December 2023: I am weak in the knees about this book and Judy Cuevas.
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April 2023: “Art is going where others say you cannot go, where others can’t even imagine existing. Art is following your pinpoint of vision until it lights up in a burst to reveal a place others have never seen, not even in their imaginations, yet a place that, once revealed, is so universal and so luminously associated with Truth that this place can never be darkened from the mind of man again.”

— Sebastian de Saint Vallier in a letter to his brother Bernard “Nardi” de Saint Vallier ( )

Spoilering for sake of Buddy Read--and probably anyone who hasn't read it.


It is almost, almost unfortunate that Cuevas invites direct comparisons between her first two novels. She does so in setting, in bringing up the past characters, in the fact that you have read Bliss and frankly haven't forgotten almost any of it. Oh, maybe that's it.

But maybe it's not...While I could admire and respect Marie for the first portion of the book, and it looked to be a book, which we discussed, almost similar to THE HEIRESS EFFECT in that the hero has all the developing to do, it turned out, for me, all that happened is I got tipped upside down.

Take a hero who doesn't know how to love (or loves in his exacting, expected way) throw in a heroine who owns herself but doesn't know how to be loved...and you end up with a little bit of a dissatisfied reader. Because while Sébastien went from mystery to forthright, charming, pretty amazing hero, Marie ended up quite a mess. And Sébastien remained this steadfast, focused person who grew. I don't mind how Marie fell apart, exactly, but it did leave the end feeling a bit muddied and the reader feeling a bit frustrated with her.

For this heroine-centric reader, that was problematic. In the end, she obviously wanted the 'dance' and the 'chase,' which I can appreciate, but also this means her own happiness depended on finding the exact right person who'd essentially let her go...but not. Luckily, that exact right and convincing hero was indeed Sébastien, which is why these books are a joy to read. The complements are exact.

And again, we're absolutely treated to a beautiful, earthy book with a swoony and controlled hero (especially if those proper and put together guys are your gig) and a heroine who knows her own mind. I just wish that her vulnerability would have felt more resolved. This is an incredibly high 4. But, the comparisons are direct to Bliss. Still, there are memorable parts, but unfortunately, I struggled too much with an indecisive and regressing Marie who never quite showed up for Sébastien. I did love how he loved her, and I appreciated her through him, but that's not enough. The writing left me breathless, their connection was lovely, and the epilogue made me cry. Still magic, just not the exact right mix for me.

Note to self: Upgraded due to more processing time https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19748749-march-15-bliss?page=4&ref=nav_... ( )

Cheater warning: Hero did have a tryst with the heroine while (he was) married, but it is only told through memories/flashbacks. ( )

This book is set in turn of the century Paris. In the previous book, Bliss, Marie du Gard disobeys her autocratic father and leaves Nardi, Sebastien de Saint Villier's brother, at the altar and runs away to America. I LOVED the heroine, Marie, a very independent woman who now produces and directs her own films. Sebastien is a wealthy, stiff-rumped pompous ass and her father's close friend and business partner. Her father's approval and love hinged completely on Marie's obedience and when he doesn't get it, writes her out of his will. Marie deeply feels the rejection of her father. She wants his love and approval desperately, which he has transferred to Sebastien after her failed wedding. Marie is a 'modern' woman and a true non-apologetic feminist. She refuses to sacrifice her principles and independence for her father's love. I liked how Sebastien tried and failed to bully her into his bed and into marriage. She comes to him on her own terms. She's the perfect example of a strong female character that I admire and I want my daughter to read this book. Cuevas keeps her strong throughout and doesn't compromise her independence and strength to get the HEA. Cuevas' writing is superb; evocative and lush. Her words are beautiful and flow with rich sensuality. Yum. I read Bliss years ago and don't remember liking it all that well probably because I couldn't get past Nardi's ether addiction. But I really believe that I have matured as a reader in the last 5 years or so. I can better appreciate Cuevas' deeper, fuller writing. So I'm kicking myself that I returned Bliss to the UBS. I really want to read it again (wow, have you seen the prices for it, apparently it's very hard to find - drat). This one gets my highest accolades. (Grade: A) ( )

Marie du Gard was engaged to Sebastien de Saint Vallier's ether-inhaling brother, Nardi, whom she left at the altar. This act of defiance, together with a passionate encounter forces her to leave Paris. She returns a few years later, intent on becoming a filmmaker in the mode of Lumiere and Alice Guy Blache. Sebastien, staid and responsible, sees his brief encounter with Marie as a dot on his horizon, and meeting her again throws his orderly world into disarray. ( )