Third read, December 2023: I am obliterated! It's difficult to speak to the enormity of the force of this book by Judy Cuevas. With each read, I am humbled by her magnificence and made whole again because I live in a world where this book exists and it is in me.

First read, March 2023: I used get annoyed by gifs in reviews bc I wanted words not pictures. I have come to realize the folly in underestimating the gif-infused review because right now all I can say about this book is *gif of David Rose crying and laughing. ( )

Reread 2/6 with Joanna & Whiskey. Still near perfect.

Astonishingly magnificent.

I have had a few experiences reading romances that I think I can't possibly put my review into words after I complete the novel. This again, will be inadequate. Not only have I used the majority of my brain power up in the reading and rereading and BR discussion of this book (simultaneously, because it's that kind of book), but I have too many thoughts to harness.

I'm not going to tell you the plot. I will tell you it's not often, for me, that a book manages to be sensuous, funny, romantic, and intellectually stimulating all in one 310 page package. That my swoons exist for both hero and heroine, as they should. That the setting and details are as lush and evocative as the language. That it all serves a purpose. That somehow, despite the underlying plot, this book doesn't feel angsty or overburdened. Essentially, Bliss was sweeping. I've been swept.

"Everything enduring is French. Everything good in life. Food, style, art, poetry"-he raised one brow-"love." He put on a clowning smugness. "We invented love of course."
She laughed.
"No, no I do not pull your leg. During the Middle Ages, the French came up with the idea of love as we know it today. I could show you literature. I could prove it." He made a mock-modest face. "But I won't rub it in: We also invented diplomacy."

Thanks to Gaufre and Angry for the buddy read (still in progress, but I'm greedy like that)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19748749-march-15-bliss?ref=nav_bar_discuss...

I never would've seen this book had it not been for Christina's beautiful review last year and Gaufre 5 stars ( )

I read this as a buddy read, for quotes, comments, and discussion: Bliss Buddy Read

"Dis non."

I am wrung out from reading this, I quoted and talked a lot in the buddy read, so I'm going to let that for the most part talk for what I thought about this book.

This was published in 1995, it has a bit of different rhythm to it. The heroine and hero are solidly introduced on their own and their characters are established before they meet (around 35% mark), this completely worked for me and if you're looking for depth to your characters that creates an incredibly emotional story, then it will work for you too.

These characters weren't perfect, our hero is addicted to ether, has some struggles with not being the "hot, talented artist" anymore and our heroine is escaping a reputation that gave her a nickname "Miss Seven Minutes in Heaven" and wants a romantic easy life in Paris. It was the underlining truth to these emotions and characters that will have me thinking about these characters for a long, long time.

It was passages like this:
In the musty dark of the attic, Hannah felt heartened at last. And so very impressed with the real Nardi de Saint Vallier. He might not be a prince, but he was heroic: a man ready to face his nemesis, all that had worn him down before. Better than the fancy trousers and pretty coats that had once impressed her, this man had a magnificent fortitude.
that had me absorbed.

The author brilliantly interweaves societal issues and family dynamics through characters' thoughts and actions; these characters were not perfect but they grew.

Secondary characters had me desperately wanting a Director's Cut of the book so I could get a more thorough look at them.

If you can find this book, grasp it with both hands, I've rarely read a book that had such amazing depth to emotions. Read this, read this, read this (then go the buddy read and comment so I can talk about this book more and for years to come :)

"You should know, Hannah, that I would marry you over and over, as many times as it takes to make the world see I love you." ( )

http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=2103 ( )