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Bliss
Love thy neighbor, ’tis said. A fine idea, except when the neighbor in question is Lord Holden. Lady Helen Tiernay has complained frequently about his treatment of his people. Too frequently perhaps, for the king intends to curb their constant bickering by ordering them to wed. Helen can’t refuse a royal decree, but she’ll do everything possible to drive away her devilishly attractive husband-to-be.
Holden has faced all manner of horrors on the battlefield. But marriage to “the tyrant of Tiernay” is still a worrying prospect—until he glimpses Helen in the flesh. What flesh it is…soft, lush, made for his touch. If she weren’t so intent on thinking up devious ways to prevent consummating their bond, Helen would see how perfect they are together, and that a marriage begun as enemies can turn to absolute pleasure.
Holden has faced all manner of horrors on the battlefield. But marriage to “the tyrant of Tiernay” is still a worrying prospect—until he glimpses Helen in the flesh. What flesh it is…soft, lush, made for his touch. If she weren’t so intent on thinking up devious ways to prevent consummating their bond, Helen would see how perfect they are together, and that a marriage begun as enemies can turn to absolute pleasure.
394 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
245 people are currently reading
1700 people want to read
About the author
Lynsay Sands
125 books12.2k followersLYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there are occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Visit her official website at www.lynsaysands.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
January 30, 2022
2022
This time around I listened to the audiobook version (very well done, btw) stone-cold sober whilst painting my bathroom. And while it was still a silly-fun book, it wasn't quite as funny as it was with oceans of booze running through my veins. However, I've learned from experience that Alchohol and Home Improvement aren't the kinds of friends you give the spare keys to and go out of town for the weekend.
And since this is a 20plus year old bodice ripper, there are some problematic scenes that aren't exactly all about equality and consent. There's no rape but the church dude basically forces them to get on with the consummation of the marriage. Awkward.
It is what it is. There's a lot of 'pleasing your man' stuff that made me laugh, but if you can't overlook that sort of thing, this won't be much fun for you. I mean, I know what I'm getting into when I see a cover like this.
So.
I had a buddy-read partner, but he disappeared on me after only a few glorious pages.
You're not off the hook, Alex. Not by a long shot.
2017
I honestly can't tell you the last time I laughed this hard while reading something.
Every page was just...
Now, I'd like you to keep in mind I'd had a teeny bit to drink, so this may have seemed funnier than it actually was.
Because some days...
But I don't think that was it. Not really. I mean, you can only have so much to drink before you can no longer see the words in front of you, and in my personal experience that's when shit starts to get funny. And I simply wasn't quite there yet, if you get my drift.
So, yeah, I was thoroughly shocked by how much I really loved this crazy story!
Now if you're looking for something that's historically accurate, you'll probably want to pass this one up. Sands makes a halfhearted attempt to throw in a few old-timey sounding words every now and then, but that's about the extent of it.
But if you're like me, and tend to get vaguely annoyed by historical romances that try too hard to stay in line with the times, because forgodssakeIjustwantfluffychickporn!?
Yeah. Then this will fit the bill.
Besides, sometimes funny just doesn't translate well into medieval times.
Or whenever this thing was set. I'm not a fucking scholar, you know!
Ok, so these two are bothering the king so much with all of their bickering that (for very contrived reasons) he forces them to get married.
Again, if you're someone who can't overlook an over the top storyline in romances, you'll be wanting to move along. Everything about this is just so excessively nuts that you've just got to go with it or you'll end up driving yourself insane nitpicking.
Don't be that person!
Anyway. These two are annoying the king, so he sends a church guy (Bishop? Priest? Something...?) to their respective castles/forts/houses to order them to get hitched and work their shit out.
And while Lord Hethe Holden isn't happy about it, Lady Helen Tiernay takes her reluctance to a whole 'nother level. See, for years she's witnessed first-hand Lord Holden's cruel punishments, and done her best to shelter and save his people from the harsh sentencing of petty crimes. So there's no way she wants this man in charge of her own home and people!
Helen believes that if Hethe, being one of the king's best and most loyal soldiers, argues against the marriage enough, he'll probably let them out of it. So with the help of her aunt and best friend/maid, they concoct a plan that they're sure will make Lord Holden beg his way out of this engagement. She can't alter her looks because the church guy already knows she's not a hag, but her body odor and breath?
Up for grabs, baby!
These two go at it for the better part of the book, and the descriptions of what they put each other through had me LOLing till my face hurt! Smells, rashes, fleas, rancid food...you name it.
Again, I fully admit I was tipsy, but I died laughing over this stuff!
There's also this whole mystery as to who is responsible for all the evil stuff that was done in Lord Holden's name. I mean, obviously the hero of the story isn't going to be a psychopath who enjoys torturing people, so I don't think I'm spoiling anything here. There was a decent twist (even though I guessed it) as to what had been happening to keep it from being too bland a part of the story. Good enough, I say!
Because the part where she's dipped and rolled herself in something so foul that he can't keep it up on their wedding night more than makes up for anything else the 'plot' may be lacking...
Ok, so you've got to put yourself in my place to understand how unexpectedly hilarious I found this.
First, this thing is about 16 years old. Look at that cover!
Look at it!
I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like it's that hybrid photo-drawing thing.
shudders
Yikes! You know romances are old when you see that shit!
Then you've got the title. Bliss.
WTF? That literally has nothing to do with anything remotely connected to the plot.
At. All. Bliss. The fuck?
Add to that the super-descriptive blurb:
Forced to wed by King Henry, two rival nobles, Lord Holden and Lady Tierney, learn that no matter what hijinks they pull to keep themselves removed, love will always bring them back together.
Seriously? Nothing about that makes me want to read this book.
With all those strikes against it, I'm a tad amazed that I even grabbed this one. In fact, I couldn't tell you for sure what possessed me to download it, so I'll just assume it was the gods of Trashy Romance intervening on my behalf.
Thank you, btw...
This time around I listened to the audiobook version (very well done, btw) stone-cold sober whilst painting my bathroom. And while it was still a silly-fun book, it wasn't quite as funny as it was with oceans of booze running through my veins. However, I've learned from experience that Alchohol and Home Improvement aren't the kinds of friends you give the spare keys to and go out of town for the weekend.
And since this is a 20plus year old bodice ripper, there are some problematic scenes that aren't exactly all about equality and consent. There's no rape but the church dude basically forces them to get on with the consummation of the marriage. Awkward.
It is what it is. There's a lot of 'pleasing your man' stuff that made me laugh, but if you can't overlook that sort of thing, this won't be much fun for you. I mean, I know what I'm getting into when I see a cover like this.
So.
I had a buddy-read partner, but he disappeared on me after only a few glorious pages.
You're not off the hook, Alex. Not by a long shot.
2017
I honestly can't tell you the last time I laughed this hard while reading something.
Every page was just...
Now, I'd like you to keep in mind I'd had a teeny bit to drink, so this may have seemed funnier than it actually was.
Because some days...
But I don't think that was it. Not really. I mean, you can only have so much to drink before you can no longer see the words in front of you, and in my personal experience that's when shit starts to get funny. And I simply wasn't quite there yet, if you get my drift.
So, yeah, I was thoroughly shocked by how much I really loved this crazy story!
Now if you're looking for something that's historically accurate, you'll probably want to pass this one up. Sands makes a halfhearted attempt to throw in a few old-timey sounding words every now and then, but that's about the extent of it.
But if you're like me, and tend to get vaguely annoyed by historical romances that try too hard to stay in line with the times, because forgodssakeIjustwantfluffychickporn!?
Yeah. Then this will fit the bill.
Besides, sometimes funny just doesn't translate well into medieval times.
Or whenever this thing was set. I'm not a fucking scholar, you know!
Ok, so these two are bothering the king so much with all of their bickering that (for very contrived reasons) he forces them to get married.
Again, if you're someone who can't overlook an over the top storyline in romances, you'll be wanting to move along. Everything about this is just so excessively nuts that you've just got to go with it or you'll end up driving yourself insane nitpicking.
Don't be that person!
Anyway. These two are annoying the king, so he sends a church guy (Bishop? Priest? Something...?) to their respective castles/forts/houses to order them to get hitched and work their shit out.
And while Lord Hethe Holden isn't happy about it, Lady Helen Tiernay takes her reluctance to a whole 'nother level. See, for years she's witnessed first-hand Lord Holden's cruel punishments, and done her best to shelter and save his people from the harsh sentencing of petty crimes. So there's no way she wants this man in charge of her own home and people!
Helen believes that if Hethe, being one of the king's best and most loyal soldiers, argues against the marriage enough, he'll probably let them out of it. So with the help of her aunt and best friend/maid, they concoct a plan that they're sure will make Lord Holden beg his way out of this engagement. She can't alter her looks because the church guy already knows she's not a hag, but her body odor and breath?
Up for grabs, baby!
These two go at it for the better part of the book, and the descriptions of what they put each other through had me LOLing till my face hurt! Smells, rashes, fleas, rancid food...you name it.
Again, I fully admit I was tipsy, but I died laughing over this stuff!
There's also this whole mystery as to who is responsible for all the evil stuff that was done in Lord Holden's name. I mean, obviously the hero of the story isn't going to be a psychopath who enjoys torturing people, so I don't think I'm spoiling anything here. There was a decent twist (even though I guessed it) as to what had been happening to keep it from being too bland a part of the story. Good enough, I say!
Because the part where she's dipped and rolled herself in something so foul that he can't keep it up on their wedding night more than makes up for anything else the 'plot' may be lacking...
Ok, so you've got to put yourself in my place to understand how unexpectedly hilarious I found this.
First, this thing is about 16 years old. Look at that cover!
Look at it!
I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like it's that hybrid photo-drawing thing.
shudders
Yikes! You know romances are old when you see that shit!
Then you've got the title. Bliss.
WTF? That literally has nothing to do with anything remotely connected to the plot.
At. All. Bliss. The fuck?
Add to that the super-descriptive blurb:
Forced to wed by King Henry, two rival nobles, Lord Holden and Lady Tierney, learn that no matter what hijinks they pull to keep themselves removed, love will always bring them back together.
Seriously? Nothing about that makes me want to read this book.
With all those strikes against it, I'm a tad amazed that I even grabbed this one. In fact, I couldn't tell you for sure what possessed me to download it, so I'll just assume it was the gods of Trashy Romance intervening on my behalf.
Thank you, btw...
March 3, 2018
You were good but you were on too long...
Yeah, the book was funny... at first.
But, it was like a joke that is run to the ground until nobody is laughing anymore.
So, we have a Lord and Lady who are bickering, via old timey letters, to the king. His aide has the great idea to make them marry each other so that they have to solve their differences on their own. The king does a decree, and the enemies have to get married. Of course, neither of them want this, so the female comes up with a bunch of schemes to make the male call off the wedding:
Eating raw garlic so her breath is horrible
Serving him horrible tasting beer
Serving him inedible food
Giving him a terrible room with fleas in his bed
Teaching her dog to hump his leg on command
Now, hey, those are great ideas! I am all about how hilarious it was when she was enacting her plan, and especially liked it when he finally got what she was up to and started fighting back. But then....she won't let it go. She continues to be stinky - even wrapping her body in stinkweed, after the wedding. It was over, man! Let it go!
But, no, she became like a dog who likes to roll in shit. She got some sort of stinky addiction going and it just wasn't funny anymore. It was more sad. And, like a problem or something.
That's right, I found her as likable as scumbag-dog.
Then, we had the thing where someone is trying to kill the guy. And, same thing, it was funny for a while, but then it just got to be kind of sad and cringe-worthy. How much can one man, in the age of barbarian-medical practices, take? It was like he turned into Steve-O.
This is going to end well...
Finally, the fact that these two dumbasses took the entire book to figure out who was trying to kill him??
Well, actually, it wasn't that surprising considering that she rolls in shit and he's a crash test dummy. I guess I can't complain about that one.
Still, it had its moments. I definitely laughed a few times.
Yeah, the book was funny... at first.
But, it was like a joke that is run to the ground until nobody is laughing anymore.
So, we have a Lord and Lady who are bickering, via old timey letters, to the king. His aide has the great idea to make them marry each other so that they have to solve their differences on their own. The king does a decree, and the enemies have to get married. Of course, neither of them want this, so the female comes up with a bunch of schemes to make the male call off the wedding:
Eating raw garlic so her breath is horrible
Serving him horrible tasting beer
Serving him inedible food
Giving him a terrible room with fleas in his bed
Teaching her dog to hump his leg on command
Now, hey, those are great ideas! I am all about how hilarious it was when she was enacting her plan, and especially liked it when he finally got what she was up to and started fighting back. But then....she won't let it go. She continues to be stinky - even wrapping her body in stinkweed, after the wedding. It was over, man! Let it go!
But, no, she became like a dog who likes to roll in shit. She got some sort of stinky addiction going and it just wasn't funny anymore. It was more sad. And, like a problem or something.
That's right, I found her as likable as scumbag-dog.
Then, we had the thing where someone is trying to kill the guy. And, same thing, it was funny for a while, but then it just got to be kind of sad and cringe-worthy. How much can one man, in the age of barbarian-medical practices, take? It was like he turned into Steve-O.
This is going to end well...
Finally, the fact that these two dumbasses took the entire book to figure out who was trying to kill him??
Well, actually, it wasn't that surprising considering that she rolls in shit and he's a crash test dummy. I guess I can't complain about that one.
Still, it had its moments. I definitely laughed a few times.
Read
September 11, 2025Dnf at page 74. It just wasn’t capturing my attention. It wasn’t gripping me and from what I’ve seen from reviews people posted the book wasn’t that great either so for that reason I had to put this down.
did-not-finish
December 2, 2018DNF @ 75%
I started off amused (as I often am with Lynsay Sands books) at the comedy of errors that was Heathe and Helen. It was full of confusion and miscommunication on both of their parts, causing each to resort to nasty pranks and plots to try to push the other to back out of marriage, which had been forced by the king. But as the book went on and neither of them had gotten to know the other AT ALL, it just became a book of nasty practical jokes and didn't seem so funny anymore. There was no chemistry, no subtle doubts because they were getting to know each other. No, these two barely spoke or acknowledged one another. Instead, they plotted. At 75%, they are married but there is no end in sight to them turning a corner and now I just don't care.
I started off amused (as I often am with Lynsay Sands books) at the comedy of errors that was Heathe and Helen. It was full of confusion and miscommunication on both of their parts, causing each to resort to nasty pranks and plots to try to push the other to back out of marriage, which had been forced by the king. But as the book went on and neither of them had gotten to know the other AT ALL, it just became a book of nasty practical jokes and didn't seem so funny anymore. There was no chemistry, no subtle doubts because they were getting to know each other. No, these two barely spoke or acknowledged one another. Instead, they plotted. At 75%, they are married but there is no end in sight to them turning a corner and now I just don't care.
August 8, 2024
DNF @ 60% Great premise but the book is a victim of its time!
Lady Helen and Lord Holden are neighbors at war ⚔️ That is until the King orders them to marry and they both protest, of course. To avoid marriage Helen embarks on a ‘How to Lose a Fiancé in 10 Days’ campaign but they are both toxic. THE WORST PART of it though is the lack of romance! I was skipping pages trying to find it.
Things that had me quit the book:
❌ his ex-wife died in childbirth and did I mention SHE WAS 13!?! Like wtf?! He was 17 at the time but still. Holden keeps bringing her up throughout the story and while I recognize his trauma this is too icky for me
❌ they are actually mean to each other ~ he triggers her allergies twice! she teases him about his childhood drowning & gives him fleas *side eye*
❌ threats of domestic violence!
❌ she comes across even more bullheaded than him with her silly pranks that make her look childish
❌ when she makes herself smell so bad on their wedding night that he THROWS UP twice! like…where is the romance 🥴
Lady Helen and Lord Holden are neighbors at war ⚔️ That is until the King orders them to marry and they both protest, of course. To avoid marriage Helen embarks on a ‘How to Lose a Fiancé in 10 Days’ campaign but they are both toxic. THE WORST PART of it though is the lack of romance! I was skipping pages trying to find it.
Things that had me quit the book:
❌ his ex-wife died in childbirth and did I mention SHE WAS 13!?! Like wtf?! He was 17 at the time but still. Holden keeps bringing her up throughout the story and while I recognize his trauma this is too icky for me
❌ they are actually mean to each other ~ he triggers her allergies twice! she teases him about his childhood drowning & gives him fleas *side eye*
❌ threats of domestic violence!
❌ she comes across even more bullheaded than him with her silly pranks that make her look childish
❌ when she makes herself smell so bad on their wedding night that he THROWS UP twice! like…where is the romance 🥴
August 2, 2021
Now, this is light and fluffy with a few attempted murders in between.
The whole hijinks initially with the smells, omg god me rolling so hard. But then, it changed to sweet and hot. Like, I forgot how smutty these historicals could be sometimes.
All in all, love it! Perfect as a light read and a little mystery thrown in it.
The whole hijinks initially with the smells, omg god me rolling so hard. But then, it changed to sweet and hot. Like, I forgot how smutty these historicals could be sometimes.
All in all, love it! Perfect as a light read and a little mystery thrown in it.
April 19, 2022
I am re-reading this and all I can say is that the people who got annoyed at this book just took it too seriously. maybe i just have a bad sense of humor because I find a lot of silly things funny but once again this book had me in TEARS the first 50% hahaha. The key is just don't take it seriously, it's a fun dumb book and I'm here for it. Honestly I didn't care much for the second half but lynsay sands is probably the only older HR author I'm able to read because her books are fun and don't have obnoxiously alpha men and terrible fake feminist heroines lmfao.
I laughed for the first 50% of this book, nonstop, to the point where I choked on my tears, I literally could not stop. And the second half of the book was rather ordinary and rather sweet in terms of historical romance. I loved it even though the relationship build up wasn't very strong, but that's pretty normal with older books
I laughed for the first 50% of this book, nonstop, to the point where I choked on my tears, I literally could not stop. And the second half of the book was rather ordinary and rather sweet in terms of historical romance. I loved it even though the relationship build up wasn't very strong, but that's pretty normal with older books
June 5, 2022
2.75 stars.
It was all right. The heroine, her maid, and aunt spent half of the book trying to make the hero cry off their arranged marriage by In The last 30-40%, someone is trying to kill the hero and making it look like an accident (a common theme in Lynsay Sands's highland/medieval books). The heroine is typically the target in Ms. Sands's books, but it's the hero this time. I suspected who the killer was and I was right!
The narrator, Justin Hill, did a great job! I think this was my first time listening to him.
It was all right. The heroine, her maid, and aunt spent half of the book trying to make the hero cry off their arranged marriage by In The last 30-40%, someone is trying to kill the hero and making it look like an accident (a common theme in Lynsay Sands's highland/medieval books). The heroine is typically the target in Ms. Sands's books, but it's the hero this time. I suspected who the killer was and I was right!
The narrator, Justin Hill, did a great job! I think this was my first time listening to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2017
The first 7 of 10 hrs is about how the heroine makes herself stinky so the hero won't marry her. Ugh. I gave up.
May 2, 2020
Too long!
July 26, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Bliss is a re issue of a medieval historical era romance that was first published in 2001. I am a huge fan of this author, and her historical's are so lightehearted and fun to read, and not books you should take seriously, they are just a relaxing respite. At first I thought I had read Bliss many years ago, but I remember setting this aside, because I just wasn't in the mood for this type of angst romance. Its not your typical angsty romance, its pretty hilarious at times. This couple they are a hoot especially in all the tricks they play on each other. So the gist of the story is, that both Lord Holden and Lady Helen are at odds with each other, constantly complaining to the King about their problems. Well, the King is tired of getting numerous complains about these two parties, so he and his advisor come up with the idea that they should marry, and that way it would solve his problems. So these two are to marry and while settling the "agreement" Helen comes up with the idea that she can't marry Lord Holden, and starts to play horrible tricks on him. Eating cloves of garlic so her breath makes him never wanting to kiss her, cooking his food so its hard as rocks, spoiling his wine and even pushing his fear boundaries. But Lord Holden isn't a pansie, and plays his own tricks back. And boy does he do a good job with it too. He definitely holds his own again Helen especially she is the one that starts these tricks.
You see at the beginning why Helen holds such an animosity toward Hethe. Its basically a misconception about his actions towards his tenants, which she has had to take in. But as the story progresses, we learn that the problems in the very beginning of the story, that causes their conflict has more to do with actions of a third party. But boy is it fun seeing this couple battle each other's wills and passions. I will say that once it got to about half way, their relationship started to mellow out, and this is where I started to really become captivated by this pair. They begin to see certain truths about each other, and act on their growing feelings for each other. The small and gentle ways they begin to let go of their anger and frustation towards each other, and begin to have more understanding and caring towards each other is what really wins me over. Now don't get me wrong, the first half of the story is highly entertaining and I guarantee that it will make you laugh at their antics. But we also see other sides to their relationship, and even the way they learn early on to admire each other.
I will say that even though there were many aspects of the story I truly enjoyed, I felt like the lightheartedness in the beginning and humor was a bit too high strung for me. I enjoyed it quite a bit, however I did struggle at times with this story. I wasn't able to fully connect with the story as much as I wanted to. There are many wonderful aspects to this story, but I did have a more challenging time engaging with the characters occasionally.
Overall Bliss is a wildly hilarious romance that will give you barrels of laughter, and delivers a witty and intrigue packed romance of the medieval era.
Bliss is a re issue of a medieval historical era romance that was first published in 2001. I am a huge fan of this author, and her historical's are so lightehearted and fun to read, and not books you should take seriously, they are just a relaxing respite. At first I thought I had read Bliss many years ago, but I remember setting this aside, because I just wasn't in the mood for this type of angst romance. Its not your typical angsty romance, its pretty hilarious at times. This couple they are a hoot especially in all the tricks they play on each other. So the gist of the story is, that both Lord Holden and Lady Helen are at odds with each other, constantly complaining to the King about their problems. Well, the King is tired of getting numerous complains about these two parties, so he and his advisor come up with the idea that they should marry, and that way it would solve his problems. So these two are to marry and while settling the "agreement" Helen comes up with the idea that she can't marry Lord Holden, and starts to play horrible tricks on him. Eating cloves of garlic so her breath makes him never wanting to kiss her, cooking his food so its hard as rocks, spoiling his wine and even pushing his fear boundaries. But Lord Holden isn't a pansie, and plays his own tricks back. And boy does he do a good job with it too. He definitely holds his own again Helen especially she is the one that starts these tricks.
You see at the beginning why Helen holds such an animosity toward Hethe. Its basically a misconception about his actions towards his tenants, which she has had to take in. But as the story progresses, we learn that the problems in the very beginning of the story, that causes their conflict has more to do with actions of a third party. But boy is it fun seeing this couple battle each other's wills and passions. I will say that once it got to about half way, their relationship started to mellow out, and this is where I started to really become captivated by this pair. They begin to see certain truths about each other, and act on their growing feelings for each other. The small and gentle ways they begin to let go of their anger and frustation towards each other, and begin to have more understanding and caring towards each other is what really wins me over. Now don't get me wrong, the first half of the story is highly entertaining and I guarantee that it will make you laugh at their antics. But we also see other sides to their relationship, and even the way they learn early on to admire each other.
I will say that even though there were many aspects of the story I truly enjoyed, I felt like the lightheartedness in the beginning and humor was a bit too high strung for me. I enjoyed it quite a bit, however I did struggle at times with this story. I wasn't able to fully connect with the story as much as I wanted to. There are many wonderful aspects to this story, but I did have a more challenging time engaging with the characters occasionally.
Overall Bliss is a wildly hilarious romance that will give you barrels of laughter, and delivers a witty and intrigue packed romance of the medieval era.
July 27, 2017
Book Review For: 'Bliss' by Lynsay Sands 'Bliss' by Lynsay Sands is the story of Hethe, Lord Holden and Lady Helen. This book is a re-release and was first published around 2o10. I am so happy that it has been released again with its new cover. Ms. Sands books are some of my favorite books in the world. They are funny, emotional, hot and have great characters. I will never be able to say enough about her books. This story is about Lord Holden who is a widower and Lady Helen who has never married writing to the King Henry...each write a letter to him complaining about the other. Those letters seem to arrive at the same time to the King. Which has turned out to be a pain in his side....when he talks over the problem with one of his men of courts he suggested that they marry each other. They will then either settle their arguments or kill each other he jokes. Hethe nor Helen have every actually met in person..although Hethe remebers seeing Helen with she was around 10 years old. But each only really know the other by stories and hearsay. Helen knows that she won't be able to break the engagement but thinks that if she can get Hethe to back out of the marriage then she is home free. So Helen tries several things to throw him off but Hethe goes forward with the King's orders. I loved watching these two try to work past their schemes and then start working together. This is a story that you will want to keep reading over and over...its not a one time read for sure!"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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July 12, 2025
Bliss by Lynsay Sands
Genres: Adult, Historical, Humor/Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
5 Stars
Okay, first the negatives.
There are NONE! Nada. Zilch! No negatives whatsoever. No repetition, no editing/typo errors.
From the very first word I was hooked.
The writing, world build and character builds are exceptional.
The flow is fast and smooth.
The story line and everything about this book will keep you reading non-stop.
There is an enormous amount of humor that will cause you to laugh so hard you run the risk of a bladder malfunction!
Add to that mystery, suspense and a great romance with plenty of adult steam.
Lady Tiernay is a fantastic female character. Strong and intelligent, she refuses to just sit back and accept anything she feels is unjust or that she doesn't want to be a part of her life. She does something about it. She confronts life, the good and the bad, head on.
Lord Holden has a bad rep for being over and beyond brutal. Many fear him.
However, things are never what they appear to be.
This guy might have an anger problem, but he also has a sense chivalry and a devilish sense of humor.
These two are forced together in a relationship neither of them want.
Then they are forced to work together to solve a very dangerous mystery that could easily cost them their lives.
*Note of truth #1. I literally stayed up till 3 am, two nights in a row, reading this book. It is that good.
**Note of truth #2. On occasion I laughed so hard I had a severe case of an 'Impending Bladder Mishap'.
An absolutely fantastic book!
Genres: Adult, Historical, Humor/Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
5 Stars
Okay, first the negatives.
There are NONE! Nada. Zilch! No negatives whatsoever. No repetition, no editing/typo errors.
From the very first word I was hooked.
The writing, world build and character builds are exceptional.
The flow is fast and smooth.
The story line and everything about this book will keep you reading non-stop.
There is an enormous amount of humor that will cause you to laugh so hard you run the risk of a bladder malfunction!
Add to that mystery, suspense and a great romance with plenty of adult steam.
Lady Tiernay is a fantastic female character. Strong and intelligent, she refuses to just sit back and accept anything she feels is unjust or that she doesn't want to be a part of her life. She does something about it. She confronts life, the good and the bad, head on.
Lord Holden has a bad rep for being over and beyond brutal. Many fear him.
However, things are never what they appear to be.
This guy might have an anger problem, but he also has a sense chivalry and a devilish sense of humor.
These two are forced together in a relationship neither of them want.
Then they are forced to work together to solve a very dangerous mystery that could easily cost them their lives.
*Note of truth #1. I literally stayed up till 3 am, two nights in a row, reading this book. It is that good.
**Note of truth #2. On occasion I laughed so hard I had a severe case of an 'Impending Bladder Mishap'.
An absolutely fantastic book!
May 19, 2010
I have never really thought about this until reading this book, but how many authors can make you laugh out loud...regardless of whose around or where you are. I can think of four.....Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, and Julie Garwood, but Lynsay Sands is in a league all her own.
This book is funny...really funny. It is a bit over-the-top, but it is really funny nevertheless. Here's the premise. The king is sick of getting letters of complaints from Lady Helen Tiernay about Lord Hethe Holden and vice versa, so her orders them married. Both are not happy about the order, but Hethe begrudging goes to Tiernay to do the king's bidding. The ways that Helen goes about trying to thwart Hethe's attempt to wed her are the parts of the book that are so laced with humor that it's difficult to even get through a paragraph without laughing.
Although the plot is elementary and the characters are a bit cliche'd, the true rarity and blessing that it is to "have a good laugh" makes this book truly priceless. I recommend this author and this book with a smile on my face and a giggle in my throat
This book is funny...really funny. It is a bit over-the-top, but it is really funny nevertheless. Here's the premise. The king is sick of getting letters of complaints from Lady Helen Tiernay about Lord Hethe Holden and vice versa, so her orders them married. Both are not happy about the order, but Hethe begrudging goes to Tiernay to do the king's bidding. The ways that Helen goes about trying to thwart Hethe's attempt to wed her are the parts of the book that are so laced with humor that it's difficult to even get through a paragraph without laughing.
Although the plot is elementary and the characters are a bit cliche'd, the true rarity and blessing that it is to "have a good laugh" makes this book truly priceless. I recommend this author and this book with a smile on my face and a giggle in my throat
March 8, 2018
If the contest existed, this book would without doubt win the first price for the most inadequate title ever.
The poor hero goes trough quite an ordeal trough the book, for the reader's greatest enjoyment :)
In fact, you have two distinct parts in this novel, the first, hilarious, as the heroine tries her best to discourage a marriage with her despised neighbor, and a second one more serious between romance and the search for the villain. The main difference was that the heroine's actions were quite harmless and the villain's deadly. So no much bliss for the poor hero. Maybe for the reader ?
Anyway, I laughed a lot and had a great time ;)
The poor hero goes trough quite an ordeal trough the book, for the reader's greatest enjoyment :)
In fact, you have two distinct parts in this novel, the first, hilarious, as the heroine tries her best to discourage a marriage with her despised neighbor, and a second one more serious between romance and the search for the villain. The main difference was that the heroine's actions were quite harmless and the villain's deadly. So no much bliss for the poor hero. Maybe for the reader ?
Anyway, I laughed a lot and had a great time ;)
August 23, 2017
This book was originally released in 2001 but this is the first time I've read it and I have to say that although I'm not a big fan of medieval romance, this one was such fun!
Lady Helen Tiernay and Lord Holden have never met and yet the pair can't stand each other. Helen knows Holden is a cruel and unforgiving beast of a man while he knows she's an impossible shrew. So when the king decides to put an end to their constant complaints about each other by demanding they marry, trouble ensues...
How creative can one woman be when trying to make her intended break off an engagement? The answer is very! From foul breath to lice infested bedding, Helen embarks on an all out attack. The fact that the man she's attacking is far more handsome and likable in person than she'd expected will not dissuade her. After all, she knows how he mistreats his people. Or does she?
Meanwhile, Holden is doing his best to stomach the drink and food he's being served while visiting Helen's home, not to mention the stench attached to his beautiful bride to be. Until he finds out that it's all a deliberate ploy to frighten him off and he decides to respond in kind.
If you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend that you do. There were several hilarious moments leading up to the tender ones that eventually lead to love between perfectly matched couple.
Lady Helen Tiernay and Lord Holden have never met and yet the pair can't stand each other. Helen knows Holden is a cruel and unforgiving beast of a man while he knows she's an impossible shrew. So when the king decides to put an end to their constant complaints about each other by demanding they marry, trouble ensues...
How creative can one woman be when trying to make her intended break off an engagement? The answer is very! From foul breath to lice infested bedding, Helen embarks on an all out attack. The fact that the man she's attacking is far more handsome and likable in person than she'd expected will not dissuade her. After all, she knows how he mistreats his people. Or does she?
Meanwhile, Holden is doing his best to stomach the drink and food he's being served while visiting Helen's home, not to mention the stench attached to his beautiful bride to be. Until he finds out that it's all a deliberate ploy to frighten him off and he decides to respond in kind.
If you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend that you do. There were several hilarious moments leading up to the tender ones that eventually lead to love between perfectly matched couple.
Read
July 18, 2022DNFing this book around 70%. Lots of hijinx is fun until it’s dragged on and on forever and then we are met with an obvious murderer out there but no one knows who it is.
Lynsay Sands writes a lot of silly plotted books, but sometimes it goes a bit too far for me and this was definitely one of those times.
Lynsay Sands writes a lot of silly plotted books, but sometimes it goes a bit too far for me and this was definitely one of those times.
October 8, 2010
I swear I read this when I went on a Lynsay Sands kick last year, but for the life of me, I can't remember anything about it! I guess that sums it up. But I remember being annoyed with LS for creating overly-naive heroines that to me, all feel interchangeable. For the last 4 books I've read by LS, all the heroines are naive to the point of stupidity. I know that LS is known for her humorous situations, but it's the same situation every time! Just new names and new storylines. Same joke. Once, it's funny. After that it's like when a little kid tells a joke, you laugh at it once, so they think it's funny 10 more times.
March 30, 2011
Loved it! Sands is definitely in my top 5 romance authors. About two people who have complained one too many times to the King about each other and wind up being ordered by the King to marry. So Helen, Lady "Tyrant" of Tiernay, sets out to make Hethe, Lord "hammer" of Holden, not want her as a wife and refuse the King's order. The ways she attempts to discourage him is very funny.
August 6, 2010
What many would consider a light romance. Lots of humor to keep you amused.
If I based my rating on the historical feel and accuracy then it would probably only get a star or two but I rate on entertainment and felt it deserved 4.
If I based my rating on the historical feel and accuracy then it would probably only get a star or two but I rate on entertainment and felt it deserved 4.
October 30, 2017
Bliss is an Outstanding story. When Lady Helen Tiernay is order by King Henry to marry her neighbor "The Hammer" Lord Heathe Holden she is determine to make him cry off. She hates him and believes he has done some horrible things to the tenants that live on his land.
This story is Hilarious, the characters are just loveable. Its fast paced excellent writing and dialog between the H/H. There is also someone trying to kill Lord Holden. I love Lady Helen, her aunt and there maids Hijinks. They come up with some of the funnies ways to make Heathe cry off. Soon Heathe finds out what they are up too. So does the Kings man Lord Templeton who has come to see the marriage takes place. He is also very funny. He has had enough of the delays of the marriage and consummation. So he sees to it LOL!!
Once the couple comes together they have a hot sensual marriage and grow in love with each other.
Truly a enjoyable story I couldn't put it down. The story leaves you with a smile on your face.
This story is Hilarious, the characters are just loveable. Its fast paced excellent writing and dialog between the H/H. There is also someone trying to kill Lord Holden. I love Lady Helen, her aunt and there maids Hijinks. They come up with some of the funnies ways to make Heathe cry off. Soon Heathe finds out what they are up too. So does the Kings man Lord Templeton who has come to see the marriage takes place. He is also very funny. He has had enough of the delays of the marriage and consummation. So he sees to it LOL!!
Once the couple comes together they have a hot sensual marriage and grow in love with each other.
Truly a enjoyable story I couldn't put it down. The story leaves you with a smile on your face.
July 24, 2017
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
I love reading Lynsay Sands books. There is just something about them. Her characters just jump right of the pages. I love laughing and enjoying her books. So when I saw this one come up for review I knew that I had to read.
I was also very shocked that I missed reading it when it first came out! How the hell did that happen?
We'll guess what? It didn't. After I read the first chapter I knew right away that I already read it. Of course I read it again because...why not? I love her books and it was just as fun the second time as the first.
This story cracked me up! How these two acted towards each is pure fun. Well at least for us. For them it was a frustrating. They really didn't like each other and worked really hard to make each other unhappy.
Silly thing was it was for all the wrong reasons.
Their enemy wasn't each other. Of course that took them a while to figure out. Good for us, bad for them. If you haven't yet read this one you really should. You'll love the humor and wonderful love story in it. It was so worth the second read.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
ARC Received for a honest review
I love reading Lynsay Sands books. There is just something about them. Her characters just jump right of the pages. I love laughing and enjoying her books. So when I saw this one come up for review I knew that I had to read.
I was also very shocked that I missed reading it when it first came out! How the hell did that happen?
We'll guess what? It didn't. After I read the first chapter I knew right away that I already read it. Of course I read it again because...why not? I love her books and it was just as fun the second time as the first.
This story cracked me up! How these two acted towards each is pure fun. Well at least for us. For them it was a frustrating. They really didn't like each other and worked really hard to make each other unhappy.
Silly thing was it was for all the wrong reasons.
Their enemy wasn't each other. Of course that took them a while to figure out. Good for us, bad for them. If you haven't yet read this one you really should. You'll love the humor and wonderful love story in it. It was so worth the second read.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
ARC Received for a honest review
February 20, 2025
Хелън от Тиерней и Хийт Холдън
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Тази книга беше адски забавна. Като изключим факта, че заглавието е супер неподходящо (нямаше никакво Блаженство в начина по който Хийт и Хелън се дърлеха) беше една доста различна и забавна книга.
Кралят на Англия вече не може да трае двама от поданиците си. Всеки божи месец той получава писма от лейди Хелън, която се оплаква от жестокостта с която съседа й лорд Холдън управлява владението си. Хийт, лорд Холдън от своя страна постоянно изпраща писма на кралят да му се оплаква от непрестанните обиди и обвинения на лейди Хелън. Тъй че, щом е посъветван да омъжи лорда и дамата, така че да спре да се занимава с тях, кралят се съгласява на мига и дава заповедтта двамата съседи да се венчаят на мига.
Щом научава за нареждането на краля, Хелън е ужасена. Станала свидетел на не един ужасяващ случай, в който нарежданията на "Чука на Холдън" водят до смъртта на някой или загубата на дома или крайник (ръце, крака, уши и гърди) Хелън е готова на всичко, за да избегне брака с ужасния тиранин. Знаейки, че сама не може да откаже, тъй като ако го направи краля ще я лиши от дома, който тя управлява след смъртта на баща си, Хелън смята да накара чудовището да откаже да се омъжи за нея.
Хийт е най-добрият воин на краля. След смъртта на съпругата му, преди десет години, когато той е на 17, а жена му, едва на 12, той е преследван от угризения, тъй като е знаел, че съпругата му е прекалено млада, но потикван от родителите и на двамата той се жени за нея и девет месеца след сватбата тя умира по време на раждане, заедно с детето им. Хийт не иска да стои в дома си преследван от демоните и грешките си, затова пътува непрестанно, оставяйки владенията си в ръцете на свой подчинен. Той няма никаква идея в какво го обвинява лейди Хелън "Тиранката на Тиърне" и му е писнало да се занимава с нея, но щом кралят нарежда да се венчаят той е готов да го стори.
Номерата, които му погаждаше Хелън бяха много забавни, но щом той се осети и на свой ред започна да й върти номера вече виех от смях.
Признавам, малко се подразних на Хелън, че тя като му въртеше номера нямаше проблем, ама като той й отвърна с нейните камъни по нейната глава, почна да се оплаква и да мрънка, но в крайна сметка се разбраха. И естествено, може ли да има книга на Линзи без да се появи убиец и без да започнат куп странни инциденти? Отговорът е не, не може. И тук, макар и от средата, се появи убиец, който се целеше в Хийт. Същевременно с това, героите трябваше да научат, кой и защо опитва да окаля името на Хийт, да накарат хората да осъзнаят, че той не е злодей, и Хийт и Хелън да се научат да живеят заедно и да си имат доверие.
В книгата стават адски много неща. Действието е динамично, комично до средата, а след това става крими, като през цялото време имаме куп секси моменти. Тук убиеца го знаех от самото начало на крими действието и това до някъде намали напрежението от очакването. Просто прекалено очевидно бе, кой е злодея по тази причина давам 4 звездички.
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Тази книга беше адски забавна. Като изключим факта, че заглавието е супер неподходящо (нямаше никакво Блаженство в начина по който Хийт и Хелън се дърлеха) беше една доста различна и забавна книга.
Кралят на Англия вече не може да трае двама от поданиците си. Всеки божи месец той получава писма от лейди Хелън, която се оплаква от жестокостта с която съседа й лорд Холдън управлява владението си. Хийт, лорд Холдън от своя страна постоянно изпраща писма на кралят да му се оплаква от непрестанните обиди и обвинения на лейди Хелън. Тъй че, щом е посъветван да омъжи лорда и дамата, така че да спре да се занимава с тях, кралят се съгласява на мига и дава заповедтта двамата съседи да се венчаят на мига.
Щом научава за нареждането на краля, Хелън е ужасена. Станала свидетел на не един ужасяващ случай, в който нарежданията на "Чука на Холдън" водят до смъртта на някой или загубата на дома или крайник (ръце, крака, уши и гърди) Хелън е готова на всичко, за да избегне брака с ужасния тиранин. Знаейки, че сама не може да откаже, тъй като ако го направи краля ще я лиши от дома, който тя управлява след смъртта на баща си, Хелън смята да накара чудовището да откаже да се омъжи за нея.
Хийт е най-добрият воин на краля. След смъртта на съпругата му, преди десет години, когато той е на 17, а жена му, едва на 12, той е преследван от угризения, тъй като е знаел, че съпругата му е прекалено млада, но потикван от родителите и на двамата той се жени за нея и девет месеца след сватбата тя умира по време на раждане, заедно с детето им. Хийт не иска да стои в дома си преследван от демоните и грешките си, затова пътува непрестанно, оставяйки владенията си в ръцете на свой подчинен. Той няма никаква идея в какво го обвинява лейди Хелън "Тиранката на Тиърне" и му е писнало да се занимава с нея, но щом кралят нарежда да се венчаят той е готов да го стори.
Номерата, които му погаждаше Хелън бяха много забавни, но щом той се осети и на свой ред започна да й върти номера вече виех от смях.
Признавам, малко се подразних на Хелън, че тя като му въртеше номера нямаше проблем, ама като той й отвърна с нейните камъни по нейната глава, почна да се оплаква и да мрънка, но в крайна сметка се разбраха. И естествено, може ли да има книга на Линзи без да се появи убиец и без да започнат куп странни инциденти? Отговорът е не, не може. И тук, макар и от средата, се появи убиец, който се целеше в Хийт. Същевременно с това, героите трябваше да научат, кой и защо опитва да окаля името на Хийт, да накарат хората да осъзнаят, че той не е злодей, и Хийт и Хелън да се научат да живеят заедно и да си имат доверие.
В книгата стават адски много неща. Действието е динамично, комично до средата, а след това става крими, като през цялото време имаме куп секси моменти. Тук убиеца го знаех от самото начало на крими действието и това до някъде намали напрежението от очакването. Просто прекалено очевидно бе, кой е злодея по тази причина давам 4 звездички.
May 17, 2017
This book was supposed to be comical? Not funny at all. If there weren't sexual situations, this book would have been for children. I seriously thought I was reading a book intended for elementary children. Helen's scheming was juvenile. The plot was not logical. Helen did everything she could to deter Lord Hethe from marrying her -- but that made absolutely no sense because Hethe had zero choice in the matter. Hethe was also forced by the King! If Hethe had disobeyed the King, it would have been as serious as treason. Helen trying to turn off Hethe was only a small part of the plot. Here's the main plot -- Hethe gets injured, doesn't take time to rest and get strong...because of that Hethe gets injured a 2nd time, doesn't take time to rest and get strong...because of that Hethe gets injured a 3rd time, doesn't take time to rest and get strong...because of that Hethe gets injured a 4th time. For at least 1/2 the book, Hethe is injured in bed or stumbling around like a fool because he won't rest. That about sums it up. The only reason I suffered through this book is because it had high reviews and most people said it was hilarious. I kept waiting for something to happen and this book to be worth it. Can't believe I spent money on this. The only thing slightly humorous was "wee Hethe" but after being repeated 1,000 times --was not funny at all. If you want to read a funny romantic book, read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Now that's FUNNY! Even Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is loaded with funny quick witted banter. I hate to leave bad reviews (and seldom do) because I know it's a huge effort to write a book -- but this book sucked. There are a tremendous amount of great reviews out there for this book and I am not sure why!!?
August 2, 2020
2.5 stars. This book had so much potential but in the end was just very ridiculous. I don’t remember reading a book in recent history that I wished so badly would just be done already. The ending was predictable, the villain was obvious, and the writing was very mediocre. I actually did really enjoy some parts of the beginning, there were several humorous parts. However, the book lost steam pretty quickly, and really never gained it again.
Safe, heroine was a virgin, hero a widower
Safe, heroine was a virgin, hero a widower
August 30, 2017
This book annoyed me so freaking much. I understand what the author was trying to do but everything was so freaking childish. All of the silly pranks to get him to call of the wedding literally made me cringe.
I was so disappointed by this book. Lynsay Sands is one of my all time favs but this one was just not good.
I was so disappointed by this book. Lynsay Sands is one of my all time favs but this one was just not good.
July 27, 2017
I have already read a couple of Lynsay Sands' books in the past. So I was pretty happy to find a chance to take part in the blog tour. Though I was familiar with her style, each of her books is different. And it's been more than 5 years since I last read her books. So I was a bit nervous when starting the book. I believe now that I needn't have worried. She is as awesome as my memory.
The prologue set the stage with an intriguing marriage proposal by the King. And thus started the story of getting-one-over of Helen and Holden. The author has the perfect mix of romance and humour in the tale. The romance is sweet and hot in turns. Oh the way they protest! This is one of my favourite pairing with their stubbornness and penchant for mischief. There were so many scenes where I laughed out loud. Their antics brought lots of fun to me and this is something I cherish. It's rare to find an author who does fun properly.
The characters are no less entertaining in their innate sense. Helen is sweet but gutsy with her plan to foil the wedding. Holden is such a guy but with a soft heart. The side characters add their own slant to the protagonists, highlighting their traits and the story.
The story flowed so easily and I was mesmerized enough to lose myself completely in it. The sense of mystery about the person who ordered such villainous acts adds to the book's allure. I have to say that the author has done a commendable job with her explanation for the villain's acts. Though I found that it was easy to guess the antagonist's identity, the whys was complicated enough to keep my attention.
I am once again a fan of Lynsay Sands and I am itching to reread the books I read way back and to continue reading her newer books too. I can recommend her books to historical romance fans with absolute certainty!
I received a copy for reviewing purposes. I voluntarily review it without any bias. These are all my own thoughts on the book.
My one line review : A romance with mischievous protagonists who make you laugh out loud!
My rating : 5/5
My reread factor : 4/5
Read
January 27, 2022Anne tricked me!
September 16, 2021
Il y pas mal de scènes très drôles. D'autres se veulent drôles mais sont malheureusement plutôt un peu ridicules. Un peu plus de communication entre les héros n'aurait pas été du luxe. Cela dit, j'ai passé un agréable moment avec cette petite histoire.
September 4, 2022
This book is so funny and the story has a good, solid hate/love, enemy to lovers plot.
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