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The Village Romance #3
Die Erfahrung von Liebe
Helens Welt ist eigentlich perfekt: Neben ihrer Karriere als Professorin in Oxford baut sie gerade ihr zweites Standbein als Cosy-Krimi-Autorin sehr erfolgreich weiter aus. Dass in ihrem Leben kaum Platz für Liebe und Beziehung ist, stört dabei nur selten. Doch dann tritt Rory in ihr Leben – und wirft alles über den Haufen, was Helen sich so mühsam aufgebaut ist. Denn Rory ist nicht nur viel zu jung, zu attraktiv und ihre Doktorandin, sie weckt auch nie gekannte Gefühle in Helen.
Doch wie soll man zwischen Vernunft und Gefühl wählen, wenn das Herz sich doch eigentlich längst entschieden hat?
Doch wie soll man zwischen Vernunft und Gefühl wählen, wenn das Herz sich doch eigentlich längst entschieden hat?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2021
282 people are currently reading
615 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
138 books2,361 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 11, 2019
I haven’t read the previous 2 books in the The Village Romance series, but they are all stand alone so it didn’t matter. I really wanted to read Harper Bliss’s A Lesson in Love. Another age-gap romance she does so well. And there’s the teacher-student trope I always find a bonus as well.
I went through the book like poo through a goose, so that means it was really good! If I have to take breaks it usually spells trouble, but not with this one. Helen Swift is one of those deliciously rigid women. Not snarky enough to be an ice queen, but she does keep herself contained as much as possible. The day lovely Victoria (Rory) Carlisle steps into her office all sanity goes out the window.
We are witness to a lovely push and pull between the two ladies with oodles of sexual tension (another Bliss trademark). I love Helen’s internal struggle. Sleeping with a student is so off-limits and yet…
The story is told from both Rory’s and Helen's pov. There is great dialogue and the author knows how to write (and show) inner musings. There is an entertaining cast of secondary characters. An all around fantastic read!
f/f explicit
Themes: Oxford professor, village elite, secret double life, must be a mid-life crisis, porshe, there is a distinct ‘let’s kick Rory out of my house’ theme, 50 is the new 35, score for Harper Bliss.
4.8 Stars
I went through the book like poo through a goose, so that means it was really good! If I have to take breaks it usually spells trouble, but not with this one. Helen Swift is one of those deliciously rigid women. Not snarky enough to be an ice queen, but she does keep herself contained as much as possible. The day lovely Victoria (Rory) Carlisle steps into her office all sanity goes out the window.
We are witness to a lovely push and pull between the two ladies with oodles of sexual tension (another Bliss trademark). I love Helen’s internal struggle. Sleeping with a student is so off-limits and yet…
The story is told from both Rory’s and Helen's pov. There is great dialogue and the author knows how to write (and show) inner musings. There is an entertaining cast of secondary characters. An all around fantastic read!
f/f explicit
Themes: Oxford professor, village elite, secret double life, must be a mid-life crisis, porshe, there is a distinct ‘let’s kick Rory out of my house’ theme, 50 is the new 35, score for Harper Bliss.
4.8 Stars
August 22, 2019
After reading the first book in this series and not having been blown away by it, I figured I would skip the second book for now and go with an author whose writing I'm more familiar with. Sadly Harper Bliss' writing didn't do it for me this time.
It's not because I was expecting a super steamy read and it's not because I expected her characters to tug on my heartstrings. It's because I had real trouble getting through the first part of the book. For roughly the first 25% Helen showed more interest in the opinion of her book's readers than she did in Rory. Although I can't exactly blame her for that since they barely interacted and had built up as much chemistry as Ben Affleck and J.Lo in Gigli. *shudders*
Despite the back and forth between Helen and Rory, which actually made sense, I still didn't end up buying their relationship. By the time the author decided to ramp up the pacing and have the characters actually spend some quality time together the relationship had moved from the speed of a walkman with dying batteries to faster than Vanilla Ice's career tanking.
Part of me must be a masochist because I still plan on reading the second book in the series. This however ends in a disappointing 2,75*.
It's not because I was expecting a super steamy read and it's not because I expected her characters to tug on my heartstrings. It's because I had real trouble getting through the first part of the book. For roughly the first 25% Helen showed more interest in the opinion of her book's readers than she did in Rory. Although I can't exactly blame her for that since they barely interacted and had built up as much chemistry as Ben Affleck and J.Lo in Gigli. *shudders*
Despite the back and forth between Helen and Rory, which actually made sense, I still didn't end up buying their relationship. By the time the author decided to ramp up the pacing and have the characters actually spend some quality time together the relationship had moved from the speed of a walkman with dying batteries to faster than Vanilla Ice's career tanking.
Part of me must be a masochist because I still plan on reading the second book in the series. This however ends in a disappointing 2,75*.
September 14, 2019
So this one wasn’t easy to rate at all! Now I really like Harper Bliss’s exceptional writing style! There was no surprise here specifically with how steamy it was! The plot was also very interesting for me..
my issue with this one was the first half of the book was quite boring. There was almost no dialogue between the 2 MCs, which led me to not really believe in their connection. How can you fall in love with someone if you haven’t even had one single proper conversation? I did however believe their sexual connection, but the emotional part was non existent.
The other half came and BAM all of a sudden it was so rushed.. I can’t really quite explain but something was just “off”.
Having said that, I still rate this one with a solid 3 because somehow I still enjoyed it!
my issue with this one was the first half of the book was quite boring. There was almost no dialogue between the 2 MCs, which led me to not really believe in their connection. How can you fall in love with someone if you haven’t even had one single proper conversation? I did however believe their sexual connection, but the emotional part was non existent.
The other half came and BAM all of a sudden it was so rushed.. I can’t really quite explain but something was just “off”.
Having said that, I still rate this one with a solid 3 because somehow I still enjoyed it!
August 5, 2019
Helen Swift is a 49-year-old Oxford University professor with a midlife crisis and a secret life as a cozy mystery author. When she meets her new DPhil supervisee, Victoria ‘Rory’ Carlisle, things start to spiral out of control fast. Rory is young, charming, gorgeous and so off-limits. Their mutual attraction is hard to resist but a romantic involvement between supervisor and student is frown upon. Can they have a future together?
This is book 3 of ‘The Village Romance’ series of three romance novels by T.B. Markinson, Clare Lydon and Harper Bliss set around a small town in the Cotswolds, England. Even though the main characters in each novel make an appearance in the others, each story is completely independent of the other two and can be read as standalone. I recommend reading all three books because they are equally enjoyable.
Full disclosure, I beta-read this novel by the author’s request. My input is very minor, focusing solely in the academic process of getting a DPhil/PhD in England. For this reason, I read it twice in the span of a couple of months and enjoyed it both times.
This is an age-gap romance, a type Ms. Bliss specialises in. She really excels at describing the temptation of the forbidden attraction, the inner control that the older character wants to maintain, the boldness of the younger one and the social pressure surrounding them. She did it really well in her book ‘Seasons of love’ and did it again in this one. In ‘A lesson in love’, this conflict is heightened by the fact that the mains are teacher and student, supervisor and supervisee. It’s another layer of forbidden love that brings the tension a few notches up.
Written in first person from the point of view of both main characters, the reader gets a glimpse of their doubts and fears but also their desire and joy. Ms. Bliss builds the tension exquisitely until it could be cut with the proverbial knife. The reader is left hanging for a while until this tension is inevitably shattered into pieces by the force of their emotions. And here the author excels again at showing the passion in the intimate scenes which, in this story, were superb. Ms. Bliss is, hands down, one of the best writers of sex scenes in lesfic.
The book is completed by a group of well-written secondary characters and an interesting debate about whether popular genre books should be considered a lesser form of literature as they normally don’t ponder about the human condition.
Overall, a very good age gap lesbian romance book with superb tension-building and resolution. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
This is book 3 of ‘The Village Romance’ series of three romance novels by T.B. Markinson, Clare Lydon and Harper Bliss set around a small town in the Cotswolds, England. Even though the main characters in each novel make an appearance in the others, each story is completely independent of the other two and can be read as standalone. I recommend reading all three books because they are equally enjoyable.
Full disclosure, I beta-read this novel by the author’s request. My input is very minor, focusing solely in the academic process of getting a DPhil/PhD in England. For this reason, I read it twice in the span of a couple of months and enjoyed it both times.
This is an age-gap romance, a type Ms. Bliss specialises in. She really excels at describing the temptation of the forbidden attraction, the inner control that the older character wants to maintain, the boldness of the younger one and the social pressure surrounding them. She did it really well in her book ‘Seasons of love’ and did it again in this one. In ‘A lesson in love’, this conflict is heightened by the fact that the mains are teacher and student, supervisor and supervisee. It’s another layer of forbidden love that brings the tension a few notches up.
Written in first person from the point of view of both main characters, the reader gets a glimpse of their doubts and fears but also their desire and joy. Ms. Bliss builds the tension exquisitely until it could be cut with the proverbial knife. The reader is left hanging for a while until this tension is inevitably shattered into pieces by the force of their emotions. And here the author excels again at showing the passion in the intimate scenes which, in this story, were superb. Ms. Bliss is, hands down, one of the best writers of sex scenes in lesfic.
The book is completed by a group of well-written secondary characters and an interesting debate about whether popular genre books should be considered a lesser form of literature as they normally don’t ponder about the human condition.
Overall, a very good age gap lesbian romance book with superb tension-building and resolution. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
August 23, 2019
3.5 Stars for this age gap romance.
First off, I liked that the chapters alternated between the POVs of the two mains. I liked this style to get to know each of them separately.
Helen Swift is a 49 year old, Oxford English Lit Professor by day and by night she is H.S. Barr, a writer of a popular cozy mystery series featuring a lesbian detective. Helen discovers she is enjoying writing more than her academic career. She has not revealed her secret, fearing her reputation at Oxford and academic friends would be harmed. She lives in small village of Chewford, where she also based her detective. Helen has always kept her distance from her students, never developing friendships (or more) as some of her colleagues do. But that soon changes with Rory.
Victoria ‘Rory’ Carlisle, a twenty-seven year Oxford student, going for her DPhil/PhD in English Lit. She is thrilled to get her first pick as her advisor/supervisor, Helen Swift. Swift is a good fit for her subject matter and she has a crush on the professor. Rory learns that Helen lives in Chewford, her hometown where her parents, Lord & Lady Carlisle still reside.
OK, I saw and understood Rory's attraction for Helen more than Helen to Rory. But then again Helen has always avoided such relationships. However, for whatever reason that I can't explain or defend, when I closed the book, I still felt the love was uneven. Not that love has to be even for it to work. Arrgg. Now I remember why I procrastinated reviewing this book.
First off, I liked that the chapters alternated between the POVs of the two mains. I liked this style to get to know each of them separately.
Helen Swift is a 49 year old, Oxford English Lit Professor by day and by night she is H.S. Barr, a writer of a popular cozy mystery series featuring a lesbian detective. Helen discovers she is enjoying writing more than her academic career. She has not revealed her secret, fearing her reputation at Oxford and academic friends would be harmed. She lives in small village of Chewford, where she also based her detective. Helen has always kept her distance from her students, never developing friendships (or more) as some of her colleagues do. But that soon changes with Rory.
Victoria ‘Rory’ Carlisle, a twenty-seven year Oxford student, going for her DPhil/PhD in English Lit. She is thrilled to get her first pick as her advisor/supervisor, Helen Swift. Swift is a good fit for her subject matter and she has a crush on the professor. Rory learns that Helen lives in Chewford, her hometown where her parents, Lord & Lady Carlisle still reside.
OK, I saw and understood Rory's attraction for Helen more than Helen to Rory. But then again Helen has always avoided such relationships. However, for whatever reason that I can't explain or defend, when I closed the book, I still felt the love was uneven. Not that love has to be even for it to work. Arrgg. Now I remember why I procrastinated reviewing this book.
February 3, 2021
We absolutely love age-gap romances. We love it when the younger woman is the one chasing the older one. We love MCs who are around fifty. This book has all these elements, but makes a cut as just about (barely) okay.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
August 8, 2019
I liked all three books in this series by three different writers, but I enjoyed this one most. Maybe because of the trope about an older professor (Helen Swift) who is a bit stiff and moored by her own rules meets her new and much younger DPhil and falls in love with her against her will and intentions. The professor also has a bit of a secret in her life that gave the story a little bit extra and made her more intriguing. On the other hand there was Rory, the DPhil who knew what she wanted and is a bit of a realist. Still she found ways to pursue her interest in Helen and didn’t give up. Stories like that belong to my favourites. I liked both MC’s in this story, they were very human as were the supporting characters. A well written light romance that left me with a very positive feeling. Recommend 5 stars
August 12, 2019
Helen is a professor at Oxford University; however, in her private life, she is the author of a lesbian mystery book series. When she meets Rory, the student who she will advise through her PHD, her life is thrown into a spin. Not only is she wildly attracted to Rory, which in itself is frowned upon (regardless of how mutual the attraction is), but she is also considering telling everyone her secret author identity.
Rory is drawn to Helen from the get-go and knows this is more than just a teacher crush. She just needs to convince Helen that the age gap and the student-teacher relationship isn’t an issue.
The writing in this book is excellent. Each chapter is told from one protagonist’s point of view. I loved this and how it fits in perfectly with the story and how both characters are going through very different experiences but their feeling for each other are very similar. I think their differences are what I enjoyed most. I love age gap romances, and honestly, this one is one of my favourites. I’m not surprised though because one of the best age gap romances is Seasons of Love by the same author.
Helen is the character that changes the most in the book, and It was beautiful to ee. Usually, the younger character needs to change or grow up to fit in with the older character. It’s almost like Rory is the catalyst for all the changes Helen has been putting off and is now embracing. It was beautiful to watch her adopt her author persona.
I would have really enjoyed an epilogue with a glimpse a few years later.
The chemistry between Helen and Rory is phenomenal. Their first sex scene was probably the most sensual I’ve ever read. Being in Rory’s head for that scene was exquisite and really showed how she felt about Helen, and it raised the intimacy level to another degree. I’m still in awe of that moment.
A great story and an awesome end to what is a fantastic series. I love Harper Bliss books, and this one was no different. She always leaves me wanting more.
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Rory is drawn to Helen from the get-go and knows this is more than just a teacher crush. She just needs to convince Helen that the age gap and the student-teacher relationship isn’t an issue.
The writing in this book is excellent. Each chapter is told from one protagonist’s point of view. I loved this and how it fits in perfectly with the story and how both characters are going through very different experiences but their feeling for each other are very similar. I think their differences are what I enjoyed most. I love age gap romances, and honestly, this one is one of my favourites. I’m not surprised though because one of the best age gap romances is Seasons of Love by the same author.
Helen is the character that changes the most in the book, and It was beautiful to ee. Usually, the younger character needs to change or grow up to fit in with the older character. It’s almost like Rory is the catalyst for all the changes Helen has been putting off and is now embracing. It was beautiful to watch her adopt her author persona.
I would have really enjoyed an epilogue with a glimpse a few years later.
The chemistry between Helen and Rory is phenomenal. Their first sex scene was probably the most sensual I’ve ever read. Being in Rory’s head for that scene was exquisite and really showed how she felt about Helen, and it raised the intimacy level to another degree. I’m still in awe of that moment.
A great story and an awesome end to what is a fantastic series. I love Harper Bliss books, and this one was no different. She always leaves me wanting more.
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
January 19, 2020
The chemistry between Rory and Helen is one of the best elements of the book, building slowly until things turn explosive. Their first kiss is A++ hot and the sex scenes are excellent, especially because they drive the relationship development. That said, I wish Helen and Rory had also spent more time just talking to each other. Instead, with the exception of when Helen eventually tells Rory about wanting to shift gears on her career, we see each of them talking more about stuff that matters with Sarah and Alistair than they do with each other.
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
August 7, 2019
I haven't read many books, where the setting is more of a small-town village rather than a big city. I was not sure if I was going to like it. But damn my expectations shot through the roof.
I am so happy I picked this book up. Everyone who knows me knows that I love age-gap romance and this gave me all the right angles to it. The denying, the hesitation, the yet undeniable feeling of falling in love.
I could very much relate to Rory and would've loved to read more about their journey, their future and they way they manage to go through life together.
Absolutely recommended!
I am so happy I picked this book up. Everyone who knows me knows that I love age-gap romance and this gave me all the right angles to it. The denying, the hesitation, the yet undeniable feeling of falling in love.
I could very much relate to Rory and would've loved to read more about their journey, their future and they way they manage to go through life together.
Absolutely recommended!
August 20, 2019
I really enjoyed A Lesson in Love. Harper Bliss does a great job at age gap romances and this one is no different. I did read the previous two Village Romances and would say that you don't have to read them before this one, BUT why wouldn't you. The other two are really good as well.
I will rate this one 4.25 stars
I will rate this one 4.25 stars
June 23, 2023
Professor Hellen Swift is almost 50 and her life has gone through a lot of changes already.
Trying to deal with the break up with her colleague and girlfriend lead to her adopting a pen name and starting a secret career as a writer of cozy mysteries and getting a brand new Porsche which people (and she) think might have been a mid-life crises kinda move.
However what started as a hobby and a way for her to channel through her emotions has started picking up speed. Her books are selling well and she finds herself craving to make more time for her writing rather than spend all her time teaching in Oxford University.
Enter Victoria (Rory) Carlisle who I know the summary of this book describes as posh but she's anything but. Her family's name is well known in Costwolds and it's no secret that they are more than well off, however Rory is apparently the black ship of the family as she's not following the norm with her studies, nor her choices in life, meaning loving the ladies.
She's smart, easygoing, quit mature and beautiful and when Helen accepts to be her DPhil supervisor she's ecstatic not only because of the subject of her thesis but also because Helen is considered the uptight and aloof Professor that students are a bit scared of, and yet to Rory she's just a super inspiring, super gorgeous older woman and she cannot wait to spend more time with her during their meetings.
Helen is intrigued by her new supervisee. Her maturity but also her presence and beauty catch Helen off guard as Rory openly and tastefully flirts with her and Helen is not exactly opposed to her advances.
However there are a lot of things that make Helen see no future in a relationship like this. First of all there is the age difference, the fact that Rory is her supervisee and did I mention the age gap?
This story is very well paced and the romance between these too ladies is a slow burn as it needs to be given the circumstances. You can feel the chemistry between them building up and the time the author takes to flesh each character out is rather satisfying.
It's a an easy read, low angst but has enough depth to keep you engaged.
I really enjoyed this story and I totally recommend it.
Trying to deal with the break up with her colleague and girlfriend lead to her adopting a pen name and starting a secret career as a writer of cozy mysteries and getting a brand new Porsche which people (and she) think might have been a mid-life crises kinda move.
However what started as a hobby and a way for her to channel through her emotions has started picking up speed. Her books are selling well and she finds herself craving to make more time for her writing rather than spend all her time teaching in Oxford University.
Enter Victoria (Rory) Carlisle who I know the summary of this book describes as posh but she's anything but. Her family's name is well known in Costwolds and it's no secret that they are more than well off, however Rory is apparently the black ship of the family as she's not following the norm with her studies, nor her choices in life, meaning loving the ladies.
She's smart, easygoing, quit mature and beautiful and when Helen accepts to be her DPhil supervisor she's ecstatic not only because of the subject of her thesis but also because Helen is considered the uptight and aloof Professor that students are a bit scared of, and yet to Rory she's just a super inspiring, super gorgeous older woman and she cannot wait to spend more time with her during their meetings.
Helen is intrigued by her new supervisee. Her maturity but also her presence and beauty catch Helen off guard as Rory openly and tastefully flirts with her and Helen is not exactly opposed to her advances.
However there are a lot of things that make Helen see no future in a relationship like this. First of all there is the age difference, the fact that Rory is her supervisee and did I mention the age gap?
This story is very well paced and the romance between these too ladies is a slow burn as it needs to be given the circumstances. You can feel the chemistry between them building up and the time the author takes to flesh each character out is rather satisfying.
It's a an easy read, low angst but has enough depth to keep you engaged.
I really enjoyed this story and I totally recommend it.
January 20, 2020
The MCs were attracted to each other sure but I didn't much believe in the emotional aspect of their relationship. The book also felt much longer than it needed to be. I liked the writing and the britishness but overall it felt dry.
August 20, 2025
2.75 ⭐
I read A Lesson in Love because the teacher/student trope is one of my favorites. I’ll admit, I haven’t had much luck with Harper’s books in the past — I just didn’t quite click with them. But I thought, why not give her one more chance? So I did...
Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel the spark that usually makes this trope so exciting. The dynamic fell flat for me, and the relationship itself felt a bit shallow — I couldn’t sense any real emotional depth. Their feelings came across as surface-level, especially since, during the first 30% of the book, the main characters barely interact. Then, suddenly, they’re into each other without even knowing one another that well. It felt more like insta-love or lust, and I kept waiting for that connection to grow and evolve throughout the story… but it never really did.
As for the characters, Helen didn’t fully convince me. We only see a hint of her growth toward the very end, and even then, it wasn’t all that significant. I preferred Rory personality-wise, but I didn’t see much change in her either.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is — it’s not a bad read, and while it wasn’t quite my thing, it was still a somewhat entertaining way to pass the time.
I read A Lesson in Love because the teacher/student trope is one of my favorites. I’ll admit, I haven’t had much luck with Harper’s books in the past — I just didn’t quite click with them. But I thought, why not give her one more chance? So I did...
Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel the spark that usually makes this trope so exciting. The dynamic fell flat for me, and the relationship itself felt a bit shallow — I couldn’t sense any real emotional depth. Their feelings came across as surface-level, especially since, during the first 30% of the book, the main characters barely interact. Then, suddenly, they’re into each other without even knowing one another that well. It felt more like insta-love or lust, and I kept waiting for that connection to grow and evolve throughout the story… but it never really did.
As for the characters, Helen didn’t fully convince me. We only see a hint of her growth toward the very end, and even then, it wasn’t all that significant. I preferred Rory personality-wise, but I didn’t see much change in her either.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is — it’s not a bad read, and while it wasn’t quite my thing, it was still a somewhat entertaining way to pass the time.
August 10, 2019
I thought the subject would be interesting, because the age gap and the professional relationship, but I couldn’t get into the story, I even considered a DNF. They had like 3 interactions before they fall madly in lust. The book ended and I never understood where the attraction/infatuation came from.
I’ve read other books from this author and I enjoyed them. I don’t recall any of her other MCs being as indecisive and rude as Helen, nor as doormat and compliant as Rory. Every time Helen does something extremely rude to Rory, she just has to look sideways and Rory forgives her, just like that, not a bit of groveling, not even puppy eyes.
It’s a 3.5 for me because even if I didn’t understand their attraction It’s not a bad book.
I’ve read other books from this author and I enjoyed them. I don’t recall any of her other MCs being as indecisive and rude as Helen, nor as doormat and compliant as Rory. Every time Helen does something extremely rude to Rory, she just has to look sideways and Rory forgives her, just like that, not a bit of groveling, not even puppy eyes.
It’s a 3.5 for me because even if I didn’t understand their attraction It’s not a bad book.
November 6, 2019
A nice story. My favorite in the series. :)
November 13, 2020
A cosy tale that was fun to read, no angst or worrying moments - a typical Bliss contribution. Glad I read it, kept me entertained, move on.
August 21, 2019
Absolutely loved this!!!
Helen writes cozy mysteries set in the Cotswolds, while working full time at Oxford University as a professor. She takes on a DPhil student in Victoria ‘Rory’ Carlisle, and ends up with more than she bargained for. Rory takes Helen out of her comfort zone, and has her contemplating her future as a writer, or professor, and whether she might have time to indulge in a little romance.
Where to start! This is the third book in the Village Romance collaboration series and I just loved every second of it. Being an age gap romance it was instantly a winner for me (these are the best!) but the way Harper delivered it in first person, and from alterative points of view of the main characters really made it a cozy romance.
The struggles for Helen both internally, professionally, and personally added so many levels of conflict to this slow burn romance. There was a lot to be contemplated, and also her age added an extra level to her struggling to be less indecisive about whether she really saw perusing a romance with Rory.
Whereas Rory added this fresh level of persistence and need to be with Helen and find romance no matter what. Although she wasn’t as direct, she was still confident, and determined in her actions to win the professor, and love of her life. It was really exciting, and such a dynamic contrast that I couldn’t put the book down.
It was just perfect for me, and I loved every second of this so much that I hope there will be more in future. These forbidden romances fill me with so much hope that no love is unobtainable, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. If it’s fate, and meant to be, it will be!
The connection between Rory and Helen is intense! There is tension fizzling away between them at every moment, but they are so well suited that they just form a perfect connection and everything seems to so easy between them, even when it was awkward.
Helen and Rory it is impossible to choose which of them I liked best. We got to meet them so intricately given the narrative that I am a little in love with both of them.
The perfect age gap romance! If you haven’t read it yet, then what are you waiting for!!!
Helen writes cozy mysteries set in the Cotswolds, while working full time at Oxford University as a professor. She takes on a DPhil student in Victoria ‘Rory’ Carlisle, and ends up with more than she bargained for. Rory takes Helen out of her comfort zone, and has her contemplating her future as a writer, or professor, and whether she might have time to indulge in a little romance.
Where to start! This is the third book in the Village Romance collaboration series and I just loved every second of it. Being an age gap romance it was instantly a winner for me (these are the best!) but the way Harper delivered it in first person, and from alterative points of view of the main characters really made it a cozy romance.
The struggles for Helen both internally, professionally, and personally added so many levels of conflict to this slow burn romance. There was a lot to be contemplated, and also her age added an extra level to her struggling to be less indecisive about whether she really saw perusing a romance with Rory.
Whereas Rory added this fresh level of persistence and need to be with Helen and find romance no matter what. Although she wasn’t as direct, she was still confident, and determined in her actions to win the professor, and love of her life. It was really exciting, and such a dynamic contrast that I couldn’t put the book down.
It was just perfect for me, and I loved every second of this so much that I hope there will be more in future. These forbidden romances fill me with so much hope that no love is unobtainable, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. If it’s fate, and meant to be, it will be!
The connection between Rory and Helen is intense! There is tension fizzling away between them at every moment, but they are so well suited that they just form a perfect connection and everything seems to so easy between them, even when it was awkward.
Helen and Rory it is impossible to choose which of them I liked best. We got to meet them so intricately given the narrative that I am a little in love with both of them.
The perfect age gap romance! If you haven’t read it yet, then what are you waiting for!!!
August 18, 2022
This is such a lovely little romance. If you'd like to suffer through a lot of "will they/won't they?" while knowing full well that they absolutely will, I would recommend this one wholeheartedly. Also be advised, Bliss does not fade to black in her books.
September 30, 2019
3.5 rounded up. I love Harper Bliss and I love the tropes that are involved in this plot. My only complaint is that I wish we got to see them together more often towards the beginning of the book.
August 2, 2019
This book is part of a Trilogy. Book 1 was written by T B Markinson, Book 2 written by Clare Lydon and this one is Book 3.
Helen is an English Professor at Oxford University and also an Author who writes cosy mysteries. Victoria (Rory) is a University student and hopes to get Helen as her DPhil Supervisor.
I totally loved this series. Victoria (Rory) and Helen were meant to be together. I loved Rory from the beginning but Helen took me a few chapters to like, by the end of the book I thought they were a great couple. In saying that though, I do think that the age gap is a little much (this is just my personal preference). The pace was just right and I enjoyed the story line.
Although all books can be read as stand-a-lone, I would suggest reading them all to get the background on all characters.
I highly recommend reading this series. You will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC book from the Author and voluntarily leaving my review.
Helen is an English Professor at Oxford University and also an Author who writes cosy mysteries. Victoria (Rory) is a University student and hopes to get Helen as her DPhil Supervisor.
I totally loved this series. Victoria (Rory) and Helen were meant to be together. I loved Rory from the beginning but Helen took me a few chapters to like, by the end of the book I thought they were a great couple. In saying that though, I do think that the age gap is a little much (this is just my personal preference). The pace was just right and I enjoyed the story line.
Although all books can be read as stand-a-lone, I would suggest reading them all to get the background on all characters.
I highly recommend reading this series. You will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC book from the Author and voluntarily leaving my review.
September 5, 2020
I hate giving less than 3 starts to an author I completely adore and, basically one of my favorite authors, but this book just wasn’t doing it for me. I wanted to give 2 starts but this is Harper we’re talking about and she’s super talented, so 3 stars it is.
But I was legit falling asleep. So i stopped at 9%. I just couldn’t keep going or I’d eventually fall asleep in the middle of the day and that’s a no no for me lol
I thought this was gonna be interesting because I love teacher-student stories, but it starts super slow and there’s almost no interaction between the main characters. I love me some slow-burn and all, but the overall lack of conversation and interaction was boring.
I’m sad because this is the first book by Harper that just didn’t catch my attention the way her other amazingly flawless books did.
But I was legit falling asleep. So i stopped at 9%. I just couldn’t keep going or I’d eventually fall asleep in the middle of the day and that’s a no no for me lol
I thought this was gonna be interesting because I love teacher-student stories, but it starts super slow and there’s almost no interaction between the main characters. I love me some slow-burn and all, but the overall lack of conversation and interaction was boring.
I’m sad because this is the first book by Harper that just didn’t catch my attention the way her other amazingly flawless books did.
May 12, 2020
3.5 Stars. Helen Swift is a 50 year old professor at Oxford who writes cozy mysteries in her spare time. She is busy and still not sure she wants another romance after her last one, with another professor did not go that well. That is until she met Victoria Carlisle who is a PhD student looking to have Professor Swift be her advisor for her degree. Rory does start to flirt with the attractive professor and Helen does not want to start an inappropriate relationship with a student. It is something she never thought would be entertaining but she can't seem to keep away from her student.
I enjoyed thus book. I enjoyed their dynamic and how Helen goes through an inner battle over her attraction to Victoria. This book did seem very familiar from some of the other Harper Bliss books I have read. I do enjoy the story line with an older and younger woman attracted to each other in a vaguely inappropriate situation. They both have ht right amount of guilt about the situation. My one complaint is that it seems like at points they don't even consider how inappropriate it would be and their friends never seem to have any guilt about the relationship at all and only spur it on. I do recommend this book as it was a quick easy read.
I enjoyed thus book. I enjoyed their dynamic and how Helen goes through an inner battle over her attraction to Victoria. This book did seem very familiar from some of the other Harper Bliss books I have read. I do enjoy the story line with an older and younger woman attracted to each other in a vaguely inappropriate situation. They both have ht right amount of guilt about the situation. My one complaint is that it seems like at points they don't even consider how inappropriate it would be and their friends never seem to have any guilt about the relationship at all and only spur it on. I do recommend this book as it was a quick easy read.
March 5, 2021
A Lesson in Love
Lesson in Love is a true lesson indeed for Helen. Professor of English Lit and hidden fictional writer by night, she realizes that she doesn't have any spare time on her hands. Being a mentor to a DPhil student will take time away from her packed schedule. However Rory is unlike any previous student she has worked with because of instant chemistry. Rory is trying to figure out her own way, with complications from her family. But with resounding effort she knows what she wants. As Helen struggles with a relationship, Rory is all for it. Rory helps her get past some of her own obstacles.
I loved the book by Harper Bliss, I wish it was in the same format as the previous two. I liked that the angst was remedied quickly and not drawn out. It left a good feeling and happy vibe.
Lesson in Love is a true lesson indeed for Helen. Professor of English Lit and hidden fictional writer by night, she realizes that she doesn't have any spare time on her hands. Being a mentor to a DPhil student will take time away from her packed schedule. However Rory is unlike any previous student she has worked with because of instant chemistry. Rory is trying to figure out her own way, with complications from her family. But with resounding effort she knows what she wants. As Helen struggles with a relationship, Rory is all for it. Rory helps her get past some of her own obstacles.
I loved the book by Harper Bliss, I wish it was in the same format as the previous two. I liked that the angst was remedied quickly and not drawn out. It left a good feeling and happy vibe.
January 9, 2022
Yep, I started with the third book in the series and I might not even read the other two books anytime soon, despite how much I love this one and trust me I love it A lot!
It's been a while since I finished a book and quickly went back from the beginning because of unbelievable good books is.
I fall in love with the main characters as soon as I started the book. They are so cute together, their chemistry is one of the best I've read about so far.
It's been a while since I finished a book and quickly went back from the beginning because of unbelievable good books is.
I fall in love with the main characters as soon as I started the book. They are so cute together, their chemistry is one of the best I've read about so far.
January 7, 2022
You'll enjoy this book. Another enjoyable book in the Village Romance series. Very likeable characters and story. Also love the interaction with the village characters from the other books in the series.
September 15, 2021
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
September 24, 2024
Thank you Harper Bliss for this sweet wlw romance that I didn’t know I needed.
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