“A vibrant story of self-discovery…sure to capture readers’ hearts.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review A sparkling, feel-good tale about starting over, for anyone who’s spent too much of their own life making other people happy. What if you made yourself your number one priority? Of all the women and men Noni Blake has pleased in her life, there’s one she’s often overlooked–herself. … life, there’s one she’s often overlooked–herself. After the end of a decade-long relationship, Noni decides it’s time for that to change. She’s finally going to prioritize her wants and desires and only do things (and people) that feel good in the moment.
As she embarks on a pleasure-seeking quest that takes her halfway around the world, she discovers that maybe she can have everything, and everyone, she’s ever wanted.
Effortlessly hilarious and relatable, Claire Christian spins a fresh, uplifting story about starting over as a thirtysomething woman who’s been living life for everyone else. A story of self-discovery for the ages, Noni’s journey serves as a reminder that life is what we make of it–so why not enjoy it?
“Funny, refreshing and empowering.”–Lindsey Kelk
“Pure pleasure…sexy and joyful.”–BookPage, starred review
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There are only two things you need to know about this story…
1. Noni Blake is beautiful. She’s beautiful. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Did you get that? If not, don’t worry. Every single person she comes in contact with will tell her numerous times, so you don’t forget.
2. P-L-E-A-S-U-R-E. Noni Blake is seeking pleasure. Unfortunately, Noni Blake’s idea of pleasure is a crap-ton of alcohol and casual sex with men and women from her past, as well as random one-night-stands. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
I really loved the beginning of this book. Noni is so fun, and there are many laugh-out-loud funny moments throughout. Ironically though, once she sets about her pleasure quest, the whole POINT of the story, I began to lose interest. I was >>thisclose<< to DNF'ing it, but I DNF'd my last book, and I just couldn't do two in a row. I loved the overall message of this book; do what makes YOU happy. Put yourself first and stop worrying about what other people think about you. If it makes you happy and feels right, DO IT. Other people's opinions mean nothing in the grand scope of YOUR life. I just felt that everything was a little too Rom-Com'y perfect for my taste, though. It reminded me of that movie, 'Isn't It Romantic' with Rebel Wilson. Even Noni's disappointments felt like they were there only to make her seem relatable. The magician, the Principal situation, getting caught with Molly in the pub bathroom at the EXACT wrong moment...it all felt forced. And the fact that every single person Noni was attracted to also wanted to sleep with her is just plain unrealistic. That every single one of them told her over and over how beautiful she is felt contrived. Like we were being beaten over the head with the message that 'Bodyweight does not make a person beautiful!! Overweight people can be beautiful too!! Beauty is not about your dress size!!'. Yeah, I know that. Thanks. But Noni had to be constantly reassured (and was), which just doesn't happen IRL. The ending was predictable yet satisfying. I was happy she went with her heart and did what made her happy, even if the entire end scene was another over-the-top Rom-Com'esq scenario of 'I can't believe this is happening. Can this situation get ANY worse? This isn't the way it was supposed to go. What do I dooooo?' In short, this wasn't a terrible read, but I didn't love it. A lot of laughing mixed equally with a lot of eye-rolling. This was a very good reminder to myself why I avoid Chick Lit like the plague. Definitely won't be making that mistake again any time soon.
2 1/2 stars
I’m giving up on this book. I’m more than 50 percent through it, but I can’t read another word. Noni Blake is an idiot. She’s a teacher, but I assure you, I wouldn’t want her teaching my children. Her whole thing is jumping from bed to bed to bed, as in sex with anything that walks on two legs. She doesn’t care if she just met the person, if it’s clear that the person is not a safe one, if they’re deviant. All she wants to do is sleep with whoever will sleep with her. She even makes a list of people she regrets not sleeping with and begins working her way through it. She has no concern for whether the person might have a STD. Yes, they usually use condoms, but those do not provide 100 percent protection. Also, nearly every character in this book uses the crudest of language for no good reason. I’m sorry, that’s just not realistic, to insert swear words into almost every sentence of dialogue. People she knows well, strangers, just about everyone in this book is vulgar. Just about everyone in the book also drinks to excess. No one, not even her best mates, seems to care that Noni often goes off with strange men and women when she’s sloshed. And, yes, Noni is bisexual.
The writing, from a technical aspect, is fairly good, making this an easy, if not satisfying, book to read. While I didn’t like Noni at all, I did like some of her friends. I couldn’t figure out why they’d hang around with Noni and listen to her ridiculousness.
Maybe there’s a target audience for this kind of book. I, obviously, am not it. I just can’t bring myself to waste any more time on this book when there are wonderful books awaiting me. I entered to win this book because it sounded like it would be a light, fun romance. It’s anything but.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake its the story of Noni, a woman trying to find many answers, that still are making her feel out of sorts.
After a terrible heartbreak, Noni a teacher not so happy with her life was on a quest searching for love, and pleasure, she is determined to find answers and to finally find herself. she goes through a lot of funny moments and situations that eventually will help her find her truth.
I enjoyed this book, especially the funny moments, I literally laugh out loud even my hubby kept looking at me like I was crazy lol, and that’s exactly the part that I enjoyed about Noni’s story.. but I didn’t find a connection with it, I really wanted to like it more but I felt at all times like something was missing. at some point, the dialogues felt too flat for my taste, and that’s what made me feel like I wasn’t connecting or immerse with the book.
Overall is a good story that I really recommend if you’re looking for something light and funny. it wasn’t for me but it doesn’t mean it not good, I highly recommend giving it a try and make your own conclusions.
Oh my god!! Can Noni Blake PLEASE not be a fictional character in a book and actually be my bestie?!? This book isn’t just a book. Its a manifesto. Its a battle cry. We are women and we deserve to live lives we love. We deserve to feel sexy even if some of our bits jiggle and we deserve to love our jobs and our friends and find pleasure in the simple ordinary everyday. Written with experts characters and including sex scenes that are sometimes awkward but so spot on the reminded you of your own awkward moments, this book had me laughing and crying and nodding my head thinking back to something similar I’ve experienced through the years.
Noni is a bisexual 36 year old woman who after a breakup and miscarriage spends six months on things that will bring her pleasure. She travels from Australia to England, Scotland, and Amsterdam. In her travels she meets amazing new friends and a sexy Viking. And she finds herself. Trust me you want to go on this journey and you want to meet Noni. And we all owe it to ourselves to go on a pleasure quest. Even if we can’t go across the pond or take six months, we can at least start making decisions in our own lives that bring us more pleasure and more joy.
Best book of the year so far. Would leave ten stars if I could but sadly only get five. 5 huge stars.
Thank you to Claire Christian, Net Galley, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Noni Blake, age 36, is a school teacher and is bisexual. She has not had relations* since she broke up with her long time girlfriend, Joan. That is, until she meets a beautiful female firefighter and goes home with her. This one-night-stand has left her thrilled. *Note: I use the word “relations” so Barnes and Noble will accept this review.
Noni’s gay friend, Lindell, agrees that she needs to get out and check out the chances she may have had in the past and see if there is anything that may come of it. So, she takes time off from her job and flies to France where she first meets up with an old girlfriend. They had once been attracted to one another but neither of them had the nerve to take the first step to make it happen – until now. After a wonderful night together, Noni realizes that the girl has a girlfriend and is furious. Oh well, on to another conquest.
And on it goes. Um…no. This book has no class and no meaning. It’s just a woman who wants to see how much pleasure she can get out of life and it doesn’t really matter with whom. Some readers may like this but I did not. Nope. Not my up of tea.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. The review I’m leaving is being done voluntarily and contains my own thoughts, views, and personal opinions.
I’ve been on a bit of a rom-com kick lately, and this book fit the bill. I enjoyed the humor, and I liked the MC Noni, but I struggled to connect with her. The narrative didn’t dive deep enough to forge an immersive connection, and Noni’s story—while enjoyable as a surface tale—just didn’t grab me as I so hoped it would.
It might also have to do with a difference in values. I could see where the author was going with trying to “empower” Noni with her journey of sexual exploration, but I find it difficult to go into a romance novel and immediately face the lead doing the dirty with someone other than the person I’m supposed to want to see them with for the rest of eternity. While it definitely wasn’t cheating, it just veers far, far aware from where I want my romance to be. Which is between two characters working toward finding each other and themselves… not via random hook-ups with outside characters.
It was okay, but I probably won’t recommend this and won’t jump out of my skin to read another of this author’s tales.