well, that was different. It was enjoyable, not blow out your mind but enjoyable. WOuld recommend. I would try more from Jim Bartley. :)

Incredibly uncomfortable, dark. Don't know if I was supposed to pity the MCs but they were just so unlikeable (willing to accept that Dorie is the product of her upbringing). Some topics are taboo for good reason!

It took me a while to get to this one, but after reading some of it, I realized it wasn't for me. I enjoy dark humor, but this one wasn't getting me for some reason.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Based on the synopsis of this book, I was looking forward to this one. However, I didn’t feel that there was dark humor or gothic themes. This was just a book about rural Canada that felt unfinished.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

Thanks #netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. Great story. Kept my interest and enjoyed the family dynamics.

I had high hopes for this book based on it’s description. Unfortunately it did not live up to its expectations, I felt the characters and storyline was just incredibly far fetched .

I wanted to love, but another book that fell flat. I really struggled to finish this. The pacing was scattered, which made it hard for me to stay connected. 3 star

In “The Bliss House” by Jim Bartley, he has created a story that has a complex and dark love woven deep within the narrative. From the very beginning, the characters crawl under your skin as you feel their emotions and the terrible difficulties that lie before them. Cam and Wes make horrific choices but all in the name of keeping their family safe and together. And even at the end, I found myself empathizing with Cam in particular despite the darkness that follows him around. 

The novel is very much about dysfunctional love but how many families really are functional?  It is also about the struggle of those different to carve out a place in society and fight to be free to love who they will and have families. Even as dark as the story evolves, that love between Cam and Wes shines as does their love for Dorie. The characters shine in this complex and dark love story. 

If you like stories that have a complex end with dark events, or stories about chosen family, especially gay characters, this novel might be worth checking. The characters resonate and shine. The story is complex and dark but the love between the two will make you care about this small family even as they struggle with their darker impulses.

I went into this book expecting something different than what I got. Sometimes, this can be a good thing. This time, it’s not entirely the “blurb bait” that turned me sour, it was the prose. Jim Bartley may think he’s written a clever dark comedy full of unfortunate violence in the tradition of the Coen Brothers, but the book never comes off as that clever. It just comes off as quite boring.

I was also hoping there would be more to the romance between Wes and Cam than what was portrayed in the book. I’m not talking about explicitness–I’m talking about mentioning it at all in any terms besides just mentioning it as an afterthought here or there or whenever someone else brings it up in a (historically-accurate) derogatory way. The way their relationship is portrayed almost makes it feel cheap.

It was just a disappointment on my end.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you. Due to this review being three stars or lower this review will not appear in social media.

This was not what I expected at all. The Bliss house is a farmhouse that leases out its land. Only 3 remain. Wes 28, Cam 17 & little Dorie 5. Oh and the rotting corpse of grampa in the cold room. Things snowball and the bodies mount leaving them to go on the run. This is dark, with lots of triggers.

I struggled a bit with this book, it sounded great in concept but in reality it fell a little short for me, and I couldn’t connect with the characters. It is dark, violent and strange.

Uh....no.

Black humor this is not.

This is choppy and...not funny. The plot makes zero sense and the love affair is creepy at best.

No THANK YOU.

Connected by blood, though not siblings, Wes, Cam and Dorie live in Bliss House under the guardianship of their grandparents, Gran and Gramps. While the reason each of them end up there, isn't really explored, it's clear that they've each had a tough start in life. Unfortunately, things don't get any better.

Following the residents of Bliss House as they contend with the passing of first their Gran and then Gramps. This is primarily a story about a family's quest to stay together, albeit a very unconventional family, living in a god fearing small town, where their differences make them stand out.

While touching on many triggering topics including physical and sexual abuse and homophobia. There are moments of black humour as Wes and Cam go to ever more inventive ways to keep their family unit (and home) together.

A coming of age novel which also explores the narrow mindedness of small town living. It's easy to forget the story is set in the 1950s-60s, as the secondary characters, particularly busy body neighbours, seem to share many of the traits still present today by some, particularly when engaging with those who are a little different.

Engaging, different, hard hitting with bits of black humour, this is a book that I'm sure lends itself well to discussion at book clubs as well as self contemplation.

This book was not what I was expecting. There was no tender secret love. There was mention of it, like it was an after thought. The violence seem to be the main focus, a continuous comedy of errors without the comedy part. The switching of pov was hard, I was not a fan of the writing style. Having the little girls pov was strange. It was a very strange book.

I think I'm going to come back to this after publication as I have very mixed feelings.
1) I think the marketing angle needs tweaking as this isn't what I expected. I love a good surprise but it felt very missold and left me feeling slightly disheartened.
2) something about the pacing just made me lose focus through most of the book and the ending felt rushed at the end so there wasn't time to enjoy it or feel the shock/relief
3) The setting was well crafted, and the horror aspect was vivid and well written, but at times felt senseless or gratuitous.

3.75 / 5

Reading The Bliss House by Jim Bartley was such a unique experience. It felt like a queer Bonnie & Clyde, with an eccentric little girl tagging along for the ride. I don't want to call this a romance, but I sorta rooted for them, as questionable as that may make me. Oh well!

The story takes place in rural Ontario in the '60s, the story and dialogue feeling true to its time. The main characters make up a dysfunctional family: a mean drunk grandfather ('Gramps'), a hardworking Wes, a bookworm Cam, and a strange little girl called Dorie. When Gramps drinks himself into his grave, Wes and Cam realize that their little family won't make it if news gets out about it his death. They make the decision to hide his body and continue receiving his income, ensuring little Dorie doesn't get taken off to foster care.

The story takes its time to build, but once it gets going, the twists get darker and darker. People come sniffing around the Bliss house, and the boys have to go to more extreme lengths to preserve their little home in a world that doesn't understand them. Yes, even though it's a little incesty - IT WAS SWEET. The 60s were wild.

I do think the writing took me a while to get used to, and for the first 15%-20% of the book, the possibility of a DNF did enter my mind. I’m glad I stuck with it - but I’m not sure that I’d widely recommend this one. It’s a peculiar, niche sort of story with lots of questionable aspects that I think could bother people, and skimming some other reviews I think it already landed in some wrong hands. I enjoyed it though!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jim Bartley, and Dundurn Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prepare to be captivated by Jim Bartley's masterful storytelling in "The Bliss House." Set against the backdrop of a reclusive farming clan and a chilling secret, this novel weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, scandal, and the haunting mysteries that shroud its characters.

In the heart of nowhere, two young men, Cam and Wes, find themselves raising little Dorie, the last remnants of the once-flourishing Bliss clan. With the old family members gone, the trio leads a life of solitude, battling moralizing neighbors and land lease troubles. Secrets lurk beneath the surface, but Cam and Wes manage to hold the pieces together, even with Gramp's mummified remains hidden in the cold room.

The year is 1963, and as rumors spread about the duo, the tension escalates. But it's the arrival of the local Children's Aid that sets their world into a tailspin. With Dorie's future hanging in the balance, Cam and Wes hit the road, fleeing northward with a shocking secret hidden in the trunk of their car.

As the pages turn, a trail of gruesome casualties follows their every move, creating a nightmarish aura around the story. Despite the darkness that haunts them, an endearing and tender love blossoms between Cam and Wes, binding them together amidst the chaos.

Bartley's writing dives deep into the human psyche, deftly unraveling the complexities of the human heart. The characters come alive, their struggles and emotions evoking empathy and fascination. The story keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unable to tear their eyes away from the web of secrets that ensnares Cam and Wes.

The mysterious cabin in the woods becomes a sanctuary, shrouded in enigma and providing refuge for the unconventional family. Bartley's narrative is skillfully paced, drawing readers into a world of dark secrets and unexpected twists that leave them breathless.

"The Bliss House" is scandalous, scandalous in the most alluring way possible. The shocking revelations, unexpected alliances, and the sheer intensity of emotions make it a consuming read that leaves readers yearning for more. As the tender love between Cam and Wes battles against the forces that threaten to tear them apart, their devotion becomes a beacon of light in the midst of the gripping darkness.

"The Bliss House" is a riveting and captivating masterpiece that investigates the human psyche while weaving a story of love, secrecy, and nightmarish events. Jim Bartley's talent shines as he creates a world that lingers in readers' minds long after the final page. This is a novel that will leave you spellbound and breathless.

"A spellbinding page-turner that keeps you guessing until the shocking final revelation."

"A haunting and atmospheric tale that will linger in your mind long after you've finished reading."

"An intriguing blend of mystery, romance, and family drama that will captivate a wide range of readers."

"Jim Bartley's storytelling prowess shines in this genre-defying masterpiece."

"Prepare to be swept away by the evocative setting and richly drawn characters."

"A thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey that tugs at the heartstrings."

"With its gripping plot twists and secrets, 'The Bliss House' is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts."

"The novel's tender love story adds a poignant layer of emotion to the gripping suspense."

"A beautifully crafted narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships and identity."

"A riveting and scandalous saga that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end."

"Jim Bartley's writing transports readers to a bygone era, immersing them in the secluded world of the Bliss clan."

"An absorbing exploration of devotion, family bonds, and the consequences of hidden truths."

"The perfect book club pick with its thought-provoking themes and captivating discussions."

"Bartley's storytelling is both poetic and gripping, making 'The Bliss House' an unforgettable read."

"A genre-bending masterpiece that will appeal to fans of multiple literary genres."

"The novel's atmosphere and mysteries create an addictive reading experience that's hard to put down."

"A rollercoaster of emotions with unexpected twists that will leave you gasping for more."

"An enthralling tale that showcases the resilience of the human spirit amidst dark secrets."

"Jim Bartley's brilliant storytelling weaves elements of love, suspense, and mystery."

"The perfect blend of historical fiction and romantic mystery, 'The Bliss House' is a literary gem."

Two cousins and a kid with a dead grandpa. Who people shouldn't know is dead because there's no will, and they'd not get his pension. Hiding the body and pretending that he's still alive. And just throw in a couple, or triple of murders and a tiny bit of invest will ya. God the number of times corpse smell was mentioned in this book🤢 I had started breathing through my mouth subconsciously. The book was slow for the first half but the second half just flew. It's an okay ish murder mystery(?) kind off book.

I didn't enjoy The Bliss House. It wasn't like a fun thriller or murder mystery as the blurb might suggest, it wasn't the gothic, weird horror the description labelled it, and it wasn't the queer "surviving against the odds" romance I expected either.

Without being unfair, I felt that the author kept throwing more and more traumatic, horrendous things at his characters again and again for no justifiable or plot-worthy reason. the story doesn't really exist outside of wanting two queer men and their young charge to suffer inexplicably and it's stomach-churning to read without the thrill of intentional horror.

Also, I don't understand why the author has chosen to make the two men cousins when they fall in love. Considering the political and social landscape, I do not appreciate the love interests being directly related or one being significantly older than the other. It didn't provide insight or commentary on predatory relationships, so it just ends up being damaging and harmful representation that feeds into stereotypes that cause the queer community more harm. I wish this was conisdered more thoughtfully earlier in the book's conception.

Thank you for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest feedback.