TRUE BLISS (Bliss #2) by BJ HARVEY

Reviewed by Jenny 

4.5 G.O.G. Stars!!

I loved this book and can’t wait for more in this series! We met all these characters in Temporary Bliss (Bliss #1) and spending time with them again was a real treat!

True Bliss begins with Kate talking about her desire to meet Mr Right instead of Mr Right Now and I have to say that reading this book was like being on a brunch dates with my single mates and listening to them bemoan the lack of men out there looking to settle down, of hearing their plight of looking for, but not finding that special love. Not just any kind of love though….Kate, like my mates wants to experience THAT love.  You know the one?

“I want the kind of crazy love we’ve been warned about. The kind of love that makes your heart skip a beat. The kind of love that makes you want to dance in the rain and bottle up the sunset while screaming at the top of your lungs. The kind of love that authors write about, musicians sing about and lover’s dream about.” – Kate

Yeah, that kind! Kate’s situation came across so real and so familiar that you feel as if Kate  could be one of your girlfriends and you’re there with her as she tackles the single dating scene looking for love.

‘I want to be loved. Is that so wrong?’ – Kate

Kate is searching for Mr Right and Zander is searching for Miss Right. Can their paths finally collide and allow them to see what everyone else sees, how they are so right for each other? Can the person you’re destined to be with be the one that’s right in front of your face?

We first met Kate and Zan in Temporary Bliss and whilst I adored them then, I completely and utterly fell in love with them in True Bliss. These two characters will melt your heart, set it a flutter and although you’ll be completely satisfied, you’ll still want more!

Kate is the best friend of the crazy gorgeous Mac and Zander was once of of Mac’s three booty calls. Hmmmm…awkward!  Zander assumes Kate would have an issue with his past dalliances with Mac…you know, the whole someone’s seconds dilemma, and should they ‘get it on’ he’s worried that Kate may hold regrets.

Kate has a “three date rule” whereby she won’t sleep with someone until the third date. Tricky, because if ever two people needed to release that pent up sexual energy it’s these two. Pass the ice bucket!! But both aren’t looking for a quick hook up though and Zan wants to prove he can be the man Kate needs and goes all out to make her see it. Let me tell you folks, when this man delectable man wooed…..dear god….did he have me SWOONING.  Zander in woo mode is something to behold. Sigh…..

“It’s killing me to say no to you Kate. I just don’t want to be another thing you regret in the morning. You’re more than a quick lay, you’re a lifetime of making love.” – Zander

See what I mean….serious swoony Zan in action!!  Zander, our gorgeous stripper come police rookie in training, is a natural protector and has been since he was forced to become the man of the house at only thirteen, taking care of his Mum and three sisters following the passing of his father.  Kate wants to feel loved and protected and the attraction and find the love of her life and the chemistry between these two sizzles.  I was desperately willing these two to be together. They were so perfect for one another and complimented each other so beautifully.

True Bliss was such an easy, romantic and wonderful read and I was completely lost in this story in every way. It never felt weighted down with over descriptive prose or relied on drama for the sake of drama. The story flowed well and I relished every single minute spent with characters who were such a joy and who feel like old friends.

My only issue were a couple of instances where the story would jump in time and then be told via flashback.  At these times I would have preferred to have stayed in the moment with Zander and Kate because I was enjoying the development of the relationship so much I wanted to experience every single second in real time. But, the flashbacks were so well written that I was able to just go with the flow and enjoy the fun.

My heart broke for Zander and Kate when miscommunication, non disclosure and circumstances cause the path to true love to experience some hiccups.  But Zander wasn’t giving up and when Zander fights for his woman, trust me,  you will be doing some major dreamy sighing let me tell you.  I was a gonner. He is up there as one of my favourite book boyfriends and I just loved him!

‘I love you enough to fight for you until you tell me there is no hope, then I’ll fight harder. You are the only woman I want to be with, to laugh with, to live with, to make love to.’ – Zander

The situation and characters created by BJ Harvey felt so real and relatable the story was told in a beautifully witty and endearing way,  allowing True Bliss is the perfect escape.  I dare you to read this book without a smile constantly plastered on your face….when you’re not fanning yourself or madly swooning that is!

‘One look like that, and I’ll give her the world and ask if her she needs anything else.’ Zander

This author has a knack for bringing real life situations to life in her stories, turning them on their head and in the process creating a fun, passionate, swoony and very entertaining read! I know I’ll be 1clicking the rest of the Bliss Series without hesitation.

“I thought I was the luckiest freaking woman in the world because I was loved by you. You’d chosen me.” – Kate

True Bliss had the perfect blend of drama, heat, romance, passion, romance and a huge helping of fun.  The banter between all the characters will result in you falling in love with them all. This was a lose yourself and enjoy every minute kind of read and was one I couldn’t put down until the end. I read it with a grin on my face and warmth in my heart. Pretty bloody satisfying I’d say!

‘Kate has me, all of me. I feel claimed. I’m totally caught. Hook, line and sinker’ – Zander

I know the feeling Zan buddy, because you, Kate and the whole True Bliss gang certainly had me hook, line and sinker too!  Loved True Bliss and highly recommend it.

*ARC received for an honest review*