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Flirting with Forty
By:
Jane Porter
(as of: 09/02/10)
Manufacturer: 5 Spot
ISBN: 0446509434
Publication Date: 2008-05-07
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Product Description:
Jane Porter's highly successful novel about a divorced single mom who finds an unexpected romance with a much younger man while on vacation in Hawaii has been selected for her exciting mass market debut.
He got the second home and the Porsche. She got the kids and a broken heart. Now Jackie Laurens, post-divorce and heading toward the big four-oh, is on vacation in sunny Hawaii and facing her upcoming birthday-alone. But not for long. She's soon falling for Kai, her gorgeous, much younger surf instructor, and their wild passionate fling becomes the biggest surprise of her life.
Back home in Seattle, Jackie has to struggle with single parenthood and her memories. Kai hasn't forgotten her, yet thousands of miles of ocean and an age difference that feels even bigger lie between them. And, of course, Jackie's friends disapprove. When a choice must be made, can she, will she risk everything for her chance at happiness?
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Flirting with Forty is a must read for all women whether single or in a relationship as one learns though the main character’s journey to “be all that you can be”. It’s a story so profound it will have you laughing and crying at the same time. It’s a story of dreams, hope and learning to be comfortable with one’s self.
Once I began the journey with the author, Jane Porter I honestly couldn’t put it down. I saw so much of myself as a mother, as a wife and as a woman. Just reading the story made me want to want more for me!
As the character Jackie points out sometimes we loose ourselves along the way. We get so caught up in life that we loose ourselves and we blindly accept fate. So, what’s wrong with taking a chance, having an adventure, discovering your self, receiving pleasure? Absolutely nothing!
This book is not just about falling in love; it’s about relationships, friendships and finding the courage to grow. As Jane points out, “growing up doesn’t have to mean growing old”. Amen
Jane Porter again has outdone herself with this incredible story for women of all ages. It’s personally given me the courage to begin anew, to explore options and yes, and “to be all that I can be”!
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| By: Marilyn Shoemaker
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Jacqueline Laurens, a divorced mom with two kids—five-year-old Jessica and nine-year-old William—is facing her 40th birthday. Feeling lonely and depressed, she’s not sorry to be out of her unhappy marriage to Daniel—a man who constantly belittled and patronized her. Living in a tony suburb of Seattle, Jackie has a prosperous career as an interior decorator and enjoys a close friendship with her married friends, Anne, Kristine and Nic. The four constantly meet for lunch and camaraderie, but Jackie often feels like a third wheel.
When January and Jackie’s birthday approaches, Anne books tickets for the two of them to celebrate her big 4-0 in Hawaii. What better way to escape the dreary, rainy doldrums of Seattle than by soaking up the sun, consuming tropical drinks and enjoying girl time? The day of their departure, Anne phones Jackie to say her husband is ill and she has to cancel. Jackie decides to go anyway because William and Jessica are with their dad and she doesn’t want to go back to an empty house and be alone on her birthday.
Jackie spends the first day of her vacation at an exclusive resort. Questioning her decision to have gone there alone, she lazes by the pool and gets hit on by a middle-age lecher named Butch. He not only hits on her, but he does not take “no” for an answer. To escape his advances, she walks the beach stopping at a local club where she decides to have a drink. Spotting a gorgeous, tanned, and well-muscled beach bum with the bluest eyes, her heart jumps. She learns his name is Kai Carson and he teaches surfing. Next thing she knows, she’s signing up for him to give her a lesson, though she admonishes herself for doing so. After her lesson, she falls in love with Kai’s free-spirited lifestyle, and how he manages to draw her out of herself, teaching her how to live life to the fullest.
For her five-day stay, Jackie is blissfully happy with Kai, though she knows nothing will come of their relationship. Not only is he ten years younger and unfettered, Jackie is very settled and a mom! When Jackie returns home, she can’t forget her surfer boy, and soon she goes back a second, then a third time—much to her friend’s and Daniel’s condemnation. While on her third trip, Daniel calls informing her that Jessica has been in a car accident and is hospitalized. Jackie realizes her fantasy is over and rushes home, telling Kai it’s over. Bereft at ending her affair, she tries to channel her energy into her work, but she’s heartsick. Next thing she realizes she’s pregnant and at a dilemma as to what to do.
Ms. Porter has a wonderful flair for showing how turning forty can hit hard, especially if recently divorced and feeling inadequate about oneself. The gift of true friendship, the love a mother has for her children, and the passion of a love affair are tastefully and wonderfully depicted. This is a must read offering joy, heartache, passion, angst and a delightful and surprising ending.
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| By: Nancy Lepri, ReaderToReader.com
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Customer Reviews
Full of honesty, heart and hope: (2010-01-02)
This is my first Jane Porter read but won't be the last (Easy on the Eyes will be delivered today!). The first thing I have to say is that whoever wrote the Publishers Weekly review that mentioned the "gratuitous" sex scenes has never been a woman dating a sexy younger man. Ditto for the reviewer saying the heroine cried too easily. I seldom cry, but I cried reading this book. I don't even have children, but I could relate to Jackie, her guilt over perhaps not putting her children first, her anger over being expected to behave a certain way and to settle for something that everyone else thinks is right for her, and her fears that she's lost the chance (too old) to have what she wants, and I daresay every other woman out there can too. I loved this story, the characters, but especially the honesty with which Ms. Porter portrayed Jackie's emotions. This story gives us all hope that if we lead (or live!) with ours heart, we'll get what we deserve. A GREAT read.
Forty is the new 20: (2009-12-21)
I want to go to Hawaii so bad. I've been there once for a layover on the way to Malaysia but that doesn't count. Therefore, I adore books where I get to armchair travel to this spot. Luckily for me this book allowed me to travel several times throughout the course of the story. Jackie's story, while not one I can relate to, was enjoyable to read and it was really nice to read how she was able to finally come out of her shell. She got to enjoy herself and discover that there was a part of her that existed that didn't have to have ties with her ex husband. I did like Kai, though at times I was a bit worried for Jackie's sake that he wasn't as faithful as she was. Of course, we only got the perspective from Jackie so we don't know what was going on meanwhile back in Hawaii with Kai. Without spoiling the story, I felt that an extremely crucial situation in the book could have been handled differently. At the very least, anyone involved in the situation should have been told regardless of the outcome and by the end of the story, it is not mentioned if it ever will be. There are a few sex scenes in the book but there's nothing too graphic. I really did not like Jackie's ex husband. He was the typical ex-husband who has no problem leaving his wife for a younger woman but God forbid she wants to start having a life. Jackie should be glad she's not married to him anymore and his new girlfriend must live in a bubble if she thinks she's found the perfect guy. I just wanted to hit him several times. I also wanted to strangle Jackie's friends. Right from the get-go, I knew they were not the best friends for her. As soon as Anne calls and tells her she can't go on the trip with her and gives a flimsy excuse about her husband, I knew that we were dealing with some weak women. Instead of being happy for her or at least giving her sound good advice, her so called friends keep bringing her down and keep trying to discourage Jackie. I don't know if it was jealousy or just plain cattiness but I got really mad at them. Overall I really enjoyed this book as I have other Jane Porter books. It's a light funny read and I would describe it as older chick lit, but not quite hen lit yet.
a bit bored: (2009-11-10)
i was a bit bored. the main character constantly said how she was too old, too wrinkly, not worthy, etc. over and over. i ended up skimming thru the middle of the book because it repeated too much. the beginning and the end were okay though. overall, i wouldn't recommend it though.
Why bother?: (2009-07-13)
This book is so bad that I put it down 10 pages in. The main character is the biggest whiner I have ever read in a book. The entire book is why me? Waa Waa. The character doesn't have a grip on reality and her friends are all prissy housewives with even less of grip on reality than herself. Pathetic. Don't bother with this book. Just watch the movie on cable.
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