It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake

It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake
Written by Claire Christian
Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Adult
Expected Publication September 29th 2020
288 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing and Netgalley
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
Noni didn’t expect to be starting over again at the age of thirty six. But eighteen months after the end of her long term relationship, she knows it’s time to find out what’s next.

While an encounter with a sexy blonde firefighter is a welcome entry back into the dating world, Noni soon realises she’s looking for more than just a series of brief, if pleasurable, encounters.

That’s how she finds herself travelling to Europe to track down the one that got away: the alluring, elusive Molly. But Europe has other surprises in store, not least of which is Beau, a tall, sexy, tattooist from Edinburgh...
Noni Blake lives her life in shades of beige, she's dependable, steadfast and on the verge of embarking on a pleasure quest throughout Europe. Noni is a formidable woman, we first meet Noni as she's healing from the breakup of her nine year long relationship with Joan, sharing a mortgage and child of the four legged variety. The split was amicable but while Joan has seemingly moved on, Noni uses the opportunity to step out of her beige comfort zone and take life by the balls.

Leaving her fabulously gay best friend behind in Australia, Noni departs for London, a to do list in hand, quite literally. Molly is the one that almost was but neither she or Noni could get their shit together and hook up. So rather than always wonder, Noni plans on making the next six months count.

Sexy times, horrendous sexual encounters, new lingerie, posing nude, drinking, indulging and one incredibly sexy viking later and Noni finds herself the embodiment of female empowerment. The new sexy and confident Noni lives her life to the fullest and I absolutely adored her. She's plump, a bit of a bogan and responsible for her own orgasms. She's bright, outgoing and is learning to embrace her imperfections and find comfort in her own body. I loved Noni's authenticity. She's insecure and vulnerable and completely relatable. She owns her sexuality and after years of teaching and putting others happiness before her own, she's finally finally putting her own needs first.

Noni is bisexual and after her nine year relationship ended, a one night stand prompts her to pack up her life and travel. It's inspirational, not to mention incredibly brave. In much the same way that Marie Kondo asks, does it spark joy, Noni is seeking pleasure through travel, friendships, lovers and finding moments of happiness. Temporary pleasure comes at the hands and mouths of people she meets along her journey, from a female firefighter, high school principal, magician, the one who could have been and the Viking, the gentle and kind tattoo artist Beau. Her sexual misadventures are hilarious, even kinky in some instances but Noni takes each experience in her stride and along with her close circle of friends from home and abroad, is discovering she prefers unbridled, adventurous Noni.

The Viking was delightfully unexpected. On a whim, Noni decides to get herself inked while in London, walking in off the street into small tattoo studio where she meets artist Beau, bearded, burly and gentle and as he marks her skin, she's fantasising about getting on on the table and girl, merry orgasm to you my friend. Beau isn't just a conquest, he could very well be the love of Noni's life but beyond her pleasure quest, her new life of saying yes, of friends and parties and painting the town not quite red because she's still a responsible adult, Noni has her friends, family and career in Australia and Beau seems content to enjoy their fling while it lasts.

Oh how I loved It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake! It's fun, flirty and outrageously funny but beneath the surface lies a book about falling in love with yourself. There's a little bit of Noni in all of us. 

16 comments

  1. Sounds cute, thanks for sharing your thoughts

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    1. It's such a lovely and quietly empowering read!

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  2. I really need to read more f/f fiction, or just bisexual females, etc. There never seem to be enough out there that actually sound good!! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this one. Sounds like a sexy, fun read, but also something that makes you think about your life and the choices you have and have not made.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    P.S I keep meaning to email you, after your comment on my blog! I know times really suck right now, and I'm so sorry to hear you're having a tough time. Please do email if you want to chat! I promise to reply quicker than I write first. LOL

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    1. Thanks Lauren, I really appreciate it.

      I loved the authors young adult debut so when I seen this one on Netgalley, I knew I'd fall in love. Noni is an every woman and I found her incredibly relatable. It's so wonderful to see female bisexual representation in adult romances, it's a brilliant read and would love to see what you think of it!

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  3. Imagine my surprise to pop on by only to find you reviewing a romance! This was sounds like an adventure, I love the idea of someone going out and seeing the world after a break up. It sounds empowering and great to see some bi rep as well. I definitely like the sound of this one and will try and get a copy if I can.

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    1. You should be able to find it on Amazon or The Book Depository once it's released or it's on Netgalley! I've been wanting to read more romances and prefer Australian or United Kingdom authors mostly, they just feel more genuine and relatable. Such a brilliant read!

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  4. I love the idea of just leaving it all behind, and totally admire those who can do it. This book sounds really fun.

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    1. It's such a wonderful journey of finding yourself and falling in love with yourself all over again. It's the perfect isolation read, travel, romance and hilarity.

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  5. This sounds great, and I love that Noni getting to know herself after the end of a long relationship is handled so well. glad this was so good!!

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    1. Her journey was beautiful and so incredibly entertaining!

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  6. I've been reading more adult romances lately and !! I may need to look this one up. 😍 I'm so glad you adored it!

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    1. Me too! It makes a lovely change from young adult and I love how hilarious they are. This one is superb, I'd love some more recommendation of ones you've loved recently!

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  7. OMG. I need this (NONI) in my life. This just sounds SO. MUCH. FUN!

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    1. It's beautiful Verushka, you'll adore this one!

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  8. Love the review. Seems like a good read! I am wondering if I read it if it'll just make me more fed up and make me wanna run off to Europe, sans pandemic of course hehehehe.

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    1. Ohhh I felt the same! It was such a delightful way to travel and the perfect isolation read.

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