Four women. One building. A million complications.
High Rise is a series of lesbian erotic romance novellas focusing on four women who live in The Ivy, the ‘sexiest building in Hong Kong’.
Alex, a local gym instructor. Her room mate Nat, a celebrated American writer who moved to Hong Kong for love. Their upstairs neighbour Maddie, a workaholic investment banker. And the penthouse inhabitant, Isabella, a psychiatrist who’s lived in the city for fifteen years.
Romances develop and untangle as these four women get to know each other better.
This collection includes:
Novella 1: Fool for Love Novella 2: Undisclosed Desires Novella 3: No Ordinary Love Novella 4: Close Enough
Harper 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.
There’s a reason why Harper Bliss is my favorite author! The woman really knows how to write steamy, dramatic, entertaining and sexy books! This one was no different , a story full of entertainment involving 4 very sexy characters. The story is set in Hong Kong which makes it even more interesting because I’ve always wanted to visit it but never got the chance. I liked the fact that it gave you a glimpse of that cosmopolitan part of the world.
I really enjoyed the collection. Steamy but had some relationship drama too and I felt connection between the characters both at their friendship but also the couples that formed.
First book that set places in my hometown, of course I'll have to grab a copy! I find the setting of this book very interesting. It's also quite true that if you live in an expat community, no matter how big the city's population is, it is sometimes a very small place.
I love the dynamics, the contrasts and the alternate voices of the characters. The quite oriental and morally minded Alex vs Maddie, who's last relationship was a fling with a married woman from the office; the steady and more mature Isabella vs the younger and insecure Nat who is known for being a player. Each of them and their problem feels real and it's something that you can relate to.
I'm almost laughing at the reference to the "Hello Kitty" girls, I think I have a pretty good idea what the author means.
If you are ever going to visit Hong Kong, I'll highly recommend the Dragon's back hiking trail as well. It got the best view of the Hong Kong island, and best of all - it's easily accessible by public transport and ends with great food!
After having a few false starts with Ms Bliss's writing, including this one quite awhile ago, I took a chance with French Kissing and quite enjoyed it. So I decided to go back to this one to see if my opinion changed, but unfortunately it didn't.
This didn't hold the same depth or interest as the above mentioned one. There was a very thin/non-existent plot, character development lacking, but a whole lotta sex. If you want sex, read this book. Some scenes quite enjoyable and tantalizing, and I don't suggest reading this on your lunch break in a public place.
I had visions of throwing ego-driven Nat off the 43rd floor terrace after the utter selfishness of what she pulled with Isabella, as well as how heartless she is portrayed with her numerous one-night stands. I saw chiseled abs everywhere including bus shelters and brick walls after the copious descriptions of Alex's body..., Hey I love a hot body show, just not at the expense of going deeper into her character. And Maddie just fell flat for me, though I could have been jaded due to us reader's initial meeting of her being right in the middle of having an affair with a married woman. Isabella was intriguing but we didn't get enough about her, just scratched the surface. I get that the pairings were supposed to be more "opposites attract" or "taming the serial casual fucker," but overall these couples didn't interest me. If anything, I wish Alex and Isabella would have hooked up, as they clearly know how to hold a relationship better than the other two.
I loved this and the way it's structured. It would have been okay to read the novellas individually, but they work really, really well as a collection.
I really enjoyed this story. I originally got the first two novellas of this story for free on Amazon and then decided to just buy the collection in full because I was enjoying the story so much.
Four lesbian women living in Hong Kong trying to balance career, friendship, heartache and romance. This story is made up of 4 different novellas which alternate POVs. Novellas 1 and 3 are from Alex and Maddie's perspective while 2 and 4 are from Nat and Isabella's perspectives. I really enjoyed the shared comradere between these 4 women. Although there are romantic complications throughout, I just enjoyed a look at real women trying to be comfortable about who they are in a place that appreciates its history more than changing with the times and accepting those that don't fit into a tight perfect box.
I felt like even though there was a lot of drama in this story, which is to be expected in a romance, it wasn't unrealistic in anyway. The women in this story all have real issues that they are dealing with and I feel like it would be difficult to not find someone's story to relate to. You don't have to be a lesbian to understand the things these women are going through.
All in all, I love Harper Bliss! I've read a few of her novellas at this point including Wetter and New Girl and even though all are erotica to some extent, they are not lacking in story by any means.
2.5 stars. Good, for what it is, and really sexy, but it did let me down in a couple ways. This tells the story of a group of mostly expats living in a high rise in Hong Kong, and their relationships and friendships with one another. It's told in four novellas with alternating POVs, and by the end, each other the two couples have their HEA. I wouldn't call it erotica, but it does have a lot of steam. I liked both the couples fine, and there were some interesting dynamics. But it did feel a little insta-lovey and didn't really have any emotional hook for me to cling to. There was drama, of course, but I didn't care that much. I found the way some of the side characters (Cindy and Sophie) got treated to be so callous, and it rubbed me the wrong way. And all the women felt uber-privileged in a way I didn't care for. The setting would have been interesting, except this didn't really feel like it was set in Hong Kong, and one of the characters ironically used the phrase 'yellow fever' which felt like a slap to the face.
This was a fun packed, steamy read. I loved the way you got to grow with the characters. The story was original and entertaining with the right mix of emotions. I was sad when it ended but I'm looking forward to seeing what the author does next. Check out my reviews on the separate books for more.
High Rise: The Complete Collection — Harper Bliss (4 books) 275pg. July 4-8, 2018
Note: This is a super sexy book involving four women of consenting age. There are explicit sexy scenes. Only intended for readers of legal age: 21 and above in America. Note: There is a bondage scene at the beginning of book three.
Harper Bliss is a very prolific writer. She has great ideas. I’m always attracted to her plots. So, then: I don’t know why I don’t enjoy her books more?
This was one set that started out a little rough for me but soon in the first book I fell in love with the characters and each book got stronger.
Book 1: For For Love (July 5-6, 2018) Three stars Maddie and Alex have complicated past lover issues. Maddie’s issue is too much for Alex…yet she can’t help being attracted to her. Will Alex work through the issue and lose her chance at real love, or will she be able to overlook it and move past her last lover? Meanwhile, Isabella and Nat play a slow burn game that may finally allow Nat to move past her angry past and settle down, if she can open up to Isabella and show her true self.
Book 2: Undisclosed Desires (July 6, 2018) Three stars As Isabella tries to break through Nat’s closed shell, Nat wonders why Isabella would be interested in her at all. Isabella has a decision to make, which may move her past her feelings for Nat. And Nat falls off the wagon but it isn’t the same.
Book 3: No Ordinary Love (July 6-8, 2018) Two stars Combines both couples. Alex and Maddie struggle with a hiccup in their blooming relationship, when a former lover re-appears. Isabella and Nat make a breakthrough with theirs, but is it to last?
Book 4: Close Enough (July 6-7, 2018) Four stars [Yeah, I cheated and read ahead. When I started to read the third book, it had a kind of sexual scene that I didn’t much like, so I decided to skip ahead and come back. A credit to the author, because I had read the first one, I didn’t feel lost reading it out of order.] Nat did something super bad. She reverted to her old ways between book two and three, and Isabella caught her the next day in the arms of someone else. Nat spends the rest of the book trying to win her back. Has Nat lost Isabella forever?
The first, second and the fourth books are the strongest. The third one had plot, but was mostly sexy scenes. Sexy scenes are all right if they move the plot. I found myself moving ahead and skimming the sexy scenes in that book to get back to the plot.
All four together are about 274pg… an easy read, if not interrupted!
Very high three stars. I haven’t enjoyed sexy bits in books for quite a while now. If a reader can look past that and focus on the plot, this is a very fine read.
I love that Alex and Nat are besties and that they care so deeply for one another. That they are honest and wish each other happiness and are supportive to each other. When these two Engage their friendly neighbors Maddie and Isabella the older and wiser ladies of the same apartment building, thats when the sparks fly. I enjoyed the whole series in one day and I loved it. I had my moments when I was so angry at Nat and angry at Alex but that didn’t stop me from loving their stories too. I love me some Harper Bliss books !!!!
God I don’t know what took me so long to read this story because I can say with full certainty that it’s the best thing story I’ve read of Harpers! Loved he setting for the story and how it was in the perspective of each character. I’m hoping she continues this story as I’d like to see the characters from where they left off
Life connected with Isabella, Maddie, Nat and Alex proves to be exciting and complicated. I loved the premise of the series, the interactions, drama and of course the sex. Better appreciated as a collection and not individually. Now one of my "go to" books. Great job Ms. Bliss
Another great series! Another one I didn't want to end. These books are about so much more than just sex. Although, they are some pretty great moments! It's about friendships, emotional toil and how to navigate it all.
There is a saying that “age and treachery overcome youth and skill every time.” In matter of the heart it helps to have all of these. Four diverse women comes together as friends and pair up. Highly recommend.
This is one of those stories that really snatch you away! It has it all great characters, very interesting plot, endearing romance and deeply erotic sex!! I love how the story developed and the switching point of view. I can see myself re-reading it soon!!
As usual for your books this was very hot. You should not read it out in public unless you don't mind people seeing you blush. Awesome quick read with beginning middle and end.
These are nice stories about 4 friends. They all have baggage and have to learn to shed it. The stories are loving with nice love scenes. Great ending.
This is a wonderful collection of 4 novellas. The 4 novellas alternate between 2 couples, Alex and Maddie, and Isabella and Nat. Alex is struggling with the fallout of her relationship, after learning her girlfriend of 7 years has been cheating on her. Maddie has been struggling to end an affair with her married co-worker. Isabella seems to be happy on her own while Nat struggles to go a day without bedding a younger woman. Each woman navigates their own insecurities while all trying to find lover within each other and themselves. Each of the novellas have 1 to 2 spicy scenes. Honestly, I would love to read of full novel with these characters, it was that good.