It's a Pleasure, Noni Blake was such a wonderful story! We follow Noni, a 30-something bisexual woman, as she embarks on a journey to put herself first and find pleasure in her life. She flies to Europe to see if she can rekindle old flames and have some new flings. We laugh with Noni as she gets herself into some incredibly awkward situations and cry with her as she recounts the losses in her life and struggles to love herself. Noni is messy, real, and lovable and it was such a joy to root for her to find love. The beginning was a bit slow, but a little before the halfway point I could not put this book down. This story was part open door romance but also had a big focus on Noni's individual growth, which I really appreciated. I am so glad I read this and I highly recommend!

Content warnings: miscarriage, infertility, grief

Thank you so much @_Mira_Books_ & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 23 February 2021)

SYNOPSIS | Noni has just come out of a decade long relationship & she decides that she needs to start prioritizing herself so she embarks on a 6 month long pleasure-seeking quest where she basically seeks out things (or people) in life that bring her pleasure.

WHAT I LIKED:
- Noni was an absolute precious bean of a character and I wish her all the happiness & pleasure in the world
- the queer representation felt so refreshingly organic
- the sexy scenes were very enjoyable (of which there were many)
- loved the core message of self care, self worth and finding your place in the world (no matter how old you are)

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I wasn't prepared & would have appreciated a TW for miscarriage

“Pleasure isn’t a person. It’s personal. And I need to work out what it looks like to me.”

The Gist: Coming off a long-term relationship and stuck in a rut, Noni Blake decides to go on a “pleasure quest” to rediscover who she is and what she likes.

My Thoughts: What a time to be reading about someone going on a sexcapade throughout Europe, lmao.

Despite my immense jealousy of Noni’s pleasure quest, I liked this quite a bit. It was a bit heavier than I expected, filled with a lot of passages I highlighted - particularly Noni’s insecurities and fears about her body and intimacy. Right to the heart. I also loved that Noni was in her mid-thirties, as I’m definitely getting to the age where reading about twenty-somethings is no longer relatable. And I appreciated that Noni’s bisexuality was treated as no big deal.

The writing and dialogue was a little wonky at times. This may just be the ARC copy I had, but it was really hard to tell when time passed, or who was speaking when. And I do think there was perhaps a bit too much focus on how lots of sex = happiness. Noni does eventually get away from that mindset, but not completely.

Recommended for fans of: One to Watch, Eat Pray Love, Bridget Jones' Diary

It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake is an entertaining and impactful book about the main character putting herself first and finding herself. Noni has always focused on everyone else and for the first time in her life is putting herself first. Noni decides she is moving to Europe for a few months and temporarily leaves her old life behind. Noni focuses on finding herself and discovering what will make her happy. Noni starts this journey still not over a long term relationship that ended eighteen months ago. Noni is a complex character that is relatable at least to some extent. Her trip does not go as planned. Noni ends up in hilarious awkward situations. She is embracing and exploring her sexuality. Noni meets a new friend and finds a job. She finds an unexpected love interest and has to decide what she actually wants out of their time together. It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake is full of funny moments but also serious topics. Noni discusses counseling and the effects of a miscarriage even years later. All of the characters are unique and the story is the perfect mix of entertaining and serious. Noni shows the reader that it’s never too late to find yourself.

Thank you MIRA, HARLEQUIN Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake.

Sassy in her thirties, Nona Blake is re-evaluating her career, love life, and priorities in this engaging romcom. Nona is such a fun character. I giggled so many times that my husband gave me side eye. The story has several emotional moments that I connected with. The effortless diversity is much appreciated. Thanks Mira Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

Noni Blake is used to pleasing the women and men in her life, but she often overlooks herself. She decides not to do that any longer, however, and to put herself first. She begins on a quest to please herself first, and ends up halfway around the world in the process. Steamy and fun, this one is not to be missed!

I really enjoyed this novel by Claire Christian. This was the first book I read by Christian, and it did not disappoint. The entire book focuses on Noni's life after the break up of her long-time relationship. Noni finally decides to put herself first and the entire concept of self-love and self-discovery is refreshing. This book is romantic and funny, with Noni sharing her dating escapades as well as her road to figuring out what gives her pleasure in life. I could have done with less romance and more just general life events for Noni, but I enjoyed the romance regardless. I wish the ending had worked out differently (personal preference), but overall I really enjoyed this book.

It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian is a novel centered around Noni, who has spent the majority of her life putting her happiness on the backburner. After the end a relationship with her long-term partner, Noni decides she wants to make a change and put herself, and her sexuality, first.

I was very excited for this book and loved that Noni was a bi-sexual, plus-sized character and the idea of being able to follow her on her journey of personal and sexual empowerment. The writing was easy to read with fun dialogue. However for some reason I felt distant from Noni and didn't feel like I truly understood her motivations despite the first-person narrative. I also felt like some of the surrounding characters weren't as developed, especially her friend Lindell and how he was represented. I also was confused what the encounter with the white supremacist was trying to tell since it was a very harmful situation for Noni, especially since she did it because she felt uncomfortable saying no. However, the book definitely picked up as Noni developed relationships and I would have loved to get more of this!

Many thanks to the publisher Harlequin - MIRA and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Um.....

Noni has sex with a white supremacist. There's 10,000 other ways to represent rock bottom. This wasn't it.

Noni Blake has spent her whole life pleasing others, leaving herself last. She decides that it's time for that to change. She takes a sabbatical from work and flies to Europe not knowing what to expect. She starts a pleasure seeking quest, doing things that put herself first, so that she can everything, and everyone that she's ever wanted.

I LOVED this book!! Noni is in her mid-thirties and she was so relatable. Which woman has not put herself last at some point in their lives? Who of us love our bodies exactly as they are? Noni starts off with all of these same insecurities and we follow her on her journey to accept who she is and to live for what she loves. Why should she not eat to nourish her body? Why should she not wear something that makes her feel good? Why should she doubt that a handsome and amazing man would want her? This book is witty and funny and romantic and perfect!

I recommend this book to all women, because you will definitely find at least one (probably more) thing in common with Noni Blake.

Thank you to Mira and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed 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.

I tried several times to get into this one, but in the end am having to mark it as a DNF after about 25%. I love the representation that Noni brings to the table; plus=size and bisexual, I was really excited for her story. I was struggling to connect with Noni, but I found the fact that Noni went through sleeping with someone with a Southern Cross tattoo and only threw it in his face as a response to an attack on her to be something I personally could not get past.

Thank you for the opportunity to read the book.

Noni Blake is my spirit animal!
She's just gotten out of a 9-year relationship and is having a bit of a life crisis... She's unsure of past decisions, work and life in general. So she's decided to go on a pleasure journey. A modern women's eat, pray, love journey in my opinion. A trip of rediscovering yourself and what truly makes you happy.

Honestly at first thought was “Noni girl! What are you doing” this can only end in terrible experiences and heartache.

But boy was I happy to have been wrong. I'm of the mind that everyone should go on a pleasure journey. The mere thought of putting what makes you happy first and unapologetically exploring it blows my mind.

For Noni the journey allowed her to discover the love story with herself and to Beau.

This story has passion and lessons for us all. Love yourselves enough to put your pleasures first sometime.
To smash that 'I can't', I shouldn't' voice in your head and explore those things that don't. Opening ourselves to the unexpected.

I truly enjoyed this book.

I had really high hopes for an older, plus sized, bisexual heroine but this let me down. I’m sure that some people will love this title, but it really wasn’t for me.

"I could absolutely go back and right at least some of the wrongs of my past. Be the woman I wish I was then, that I think I am now. Live out some of my lavish fantasies. I could have my own mini, very structured, very safe, pseudo time-travel sexual revolution."

How do I love Noni Blake? Let me count the ways:
1. After breaking up with her long-time partner, she decides to go on a pleasure quest, doing only things (and people!) who bring her joy. Screw that Marie Kondo cleaning nonsense - THIS is something I can get behind!
2. Instead of a bucket list, she creates a fuck-it list of people in her life she wishes she had done it with.
3. She leaves her job behind in Australia to travel in Europe.
4. She's funny and relatable and you can't help but root for her.
5. Her friends are the bomb!
6. One of her love interests may be my favorite in any book I've ever read except for the fact that they fold down a page of a book in one scene. Who does that?!
7. There is some serious steam on Noni's adventures!

This books has been compared to Bridget Jones and I can see why - Noni is a normal-sized thirty-something woman who gets herself into some crazy predicaments while trying to figure out if she can have it all. But unlike Bridget, Noni's open to men and women and a whole lot more kink.

I loved @claireandpearl's writing and finished this book feeling empowered to grab life by the balls in whatever way I can. I may not be able to fly off to Europe to sleep with strangers but I can damn well stop doing things that I don't enjoy and find the things I do. Noni reminded me that life's too short to be okay with not being truly happy.

It really was a pleasure, Noni Blake.

Thanks to Harlequin and MIRA books, NetGalley and the author for a copy to review.

This book was entirely unexpected which is great! I love the premise of shedding archaic expectations in order to redefine what you really want and/or care about. This was a body positive, sex positive, bisexual journey to self discovery romance.

When we meet Noni Blake she’s in a rut and essentially going through the motions of her life without passion or drive. I appreciate that on her journey to self discovery she goes through several different iterations of what she thinks her end goal might be even if some of her choices were cringe-inducing.

The author gave us a truly flawed three dimensional character in Noni Blake. She is sometimes rash, crude, reserved, charismatic, sexy, ridiculous, selfish, caring, self-deprecating and so much more. It isn’t easy to shake off 36 years of preconceived notions about what you should do in favor of what you want to do especially when you have no clue what you actually want! Reading Noni’s story will allow the reader to reflect on their own choices. We may not need such extreme changes but I think we can all learn something from her journey into herself.

“Pleasure isn’t a person. It’s personal. And I need to work out what it looks like to me.”

It’s truly been a pleasure to read your story, Noni Blake.

At the end of a decade-long relationship, Noni decides that it’s finally time to prioritize her own wants and desires, so she embarks on a pleasure-seeking quest that takes her halfway around the world. A new take on “sparking joy” – if it sparks pleasure she will do it, if it doesn’t she won’t. Through that mindset she ends up doing things (and people) she wouldn’t have necessarily done in the comfort of her home a few months prior.

Claire had me laughing out loud from chapter one of this book, which was a very welcomed distraction from life lately. Noni is such a relatable character – from her awkward encounters to her confidence struggles at the beginning of the book. Everything in this book worked so well for me.

I loved that Noni was bi but I’m not actually sure if it was “confirmed” in the book – it just was and it was perfect, because that’s how it should be in life. (A favorite quote: “I was in a lesbian relationship for nine years, so you don’t need to mansplain strap-ons to me.” )

I loved that she was a normal-bodied person who was able to find a great deal of confidence in herself through her pleasure seeking quest. After reading certain parts of the book I felt like I could feel more comfortable in my body, which is something that I always struggled with.

I loved the relationship between her and Beau (The Viking) and even his son. The Viking is a hunk of a perfect man and he made the top of the list of book boyfriends for me. The way that he treated Noni was amazing and I was rooting for them the entire way through.

I loved her friendship with Lindell. The two of them were cracking me up through the entire book. (A favorite quote: “Yeah, but you know what else goes with the flow? Sewage. Dead fish. Lost balloons.”) He was such a supportive friend and was always able to tell it how it is, all while allowing Noni to make her own decisions. We all need a Lindell in our lives .

I (surprisingly) loved the open door sex scenes. I’m usually a pearl clutcher, but in this book I enjoyed how the author made everything seem real (awkwardness and all). She included that it’s hard to take off tights on a plus sized body in a sexy way – and that’s just something I appreciated. Y’all this book is STEAMY. I saw on Claire’s Instagram that she’s been called “the orgasm book lady” and yep – I see why and you will too after reading this book.

TLDR: Read this book. It will give you confidence and stay with you for a long time to come.

Noni finally connects with someone two years after her relationship with Joan fell apart- and the woman, a fire fighter- dies the next day. This makes her rethink her priorities; she decides to take 6 months away from her teaching job and travel. Not before, btw, she has a one night stand with her boss that is, to put it mildly, quite unusual. Know that there are some graphic scenes with both women and men in this novel about a woman who is searching for happiness. A trip to Scotland with her friend Nat leads her to rewrite her bucket list, which results in her getting a tattoo and meeting the Viking (aka Beau). Although rom com cynics might keep waiting for something to go wrong, Beau is the ultimate good guy- he's a divorced dad, an artist, a romantic, and so on. The problem - Noni's due back in Australia. I liked this for Noni, who is honest with herself and others. She's no angel- she drinks too much, has ill advised one night stands, and at times seems much younger than her 36 years (especially a 36 year old who had a nine year relationship). Her friends Lindell and Naz are terrific foils. This is funny in spots and poignant in others. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. An entertaining read.

It took me a bit of time to get into this book, but once I did, I was happy to be along for the ride. Noni Blake is (in my non-professional opinion) depressed and completely stuck in a job and a life that don't make her happy. She makes a list of the people in her life she could have hooked up with but didn't, and then manages to get in touch with one of them, who is in Europe running a backpacking business. Noni decides she needs a change, takes a leave of absence, and heads to Europe, where she goes on a much more charming and funny version of an eat, pray, love tour. I don't know how Noni identifies - I assume either as bisexual or pansexual - and it was nice to see her relationships with people of all genders normalized. The more I "got to know" Noni throughout the book, the more I liked her and understood her, and that's not always the case in romance novels.

4.5/5 stars. This book is amazing. Claire Christian knocks it out of the park. It is heartfelt, comedic, and will make you want to start your own pleasure-quest.
Noni Blake is finally in a place where she can’t ignore herself anymore. She knows something needs to change and maybe everything needs to change. She decides to take some time off work and chase what feels right and what feels like pleasure. What I really enjoyed about going on this journey with Noni is that even though it is not a self-help book or personal development book it still takes us step-by-step into how Noni starts her quest and how we can too. I think it is not uncommon for us to ignore ourselves or put what we want aside because of what people will think or because of these “rules” of society and Noni struggles with that. Christian puts so many incredible characters into the story to assist Noni on this journey and none of them felt secondary. They all felt important. The way that Christian writes is beautiful, and she gives us amazing insight into those initial thoughts and initial doubts that we have to push aside and push away to find the truth and the facts. This is a book that every person needs in their life because every person will go through what Noni is going through, feeling like they have forgotten who they are because they have been living for others for entirely too long. This is a book I will continuously come back to time and time again to remind myself that I am important, and I am the most important person in my life. We all need that reminder and It’s Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian is that reminder wrapped up in a funny and heartwarming story.

*I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.*