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The Love We Make
Nora Levine has everything she dreams of: a leading role on a successful tv show and a quiet life with her best friends, away from the spotlight.
When the new production company CEO takes an unusually hands-on approach to her job, Nora’s hackles go all the way up.
Mimi St James just wants the best for everyone: her large family, her colleagues and employees; even the aloof star of her company’s hit show. And she’ll go the extra mile to make all of them happy.
Nora can’t help but warm to Mimi’s kind nature—and what she first saw as meddling. Mimi discovers there is much more to Nora than meets the eye.
Can these two complex, strong-willed women find their way to each other?
Get your copy now and join Nora and Mimi on their emotional journey to love!
When the new production company CEO takes an unusually hands-on approach to her job, Nora’s hackles go all the way up.
Mimi St James just wants the best for everyone: her large family, her colleagues and employees; even the aloof star of her company’s hit show. And she’ll go the extra mile to make all of them happy.
Nora can’t help but warm to Mimi’s kind nature—and what she first saw as meddling. Mimi discovers there is much more to Nora than meets the eye.
Can these two complex, strong-willed women find their way to each other?
Get your copy now and join Nora and Mimi on their emotional journey to love!
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2023
274 people are currently reading
1256 people want to read
About the author
Harper Bliss
138 books2,360 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 164 reviews
February 21, 2023
I really liked the beginning of this book. Nora is a bit of unwilling star. She does what she loves but hates the attention it generates. Her aloof personality make her a bit of a mystery and I was liking seeing her reveal bits of herself. Mimi's patience and love for her family is admirable and I liked her relationship with her kids, it made her the perfect person to help Nora evolve. Then I hit the 70% or so mark and there is a big blow up. Nora's behavior made her so unlikable and I hated how childish it made her seem. She didn't even seem sorry at any point and was ready to die on that hill. In the end there is no apology and Mimi just lets it go. No discussion, no real reason for Nora's blow up. I didn't like that at all. Unfortunately this latest one by Bliss was a miss for me. It may just be me so please give it a try for yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2023
4.5 stars
I love Harper Bliss's writing! I'm constantly amazed how she can keep things fresh after publishing so many books. And yet she manages it time and time again. And when you add Abby Craden's magical narration to the mix, her audiobooks are must-buys for me.
While Bliss doesn't consider these books featuring entertainers a series, they are interconnected because minor characters from these books get stories of their own. And they make appearances in subsequent novels. Main character Nora Levigne was introduced in A Family Affair as the co-star of Stella's new TV series gig.
Bliss is one of the few authors who writes fully-fleshed out, interesting and sexually expressive women over 50. And she loves an age gap. In this book, A-list television star Nora is 51 and her TV executive love interest Mimi St. James is in her mid-60s. And she's hot as hell. Both women are, but while Nora still works out like a madwoman to keep her incredible physique camera ready, Mimi is a mother of four children who is comfortable with the changes in her body since giving birth. It's very refreshing to see.
Nora is a fascinating character. While she's a hugely popular celebrity, she is socially isolated - only preferring the company of a pair of very close friends she considers family. She hasn't dated in a good while and has pretty much accepted that she'll be perpetually single. She is emotionally closed off and while we learn deeper into the story why that is, she can come off as abrupt and abrasive. Some may be turned off by her character (I very nearly was after a particular outburst) but if readers hang in there, Bliss eventually pulls back the curtain, shedding light on what makes Nora who she is, humanizing her.
Mimi is the mother and partner everyone wishes they had. Caring, nurturing, understanding, patient and yes - sexy. Yet as great as she is, even she stumbles a bit when it comes to Nora. I appreciated that because sometimes with the best of intentions we have an idea what a partner or loved one might need or be best for them, but if we take the time to gather more information, it might not be that at all. Sometimes people need a safe space to develop new tools to help them grow into a new phase of their lives. Lots of food for thought between these pages.
While The Love We Make isn't a "heavy" read, it's also not fluff. Celeb romances with some depth are my favorite and this one hit my sweet spot.
I'm at the point with the books in this universe where I play a guessing game as to which minor character will get her own book next. And I have a good idea on this one! Stay tuned.
I love Harper Bliss's writing! I'm constantly amazed how she can keep things fresh after publishing so many books. And yet she manages it time and time again. And when you add Abby Craden's magical narration to the mix, her audiobooks are must-buys for me.
While Bliss doesn't consider these books featuring entertainers a series, they are interconnected because minor characters from these books get stories of their own. And they make appearances in subsequent novels. Main character Nora Levigne was introduced in A Family Affair as the co-star of Stella's new TV series gig.
Bliss is one of the few authors who writes fully-fleshed out, interesting and sexually expressive women over 50. And she loves an age gap. In this book, A-list television star Nora is 51 and her TV executive love interest Mimi St. James is in her mid-60s. And she's hot as hell. Both women are, but while Nora still works out like a madwoman to keep her incredible physique camera ready, Mimi is a mother of four children who is comfortable with the changes in her body since giving birth. It's very refreshing to see.
Nora is a fascinating character. While she's a hugely popular celebrity, she is socially isolated - only preferring the company of a pair of very close friends she considers family. She hasn't dated in a good while and has pretty much accepted that she'll be perpetually single. She is emotionally closed off and while we learn deeper into the story why that is, she can come off as abrupt and abrasive. Some may be turned off by her character (I very nearly was after a particular outburst) but if readers hang in there, Bliss eventually pulls back the curtain, shedding light on what makes Nora who she is, humanizing her.
Mimi is the mother and partner everyone wishes they had. Caring, nurturing, understanding, patient and yes - sexy. Yet as great as she is, even she stumbles a bit when it comes to Nora. I appreciated that because sometimes with the best of intentions we have an idea what a partner or loved one might need or be best for them, but if we take the time to gather more information, it might not be that at all. Sometimes people need a safe space to develop new tools to help them grow into a new phase of their lives. Lots of food for thought between these pages.
While The Love We Make isn't a "heavy" read, it's also not fluff. Celeb romances with some depth are my favorite and this one hit my sweet spot.
I'm at the point with the books in this universe where I play a guessing game as to which minor character will get her own book next. And I have a good idea on this one! Stay tuned.
December 8, 2023
I listened to the audio of this book and enjoyed it very much with Abby Craden narrating. It was refreshing to listen to a story about two mature women finding love. And all the Easter Eggs thrown in made it even better from her other books. I’ll be reading more Harper Bliss in the future.
January 30, 2023
When I read about Nora in A Family Affair I was intrigued and wanted to know more about her - particularly her romantic life or lack thereof. I was excited to read The Love We Make to learn more about her, but unfortunately I found her unlikeable.
Although we see Nora's complexity as a character, there was little in her story that redeemed her behaviour. Her love interest, Mimi, is an interesting character but I wasn't quite sure what drew her to Nora other than her fame. I didn't see their connection or chemistry.
The discussion on family was really interesting, but I was a bit perplexed at times in regard to reactions and viewpoints by Nora and Mimi.
All in all, an interesting novel but one that just wasn't for me. Looking forward to reading the next Harper Bliss novel though!
Many thanks to Harper Bliss for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Although we see Nora's complexity as a character, there was little in her story that redeemed her behaviour. Her love interest, Mimi, is an interesting character but I wasn't quite sure what drew her to Nora other than her fame. I didn't see their connection or chemistry.
The discussion on family was really interesting, but I was a bit perplexed at times in regard to reactions and viewpoints by Nora and Mimi.
All in all, an interesting novel but one that just wasn't for me. Looking forward to reading the next Harper Bliss novel though!
Many thanks to Harper Bliss for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2025
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2025 🌈✨: Main Board - Character Has a Big Family
3 stars. Nora deserved better. Mimi was so incredibly annoying and pushy. I was honestly glad when Nora told her to leave after that disrespectful ass conversation about her parents. Nora told her that that was a sore spot for her and Mimi decided to over step her boundaries. I love Bliss but I really didn’t like this book. I didn’t buy the chemistry between these two because Mimi was judgmental and a bit too perfect and the side characters were annoying.
The entire thing with Nora’s parents was just not handled well at all. It is NEVER the job of the child to fucking reach out to their asshole parent. The child owes them nothing at that point and the way Mimi’s dumbasss didn’t seem to grasp that pissed me the fuck off. Three stars for the writing and Nora only.
3 stars. Nora deserved better. Mimi was so incredibly annoying and pushy. I was honestly glad when Nora told her to leave after that disrespectful ass conversation about her parents. Nora told her that that was a sore spot for her and Mimi decided to over step her boundaries. I love Bliss but I really didn’t like this book. I didn’t buy the chemistry between these two because Mimi was judgmental and a bit too perfect and the side characters were annoying.
The entire thing with Nora’s parents was just not handled well at all. It is NEVER the job of the child to fucking reach out to their asshole parent. The child owes them nothing at that point and the way Mimi’s dumbasss didn’t seem to grasp that pissed me the fuck off. Three stars for the writing and Nora only.
February 1, 2023
An interesting romance with older protagonists (51 and 65), including an extremely introverted actress who struggles with her own fame and her current tv show's new producer.
May 21, 2023
Love Bliss but this one was a miss for me. Was looking fwd to it because I liked A Family Affair and this one is part of that universe but unfortunately I didn’t see the connection between the mains.
October 31, 2023
Oh, this book had so many issues! Which is sad, because at first, I really liked it. Mimi's family was cute, realistic; the kind that squabbles constantly, but you can tell adore each other. Nora struck me as possibly demiromantic and/or neurodivergent, and I was so in for that. The things I like stop here, sadly.
Harper failed to follow through on what could have been a really interesting storyline and character arc. No, she just turned Nora into a social recluse, an older woman too jaded by the world and her struggles to connect with it to bother anymore. I mean, cop out, much??
Nora reminds me of me, I realized. Socially awkward, easily drained of energy around people, prefers her dogs, doesn't like most humans, always seems to say the wrong thing, misses nonverbal cues, and asks too many and/or too personal questions. Like, my neurodivergent radar was pinging right and left. But don't hold on to that, because as mentioned above, that was only ever implied.
Mimi was sweet, at least with her kids, but a bit pushy in all other areas of her life, and that started to grate on me. Being in need of control is NOT the same as being pushy, and what was stated as the former of those only came across as the latter. But we'll come back to this, because it's the end of the book that really shows this.
They hook up for the first time. And this scene was so all over the place, so chaotic, that I just hated it. And as a result, every sex scene after it. Let me give you an example: 'But neither one of us is perfect. Nora might hide in her perfect house with her perfect body, she's made it clear she has plenty of issues. (<
And then, from Nora's POV in another 'sexy' scene (don't make me laugh): 'Granted, Mimi does respond to it (her body) exactly the way I had hoped her to. At times, when her gaze rakes over my body, she looks more baffled than impressed.' Um, how would that be the reaction you want?? And I am supposed to like, be turned on by this?! Because I just re-read it multiple times in confusion and then put into my notes how confused I was.
Oh, it keeps going. Let's try this gem: 'This isn't even just sex - not by a long shot. ....If this is what it's like for me after two years of celibacy, what must it have been like for Nora?' WTF, Mimi? It's not 'just about sex', but then you casually reference how you both being single for awhile makes the orgasms more intense? Like, is it just sex or more? Because I am getting mixed signals.
Each one of these on their own might not be so bad. Throw me out of the moment, sure, but okay. It happens. I'm sure I've written my fair share of scenes that might accidentally do that. But over and over?? The sexy times ended up NOT being sexy! But trust me, that is by far not the biggest grievance.
Nora and her perfect body are a problem. So, she eats like a supermodel (or an overworked and underappreciated actress who must not only look perfect, but maintain perfection into her senior years, lovely). But she works out with a former Marine who has honed her body into that of, well, a fellow Marine. Or at least an elite gymnast. No, just no. You might maintain that for a bit, but you cannot eat too little, avoid all carbs, and do long-term strength training. Your body would give out! And on top of that, the hours of a TV actress?? She would not be functional! She would struggle with sleep, digestion, mood, brain fog, and possibly so much more. And worse yet, when Mimi expresses concern about her lack of eating, this is held against Mimi, because she just 'wants to change her', not because she might actually care. If anyone did care about Nora, someone would've spoken the fuck up. No, I'm not mincing words. People die over this shit. EAT! Eat whole foods, meet your caloric needs, do not restrict unprocessed carbs, and KEEP doing the strength training! It's amazing for the body!
Mimi brings up Nora's family more than once, wanting to know more about them, as well as why they are not close, but gets nowhere. After they've been dating for a few weeks, she decides it's time to push a little more, but warns Nora first, knowing she won't like it. Great, communication up front and recognizing that Nora has issues with hard conversations; but the problem comes in when she can't take no for an answer. Not only does she not trust Nora has her reasons for the distance between her and her parents, but she doesn't trust that Nora can't/won't talk about it. Like, lady, you just met her. You've been dating for...three weeks, give or take. Let it go! But she doesn't do that, because her respect for Nora's boundaries apparently only goes so far. Plus, Mimi knows best, obviously. And she doesn't seem to get why Nora is upset. Apparently, because Mimi's family is perfect, she now has to 'fix' Nora's, so they can be like her. There is no other kind of good or healthy family dynamic besides Mimi's, I guess.
"Because, Nora, I am a mother and, no matter how strained your relationship with your parents might be, this must be killing them."
Oh, shut up, asshole. You have no fucking clue. You sit up on your pedestal of happy family, good mom, peaceful co-parenting relationship, and assume all parents are like you?? Fuck right off with that. As someone with a shitty parent, this attitude pisses me off. Don't pretend to understand something you don't, and then give zero understanding in return. That is beyond insulting. She doesn't know Nora's parents, or how they feel about her as a daughter, or how they feel about this not-super-close-relationship that some people just have with each other. Actually, some people shouldn't be parents at all. They turn out to be really bad at it. Some have really selfish motives, like mine. A child is not brought into the world with a duty on their shoulders to conform in order to earn love, nor do they exist to prop up an adult and their feelings. You can spend decades trying to earn said 'love', fail (by their standards), and end up hating yourself for something unattainable for which you should not have had to strive. I had to cut off a parent in adulthood (so did most of my siblings) for my own safety and mental health. And his next significant other felt she had the right to hunt some of us down on social media, message us to explain how sad and depressed he was because he was so far from his kids and missed them soooo much! Never mind that said parent moved away by choice, had not reached out since, and of those still speaking to him, had not cared to engage in return with conversation; not even birthday greetings and such. But he missed his beloved kids so much that he was depressed?? No, the fucker didn't, does not still, and that's just the facts. This new person, however, bought the lines fully; from that, she then thought she had the right to tell perfect strangers how happy it would make said SO, the parent they'd cut off after decades of verbal and emotional abuse, if we would just reach out. Not only was it vastly inappropriate, but it was hurtful, and dredged up pain/trauma we were trying so hard to dismantle. But THEY knew best and felt entitled to act accordingly. Suffice it to say my lengthy explanation did not change her view, and worse, only made things 'obvious' in terms of how she viewed us, based on what he'd told her. We were just the 'unloving' and 'undeserving' kids, brainwashed by their mom to hate him. So yeah, Mimi's actions here struck a familiar and hurtful chord.
All that to say, the parent conversation doesn't go well, and Mimi doesn't know when to back down (because she's a perfect mom who can fix everything), and Nora kicks her out. Good for her, honestly. I was happy Nora made her leave. That was some bullshit. (Ironically, Nora at one point thinks that she is attracted to Mimi because of 'mommy issues', and because Mimi is such a good mom...um, weird!) But then, very soon after, Nora's best friends try to talk to her, to understand what happened, get her to open up, and maybe see if she and Mimi can work it out. But Nora isn't ready to talk about it - it did JUST happen - has trouble formulating her words, and then, when the well-meaning friends push her to talk anyway, starts to shut down. Dude, I feel that. I have extreme anxiety, trouble communicating, and if someone isn't listening to me or isn't able to understand or pushes too hard, I will shut down. Now, again, Nora's possible neurodivergence is not explored at all, but she does feel compelled to run, so she goes upstairs to get away. It looks childish, but sometimes, that feels like the only option, when people don't take a hint. I have selective mutism, so I might lose the ability to speak at all. That physically hurts, by the way. Like, people who don't deal with it don't understand how hard it is when your brain won't make the words you want. And for me, to then lose all verbal communication altogether, it genuinely hurts. It's frustrating and humiliating, and all because of a situation out of my control. Be that someone saying the wrong thing, or not respecting my boundaries, or whatever. Someone who knows me can learn when to back off, let me process, and then we can continue the conversation at a later date, when I feel ready. Seems like Nora's friends of 20 years should know that and should have taken this intervention in stages. So, badly handled on their part, too.
But Nora and Mimi make up, with all the wrong kinds of apologies on the wrong people's parts, and I won't delve into that too much, because I was done at this point. This scene was so rushed, and they jumped right back into bed together, and then we never see them work on their issues. The book is almost over, so things wrap up very quickly after this, and then it's an epilogue. (Set like, two months later, by the way) I never get to see how Mimi might learn to deal with Nora's differences, understand her family situation, or anything. Can Nora learn to love her body without abusing it? Can she learn to open up? Will Mimi's kids ever see her as a normal person so Nora can feel comfortable at family gatherings? This, and so much more, we will never know. Again, we could have had a complex storyline with deep emotions and important discussions and a great character arc, and I feel robbed of that.
Last but not least, Nora says to Mimi, "You get me in ways no one else does." Mimi, to herself: 'In ways you've never let anyone else get you, I think, but it doesn't matter.' Actually, it really does matter. I am sick of Mimi's privileged view of the world! Not everything in life goes so well for everyone as it has for Mimi, and to me, this was condescending. She dismisses Nora so easily, her 51 years of experience and life and trauma, as if she is a petulant child who refuses to try to make friends in her new school. Actually, making friends is really hard, even if you're neurotypical. As a famous actress, no less, of course she has had trouble making genuine connections! Because people suck! Even for us normies, friendship is just not always valued. People don't want to get to know you, they don't want to dig deep and learn about your quirks and fears and the hidden pieces that you don't reveal easily. And because of that, true friends are hard to find. Especially the kind that can put up with communication issues and a need to be alone a lot and all of that. Maybe Nora did close herself off, but maybe for good reason. Take it from someone who knows. You can only take so much disappointment from humanity before it starts to feel pointless. It's taxing, especially if you have social anxiety, and maybe your trust runs out. And maybe that's okay.
I hated how Nora was reduced to this simplistic creature who just had no real life and no joy because she had closed herself off from the world, and she just needed Mimi to show her. No, fuck that. Being single is more than fine, having only a few very close friends is quite healthy, and being a loner is just a choice, not an affliction. By the time I closed this book, I was so angry, and had pages of notes about how angry with it I was. I only finished it so I could rant out this review. I am so disappointed in Harper Bliss and this sad, let-down of a story.
Harper failed to follow through on what could have been a really interesting storyline and character arc. No, she just turned Nora into a social recluse, an older woman too jaded by the world and her struggles to connect with it to bother anymore. I mean, cop out, much??
Nora reminds me of me, I realized. Socially awkward, easily drained of energy around people, prefers her dogs, doesn't like most humans, always seems to say the wrong thing, misses nonverbal cues, and asks too many and/or too personal questions. Like, my neurodivergent radar was pinging right and left. But don't hold on to that, because as mentioned above, that was only ever implied.
Mimi was sweet, at least with her kids, but a bit pushy in all other areas of her life, and that started to grate on me. Being in need of control is NOT the same as being pushy, and what was stated as the former of those only came across as the latter. But we'll come back to this, because it's the end of the book that really shows this.
They hook up for the first time. And this scene was so all over the place, so chaotic, that I just hated it. And as a result, every sex scene after it. Let me give you an example: 'But neither one of us is perfect. Nora might hide in her perfect house with her perfect body, she's made it clear she has plenty of issues. (<
And then, from Nora's POV in another 'sexy' scene (don't make me laugh): 'Granted, Mimi does respond to it (her body) exactly the way I had hoped her to. At times, when her gaze rakes over my body, she looks more baffled than impressed.' Um, how would that be the reaction you want?? And I am supposed to like, be turned on by this?! Because I just re-read it multiple times in confusion and then put into my notes how confused I was.
Oh, it keeps going. Let's try this gem: 'This isn't even just sex - not by a long shot. ....If this is what it's like for me after two years of celibacy, what must it have been like for Nora?' WTF, Mimi? It's not 'just about sex', but then you casually reference how you both being single for awhile makes the orgasms more intense? Like, is it just sex or more? Because I am getting mixed signals.
Each one of these on their own might not be so bad. Throw me out of the moment, sure, but okay. It happens. I'm sure I've written my fair share of scenes that might accidentally do that. But over and over?? The sexy times ended up NOT being sexy! But trust me, that is by far not the biggest grievance.
Nora and her perfect body are a problem. So, she eats like a supermodel (or an overworked and underappreciated actress who must not only look perfect, but maintain perfection into her senior years, lovely). But she works out with a former Marine who has honed her body into that of, well, a fellow Marine. Or at least an elite gymnast. No, just no. You might maintain that for a bit, but you cannot eat too little, avoid all carbs, and do long-term strength training. Your body would give out! And on top of that, the hours of a TV actress?? She would not be functional! She would struggle with sleep, digestion, mood, brain fog, and possibly so much more. And worse yet, when Mimi expresses concern about her lack of eating, this is held against Mimi, because she just 'wants to change her', not because she might actually care. If anyone did care about Nora, someone would've spoken the fuck up. No, I'm not mincing words. People die over this shit. EAT! Eat whole foods, meet your caloric needs, do not restrict unprocessed carbs, and KEEP doing the strength training! It's amazing for the body!
Mimi brings up Nora's family more than once, wanting to know more about them, as well as why they are not close, but gets nowhere. After they've been dating for a few weeks, she decides it's time to push a little more, but warns Nora first, knowing she won't like it. Great, communication up front and recognizing that Nora has issues with hard conversations; but the problem comes in when she can't take no for an answer. Not only does she not trust Nora has her reasons for the distance between her and her parents, but she doesn't trust that Nora can't/won't talk about it. Like, lady, you just met her. You've been dating for...three weeks, give or take. Let it go! But she doesn't do that, because her respect for Nora's boundaries apparently only goes so far. Plus, Mimi knows best, obviously. And she doesn't seem to get why Nora is upset. Apparently, because Mimi's family is perfect, she now has to 'fix' Nora's, so they can be like her. There is no other kind of good or healthy family dynamic besides Mimi's, I guess.
"Because, Nora, I am a mother and, no matter how strained your relationship with your parents might be, this must be killing them."
Oh, shut up, asshole. You have no fucking clue. You sit up on your pedestal of happy family, good mom, peaceful co-parenting relationship, and assume all parents are like you?? Fuck right off with that. As someone with a shitty parent, this attitude pisses me off. Don't pretend to understand something you don't, and then give zero understanding in return. That is beyond insulting. She doesn't know Nora's parents, or how they feel about her as a daughter, or how they feel about this not-super-close-relationship that some people just have with each other. Actually, some people shouldn't be parents at all. They turn out to be really bad at it. Some have really selfish motives, like mine. A child is not brought into the world with a duty on their shoulders to conform in order to earn love, nor do they exist to prop up an adult and their feelings. You can spend decades trying to earn said 'love', fail (by their standards), and end up hating yourself for something unattainable for which you should not have had to strive. I had to cut off a parent in adulthood (so did most of my siblings) for my own safety and mental health. And his next significant other felt she had the right to hunt some of us down on social media, message us to explain how sad and depressed he was because he was so far from his kids and missed them soooo much! Never mind that said parent moved away by choice, had not reached out since, and of those still speaking to him, had not cared to engage in return with conversation; not even birthday greetings and such. But he missed his beloved kids so much that he was depressed?? No, the fucker didn't, does not still, and that's just the facts. This new person, however, bought the lines fully; from that, she then thought she had the right to tell perfect strangers how happy it would make said SO, the parent they'd cut off after decades of verbal and emotional abuse, if we would just reach out. Not only was it vastly inappropriate, but it was hurtful, and dredged up pain/trauma we were trying so hard to dismantle. But THEY knew best and felt entitled to act accordingly. Suffice it to say my lengthy explanation did not change her view, and worse, only made things 'obvious' in terms of how she viewed us, based on what he'd told her. We were just the 'unloving' and 'undeserving' kids, brainwashed by their mom to hate him. So yeah, Mimi's actions here struck a familiar and hurtful chord.
All that to say, the parent conversation doesn't go well, and Mimi doesn't know when to back down (because she's a perfect mom who can fix everything), and Nora kicks her out. Good for her, honestly. I was happy Nora made her leave. That was some bullshit. (Ironically, Nora at one point thinks that she is attracted to Mimi because of 'mommy issues', and because Mimi is such a good mom...um, weird!) But then, very soon after, Nora's best friends try to talk to her, to understand what happened, get her to open up, and maybe see if she and Mimi can work it out. But Nora isn't ready to talk about it - it did JUST happen - has trouble formulating her words, and then, when the well-meaning friends push her to talk anyway, starts to shut down. Dude, I feel that. I have extreme anxiety, trouble communicating, and if someone isn't listening to me or isn't able to understand or pushes too hard, I will shut down. Now, again, Nora's possible neurodivergence is not explored at all, but she does feel compelled to run, so she goes upstairs to get away. It looks childish, but sometimes, that feels like the only option, when people don't take a hint. I have selective mutism, so I might lose the ability to speak at all. That physically hurts, by the way. Like, people who don't deal with it don't understand how hard it is when your brain won't make the words you want. And for me, to then lose all verbal communication altogether, it genuinely hurts. It's frustrating and humiliating, and all because of a situation out of my control. Be that someone saying the wrong thing, or not respecting my boundaries, or whatever. Someone who knows me can learn when to back off, let me process, and then we can continue the conversation at a later date, when I feel ready. Seems like Nora's friends of 20 years should know that and should have taken this intervention in stages. So, badly handled on their part, too.
But Nora and Mimi make up, with all the wrong kinds of apologies on the wrong people's parts, and I won't delve into that too much, because I was done at this point. This scene was so rushed, and they jumped right back into bed together, and then we never see them work on their issues. The book is almost over, so things wrap up very quickly after this, and then it's an epilogue. (Set like, two months later, by the way) I never get to see how Mimi might learn to deal with Nora's differences, understand her family situation, or anything. Can Nora learn to love her body without abusing it? Can she learn to open up? Will Mimi's kids ever see her as a normal person so Nora can feel comfortable at family gatherings? This, and so much more, we will never know. Again, we could have had a complex storyline with deep emotions and important discussions and a great character arc, and I feel robbed of that.
Last but not least, Nora says to Mimi, "You get me in ways no one else does." Mimi, to herself: 'In ways you've never let anyone else get you, I think, but it doesn't matter.' Actually, it really does matter. I am sick of Mimi's privileged view of the world! Not everything in life goes so well for everyone as it has for Mimi, and to me, this was condescending. She dismisses Nora so easily, her 51 years of experience and life and trauma, as if she is a petulant child who refuses to try to make friends in her new school. Actually, making friends is really hard, even if you're neurotypical. As a famous actress, no less, of course she has had trouble making genuine connections! Because people suck! Even for us normies, friendship is just not always valued. People don't want to get to know you, they don't want to dig deep and learn about your quirks and fears and the hidden pieces that you don't reveal easily. And because of that, true friends are hard to find. Especially the kind that can put up with communication issues and a need to be alone a lot and all of that. Maybe Nora did close herself off, but maybe for good reason. Take it from someone who knows. You can only take so much disappointment from humanity before it starts to feel pointless. It's taxing, especially if you have social anxiety, and maybe your trust runs out. And maybe that's okay.
I hated how Nora was reduced to this simplistic creature who just had no real life and no joy because she had closed herself off from the world, and she just needed Mimi to show her. No, fuck that. Being single is more than fine, having only a few very close friends is quite healthy, and being a loner is just a choice, not an affliction. By the time I closed this book, I was so angry, and had pages of notes about how angry with it I was. I only finished it so I could rant out this review. I am so disappointed in Harper Bliss and this sad, let-down of a story.
September 20, 2024
Nora Levine is a world-renowned television star who has been on the A list for three decades. She's aloof, closed off, and hates being in the spotlight. She's content to act and spend time with her best friends and three adorable pups.
Mimi St James is the new CEO of the company that produces Nora's hit show. Mimi is happy with her life. She loves her job, four kids, and three grandkids. When she meets Nora, she knows that she will be a tough nut to crack but she's up for the task.
As Nora and Mimi begin spending time together, the two can't deny their attraction and chemistry, but Nora hasn't allowed herself to be with anyone for years.
Mimi is such a delightful woman. She's compassionate, caring, supportive, and hard-working and is the absolute perfect person to break Nora out of the shell she's cocooned herself in. When Nora finally allows herself to become vulnerable, she's simply wonderful!
The supporting characters of Nora's best friends and Mimi's kids add so much to this already fantastic story. It was awesome to catch up with Stella and Kate from Bliss's A Family Affair.
Abby Craden did a stellar job with the audio. The voices she used and the emotions she puts into each moment made this a fantastic listen.
The Love We Make is a sapphic tale set in the world of Hollywood with two mature main characters who will steal your heart! Whether you read or listen to the audio, you're in for a treat! Thank you Harper Bliss for another fantastic read!
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mimi St James is the new CEO of the company that produces Nora's hit show. Mimi is happy with her life. She loves her job, four kids, and three grandkids. When she meets Nora, she knows that she will be a tough nut to crack but she's up for the task.
As Nora and Mimi begin spending time together, the two can't deny their attraction and chemistry, but Nora hasn't allowed herself to be with anyone for years.
Mimi is such a delightful woman. She's compassionate, caring, supportive, and hard-working and is the absolute perfect person to break Nora out of the shell she's cocooned herself in. When Nora finally allows herself to become vulnerable, she's simply wonderful!
The supporting characters of Nora's best friends and Mimi's kids add so much to this already fantastic story. It was awesome to catch up with Stella and Kate from Bliss's A Family Affair.
Abby Craden did a stellar job with the audio. The voices she used and the emotions she puts into each moment made this a fantastic listen.
The Love We Make is a sapphic tale set in the world of Hollywood with two mature main characters who will steal your heart! Whether you read or listen to the audio, you're in for a treat! Thank you Harper Bliss for another fantastic read!
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2023
I’m not sure why it took me so long to read more by Harper Bliss! Nora is a beloved TV actress. All she wants to do is go home to her dogs after work when the new production company CEO Mimi comes to the set to meet everyone. Nora is highly introverted and locked into her routines. It’s how she’s able to continue performing at a high level. She doesn’t trust easily, nor does she deviate from her quiet life. But there’s something about Mimi that draws her in and has her taking chances.
A lot of reviewers apparently found Nora to be unlikable but I personally struggled with Mimi. She has a “smothering warmth” Enneagram Two kind of personality, seeming warm and nurturing but actually inserting herself into everyone’s life and offering unwanted advice and opinions. Frankly, she was manipulative with the way she kept pressing Nora on topics when she had not earned the right. They’ve only known each other a few weeks! It was extremely frustrating that Mimi refused to understand not all families are close. Just because her family is—and I’d argue that a few boundaries need to be in place there too—doesn’t mean every family should operate that way. And just because Nora doesn’t have a story of familial rejection like her best friends Juan and Imani doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a valid reason to not have a relationship with her parents. I’m so tired of people acting like you owe your parents anything just because they gave birth to you. We’re not obligated to maintain ties to anyone. And then Mimi managed to get Juan and Imani on her side?! I felt as betrayed as Nora did. The sheer gall!
In addition to thinking Nora should contact her parents for no good reason, Mimi seems mildly concerned Nora might have disordered eating. It’s not clear what she thinks since she praises Nora’s body but also doesn’t understand why Nora won’t occasionally skip training or eat bread. Is it a Hollywood diet or something more? Why should Nora deviate from the program that’s gotten her roles? Hollywood absolutely has an issue with anti-fat bias and that’s worth a larger conversation. That doesn’t necessarily mean Nora needs to derail everything just because Mimi doesn’t want the alarm to wake her up at 5 am when Nora gets up to start her workout.
Mimi also thinks Nora has poor self-esteem but never encourages her to see a therapist. Now yes, Nora believes no one loves her for her, with the exception of her best friends, and it’s not hard to understand why. Everyone, Mimi included, refers to Nora as “Nora Levine”. Mimi’s adult children can’t turn their idol worship off to treat Nora like a human, instead of the actress from their favorite show growing up. (Their nosiness was beyond annoying.) Everyone expects Nora to be like her characters, when those are just roles she plays. She doesn’t feel like she measures up to anyone’s expectations. Gah, my heart went out to her. This book made me cry a whole bunch on her behalf.
So yeah. Team Nora all the way. Multiple instances of side eye at Mimi. But since Nora hasn’t dated in a couple of decades and Mimi is the one who got her out of her shell, I’m begrudgingly on board with their relationship. To be clear: I did thoroughly enjoy reading this! I’m just not sure Mimi really learned her lesson and that she won’t try to mold Nora into someone else. Fingers crossed for Nora that’s not the case.
There were a few odd bits, like when they talk about being “woke” related to fatphobia and Mimi asking Nora why she’s single, a question no one should ever ask someone who is single. I was also confused about how Mimi said she’d never date someone who worked for her but later said the rule didn’t apply to Nora because there isn’t a power imbalance. I guess I don’t know how production companies work but I’d think Mimi still has some power over Nora, regardless of Nora being the star of the show. There’s enough of a remove that I was okay with them dating but since Mimi replaced the old CEO because he sexually harassed staff, I would have thought she’d take more care.
Characters: Nora is a 51 year old introverted bisexual white actress. It’s possible she’s neurodivergent and/or demisexual. She has three dogs: Izzy (pug), Rogue (cocker spaniel), and Princess (golden retriever). Mimi is a 65 year old lesbian white production company CEO and mother of 4 adult children (39 year old twins Heather and Jennifer, 35 year old daughter Lauren, and 26 year old son Austin) and 3 grandchildren. This is set in LA.
Content notes: family estrangement (Nora does not talk to her parents; secondary characters estranged due to family’s homophobia and transphobia), possible concern of disordered eating, industry fatphobia, diet culture, past workplace sexual harassment (not MCs), past divorce, past infidelity (secondary characters), past death of Mimi’s parents, C-section scar, on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, past recreational drug use (mention), gendered pejorative, ableist language
A lot of reviewers apparently found Nora to be unlikable but I personally struggled with Mimi. She has a “smothering warmth” Enneagram Two kind of personality, seeming warm and nurturing but actually inserting herself into everyone’s life and offering unwanted advice and opinions. Frankly, she was manipulative with the way she kept pressing Nora on topics when she had not earned the right. They’ve only known each other a few weeks! It was extremely frustrating that Mimi refused to understand not all families are close. Just because her family is—and I’d argue that a few boundaries need to be in place there too—doesn’t mean every family should operate that way. And just because Nora doesn’t have a story of familial rejection like her best friends Juan and Imani doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a valid reason to not have a relationship with her parents. I’m so tired of people acting like you owe your parents anything just because they gave birth to you. We’re not obligated to maintain ties to anyone. And then Mimi managed to get Juan and Imani on her side?! I felt as betrayed as Nora did. The sheer gall!
In addition to thinking Nora should contact her parents for no good reason, Mimi seems mildly concerned Nora might have disordered eating. It’s not clear what she thinks since she praises Nora’s body but also doesn’t understand why Nora won’t occasionally skip training or eat bread. Is it a Hollywood diet or something more? Why should Nora deviate from the program that’s gotten her roles? Hollywood absolutely has an issue with anti-fat bias and that’s worth a larger conversation. That doesn’t necessarily mean Nora needs to derail everything just because Mimi doesn’t want the alarm to wake her up at 5 am when Nora gets up to start her workout.
Mimi also thinks Nora has poor self-esteem but never encourages her to see a therapist. Now yes, Nora believes no one loves her for her, with the exception of her best friends, and it’s not hard to understand why. Everyone, Mimi included, refers to Nora as “Nora Levine”. Mimi’s adult children can’t turn their idol worship off to treat Nora like a human, instead of the actress from their favorite show growing up. (Their nosiness was beyond annoying.) Everyone expects Nora to be like her characters, when those are just roles she plays. She doesn’t feel like she measures up to anyone’s expectations. Gah, my heart went out to her. This book made me cry a whole bunch on her behalf.
So yeah. Team Nora all the way. Multiple instances of side eye at Mimi. But since Nora hasn’t dated in a couple of decades and Mimi is the one who got her out of her shell, I’m begrudgingly on board with their relationship. To be clear: I did thoroughly enjoy reading this! I’m just not sure Mimi really learned her lesson and that she won’t try to mold Nora into someone else. Fingers crossed for Nora that’s not the case.
There were a few odd bits, like when they talk about being “woke” related to fatphobia and Mimi asking Nora why she’s single, a question no one should ever ask someone who is single. I was also confused about how Mimi said she’d never date someone who worked for her but later said the rule didn’t apply to Nora because there isn’t a power imbalance. I guess I don’t know how production companies work but I’d think Mimi still has some power over Nora, regardless of Nora being the star of the show. There’s enough of a remove that I was okay with them dating but since Mimi replaced the old CEO because he sexually harassed staff, I would have thought she’d take more care.
Characters: Nora is a 51 year old introverted bisexual white actress. It’s possible she’s neurodivergent and/or demisexual. She has three dogs: Izzy (pug), Rogue (cocker spaniel), and Princess (golden retriever). Mimi is a 65 year old lesbian white production company CEO and mother of 4 adult children (39 year old twins Heather and Jennifer, 35 year old daughter Lauren, and 26 year old son Austin) and 3 grandchildren. This is set in LA.
Content notes: family estrangement (Nora does not talk to her parents; secondary characters estranged due to family’s homophobia and transphobia), possible concern of disordered eating, industry fatphobia, diet culture, past workplace sexual harassment (not MCs), past divorce, past infidelity (secondary characters), past death of Mimi’s parents, C-section scar, on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, past recreational drug use (mention), gendered pejorative, ableist language
January 24, 2023
There are so many things to say about The Love We Make, but I want to keep this simple so you can just go download this romance. It was fantastic. It was written differently from the other romances I have read from Bliss. It took me a full chapter to get use to the writing style. Ultimately, I loved how it was written. As I was reading, I was trying to decide how I felt about Nora. I could not really understand her and not sure if I still can. I guess I wondered if there are real people like her that are that way and my conclusion was yes. By the time I got to the end, I decided that I really liked her. Matter fact, I really liked MiMi too and the other characters that Bliss put in this story. I was really impressed with Bliss. The mains from Harper's last book was in this one as well. What I am secretly hoping for is that Bliss next romance will be about Imani. I can cross my fingers on that one. This one was a solid 5 star for me.
Oh before I leave you, if you don't think that women over 50 can have hot sex...you are mistaken like Harper Bliss shows you in this story. Ha!
Oh before I leave you, if you don't think that women over 50 can have hot sex...you are mistaken like Harper Bliss shows you in this story. Ha!
February 10, 2023
I appreciate older MCs (in this case 51 and 65) as well as stories with forming an emotional connection slowly. You can't really miss with Harper Bliss for a feel good story.
February 4, 2023
Harper Bliss has this way of creating characters that have them so deeply embedded into your psyche that saying goodbye on that last page is not easy. The Love We Make, her newest sapphic romance, had me enthralled and left me aching for more.
Mimi and Nora are two extremely strong-willed, independent women who have made their own marks on the world and carry their accomplishments completely differently. Nora is a superstar whose rise to fame was as a television character no one can seem to forget. Now, in her fifties, her fame is going strong, though her personal life suffers. She has two best friends who are her chosen family, but steers clear of opening up to others, her fears of miscommunication and not living up to expectations, too overwhelming to face.
Mimi, on the other hand, is a proud mum, grandmother, and new CEO of the production company responsible for Nora’s current television show. She boldly inserts herself into Nora’s life, only vaguely aware of how uncomfortable she makes the woman, but too amused at the sporadic openness that Nora can’t help but let out to keep her distance.
Nora is stuck in her own head, and the way Bliss encapsulates her thoughts means that we get to understand her experiences, emotions and actions with an open mind, and a level of understanding and empathy that is not always possible in fiction. I found myself right alongside Mimi when she was irritated at miscommunication, but right there as well when she just couldn’t turn away.
Alongside Nora and Mimi, there are some really cool side characters in Nora’s entourage and Mimi’s kids, who add realism and attitude as these two completely different families open their arms with acceptance and understanding.
The Love We Make is a character-driven love story that takes the reader deeply into the thoughts and feelings of Nora and Mimi, with the usual steaminess that Bliss is famous for, a little angst, and the happily ever after we all hope for in the end.
Mimi and Nora are two extremely strong-willed, independent women who have made their own marks on the world and carry their accomplishments completely differently. Nora is a superstar whose rise to fame was as a television character no one can seem to forget. Now, in her fifties, her fame is going strong, though her personal life suffers. She has two best friends who are her chosen family, but steers clear of opening up to others, her fears of miscommunication and not living up to expectations, too overwhelming to face.
Mimi, on the other hand, is a proud mum, grandmother, and new CEO of the production company responsible for Nora’s current television show. She boldly inserts herself into Nora’s life, only vaguely aware of how uncomfortable she makes the woman, but too amused at the sporadic openness that Nora can’t help but let out to keep her distance.
Nora is stuck in her own head, and the way Bliss encapsulates her thoughts means that we get to understand her experiences, emotions and actions with an open mind, and a level of understanding and empathy that is not always possible in fiction. I found myself right alongside Mimi when she was irritated at miscommunication, but right there as well when she just couldn’t turn away.
Alongside Nora and Mimi, there are some really cool side characters in Nora’s entourage and Mimi’s kids, who add realism and attitude as these two completely different families open their arms with acceptance and understanding.
The Love We Make is a character-driven love story that takes the reader deeply into the thoughts and feelings of Nora and Mimi, with the usual steaminess that Bliss is famous for, a little angst, and the happily ever after we all hope for in the end.
April 30, 2023
Nora is very unlikeable and immature. I cannot see the connection or feel the chemistry between her and Mimi who deserves someone very different—more open, less inclined to blow a gasket from an uncomfortable question. Nora often behaves very petulantly. If the story did not disclose her age (51 or something around that), I would have thought her considerably younger. There’s lots of characters in this story which was initially a little confusing.
February 17, 2024
3.5 Stars
The author was describing me as the recluse in this book. I feel attacked 😂 but happy that some people are like this too (even though they are fictional).
The author was describing me as the recluse in this book. I feel attacked 😂 but happy that some people are like this too (even though they are fictional).
January 13, 2023
This is another lovely story from Ms Bliss. As usual, we’ll written, with good description and interesting leading characters.
The story moves at a steady pace, with minimal aghast and a HEA. My only disappointment is that it could have had a deeper plot, with more aghast. But if you like an easy read then this is the book for you.
The story moves at a steady pace, with minimal aghast and a HEA. My only disappointment is that it could have had a deeper plot, with more aghast. But if you like an easy read then this is the book for you.
January 25, 2023
What a lovely slow burn story. Nora is a complex person, with walls built up around her heart. Then she meets Mimi,the CEO of the production company of her show, and her walls stay strong. But, Mimi is actually a nice, kind person and they become friends. That's the simple version of the beginning of this wonderful book. But there is so much more. Harper doesn't disappoint! 5 stars!!
March 11, 2023
Interesting romance
I enjoyed them being older women, and the different dynamics on show.
I dont know if its intentional, but nora seems very autistic-coded, which is rather curious but also amusing, and its good rep, plus igs rare to see
I enjoyed them being older women, and the different dynamics on show.
I dont know if its intentional, but nora seems very autistic-coded, which is rather curious but also amusing, and its good rep, plus igs rare to see
June 21, 2023
First I have to thank Harper Bliss for this unusual age gap romance with both women over 50 and one of them at the age of 65! And the elder woman was married for decades and had 4 adult children and 3 grandkids. It has Hollywood glamor and beautiful ice queen TV star and funny sibling rivalry and 20 years of friendship along with insecurities and estranged relationship with parents. The story flows well, but unlike the other Harper books I read, I don't feel the real hot chemistry between the MCs and the TV star's frosty demeanor and spoiled temperament certainly don't win me over. I wish there are more candid communications between the couple and they spent more time together not only for sex!
January 23, 2023
The Love We Make
Harper Bliss tells a wonderful story, I truly enjoyed it. I look forward to more books from her in the future.
Harper Bliss tells a wonderful story, I truly enjoyed it. I look forward to more books from her in the future.
January 18, 2023
I love a good crossover filled with Easter eggs, and this one delivers! It's a classic workplace age gap romance (I think 51 and 65 is still age gap), but the two main characters are different than any I've ever read. Told in alternating first person POV, the story builds slowly as Mimi and Nora meet, begin working together, and eventually enter a relationship. One thing I found incredible is that every single character, no matter how insignificant, gets their own well fleshed out backstory and personality, down to Nora's personal chef and trainer. It may take longer that way, but I was really invested in both Nora's crew of besties and also Mimi's extended family.
I absolutely adored Mimi, and at age 61 can't imagine being as put together as she is! Nora is a tough nut to crack, maybe even the most troubled main character I've read in quite some time. She is so well written that you ALMOST feel like her problems are insurmountable, even though we know they have to end up happy. I totally had Nora pegged as Jennifer Aniston, in regards to their age and how Jennifer's life became completely public during friends and then ever since. But I can't get a Mimi pictured!
Even with all the Easter eggs, this can totally be read as a standalone. It really is a master class in character development.
I absolutely adored Mimi, and at age 61 can't imagine being as put together as she is! Nora is a tough nut to crack, maybe even the most troubled main character I've read in quite some time. She is so well written that you ALMOST feel like her problems are insurmountable, even though we know they have to end up happy. I totally had Nora pegged as Jennifer Aniston, in regards to their age and how Jennifer's life became completely public during friends and then ever since. But I can't get a Mimi pictured!
Even with all the Easter eggs, this can totally be read as a standalone. It really is a master class in character development.
March 29, 2023
4⭐️
I really enjoyed this book. It hit some pretty familiar themes and brought in new ones I've not noticed in other books as well. It was written with each chapter from the point of view of one of the main characters. The POV switched with each chapter so you got Nora's take on what was happening followed by Mimi's take on what happened next. I wasn't sure I would like this device, but found it helpful in filling out the characters and history of both main leads.
I've been sitting with this book for a day trying to figure out what I want to share about it. So, right now, I'm feeling a bit like Nora. She is (possibly) an introvert who believes she doesn't have normal people and communication skills. She controls her environment rigidly because she has difficulty with change. She has a chosen family with whom she is close and around whom she can relax. She's insecure. Along comes Mimi, a bit older, and almost Nora's polar opposite in many ways. She's outgoing, is a Mother to 4 adult children and values family and being in the kids, spouses, grandkids lives. She's adept at going with the flow and is kind, supportive, nurturing and emotionally available.
Friendship and more ensue, but with different ideas of family and vastly different communication styles, not everything goes smoothly.
The book is smart and filled with compassion. It strongly argues that family might be the one you are born with or it just might be the one you choose … both are valid and no one gets to judge. It reminds us that relationships require a willingness to be vulnerable and that takes work from both partners. There were a lot of things in this book that resonated with my own life. And isn't that what books are for? To hold up a mirror and let you learn and grow from these fictional character's struggles and triumphs.
I really enjoyed this book. It hit some pretty familiar themes and brought in new ones I've not noticed in other books as well. It was written with each chapter from the point of view of one of the main characters. The POV switched with each chapter so you got Nora's take on what was happening followed by Mimi's take on what happened next. I wasn't sure I would like this device, but found it helpful in filling out the characters and history of both main leads.
I've been sitting with this book for a day trying to figure out what I want to share about it. So, right now, I'm feeling a bit like Nora. She is (possibly) an introvert who believes she doesn't have normal people and communication skills. She controls her environment rigidly because she has difficulty with change. She has a chosen family with whom she is close and around whom she can relax. She's insecure. Along comes Mimi, a bit older, and almost Nora's polar opposite in many ways. She's outgoing, is a Mother to 4 adult children and values family and being in the kids, spouses, grandkids lives. She's adept at going with the flow and is kind, supportive, nurturing and emotionally available.
Friendship and more ensue, but with different ideas of family and vastly different communication styles, not everything goes smoothly.
The book is smart and filled with compassion. It strongly argues that family might be the one you are born with or it just might be the one you choose … both are valid and no one gets to judge. It reminds us that relationships require a willingness to be vulnerable and that takes work from both partners. There were a lot of things in this book that resonated with my own life. And isn't that what books are for? To hold up a mirror and let you learn and grow from these fictional character's struggles and triumphs.
January 21, 2023
The Complexity of Nora Levine
That would also be a good book title, because Nora Levine is indeed a very complex and complicated character.
She is well aware of her own complicated nature and is therefore a hermit.
Except for their small entourage of best friends who are actually more of a family, Juan and Imani.
Set time on set with an extremely tight schedule each day, there is little Nora would want to change about herself.
So her life runs smoothly and uneventfull with her sweet and loyal dogs.
Until suddenly Mimi St James rocks this calm sea with her unplanned appearance.
Mimi is a successful woman, CEO and mother of four!
At her age, quite happy with herself and her life.
She meets the famous Nora Levine and is simply attracted to the mysterious person that Nora is in her private life and not by her successes and the roles she has embodied so far
Often in this story, Nora’s motivations remain a bit obscure until the very end, and that makes her a really interesting character.
The extremely sweet Mimi with her big mother's heart is exactly what a Nora Levine needs, if she would only see it herself.
It's a slow burn romance that, when the time comes, sparkles with charm and eroticism.
And again Harper Bliss manages to completely captivate me with her kissing scenes.
They are described beautifully and so intimately that you want nothing more than walk straight home or to your partner no matter where she is and do nothing but kiss for hours!
That would also be a good book title, because Nora Levine is indeed a very complex and complicated character.
She is well aware of her own complicated nature and is therefore a hermit.
Except for their small entourage of best friends who are actually more of a family, Juan and Imani.
Set time on set with an extremely tight schedule each day, there is little Nora would want to change about herself.
So her life runs smoothly and uneventfull with her sweet and loyal dogs.
Until suddenly Mimi St James rocks this calm sea with her unplanned appearance.
Mimi is a successful woman, CEO and mother of four!
At her age, quite happy with herself and her life.
She meets the famous Nora Levine and is simply attracted to the mysterious person that Nora is in her private life and not by her successes and the roles she has embodied so far
Often in this story, Nora’s motivations remain a bit obscure until the very end, and that makes her a really interesting character.
The extremely sweet Mimi with her big mother's heart is exactly what a Nora Levine needs, if she would only see it herself.
It's a slow burn romance that, when the time comes, sparkles with charm and eroticism.
And again Harper Bliss manages to completely captivate me with her kissing scenes.
They are described beautifully and so intimately that you want nothing more than walk straight home or to your partner no matter where she is and do nothing but kiss for hours!
August 29, 2023
This is a lovely romance. I enjoyed the dynamics between Nora and Mimi very much. What makes it especially compelling is the character growth these two gorgeous ladies make during their journey to HEA. It’s engaging as well as heartfelt. I would recommend this romance to anyone who loves a good complex ice queen because Nora is all of that! One can’t help but fall in love with her; she pushes the storytelling in ways that are relatable and endearing. Bottom line: Bliss provides readers with a romance that’s hard to resist. This one is definitely worth the investment; it needs to be in every sapphic romance reader’s TBR pile. (The audiobook narrated by Abby Craden is delicious too!)
January 20, 2023
Wonderful and very engaging romance
Nora Levine is a successful actress living her dream, everything is going right in her life, until the new CEO of the production company, decides to get involved hands-on in the show, she knows things are going to change and she is hating it before it starts. While Mimi St James is all positive, sweet, and wants the best for everyone around her. Will they survive their differences and be able to let their chemistry win?
This is an excellent read, the story is great and very well-developed. This is on the slow burn side, something rare for Miss Harper, but works. Although I felt the beginning was a bit slow, it opened the expectation of what was to come, and then the pace changes toward the half of the book and gets even better.
I loved this book so much, the development is so smooth, full of humour and great moments, that I just couldn't stop reading. I also loved both characters, they are so down to earth and relatable, despite their jobs being on the unusual type, as is an actress and an executive (owner of the filming company).
Nora isn't an easy person to deal with and I believe a very challenging character, but Harper did a great job developing her. I love how gradually mini gets her involved in her life.
When I reached the epilogue, I was like -"what? No, there must be more chapters". And that's because I was so captivated by the story, enjoying it so much that I didn't want it to end.
I loved the book and the way it ends; I hope Nora meeting her idol opens the door for a sequel, or at least a follow-up story. I'd love to keep reading about Nora and Mimi. Also, I loved the Easter eggs, it's so good to find those little titbits of characters from other stories.
If you like a great book with loads of smooth romance and lots of laughs along the way, this is the book for you. An absolutely brilliant story, I would recommend this to anyone.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Nora Levine is a successful actress living her dream, everything is going right in her life, until the new CEO of the production company, decides to get involved hands-on in the show, she knows things are going to change and she is hating it before it starts. While Mimi St James is all positive, sweet, and wants the best for everyone around her. Will they survive their differences and be able to let their chemistry win?
This is an excellent read, the story is great and very well-developed. This is on the slow burn side, something rare for Miss Harper, but works. Although I felt the beginning was a bit slow, it opened the expectation of what was to come, and then the pace changes toward the half of the book and gets even better.
I loved this book so much, the development is so smooth, full of humour and great moments, that I just couldn't stop reading. I also loved both characters, they are so down to earth and relatable, despite their jobs being on the unusual type, as is an actress and an executive (owner of the filming company).
Nora isn't an easy person to deal with and I believe a very challenging character, but Harper did a great job developing her. I love how gradually mini gets her involved in her life.
When I reached the epilogue, I was like -"what? No, there must be more chapters". And that's because I was so captivated by the story, enjoying it so much that I didn't want it to end.
I loved the book and the way it ends; I hope Nora meeting her idol opens the door for a sequel, or at least a follow-up story. I'd love to keep reading about Nora and Mimi. Also, I loved the Easter eggs, it's so good to find those little titbits of characters from other stories.
If you like a great book with loads of smooth romance and lots of laughs along the way, this is the book for you. An absolutely brilliant story, I would recommend this to anyone.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
January 21, 2023
Beautiful love story
Harper is the best at drawing the reader into the story. Feeling the ups and downs of the characters. Leaving you with a feeling of wanting to know more about these characters. I couldn't put it down.
Harper is the best at drawing the reader into the story. Feeling the ups and downs of the characters. Leaving you with a feeling of wanting to know more about these characters. I couldn't put it down.
October 2, 2023
Lovely story!
🎧 Highly recommend listening to Abby Craden narrate this story!
🎧 Highly recommend listening to Abby Craden narrate this story!
January 19, 2023
Wow what a beautiful slow burner I loved the main characters with their complex issues were written with so much understanding and love,this is definitely my favourite by Harper Bliss I couldn't put it down definitely must read congratulations
January 11, 2023
The Love We Make is a quick read. The romance is hot and steamy. Their friends and family are the best. Plus, we get a happily-ever-after and we all deserve that.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
November 26, 2024
Another gem in the Blissverse!
This slow burn, angst ridden, emotional book takes the reader on a journey into the complex relationship Nora Levine has with herself and the undeniable attraction she has for Mimi St James the CEO of the production company making the television show Nora appears in.
Nora’s friends and Mimi’s family play key roles in the relationship between Nora and Mimi.
This is a sweet love story that begins as friendship between two mature women, and after twists and turns they realise that they were meant for each other. A tearjerker!
Highly recommended for everyone to read. It will stay with you for a long time.
The Love We Make
This slow burn, angst ridden, emotional book takes the reader on a journey into the complex relationship Nora Levine has with herself and the undeniable attraction she has for Mimi St James the CEO of the production company making the television show Nora appears in.
Nora’s friends and Mimi’s family play key roles in the relationship between Nora and Mimi.
This is a sweet love story that begins as friendship between two mature women, and after twists and turns they realise that they were meant for each other. A tearjerker!
Highly recommended for everyone to read. It will stay with you for a long time.
The Love We Make
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