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Next in Line for Love
Can the road to the top take you on a path to love?
After ten years abroad, Alexandra ‘Ali’ Lennox's father asks her to move back to Los Angeles to head the family company, Lennox Breweries. The company’s COO, Jill Gold, has dedicated twenty years of her life to Lennox Breweries and is not amused when she’s asked to mentor Ali, who she considers to be nothing more than a privileged trust-fund brat. Even though they don’t see eye to eye, Ali and Jill will have to learn to trust each other for the sake of the company—and each other. Can Jill change her mind about Ali’s smug entitlement? And will Ali be able to come to terms with the past hurt that drove her away from L.A. in the first place? Find out in this brand-new lesbian age-gap romance from best-selling author Harper Bliss.
After ten years abroad, Alexandra ‘Ali’ Lennox's father asks her to move back to Los Angeles to head the family company, Lennox Breweries. The company’s COO, Jill Gold, has dedicated twenty years of her life to Lennox Breweries and is not amused when she’s asked to mentor Ali, who she considers to be nothing more than a privileged trust-fund brat. Even though they don’t see eye to eye, Ali and Jill will have to learn to trust each other for the sake of the company—and each other. Can Jill change her mind about Ali’s smug entitlement? And will Ali be able to come to terms with the past hurt that drove her away from L.A. in the first place? Find out in this brand-new lesbian age-gap romance from best-selling author Harper Bliss.
216 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2019
316 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
137 books2,358 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 144 reviews
December 18, 2019
This was a sweet romance but not what I was hoping for. I like age-gap romances and also workplace romances so I had pretty high hopes for this. I was also looking for some of that classic Bliss heat but didn’t really find it here. This was a fine read but it was only average.
The age-gap is 18 years at 35 and 53 but one of the problems for me is it felt a lot bigger at times. The 35 year old acted more like a spoiled rich 25 year old for most of the book so it made the pairing harder to believe. The 35 year old was playing a lot of games and I didn’t get why the 53 year old would even be interested in her. The chemistry that you expect from a Bliss book just wasn’t there so the pairing felt forced instead.
The book was also pretty short and it gave the story an overall rushed feeling. There needed to be more time for the two women to build chemistry and connect. This is the kind of book where a job could be on the line for a relationship to succeed and all I could think was “forget the girl and keep the job”.
On the good side the sex scenes where steamy like Bliss always writes. I just wished I would have been more invested in the couple. This book is also low angst. I like feel good books but I actually think this book would have benefited by adding more conflict somewhere in the story.
If you are looking for a quick read romance with low angst, this might be for you. The story is perfectly fine but the rushed feeling and the missing chemistry is keeping this strictly in the just okay category for me.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
The age-gap is 18 years at 35 and 53 but one of the problems for me is it felt a lot bigger at times. The 35 year old acted more like a spoiled rich 25 year old for most of the book so it made the pairing harder to believe. The 35 year old was playing a lot of games and I didn’t get why the 53 year old would even be interested in her. The chemistry that you expect from a Bliss book just wasn’t there so the pairing felt forced instead.
The book was also pretty short and it gave the story an overall rushed feeling. There needed to be more time for the two women to build chemistry and connect. This is the kind of book where a job could be on the line for a relationship to succeed and all I could think was “forget the girl and keep the job”.
On the good side the sex scenes where steamy like Bliss always writes. I just wished I would have been more invested in the couple. This book is also low angst. I like feel good books but I actually think this book would have benefited by adding more conflict somewhere in the story.
If you are looking for a quick read romance with low angst, this might be for you. The story is perfectly fine but the rushed feeling and the missing chemistry is keeping this strictly in the just okay category for me.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
April 15, 2021
Ali is slated to be the next to run her father's company when she meets Jill, one of her father's employees. Jill is tasked with bringing Ali up to speed with the company and prepare her to inherit the company (essentially train her new boss). As Ali is processing some of her losses in life, she leans on Jill, and the two women develop a connection.
The prose and storytelling could have been much better, and I found myself bored with this one. The dialogues didn't seem to integrate well with the book and seemed to go on forever.
The choice that the father gave - pick between your career or your relationship - was really offensive and disrespectful. Both Ali and Jill had worked for the company for more than 10 years, and Jeffrey expected one of them to just throw it all away for the sake of a relationship. You can be in a relationship AND have a career. Ali and Jill should have told off Jeffrey. Instead, the author made it sound romantic. Being discriminated against isn't romantic. Would Jeffrey have told Sebastian to divorce his wife to be CEO? No way!
The prose and storytelling could have been much better, and I found myself bored with this one. The dialogues didn't seem to integrate well with the book and seemed to go on forever.
The choice that the father gave - pick between your career or your relationship - was really offensive and disrespectful. Both Ali and Jill had worked for the company for more than 10 years, and Jeffrey expected one of them to just throw it all away for the sake of a relationship. You can be in a relationship AND have a career. Ali and Jill should have told off Jeffrey. Instead, the author made it sound romantic. Being discriminated against isn't romantic. Would Jeffrey have told Sebastian to divorce his wife to be CEO? No way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2019
I’m a big fan of Harper Bliss, I think I’ve read most of her books. With that being said, my expectations are always very high with such brilliant authors!
This particular book wasn’t her best. I felt it was a bit rushed and most importantly the connection between both MCs felt a bit forced.
There was so much potential because it is a very interesting storyline, but the delivery was not as expected. I know most people have issues with age gap books, but I knew if anyone would pull it through, it would be Harper Bliss. So this part didn’t bother me and was done quite well.
I would’ve loved to see more chemistry between the MCs, would’ve loved to see the supporting characters play a bigger role in the overall story, and would’ve loved to have more insights on the business part of the read.
I will be looking forward to the next book by Harper Bliss for sure.
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
This particular book wasn’t her best. I felt it was a bit rushed and most importantly the connection between both MCs felt a bit forced.
There was so much potential because it is a very interesting storyline, but the delivery was not as expected. I know most people have issues with age gap books, but I knew if anyone would pull it through, it would be Harper Bliss. So this part didn’t bother me and was done quite well.
I would’ve loved to see more chemistry between the MCs, would’ve loved to see the supporting characters play a bigger role in the overall story, and would’ve loved to have more insights on the business part of the read.
I will be looking forward to the next book by Harper Bliss for sure.
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
April 20, 2021
The blurb helps a little, but that cover is a big misread; it makes it look like the book is light or easy and it's really not. Indeed, death, grief, and family trauma are center stage for much of the story and provide a contrast to the main characters finding their pocket of happiness and learning to trust in it despite their surroundings.
And I'm not sure the age gap works, either. And it may hurt my immersion that Jill is just a shade older than I am so I didn't completely buy her characterization. Not that I expect her to be the loveable curmudgeon I've become or anything. But her age just didn't manifest beyond a superficial concern about superficial things (by which I mean her boobs and their, er, I'll stop now).
Plus, if you parse it out at all, they fall for each other rather fast. A few days. A handful of interactions, and boom, they're off to the races. Which I'm actually a little glad for because the only conflict between them was a negative motivation* that didn't have much of a foundation. So I'm glad the friction didn't persist that long, even though that weakens my sense of their relationship being something solid and lasting.
So this is a solid three stars for liking the protagonists and being lost in their world for a while, edging up a bit because Bliss is really good with the serious subjects at the heart of the story. There's drama, but it's all earned and holds together well and has the effects you'd expect.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes that are on the long side that put this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're extremely well-done and map very well to the emotional arc of the characters, so I liked how well Bliss put them together.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
And I'm not sure the age gap works, either. And it may hurt my immersion that Jill is just a shade older than I am so I didn't completely buy her characterization. Not that I expect her to be the loveable curmudgeon I've become or anything. But her age just didn't manifest beyond a superficial concern about superficial things (by which I mean her boobs and their, er, I'll stop now).
Plus, if you parse it out at all, they fall for each other rather fast. A few days. A handful of interactions, and boom, they're off to the races. Which I'm actually a little glad for because the only conflict between them was a negative motivation* that didn't have much of a foundation. So I'm glad the friction didn't persist that long, even though that weakens my sense of their relationship being something solid and lasting.
So this is a solid three stars for liking the protagonists and being lost in their world for a while, edging up a bit because Bliss is really good with the serious subjects at the heart of the story. There's drama, but it's all earned and holds together well and has the effects you'd expect.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes that are on the long side that put this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They're extremely well-done and map very well to the emotional arc of the characters, so I liked how well Bliss put them together.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
December 23, 2019
‘Ali’ Lennox is 35 years old and has been living abroad for the last ten years due to personal reasons. When her father summons her to replace him as the CEO of Lennox Breweries, she moves back to LA to get ready to take charge. Her father asks the company’s COO, Jill Gold, to mentor Ali and get her ready for the new position. Jill is 53 and has worked in Lennox for twenty years; a workaholic, she has a lot to show in her profession but very little at a personal level. When both women meet, sparks fly, and not of the good kind. But eventually, Jill is able to see through Ali’s spoilt brat attitude and Ali discovers in Jill a caring and compassionate person hidden behind a cool exterior. Falling for each other is wrong for many reasons, but both women cannot avoid it. Will they be able to have a happily ever after?
I love age gap and workplace romances so a book combining both and authored by Harper Bliss is right up my alley. Ms. Bliss is an accomplished author, very experienced at writing these types of stories and who can turn up the heat to off-the-chart levels. For this reason, every time I read a novel by Ms. Bliss I have high expectations, usually higher than for an unknown author. So, even though I enjoyed reading this novel, I wasn’t blown away by it.
Both characters have well-defined personalities and are so different from each other than even considering that opposites attract, their connection is tricky to believe. At the beginning of the book, Ali comes across as a self-absorbed, spoilt brat and even though the reader eventually gets to see her in a different light, her fast change seems unlikely. Additionally, Jill’s attraction for Ali looks rooted in more a physical than an emotional link that justifies the risks she is willing to take. I think all these elements, behaviour change, chemistry, attraction, could have been developed better in a longer time span. Normally, Ms. Bliss’s novels tend to be short-ish, which is ok with me, but in this case, maybe a longer extension would have allowed for better character development and change.
Having said all that, I still enjoyed this read, it was entertaining and some parts were hot, as usual with this author. Ms. Bliss is one of the best lesfic writers of sex scenes and this book is no exception. So, if you are looking for a short and low on angst lesbian age gap romance set in the corporate world, this might be a good choice. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
I love age gap and workplace romances so a book combining both and authored by Harper Bliss is right up my alley. Ms. Bliss is an accomplished author, very experienced at writing these types of stories and who can turn up the heat to off-the-chart levels. For this reason, every time I read a novel by Ms. Bliss I have high expectations, usually higher than for an unknown author. So, even though I enjoyed reading this novel, I wasn’t blown away by it.
Both characters have well-defined personalities and are so different from each other than even considering that opposites attract, their connection is tricky to believe. At the beginning of the book, Ali comes across as a self-absorbed, spoilt brat and even though the reader eventually gets to see her in a different light, her fast change seems unlikely. Additionally, Jill’s attraction for Ali looks rooted in more a physical than an emotional link that justifies the risks she is willing to take. I think all these elements, behaviour change, chemistry, attraction, could have been developed better in a longer time span. Normally, Ms. Bliss’s novels tend to be short-ish, which is ok with me, but in this case, maybe a longer extension would have allowed for better character development and change.
Having said all that, I still enjoyed this read, it was entertaining and some parts were hot, as usual with this author. Ms. Bliss is one of the best lesfic writers of sex scenes and this book is no exception. So, if you are looking for a short and low on angst lesbian age gap romance set in the corporate world, this might be a good choice. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
September 30, 2020
I'm a huge Harper Bliss fan. I love age gap romances, but this one wasn't one of her best.
It's a good read with low angst, but I did struggle to get into it.
Good but not great.
It's a good read with low angst, but I did struggle to get into it.
Good but not great.
September 18, 2020
Leave it to Harper Bliss to put together two characters that are very unmatched, throw a couple of roadblocks on their path and let them find the way to their Happily Ever After. It's how most of her plots go and the road to mutual bliss is highly entertaining.
Trust-fund brat and daughter of the boss Alexandra (Ali) Lennox and company COO Jill Gold are such an unlikely couple. Their substantial age-gap is only one of the things they have to overcome. I listened to the audio version of the book (avaliable on Scribd).
Narration was in the capable hands of Melissa Moran (Ali) and Tanya Eby (Jill). I'm familiar with Moran, but Eby was a new voice and took a bit to warm up to. I'm not entirely sure she was the right fit for 50+ Jill.
It was rather short (5hrs. and 15mins) and therefore it had a rushed feel. It made the speed at which Jill gave into Ali somewhat unbelievable. It's low angst with a few explicit scenes that were not as intense as Bliss can write them, but in the end Next in Line for Love still had enough meat to make it a pleasant experience.
4 stars
Trust-fund brat and daughter of the boss Alexandra (Ali) Lennox and company COO Jill Gold are such an unlikely couple. Their substantial age-gap is only one of the things they have to overcome. I listened to the audio version of the book (avaliable on Scribd).
Narration was in the capable hands of Melissa Moran (Ali) and Tanya Eby (Jill). I'm familiar with Moran, but Eby was a new voice and took a bit to warm up to. I'm not entirely sure she was the right fit for 50+ Jill.
It was rather short (5hrs. and 15mins) and therefore it had a rushed feel. It made the speed at which Jill gave into Ali somewhat unbelievable. It's low angst with a few explicit scenes that were not as intense as Bliss can write them, but in the end Next in Line for Love still had enough meat to make it a pleasant experience.
4 stars
December 26, 2019
Age-gap romance within office/corporate setting with 2 high-powered femme; 53 years old COO Jill who is tasked to mentor incoming CEO, 35 years old Ali (daughter of incumbent CEO). Setting seems intriguing enough but alas the ride seems a bit less interesting, a bit less intriguing. I was expecting the ride to be a bit more ‘bumpy’ as we all know that politics within the corporate world is/can be ugly. But nothing of the sort here... Anyhow, an ok read overall.
Ratings 3.5 ⭐️
Ratings 3.5 ⭐️
October 2, 2020
Ali is very persistent in her pursuit to get to know Jill. Jill only sees her as a spoiled brat at first. While they share some personal stories they grow closer. This is a great story and it went by so fast. I really enjoyed this audiobook. I liked having two different voices to separate the characters.
December 16, 2019
I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY OF THE BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR AND VOLUNTARILY LEAVING MY REVIEW.
JILL IS AN COO AT LENNEX BREWERIES WHERE SHE HAS WORKED FOR THE LAST TWENTY + YEARS.
ALEXANDRA (ALI) HAS BEEN LIVING ABROAD FOR THE LAST DECADE AND HER FATHER HAS ASKED HER TO COME BACK HOME AND TAKE OVER THE FAMILY COMPANY.
I LOVED THIS FROM BEGINNING TO END. ONCE YOU START IT, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU ARE AT THE END. THIS, I WOULD SAY MAKES THIS MY FAVOURITE BOOK BY MS BLISS FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ. DEFINITELY ONE THAT I COULD RE-READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I LOVED BOTH ALI AND JILL FROM THE BEGINNING. I LOVED THE STORY LINE, THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS ARE GREAT, ALTHOUGH, I WASN'T TOO KEEN ON SEBASTIAN (ALI'S BROTHER)TO BEGIN WITH BUT BY THE END I LIKED HIM. THE PACE WAS JUST RIGHT. NICE TO READ SOMETHING FROM THIS AUTHOR THAT BOTH MC DON'T JUMP STRAIGHT INTO BED A COUPLE OF CHAPTERS IN. THAT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
IF YOU LIKE AGE GAP ROMANCES THEN THIS COULD BE THE BOOK FOR YOU. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND READING IT.
JILL IS AN COO AT LENNEX BREWERIES WHERE SHE HAS WORKED FOR THE LAST TWENTY + YEARS.
ALEXANDRA (ALI) HAS BEEN LIVING ABROAD FOR THE LAST DECADE AND HER FATHER HAS ASKED HER TO COME BACK HOME AND TAKE OVER THE FAMILY COMPANY.
I LOVED THIS FROM BEGINNING TO END. ONCE YOU START IT, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU ARE AT THE END. THIS, I WOULD SAY MAKES THIS MY FAVOURITE BOOK BY MS BLISS FROM ALL THAT I HAVE READ. DEFINITELY ONE THAT I COULD RE-READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I LOVED BOTH ALI AND JILL FROM THE BEGINNING. I LOVED THE STORY LINE, THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS ARE GREAT, ALTHOUGH, I WASN'T TOO KEEN ON SEBASTIAN (ALI'S BROTHER)TO BEGIN WITH BUT BY THE END I LIKED HIM. THE PACE WAS JUST RIGHT. NICE TO READ SOMETHING FROM THIS AUTHOR THAT BOTH MC DON'T JUMP STRAIGHT INTO BED A COUPLE OF CHAPTERS IN. THAT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
IF YOU LIKE AGE GAP ROMANCES THEN THIS COULD BE THE BOOK FOR YOU. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND READING IT.
December 31, 2019
This was a quick fun read! I read this one in two days and it was my last book of the year :P
I liked the characters, I appreciated that while they were somewhat stereotypical, the author didn't go to extremes. The story was very interesting but it felt like there was something missing. There were rarely any interactions with the other characters in the book, and when they did they were very brief conversations that could've easily been deleted with no impact in the story. The main problem for me, this being a romance, is that I couldn't feel the sparks between the two main characters. It didn't feel like either one of them was in love.
I liked the characters, I appreciated that while they were somewhat stereotypical, the author didn't go to extremes. The story was very interesting but it felt like there was something missing. There were rarely any interactions with the other characters in the book, and when they did they were very brief conversations that could've easily been deleted with no impact in the story. The main problem for me, this being a romance, is that I couldn't feel the sparks between the two main characters. It didn't feel like either one of them was in love.
September 16, 2020
I had to stop reading. I really couldn’t get past Ali, I found her to be unlikeable.
January 28, 2020
I do love a good age-gap romance. I really enjoyed Ali and learning about her back story. She was a fun character to read. I also like watching her break down Jill’s walls, brick by brick. I also really enjoyed the low angst factor as it felt like just an easy-going and fun read.
I didn’t get an immediate connection between Ali and Jill. Then, in the end, it felt like it all ended too quickly.
Sex scenes as per Harper Bliss’s style were very hot and made this girl blush on the train on her way to work… Always a plus!
I didn’t get an immediate connection between Ali and Jill. Then, in the end, it felt like it all ended too quickly.
Sex scenes as per Harper Bliss’s style were very hot and made this girl blush on the train on her way to work… Always a plus!
January 3, 2020
3.5 ⭐
January 17, 2020
Can't say I liked either of these two characters but I did finish the book because it's Harper.
Read
February 16, 2020This one didn't work for me.
December 22, 2019
This was another great age-gap romance by Harper Bliss. Ali and Jill were two well rounded characters that were very relatable. Their relationship developed naturally and I like the fact that there was a whole lot of angst and drama for them. Overall great read!
January 19, 2021
Three stars feels generous for this story, and it pains me to feel that, let alone admit it. This age-gap romance is completely implausible. Ally’s character is below immature, and never would someone a character like Jill sink to wind up with—neither romantically nor as a friend. Disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2019
Decent
This isn’t your usual Harper Bliss book. It was hard for me to get into this story. It took a while for the story to really get going but when it did it was interesting. The chapters changed POV every other chapter would be either Jill’s or Ali’s. I like seeing the different thought processes for these women. I also liked that there was an epilogue that summed things up rather nicely. The sexy bits were just that and it was a sweet story, even if its not Ms Bliss’ best.
This isn’t your usual Harper Bliss book. It was hard for me to get into this story. It took a while for the story to really get going but when it did it was interesting. The chapters changed POV every other chapter would be either Jill’s or Ali’s. I like seeing the different thought processes for these women. I also liked that there was an epilogue that summed things up rather nicely. The sexy bits were just that and it was a sweet story, even if its not Ms Bliss’ best.
December 29, 2019
It took me a little while to warm to the MC’s but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed this age gap story of self discovery. This story is a little different to the regular Harper Bliss stories but it is always great to read something a little different.
June 17, 2020
Soooo cute! These lesbian romances with happy endings are everything I need plus more!
December 23, 2019
It's a known fact that I am a huge fan of this author's books and I always get seriously attached to the main and secondary characters in her novels but this story just didn't hit all the right spots for me. I wasn't fond of Ali at all... She is 35 and she behaved more like a spoiled and entitled 18 year old than someone who would soon be in charge of running a lucrative company. I really admired Jill because she held herself together while she tried to teach Ali the ins and outs of running Lennox Breweries. I didn't feel as though Jill and Ali had any real chemistry between them and the romance didn't really blossom the way I expected it to. One thing I must say though is that this story has little angst and it is well written but I would have liked to get more insight into what makes the main characters tick so that I could have had a better understanding of their personalities in general.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
March 25, 2020
I have read almost everything from this author, this was off for me, I didn't feel it.
December 30, 2019
This is an age gap romance between Ali, the 35-year old daughter of owner and CEO of Lennox Brewery who has been out of the country, for over 10 years, and the COO and right hand woman at the company Jill. Ali is summoned back to take over the company by her father, and a reluctant Jill is asked to mentor her. There is a 18 year difference between the two women, but it does at times feel like the gap is larger due to the apparent immaturity of Ali. She is portrayed initially as a flighty, spoiled brat in contrast to the workaholic, dedicated and ultra-competent Jill.
Bliss writes the story flipping between the 2 main characters which allows the reader to gain insights into thoughts and feelings they are working through. Although it took a few chapters to get used to it, I felt it was well done and allowed me to get to know the characters, and their challenges and motivations. I enjoyed gaining insights into the characters and see their growth as their relationship heats up.
I am a sucker for a good “love wins all” book, and this one delivered in the end. The relationship grew over time between the mains, and the heat between them was great. Overall, a little short – but very enjoyable. You will not be disappointed as you take a few hours to get to know Jill & Ali.
I was given an ARC for an honest review of this book.
Bliss writes the story flipping between the 2 main characters which allows the reader to gain insights into thoughts and feelings they are working through. Although it took a few chapters to get used to it, I felt it was well done and allowed me to get to know the characters, and their challenges and motivations. I enjoyed gaining insights into the characters and see their growth as their relationship heats up.
I am a sucker for a good “love wins all” book, and this one delivered in the end. The relationship grew over time between the mains, and the heat between them was great. Overall, a little short – but very enjoyable. You will not be disappointed as you take a few hours to get to know Jill & Ali.
I was given an ARC for an honest review of this book.
September 4, 2020
I'm finally done with Next in Line for Love.
The main characters seem to be trapped in an episode of Twilight Zone. The plot focuses on the changeover in the top spot at Lennox Brewery from Jeffrey to Alexandra/Ali Lennox. Ali has been out the country and away from the family business for ten years. During the past twenty years, Jill Gold was the company's COO. While stepping in as interim CEO, Jill must teach Ali how to be the "next in line." These oddly coupled characters engage in constant internal monologues. I read passage after passage of expository voiceover which slowed the pace of this short novel to nearly a stand still. Imagine William Shatner's catastrophic airplane flight, but morph the terrifying monster trying to crash the plane into an elderly and infirm CEO Jeffrey Lennox.
It took me nearly a year to read this Bliss novel. Colour me stubborn. It has been my experience that this author writes both very interesting and deathly dull books. I just didn't enjoy reading this one, but remain hopeful for the next one.
The main characters seem to be trapped in an episode of Twilight Zone. The plot focuses on the changeover in the top spot at Lennox Brewery from Jeffrey to Alexandra/Ali Lennox. Ali has been out the country and away from the family business for ten years. During the past twenty years, Jill Gold was the company's COO. While stepping in as interim CEO, Jill must teach Ali how to be the "next in line." These oddly coupled characters engage in constant internal monologues. I read passage after passage of expository voiceover which slowed the pace of this short novel to nearly a stand still. Imagine William Shatner's catastrophic airplane flight, but morph the terrifying monster trying to crash the plane into an elderly and infirm CEO Jeffrey Lennox.
It took me nearly a year to read this Bliss novel. Colour me stubborn. It has been my experience that this author writes both very interesting and deathly dull books. I just didn't enjoy reading this one, but remain hopeful for the next one.
December 29, 2019
This is my first book by Harper Bliss and it won't be my last! I loved the quiet, slow burn of Jill and Ali's love story. Their backstories and work situation made for enough conflict to carry through the book. I loved that both Jill and Ali were not perfect, but they appreciated, and were attracted to, each other's imperfections. Also, NEXT IN LINE FOR LOVE made me really crave a good beer ;) I picked this up on KU and read it in one day! Give it a try if you enjoy contemporary romance, an age gap (Jill is in her 50's and Ali in her mid-30's), and a workplace romance.
December 17, 2019
Age Gap Office Romance. This is so hard to say bc I absolutely freaking love ALL of Harper’s books. While I did like this one, I felt like there was something missing from a usual Harper Bliss novel. It feels rushed. Maybe the chemistry was slightly off, I just didn’t feel like this is the typical Harper Bliss couple with off the charts chemistry and hotness. I wasn’t feeling emotional invested in the characters. Idk maybe not explaining it well. I’ll try it again later to see if it’s just me, bc I’ve been in a reading funk lately. This was an arc read.
December 19, 2019
What a lovely read. After having read the blurb, I was expecting much more animosity between various parties. I expected Ali to be a horrible person but Harper made both leads more complex than that. Ali has suffered tragedy and fled to deal with it, leaving her family and the family business behind. Jill, who also has some baggage, is a workaholic who is told to mentor Ali. And that’s the beginning.
I loved the way Harper gradually revealed more of each woman so we could see why they were the way they were, what makes them tick. I found their personal growth and the way they came to know and trust each other was satisfying.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I loved the way Harper gradually revealed more of each woman so we could see why they were the way they were, what makes them tick. I found their personal growth and the way they came to know and trust each other was satisfying.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
December 17, 2019
I am a great Harper Bliss fan and quite partial to a May/December storyline, but I’m afraid this one didn’t quite do it for me. I didn’t feel any real connection between the main characters, and the book was over before it really began. I may feel like this because I expect so much more from HB than many other writers and I was disappointed. Unfair maybe, but there you are.
I was given an advance review copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an advance review copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2019
Love HB’s books, she’s one of my favorite lesfic authors and I will continue to buy her books. With that disclaimer I feel better about voicing my disappointment with NILFL.
First, the characters were so unlikable it really made it hard for me to care about them as individuals, much less as a couple. I’m totally for nuanced characters and flawed personalities but these two just felt like entitled obnoxious people I wouldn’t want to know. Plus, they were supposed to be top executives running a company (at least one of them) and I need to believe they’re competent in what they do to believe the story and get into it, and I didn’t get that sense based on how the work scenes were written. I kept being pulled out of the narrative for these various reasons.
Also, the story felt rushed, to the point I had to check if I had downloaded a sample or the real deal. What I usually love about her stories is how organic the romance starts and develops, but this felt rushed and I just couldn’t get “the feels” like I normally do with her novels.
Just wasn’t for me. But I can’t wait for HB’s next story :)
First, the characters were so unlikable it really made it hard for me to care about them as individuals, much less as a couple. I’m totally for nuanced characters and flawed personalities but these two just felt like entitled obnoxious people I wouldn’t want to know. Plus, they were supposed to be top executives running a company (at least one of them) and I need to believe they’re competent in what they do to believe the story and get into it, and I didn’t get that sense based on how the work scenes were written. I kept being pulled out of the narrative for these various reasons.
Also, the story felt rushed, to the point I had to check if I had downloaded a sample or the real deal. What I usually love about her stories is how organic the romance starts and develops, but this felt rushed and I just couldn’t get “the feels” like I normally do with her novels.
Just wasn’t for me. But I can’t wait for HB’s next story :)
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