A Breathless Place

By: Harper Bliss

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

When all hope is lost, can music be the ultimate lifeline?

Isabel ‘Izzy’ Adler used to dominate the world’s stages with her vocal acrobatics. But since she lost her voice 10 years ago, Izzy’s been to hell - and hasn’t found her way back.

When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish her biography, Izzy’s dark plans for her life are challenged by the brilliant and gorgeous new woman in her life.

Will the instant attraction between them be enough to stop Izzy from playing out her final song?

Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a hopeful story about what it takes to choose life again - and the incredible power of artistic expression.

©2020 Harper Bliss (P)2020 Harper Bliss

This is the best one ever

At the end of the book Harper Bliss says she wrote 30 novels, well I think I read all of them and this one is the best ever, for so many reasons and these are two of them:
1. Finally a book about a woman my age
2. The topic that no one talks about, talking about topics like suicide, handicap, autism, mental health is so important, to show the readers who are part of it, and those who know nothing about it, that it exist gives both sides tools to deal with it.

And last but not least, narration was well chosen, Abby Craden does an excellent job, narrating this book,

Extraordinary Novel and Narration

Harper Bliss is one of a handful of authors that I have everything she has written both ebook and audible. This story reminded me of the role music has played in saving my life and my soul. Dealing with a dark abyss in your heart is a long journey with lots of twists and turns. Music and reading have always bee a balm to my heart and soul. Harper’s depiction of the characters and emotions is flawless. Abby Craden is my favorite narrator. I’d listen to an auto repair manual if she read it. The author’s note at the end was marvel. A must read and listen.

Bliss and Craden at their best!

My God, this is a beautiful book. I'm afraid the subject matter will keep some people away from it, but if you're reading this, I urge you to give it a go. While it's not an easy subject, it's an important one. And though this may sound strange, it's not a big downer of a read. It's more of an enlightening and hopeful one.
I don't like giving details away about books like this because they just have to be experienced. Abby Craden is the perfect narrator for this story. She is able to convey the emotional journey of an iconic singer who can't find anything left worth living for after losing her voice, the very essence of who she is. When biographer Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish Izzy Adler's autobiography, the woman stirs something in Izzy that makes her re-evaluate what her life can be.
This romantic love story is Bliss's 30th published novel, and likely her best. I found it completely refreshing that the MCs are desirable 59 year old women with very healthy libidos. Bliss knows her way around a love scene and good lord - there are a few toe-curlers here. I also appreciate the diversity in the author's books, with Leila being a respected journalist originally from Iran. There's also an afterword by the author that touched me deeply. This combination of beautiful writing and expert narration makes it an audiobook experience not to be missed!

Difficult and wonderful

This was a rough emotional story to listen to, but those little rays of hope sprinkled thru out lead me to a gloriously happy ending. THANK YOU! Harper, the first time I saw you, in an interview video and then read a couple of your books, I knew that you are someone very special. Your very personal end note is so appreciated... can't wait for your next 30.

A Timely and Timeless Novel

The story was bravely written. After 2020, many have experienced loss in stark loneliness. This is a timely and timeless novel. Thank you Harper Bliss for your courage and wonderful imagination. Abby Craden does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life with her amazing abilities with the spoken word.

JUST WOW!!!

I have read and listened to many of this genre, and it's the first time I am moved to provide a review. I love the story line and characters, especially enjoyed knowing that age is only a number 😉. Love to see more writing on that. And please always use Abby Craden as the narrator. Not sure if I could have gotten through it with another narrator. Her voice was what got me through The Letter! What REALLY moved me is HB's personal notes at the end! If you have ever felt lost and found your way back, it's a must listen. Like the disclaimer on the book, this is not a easy listen but for me I am glad I got it and will be listening to it many more times. Can't wait for the next 30 HB! Love you 💛!

Suddenly hard to listen

I absolutely love Abby craden. Well her earlier work. Now it’s like nails on a chalk board every time she swallows or takes a breath. It’s so prolonged and drawn out… I couldn’t finish. I love her different voices,
It’s just too hard to hear her swallow or take such breathes between sentences. I think it’s gotten worse because her earlier work I never noticed. I hate to be so negative but I have been skipping books narrated by her simply for this reason.
Once again, I love her voices, just can’t get past this

This is such a great book

It was difficult to read the first few chapters, but well worth it. I loved the deep delve into the MC feelings, her emotions and experiences. Bliss knows how to turn words into feelings like no one else. I loved this book Harper!

A breathless place/ a speexhless sob

I’ll be the first to admit that I was hesitant to read this book. From the cover alone, I just knew it would be a doozy. When Harper Bliss announced it that it was coming out in Audible this year, narrated by none other than Abby Craden, I checked on its availability every single day, like it was an appointment for the vaccine to this miserable pandemic.

But, like with so many of the books I’ve read/listened to by Harper Bliss, I also knew it would be good. This one doesn’t disappoint. In the same way that she likes to write May/December romances, Harper Bliss loves to stoke the embers of what some might consider taboo subjects: Non-monogamy, polyamory, age-gap romance and, yes, suicide. But, she does it with such grace and elegance that, from beginning to end, you just have a feeling it will have hope in the end.

This book is one of her best. So beautifully written, elegantly explained and her last note to her readers, that I was breathless when I finished listening. Maybe it’s the beautiful combination of Bliss/Craden. I know I will never read anything as beautifully as how Abby Craden does! Her narration, in general, but moreover in this book was nothing more that pure silk.

This book is well worth your time.

Excellent

Thank you for the depth and emotion with which you write and share. Once again your writing has brought to the forefront pieces of (I’m sure) not only my life but others. It is human nature to feel but not always to share and be vulnerable and express with the elegance you do.

hope

at 59 I was in that place, health deteriating, thanks to audible and all it's glorious authors & narrators especially in nonfiction, I can enjoy lay here in comfort listening and living vicariously, harpers writing fills me with warmth and hope and I've only read 17 of 30+ so I'll lie here a little longer, ty

Thank you

This book was hard to listen to in places but it’s so full of hope. The narration is perfect as always when Abby Craden reads. Thank you for another great book Harper x