Flirting with Forty

Great Fun-Loving, New-Beginnings Book!! Jane is . . . Flirting With Forty!!

In a nutshell: I LOVE this book! Jane Porter has written a wonderful book about Jackie, a newly divorced mother of two who is finally becoming an "adult," discovering herself, taking chances and finding love. Written in a wonderfully fresh style by a Seattleite who has obviously visited Hawaii herself - what could be better (I live near Seattle!). There are some wonderful "ah-hah" moments within the book. I am not one to dog-ear a book, but this one has about nine - NINE - because there were comments or thoughts I wanted to ponder and return to. This book was recently made into a Lifetime Movie starring Heather Locklear which will air on December 6th. It was a lot of fun to read the book with the image of Heather as Jackie!

Extended Review:
I found out that Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter had been made into a Lifetime Movie starring Heather Locklear that will air on December 6th. Because of that I had to read the book FIRST! I absolutely fell in love with the style of writing and the characters. I was also amazed at how easily I could relate to Jackie! (And no - I'm not 40 yet - I've got just over 8 years to go still)

First of all, the book starts of with a bit of comedy surrounding the Christmas tree - from searching in the rain for the perfect tree, to settling and simply trying to get it home and into the house. If you don't end up chuckling at some point within the first few pages, there is something wrong and you must HATE the holidays!

Jane has included some great "ah-hah" moments for me. For example, she has some great insights into women, such as how we see ourselves, how we feel about our kids, and how we simply think TOO much sometimes! (My husband tells me that all the time, and through this book, I was able to see what he is talking about - talk about a wake-up call)! Jackie seems like she is much happier when she isn't thinking quite so hard - you will know what I mean when you read the book!

Characters: All the characters in the book are wonderfully written, each with his or her own personality. They seem so real - with real happiness and real sorrow - real people like you and me, only they have something to share with the reader. The chemistry between Jackie and Kai seems very real, as are her relationships with her kids and her friends.

Story-Line: Life after a divorce in a world where your friends are all married with kids isn't easy, especially since you are no longer "popular" because you are no longer a "couple" with kids doing things with your "couple" friends and their kids. Add in a special vacation and a long-distance boyfriend who changes the way the main character sees herself, and this is a fun and insightful read! Don't get me wrong - the story has humor, adventure, love, friendships, heartbreak and loss - but you won't be disappointed! Sometimes you need the sorrow in order to appreciate the things in front of you.

Readability: I found the book easy to read . . . and fun. The book started off with a humerus bang and just kept me enthralled! The dialog is fun and entertaining, and the descriptions are great.

Overall: I simply adore this book, which is even more fun with the knowledge that Heather Locklear will be playing the role of Jackie in the upcoming Lifetime Movie! With some great insights, fun adventures, and supportive friends, this book is a must-read. It has a bonus in that Jane has stated on her blog that she lo

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The must read book of 2006 ...

FLIRTING WITH FORTY ¿ Jane Porter A Perfect 10 5 Spot (Trade Paperback) ISBN: 0-446-69726-5 July 2006 Contemporary Fiction Seattle, Washington & Hawaii ¿ Present Day Jackie Laurens is facing the one-year anniversary of her divorce and her fortieth birthday. Everything is harder than she thought it would be. She tries to maintain the traditions her family has created during the holidays -- to make it a happy time for her two young kids -- but she feels desperate, anxious, and unhappy. When her best friend Anne suggests they get away for a long weekend, just the two of them to celebrate Jackie¿s birthday, Jackie is at first reluctant, and then cautiously excited. Anne cancels at the last minute because her husband is ill and doesn¿t want to take care of the kids while she goes to Hawaii, but Anne insists Jackie go and enjoy herself. Despite the fear that gnaws at her at the thought of being alone in paradise, Jackie goes to Hawaii. Initially, her anxiety and unhappiness seem like a cloud she can¿t escape, until she meets Kai Carson, a sexy surf instructor ten years her junior. Suddenly Jackie feels young and reckless, and happy for the first time in years. But her mini-vacation soon ends, and Jackie finds herself back in Seattle, running her interior design business, car-pooling the kids, and desperately trying to hold on to the happiness and feelings of hope her brief affair with Kai brought to life. Her friends don¿t understand her ex-husband, Daniel, ridicules her for her infatuation with a beach bum, but Jackie misses Kai, and the possibilities he represents. Jackie has some hard choices to make, and some eye opening internal examinations. What does Jackie want? Who is she now that she is no longer Daniel¿s wife? She is still William and Jessica¿s mom, but is that all she is? Where is the girl Jackie used to be? FLIRTING WITH FORTY sounds like a fun book about a woman of a certain age finding herself. Even the back cover gives that impression. But let me say right now, FLIRTING WITH FORTY is anything but a light, romantic romp, or even a simple May-December romance. This novel has depth, and offers glimpses into the heart of a woman that will resonate profoundly with women who are starting families, raising families, in a monogamous happy marriage, or trying to move on after a divorce. Jackie Laurens is a sympathetic character to whom many women will strongly relate. She has spent the last eleven years ensuring the happiness of those around her while neglecting her own needs and happiness. She is not a saint she is simply a wife and mother who is doing the best she can for her family. She learns that making others happy or comfortable is not enough to ensure that you will be happy. Jackie, like many women, has given away pieces of herself throughout her life until the woman she was all but disappears. Kai, while sexy and carefree, is not the cure for Jackie¿s blues, but he is the catalyst that opens her eyes and her heart to possibilities. Her struggle to find the pieces of herself and redefine her life is heartbreaking and, at the same time, uplifting and hopeful. Told in the first person from Jackie¿s perspective, the reader shares her fears, her hopes, her anguish and her triumphs and, most importantly, her deepest dreams. Secondary characters are all integral to Jackie¿s life, but this is Jackie¿s story. If there is any message to be had from FLIRTING WITH FORTY, it is a message of hope, of believing in yourself and knowing that you deserve that piece of cake with the roses on it. Jackie¿s journey is one that touched me and made me remember that there is more to life than routine and the daily struggle of life -- there is laughter, and love, and hope for more. If you are a voracious reader or only read one book a year, I highly recommend FLIRTING WITH FORTY it is an outstanding novel and an RRT Perfect 10. Terrie Figueroa

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely loved this novel. It's funny, commiserative, and a wi

Absolutely loved this novel. It's funny, commiserative, and a witty, fast-paced read. Highly recommended, as are others of Jane Porter's books!

Fun read

Definitely wish this wouldve went differently but overall a good book.

Couldn't finish this book!

I read a lot of fiction books and I just couldn't get into this one. I read about half way through and felt like the plot had no excitement. I couldn't finish reading it because it was very boring and dull to me. The book is written in first person which can be great if done well, but I didn't feel like this fit the bill. Hardly anything had happened even at the halfway point.

Suprisingly Great!

This book was great! It was funny and touching. It made me smile and sigh at many points. Just a great relaxing read for women of every age! I would highly recommend this!

This was an excellent book! One you'll want to read over and over again!

Flirty with forty was comical, sassy, and fun! The characters were real, and you find yourself routing for Jackie from the first page until the very last! This book is definitely one to buy, read, then read all over again. Yes, it's just that good!

flirting with Forty

As a 40+ year-old woman - this was a fun read. Great for the beach and vacation. Men probably wouldn't like it - definitely a "chick" book. If you are romantic and like romance, this is great as well. I can relate to divorce in this book - so any single divorced women should like it - single moms as well. I have never read a Ms. Porter book, but love her style so I'll probably check into others.

Uplifting

I bought this book because of the title as I recently hit the Big 4-0 this past April. Characters and plot are totally real life and you can relate and follow. Author kept me at the edge of my seat with the twists and turns and I totally believed I was going to be disappointed at the end of the story but she delivered big time. I totally recommend this book ... I read it in a day and a half

Great Story

First time reading this author and I was impressed. Very easy reading and the story captured me. I finished it off in one day! Would definatly recommend.

Fun, romantic read

This book is a fun read. I read it in one night, once I was caught up in the story it was hard to put down. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a fun romantic story.

4+ Stars

Even with adult themes and some profanity, I liked this book! Life after divorce is covered--the first year of a middle-aged woman's new life. There are expected highs and lows, along with a few twists and turns. The writing is smooth, and the story moves along nicely. Jackie, the protagonist, has a few flaws--just enough to gain the reader's sympathies. It's a good chik lit, and I can see why it was chosen to make into a movie.

I LOVE THIS BOOK

I fell in love with this book as well as the author. This book is one you wont want to put down once you get started. For me it was like a great movie you want to watch again and again. I could definitely read this book from start to finish again. I went out and found another Jane Porter book the same day I finished reading this one.

Flirting with Forty is fantastic and a wonderful look at living your life for yourself.

Jane Porter's unique writing style takes us not only into the trials of Jackie Laurens's life after divorce but into her revelations and triumphs. This thought provoking look at the balance of living life the way you need to survive yet also finding what truly makes you happy no matter what other people think was truly inspiring. An enjoyable read that leaves you with hope....and happiness!

insightful, entertaining read for those 40ish women

Combining excellent writing, with real life issues (that I myself have faced at this point in my life), with a touch of humor made this book a great read. To be divorced at 40 leaves many of us wondering where our life will take us from here--is it over or just beginning to take a new turn? Porter touches on thoughts that many of us have had about ourselves--are we a person or have we just resigned ourselves to being an extention of our children and/or spouses? She makes us look at ourselves without becoming bogged down in self help advice.

A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just turning forty myself I could relate to some of what Jackie was experiencing. I read this book in about 7 hours. I couldn't seem to put it down once I started it. It had my interest captured from the first chapter. This is a book I think all women over 40 and facing 40 should read.

Flirting with Forty

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 heart warming story. Reading it has personally given me the courage to begin anew, to explore options and yes, and ¿to be all that I can be¿!

I was disappointed!

I thought this was going to be great with all the reviews, but I was disappointed. It was good, but very repetitive. I thought it would be better with some more meat to it. It seemed like all she did was leave her kids off and take off to Hawaii on a whim every couple of weeks. It did depict very well emotions that you go through when you hit 40-but come on how many of us can take off on a whim and go to Hawaii for a romantic fling. It is worth reading but don't expect too much.

Excellent book!!!

I haven't read a good book like this in a few years. I couldn't put it down. I read it in 2 days. This book will draw you in and take you along a journey. Looking forward to her next book!!!

Great summer read

This is a great book. I couldn't put it down and i'm not a reader. I have already passed it on to 2 friends and they enjoyed it as much as i did. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. I would sit and read it with a smiles on my face. It definately makes me look at my life and the direction that it is headed. It makes me want to take control and make changes. Can't wait for more books.