Paris, Politics, and Romance

Warning: reading Harper Bliss’s French Kissing may result in elevated heart rates, spontaneous swooning, and an uncontrollable urge to binge five books in a row. Set in the high-stakes world of Parisian politics and media, this all-female, all-drama sapphic series is like a soap opera you’d actually brag about watching—juicy, smart, and totally addictive.

What makes this series more than just a sapphic soap with Parisian flair is its rich ensemble cast of women who evolve, unravel, reconnect, and—occasionally—self-destruct in the most relatable ways. At the heart of the series is Claire, a commanding political powerhouse who’s as emotionally guarded as she is strategic. Her arc alone could carry a whole series, but then there’s Juliette, whose confidence masks vulnerability, and Stéphanie, the charming wildcard whose impulsivity adds just the right amount of chaos. These three helm Barbier & Cyr, a high-profile public relations firm at the center of the action, where professional spin often bleeds into personal drama. Each woman is navigating high-pressure careers, complicated love lives, and the inevitable mess of trying to hold it all together. By the time you reach the final book, you’ll feel like you’ve been through it with them—cheering them on, yelling at them, and maybe falling a little bit in love with each one.

But the brilliance of French Kissing lies not just in this central trio—it’s in the way Bliss skillfully weaves in all her characters, whose presence challenges, softens, or sharpens the core cast. Juliette’s partner, Nadia, is a steady, compassionate force whose own dirty secret threatens to destroy the decade-long relationship she and Juliette have carefully built. As a woman of North African descent, she also brings cultural nuance to the series, reminding readers that queerness and identity aren’t monolithic.

Then there’s Dominique Laroche, the formidable conservative politician gunning to become Paris’s first female president. With a cool exterior and a relentless drive for control, Dominique is a character you love to hate—or hate to love. She’s the kind of woman who walks into a room and takes all the air with her, adding stakes, friction, and surprising depth to the narrative as it unfolds.

Margot—equal parts brainy and broody—a Korean surgeon with a heart of gold and a penchant for showing up on her hulking sport bike like she just rode out of a queer fever dream. Margot’s storyline brings a smoldering intensity to the series, especially as she navigates vulnerability beneath her cool, tough exterior. She’s the kind of character who surprises you—quietly magnetic, emotionally complex, and often the unexpected anchor when things begin to spiral. Her presence deepens the themes of healing, both literal and emotional, and her chemistry with Claire is pure sapphic magic.

By the final stretch of the series, Harper Bliss introduces a new wave of women who stir up fresh tension, passion, and political intrigue. Solange, Dominique’s impeccably buttoned-up chief of staff, is equal parts loyalty and latent fury—a woman with a chip on her shoulder and no time for nonsense. Her dynamic with Aurore, a provocative liberal talk-radio host, crackles with friction and barely-contained desire. When Aurore extends an olive branch—or is it a trap?—by inviting Dominique onto her show, Solange finds herself walking a tightrope between professional duty and personal longing.

There’s Camille, a brilliant government scientist whose poise masks the uphill battle she’s fought in a male-dominated field. A longtime friend of Dominique’s, Camille’s strength is tested when her rising status provokes a disturbing harassment campaign from a resentful subordinate. Into this world steps Zoya, a bold, funny Aussie who’s left behind her life as a Sydney talk-show host to build something new in Paris—with Camille, and with a role on Dominique’s reelection campaign. Zoya’s easy charm and fresh energy add lightness to a cast otherwise knee-deep in the grit of ambition and high stakes.

Of course, no review of French Kissing would be complete without mentioning its most glamorous leading lady: Paris. Bliss renders the city with such intimacy and affection, it becomes more than just a backdrop—it’s a mood, a mirror, a muse. From sleek government offices to smoky late-night bars, elegant apartments to impromptu walks along the Seine, Paris reflects the emotional tides of each woman’s journey. The city’s rhythm is woven into every page, its romance and restlessness echoing the tension, passion, and transformation of the characters who call it home.

What truly sets Harper Bliss apart is her ability to create a sapphic world that feels both heightened and deeply real—a place where queer women exist in every shade: powerful, flawed, passionate, and painfully human. Whether it’s erotic, tender, or a sizzling fade-to-black, Bliss knows exactly how to write intimacy that resonates. Her love scenes aren’t just titillating—they’re layered, emotionally driven, and attuned to each character’s vulnerabilities and desires. With French Kissing, she delivers more than just drama and romance; she gives us women who grow, stumble, lust, and love in ways that feel achingly familiar. From the polished halls of politics to late-night rendezvous on Parisian balconies, Bliss reminds us that a great sapphic series doesn’t need to choose between heat and heart. It can have both—in spades.

Season Five marks the grand finale of French Kissing, and according to Bliss herself, the decision to end it wasn’t taken lightly. “It just wasn’t plausible any longer to put them through even more drama, given what they’d all already gone through,” she shared—a nod to just how much these women have survived, endured, and evolved. But don’t worry: the finale doesn’t skimp on heart-pounding stakes, emotional payoffs, or satisfying closure. Better yet, you can grab the entire five-book series for 40% off the retail price—and Bliss, ever the generous storyteller, includes a special surprise with the e-book bundle. If you haven’t yet plunged into the world of French Kissing, now’s the perfect time.