In my humble opinion, a book is not a romance if you don't meet the love interest until 40% in. Perhaps this book is not meant to be seen as a clear-cut romance and this is merely a problem of my having mismatched expectations. But because of that aspect, this book has a strange story/plot structure that I did not enjoy at all. It's much more like a women’s fiction story following one woman’s emotional growth.

I kept having to force myself to read this because it couldn’t hold my attention. Also, the intense focus on sex in the first 40% felt shallow, and watching Noni make bad decisions was painful. I think I admire what this book set out to do, but I did not think it accomplished its aim.

Why couldn't I connect with Noni? I just keep asking myself this question. I really wanted to, and it would seem I would connect with her. But unfortunately she just didn't do it for me. It was a very slow going story about her, and it felt slow. Just not for me.

*Thank you Text Publishing for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

Sadly this book just was not for me.

This sat on my kindle for quite some time - twice I have attempted to read and twice I did not finish.

Thankyou for the opportunity but I will not be providing feedback on any commercial sites for this book.

DNF 61%
I liked that the rep was a woman who was bi. But the humor was flat and boring, most times just awkward. Sleeping with people is a totally valid reason to find herself, but the story was not going anywhere.

This is a quirky and very steamy romp makes for great pleasure reading, perfect for the summer season.

This book was not my cup of tea. I didn’t appreciate the hook up culture that came with no respecting who your chosen partner was at the time (NOT EVEN THEIR NAMES), and then being disrespectful to them. I am all for body discovery and sexual awakening, but this book fell flat— leaving everything to be desired with Noni’s personality.

So sweet, for anyone who feels a deep sense of disjointed identity or just needs a quick, flirty, and hopeful read. I loved Noni Blake and I think most romance readers will too.

I sadly ended up not finishing this book as I was not quite in the right mind set to read it. What I did like was the gorgeous cover and the bisexual representation.

I can see why people enjoy this book though and I noted from Goodreads that it has generally well loved reviews. I think for me, I just read it at the wrong time and therefore I wasn't exactly loving it.

This is an entertaining book that follows Noni's journey in discovering who she is as a person and ensuring she puts herself first for the first time in her life.

Noni's character is complex but very well crafted with excellent character development. She was raw and honest, facing her own vulnerabilities and insecurities as the book progress which is something we all love to see. The book was FULL with body positivity and sex positivity which are topics that are missing a lot in contemporary literature, so I was fully here for THAT.

Overall, this is a well put together book that tackles self discovery, self love, self care and gives a message out to the readers that it is okay to simply just be you.

I struggled with this book - the main character didn't seem to be in control of any of the situations she found herself in and it was quite frustrating for a story of self discovery.

This may have just been a personal issue - there was nothing actually wrong with the book, however I struggled with Noni's voice and it didn't click for me.

This was a really slow-developing story and I didn’t connect with Noni. I had hoped it would be a promising story considering it is about an under-represented community, but it lost my interest. The ending perpetuates the idea that someone can only be happy if they are with another person.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I'm dnf-ing this because I got to the 20% mark and this doesn't seem like it's going to be my thing. It's well written and maybe for someone who enjoys a really slow developing story could get to love. It has bi rep and is very britinsh, which is always charming.

This story follows Noni, who has separated from her wife and feels a little lost. She decides to take charge and take care of herself. She's going on a trip and going to live her life and hook up with whoever she wants.

I received this book from netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this e-book. All opinions are my own.*

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this and I really wanted to because it had a queer, fat woman as the main character.

Things I liked:
Noni gives queer and fat representation in a world that is often times lacking in it. There were some funny parts.

Things I disliked:
I did not like the writing style and was very confused on who was talking to whom in most of the conversations. This could be due to it being an ARC copy and not fully edited yet, but I was so lost. The pacing felt unnatural.

I didn’t connect with Noni. I know that the premise of this book was to show a character being lost and having to find themselves but I feel like that attempt to showcase Noni at her low point became hateful. The pleasure quest is NOT bad. I want more sex positivity in media. However, this missed the mark on differentiating between pleasure/sexual exploration and working on self development. Noni has a lot of things that she needs to work on and when it came to the deeper topics, the conversations were so superficial. Yet, the drinking and sex was detailed. Her pleasure quest and drinking became the numbing for the self work she claimed she wanted to do. I seriously don't think she had sex one time in this book while she was sober. I feel like a lot of readers just sped right past the part where she sleeps with a man that has a racist symbol tattooed on him.

This was supposed to be about her finding herself, what she wants, what makes her happy, yet she is rarely on her own actually facing those things. Her self love journey started with her changing her appearance. Since her pleasure quest was the main focus, the ending and her "growth" felt unauthentic because none of the other things were addressed. She was constantly talking down to herself in a book that was supposed to show body positivity. The ending lends proof to the fact that she is only happy if she is with another person. She never worked on her self acceptance alone. The overall message of "put yourself first" doesn't come across because Noni never actually put herself first in these scenarios.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Text Publishing and the author for an advanced copy of It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake in exchange for my honest review.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake was a totally random pick. I was in the mood for some fun romances, and this blurb drew me in straight away. Before I started reading I thought it sounded like Bridget Jones’s Diary but in Europe. But then I got sucked in and this story started meaning a lot more than just a romance to me!

THE STORY:

The story starts two years after Noni Blake broke up with her partner of nine years, Joan. She isn’t happy with her life, working day after day as a high school teacher. Together with her best friend Lindell and his partner Graham, Noni ends up making a ‘should’ve boned’ list to get her out of her rut. Unfortunately, this leads her to a series of hilarious and disastrous hook-ups, but Noni finally connects with a flame from her past: Molly.

Armed with a killer new haircut, Lindell’s cheerleading and a budding sense of adventure, Noni takes six months off and flies to Europe to reconnect with Molly. But, of course, things don’t work out that way and Noni crosses paths with gorgeous Viking tattooist, Beau.

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK:

1. Noni’s absolutely brilliant ‘pleasure quest’!
It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake might seem like a rom-com at first glance, but the actual story is more about Noni realising her own self-worth and discovering who she really wants to be. Then give it a good European road-trip twist and we’ve got this deep, beautiful story of a woman’s quest to belonging in her own life. Peppered with some incredible scenes and quotes, this book surprised me with its depth and feeling.

2. A steamy and sweet romance!
Noni ends up with a few absolutely hilarious flings, but there is an amazing romance that develops as well (other than her relationship with herself, of course!). I really loved the steamy scenes because of how comfortable Noni got with her partner and even the dates were just absolutely bliss to read.

3. Lindell.
Lindell is Noni’s best friend, like the absolute best person Noni knows and loves. And I ended up falling in love with this loud, hilarious and fun character too. Even when he was in a totally different country, Lindell still managed to be the sidekick we all need in our lives! He is absolutely brilliant (no really, he gives such amazing advice!) and his parenting scenes (he and Graham have two kids) had me laughing out aloud.

4. The incredible queer rep!
I love a book that addresses something other than the difficulties of being queer. It is a very common trend to see books that deal with the struggles of queerness, and reading a book like Noni Blake, which unapologetically celebrates and normalises queerness is amazing! It is sort of a utopian scenario, but I love the possibilities that it gives the reader. I love how everyone was just unapologetically themselves!

5. Body positivity with a sexy twist.
Part of Noni’s journey was about embracing her body and its flaws. I myself am still drifting through this phase and it is a continuous journey to love one’s own body’s flaws. So, I was thrilled by how Noni tackled her own body positivity, from sexy lingerie hauls to nude photoshoots! Noni Blake is the main character who celebrates being in her own body despite its flaws and perfections!

FINAL VERDICT:

I do not think it is possible to explain how much I fell in love with Noni Blake while reading this story. The romance was great but Noni’s journey, or ‘pleasure quest’, was inspiring! It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake left me with a lot to think about and I feel so inspired reading about someone who I could relate to in so many ways! Absolutely loved this hilarious, moving and steamy adventure that Claire Christian took me on!

What a beautiful amazing book. I loved every minute of Noni’s journey to self-discovery and happiness. The way the author deals with everything from relationships and sexuality to the grief of fertility failure was simply masterful. I can see why everyone raves about this book!

This book started a little slow for me and I did put it down for a bit but I'm so glad I returned to it.

The characters in this book are all so great. I was so envious of Noni's friends and their unwavering support and love for her. Lindell is a personal favourite.

This book is funny, sexy (hello Viking) and thoroughly enjoyable.

It's also great to see plus sized and bisexual representation without it being the sole focus of the story. The characters just were and that was it. I loved that.

Noni Blake is 36, a school teacher and freshly out of long term relationship. After her home sells she decides to take a leave from work and travel for six months. It starts with a list of missed potential partners but turns into learning about her own pleasure. She travels to England, Scotland and includes a side trip to Amsterdam on her adventure. Pleasure takes many forms, getting a tattoo, naked yoga, being the first on the dance floor and physical intimacy. The story took turns I wasn't expecting and there is an underlying sweetness. I think many will relate to wanting to find their best selves.

I didn't love the amount of language, although it fit the characters and many people won't be bothered by it. The intimate scenes were honest but not romantic to me and I often skimmed them. I did like the positive representation and supportive friends. Thank you NetGalley and Text Publishing for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I am so impressed with this book. Adults going through a journey to find themselves are such a rare story to find and this is exactly what this story is. Noni Blake got out of a long term relationship and now is going on all sorts of sexcipades trying to become her true authentic self. The sex positivity in this is astounding and it was a true romcom in this fact. Noni as a bisexual and fat/plus sized woman learning how to be authentic is just the story we need. There were discussions of infertility & miscarriage, breakups, hookups, cheating. The love interest was incredibly likable and I loved the chemistry this book created. While the whole thing was rather low substance this book gets a strong 4.5 stars from me for the representation and new perspectives we get to witness from a romcom.

Copy provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

GAH!! Noni! You little minx!
I loved this book. It was a quick read, it was well paced, and it was just fun.
Was it realistic? No. Do I care? Absolutely not. This is a story about a woman healing from heartache, and loss. It doesn't need to be super realistic. It only needs to make me believe for one second that one can heal and find true happiness, if they go searching for it. Great job on this. Light hearted and inclusive. That's a win any day.

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I actually did. I started off a little slow for me and I actually put it down multiple times between other books but once i picked it up well before half way through i just wanted to devour it and find out where this journey would take Noni.

This book was so much more than pleasure and sex, it was about self cafe, looking within yourself to figure out what truly makes you happy, doing the things we want even if it’s uncomfortable, making new friends and building relationships. Most importantly it was about self love and pleasure, not sex pleasure necessarily even though this was part of it, but just allowing yourself to find the things that bring pleasure into your life, doing the things you enjoy without feeling guilty, keeping the people that make you happy around and getting rid of those who don’t.

This book was really a good read and i loved Noni, her quest for happiness, her self doubt (that i feel like so many can relate to) and journey to overcome, her relationship with her best friend Lindell and then there’s Beau, who turned out to be so much more than a sexy, tattooed Viking 😜

Thank you to NetGalley and Mina Publishing for this gifted copy! (less)