Two Hearts Alone

Two Hearts Trilogy #1

by Harper Bliss

In the small town of Donovan Grove, Anna Gunn’s life is organized just the way she likes it: work from home, walks with her dog, Friday night drinks at the bar.

But Anna’s strict routine is challenged when the local bookstore is taken over by city slicker, Zoe Perez.

Will Anna let Zoe into her life, despite the major disruption she will have to tolerate?

And can Zoe look past Anna’s eccentricity and embrace her unconventional behavior?

Find out in part one of this brand new novella trilogy by lesbian romance best-seller Harper Bliss.

Please note that this is only the first part of a three-part story. The second novella, Two Hearts Together, will be out on 3 March 2020. The third and final part of Anna and Zoe's story, Two Hearts Forever, will come out on 7 April 2020.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Queer, Audiobook, Novella

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2020

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of the ‘Two Hearts Trilogy’ by Harper Bliss which should be read in chronological order. I have to warn readers that even though this book doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, it doesn’t conclude the story either. So if you want a happy resolution, you’d need to commit to reading books two and three. Having said that, book two ‘Two hearts together’ is being released soon or you can get the complete trilogy in a box set in a couple of months’ time.

The story is set in the fictional small town of Donovan Grove where Anna Gunn lives and works. Anna is a loner and her life is carefully planned in a strict routine which is challenged when Zoe Perez arrives from NYC to open a bookstore in town. Zoe is sociable, gorgeous and is determined to break down Anna’s carefully constructed walls. But soon she’ll discover that Anna is as appealing as complicated…

I’ve read quite a few books by Ms. Bliss and doing a cursory description, you can divide her work into lesbian erotica such as ‘Wetter’, lesbian romances with a heavy erotic content, for example, the ‘French Kissing’ series, or more introspective ones like ‘At the water’s edge’. This book tends to be more in the latter category so don’t expect much hotness here. Ms. Bliss is one of the best writers of sex scenes in lesfic and I suspect that in this trilogy she is leaving the sex for last.

This author is very good at building the characters’ personalities and ‘Two Hearts Alone’ is no exception. Anna is a complicated character with many facets that are slowly revealed to the reader. I don’t want to spoil anything to the readers but let me say that Anna seems very realistic and some readers will emphasise with her struggles a lot. Being in her headspace gave me a good insight into what people like her might feel and how tiring it might be to perceive yourself as different and socially awkward. My heart went with her every time she was put on the spot in those social demanding situations.

It’s hard to rate a book that is part of a trilogy in a way that it’s as if the story was written as a whole and then divided into three novellas, but what I’ve read so far, it’s more than promising. However, and because of this is just a part of a bigger plot that could go anywhere from this point, I’d give it the benefit of the doubt and hope that Ms. Bliss will deliver. A good start to a lesbian romance trilogy. 4 stars.

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Guerunche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less than four hours long, this novella is a very quick listen by Harper Bliss, and introduces an unusual character in Anna Gunn. We only know she is very set in her ways, has a strict routine and is a semi recluse, but don't exactly know why. When the very attractive Zoe Perez moves to town with her teenage daughter and opens a bookstore, her warm, inviting demeanor takes Anna right out of her comfort zone. Anna can't help but be drawn to the woman even though she feels they can never be more than friends.
Bliss has been very open about this being a very personal story for her. Rather than give anything away, I'll just say Anna has traits that Bliss herself shares and it is interesting getting some insight on that. This is the first novella in a trilogy and ends just as things start to get interesting between the two women. I like the story very much but have mixed feelings about the audiobook. It has two narrators - Melissa Moran and Tanya Eby - and in each chapter, they switch off telling the two main characters points of view. Eby uses a very clipped, robotic-type voice for Anna, which I think is supposed to express her awkwardness, but it does the character a disservice, in my view. Moran does much better for Zoe, though by her last name I would assume she is Hispanic and Moran pronounces her name without any sort of accent. That's unfortunate and happens often.
I am interested enough in their story to continue, and may want to try reading it instead of listening for part two. Just under 4 stars - and that is primarily due to the narration.

[Sandra★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

update: re-read this but this time I listened to the audio book version, I highly recommend!

This might involve spoilers, I’m not sure I’d consider it a spoiler or not, but I’m putting a little warning here just in case.

Okay so i actually enjoyed this a lot more than i thought i would. I was actually quite surprised when learning that one of the characters have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I myself have autism and even though I read quite a lot I have never stumbled across a book that involves it.

I could see a lot of myself in Anna and I could relate to almost everything she’s struggling with. I’d say this book has a really good description of what autism is, at least when it comes to me and my autism and it’s done a good job portraying it.

I don’t write reviews for every book I read, mostly I just write one when I get an ARC. But I figured I’d write just a short one for this and hope that more people will maybe be interested in reading it and learning more about autism. I’m also interested in reading more books about different disabilities (specially lesbian fiction) so if anyone has recommendations, feel free to comment them.

If you’re looking for more books involving autism this is a really good one, if you want to learn more about it. I’ll definitely be buying a copy of this for my physical bookshelf.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Hearts Alone by Harper Bliss is the first of the Two Hearts Trilogy and need to be read in chronological order for you to get the complete story. I chose for the audio book version (all available on Scribd) and I think I will wait with writing a full review until I’ve listened to all three.

Narration is done by Tanya Eby (Anna) and Melissa Moran (Zoe). The chapters are alternating between Anna and Zoe’s pov. Because it’s basically one book cut into three parts the audio book is rather short. Two Hearts Alone is 3 hours, book 2 Two Hearts Together is even shorter.

I really like it so far and so I rate it 4 stars for now. Onto book 2!

4 Stars

[Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for novella, Two Hearts Alone by Harper Bliss. This is Part One of the three part series, Two Hearts that was initially released as three separate books. I recommend buying the recently released book that now includes all three parts in one volume (or whichever is cheaper).

Two Hearts Alone is when Anna Gunn and Zoe Perez meet and we learn a bit about each of them. In all three of the books, the short chapters alternate POV of the two main characters, Zoe and Anna..

In this book, we meet the characters, Zoe opens the store, and the two become friends and begin to date. It begins with recently divorced, Zoe Perez and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Brooklyn have just moved to the town of Donovan Grove in upstate New York from Brooklyn, NY. Zoe left her job at Amazon and has bought a local bookstore, Bookends. Although Donovan Grove is described as mid-sized, it definitely has a small town feel.

The other main character is forty-three year old, Anna Gunn, who was born in Donovan Grove. Her two best friends are her brother, Jamie and her business partner, Sean. We quickly learn that Anna thrives on a strict routine in most parts of her life. Sean and Anna co-own a graphic and web design business. Sean does web design, graphics and the business end while Anna is the artist. A major part of their business is book cover design. Anna is a very talented artist who paints in a ultra-realistic style. Anna’s other best friend is her dog, Hemingway.

Other characters are Anna and Jamie’s mom, Sherry who is the town welcomer and a bit of a busybody, but not in a bad, annoying way. She has a good heart. Other characters are Cynthia, Anna’s ex and Jamie’s fifteen year old son, Jaden who is mentioned often in all three books because he becomes Brooklyn’s boyfriend.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really part one of a novel - so I shall review as such on book 3 - Two Hearts Forever.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Harper's writing. There are very few of her books that I haven't really enjoyed. This one is no different. I really love that authors of lesbian fiction are getting the message. There are many books out and coming out with MCs that are "other" than beautiful white women. I for one love it! I love other people's point of view. The things that make us different. The life experiences of someone that struggles.....just like most people.

So this was really nice. Flawed MCs that struggle but follow their hearts. I can't wait to see where it goes!!

[Lisa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always look forward to a Harper Bliss book, but in this case I am so far a little disappointed. I just can’t picture Anna in my mind at all, or get a sense of any chemistry between her and Zoe. I love Hemingway though :)
I have been slow reading this so I am lucky that book 2 of the trilogy has already been released. Not that there was a heart grabbing cliffhanger at the end of this first instalment, but if I start something I have to see it through to the end.
I was given an ARC by the author for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1... You gotta move on to Book 2 to know what happen next 🙂

Looking good so far and Interesting

Available in Scribd

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. I'm afraid this is a DNF for me (technically I'm listening to the Two hearts triology and it's at 15%).

First, the narration. I say narration and not narrators, mainly because the concept of two very different narrators didn't work for me. Tanya Eby, who narrates the voice of Anna Gunn, chose a very fast pace and impersonal style for Anna. I do understand why she thinks this fitting for Anna, but I could only listen to this at 0.8x speed, otherwise it felt so rushed. Melissa Moran, in comparison, who narrates the voice of Zoe Perez, is perfectly fine. But at 0.8x speed for me it was truly awful. (Sadly Scribd doesn't offer 0.9x speed)
This made me like Zoe but I really disliked Anna. The narrations didn't really fit together for my tastes.

Second, the lack of chemisty between those two main characters. Anna appears to be on the spectrum, as is Harper Bliss, and her character is not an easy one. Zoe on the contrary, is very easy going and likeable.
I could only listen to this until their first "date" (them sharing a beer at a local pub) when I thought that yes, they do individually proclaim that they find the other one interesting or sexy, but honestly I didn't see or feel it. And more honestly, I didn't root for them or care enough to keep reading.

I really liked the character of Zoe and her daughter Brooklyn and all the friends around and the setting though.

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Bliss is on to something here, this is a really good story. I can’t wait to see where she takes us in the next 2 instalments. Really likeable characters, Anna who is quirky and Zoe the new woman in town. These two MC are not one dimensional, so it makes you invest in them. So hurry up book two.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely soft lesbian romance with an unsatisfying ending - but I didn't realise that it was a trio following one couple when I picked it up so that's my fault. Will I read the next one? Probably.

[JWG1973UK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR AND VOLUNTARILY LEAVING MY REVIEW.

ZOE HAS BOUGHT THE BOOKSTORE IN DONOVANS GROVE AND RECENTLY MOVED TO THE AREA WITH HER DAUGHTER FOR A FRESH START AFTER A MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN.

ANNA IS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ALSO PAINTS IN HER SPARE TIME.

THIS WAS THE FIRST BOOK (NOVELLA) OF A NEW TRILOGY BY MS BLISS AND ALSO IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT IMO TO WHAT SHE USUALLY WRITES. IT DID TAKE ME A COUPLE OF CHAPTERS TO GET INTO THE BOOK BUT ONCE I DID I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I READ IT IN ONE SITTING. I LOVED THE CHARACTER OF ZOE, SHE CAN GET ANYONE TO TALK TO HER ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WITHOUT EVEN TRYING. SHE IS A VERY OUTGOING PERSON AND HAS A HEART OF GOLD. ANNA, FOR ME, WAS A VERY INTERESTING CHARACTER. I FOUND BITS OF MYSELF IN HER. SHE IS CONSTANTLY PUTTING HERSELF DOWN, SHE FEELS AWKWARD IN COMPANY OF MORE THAN A COUPLE. SHE IS A GREAT CHARACTER.

THROUGHOUT THE STORY WE LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT WHY ANNA IS THE WAY SHE IS AND AT TIMES IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO READ BUT ALSO INSIGHTFUL INTO HER CONDITION THAT SHE SUFFERS FROM. I REALLY ENJOYED THE STORY LINE ONCE I GOT OVER THE INITIAL COUPLE OF CHAPTERS. GREAT BUNCH OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK IN THE TRILOGY

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this story and by extension, this entire trilogy will go down in herstory as being my favorite lesbian series of 2020. This author has truly outdone herself with giving me lovable and relatable characters like Anna and Zoe and she melted my heart completely when she added an adorable fur baby called Hemingway into the mix. Right about now, I am head over heels in love with Donovan Grove and the delightful people who live there, especially Anna's mom and I am sorry that these lovely people aren't real, flesh and blood men and women because I have grown rather fond of them and I can't wait to meet up with them again in the next book in this beautiful series!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this one was between good and really good. I wish that the this Trilogy was one book instead of being the first of 3. Once I finish the 3rd book I will give a proper review. 3.75

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My!
Anna is a graphic artist and a wonderful painter. She works from home and is very awkward around people. She has a set routine and hates anything that disturbs it. The bookstore where she liked to go has been sold to new comer Zoe, who starts by painting a big heart on the window for Valentine’s Day, something Anna hates! However, she decides to go and check it out and don’t you know, her heart beats a bit harder and faster after feasting her eyes on Zoe, who is equally smitten. How can they possibly make things work when Zoe is chaos and Anna is so very different?

I loved this book so much!! It was so good!! I loved the characters, the settings, the vivid descriptions and the feel good mushiness of it all… The only thing I hated it that the end is literally To Be Continued!! AURG! BUT, I am also glad because there is so much story there and if Ms Bliss had finished it now, it would have been rushed and that wouldn’t have been a good thing. Anna is so complex that we need more of the story to watch her grow and accept the changes that are happening… Did I mention I adored her? Anyway, I am super excited for the next book in the trilogy, this is a story that will stick with me!!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. This book is about Anna Gunn who has a strict routine, she walks her dog the same route, goes to the bar on Fridays and otherwise, stays in her house. She then meets the new bookstore owner, Zoe Perez. Zoe is a mother to a teenage daughter who has just moved from NYC where she had a job at Amazon. Zoe feels something when she first meets Anna and wants to get to know her. Zoe does everything in her power to spend some time with her. Anna is a little shy at first and needs some time to adjust to her new reality. When they do spend time together, Anna is comfortable with Zoe and can't help but want to spend more.

My biggest critique of this book was it was very short. I enjoyed it fully and am excited to see where Zoe and Anna's relationship will go in the next book. This book ends assuming you will read the whole trilogy. I already had the next book on my kindle and have already started to read it. It was a solid, easy read and I would recommend it. The characters do develop through this story and I like the dynamic between Zoe and Anna.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This is the first book in the Two Hearts trilogy. Do yourself a favor and read all three books back to back! You'll want to see the whole of Anna and Zoe's story at once.

One of the things I loved about this trilogy is it's a story of love and working through difficulties when the two people in the relationship are very different but very committed. Anna is on the autistic spectrum and sees herself as disabled. She's introverted in the extreme finding it difficult to spend much time with others. Zoe is a mother, a Latina, a bookstore owner, new to town and very much a people person. The trilogy chronicles their meeting and the progression of their relationship through fun and through difficult situations. The journey is well worth the read.

Pay special attention to the author's note at the end of book 3.

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting to read the first book of the new series of Harper Bliss after I read the two first chapters. It is an amazing book with so many real feelings and dealing with a difficult topic. Passionately analysing the feelings and emotions of the charactrers bur also going a bit deeper of how they are viewing the world. The characters are so real and the dialogues so natural and I am so looking forward to read the next book of the series as I would love to find out what is next for these two different but similar protagonists. A wonderful story, including a smart and pretty dog, that it travelled me and make me wonder. Thank you Harper for your passion and the truth you put into your stories.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may become one of my favorite Harper Bliss books. I liked the buildup of the characters, the family interactions of both Zoe and Anna, and their histories. Zoe has just moved with her daughter to a smaller city while Anna has lived there all her life. Both women have had upheavals in their lives. I feel like I got to know them better as they’re getting to know each other better. In my opinion, Bliss did a wonderful job of portraying Anna even before Anna revealed her secret. On the other hand, I didn’t like seeing “To be continued.” No! I want more right now.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Danielle Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Harper for always exploring the diverse world we live in. The topics you decided to explore in your books explore how persons navigate through life and love in a world that is not always accepting of differences. Zoe's acceptance of and drive to gain a better understanding of how Anna reacts to the world was displayed throughout the book. Her willingness to learn the nu·ance around how Anna navigated her life was refreshing to witness. I am excited to discover how Anna will response to the changes in her life and how their journey will end.

[KarenC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites attract is always a winning trope. Zoe leaves her NYC job and relocates with her daughter to a small town after buying a book store. Anna is extremely introverted and set in her ways, but finds herself drawn to the outgoing Zoe. Great supporting cast that includes young love. Told in alternating first person, we get to see inside each of the MCs' heads to learn about the internal struggles each faces. I can't wait for part 2. Harper Bliss continues to show why she is truly one of the best in the lesfic arena. Fantastic stories with compelling characters. Every single time.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This is a tough one for me because there's really a lot to like about the characters and the potential for their love story and that fact that this has some quality neurodiverse representation, but everything about this story happens too fast and then it's over? But not really because it's "to be continued" but it's not quite an ending, which is such a massive pet peeve for me. So I'm conflicted between 2 stars for what isn't on the page and 3 stars for some really nice diversity representation. I'll round up just on the basis of that diversity. And for the fact that I will keep reading the series. LOL

[Alison Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s good that authors cover different aspects of what we can suffer or that others suffer and incorporate them in a romance. We all need love no matter how we align ourselves in this world. This first part of the trilogy was really enjoyable and I can’t wait to see how Anna and Zoe’s relationship develops and how the autism is dealt with. Another brill read from Harper!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great first part of the anna and zoe saga. I look forward to part two and the progress of the relationship between Anna and Zoe. I read in the e-mail that Harper Bliss sent about this book that she went very deep for writing this trilogy and that is so good to read and feel.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a re-read, why I didn't post when I originally read this, I don't know. But, I love this book! Getting to know Anna, who has ASD makes this book so compelling, and informative. Zoe ,is a NYC transplant with her teenage daughter Brooklyn. She bought the local bookstore.
Anna designs covers for sapphic books, mostly romance. So, she spends a lot of time in the bookstore, now called Bookends. Zoe is enamored with Anna as is Anna with Zoe. This is a beautiful slow burn, HOT love story. A story where you'll learn something! 5 stars!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Maz Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the characters are really well written. I could see myself as Anna. Always over thinking things. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet but unremarkable novella. I liked the characters but not the writing, so I'm not sure if I'll finish the series, but I enjoyed this one!

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 1 of trilogy which i interesting take and surprised me a lot