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If You Kiss Me Like That
Sometimes love shows up where you least expect it.
Ashley ‘Ash’ Cooper is still reeling after her recent divorce, throwing all her energy into her job in The City. When she’s seated next to one of her mother’s friends at a family party, falling in love is the last thing on her mind.
After losing her husband many years ago, Gloria Young rebuilt herself as a single parent. Now that her daughters are both at university, she’s perfectly content with her quiet life in the village of Murraywood.
An unexpectedly enjoyable evening with a friend’s daughter pushes Gloria into exploring a new side of herself.
Will she overcome her fear of what people think and allow herself a new chance at happiness?
And can Ash let go of the past and open herself up to love again?
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a sultry age-gap story about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the warm embrace of love.
78,000 words
Ashley ‘Ash’ Cooper is still reeling after her recent divorce, throwing all her energy into her job in The City. When she’s seated next to one of her mother’s friends at a family party, falling in love is the last thing on her mind.
After losing her husband many years ago, Gloria Young rebuilt herself as a single parent. Now that her daughters are both at university, she’s perfectly content with her quiet life in the village of Murraywood.
An unexpectedly enjoyable evening with a friend’s daughter pushes Gloria into exploring a new side of herself.
Will she overcome her fear of what people think and allow herself a new chance at happiness?
And can Ash let go of the past and open herself up to love again?
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a sultry age-gap story about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the warm embrace of love.
78,000 words
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2020
224 people are currently reading
1448 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 199 reviews
February 4, 2021
I enjoyed this just as much the 2nd time around. Great book.
The Best Book I've Read This Year
I love age gap romances, and Harper Bliss always delivers.
Great flow, steamy scenes, likable characters, realistic concerns rather than over the top drama... This book had it all.
Highly recommended!
June 26, 2020
The Age-Gap Queen Strikes Again.
I’ve read a lot of Harper Bliss over the years and there are a few things you can count on. Quality writing, good characterization and hot sex, and all of it can be found in If You Kiss Me Like That. Oh, and age-gap, something else Bliss is famous for and does so very well.
Ashley (Ash) Cooper (a 42-year old workaholic, gay divorcee) meets Gloria Young (a 54-year old widow with two grown-up daughters) at Ashley’s mom’s birthday bash. The two have known each other since forever (Gloria is best friends with Ash’s mom) and have a great time at the singles table. So good in fact, that they decide to have a follow up in London where Ash works and lives.
What is supposed to be some quality time with her mother’s friend turns to mutual harmless flirting until it’s not so harmless. Ash – newly divorced and barely over it - begins to have feelings for Gloria but is not willing to have her heart ripped out again. Gloria doesn’t have a gay bone in her body, or so she thought. There are so many reasons not to pursue this but they can’t seem to shake it. Maybe it’s best to have one wild weekend to get it out of their systems once and for all and move on. Right…
What starts is a very sweet romance with two lovely women and their families and how they try to fit this all together without breaking any eggs. Bliss is able to write a very believable and enjoyable love story.
f/f it’s Bliss, so hot sexy times are a given
Themes: I’m straight but gay for you, the London-Murraywood commute, Ash’s intermittent fasting worried me, how do I tell my parents, how do I tell my kids, I’m like Ash when it comes to Celine Dion. When I hear her belt out love ballads I want to run for the hills. But Gloria loves Celine and Ash is a woman in love so she is a good sport about it, bless her heart. Ash and Gloria see proverbial apes and bears everywhere, but it isn’t as bad as you think gals.
5 Stars
* ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read a lot of Harper Bliss over the years and there are a few things you can count on. Quality writing, good characterization and hot sex, and all of it can be found in If You Kiss Me Like That. Oh, and age-gap, something else Bliss is famous for and does so very well.
Ashley (Ash) Cooper (a 42-year old workaholic, gay divorcee) meets Gloria Young (a 54-year old widow with two grown-up daughters) at Ashley’s mom’s birthday bash. The two have known each other since forever (Gloria is best friends with Ash’s mom) and have a great time at the singles table. So good in fact, that they decide to have a follow up in London where Ash works and lives.
What is supposed to be some quality time with her mother’s friend turns to mutual harmless flirting until it’s not so harmless. Ash – newly divorced and barely over it - begins to have feelings for Gloria but is not willing to have her heart ripped out again. Gloria doesn’t have a gay bone in her body, or so she thought. There are so many reasons not to pursue this but they can’t seem to shake it. Maybe it’s best to have one wild weekend to get it out of their systems once and for all and move on. Right…
What starts is a very sweet romance with two lovely women and their families and how they try to fit this all together without breaking any eggs. Bliss is able to write a very believable and enjoyable love story.
f/f it’s Bliss, so hot sexy times are a given
Themes: I’m straight but gay for you, the London-Murraywood commute, Ash’s intermittent fasting worried me, how do I tell my parents, how do I tell my kids, I’m like Ash when it comes to Celine Dion. When I hear her belt out love ballads I want to run for the hills. But Gloria loves Celine and Ash is a woman in love so she is a good sport about it, bless her heart. Ash and Gloria see proverbial apes and bears everywhere, but it isn’t as bad as you think gals.
5 Stars
* ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2021
This is billed as an "age gap" romance, but it didn't really read as one. I mean, yeah, there's twelve years between them, but when you're talking 54 and 42, that doesn't seem like so much, really. More interesting was the family dynamic because Gloria is a good friend of Ash's mother (who begins the novel with a retirement party as she turned 65). So Gloria is almost exactly between Ash and her mom in age, but that friendship coming in jeopardy due to their relationship had a much higher impact on, well, everything, than their ages ever did. Though I will admit, it was fascinating to have a romance where one of the protagonists is older than I am (but only one, so that gives you a window if you care to speculate about my age... 😁)
And this was the biggest weakness of the story, when all is said. Gloria never doubts her attachment to Ash, despite never having thought that she might be attracted to a woman. She's self-aware enough that she knows her attraction isn't fleeting or something as weak as curiosity. But she's hyper-aware of the imagined response of those in their small town and particularly her good friends, Ash's parents. The thing is, this doesn't really survive scrutiny because all the people they are actually worried about (including Gloria's daughters) have nothing like prejudice or anything but explicit support for, as my niece puts it, "the gay" (I'm yet again revealing my age with this reference, I'm afraid).
So the entire conflict of the second half of the story is based on fears that not only don't manifest in the event, but that really couldn't have manifest because the supporting and loving nature of those involved was pretty firmly established.
I really did like their romance, though. I particularly liked the dynamic of their connection starting with sharing an understanding of grief. They've both suffered a substantial loss and that let them find common ground. Further, the very different nature of those losses turned out to provide enough contrast between them that it gave them an even closer connection as they discussed and supported those differences in the context of the similarities. I hope that made sense because it was an outstanding way to begin a relationship that started as a supporting extension of what had been, to that point, a rather casual friendship.
Anyway, this is a solid four stars with that outstanding beginning tapering off in the imagined conflict of the later story. I loved more than a little how they ended; just not enough to extend this to a higher rating.
A note about Steamy: There are five or so explicit sex scenes putting this on the higher end of my steam tolerance. They became a bit gratuitous by the end, frankly, though I also liked the diversity and exploration with Gloria sometimes taking the lead in interesting ways (despite being the non-lesbian in a lesbian relationship).
And this was the biggest weakness of the story, when all is said. Gloria never doubts her attachment to Ash, despite never having thought that she might be attracted to a woman. She's self-aware enough that she knows her attraction isn't fleeting or something as weak as curiosity. But she's hyper-aware of the imagined response of those in their small town and particularly her good friends, Ash's parents. The thing is, this doesn't really survive scrutiny because all the people they are actually worried about (including Gloria's daughters) have nothing like prejudice or anything but explicit support for, as my niece puts it, "the gay" (I'm yet again revealing my age with this reference, I'm afraid).
So the entire conflict of the second half of the story is based on fears that not only don't manifest in the event, but that really couldn't have manifest because the supporting and loving nature of those involved was pretty firmly established.
I really did like their romance, though. I particularly liked the dynamic of their connection starting with sharing an understanding of grief. They've both suffered a substantial loss and that let them find common ground. Further, the very different nature of those losses turned out to provide enough contrast between them that it gave them an even closer connection as they discussed and supported those differences in the context of the similarities. I hope that made sense because it was an outstanding way to begin a relationship that started as a supporting extension of what had been, to that point, a rather casual friendship.
Anyway, this is a solid four stars with that outstanding beginning tapering off in the imagined conflict of the later story. I loved more than a little how they ended; just not enough to extend this to a higher rating.
A note about Steamy: There are five or so explicit sex scenes putting this on the higher end of my steam tolerance. They became a bit gratuitous by the end, frankly, though I also liked the diversity and exploration with Gloria sometimes taking the lead in interesting ways (despite being the non-lesbian in a lesbian relationship).
June 22, 2024
4.5⭐️ loved it
October 16, 2021
Nothing not to like… If you enjoy reading a book with mature leading ladies with an age-gap (54/42) and an oven toaster in the mix, then you may just like If You Kiss Me Like That 😘
4 ⭐️
4 ⭐️
June 6, 2021
5 stars. After I had read the superb story of A Breathless Place, I decided to give Harper Bliss another chance. I'm super glad I did because I loved this one.
Ashton is a hedgefond manager with bad eating and drinking habits from London. When Ashton, newly divorced from her now ex wife, is home at her mother's birthday party, she meets Gloria again, a single mother and district nurse and one of her mother's oldest friends, when they are both put at the singles table. They have a good time and there is chemistry, but Gloria is straight - or so Gloria thinks.
Both meet up again in London, they start flirting and the chemistry goes off the charts.
What I liked about this book was how well the mains connect and how much they communicate. There's an age gap of over ten years (Ashton is 42 and Gloria is 54), but this hasn't anything to do with power. They're both mature and they really try to make it work and talk about it in an environment that's not easy for them. Gloria has her two daughters home for three months, and Ashton really has a hard time with her family knowing. London is easy for them, but Gloria's small hometown isn't.
This starts off as an instalust romance and they do have a lot of sex. To be precise, for quite some part of the novel, they have nothing but, but it's hot and it's believable. I really liked their characters. Gloria isn't timid and Ashton is the one who falls hard for Gloria first, although Gloria is in deep, too. It was really sweet.
What I also really liked was the Céline Dion references. The title is taken from the song "All coming back to me now", Gloria's favorite song and it really fits. I used to be such a Céline fan in my college years and I also went to the concert in London mentioned in the book and I still have the song in my head now. It's really fitting and it added a nice touch to the novel for me.
BTW I listened to the audiobook. I wasn't overly thrilled with the narration, but it was OK. "Ash" isn't really a pretty name when pronounced over and over again, but well, that's a minor thing.
Overall, I really really loved this.
Ashton is a hedgefond manager with bad eating and drinking habits from London. When Ashton, newly divorced from her now ex wife, is home at her mother's birthday party, she meets Gloria again, a single mother and district nurse and one of her mother's oldest friends, when they are both put at the singles table. They have a good time and there is chemistry, but Gloria is straight - or so Gloria thinks.
Both meet up again in London, they start flirting and the chemistry goes off the charts.
What I liked about this book was how well the mains connect and how much they communicate. There's an age gap of over ten years (Ashton is 42 and Gloria is 54), but this hasn't anything to do with power. They're both mature and they really try to make it work and talk about it in an environment that's not easy for them. Gloria has her two daughters home for three months, and Ashton really has a hard time with her family knowing. London is easy for them, but Gloria's small hometown isn't.
This starts off as an instalust romance and they do have a lot of sex. To be precise, for quite some part of the novel, they have nothing but, but it's hot and it's believable. I really liked their characters. Gloria isn't timid and Ashton is the one who falls hard for Gloria first, although Gloria is in deep, too. It was really sweet.
What I also really liked was the Céline Dion references. The title is taken from the song "All coming back to me now", Gloria's favorite song and it really fits. I used to be such a Céline fan in my college years and I also went to the concert in London mentioned in the book and I still have the song in my head now. It's really fitting and it added a nice touch to the novel for me.
BTW I listened to the audiobook. I wasn't overly thrilled with the narration, but it was OK. "Ash" isn't really a pretty name when pronounced over and over again, but well, that's a minor thing.
Overall, I really really loved this.
October 24, 2022
18/09/2020: Taking into account that’s past 8AM and I still haven’t gone to sleep, should make clear how much I loved this book and couldn’t put it aside to sleep. I’m smiling so hard as I write this, this was such a lovely and sweet and HOT and romantic book!!! Ash and Gloria are AMAZING!! I love all the characters and how accepting and understanding they all are, so beautiful. And I loved the build-up of their relationship and all the questions it made them have since this was very new for Gloria and both of them were still healing from their past, but I love how they helped each other overcome it and how their love and chemistry was so strong that they couldn’t stay away from each other. My favorite part tho, was how honest and communicative they were. That was a breath of fresh air and I really loved it. I 100% recommend this book, of course. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!
23/10/2022 (reread): I found out there was an audiobook version, so I had to listen to it asap and it did not disappoint!! The narrator’s British accent… oh la la 😅 hot damn!! It legit made this great story even better 😍 Loved it!!
23/10/2022 (reread): I found out there was an audiobook version, so I had to listen to it asap and it did not disappoint!! The narrator’s British accent… oh la la 😅 hot damn!! It legit made this great story even better 😍 Loved it!!
August 2, 2020
Another enjoyable read from Harper Bliss! You can knock this out in a day, and it's well worth your time. It's an age gap (though not outrageous - mid 50s and early 40s), toaster oven, slightly forbidden romance. I would have liked to see a bit more of what made them click initially, but the chemistry is palpable as the story progresses. Bliss keeps cranking them out and I'm amazed at how she consistently writes really hot love scenes that aren't re-treads, but she does. I've been reading such a variety lately that I've come to appreciate what each brings to the table. This is a good story - not terribly deep, and it doesn't need to be. There are others available when you're in the mood for something meatier. This is one that you can get lost in for hours that is romantic and sexy that will both entertain and satisfy. Recommend!
June 29, 2020
Another lovely romance, well written and warm-hearted as I have gotten to expect from Harper Bliss. There were very nice main characters with a supportive cast of friends and family. There also was humour and a good story. I really liked the way Ashley and Gloria went about getting to know each other and their feelings. This was just the book I needed in these strange times of social distance.
July 17, 2020
Harper Bliss excels in writing age gap romances, and this is no exception!
Phenomenal book. And intense… so bloody intense.
I absolutely adore this book in every way possible. It was magical, and I was utterly sucked in. Gloria and Ash’s love story surpassed all my expectations, and I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
I have to give a shout out to the secondary characters in this book because they made some of my favourite scenes even better. Especially Sindu. Every woman should have a Sindu in her life being her cheerleader.
I love this authors work, and many of her novels are my all-time favourites, but this one is currently fighting the others for the top spot.
Ash and Gloria had a magnificent chemistry, like off the chart, fireworks bursting in the sky kind of chemistry. I swear their first kiss was one of the sexiest first kisses I have ever read. And the sex scenes are sexy as hell and knocked my socks off. This book was full of the hotness I look forward to in Harper’s books.
The not sexual chemistry between Gloria and Ash was also lovely, and It allowed the reader to see a side of them both that was vulnerable but only for each other.
Listen, if you haven’t read this book already, then you’re crazy and should be dashing out to buy a copy. This book is one hundred per cent one of my favourites in 2020.
Phenomenal book. And intense… so bloody intense.
I absolutely adore this book in every way possible. It was magical, and I was utterly sucked in. Gloria and Ash’s love story surpassed all my expectations, and I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
I have to give a shout out to the secondary characters in this book because they made some of my favourite scenes even better. Especially Sindu. Every woman should have a Sindu in her life being her cheerleader.
I love this authors work, and many of her novels are my all-time favourites, but this one is currently fighting the others for the top spot.
Ash and Gloria had a magnificent chemistry, like off the chart, fireworks bursting in the sky kind of chemistry. I swear their first kiss was one of the sexiest first kisses I have ever read. And the sex scenes are sexy as hell and knocked my socks off. This book was full of the hotness I look forward to in Harper’s books.
The not sexual chemistry between Gloria and Ash was also lovely, and It allowed the reader to see a side of them both that was vulnerable but only for each other.
Listen, if you haven’t read this book already, then you’re crazy and should be dashing out to buy a copy. This book is one hundred per cent one of my favourites in 2020.
August 15, 2020
4.5 Stars - steamy age-gap romance - loved it
Guys, Harper Bliss can write the shit out of a steamy sex scene. What makes it even better is when you genuinely like both characters so much and just want them to be happy together. I loved this story, the understandable angst and the lovely HEA.
Also, shout-out to the older ladies!! Head-over-heels and can't keep their hand off each other. Woot! Woot!
IMO, this is a no-brainer buy.
Guys, Harper Bliss can write the shit out of a steamy sex scene. What makes it even better is when you genuinely like both characters so much and just want them to be happy together. I loved this story, the understandable angst and the lovely HEA.
Also, shout-out to the older ladies!! Head-over-heels and can't keep their hand off each other. Woot! Woot!
IMO, this is a no-brainer buy.
June 28, 2020
I love these books that have mature characters. This one features 42-year-old Ash and Gloria in her 50s. Both have lost their spouses. Because Gloria is a family friend, Ash has pretty much known all her life. At Ash’s mom’s birthday party, the two are seated together. This is the beginning of their friendship as adult single women.
Of course, this is a romance novel by one of the queens of romance, so it’s not going to stay at friendship. There are some tentative steps forward, some steps back, and some very supportive friends. Ash isn’t over her ex yet which complicates things for her, while Gloria luckily has a wonderful friend to encourage her despite Gloria’s misgivings.
Their relationship is really playing with their heads for a large part of the novel as they try to decide if they can make this work or even should. There’s lots of back and forth, as well as worries about their friends, families, and the community, but at the same time, there is a lot of hot sex. I had a bit of a struggle getting started, but then I was all in, wanting to see how the two women resolved their differences. Definitely a satisfying book overall, with lovely characters, despite my slow start.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Of course, this is a romance novel by one of the queens of romance, so it’s not going to stay at friendship. There are some tentative steps forward, some steps back, and some very supportive friends. Ash isn’t over her ex yet which complicates things for her, while Gloria luckily has a wonderful friend to encourage her despite Gloria’s misgivings.
Their relationship is really playing with their heads for a large part of the novel as they try to decide if they can make this work or even should. There’s lots of back and forth, as well as worries about their friends, families, and the community, but at the same time, there is a lot of hot sex. I had a bit of a struggle getting started, but then I was all in, wanting to see how the two women resolved their differences. Definitely a satisfying book overall, with lovely characters, despite my slow start.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
I'd previously attempted to read If You Kiss Me Like That but on my first time around, I couldn't quite connect with Ash and Gloria. A few years later and I attempted again. I'm glad I gave it another go.
For me, the introductory chapters didn't pull me in. Ash's character feels completely different in the first few chapters, then what we get to know of her throughout the rest of the novel. Ash is coming to terms with the breakdown of her marriage, whereas Gloria is a widow to two adult girls. Both are new to reentering the dating pool, and I really liked this aspect of the story. Harper Bliss does an exceptional job at building their connection and relationship. Their chemistry leapt off the page too. Harper Bliss always brings the heat and this one is no exception 🔥🔥
This novel is another commendable age gap romance by Harper Bliss. I opted for the audiobook version this time, though I found the narration to be somewhat monotonous at certain points.
For me, the introductory chapters didn't pull me in. Ash's character feels completely different in the first few chapters, then what we get to know of her throughout the rest of the novel. Ash is coming to terms with the breakdown of her marriage, whereas Gloria is a widow to two adult girls. Both are new to reentering the dating pool, and I really liked this aspect of the story. Harper Bliss does an exceptional job at building their connection and relationship. Their chemistry leapt off the page too. Harper Bliss always brings the heat and this one is no exception 🔥🔥
This novel is another commendable age gap romance by Harper Bliss. I opted for the audiobook version this time, though I found the narration to be somewhat monotonous at certain points.
January 12, 2021
Me and Harper Bliss books is like...really wanting that cookie and than being disappointed while eating it. I keep being triggered to read them but rarely like them. I don’t know what it is. I did notice one annoyance in this one. They are in a hot scene and then it is like the hotness freezes and the writer goes on and on about why the MC’s fit or don’t fit and that one MC doesn’t recognize herself. And than it kind of unfreezes to go back to the sex scene. Why can’t she just finish the scene first and than analyze. Anyway...3,4 stars. Other people will like it better.
January 17, 2022
Enjoyed this narrator (new for me). Another age gap by Bliss. Never afraid to tackle some less conventional stories.
February 2, 2021
3 stars. Ashley "Ash" Cooper is still recooperating from her last divorce. She is attending her parent's party, and she winds up sitting next to Gloria Young. Gloria's husband died ten years ago and she had to raise her two daughters by herself. Now both her daughters are in college and she enjoying her quiet life in Murraywood. Her thoughts about life are changed when she goes to London to meet Ash. Gloria and Ash can't help but spend more time together, even if it seems like it could cause problems. Gloria is 12 years older than Ash and she is good friends with Ash's parents, bit they cannot stay away from each other.
I thought this book was okay. There was not much build up when it came to the two of them. It seems like it kind of went from Ash and Gloria getting to know each other and then hooking up. I love build up in novels, especially with a woman who never dated another woman again, and this book had none of it. The characters went from zero to 100 super quick and I found that a little strange. I would only recommend this novel if you enjoy Harper Bliss.
I thought this book was okay. There was not much build up when it came to the two of them. It seems like it kind of went from Ash and Gloria getting to know each other and then hooking up. I love build up in novels, especially with a woman who never dated another woman again, and this book had none of it. The characters went from zero to 100 super quick and I found that a little strange. I would only recommend this novel if you enjoy Harper Bliss.
August 10, 2020
This was meh. Very steamy but nothing fresh or fun about it
July 3, 2024
Fifty-four whole years without this, Gloria thought, as she lay basking in the afterglow of her climax. What kind of life was that?
3.5 stars. This was sweet! Perhaps it didn't hit the spot quite as much as it could have, but I always enjoy Bliss's romances. This is another toaster oven age gap romance, between a divorcee and a widow. But it's the rare kind of age gap where their ages aren't that big of a deal (54/42, thank god for older women in lesbian romance) but rather their family and how they know each other. Ash is still getting over a divorce to the woman she thought she'd be with for the rest of her life. Gloria is ten years into being a widow, but hasn't really made many serious attempts to move on from her husband. Ash and Gloria have been in and out of each other's lives, and an encounter at Ash's mother's birthday party propels them into getting closer, meeting up again, and unexpectedly falling for each other.
The story itself hit a lot of expected beats and was pretty low angst, but I really enjoyed it? They fell for each other really quickly, and it was so sweet. I always adore a good bisexual awakening book, and while they can be fun and angsty, I also enjoy it when the character approaches it as pragmatically as Gloria does. She's at first really appalled at herself, but it doesn't take long for her to throw herself wholeheartedly into the romance. Like I said, it's always interesting having an age gap romance where the ages don't matter. Ash is grown and divorced and rich as shit. Instead, the would-be conflict surrounds Gloria's friendship with Ash's parents, Gloria worrying about the reaction from her kids, the reaction of their very small town. A little mundane, but still really entertaining to read. And the connection between them was so sexy and sweet, I couldn't help but really like it. I do really wish that more time had passed though. I can be sold on that lightning-quick connection, but I wanted to see more of their growth on page, more dates, more outings. Even if it would have meant that they'd have had to sneak around more. This definitely should have been longer, to be more believable. Also, Ash's intermittent fasting thing was really uncomfortable to me for various reasons, and all throughout the book I kept waiting for her to cut that shit out and eat normally? Alas, she did not. And that did weird me out a little, but that's my own hang up.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Carmen Rose, and... unfortunately, it wasn't my favourite. I really loved her voice, it was genuinely lovely, but everything about how she did intonation and inflection was so weird. Every single sentence sounded like it was being narrated by a newscaster, whether it was dialogue or prose. The end of every sentence just had this weird formal quality to it that I really did not like. Thankfully it didn't impact my enjoyment too much, but I've listened to lots of audiobooks that elevated my experience and I think another narrator might have pushed this book to four stars. This narrator, alas, did not.
Enjoyable, all in all!
September 24, 2025
Enjoyble toaster-oven, age-gap romance that has you hoping and hoping the MCs can find a way to just go for it! How they get there is a fun ride :).
July 4, 2020
This book followed the essence of Harper's other books like Seasons of Love or In the Distance There is Light: age-gap, lust, loss, former hetero-female, steamy love scenes.
What I liked about this book is that it included some of the not so pleasant realities of being/dating an older woman - menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and the body's need for lube -for crying out loud! :) I appreciated the acknowledgment of 'real life' in this book.
The struggles of how to navigate this would-be relationship rang true, as well. Constantly considering the impact on not only themselves but those they love. Emotions getting the better of them, at times, and behaving irrationally due to hurt/fear. A lot of us have been there....
And....if you aren't convinced yet - there are hilarious mentions of Celine Dion throughout this book.
If you like Harper's other books - you will definitely like this one.
What I liked about this book is that it included some of the not so pleasant realities of being/dating an older woman - menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and the body's need for lube -for crying out loud! :) I appreciated the acknowledgment of 'real life' in this book.
The struggles of how to navigate this would-be relationship rang true, as well. Constantly considering the impact on not only themselves but those they love. Emotions getting the better of them, at times, and behaving irrationally due to hurt/fear. A lot of us have been there....
And....if you aren't convinced yet - there are hilarious mentions of Celine Dion throughout this book.
If you like Harper's other books - you will definitely like this one.
March 14, 2021
I don't usually think I like toaster oven romances but I loved this one. My favorite of Bliss' work. The characters were just easily likeable for me.
October 13, 2022
4.75 ~~~> 5⭐️
A lovely, steamy age gap story that brings ALL THE FEELS!
Ash and Gloria’s romance is fun (and stressful at times ;) to watch bloom! Harper Bliss is a champion at writing age-gap, my favorite trope!!
The secondary characters are a blast in this story!❤️❤️ Especially Ashes mom, she is a very special lady!!
🎧 Highly recommend listening to the phenomenal narrator, Carmen Rose!! 💫
A lovely, steamy age gap story that brings ALL THE FEELS!
Ash and Gloria’s romance is fun (and stressful at times ;) to watch bloom! Harper Bliss is a champion at writing age-gap, my favorite trope!!
The secondary characters are a blast in this story!❤️❤️ Especially Ashes mom, she is a very special lady!!
🎧 Highly recommend listening to the phenomenal narrator, Carmen Rose!! 💫
September 22, 2022
Harper Bliss is definitely queen of age-gap romance. This particular trope is not on my list of favourites but I always end up completely enthralled by the way Bliss writes her stories.
Ash is still reeling from a divorce, and Gloria is a widow with two university aged daughters. The two women have known each other for years, but after reconnecting at a party they share a dance and a whole lot of chemistry. Confusing for Ash, as this a close friend of her parents, and confusing for Gloria, because she has never been attracted to a women before. Gloria and Ash don’t try to hide the attraction from each other, however the fears of the reactions from their loved ones cause them a whole bunch of angst and insecurities.
If You Kiss Me Like That is a heart-warming love story with complications that are handled so sweetly, there is no time for the story to begin to feel sad or depressing. Both MC’s develop wonderfully throughout, growing individually and as a couple, sharing some wickedly sexy times, and learning to fit into each other’s lives perfectly.
I wasn’t a fan of the narration, so would recommend the reading the book, but each to their own✌️.
Ash is still reeling from a divorce, and Gloria is a widow with two university aged daughters. The two women have known each other for years, but after reconnecting at a party they share a dance and a whole lot of chemistry. Confusing for Ash, as this a close friend of her parents, and confusing for Gloria, because she has never been attracted to a women before. Gloria and Ash don’t try to hide the attraction from each other, however the fears of the reactions from their loved ones cause them a whole bunch of angst and insecurities.
If You Kiss Me Like That is a heart-warming love story with complications that are handled so sweetly, there is no time for the story to begin to feel sad or depressing. Both MC’s develop wonderfully throughout, growing individually and as a couple, sharing some wickedly sexy times, and learning to fit into each other’s lives perfectly.
I wasn’t a fan of the narration, so would recommend the reading the book, but each to their own✌️.
June 24, 2020
I'm a huge fan of not only age-gap romances but also Harper Bliss. Combine the two and I'm a happy reader! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. One reason is that Gloria and Ash are just really nice, down to Earth people. They both love their families more than anything and have both had their share of heartbreak. Harper Bliss wrote these very relatable characters and told the reader a story of two people who in theory shouldn't be together, overcoming perceived obstacles to find their happily ever after. The dialogue is witty and entertaining with a few steamy sexy scenes built in. There isn't a lot of unnecessary angst and drama, just a really lovely story of two nice people finding their person. I also loved Gloria's favorite song being a major part of this book, including the title! I highly recommend this to anyone looking to smile a lot and possibly swoon during the reading of this book. Thanks Harper Bliss for another delightful read!
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2020
Solid 4.5 book for me.
July 3, 2020
.
Cute age-gap romance with characters that are both middle aged, which doesn't happen very often.
Admittedly I could do with their relationship being less off again on again but otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
Cute age-gap romance with characters that are both middle aged, which doesn't happen very often.
Admittedly I could do with their relationship being less off again on again but otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
April 21, 2022
For many years, I've put Harper Bliss on a pedestal, often referring to her as 'the queen of lesfic', so it pains me to give this book 3 stars.
I don't know if it was just me, but the book had the feel of 'same old, same old,' like I've read this many times from Bliss, which made this just an okay read for me.
** Don't hate me.
I don't know if it was just me, but the book had the feel of 'same old, same old,' like I've read this many times from Bliss, which made this just an okay read for me.
** Don't hate me.
July 1, 2020
This is such an excellent book. Harper Bliss developed two characters that grab you from the first few pages and don’t let you go until the end, but remain in your memory. Ash lives in London and works in finance. She is still not over her divorce from her unfaithful wife. She returns to her hometown for her mother’s birthday, retirement party where she meets Gloria a friend of her mother who is a widow with two daughters who are in university. The two women hit it off and a plan develops for them to meet up in London. The way Harper Bliss develops their relationship in such a beautiful way. Gloria is excited to be around Ash and Ash feels safe and wonderful to be with Gloria. When their relationship turns physical, Bliss writes some of the hottest, loving scenes I’ve read. These two know there is no hope for a relationship because Ash doesn’t want to get involved after her divorce and Gloria doesn’t want her daughters to know, it is not just the age gap, or that Gloria isn’t a lesbian, but so many other reasons why a relationship would not work. However, can love overcome those obstacles?
I highly recommend this book, it clearly deserves more than one read it’s so well done.
I highly recommend this book, it clearly deserves more than one read it’s so well done.
June 24, 2021
Giving this 3.6 ⭐️'s.
Wow! How incredibly heartwarming, but also steamy this book was! I was honestly expecting to see more angst and more issues in regards to the age-gap between the main characters. However, I found this book to be more about different people's understanding and experiences of grief (both death and divorce wise) and how one's fear of other people's opinions can be an obstacle to full happiness.
The main characters Ashley (42) and Gloria (54) get reacquainted at Ashley's mother's 65th birthday party, sparks fly, innner turmoils ensue, love happens. Both characters have strong relationships with their family members and friends, and are afraid of how their growing desire and love for each other may be perceived by others if their little affair continues and is exposed.
I love to read age-gap stories and books, so picked this book up for that reason. However, although the age-gap between the main characters is 12 years, Harper didn't present this as the focal issue/struggle in the storyline. Both characters have gone through grief, whether it's in the form of loosing a spouse to death or through divorce, and this seems to be their main bonding characteristic in the beginning.
I loved how Harper touched on struggles of single motherhood a little bit, although this could've definitely been explored more. I also loved the way Harper normalised hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, as women's feelings and changes in their bodily functions are often overlooked in books where main characters are of menopausal age.
This book is also great at showing the importance of friendship and family when one is going through tough periods in life.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys low-key romanctic, more on the steamy side, wlw books. To those who long to see somewhat accurate representations of women's sexualities when they are in their 40s/50s, their struggles with romance, and menopause normalisation.
That being said, it is a great book that touched on quite a few important and long been ignored issues, however these truly could've been explored in greater depth.
Wow! How incredibly heartwarming, but also steamy this book was! I was honestly expecting to see more angst and more issues in regards to the age-gap between the main characters. However, I found this book to be more about different people's understanding and experiences of grief (both death and divorce wise) and how one's fear of other people's opinions can be an obstacle to full happiness.
The main characters Ashley (42) and Gloria (54) get reacquainted at Ashley's mother's 65th birthday party, sparks fly, innner turmoils ensue, love happens. Both characters have strong relationships with their family members and friends, and are afraid of how their growing desire and love for each other may be perceived by others if their little affair continues and is exposed.
I love to read age-gap stories and books, so picked this book up for that reason. However, although the age-gap between the main characters is 12 years, Harper didn't present this as the focal issue/struggle in the storyline. Both characters have gone through grief, whether it's in the form of loosing a spouse to death or through divorce, and this seems to be their main bonding characteristic in the beginning.
I loved how Harper touched on struggles of single motherhood a little bit, although this could've definitely been explored more. I also loved the way Harper normalised hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, as women's feelings and changes in their bodily functions are often overlooked in books where main characters are of menopausal age.
This book is also great at showing the importance of friendship and family when one is going through tough periods in life.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys low-key romanctic, more on the steamy side, wlw books. To those who long to see somewhat accurate representations of women's sexualities when they are in their 40s/50s, their struggles with romance, and menopause normalisation.
That being said, it is a great book that touched on quite a few important and long been ignored issues, however these truly could've been explored in greater depth.
June 24, 2020
She Can Kiss Me!!
Ash is a busy, workaholic divorcee who blames herself for the break up. She has had no interest in any woman since and that’s ok with her. At her mother’s birthday/retirement party Ash is set at a table with the other under 60 group, all 4 of them. She ends up talking with her mother’s friend Gloria most of the evening, dancing and flirting even though Gloria is straight… but like they say, so is spaghetti, until you get it wet…
This is a sweet book. I liked the age gap and the leads being women in their 40s and 50s. I understood how afraid they were of being judged. The pain they felt when they tried to end things, and really all the emotions were so well written that I could feel them too. The whole book is wonderfully written, tender, gentle, sweet and mushy, romantic and a bit angsty to keep it interesting. The love scenes were really, really good and will get you all hot and bothered. I adored all of this book and look forward to Ms Bliss’ next offering!
Ash is a busy, workaholic divorcee who blames herself for the break up. She has had no interest in any woman since and that’s ok with her. At her mother’s birthday/retirement party Ash is set at a table with the other under 60 group, all 4 of them. She ends up talking with her mother’s friend Gloria most of the evening, dancing and flirting even though Gloria is straight… but like they say, so is spaghetti, until you get it wet…
This is a sweet book. I liked the age gap and the leads being women in their 40s and 50s. I understood how afraid they were of being judged. The pain they felt when they tried to end things, and really all the emotions were so well written that I could feel them too. The whole book is wonderfully written, tender, gentle, sweet and mushy, romantic and a bit angsty to keep it interesting. The love scenes were really, really good and will get you all hot and bothered. I adored all of this book and look forward to Ms Bliss’ next offering!
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