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A Breathless Place
The date is set. Six months from now, former music icon Isabel ‘Izzy’ Adler will die.
Since she lost her voice ten years ago, Izzy’s been to hell—and hasn’t found her way back. She would rather die than live without the instrument that used to define her.
When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish her biography, Izzy’s desire to end her life is profoundly challenged. But is the attraction between the two women enough to upend Izzy's plan?
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a moving story about a woman’s journey from wanting death to choosing life.
Since she lost her voice ten years ago, Izzy’s been to hell—and hasn’t found her way back. She would rather die than live without the instrument that used to define her.
When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish her biography, Izzy’s desire to end her life is profoundly challenged. But is the attraction between the two women enough to upend Izzy's plan?
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a moving story about a woman’s journey from wanting death to choosing life.
274 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2020
114 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
139 books2,385 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 214 reviews
December 29, 2020
4.50 Stars. A bit of a tough read in parts but very well written. I’m still trying to read some books that have been at the top of my 2020 to read list, and I realized I had not read anything by Bliss this year. I own many of her books so I had a lot to choose from but this one stuck out for me. It was like there was a big banner on this book with one word, “different”. I knew this book was going to be different than any other Bliss books I have read, and different from most books I’ve read in general. And for someone that reads 200-300 books a year, the word “different” just makes my reader heart happy. This book was different, deep, and heavy at times, but it also made me feel good. I have not read a ton of Bliss’ work but to me this really felt like a stand out piece even though it probably won’t be one of her best sellers.
I have to do a trigger warning as the main theme of this book is suicide. One of the main characters, a professional singer who lost her voice, wants to die when she turns 60 (a few months away). It was not easy reading her letters to her friends about why she wants to die, and also being in her headspace. It was a little tough for me time-wise, to be reading about someone wanting to commit suicide when so many people are dying right now from Covid. But then I think about how important it will be for people to recover not just physically but mentally from 2020 that maybe a book about suicide is actually right in timing. I think the answer to that will be up to each individual reader. Again, I want to mention that this book is also about love, hope, and lifting each other up so that the hard parts were balanced out with feel good moments too.
I think my one main complaint was that I felt like the romance started out a little fast for my tastes. The line “I want to kiss you” kind of came out of nowhere and I was like “what, already”? They had some really good flirty chemistry going on that I was enjoying and I just wanted more of it before they made their feelings known. It was a little rushed and I think Bliss could have added in an extra “get to know each other” chapter and it would have just given the chemistry that extra spark.
I liked that the two mains were both 59-60 age. We still don’t have enough WLW romances with characters that age or older, so it was nice to see. I know when I’m that age I will still be reading lesfic and I’ll appreciate reading characters like that. These women were smart, talented, and sexy and were the perfect characters for this book.
While this was not an easy read, I think it was handled really well and extremely well written. I can just tell that this is a book I will remember for a long time to come and I think it will be known as one of Bliss’ best. I would easily recommend this one to drama-romance fans and fans of Bliss.
I have to do a trigger warning as the main theme of this book is suicide. One of the main characters, a professional singer who lost her voice, wants to die when she turns 60 (a few months away). It was not easy reading her letters to her friends about why she wants to die, and also being in her headspace. It was a little tough for me time-wise, to be reading about someone wanting to commit suicide when so many people are dying right now from Covid. But then I think about how important it will be for people to recover not just physically but mentally from 2020 that maybe a book about suicide is actually right in timing. I think the answer to that will be up to each individual reader. Again, I want to mention that this book is also about love, hope, and lifting each other up so that the hard parts were balanced out with feel good moments too.
I think my one main complaint was that I felt like the romance started out a little fast for my tastes. The line “I want to kiss you” kind of came out of nowhere and I was like “what, already”? They had some really good flirty chemistry going on that I was enjoying and I just wanted more of it before they made their feelings known. It was a little rushed and I think Bliss could have added in an extra “get to know each other” chapter and it would have just given the chemistry that extra spark.
I liked that the two mains were both 59-60 age. We still don’t have enough WLW romances with characters that age or older, so it was nice to see. I know when I’m that age I will still be reading lesfic and I’ll appreciate reading characters like that. These women were smart, talented, and sexy and were the perfect characters for this book.
While this was not an easy read, I think it was handled really well and extremely well written. I can just tell that this is a book I will remember for a long time to come and I think it will be known as one of Bliss’ best. I would easily recommend this one to drama-romance fans and fans of Bliss.
September 19, 2020
I am left speechless, with so many emotions! This book could be one of the best I’ve read for a very long time, that I dare say, will be in my all time fav lists. This book is pure Genius!
Harper bliss took me on a very dark, emotional, romantic, hopeful and deep ride! Actually, one hell of a ride!
This is not your typical Harper Bliss book, and you can either take this as a good thing or not, all depends whether you’re a fan of hers or not! For me, as a fan, I am raising my hat to you Ms. Harper! You have outdone yourself.
The writing is phenomenal, the characters are so memorable, the storyline is so creative..
The author starts this read with a disclaimer that this book might trigger certain readers because it discusses suicide.. well yeah i agree, it’s not an easy read, but yet she managed to make it so powerful, so impactful that I recommend it to everyone!
My rating is the easiest 5 I’ve given for the longest time! And I recommend this to anyone who loves life, and to anyone who doesn’t love life!
With all it’s darkness, I have a smile writing this review! That’s the genius of this book :)
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
Harper bliss took me on a very dark, emotional, romantic, hopeful and deep ride! Actually, one hell of a ride!
This is not your typical Harper Bliss book, and you can either take this as a good thing or not, all depends whether you’re a fan of hers or not! For me, as a fan, I am raising my hat to you Ms. Harper! You have outdone yourself.
The writing is phenomenal, the characters are so memorable, the storyline is so creative..
The author starts this read with a disclaimer that this book might trigger certain readers because it discusses suicide.. well yeah i agree, it’s not an easy read, but yet she managed to make it so powerful, so impactful that I recommend it to everyone!
My rating is the easiest 5 I’ve given for the longest time! And I recommend this to anyone who loves life, and to anyone who doesn’t love life!
With all it’s darkness, I have a smile writing this review! That’s the genius of this book :)
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”
February 3, 2021
4.5 stars. I was doubting for a long time whether to read this book or not, but I’m glad I did. The subject (planning to commit suicide) is tough and I applaud Bliss for taking on this topic and in such a careful manner. It’s one of the books that I will remember.
The book starts with Izzy Adler (a famous singer who lost her voice) who is planning her suicide. One of the last things she will do before ending her life is finishing her biography, written by Leila Zadeh. Izzy only didn’t expect the attraction between her and Leila and soon she is overwhelmed by guilt and doubt. Both mains are around 60 years old and it’s nice to see some variety in age between the bulk of the wlw books with MCs in their thirties.
The story is written in the first person from 1 POV (Izzy) and I have to be honest, it took quite some time before I could connect to Izzy. I expected this book to be very emotional, but for a long time Izzy is so matter of fact about ending her life, so devoid of emotion, and while the reason is described in detail it was hard for me to understand her decision, to feel her pain. This reflects her state of mind at that point, but the book truly grabbed me when her detachment from her life breaks and from that moment on I just had to finish it.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Abby Craden, who was the perfect choice for Izzy’s and Leila's story. I’m glad I listened to this book even though it was not always easy, it’s a wonderful story about a difficult subject. Recommend.
The book starts with Izzy Adler (a famous singer who lost her voice) who is planning her suicide. One of the last things she will do before ending her life is finishing her biography, written by Leila Zadeh. Izzy only didn’t expect the attraction between her and Leila and soon she is overwhelmed by guilt and doubt. Both mains are around 60 years old and it’s nice to see some variety in age between the bulk of the wlw books with MCs in their thirties.
The story is written in the first person from 1 POV (Izzy) and I have to be honest, it took quite some time before I could connect to Izzy. I expected this book to be very emotional, but for a long time Izzy is so matter of fact about ending her life, so devoid of emotion, and while the reason is described in detail it was hard for me to understand her decision, to feel her pain. This reflects her state of mind at that point, but the book truly grabbed me when her detachment from her life breaks and from that moment on I just had to finish it.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Abby Craden, who was the perfect choice for Izzy’s and Leila's story. I’m glad I listened to this book even though it was not always easy, it’s a wonderful story about a difficult subject. Recommend.
September 18, 2020
I've been very quiet on Goodreads lately, and have pretty much stopped reviewing. However, I'm creeping out of my corner to add a short review for Harper Bliss's latest, A Breathless Place.
Full disclaimer: I had the honour of editing this book.
Editing is a different experience from reading but, even so, I was completely blown away by A Breathless Place. I was a little wary going in, wondering how the dark themes would pan out, especially in the age we live in, but IMHO, this is a book for these times. It takes the darkest of themes (potential suicide) and gradually infuses it (slowly, oh so slowly...our Harper is the mistress of angst-filled life-changes in her characters) with so much life and hope and love that it's impossible not to be moved and uplifted.
A huge shout out to Caroline Manchoulas, too, for the cover design, which is 110% perfect for this book.
An easy 'Top 3 Greatest Harper Bliss Novels' for me.
Full disclaimer: I had the honour of editing this book.
Editing is a different experience from reading but, even so, I was completely blown away by A Breathless Place. I was a little wary going in, wondering how the dark themes would pan out, especially in the age we live in, but IMHO, this is a book for these times. It takes the darkest of themes (potential suicide) and gradually infuses it (slowly, oh so slowly...our Harper is the mistress of angst-filled life-changes in her characters) with so much life and hope and love that it's impossible not to be moved and uplifted.
A huge shout out to Caroline Manchoulas, too, for the cover design, which is 110% perfect for this book.
An easy 'Top 3 Greatest Harper Bliss Novels' for me.
February 16, 2021
This book was almost a DNF for me.
When the story starts, there's a trigger warning around suicide. What I didn't anticipate is that the entire book is about prepping for a suicide. The wallowing of the lead character into her woe-is-me funk and her "I know better and am approaching this from an intellectual place" really started to get to me.
Izzy is an iconic female singer (which I related to a Celine Dion type) who lost her singing voice, finds little joy in life, and whose only silver lining is the planning of her suicide on her 60th birthday. Every other chapter is her writing about her suicide to those she's leaving behind and it was so self-absorbed the plot started to lose me.
On the side of all of this is that Izzy is having her biography written by a woman she becomes smitten with.
For all of my aversion, Harper Bliss did something completely unexpected. She shifts the story, making Izzy face her demons and see how she affects people. Izzy is both pulled out of herself and made to look at things in a different way. The last 1/3 or half of the story was executed beautifully and brilliantly. This could have easily turned into an after-school special with a beat over the head moral message but Bliss didn't go that way. It was really artful.
I especially appreciated that Bliss didn't make her love interest, Leila, a savior...as if love or romantic interest from another could save her. The author full on acknowledged this and the communication the characters had between each other and the insight Izzy brought to the fore were really en pointe.
Though the romance was believable and sparks flew between Izzy and Leila, most of the story is about a person realizing their self worth and want for life.
The audiobook narrated by Abby Craden was delivered perfectly.
The subject matter is heavy but the overall package is one of hope and love. Very well done.
4.25 stars
Available on Scribd.
When the story starts, there's a trigger warning around suicide. What I didn't anticipate is that the entire book is about prepping for a suicide. The wallowing of the lead character into her woe-is-me funk and her "I know better and am approaching this from an intellectual place" really started to get to me.
Izzy is an iconic female singer (which I related to a Celine Dion type) who lost her singing voice, finds little joy in life, and whose only silver lining is the planning of her suicide on her 60th birthday. Every other chapter is her writing about her suicide to those she's leaving behind and it was so self-absorbed the plot started to lose me.
On the side of all of this is that Izzy is having her biography written by a woman she becomes smitten with.
For all of my aversion, Harper Bliss did something completely unexpected. She shifts the story, making Izzy face her demons and see how she affects people. Izzy is both pulled out of herself and made to look at things in a different way. The last 1/3 or half of the story was executed beautifully and brilliantly. This could have easily turned into an after-school special with a beat over the head moral message but Bliss didn't go that way. It was really artful.
I especially appreciated that Bliss didn't make her love interest, Leila, a savior...as if love or romantic interest from another could save her. The author full on acknowledged this and the communication the characters had between each other and the insight Izzy brought to the fore were really en pointe.
Though the romance was believable and sparks flew between Izzy and Leila, most of the story is about a person realizing their self worth and want for life.
The audiobook narrated by Abby Craden was delivered perfectly.
The subject matter is heavy but the overall package is one of hope and love. Very well done.
4.25 stars
Available on Scribd.
January 6, 2023
My God, this is a beautiful book. I'm afraid the subject matter will keep some people away from it, but if you're reading this, I urge you to give it a go. While it's not an easy subject, it's an important one. And though this may sound strange, it's not a big downer of a read. It's more of an enlightening and hopeful one.
I don't like giving details away about books like this because they just have to be experienced. Abby Craden is the perfect narrator for this story. She is able to convey the emotional journey of an iconic singer who can't find anything left worth living for after losing her voice, the very essence of who she is. When biographer Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish Izzy Adler's autobiography, the woman stirs something in Izzy that makes her re-evaluate what her life can be.
This romantic love story is Bliss's 30th published novel, and likely her best. I found it completely refreshing that the MCs are desirable 59 year old women with very healthy libidos. Bliss knows her way around a love scene and good lord - there are a few toe-curlers here. I also appreciate the diversity in the author's books, with Leila being a respected journalist originally from Iran. There's also an afterword by the author that touched me deeply.
This combination of beautiful writing and expert narration makes it an audiobook experience not to be missed.
I don't like giving details away about books like this because they just have to be experienced. Abby Craden is the perfect narrator for this story. She is able to convey the emotional journey of an iconic singer who can't find anything left worth living for after losing her voice, the very essence of who she is. When biographer Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish Izzy Adler's autobiography, the woman stirs something in Izzy that makes her re-evaluate what her life can be.
This romantic love story is Bliss's 30th published novel, and likely her best. I found it completely refreshing that the MCs are desirable 59 year old women with very healthy libidos. Bliss knows her way around a love scene and good lord - there are a few toe-curlers here. I also appreciate the diversity in the author's books, with Leila being a respected journalist originally from Iran. There's also an afterword by the author that touched me deeply.
This combination of beautiful writing and expert narration makes it an audiobook experience not to be missed.
October 9, 2020
Wow. Um, just wow.
Harper Bliss can write. Duh, this goes without saying. What I mean is Harper Bliss can write. Holy cow.
Heads up, the intent to end one's life is an overarching, constant presence in this story. Don't let that discourage you if the topic isn't too triggering. There is so much beauty during and after the pain. Izzy and Leila's connection is breath-taking, sexy, complex, all the things.
And I can't help contemplating my own life and mortality. It's a given while making my way through this. One would think the topics involved would be too heavy, considering how I've tried to keep my reading selection light during quarantine. But, Bliss sucked me in from the first line and held onto me until the end.
At first, I must admit, it was difficult for me to picture a romance between women who are close to my own mother's age, but we're all humans who love and lust and question ourselves. I really loved both leads being in their late 50s. And my goodness, their chemistry was sexy as hell. Bliss is no stranger to delivering the hot scenes.
I'm in awe and I thank CS and other gr friends for giving this such high praise. It lived up to the hype. I'm still reeling.
☆☆☆☆☆
Harper Bliss can write. Duh, this goes without saying. What I mean is Harper Bliss can write. Holy cow.
Heads up, the intent to end one's life is an overarching, constant presence in this story. Don't let that discourage you if the topic isn't too triggering. There is so much beauty during and after the pain. Izzy and Leila's connection is breath-taking, sexy, complex, all the things.
And I can't help contemplating my own life and mortality. It's a given while making my way through this. One would think the topics involved would be too heavy, considering how I've tried to keep my reading selection light during quarantine. But, Bliss sucked me in from the first line and held onto me until the end.
At first, I must admit, it was difficult for me to picture a romance between women who are close to my own mother's age, but we're all humans who love and lust and question ourselves. I really loved both leads being in their late 50s. And my goodness, their chemistry was sexy as hell. Bliss is no stranger to delivering the hot scenes.
I'm in awe and I thank CS and other gr friends for giving this such high praise. It lived up to the hype. I'm still reeling.
☆☆☆☆☆
October 7, 2020
This book comes with a warning label, not from me but from Ms. Bliss herself. The story discusses the topic of suicide so it could trigger some readers. With such a warning, I was doubting to read it but despite this lesbian romance drama novel deals with such heavy issues, the end result is of a feel-good story.
Isabel “Izzy” Adler is a superstar singer who lost her voice ten years ago. Without it she’d rather die and that’s exactly what she is planning to do. When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought to finish her biography, her desire to end her life is challenged by this attractive and intelligent woman. Will Leila be able to convince Izzy that’s life is worth a try?
Harper Bliss’s work can be divided into her romance/erotica books and her more introspective novels such as ‘At the Water’s Edge’, ‘In the Distance there is Light’, ‘The Two Hearts’ Trilogy, and this one. Ms. Bliss explains on the author’s note that writing some of these novels changed her profoundly, made her recover from depression, discover her autism and, with ‘A Breathless Place’ find her true self.
Despite the heaviness of these issues, this book isn’t dark or depressing. It has its low moments but it will mostly leave the reader hopeful and with a positive feeling. I’m not spoiling anything here as the blurb is very clear on the main character’s journey.
The story is written in first person from the point of view of Izzy so the reader is in her headspace a lot. Ms. Bliss did a great job at fleshing out this character, an outstanding singer who had the world at her feet to her transformation into a recluse, hopeless person who sees no hope in the future. Izzy might not have kept her world-famous voice but she’s still a diva and therefore, I found her hard to like, especially at the beginning. It’s not the author’s fault, I think it’s more of a consequence of Ms. Bliss’s skills at writing Izzy as a complex character that made me difficult to empathise with her at the start.
Izzy represents a dark and negative place, while Leila is light and positivity. Both women explore their mutual attraction, in a process that will transform them both. As Izzy starts to find a new meaning for her life, I appreciated this character more and enjoyed the final result.
An introspective and sometimes dark but overall positive book with a beautiful love story. It’s very positive that Ms. Bliss has written characters in their 60s which are hard to find in lesfic. 4.5 stars.
A huge shoutout to Ms. Bliss’s wife, Caroline Manchoulas, who did an amazing job with the cover art.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
Isabel “Izzy” Adler is a superstar singer who lost her voice ten years ago. Without it she’d rather die and that’s exactly what she is planning to do. When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought to finish her biography, her desire to end her life is challenged by this attractive and intelligent woman. Will Leila be able to convince Izzy that’s life is worth a try?
Harper Bliss’s work can be divided into her romance/erotica books and her more introspective novels such as ‘At the Water’s Edge’, ‘In the Distance there is Light’, ‘The Two Hearts’ Trilogy, and this one. Ms. Bliss explains on the author’s note that writing some of these novels changed her profoundly, made her recover from depression, discover her autism and, with ‘A Breathless Place’ find her true self.
Despite the heaviness of these issues, this book isn’t dark or depressing. It has its low moments but it will mostly leave the reader hopeful and with a positive feeling. I’m not spoiling anything here as the blurb is very clear on the main character’s journey.
The story is written in first person from the point of view of Izzy so the reader is in her headspace a lot. Ms. Bliss did a great job at fleshing out this character, an outstanding singer who had the world at her feet to her transformation into a recluse, hopeless person who sees no hope in the future. Izzy might not have kept her world-famous voice but she’s still a diva and therefore, I found her hard to like, especially at the beginning. It’s not the author’s fault, I think it’s more of a consequence of Ms. Bliss’s skills at writing Izzy as a complex character that made me difficult to empathise with her at the start.
Izzy represents a dark and negative place, while Leila is light and positivity. Both women explore their mutual attraction, in a process that will transform them both. As Izzy starts to find a new meaning for her life, I appreciated this character more and enjoyed the final result.
An introspective and sometimes dark but overall positive book with a beautiful love story. It’s very positive that Ms. Bliss has written characters in their 60s which are hard to find in lesfic. 4.5 stars.
A huge shoutout to Ms. Bliss’s wife, Caroline Manchoulas, who did an amazing job with the cover art.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
October 9, 2024
"Maybe you needed this journey. Maybe you needed this pain to make a new kind of music."
Wow, just wow. This book was absolutely beautiful, powerful, and full of meaning. I fell in love with every single character, but Izzy especially stole my heart. She’s hands down one of the best sapphic characters I've ever read about. Her journey felt so real and raw; I loved how, even though her love for Leila sparked her desire to live, what really sealed the deal was finding peace with her own pain and rediscovering love and joy. It was such a pleasure to read, and I found myself smiling more than once. This story is definitely going to stick with me for a long time.
Wow, just wow. This book was absolutely beautiful, powerful, and full of meaning. I fell in love with every single character, but Izzy especially stole my heart. She’s hands down one of the best sapphic characters I've ever read about. Her journey felt so real and raw; I loved how, even though her love for Leila sparked her desire to live, what really sealed the deal was finding peace with her own pain and rediscovering love and joy. It was such a pleasure to read, and I found myself smiling more than once. This story is definitely going to stick with me for a long time.
July 31, 2025
5 Stars for A Breathless Place (audiobook) by Harper Bliss read by Abby Craden.
I came really close to quitting this audiobook. The author puts the listener in the head of a person who is fully committed to taking their own life. The character has lost their wonderful gift of singing due to a botched surgery and they don’t see a future without singing. There’s a date on the calendar and each day is counted down getting them one day closer to ending it all. This was a really difficult and disturbing perspective for me. And if I was reading this book I would have just put it down and not gone back to it. But instead I cringed and kept listening as I’m working and the story slowly transforms. And I’m so glad that I did, it’s a wonderful love story and the short author note at the end just puts it over the top for me.
I came really close to quitting this audiobook. The author puts the listener in the head of a person who is fully committed to taking their own life. The character has lost their wonderful gift of singing due to a botched surgery and they don’t see a future without singing. There’s a date on the calendar and each day is counted down getting them one day closer to ending it all. This was a really difficult and disturbing perspective for me. And if I was reading this book I would have just put it down and not gone back to it. But instead I cringed and kept listening as I’m working and the story slowly transforms. And I’m so glad that I did, it’s a wonderful love story and the short author note at the end just puts it over the top for me.
did-not-finish
December 31, 2020So, this is where I'm clearly in my odd-duck mode. Everyone else adored this one. I actually got this the moment it was released back in September, and quickly dove straight in. I got about halfway through and put it down because I was bitterly disappointed. I've been sitting on this review in draft mode ever since - wondering if I should or shouldn't post it. But figured, eh it's the last day of 2020 here, so why not? I'm not rating to be fair since it was a DNF for me.
So I was very interested in the subject matter. Not to sound macabre or anything, but I myself have dealt with depression and suicidal ideation - things are fine now but I absolutely remember the depths I had been in during those times and the hopelessness that permeated things... Recovery isn't linear, I have my days and moments. 'Triggers' if you will.
Side bar: One of my favourite books with a similar theme was Lise Gold's Living which I thoroughly enjoyed and it touched me deeply. So I guess I was just expecting something similar.
What I got was something I struggle to even connect with - which made me feel bad.
Long story short - I felt it difficult to understand and empathize with both main characters.
Izzy especially. She's just so darn matter-of-fact about her reasons for dying and not having joy in her life and feeling powerless and passionless etc. Meanwhile she admits she lives a very privileged life and worries about her friends after she goes. But still insists this is the right decision. There's almost a disconnect with the way she goes about it so very methodically.
Leila wants to be unattached. She's never really had a long term relationship, she likes her own company. So I was just kind of confused at her sudden admiration for Izzy and found myself asking well why now, and why her? shrug.
I had to chuckle at Leila saying to Izzy how 'down to earth' she was, only after mentioning the house staff who cleaned up after her foray into cooking them dinner and making a huge mess... Um. It was said without a hint of facetiousness, too. So um, OK. Do you Irony?
Their entire attraction to each other was based on looks, and the two of them being the hottest fittest Hollywood versions of 60 year olds possible - and Izzy thinking Leila is -quote- YUM all the time, while also saying the same about her private gym trainer she constantly oggles. It came off as immature and predatorily gross IMHO.
I'm certainly not suggesting that older women can't find attraction and flirt - but checking out every boob and bum and saying YUM? REALLY?? Urgh, sorry I know it's petty but this is just where it started going off the rails for me and I knew I was in trouble. Izzy's whole attitude is "welp, might as well get one last f!ck in before I kick it!"
The fact that she also never thinks of the other potential she has because of her privilege and position in life and other opportunities she could have, also starts to grate on me. I get it, Depression and suicide doesn't care if you're rich or poor, have other prospects or not... but the idea that she in that prime position yet still felt so hopeless in wanting to end things, didn't paint a very good or positive picture for those of us in far lesser positions and that rubbed me the wrong way...
I totally get that was NOT the author's intention, but my own sensitivity to that raised my hackles... I just couldn't stop my brain for thinking, well if this incredibly sexy, well together, talented woman with loads of friends, money and potential for work and prospects wants to die - WTF am I doing with my shitty little life with none of that? So it lead me down a bit of a dark path that is completely ON ME!
I am thinking that perhaps Harper Bliss' stuff just isn't for me. I often find myself completely disconnected from her stories and uninterested in her characters and feel they are far removed from reality... Which I get is exactly what other people look for in their reading. But for me, I want relatable. Not star studded 'perfect' age gap porn stars with juvenile libidos and attitudes.
I don't mean to be overly critical either, I guess I just find myself frustrated - moreso at myself for not 'getting' it.
So I was very interested in the subject matter. Not to sound macabre or anything, but I myself have dealt with depression and suicidal ideation - things are fine now but I absolutely remember the depths I had been in during those times and the hopelessness that permeated things... Recovery isn't linear, I have my days and moments. 'Triggers' if you will.
Side bar: One of my favourite books with a similar theme was Lise Gold's Living which I thoroughly enjoyed and it touched me deeply. So I guess I was just expecting something similar.
What I got was something I struggle to even connect with - which made me feel bad.
Long story short - I felt it difficult to understand and empathize with both main characters.
Izzy especially. She's just so darn matter-of-fact about her reasons for dying and not having joy in her life and feeling powerless and passionless etc. Meanwhile she admits she lives a very privileged life and worries about her friends after she goes. But still insists this is the right decision. There's almost a disconnect with the way she goes about it so very methodically.
Leila wants to be unattached. She's never really had a long term relationship, she likes her own company. So I was just kind of confused at her sudden admiration for Izzy and found myself asking well why now, and why her? shrug.
I had to chuckle at Leila saying to Izzy how 'down to earth' she was, only after mentioning the house staff who cleaned up after her foray into cooking them dinner and making a huge mess... Um. It was said without a hint of facetiousness, too. So um, OK. Do you Irony?
Their entire attraction to each other was based on looks, and the two of them being the hottest fittest Hollywood versions of 60 year olds possible - and Izzy thinking Leila is -quote- YUM all the time, while also saying the same about her private gym trainer she constantly oggles. It came off as immature and predatorily gross IMHO.
I'm certainly not suggesting that older women can't find attraction and flirt - but checking out every boob and bum and saying YUM? REALLY?? Urgh, sorry I know it's petty but this is just where it started going off the rails for me and I knew I was in trouble. Izzy's whole attitude is "welp, might as well get one last f!ck in before I kick it!"
The fact that she also never thinks of the other potential she has because of her privilege and position in life and other opportunities she could have, also starts to grate on me. I get it, Depression and suicide doesn't care if you're rich or poor, have other prospects or not... but the idea that she in that prime position yet still felt so hopeless in wanting to end things, didn't paint a very good or positive picture for those of us in far lesser positions and that rubbed me the wrong way...
I totally get that was NOT the author's intention, but my own sensitivity to that raised my hackles... I just couldn't stop my brain for thinking, well if this incredibly sexy, well together, talented woman with loads of friends, money and potential for work and prospects wants to die - WTF am I doing with my shitty little life with none of that? So it lead me down a bit of a dark path that is completely ON ME!
I am thinking that perhaps Harper Bliss' stuff just isn't for me. I often find myself completely disconnected from her stories and uninterested in her characters and feel they are far removed from reality... Which I get is exactly what other people look for in their reading. But for me, I want relatable. Not star studded 'perfect' age gap porn stars with juvenile libidos and attitudes.
I don't mean to be overly critical either, I guess I just find myself frustrated - moreso at myself for not 'getting' it.
August 29, 2025
A very special and emotional book. After I finished reading it, I started reading parts of it again immediately. There was so much depth and despair and also hope and love that I needed to read certain parts again to process all the emotions. In my opinion this is one of Bliss’s best books.
January 29, 2021
Harper Bliss chose quite a heavy topic for her 30th book. A Breathless Place is very special to her and I can see why. Not an easy read by any means – it even comes with a warning label from the author herself - but so uplifting all throughout. I chose to listen to the audio book version, narrated by the incredible Abby Craden and I’m glad I did. Craden’s performance added that extra bit of magic and made it perfect. I highly recommend.
Available as audio book on Scribd.
f/f
Themes: a moving story about a woman’s journey from wanting death to choosing life.
5 Stars
Available as audio book on Scribd.
f/f
Themes: a moving story about a woman’s journey from wanting death to choosing life.
5 Stars
November 12, 2022
5 ⭐️
Wow, this book really left me breathless. What an amazing story from Harper Bliss, thank you so much for it. Be aware, it isn’t the usual Bliss story, it is so much more. So many emotions, feelings of loss, despair, and fear, but it’s also about friendship, hope, and love. Amazing.
First of all, I have to say that Abby Craden did a wonderful job of bringing the people in this book to life. She is the perfect choice for this very emotional story. It's amazing how much emotion and feeling she can breathe into the characters, making them totally believable.
After the fabulous singer Izzy Adler lost her voice ten years ago, she struggled unsuccessfully to find a reason to move on with her life until she couldn't anymore and the only solution for her was to end her life, in exactly 183 days. And that's exactly what she plans to do now. The only goal before that is to finish her biography.
This is where Leila Zadeh comes in, to finish the biography after her real biographer fell victim to an accident and is out of action for several months. Leila is full of life, attractive, sensitive, demanding, and an amazing journalist.
The attraction between the two is instantaneous. As a result, Izzy's plan to sleep with a woman one last time to feel something positive before ending her life starts to crack, and for the first time in five years, she begins to think about whether ending her life is really the right and only thing to do.
It must be really awful to lose an ability that you loved so much and that meant everything to you. I can't imagine how hard it must be, but I can well imagine that I too would be distraught. I don't know if I would also have suicidal thoughts in such a situation, since I am basically a positive person, but I can kind of understand it.
But this story is much more than "just" fiction, as Harper Bliss says at the end, it has a lot of her own story in it, but it is despite the heavy topic a book that gives hope. That there are always people and things worth living for, and above all that there are always new and beautiful things for oneself that make life worth living. Sometimes it comes from the unexpected side, and it can be a painful process, but the possibilities are there, but you have to allow them and not close your eyes completely.
This book has touched me extremely deep inside, and not only after hearing Harper's words at the end. It made me look at my own life and realize, not for the first time, how much good I have experienced. Even though there was a lot going on in the last few years, I lost both parents within three years, my sister-in-law's life was on a knife's edge, and I had an operation myself too. But there were always bright spots like my wife, my old friends and family, and my new friends who I made through a book club and who mean so much to me, far beyond books. I am aware and appreciate how lucky I have been in my life so far, and also that it is not a given.
Highly recommended.
Wow, this book really left me breathless. What an amazing story from Harper Bliss, thank you so much for it. Be aware, it isn’t the usual Bliss story, it is so much more. So many emotions, feelings of loss, despair, and fear, but it’s also about friendship, hope, and love. Amazing.
First of all, I have to say that Abby Craden did a wonderful job of bringing the people in this book to life. She is the perfect choice for this very emotional story. It's amazing how much emotion and feeling she can breathe into the characters, making them totally believable.
After the fabulous singer Izzy Adler lost her voice ten years ago, she struggled unsuccessfully to find a reason to move on with her life until she couldn't anymore and the only solution for her was to end her life, in exactly 183 days. And that's exactly what she plans to do now. The only goal before that is to finish her biography.
This is where Leila Zadeh comes in, to finish the biography after her real biographer fell victim to an accident and is out of action for several months. Leila is full of life, attractive, sensitive, demanding, and an amazing journalist.
The attraction between the two is instantaneous. As a result, Izzy's plan to sleep with a woman one last time to feel something positive before ending her life starts to crack, and for the first time in five years, she begins to think about whether ending her life is really the right and only thing to do.
It must be really awful to lose an ability that you loved so much and that meant everything to you. I can't imagine how hard it must be, but I can well imagine that I too would be distraught. I don't know if I would also have suicidal thoughts in such a situation, since I am basically a positive person, but I can kind of understand it.
But this story is much more than "just" fiction, as Harper Bliss says at the end, it has a lot of her own story in it, but it is despite the heavy topic a book that gives hope. That there are always people and things worth living for, and above all that there are always new and beautiful things for oneself that make life worth living. Sometimes it comes from the unexpected side, and it can be a painful process, but the possibilities are there, but you have to allow them and not close your eyes completely.
This book has touched me extremely deep inside, and not only after hearing Harper's words at the end. It made me look at my own life and realize, not for the first time, how much good I have experienced. Even though there was a lot going on in the last few years, I lost both parents within three years, my sister-in-law's life was on a knife's edge, and I had an operation myself too. But there were always bright spots like my wife, my old friends and family, and my new friends who I made through a book club and who mean so much to me, far beyond books. I am aware and appreciate how lucky I have been in my life so far, and also that it is not a given.
Highly recommended.
April 25, 2021
I often say that Harper Bliss has the ability to take me out of my comfort zone with her books.
This time wasn’t the case, at all.
You will never guess that this book was written by Bliss, maybe you can guess only because her wonderful writing style, but not because of its content.
This book is no like any book I have ever read before.
Bliss deals in this story with an extremely hard topic, but she made it in a way you will devour the book once you start it and will never feel the burden of the heavy stuff.
How did she make it?
It’s kind of difficult for me to explain. I can only tell that if someone is afraid to read the book because of this hard topic, please don’t be. Because Bliss worked some writing magic in a way you will enjoy the book without feeling down or depressed at all.
You will find here also, a very rare thing to find in romance lately: Communication. It’s great how these characters put in words their feelings and issues and developed great discussions around them.
A book that absolutely worth to be read.
Solid 5 stars
Ps: After the end of the book, Bliss made a very interesting comment about autism. Worth to read it too.
This time wasn’t the case, at all.
You will never guess that this book was written by Bliss, maybe you can guess only because her wonderful writing style, but not because of its content.
This book is no like any book I have ever read before.
Bliss deals in this story with an extremely hard topic, but she made it in a way you will devour the book once you start it and will never feel the burden of the heavy stuff.
How did she make it?
It’s kind of difficult for me to explain. I can only tell that if someone is afraid to read the book because of this hard topic, please don’t be. Because Bliss worked some writing magic in a way you will enjoy the book without feeling down or depressed at all.
You will find here also, a very rare thing to find in romance lately: Communication. It’s great how these characters put in words their feelings and issues and developed great discussions around them.
A book that absolutely worth to be read.
Solid 5 stars
Ps: After the end of the book, Bliss made a very interesting comment about autism. Worth to read it too.
March 17, 2021
4.5 stars. This book comes with a trigger warning for suicide and I'll readily admit that for quite a bit into the book I had a very hard time with it as one of my best friends took his life years ago. It's a really tough subject for me. At the same time, the situation is completely different and the book is not a depressing one at all, but a very hopeful one.
World famous singer and songwriter Isabel "Izzie" Adler, winner of 36 Grammys, lost her singing voice ten years ago and has never found her purpose in live again. Therefore, she's been meticulously planning her death just after her 60th birthday. This and saying goodbye to the world has become all that matters to her, in the remaining 150 or so days of her life.
Apart from planning her own death, her last project is her biography. When her biographer falls ill, Leila Zadeh steps in. Izzie and Leila have an instant connection, and Izzie soon realizes that with Leila she can also fulfill another item of her bucket list, and she wants Leila to be the last woman she's been to bed with. But... the connection between Izzie and Leila quickly gets so intense and joyous for both of them that it's unbearable for Izzie.
Although I was way out of my comfort zone with this book, I realize what a great book it is. I couldn't believe this was actually Harper Bliss, who I have filed away as "writes women over 40", "contains a lot of sex" and "writes mainstream books that are not for me". While the first two categories do apply to this book, it's certainly not a mainstream book, but a complicated, deeply emotional journey of a woman with very deep feelings. But it's also a story of priviledge and of a woman, who has not been able to overcome the loss of her greatest priviledge to express herself and move the crowds and who has unlearned to take joy in the smaller things in life.
I couldn't connect with Izzie on a personal level, especially as the thought of suicide has never crossed my mind. But from my girlfriend, who's an opera singers manager, I believe I've got a bit of an impressions how music icons think and feel. Especially through the first person narration, Izzie's pain becomes so very palpable.
I very much liked that Leila, for all her ability to feel an connect, and who also knows a thing or two about loss, was also the voice of reason and of candor. She's great at giving Izzie another perspective of life. This is an instalove story, and normally I'm not too much into that, but it's so very natural with these two that it couldn't be any different.
I very much apreciated Harper Bliss' personal note at the end of the book, setting the book and her own feelings and experiences into context.
World famous singer and songwriter Isabel "Izzie" Adler, winner of 36 Grammys, lost her singing voice ten years ago and has never found her purpose in live again. Therefore, she's been meticulously planning her death just after her 60th birthday. This and saying goodbye to the world has become all that matters to her, in the remaining 150 or so days of her life.
Apart from planning her own death, her last project is her biography. When her biographer falls ill, Leila Zadeh steps in. Izzie and Leila have an instant connection, and Izzie soon realizes that with Leila she can also fulfill another item of her bucket list, and she wants Leila to be the last woman she's been to bed with. But... the connection between Izzie and Leila quickly gets so intense and joyous for both of them that it's unbearable for Izzie.
Although I was way out of my comfort zone with this book, I realize what a great book it is. I couldn't believe this was actually Harper Bliss, who I have filed away as "writes women over 40", "contains a lot of sex" and "writes mainstream books that are not for me". While the first two categories do apply to this book, it's certainly not a mainstream book, but a complicated, deeply emotional journey of a woman with very deep feelings. But it's also a story of priviledge and of a woman, who has not been able to overcome the loss of her greatest priviledge to express herself and move the crowds and who has unlearned to take joy in the smaller things in life.
I couldn't connect with Izzie on a personal level, especially as the thought of suicide has never crossed my mind. But from my girlfriend, who's an opera singers manager, I believe I've got a bit of an impressions how music icons think and feel. Especially through the first person narration, Izzie's pain becomes so very palpable.
I very much liked that Leila, for all her ability to feel an connect, and who also knows a thing or two about loss, was also the voice of reason and of candor. She's great at giving Izzie another perspective of life. This is an instalove story, and normally I'm not too much into that, but it's so very natural with these two that it couldn't be any different.
I very much apreciated Harper Bliss' personal note at the end of the book, setting the book and her own feelings and experiences into context.
January 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (4.5 stars, rounded up here)
Have you ever wanted to die but yet you chose to live?
This is what this book is ultimately about. And let me start this by saying that I never felt like I could relate to a book so much (even though I’m not a famous singer who has lost her singing voice). And yet this book managed to really make me so emotional that by the end of it, I cried because I was feeling hopeful in a way I haven’t in a long time.
Ultimately, I loved how the book was written, I loved getting to know Izzy and her psyche. I loved her relationship with Leila and how Leila helped Izzy find herself and also kinda reinvent herself. I really wish we all could have someone like Leila in our lives.
Besides that, I really adored the pace of the story and how it was generally constructed, especially in the earlier chapters when we got to read the actual suicide letter that Izzy was writing.
Overall, this book wrecked me, then built me up again and filled me with so much hope. So I can only say, if you are okay with the topics of suicide & are okay with generally heavy topics then I’d definitely recommend this novel.
Have you ever wanted to die but yet you chose to live?
This is what this book is ultimately about. And let me start this by saying that I never felt like I could relate to a book so much (even though I’m not a famous singer who has lost her singing voice). And yet this book managed to really make me so emotional that by the end of it, I cried because I was feeling hopeful in a way I haven’t in a long time.
Ultimately, I loved how the book was written, I loved getting to know Izzy and her psyche. I loved her relationship with Leila and how Leila helped Izzy find herself and also kinda reinvent herself. I really wish we all could have someone like Leila in our lives.
Besides that, I really adored the pace of the story and how it was generally constructed, especially in the earlier chapters when we got to read the actual suicide letter that Izzy was writing.
Overall, this book wrecked me, then built me up again and filled me with so much hope. So I can only say, if you are okay with the topics of suicide & are okay with generally heavy topics then I’d definitely recommend this novel.
January 6, 2023
Harper Bliss has published 30 books in her storied career and they just seem to get better and better. Easily one of the best books of 2020, A Breathless Place is raw, emotional, painful, hopeful and romantic all at once.
Bliss digs deep to deal with the subject matter of former music icon Isabel Adler, who believes she has nothing to live for after a botched surgery leaves her unable to sing. It was her identity - the thing that set her apart and made her who she is. She's had to live with that loss for a decade and can't see a path to happiness ever again. So she selects a date six months from now, the day after her 60th birthday, when she will end her life. But before that happens, she has agreed to work with a journalist to write her biography. When the first journalist she worked with becomes incapacitated, he is a replaced by the beautiful, accomplished Leila Zadeh, who also happens to be a fan of Adler's work. Through their interviews and interactions, "Izzy" begins to open up and work through her deepest pain, finally feeling again after so many years of sorrow and loneliness.
Though the subject matter is dark, don't let that discourage you from reading it. The story is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and yes - even sexy. I love that Bliss recognizes that women still have libidos and are desirable in their late 50s. The book had me clutching my chest and after the author's note at the end, left tears in my eyes. Bliss has long been a giant in the lesfic genre and this just solidifies it. I can't say this enough - Read. This. Book. Side note: Though it is not yet available, Abby Craden will be narrating the audiobook. I couldn't be more thrilled. Craden's ability to express vulnerability is unmatched and I can't wait to hear her perform it.
Bliss digs deep to deal with the subject matter of former music icon Isabel Adler, who believes she has nothing to live for after a botched surgery leaves her unable to sing. It was her identity - the thing that set her apart and made her who she is. She's had to live with that loss for a decade and can't see a path to happiness ever again. So she selects a date six months from now, the day after her 60th birthday, when she will end her life. But before that happens, she has agreed to work with a journalist to write her biography. When the first journalist she worked with becomes incapacitated, he is a replaced by the beautiful, accomplished Leila Zadeh, who also happens to be a fan of Adler's work. Through their interviews and interactions, "Izzy" begins to open up and work through her deepest pain, finally feeling again after so many years of sorrow and loneliness.
Though the subject matter is dark, don't let that discourage you from reading it. The story is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and yes - even sexy. I love that Bliss recognizes that women still have libidos and are desirable in their late 50s. The book had me clutching my chest and after the author's note at the end, left tears in my eyes. Bliss has long been a giant in the lesfic genre and this just solidifies it. I can't say this enough - Read. This. Book. Side note: Though it is not yet available, Abby Craden will be narrating the audiobook. I couldn't be more thrilled. Craden's ability to express vulnerability is unmatched and I can't wait to hear her perform it.
September 18, 2020
Harper Bliss has just upped the ante. The story itself is one we haven't heard yet, a fresh new take on a subject no one likes to think about, especially in our need for happy escapes right now. Isabel Adler, once the world's most famous singer, lost her voice ten years ago and has decided that she will end her own life one day after she turns 60 in six months. Her agent knows nothing of the plan, and has contracted a biographer to write her life story. Enter Leila Zadeh, a vivacious beauty whose job it is to learn all about Izzy. Told in first person present tense, the reader gets to feel everything Izzy is feeling as they get to know each other.
A Breathless Place is longer than most of Harper Bliss's other novels, but when it ended I wished there had been 20,000 more words. She is truly in a class by herself as an author, with the ability to invent completely new stories each time, tackle the tough story lines, and write the hottest sex at the same time. And the cover ... this is the most gorgeous, perfectly fitting cover I've ever seen.
There have been some amazing books published in 2020, and I'm certain that A Breathless Place will make it onto every reviewer's Top 10 list this year.
A Breathless Place is longer than most of Harper Bliss's other novels, but when it ended I wished there had been 20,000 more words. She is truly in a class by herself as an author, with the ability to invent completely new stories each time, tackle the tough story lines, and write the hottest sex at the same time. And the cover ... this is the most gorgeous, perfectly fitting cover I've ever seen.
There have been some amazing books published in 2020, and I'm certain that A Breathless Place will make it onto every reviewer's Top 10 list this year.
December 6, 2020
This was excellent. It was the first book in a long time that I didn't keep putting down and returning to but read straight through. Yes the subject matter is dark, it deals with suicidal thoughts and the wish to die. I appreciated this theme as I know how real it can be considering my career, but Ms. Bliss also delves deep into the thought process. The Whys, the What Ifs, the lack of identity, the emptiness MC Isabel feels. It was well thought out, eloquent, and gave a broad perspective. I SO enjoyed Isabel and Leila, both approaching 60 and having complex, emotional pasts making them remarkable mature women. Bravo, Ms. Bliss, this was not what I was expecting but I do hope there are more coming in this dramatic vein.
April 29, 2021
An emotional rollercoaster that makes you think about things in a whole new light. There are some triggering content in the the book, but it handled with so much love and care that you seem to deal with the burdens of the MC (Isabel) just as the author navigates it. The romance was fast, but mature, and both the characters knew what they wanted until certain emotional events got in the way. Even then, Bliss did not disappoint.
This book has produced strong female leads that I sorely needed to get back into the lesfic genre.
This book has produced strong female leads that I sorely needed to get back into the lesfic genre.
August 19, 2021
A Breathless Place by Harper Bliss, Narration by Abby Craden. 5 Stars for the audiobook and 5 star narration.
I am so glad I decided to listen the audiobook and Abby Craden and not read it myself. Now that I'm retired, I don't have commuting time and the 2-4 hours while I work to listen to audiobooks. Because my first choice is to read myself, I only listen to books I've read before – or in other words - as way to re-read books and it's no problem when its days between listening periods. So I don't know why I decided to listen to A Breathless Place instead of reading it. But I'm so glad I did. Abby Craden is in very fine form. Maybe the best I've heard of hers? Occasionally I would read along with her and when I read it, the words sound flat in my mind, while she puts all of Izzy and Leila's emotions on display. This book is certainly not emotionally flat. I highly recommend the audiobook.
We listen (or read) as Isabelle (Izzy) Adler counts down the days for her death. Yes, she plans to commit suicide on a specific day, now six months from when we meet up with her. Izzy was a mega superstar, stadium filling singer until a botched throat surgery takes away her singing voice. She wants to have her biography done before the day she has planned for her suicide. Unfortunately, her biographer gets into an accident and Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish the book. Izzy and Leila are attracted to each other. The question is, will Izzy be able to proceed with her suicidal plans when the book is finished?
I wonder if Harper got her inspiration from Julie Andrews? She went through throat surgery in 1997 to remove nodules and she completely lost her 4 octave soprano range. Turned out she didn't even have nodules. She was also led to believe it was a completely safe surgery. No surprise she went into a depression. Luckily she found an outlet writing children's books with her daughters. Which is how I was able to "meet" her. My niece who was about 6 or 7 at the time was a huge Sound of Music fan and Julie was signing books at my local bookstore, so we went. Of course, Ashley tells Julie that her brothers groan and complain when it's her turn to pick the movie, because she always picks Sound of Music. I cringed, the others in the line giggled and Julie graciously said, her brothers would've reacted the same way. By coincidence, I got a text from Ashley today that she watched SoM for the first time in a very long time (She is now 26yrs old) and she said she realized that she didn't understand what it was all about until now and she cried through some of it.
I am so glad I decided to listen the audiobook and Abby Craden and not read it myself. Now that I'm retired, I don't have commuting time and the 2-4 hours while I work to listen to audiobooks. Because my first choice is to read myself, I only listen to books I've read before – or in other words - as way to re-read books and it's no problem when its days between listening periods. So I don't know why I decided to listen to A Breathless Place instead of reading it. But I'm so glad I did. Abby Craden is in very fine form. Maybe the best I've heard of hers? Occasionally I would read along with her and when I read it, the words sound flat in my mind, while she puts all of Izzy and Leila's emotions on display. This book is certainly not emotionally flat. I highly recommend the audiobook.
We listen (or read) as Isabelle (Izzy) Adler counts down the days for her death. Yes, she plans to commit suicide on a specific day, now six months from when we meet up with her. Izzy was a mega superstar, stadium filling singer until a botched throat surgery takes away her singing voice. She wants to have her biography done before the day she has planned for her suicide. Unfortunately, her biographer gets into an accident and Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish the book. Izzy and Leila are attracted to each other. The question is, will Izzy be able to proceed with her suicidal plans when the book is finished?
I wonder if Harper got her inspiration from Julie Andrews? She went through throat surgery in 1997 to remove nodules and she completely lost her 4 octave soprano range. Turned out she didn't even have nodules. She was also led to believe it was a completely safe surgery. No surprise she went into a depression. Luckily she found an outlet writing children's books with her daughters. Which is how I was able to "meet" her. My niece who was about 6 or 7 at the time was a huge Sound of Music fan and Julie was signing books at my local bookstore, so we went. Of course, Ashley tells Julie that her brothers groan and complain when it's her turn to pick the movie, because she always picks Sound of Music. I cringed, the others in the line giggled and Julie graciously said, her brothers would've reacted the same way. By coincidence, I got a text from Ashley today that she watched SoM for the first time in a very long time (She is now 26yrs old) and she said she realized that she didn't understand what it was all about until now and she cried through some of it.
September 11, 2024
I’m trying to whittle away at my older tbr list and this book has been lingering for a long time. I wanted to wait for the right mindset to read this one because it deals with someone considering suicide. Isabel Adler is a world renowned performer who lost the ability to sing due to a failed vocal cord surgery. It’s been 10 years and she’s had enough of life without singing so she is secretly planning to end her own life. In the meantime, she is working with a biographer to write her story as a final statement to fans. But then late in the game, a new writer, Leila Zadeh, enters the picture and immediately creates a connection with Izzy.
Of course, the book is powerful. It’s a story of how people have to find their way in a painful world. And some people are more susceptible to the struggle. You can tell the author put her heart and soul into showing Izzy’s journey. I also appreciated that Leila’s love for Izzy is vital but not the turning point in the story because everyone has to find their own joy. Excellent book but also tough to read. Abby Craden does a phenomenal narration.
Of course, the book is powerful. It’s a story of how people have to find their way in a painful world. And some people are more susceptible to the struggle. You can tell the author put her heart and soul into showing Izzy’s journey. I also appreciated that Leila’s love for Izzy is vital but not the turning point in the story because everyone has to find their own joy. Excellent book but also tough to read. Abby Craden does a phenomenal narration.
December 8, 2020
This book is dark but it gives you hope.
Izzy was once the greatest singer the world had ever known. But after a blotched surgery years ago, Izzy can no longer sing. Tired of living an unpurposeful life, Izzy made a decision to end her life in 180 days. But when her new biographer Leila shows up one day, Izzy is caught by surprise by how much Leila makes her feel.
I have got to hand it to Harper Bliss. She is one brave writer who writes books with themes that most romance authors won't touch. But she always pulls it off.
This one is about suicide. Not the rash decision or depression kind. But a consious decision to end a meaningless life. This book is dark and it is also about hope. It isn't a tear-jerker. It just makes you perceptive.
Trigger warning: Suicide
Izzy was once the greatest singer the world had ever known. But after a blotched surgery years ago, Izzy can no longer sing. Tired of living an unpurposeful life, Izzy made a decision to end her life in 180 days. But when her new biographer Leila shows up one day, Izzy is caught by surprise by how much Leila makes her feel.
I have got to hand it to Harper Bliss. She is one brave writer who writes books with themes that most romance authors won't touch. But she always pulls it off.
This one is about suicide. Not the rash decision or depression kind. But a consious decision to end a meaningless life. This book is dark and it is also about hope. It isn't a tear-jerker. It just makes you perceptive.
Trigger warning: Suicide
November 1, 2022
This is my second book by Harper Bliss, and I have to say that I'm really glad this audiobook was on sale for super cheap or I may not have given it a chance (because I did NOT like the first one that I read). I'm happy to say that this was a fantastic book, well worth a listen.
As always, Abby Craden did a phenomenal job with the narration and I genuinely think her voice was the absolute perfect choice for the sentiment of this novel. The story deals with a difficult subject - suicide - so be aware going into this that it is the main theme. Harper Bliss handled the subject well and with great tact, and Abby brought it home with a great performance.
The romance is really lovely, though it relies a bit too heavily for me on that instant connection between the MCs; while I felt the chemistry between the characters, it just felt a little bit shallow to me, a little rushed. I'm also giving this a bonus point for the MCs both being 59 - it's nice to see older characters featuring in stories like this without always having to be an age-gap romance.
As always, Abby Craden did a phenomenal job with the narration and I genuinely think her voice was the absolute perfect choice for the sentiment of this novel. The story deals with a difficult subject - suicide - so be aware going into this that it is the main theme. Harper Bliss handled the subject well and with great tact, and Abby brought it home with a great performance.
The romance is really lovely, though it relies a bit too heavily for me on that instant connection between the MCs; while I felt the chemistry between the characters, it just felt a little bit shallow to me, a little rushed. I'm also giving this a bonus point for the MCs both being 59 - it's nice to see older characters featuring in stories like this without always having to be an age-gap romance.
January 24, 2022
One emotional read and could be a tough one for some. Story revolved around Isabel Adler, a 59 year old professional singer, who lost the ability to sing some 10 years prior and decides that death is the only route for her. Book is told in Isabel’s (aka Izzy) POV, who gives herself 6 months to ‘end it all’ from where the book starts. Along came Leila Zadeh, a journalist who was brought in as a replacement biographer. At some point both Isabel and Leila got involved and Isabel decision to end her life came to the forefront.
When one door closes, another door opens – don’t give up on life
Ratings: 4
Warning – suicidal theme.
When one door closes, another door opens – don’t give up on life
Ratings: 4
Warning – suicidal theme.
September 24, 2020
Deep and Meaningful
Izzy was a world class singer with a long career, until ten years ago when she developed nodules on her vocal cords and was left unable to sing like she used to. She would rather die than continue without her golden voice and has been composing her suicide letter for weeks. When her biographer is injured, Leila steps in and with the sudden intense attraction, everything Izzy thought she wanted is called into question.
This is quite the book…. Izzy’s letter is long, detailed and very well thought out. It is interspaced at the beginning of some of the chapters. It is moving and thought provoking and really, really made me feel… She isn’t so much clinically depressed as she is resigned and unable to cope with her circumstances. I think she will resonate with a lot of readers. I absolutely adored both Izzy and Leila. They are strong, sexy, intense and compelling. Their relationship is nothing less. I liked that this book was told in Izzy’s POV so we got to see what was going on in her head at all times. I also loved watching these women connect and relate to one another. The sexual chemistry was there from the start, something so perfectly Harper Bliss… it was delicious and delightful, but the falling in love almost better. The ending was every bit as wonderful as the rest of the book and was filled with hope and joy. The whole book was engaging and enthralling. I was unable to stop reading, not that I wanted to! Ms Bliss poured her heart and soul into this story and I am very grateful she did.
Izzy was a world class singer with a long career, until ten years ago when she developed nodules on her vocal cords and was left unable to sing like she used to. She would rather die than continue without her golden voice and has been composing her suicide letter for weeks. When her biographer is injured, Leila steps in and with the sudden intense attraction, everything Izzy thought she wanted is called into question.
This is quite the book…. Izzy’s letter is long, detailed and very well thought out. It is interspaced at the beginning of some of the chapters. It is moving and thought provoking and really, really made me feel… She isn’t so much clinically depressed as she is resigned and unable to cope with her circumstances. I think she will resonate with a lot of readers. I absolutely adored both Izzy and Leila. They are strong, sexy, intense and compelling. Their relationship is nothing less. I liked that this book was told in Izzy’s POV so we got to see what was going on in her head at all times. I also loved watching these women connect and relate to one another. The sexual chemistry was there from the start, something so perfectly Harper Bliss… it was delicious and delightful, but the falling in love almost better. The ending was every bit as wonderful as the rest of the book and was filled with hope and joy. The whole book was engaging and enthralling. I was unable to stop reading, not that I wanted to! Ms Bliss poured her heart and soul into this story and I am very grateful she did.
August 29, 2023
There is something about this book that will stick with me for a very long time. It was raw, honest, and powerful. The book begins with our main character Isabel Adler, having 180 days left to live as that will be the day she ends her life. If suicide is a trigger, then I’d recommend not reading this book.
We spend time learning about all Isabel has endured over the course of the last ten years which should lead us to understand why she no longer wanted to be alive.
Leila Zadeh, a journalist who took over the writing of Izzy’s biography was exactly whom Izzy needed at that point in her life.
I do not want to give anything else away, so all I will say is that the writing in this book is stellar. The topic is deep and emotional and was handled with such care. Izzy’s feelings and emotions can be felt on each page. The connection between Izzy and Leila is so strong that it literally comes right off the page.
I’ve read a lot of books over the years, a lot of Harper Bliss books at this. I can honestly say this is her best book and one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
We spend time learning about all Isabel has endured over the course of the last ten years which should lead us to understand why she no longer wanted to be alive.
Leila Zadeh, a journalist who took over the writing of Izzy’s biography was exactly whom Izzy needed at that point in her life.
I do not want to give anything else away, so all I will say is that the writing in this book is stellar. The topic is deep and emotional and was handled with such care. Izzy’s feelings and emotions can be felt on each page. The connection between Izzy and Leila is so strong that it literally comes right off the page.
I’ve read a lot of books over the years, a lot of Harper Bliss books at this. I can honestly say this is her best book and one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2023
Okkkkkkk…. This book was so unexpected for me because I didn’t read the synopsis and just trusted it because it was a Harper Bliss book. Well, I was in for a surprise! The main character’s wish to end their life, the despair, that all consuming need to just….stop existing? Wow. I didn’t know, didn’t realise, that that feeling is felt by other people too. Since it’s a kept secret deep inside my psyche, sometimes taunting, sometimes dormant, you’d think it was a unique thought. However, the writer explained that she too felt that way and by her voicing it in a character, building the story from wanting to die and ultimately choosing to live, it’s a powerful, dark and beautiful journey.
October 30, 2022
4.5 stars and yes this book hit all the right feels for me. I listened to the audio by Abby Craden and she nailed it like always. Both MCs were fantastic in my view. Leila was outstanding in her support for Izzy.
My only regret is that I would have liked to have heard Izzy sing before and after her surgery. Any comparisons or suggestions to real life singers?
And Harper Bliss thank you so much for writing such a powerfully emotional book. I’m so happy that you have given us this jewel of a story.
My only regret is that I would have liked to have heard Izzy sing before and after her surgery. Any comparisons or suggestions to real life singers?
And Harper Bliss thank you so much for writing such a powerfully emotional book. I’m so happy that you have given us this jewel of a story.
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