More Than Words

The Pink Bean #9

by Harper Bliss

ASIN B07KFMX8C8 moved to the most recent edition

Building walls around your heart is much easier than breaking them down
Katherine Jones has said goodbye to her old job as a luxury lesbian escort and embarked on a new adventure with her best friend Rocco: opening a third branch of the Pink Bean coffee shop.
Rocco's aunt, Hera Walker, is tasked with renovating the building of the new Pink Bean. It's Hera's first job after recovering from the sudden death of her long-term partner and she finds it hard to reconnect with her former life. Her first new client being an ex-call girl isn't exactly helping.
Can Hera find the open-mindedness to see Katherine for who she truly is? And will Katherine, who has never suffered fools gladly, be able to break down the wall Hera has built around her?
Find out in this long-awaited new instalment of Harper Bliss's thought-provoking Pink Bean series!

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian, Contemporary, Queer

201 pages, ebook

Published November 11, 2018

About the author

Harper 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.

Reviews

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another escort story.

Another escort story but this 9th book of the Pink Bean series is a bit different from the 8th book.

It tells the story of an ex-escort named Katherine and a contractor named Hera. Katherine is a beautiful and confident woman who has left her past as an escort behind her and is now in a coffee shop business with a friend and trying to build a new life for herself. I really like her and quite frankly, she's the main reason I persevered on to finish the story. She's really nice unlike Hera whom I really had issues liking. Hera is a contractor who got hired to renovate the coffeeshop and is the aunt of Katherine's business partner friend. All sounds good except that Hera is a bigot or at least she was for a good half of the book. She tries to hide it but doesn't do a good job and she's really judgemental about Katherine's old profession. She does eventually apologise for her behaviour but I the impression had already made for me so it was hard to warm up to her and the idea of her developing a romance with Katherine.

But the second part of the story got a bit more interesting as we got to learn more about Hera's old relationship with her late wife and the scars that have yet to heal.

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 9 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. This particular novel is very slightly connected to book 8, Crazy for you, but it shouldn’t be an issue to follow this story without reading the previous one.

Katherine Jones has retired from her previous job as a call girl and now is opening a new branch of the Pink Bean café with her best friend Rocco. His aunt, Hera Walker, is tasked with the new building renovations. Hera is recovering from the death of her lifelong partner and having a former escort as a client isn’t helping. Can Hera see past her own prejudices and discover in Katherine a beautiful and compassionate woman who can make her happy again?

This is another very good installment in the Pink Bean series which, like its predecessor, deals with the double standards towards sex workers. At the beginning of the story, Hera shows her prejudices and bigoted attitude which doesn’t help the reader to like her. However, the author shows us her human side as Hera explores the source of her conflicts with her therapist Jill Becket, who incidentally is one of the mains in book 10. The scenes where Hera discusses with Jill, her anguish and the way to move forward, are very well written and some of the most compelling of the story.

Katherine, on the other hand, is a lovable character who, like Liz in book 8, is unapologetic about her life and career choices and won’t tolerate Hera’s disrespectful attitude. Slowly but surely she will tear down the protective walls that Hera built around her and show Hera that she can have another chance in love.

The audiobook was narrated by Angela Dawe who narrates most of this series (except for book 3) and does again an outstanding job at it. As I said in the other reviews of this series, these books are demanding because there are a good number of female characters but Ms. Dawe manages to interpret them all with distinct voices and personalities. As usual, her performance of the diversity of feelings is fantastic. This narrator is an excellent fit for this series and adds value to the final product. 4.5 stars.

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Building walls around your heart is much easier than breaking them down

With More Than Words we get to the latest book in the Pink Bean series. I was very excited to read Katherine Jones’ story. The former escort is about to embark on a new adventure. Together with Rocco - her flamboyantly gay bff – she will open a third branch of the Pink Bean coffee shop. Rocco’s aunt Hera Walker will be doing the renovations and it is clear from the beginning she does not like Kat. Or rather, what Kat used to do for a living.

Leave it to Harper Bliss to take two women who are at opposites and let them slowly come together. You can say it’s one of this author’s specialties and I love the way she always goes about it in a totally believable way. Her deep insight into the human character impresses the hell out of me. Her books are thought provoking and original and I’m a fan for life.

Narrator Angela Dawe is just killing it (no surprise by now). Her voice for Hera is spot on and she really adds some special magic to anything she is involved with. I highly recommend you listen to the whole series on Scribd.

f/f

Themes: coffee shop, a new career, I like Hera’s therapist, wouldn’t be surprised she gets a book of her own, I seriously want to marry Angela Dawe’s voice.

4.4 Stars

[Just One More Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a romance.

Harper Bliss has an ease of writing that simply allows you to demolish her books. She writes simply, yet powerfully, that means for a while you can totally, and completely, loose yourself in the lives of the characters she creates. This book was no exception.

There are a lot of lesfic books out there in which you know what will happen before you’ve even read the first line - that is true for most of the romance genre - a couple will meet, they will fall in love, there will be a close call ‘will they, won’t they’, before they can finally live happily ever after. With this book, and there have been a couple of others in Bliss’ Pink Bean series there was so much more to it than simply women falling in love and for that I am grateful.

This is a romance novel, but it’s more complicated than that - just as life and love is more complicated.

Thank you Harper, for allowing me to truly escape into your story telling.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but I really dislike the way Hera first treated Katherine. I absolutely love Katherine though, and I want her to be happy. She deserves it. I'm sad to be caught up with this series, I'll miss the Pink Bean ladies.

[Heat · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part I’ve really enjoyed the books in this series. I liked that one of the main conflicts isn’t a commonly used trope. I’m happy that we got to see Katherine’s story play out.

[Les Rêveur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katherine Jones has just given up her job as an escort/ high-end female sex worker to open up her very own Pink Bean coffee shop with her best friend, Rocco. Katherine isn’t ashamed of her job and rightly so, so why does Rocco’s hot aunt, Hera have an issue with it and why is Katherine so attracted to her, especially with the clear distain for Katherine due to her last job. But with so much attraction between these two can Hera find a way to be open minded about Katherine? And not see her as just her ex job?

I love Katherine from previous books in the Pink Bean series so when she was put into the limelight in this novel I was more than a little excited. And Harper Bliss wrote her in perfectly. I love Katherine’s Sass and enthusiasm for life and it made me love her even more. She is definitely a favourite of mine throughout the entire series. Hera was the opposite of Katherine in every way and boy do these opposites attract. It took me a little while to warm up to Hera but that was probably more due to the fact that I support Sex work as a right woman have, so when she was pushing against it she put my hackles up a bit. But by the end I was really taken with her and her smarts.

I did however think that the change in Hera’s view of Katherine maybe happened too quick for me to believe it was real. And I found the ending was too abrupt and I’m secretly hoping that, maybe like Caitlyn and Jo’s characters, Hera and Katherine will get two books to cover their romance. That would drastically change my comment about how the book ended. I was also hoping for some spice from Katherine’s sex scenes in regards to the way she was in ‘Love Without Limits’ and I understand why it didn’t happen that way but if there was a second book I reckon it would amp up the volume.

Book number nine in the Pink Bean Series and going strong. I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next from this series and Harper Bliss.

3.5 Stars

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I enjoyed this book like I enjoyed most Harper Bliss novels. This is a story about Katherine, an ex call girl who wants to open a Pink Bean coffee shop with her best friend, Rocco. Rocco recruits his aunt, Hera to help with the construction and building of the coffee shop. Hera had lost her longtime partner a year ago and needs to start working again. She knows what Katherine used to do for a living and is very rude to her at first. Hera wants nothing to do with the attractive Katherine, even if she is Rocco's best friend. Katherine tries to wear her down and be nice to her, as she wants to get to know Hera better.

Hera and Katherine's relationship evolves rather quickly in the middle of the book. I enjoyed this story, but it felt a bit abrupt. The whole book ended rather quickly and I did not like the ending, which is why it is only receiving 3 stars. It is an average Harper Bliss, so if you like her work, you will like this one. She is pretty consistent with the Pink Bean novels. I wish I got a little bit more of a story between the two characters as Hera went from hate to not rather quickly and I wish it had a little bit more tension.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of The Pink Bean. I have read all except book 6. I am not sure if I didn't like because the of the voices of the narrator or if it was because Hera grated my nerves because of the way she behaves with Katherine at the beginning of the book. You would think Hera was perfect with the way she looked down on Katherine because she was a call girl in the past. Drove me insane how she just expected forgiveness and how Katherine ends up like her.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Love at the Pink Bean

Like everything Harper Bliss writes this is so well written and compelling that you won’t want to stop reading. I love how quickly I become submerged into a tale of her weaving, not coming up for air till I see the words The End. This is Katherine’s story and it’s a good one. Ms Bliss shows the struggles she, and her love interest Hera, overcome to become better versions of themselves and grow to be worthy of love and a relationship. Its beautifully told and so worth the read, even if it ended too soon. I can’t wait to see whose story is next and what adventure they will have!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so this one was the weakest one for me in this series. I think it was just pretty blend. The storyline didn't seem to pull me in and even the entire plot kind of felt off. The hate switched to love pretty fast and then the second problem they had to over come felt at first promising but at the end it felt not deep enough. What I did like were the parts with Jill and the other side characters so this book still gets 3 stars from me.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I enjoy the Pink Bean series, and this is a nice addition. Not my favorite of the series (see Foreign Affair) or my least favorite (Everything between Us), but I'll definitely read any new additions to the story lines.

[Jacque]

DNF'd this one bc one of the heroines recently quit sex work and the other heroine held it against her for at least half of the book🙄 just don't need tha tin my life, and by the time this bitch finally got over herself and her backwards ideas, I A) didn't think she did enough groveling and B) didn't super care about her happiness. DNF at 55% in audio

[BookFiend17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting set of characters that feature Kat who is a retired escort, Rocco who is Kat’s new business partner, and Hera who is Rocco’s aunt. This book is in the Pink Bean series which I love! Each book while featuring a different set of leads also gives us a little glimpse of some of our past leads. I loved Kat and thought that Hera was a very interesting character. I found More than Words to be a very quick and enjoyable read. I would read it again! I read an arc.

Edited to fix a misspelled word😱

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Bliss is probably the only romance author whose books I must read. Everyone else is hit or miss for me, but when I see a new Bliss novel I must read it. She infuses her work with the right amount of steam, angst and love. They’re not formulaic; she tackles different subjects all the time from nonmonogamy to menopause to guilt and fear of love and intimacy. I enjoyed getting inside the heads of both Hera and Kat and seeing how they both gradually, slowly change their minds about each other. The secondary characters were also well done and the sex scenes were infused with love and emotion. This novel is a keeper, one to be read slowly and savored.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pink Bean Series is one of my favourites and Pink Bean 9, More Than Words, does not disappoint. Katherine, a gorgeous outgoing retired escort and Hera, a bereaved reclusive butch builder. This was a very poignant story about over coming prejudice, acceptance and intimacy and of course ultimately love. It was also great to read Liz and Jess are happily living together and I look forward to more PB tales.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. But the ending came a bit fast.

[Tara]

review to come

[Kristy Drexel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I finish book 9 in this series I feel like Harper has once again amazed me with her words, the story of Kat was one I have patiently waited for since she was introduced. Her story was perfectly written it made me laugh as well as cry. Well done 👍

[Mari Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pink Bean Series is one of my very favourites. Every new instalment it’s unique and intense. This isn’t the exception. I’ve always marvelled of Harper's ability to achieve amazing series like the Pink Bean, building new great stories from the characters we met each time. Always bringing strong, heartfelt, intense stories, filled with so much emotion and passion. It doesn't matter if it's the number one or the 20th. She always has a story to tell. Also it's always great to revisit the beloved characters we have met from the beginning.

The story is about Katherine Jones who has decided it’s time for a change and leave her old job as a luxury lesbian escort, to start a new adventure by opening the third branch of the Pink Bean with her friend Rocco by her side. Turns out the woman responsible for renovating the building where the Pink Bean will open its doors, is Hera Walker Rocco’s aunt. A woman trying to move on after her long-term partner sudden death. She doesn’t like the idea of having a former call girl as her first comeback client. The big question is if she can be open minded enough to accept Katherine for the person she really is.

I loved the story very much; it is a very intense one. The characters are realistic and deep. The story evokes so many raw, strong feelings. It is a very powerful and beautiful story about acceptance and love. I highly recommend it. I also hope there's more of Katherine and Hera in the next Pink Bean book.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and voluntarily leaving a review.

[JWG1973UK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

This is Book 9 in the Pink Bean series. It also happens to be one of my favourite series written by the author. This book tells the story of Katherine (Kat) who used to be an escort and gave it up and Hera who is a builder who recently lost her long-term partner.

Kat is a sweetheart (IMHO). She is opening up another coffee shop with her best friend Rocca who is Hera’s nephew. When Kat and Hera meet for the first time Hera makes it clear from the beginning that she does not like Katherine because of what she used to do for a living. Kat has to have patience if she wants a relationship with Hera.

Hera took me a little while to get to like, but as the story progressed and you get to know more about her then I started to like her more and more. She does have issues to sort out (like most) but can she sort them out and have a relationship with Kat?

My only complaint would be I think the ending ended too soon I felt like there was a little more to come in the story but maybe the author will return with these two at a later date.

Overall, I loved the story line, and the characters were good for each other and I look forward to reading more by this author (especially in this series).

[Marty Preslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This is a wonderful story about finding love and healing old wounds of the heart. The two leading ladies are well written. Katherine is a character we've met before, of course, but Hera is a new character, who is Rocco's aunt. Rocco, of course, is Katherine's best friend and new business partner in the third location of the Pink Bean coffee shop. Much of the character development is focused on Hera, since she's new, but Katherine gets a good deal more depth as well. It's a wonderful standalone story, but probably better appreciated if read with the rest of the series. I look forward to more in this series.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt Emotion

Every time I think a Pink Bean book can't get any better than the last one that I've read, Harper Bliss delivers again. This time it's a story between ex-escort, Katherine, and her new Pink Bean coffee shop partner's Aunt, Hera. There is instant chemistry of the not so pleasant kind as Hera is hired to remodel a shop for the third Pink Bean location, this one in Bondi. Eventually Katherine and Hera put their differences aside and then their real chemistry emerges but not without challenges. I'd recommend that you read this emotional and heartfelt book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This is another very well written book about finding love after loss, changing perceptions, and forgiveness of yourself. The characters are well developed and the storyline flows easily from the pages. This is an exemplary lesbian romance series that gets under your skin and keeps you coming back for more. I'm glad to hear that the author is planning at least 3 more books in this "Pink Bean" series. You'll definitely want to add this series to your must read list!

[Irene Timoleon]

Katherine an ex elite escort is making a new beginning as the new co-owner of a Pink Bean café with Hera's nephew. Hera is recently widowed, hurting and closed off and she does not approve of Katherine's ex carrier one bit. But you know what they say : "Don't judge a book by each cover" and Hera soon comes to realize that Katherine might just be the woman she needs in her life.

One of my favourite stories from the Pink Bean series. This story is moving, sexy and deals with very difficult topics/situations excellently.

[Tempe Luvs Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve loved the Pink Bean series and this was the last and only one I had never read. I found the audiobook available in the free selections offered in the Audible Plus Catalogue.
This book was the story of Kathryn, once a female escort with the same agency as Liz, now searching for her own love.
My enjoyment was less than hoped for because there was too much drama, inner mind monologues and just too heavy of a story. Angela Dawe was the narrator, but I couldn’t handle the gruff voice assigned to Rocco.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Harper’s books are so beautifully written. I highlight things that speak to my soul in all of the books that I read. I highlighted so much in this book! It is magnificent. She just puts so much heart in her books. Yes, they are wonderfully erotic. But they are so much more. That is why Harper is one of my favorite authors ever. The whole Pink Bean series is worthy of your read. Don’t miss out on any of them.


I received an arc copy for an honest review

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, this author has outdone herself by creating characters that I can easily relate to and adore. Katherine and Hera have a lot of emotional baggage and I must say that I have so much love and respect for these resilient women because they have overcome circumstances that I'm not sure I would have been able to handle. Each story in the Pink Bean Series always tugs at my heartstrings and I really don't want this awesome series to end!

[Patricia OHara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again an Awesome book

This is a truly wonderful love story. This the 9th book in your series that I have read and it is still a wonderful story told in a lovely and warm way. The relationship of Kat and Hers was filled with enough suspense and drama to keep my eyes and mind anticipating the next line. Looking forward to book 10 in the series. I am now so involved in the Pink Bean Series that I am now ordering the paperback versions to add to my personal library.

[Jessica Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series keeps going strong!

I love this series and after 9 books I still marvel at the fact that each one is so unique in the new topic it addresses. They are definitely not recycled versions of each other. I love the growing cast of characters, though I felt there wasnt a lot of involvement of previous characters in this book. I think I know who the next book will be about, and I eagerly await it!