Thank you netgalley for this arc! Considering the state of the world and the rights of the queer community constantly being gambled, this was a jarring read. Scary. Brutal.

Two impoverished young men are doing their best to bring up a small child in the the middle of rural Ontario. It’s an endearing premise, and everything could be fine, but strangers start to meddle.

For nearly a century the reclusive Bliss clan farmed the same land. Now it’s 1963 and everyone’s gone except teenaged Cam, his older cousin Wes, and little Dorie. They buried Gran over a year ago. But Gramp is still with them, wrapped tight as a mummy in an old tarp in the cold room off the kitchen. Life’s better now without the old man’s rants and terrors.

There are problems with the land lease and the meddlesome, moralising neighbours, and rumours are spreading in town that there’s something not quite right about Cam and Wes, but they’re taking care of it all as best as they can. Then the local Children’s Aid drops by to say Dorie needs schooling and proper parents, and it’s clear they can’t hide their secrets any longer. They’re on the road, heading north, with a body in the trunk. Wes knows a place, a cabin deep in the woods…

No matter what they do, gruesome casualties seem to follow them. It could be funny if it wasn’t so nightmarish. And through it all, a tender secret love thrives, as they try to hold on to the family they’ve build together.

Filled with dark humour, a gothic setting, a gay romance and plenty of tragic flaws, I found this novel to be thoroughly engaging and full of twists and turns.

This is a gripping, yet uncomfortable read, and there are plenty of trigger warnings to be issued here: child molestation, graphic disposal of human remains, death by a range of gruesome methods. Not one for the feint-hearted but plenty to appeal to those of a darker sensibility. Obviously, I loved it!

Thank you very much to NetGalley UK, Jim Bartley and Dundurn Press for an ARC of The Bliss House in exchange for my honest review.

This is a tough one to review. It's got me thinking a lot and not in a very cohesive manner, and I fear my review would reflect that, but I'll try.

I'm the type to gush about what I loved about a book first and then list the criticisms I had after, but in this case I really need to get the cons out for some reason, like a purge, of sorts, to get it out of my system.

First of all, it's pretty boring. Up until the last quarter. That's the biggest challenge I faced as I tried to consume this, uh, quirky little piece of literature. It's a mix of the '60s rural setting (the author mentioned in the foreword that its a "love letter to landscape", which I suppose fits, except that I find it boring as hell. If you grew up in a rural place, perhaps you might relate to it better, I do hope), and the fact that the grisly events failed to inspire any sort of engaging emotion like sympathy or heartbreak, and instead just makes me feel a vague sense of disappointment.

And it goes on. Three quarters. The DNFs I see are totally valid; I nearly did too, thinking whether I should just cut my losses. But I made it through and the good news is that's the worst of it. Yeah I know it's not high praise but I think its relative, let me try to get into that.

The romance was just barely. By loose interpretation and my liberal imagination I could accept that, and even come enjoy it, but other readers, maybe coming from typical M/M romance books, can stop right here, for everyone's sake. 💀😂

It reads a lot like those mandatory books they make you read in school, which explains why I found it boring as I always did even back then. But supposedly there's always some kind of takeaway from it, some kind of point amidst all the questionable happenings, because obviously they picked it for a reason, right??

Now I might be rambling at this point but, if you do want to give this book a chance, there's a way to make it palatable: "literary fiction🤩🤩"

I hope that puts things into perspective. Now I hope I don't get dragged but from the few I've read, they're always universally off-putting, I'm sorry. Like the mood is always depressing-adjacent, or whatever. The Bliss House is very depressing-adjacent. It is what it is. Most of them don't even end well, honestly, which is a redeeming factor in this book because THANK GOD the author had the decency to give us a happy (relative, of course) ending after all that bulls- *ahem* shenanigans🤪🤪🤪 that had to be endured.

Now, why the Four Whole Stars?? Even after all the, by all accounts, negative feelings I have about this book?? Is a good ending alone enough to justify a dreary ass first 75-80%? Perhaps so, because I kinda did end up enjoying it inexplicably. Maybe I was just let down so bad that I grasped at the straws, maybe its the Stockholm syndrome from being trapped by trying to get through the worst of it.

You know those abstract art pieces in galleries? On the surface they tend to look kinda contentious, perhaps questionable as well. You obviously don't have to like it, but the idea is that it sparks thought, and triggers people to TALK about it. So by inductive reasoning, this book is art. For better or worse. This is the best I can explain it, because my thoughts are still all over the place, and perhaps with time the story would sink in better, hence the generous rating.

I'm sure all of us have read books that were really and consistently good , only to have a really lackluster ending, right? That's a feeling that no one likes, and usually would take away from the positive feelings one might have had before it got to there, which sours the overall experience after reading it. I'm just grateful that it's the other way around here.

So, in conclusion. I may not have LOVED the book as a story, it DID get me into my thoughts, and have me try to reason it out. It doesn't happen often, I usually pick up a book and either like it or meh and move on, so this one stands out to me. Plus, a good ending really rounds it up, which is why I'm going to still look out for this author's works.

I don't know if I'm particularly thankful for getting this ARC, but I definitely appreciate the opportunity to have read this.

Was okay! Quick read. I found that the story flowed nicely and I enjoyed the journey of the story. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

The Bliss House by Jim Bartley is a captivating contemporary queer gothic horror novel that blends elements of suspense, mystery, and LGBTQ+ themes. Bartley's writing is atmospheric and richly descriptive, creating a palpable sense of dread. The queer representation adds depth and resonance to the narrative, exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and the haunting power of the past. The Bliss House is an engrossing and chilling read that will leave readers both captivated and unnerved.

It’s rare that I don’t quite know what to say in a review, but a certainly find myself there now. I’m not sure what I wanted from the novel, but I know I didn’t get it. Still, there’s a delicious discomfort, and seeing queer love in dark fiction is always wonderful.

DNF at 15% ~

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this, but I tried and cannot continue. I don't know if it is intentional, but the writing style is so jagged and blunt. It's just irritating to read. The story feels like it is rushed and not edited, or the characters are just uneducated.

I will not be rating this on Goodreads, as I did not read a sufficient amount I feel. But I will not be returning to this. There are so many more books to read, and I don't want to just be reading this for the sake of it and waste my time.

i thought i was going to love this, but i didn't. the description sucks you in and makes you think you're about to read a great dark mysterious and queer book, and i guess it is, but it has really poor and choppy writing. the story was boring and it went no where; most of the time their actions didn't even make sense.

i can see how people who like those sort of weird mystery would love this book but it ultimately didn’t get me into it :/

“the bliss house” is a novel about poor people in rural ontario. the synopsis sounds absolutely amazing promising dark humor, a gothic setting, and a gay romance.

unfortunately it does not deliver. the prose is choppy, the dialogue stunted, and i felt that the plot essentially went nowhere and was not believable. in what way is a murder spree a response to the death of a grandfather? no one thought to call the coroner? it’s very far fetched. the pedophilia aspect was out of place and only included for shock value. the setting is not gothic in any way, it’s a rural novel.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Very uncomfortable read and a little more dark that I thought it would be, but definitely keeps you reading! I will say that I think the book bio needs to highlight the plot better for future readers.

I got an e book copy this from NetGalley for a honest review. I give this book 3 stars because it’s was not what I was expecting by how it was worded. I was able to finish reading the book.

Right at the top, it needs to be said that this novel is not what is described in the description, and even the title makes it seem more grandiose and sinister than it is. Hopefully the branding and marketing of this novel can pivot before the release date, because it is a great novel that deserves to be read, but if folk go in expecting the intrigue and whatnot that is suggested in the description they will feel let down. I had read some early reviews before I began the story, and so I had an open mind and no expectations, and was incredibly surprised.

The Bliss House offers a quiet, subdued queer love story set in the backdrop of a Coen brothers’ movie. The story is about simple, humble folks who aren’t trying to shake things up, they just want to live peaceful, quiet lives. But they aren’t equipped with the right tools to do that, especially when it comes to raising a young girl, and absurd violence constantly interrupts their attempts at serenity. The story doesn’t have a strong plot, per se. Things happen, the characters react, and then more things happen as a result. But it isn’t rambling, instead the story is tight and enclosed, really showing how a whole world can exist in just three people, and all the challenges that can bring. This all feels right, though, it fits together with the isolated life of an expansive, lonely farm or a cabin in the woods. The writing is tight, moving between three different points of views with a fluidity and ease that feels practiced and confident. It lets us understand the characters more, letting them feel distinct and genuine, especially as we see the trauma of the narrative’s events and the weariness that comes from their experiences affect them all differently. It’s worth mentioning that the chapters from the perspective of the five-year-old girl, which are relatively few and far between, don’t feel gimmicky or hackneyed, which can happen when narrating from the perspective of young children.

This story has strong writing and engaging characters, and it really compels you to care about these characters and their journeys. It was relatively short, but it felt complete, for the story that it was telling, and it was paced in such a way that I didn’t want to put it down once I started. It wasn’t filled with cliff-hanger chapter endings or any sort of thriller-esque intrigue, just a genuine concern for characters that are doing their best in a world that doesn’t seem like it wants them to succeed. There is a sparsity to the writing, often feeling like there is a little left unsaid, but that all feels right given the emotional vulnerability of the characters and the closed-minded attitude of the time and place of the story. There were times I wanted a little more, leaning into the relationships a little more, to not just how they felt about each other in any given moment about how they wanted to feel about each other, where and how they saw each other in a bigger picture, because a lot of that was kept inside the characters, we only were given glimpses. However, as I thought more about the story I appreciated this approach, because it left more empty space for me to wonder and think about these characters, about what they wished for their lives, and it kept them removed a bit, which felt like the right tonal decision for this novel.

I want to thank the author, the publisher, Dundurn Press, Rare Machines, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

While there were some aspects of this book that I did not enjoy, it was still interesting. but the book did have its downfall. I honestly don't care to figure out which is worse—the pedophilia or the incest—because Cam is 17 and Wes is somewhere in his 30s, and both of them are in a relationship together. I feel like the book could have worked either way if you had reduced the age difference and eliminated the incest. When the ploce interfered with their life was weird because it just happened and then a coupl eof chapters later you get the epilouge where everything was kinda okay and also not.

Once I got past the pedophilia and incest, or at least tried to, it was actually quite interesting at first, but as the book went on, I became apathetic. The characters spent a lot of time trying to figure out who they are and how to make their new lives work until something else happened, so while the book wasn't exactly boring, there was a lot of internal dialogue. Wes and Cam's POVs were interesting but occasionally made me feel icky, like when Was was preying on young guys at the diner. Dorie's POV was interesting and occasionally sad (Not a bad thing).

Amazing details were provided in the book's descriptions, such as how Grampa was rotting in the cellar or how Cam killed Gus and what that involved. The author did amazing work with that.

A hard one to rate because of it’s dark content - but I did read through it in two days so it’s definitely a page turner.

The darkness is intriguing and keeps you hooked despite being very uncomfortable throughout.

I enjoyed the writing style, I thought it gave great perspective to the characters and what their inner thoughts would be like.

Ultimately I would absolutely recommend it anyone who is okay with darker content. It certainly won’t be for everyone but I thought it was written very well

The only small negative for me is that I wish there was more closure at the end. I personally would have liked more from Dorie to hear how her trauma has effected her as an adult.

"The Bliss House" by Jim Bartley is an exceptional novel that deserves nothing less than a 5-star rating. This literary masterpiece is a haunting and powerful portrayal of an unconventional family that falls into a lot of very bad decisions due to conservative societal pressure. The book is beautifully written, with pitch-perfect dialogue from rural Ontario in 1963, and crisp and precise visual details that paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

The story revolves around the reclusive Bliss clan, who have farmed the same land for almost a century. But now, in 1963, everyone is gone except teenage Cam, his older cousin Wes, and little Dorie. They buried Gran over a year ago, but Gramp is still with them, wrapped tight as a mummy in an old tarp in the cold room off the kitchen. Life is better now without the old man's rants and terrors.

However, the family is not without its problems. There are issues with the land lease and meddlesome, moralizing neighbors. Rumors are spreading in town that there's something not quite right about Cam and Wes, but they're taking care of it all as best they can. Then the local Children's Aid drops by to say that Dorie needs schooling and proper parents, and it's clear they can't hide their secrets any longer. They're on the road, heading north, with a body in the trunk. Wes knows a place, a cabin deep in the woods...

The family's journey is fraught with danger and gruesome casualties seem to follow them. The situation could be comical if it wasn't so nightmarish. Yet, amidst all the chaos, a tender secret love thrives, as they try to hold on to the family they've built together.

Overall, "The Bliss House" is an outstanding literary achievement that captivates the reader from beginning to end. It is a gripping and moving story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good literary read that explores the depths of human nature and family dynamics.

The Bliss House, like the eponymous family that resides with its walls, is troubled. It's strengths lie in the relationships between Cam, Wes, and Dorie, and the descriptions of a world that feels real enough to touch. However, the narrative struggles to justify itself at points, with deaths accidental and intentional piling up without cause or impact, and an ending that doesn't truly satisfy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
So the description of this book and the book itself do not at all match up.
It isn’t a thriller at all. More a fiction with a darker tone to it.
It wasn’t bad but was not what I had expected. Keep an open mind when reading this book.

The Bliss House was not what I expected, going into this I expected more of a mystery, some crime and possibly humour however it was more of a very dark literary fiction. Some parts were also quite convoluted, although this was well written, the characters seemed quite unlikeable and didn't act their ages making it hard to understand what was going on a lot of the time. Also some of the writing and actions were very questionable so I didn't really enjoy this.

The Bliss House is not the kind of book the description leads it to be. I thought it was going to be more of a mystery with some humor thrown in. Instead it was full of unlikeable characters making terrible decisions in unbelievable circumstances. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.