemed a bit childish to me and the gossipy side characters didn't help either.
Not a book for me but perhaps others may like it, I guess?
The 5th book of the Pink Bean series tells the story of forgiveness and redemption. Lou and Mia, two former high school classmates who find themselves reunited years later at the Pink Bean where Mia now works as the new manager. Mia was Lou's school bully where she and her friends made Lou's life a living hell though constant teasing and racist name-calling. Now, years later, after walking back into each other's lives, Lou is still affected by the bullying but Mia is a different person. She's apologetic and ashamed of her past behaviour and as they try to grapple with the scars of their past, they also start considering acting on their attraction towards each other.
I suppose this story highlights the psychological effects of bullying and the impact it can have on a person's emotional well-being. It also gives us a different perspective by shedding light on the reasons behind Mia's behaviour and showing how a person can genuinely change, which I suppose adds a bit of depth to her character. However while I initially thought the complex dynamics of Lou and Mia's relationship was interesting, I quickly found it boring because the characters were very fixated on the past. It all seemed a bit childish to me and the gossipy side characters didn't help either.
Not a book for me but perhaps others may like it, I guess?
May 30, 2018
Very solid read ! You can’t go wrong with Bliss !
March 5, 2021
Review of Water Under Bridges by Harper Bliss, Audiobook narrated by Angela Dawe
This is book 5 in the Pink Bean series which follows a group of lesbian friends who gather in a coffee shop in Sydney. Most books can be read as standalone as each focuses on a couple’s relationship but there will be minor spoilers of the previous books. Having said that, books 5 and 6 stories are very intertwined so it’s better to read/listen to these two in order.

Mia Miller is happy with her new job as manager of the Pink Bean as it gives her a sense of community. But when the enigmatic yoga instructor Louise Hamilton is giving her the cold shoulder, Mia wouldn’t have guessed that a person from the past comes back to haunt her. But despite that hurtful shared history between them, there is an undeniable attraction that gets increasingly impossible to ignore…
Somehow I thought that this series was going to be full of fluffy romance, I’m not sure why, maybe the covers or the series name convey a lightness that these books don’t have. I should have known better having read book 2 in the series which deals with one of the character’s alcohol abuse but somehow I still get surprised. Water Under Bridges isn’t, once again, a light read. It deals with both main characters’ journey to let their shared pasts go and give future possibilities a chance. It’s all about redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
Harper Bliss does an excellent job in describing the characters’ journeys finding a fine balance between the heaviness of their past and the positive possibilities of the future. Enemies to lovers is a hard-to-pull-off trope but Ms. Bliss achieved this without issues thanks to a strong and hot chemistry. The success of this story was to make these characters’ attraction so strong that it would be impossible for them to ignore it. Chemistry is a strong point in Ms. Bliss’s books and this one has it in spades.
My only issue is that this book ends up fairly abruptly. All the books in this series are on the short side which tends to be a characteristic of this author (though lately, she is changing this). However, if you want to know more about the main leads’ stories after this novel ends, then I suggest reading /listening to book 6 No other love, where Mia and Louise are important secondary characters.
The audiobook was narrated by Angela Dawe, like most of the series (the only exception is book 3). I suspect that a lot of my listening enjoyment is due to Ms. Dawe excellent performance. She is a very reliable narrator, thanks to her varied voices, character interpretation, sense of pace and compelling performance of emotions. Once again, Ms. Dawe did an outstanding job and makes me come for more Pink Bean stories. 4.5 stars.
Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
This is book 5 in the Pink Bean series which follows a group of lesbian friends who gather in a coffee shop in Sydney. Most books can be read as standalone as each focuses on a couple’s relationship but there will be minor spoilers of the previous books. Having said that, books 5 and 6 stories are very intertwined so it’s better to read/listen to these two in order.

Mia Miller is happy with her new job as manager of the Pink Bean as it gives her a sense of community. But when the enigmatic yoga instructor Louise Hamilton is giving her the cold shoulder, Mia wouldn’t have guessed that a person from the past comes back to haunt her. But despite that hurtful shared history between them, there is an undeniable attraction that gets increasingly impossible to ignore…
Somehow I thought that this series was going to be full of fluffy romance, I’m not sure why, maybe the covers or the series name convey a lightness that these books don’t have. I should have known better having read book 2 in the series which deals with one of the character’s alcohol abuse but somehow I still get surprised. Water Under Bridges isn’t, once again, a light read. It deals with both main characters’ journey to let their shared pasts go and give future possibilities a chance. It’s all about redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
Harper Bliss does an excellent job in describing the characters’ journeys finding a fine balance between the heaviness of their past and the positive possibilities of the future. Enemies to lovers is a hard-to-pull-off trope but Ms. Bliss achieved this without issues thanks to a strong and hot chemistry. The success of this story was to make these characters’ attraction so strong that it would be impossible for them to ignore it. Chemistry is a strong point in Ms. Bliss’s books and this one has it in spades.
My only issue is that this book ends up fairly abruptly. All the books in this series are on the short side which tends to be a characteristic of this author (though lately, she is changing this). However, if you want to know more about the main leads’ stories after this novel ends, then I suggest reading /listening to book 6 No other love, where Mia and Louise are important secondary characters.
The audiobook was narrated by Angela Dawe, like most of the series (the only exception is book 3). I suspect that a lot of my listening enjoyment is due to Ms. Dawe excellent performance. She is a very reliable narrator, thanks to her varied voices, character interpretation, sense of pace and compelling performance of emotions. Once again, Ms. Dawe did an outstanding job and makes me come for more Pink Bean stories. 4.5 stars.
Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
July 7, 2017
As a teen, Mia pretty much made Lou’s life a living hell. Years later they meet again at the Pink Bean. Lou recognizes Mia right away but Mia has no idea that Lou is THAT Lou. Bitter memories come rushing to the surface for Lou while Mia can’t help to admire the lovely other woman. Is it really True Love and Happily Ever After always comes to the women of the Bean, or are these two so deeply hurt that it can never be? Maybe a little of both, but you will have to read it to find out just how it happens. Believe me; you will want to read this!
I REALLY wasn’t sure how (and foolish me, doubted she even could fix it, silly, silly woman!) Ms Bliss was ever going to “Redeem” Mia’s past actions to allow Lou to forgive her. Turns out she did it rather well.
I liked Mia and how she had become a different person from the child she was. The guilt she struggles with is every bit as harsh, if not more, than the inadequacies and pain that Lou suffered from. I also liked Lou’s character. She was so in control and bold until she saw her former tormentor. She was shocked and hurt but was also willing to admit she had changed and grown so why could Mia not have done the same.
My favourite part of the book was the last love scene. Not just because of THAT but because it was so beautiful, emotional and the most intense scene that I’ve seen in a long time. There is definitely an Awww and a big mushy, heart bursting from your chest quality that is just so great it made me cry.
This is another sure fire hit for the Mrs’ Bliss and a big win for the reader!!
I REALLY wasn’t sure how (and foolish me, doubted she even could fix it, silly, silly woman!) Ms Bliss was ever going to “Redeem” Mia’s past actions to allow Lou to forgive her. Turns out she did it rather well.
I liked Mia and how she had become a different person from the child she was. The guilt she struggles with is every bit as harsh, if not more, than the inadequacies and pain that Lou suffered from. I also liked Lou’s character. She was so in control and bold until she saw her former tormentor. She was shocked and hurt but was also willing to admit she had changed and grown so why could Mia not have done the same.
My favourite part of the book was the last love scene. Not just because of THAT but because it was so beautiful, emotional and the most intense scene that I’ve seen in a long time. There is definitely an Awww and a big mushy, heart bursting from your chest quality that is just so great it made me cry.
This is another sure fire hit for the Mrs’ Bliss and a big win for the reader!!
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July 28, 2020Having recently listened to the audiobook for this, I'm removing my review because I can't stand by it anymore.
This is not just about a former bully and victim falling in love. It's that Mia was racist and bullied Lou about being half-Aboriginal every day. There's so much about how Mia was damaged by her dad being an asshole and she's not the same person anymore, etc. I understand that people can be ashamed of past behaviour and try to build a new life, but Mia never admits that her behaviour in high school was racist. She talks around it instead, making it about how bad she feels, even while admitting there was no excuse for it.
Ironically I know that my different perception of this now is because of the learning and growing I've done in the last few years. However, this book is totally irresponsible, focusing on the redemption of a racist at the expense of someone she tormented for a year, so anyone reading it should know that before going in.
This is not just about a former bully and victim falling in love. It's that Mia was racist and bullied Lou about being half-Aboriginal every day. There's so much about how Mia was damaged by her dad being an asshole and she's not the same person anymore, etc. I understand that people can be ashamed of past behaviour and try to build a new life, but Mia never admits that her behaviour in high school was racist. She talks around it instead, making it about how bad she feels, even while admitting there was no excuse for it.
Ironically I know that my different perception of this now is because of the learning and growing I've done in the last few years. However, this book is totally irresponsible, focusing on the redemption of a racist at the expense of someone she tormented for a year, so anyone reading it should know that before going in.
July 18, 2017
Book five in the Pink Bean series artfully blends characters from previous installments while introducing new characters that already feel like friends. Curious to see where Bliss takes the series next.
July 2, 2017
another fab read!
June 28, 2017
Another wonderful romance by Harper Bliss in the Pink Bean series, I think this might be one of my favorites. There are a couple of new hires in the yoga studio and coffee shop. Mia is hired to help expand Pink Bean while Lou has become the newest yoga instructor. They have a history that goes back to their high school days, but Mia doesn’t remember Lou at all and is puzzled when her flirtation is met with disdain.
The rest of the book deals with their friends unraveling the connection and helping the two women come to terms with their pasts. I found this to be a thoughtful, sweet book. Harper carefully and respectfully examines the causes and effects of traumatic issues, which is definitely a timely subject right now. The romance is slow to happen because the women have a lot to deal with. They gradually unpack their issues and come to accept one another and then eventually more. I really enjoyed this one. It's got depth, layers, complex characters, friendship and love.
The rest of the book deals with their friends unraveling the connection and helping the two women come to terms with their pasts. I found this to be a thoughtful, sweet book. Harper carefully and respectfully examines the causes and effects of traumatic issues, which is definitely a timely subject right now. The romance is slow to happen because the women have a lot to deal with. They gradually unpack their issues and come to accept one another and then eventually more. I really enjoyed this one. It's got depth, layers, complex characters, friendship and love.
June 18, 2019
3.5 stars - it’s not my favourite in the series, that’s for sure. I don’t know if I can ~believe this romance, not because of the subject (bully/bullied) but because I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the two MCs. The audiobook is fantastic though 👌🏻
August 30, 2017
Nr5
What can I say about this one? It's (for me) meeting your past again and reliving it, but with a much better ending. I absolutely love the Pink Bean series, so who's next?
What can I say about this one? It's (for me) meeting your past again and reliving it, but with a much better ending. I absolutely love the Pink Bean series, so who's next?
June 28, 2020
3/5 ⭐️
Okay it was cute and all but like who the hell falls for their school bully?? Even years later?? Liiike that’s messed up.
Okay it was cute and all but like who the hell falls for their school bully?? Even years later?? Liiike that’s messed up.
July 8, 2017
4.75 stars
Harper’s one of the only authors I’ve encountered who can effortlessly switch between writing in present tense to past tense, and from first person to third, from one book to the next. I mention such as it’s one more thing that I love about Harper’s work. Her books keep me guessing before I even read the first page.
Imagine my delight when I discovered this instalment of The Pink Bean is told in third person, and dual point of view – my favourite style of narration.
Throughout this story, the reader gets into the heads of both leading ladies, Mia and Louise. I think this story worked so well for me due to that reason. If I’d only heard one side of the story, I doubt I would’ve been able to empathise with Mia. The story is full of depth and emotion. It’s one of bitter enemies to friends and, eventually, lovers. I think this is one of the first books I’ve read by Harper that has been almost devoid of erotic content, and I loved the story despite that, or perhaps because of it.
I loved catching up with a number of the ladies who have appeared in previous instalments. Although this story can be read as a standalone, due to the heroines being newly introduced characters, I honestly feel readers who have read the entire series will benefit from it more.
Original review posted here - Love Bytes LGBTQ Book Reviews
Harper’s one of the only authors I’ve encountered who can effortlessly switch between writing in present tense to past tense, and from first person to third, from one book to the next. I mention such as it’s one more thing that I love about Harper’s work. Her books keep me guessing before I even read the first page.
Imagine my delight when I discovered this instalment of The Pink Bean is told in third person, and dual point of view – my favourite style of narration.
Throughout this story, the reader gets into the heads of both leading ladies, Mia and Louise. I think this story worked so well for me due to that reason. If I’d only heard one side of the story, I doubt I would’ve been able to empathise with Mia. The story is full of depth and emotion. It’s one of bitter enemies to friends and, eventually, lovers. I think this is one of the first books I’ve read by Harper that has been almost devoid of erotic content, and I loved the story despite that, or perhaps because of it.
I loved catching up with a number of the ladies who have appeared in previous instalments. Although this story can be read as a standalone, due to the heroines being newly introduced characters, I honestly feel readers who have read the entire series will benefit from it more.
Original review posted here - Love Bytes LGBTQ Book Reviews
January 13, 2023
Water Under Bridges (The Pink Bean #5) by Harper Bliss: Words can hurt so much. Words can cripple someone for life. Dialogue can heal so much while renewing the mind and heart. Harper Bliss reaches down to allow us to see the power of words. Back at the Pink Bean with many of the MCs and some added new favorites. The power of this book for me is off the charts. It shows that we all need forgiveness and love. I loved this as I have the rest of the series. A new setting comes into play and new love blossoms. 5 stars for me.
May 21, 2018
3.5 stars
(ebook)
(ebook)
July 15, 2017
As I read each book in this series I found they continue to get better! I liked this book and how thought provoking I found it. I was with the characters in every step as they questioned forgiveness and if people can change. In particular around mistakes people make when they are teenagers can be so hard because at that age you are at your most vulnerable because you are pushing boundaries trying to discover yourself and have that feel of untouchable invisibility that can cause so much harm. That not understanding the effect you can have on other people due to that fact that as teenagers we are so self-centred. It was no surprise that Micky the parent of teenagers got that the most. This is why I found it interesting to read about how these two characters came to terms with this.
As always loved the group and all their antics which always adds to these books.
As always loved the group and all their antics which always adds to these books.
April 28, 2019
I like the pink bean series. Bliss is a great writer. I’ve read nearly all books in this series, though not all in the right order. I started reading Bliss’s French Kissing before this series, but for some reason I got stuck in that one. That’s why later I randomly started with a Pink Bean book, I think the third one, because I liked the blurb of that particular book. As I liked that one I kept on reading Pink Beans and wasn’t disappointed once. This one I loved. Sometime I’ll read it again. 5 stars
July 20, 2017
Water Under Bridges by Harper Bliss is a sweet but moving romance novel about a long-forgotten but deeply traumatizing experience, which brings back a dark past and the long term aftermath consequences to both Mia and Lou.
This fifth installment in the series deals with an emotional and serious topic. The road to forgiveness is long, but with the help of their Pink Bean friends, the traumas of the past between Mia and Lou can be healed. It’s an entrancing journey filled with courage to happily ever after, stories that Harper writes so well.
Water Under Bridges is the fifth book in The Pink Bean Series, set in and around a coffee shop in Sydney Australia. You can read this fifth book in the series as a standalone book without any issues. The minor characters from one book are featured in the next one, and their stories are brought to life.
This fifth installment in the series deals with an emotional and serious topic. The road to forgiveness is long, but with the help of their Pink Bean friends, the traumas of the past between Mia and Lou can be healed. It’s an entrancing journey filled with courage to happily ever after, stories that Harper writes so well.
Water Under Bridges is the fifth book in The Pink Bean Series, set in and around a coffee shop in Sydney Australia. You can read this fifth book in the series as a standalone book without any issues. The minor characters from one book are featured in the next one, and their stories are brought to life.
July 21, 2018
My favorite book in the Pink Bean series so far!
At first I thought that I might've missed a book in the series after seeing a few changes, I'm not going to reveal any of them, though:) However, it only made the fifth book more intriguing.
"Water Under Bridges" is a hate to love romance with amazing chemistry and a hot sex scene. I was surprised, too, not to see many deliciously hot sex scenes but it was totally worth it. Even though it was the only one, Harper Bliss knew exactly what to write and how to write it :) If you know what i mean😉
Till nearly the end of the book I couldn't believe that Mia and Lou would become lovers. You could see a real conflict here, not a stupid "I love you but I can't be with you, bye!" at 80%. Harper Bliss did an amazing job, the book is extremely well-paced, very well-written and has realistic dialogue.
The only thing that bothered me was wanting more!
I really enjoyed the book and think it's the best in the series!
At first I thought that I might've missed a book in the series after seeing a few changes, I'm not going to reveal any of them, though:) However, it only made the fifth book more intriguing.
"Water Under Bridges" is a hate to love romance with amazing chemistry and a hot sex scene. I was surprised, too, not to see many deliciously hot sex scenes but it was totally worth it. Even though it was the only one, Harper Bliss knew exactly what to write and how to write it :) If you know what i mean😉
Till nearly the end of the book I couldn't believe that Mia and Lou would become lovers. You could see a real conflict here, not a stupid "I love you but I can't be with you, bye!" at 80%. Harper Bliss did an amazing job, the book is extremely well-paced, very well-written and has realistic dialogue.
The only thing that bothered me was wanting more!
I really enjoyed the book and think it's the best in the series!
May 30, 2020
Hard subject which I have been on the receiving end of in high school and at work. I will admit that it is my daily resolve to forgive and to walk in their shoes as I do find that bullies need help...Plus I don’t want to keep being the victim.
I liked this story as it didn’t shy away from it and we got to see both of the stories. Both characters did need empathy...still dating them might be a stretch. If the author would have thrown a couple more chapters in about them building a relationship then I would consider this book a 5.
And I do want to point out that CrossFit junkies do embrace yoga 🧘♀️ 💪🏋️♂️🤸♀️ 🧘♂️
I liked this story as it didn’t shy away from it and we got to see both of the stories. Both characters did need empathy...still dating them might be a stretch. If the author would have thrown a couple more chapters in about them building a relationship then I would consider this book a 5.
And I do want to point out that CrossFit junkies do embrace yoga 🧘♀️ 💪🏋️♂️🤸♀️ 🧘♂️
July 15, 2017
I loved this book.
I loved Water Under Bridges. An excellent book. I think the theme of bullying was sensitively handled. An excellent question, what happened to those bullies we all knew in high school. Great to catch up with the Pink Bean gang.
I loved Water Under Bridges. An excellent book. I think the theme of bullying was sensitively handled. An excellent question, what happened to those bullies we all knew in high school. Great to catch up with the Pink Bean gang.
February 3, 2018
As with a few others in the series, this ended about 50 pages too soon. There was still so much more to explore between the two characters, so much more growth we could have witnessed. The end was abrupt and unsatisfying.
July 4, 2018
I liked this one. Like book 2 it explores some harder topics (bullying) but it does so well. I got the draw between Lou and Mia though I'm not sure I would be so quick to forgive.
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