Flirting with Forty
For Jackie's 40th birthday, her friend Anne arranges for them to leave Seattle's rainy winter and escape to beautiful Hawaii, but then Anne's husband gets sick, and Jackie, who is newly divorced, ends up going alone.
While she's there, she meets a younger man who makes her feel not-so-old. She's happy in Hawaii — relaxed, which isn't a word that we mothers often use to describe ourselves. When she returns to Seattle, she tries to figure out how to get that feeling back, while dealing with her ex-husband, her two kids, and her growing design business.
Her friends have supported her through so much, but can the married soccer moms support their single friend's fling with a younger man on a faraway island?
As a married mom myself (and quickly approaching 40 at that), I related well to these characters. I too have fantastic friends who support me. I can even relate to them having trouble dealing with this big change. In fact, as a happily married woman, I have a hard time just reading about her fling. Why? It's exciting and marriage is not always.
That said, reading about the heartbreak of divorce is almost as hard. Jackie's kids suffers, she suffers, and she wonders where she fits in now that her life has experienced this major change.
Flirting with Forty was a good quick escape novel. I could almost feel the warm breezes of a Hawaiian beach as I read it, and hopping a plane in these winter months sure is tempting! I enjoyed Jane Porter's Mrs. Perfect a bit more more (which I reviewed HERE), but I do know that I'll definitely be looking for more of Jane Porter's books in the future.
You can speak live with author Jane Porter on Blog Talk Radio on December 5th at 1PM ET. Call into (646) 378-0039, listen online or sign up for a reminder at Blogtalkradio.com.
Flirting with Forty has also been made into a Lifetime Original Movie starring Heather Locklear. It premieres this weekend. Catch it December 6, 7, and 8 and 9pm ET/PT. I think it will make a cute movie, and if I watch it this weekend, I'll update this post with my thoughts.
We have a fantastic giveaway this week, open to U.S. and Canadian addresses. One of you will win this cool Lifetime beach tote with a copy of the book, and ten more of you will win the book. Leave a comment, and I'll post the winners December 10.
The winners of last week's giveaways are:
The winner of the great gift for booklovers, A Life Well Read, is #37 Deborah Wellenstein.
As a special thank you to all of you who didn't win, they have offered 10% off. Just enter DDALWR1 on the "Special Offers" page at www.alifeunplugged.com.
The winner of the Poirot Definitive Collection (which is now on sale at amazon for only $50) is #115 Felicia Shapiro.
The winners of the Lobster Tale DVD are #247 Katerina Webb, #145 Joanne, #250 Marc, #190 Sarah Hanson, #17 Carol Dziuba.
5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan is a contributing editor at 5 Minutes for Mom. She blogs at Snapshot about daily life with her tween daughter and preschool son.
Pings on Flirting with Forty
Comments on Flirting with Forty
Monica Brand | Paper Bridges @ 8:13 pm
me! pick me!
Jamie @ 8:21 pm
Sounds like a great book. I'd love to win.
Charlotte @ 10:04 pm
Sounds like a good book! I have quite a few friends that have just turned 40, so if I won I would pass it along to one of them.
Trish @ Another Piece of the Puzzle @ 10:43 pm
The beach sure sounds great right about now!
jenna @ 11:38 pm
I would love to give this to my mom to read over the holidays. Thanks!
Leslie @ 11:56 pm
I've been seeing the commercials for the show and would love to read the book.
Renee G @ 12:10 am
This sounds great. I'd love to read it.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com
Tina L @ 6:42 am
This book sounds great. Please enter me in the contest. Thanks
Christy H. @ 9:19 am
This is a fantastic givaway! Please enter me.
hawkes(at)citlink.net
chris @ 9:50 am
I would love to read this book….I'm there!
Gail @ 10:40 am
That sounds like a fun book!
Monica @ 3:28 pm
It sounds like a really good book. Please enter me!
Martha C @ 9:28 pm
I would love to get away with a story especially with me hitting forty before you (if only by a few weeks)! Pick me!
Michele @ 9:59 am
Thanks for the review!
Tamara B. @ 1:04 pm
I have read an excerpt of this book and it sounds fantastic, thank-you for the giveaway.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
Anita Yancey @ 12:06 am
I love Jane Porter's books, and this one sounds great. Would love to read it.
ayancey[at]dishmail[dot]net
Marilyn Shoemaker @ 7:16 am
Face it, I'm a cheerleader of the book and the authot. Messages are very clear in Jane's women's fiction books….Believe in yourself.
Hollywood Today has an excellent review of movie and book plus Amazon's over 0 reviews.
Marilyn Shoemaker @ 7:21 am
Fab author and book and the message is clear, Belive in yourself.
Hollywood Today (Pantera) has a great review of book and movie.
Ginny @ 11:06 pm
Love that beach tote, my favorite place! The book looks good!
Junglewife @ 11:16 pm
Oooh, I'd love to win this book!
Trish @ 11:12 pm
This sounds like a fun read!
Donna Wilde @ 7:17 am
I would love to win!
Linda Howard @ 7:41 am
Please enter me. Thanks!
Corey Robertson @ 8:05 am
As someone who has been flirting with forty for 6 years this books sounds perfect! I love it when a character is a woman who is not 20 something is someone close to my age. It is nice not to feel like I am over the hill and down in the ditch!
claudette flanigan @ 8:12 am
This sounds wonderful. Good luck to me!
hetal g @ 8:13 am
I would love to read.thanks
herry123_us@live.com
Vicky Boackle @ 8:21 am
sounds like a fun read.
Kelly L @ 8:21 am
I missed the movie on TV, so I would love to read the book. Thanks.
Cheryl Fowler @ 8:25 am
I seen the ad for the movie and missed it all three nights. LOL I would love to read the book!
Ruth Bousquet @ 8:28 am
Nice prize…sounds like a fun book…did not get to see the movie.
paula @ 8:32 am
interesting book!
Elizabeth M. @ 8:35 am
I'd love to read it and when you mentioned it was a Lifetime movie, I realized that I watched that last weekend…lol
Nicole C. @ 8:54 am
I'd love to read this book!
randi oaklief @ 8:56 am
I'm well over 40 & the thought of being with a younger man is frightning, but this sounds like a fun read! Thanks!
Jeannette Byrd @ 9:08 am
Messages are very clear in Jane's women's fiction books….Believe in yourself.
Micheala Murtagh @ 9:25 am
My mom is divorced and has been stuck in a rut for quite a few years. Maybe reading this book will help her get out of it and move on with her life. I hate seeing her like it,it breaks my heart. Please pick me! Merry Christmas!!
Katherine Frazier @ 9:28 am
Since I just turned forty this sounds like a great read for me!
Alice C @ 9:30 am
sounds good :0)
Shannon @ 9:31 am
Pick me. I caught a bit of the movie and would love to read the book.
brandy @ 9:31 am
I am getting really close to forty. ahhhh scary!!
James @ 9:38 am
I saw the movie and would love to read the book! Thank you! James
Mary A. @ 9:41 am
This sounds like a perfect read for my night time bubble bath ritual!!!!! Take me away……
Helen @ 9:41 am
I love books. All books! Thanks for offering this prize.
Angie Lamb @ 9:45 am
I've got to check this one out!
Melissa D @ 9:45 am
I can picture myself reading this book on a tropical beach! Or at least *pretending* I'm at the beach…
thanks for the nice giveaway!
Amy Griffin @ 9:46 am
This book sounds really good. I'd love to read it!
Sharon Jones @ 9:53 am
sounds like such a great read!
THANKS for entry
alyce p @ 9:55 am
In times like these we can sure use a good escape book! Hope I win this one!
Kimberly M @ 10:00 am
I'm about to turn 40 and this sounds like a great book!
Dan Smith @ 10:01 am
Sounds like a great book
Kayce C @ 10:10 am
Forty in a week!
Christine @ 10:11 am
I would love to read this! Thanks for the chance, justicecw@hotmail.com
eda @ 10:12 am
i love reading books. this is great.
maureen @ 10:12 am
Well I already hit 40 and it isn't so bad.
Maja @ 10:20 am
love it
Chrysa @ 10:21 am
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kathy Scott @ 10:23 am
I would wrap it up and put in under the tree for myself, because my husband just doesn't get the gift giving thing.
MRS.MOMMYY @ 10:32 am
would love to read this- saw the movie and it wasn't bad- would like to read the book though
Jennifer @ 10:33 am
I think I read an excerpt from this book as a magazine sneak peek. Would love to find out how the story ends!
Brandlyn @ 10:35 am
I really like the movie on Lifetime, sounds like a cool prize!
Linda White @ 10:38 am
I'm past 40 but it sounds like a fun read I could relate to!!!!!
Jenny @ 10:44 am
This looks like a great book, I would love to win! Thanks!
Kristyn Martin @ 10:47 am
This sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Erin Walsh @ 10:53 am
Thanks for the chance to win!
Fortune @ 11:10 am
This book sounds great.Thanks for the opportunity!
kathy pease @ 11:24 am
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
Rita M @ 11:27 am
My daughter is turning 40 in 2009, this would make a great gift for her!
Sandy M @ 11:32 am
Great giveaway! Would love to read this book.
Alicia Webster @ 11:37 am
I am 39 and will be 40 in May(and I can't wait–yipee!!!), so this book would be perfect for me.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
Janet @ 11:42 am
ty 4 the AWESOME GIVEAWAY
L Knott @ 11:44 am
The Next Great Book to Read! Thanks for the chance to WIN!!
Dan @ 11:45 am
Please enter me
Mary Taylor @ 11:47 am
After this snow storm we had this week I could so use a book to curl up with. What better story than a vacation to really take me out of my element!!!!!! Please choose me!!
Amy @ 12:05 pm
Would love to read this book!
Anne Pichette @ 12:13 pm
This sounds like a great book. Thank you for having this giveaway.
Karen @ 12:15 pm
Sounds like a great book!
Veronica Garrett @ 12:16 pm
I would love to read the book. I love the tote also.
Shannon Baas @ 12:21 pm
sounds like a good book.
Erin @ 12:31 pm
I would love to get abck into reading and this seems like the perfect way to start
Kym E @ 12:34 pm
Please enter me.
Esther @ 12:37 pm
Great giveaway!
Heather S @ 12:41 pm
This book sounds great!
Cassandra @ 12:48 pm
Sounds like a good book–would love to read it! Thanks!
ANGELA KOHLER @ 12:51 pm
SOUNDS FUN!
Anne D @ 1:06 pm
I love to read and this book sounds great.
Susan Petrey @ 1:14 pm
Thanks for the chance to win such a great gift!
Melinda @ 1:23 pm
Please enter me!
Joy @ 1:26 pm
the TV movie was great, Im sure the book is too
Jaclyn Reynolds @ 1:28 pm
Hey, I'd love to win! I'm running out of books to read!
Tarah @ 1:53 pm
I would love to win this – perfect read snuggled up by the fire. I can dream of warmer weather!
Michelle Rosborough @ 2:00 pm
Was a cool mivie
Angie P @ 2:02 pm
I saw the previews for the movie…I would love to read the book!
chris swan @ 2:03 pm
WOW This sounds like a great book to read over Christmas break.
Sherri B. @ 2:15 pm
Having hit the big 4 0 this year, i know exactly how this character feels. I would love to read this book! Sounds great!
janeh @ 2:24 pm
This would be a fun read…please enter my name…..Happy Holidays!
c. clemens @ 2:25 pm
throw my name in the hat and pick it LOL
beth shepherd @ 2:26 pm
Thank you for having this. I would love to win. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Gianna @ 2:29 pm
Please enter me
Terri D @ 2:42 pm
Nice prize. Count me in!
Christine Dionne @ 2:45 pm
I watched the movie on Lifetime last weekend. Loved it – of course Jane Poter is an excellent author but not all books made into movies play out so well
Lisa L. @ 2:46 pm
I'm more like flirting with fifty but still would like to read the book
)
Terra Heck @ 2:54 pm
I'd like to read this book.
Karli @ 3:47 pm
I am a 40-something bibliophile so this contest is right up my alley!
Kathy @ 4:06 pm
I'd love to visit Hawaii vicariously through this book!
Stacie @ 4:28 pm
I myself am flirting with f f f forty!
Pat @ 4:34 pm
Your super review made me want to read the book.
Thanks for the contest. Best wishes for happy holidays!
Marcy Strahan @ 4:35 pm
My life feel apart a few years ago when I turned forty!
I need all the humor & self help & laughter I can get.
I would really benefit from a book like this.
Carolyn @ 4:35 pm
What a great prize. Thanks for the giveaway!
Kathy H. @ 4:40 pm
I would love to read this book.
DeeAnn S @ 4:44 pm
Haven't seen the movie yet. Would love to have the book!
amy ormsby @ 4:57 pm
love the movie. i will be forty in 2 years and it's nice to think that "older" people can still find their true love.
christopher h @ 5:42 pm
love to win this
Sarah S. @ 5:45 pm
This is a book I'd really like to read. I'm not only flirting with 40 I am almost married to it…lol.
adamnsarahsmall@yahoo.com
Natalie @ 5:52 pm
I'm not flirting with 40 yet…but I'm only a decade away. Sounds like a fun read!
Matthew Meisenhelder @ 6:10 pm
great prize.
please enter me
Helen @ 6:12 pm
I'd love to read this!
susan varney @ 6:41 pm
love to win
David D. @ 6:44 pm
Love to win this for my lil' sis
Lily Kwan @ 6:53 pm
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Linda @ 7:01 pm
I'd like to win, looks great!
Teresa W. @ 7:03 pm
I enjoyed the movie and would love to be entered in the draw!
Kat R @ 7:10 pm
as someone who flirted right past forty two years ago, this sounds like my kinda read!!
REBECCA TOWNER @ 7:13 pm
would love to win
Denise @ 7:22 pm
Count me in!
Lisa A. @ 7:25 pm
It sounds like a great book to read over the Christmas holidays to escape from the cold and dreary weather outside!
Sandra Brodeur @ 7:35 pm
Sounds like a great book! I love to read!!
Beverly Metcalf @ 7:50 pm
This book sounds really good. Thanks for having the contest and Happy Holidays!
Dree @ 8:01 pm
Sounds like a great book. I watched the movie on Lifetime.
Anne @ 8:08 pm
Oh, this sounds like a great read!
Thanks so much!
Heather C @ 8:13 pm
Sounds great! I'm inching closer there myself.
Joanne Schultz @ 8:14 pm
ooh book sounds great. and tote is blue, my favorite color
Kim H. @ 9:16 pm
The book sounds great! Thanks for the contest!
Tobster @ 9:23 pm
I'd like to read this book. (Reminds me a little of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back"!)
Linda @ 9:23 pm
I would love to read this book.
Marcia S @ 9:24 pm
Sounds like an excellent read to escape the dead of winter Hope I win!
Linda Peters @ 9:30 pm
over 40 but still love to read
Amy A @ 9:53 pm
Great prize!
Cathy Wilcox @ 9:56 pm
I saw the movie last weekend. I would love to have the book!
Sandra S @ 10:08 pm
Sounds like a great book! I would love to win!
Doris @ 10:15 pm
Sounds like a good book. Please enter me.
Deb @ 10:47 pm
I'm approaching 40 and I so need an escape!
Thanks for the chance.
Jennifer S. @ 11:09 pm
Sounds like a great book and I'm flirting with 40!
sito @ 11:15 pm
I've heard really good things about this book. I'd like to read it, and I'd love to win a copy of it. Thanks for the chance!
amandasue @ 11:34 pm
This sounds like a really good book and the movie previews look great, i'm sad that I dont get lifetime though! I'd love to be entered for the book thanks!
Stephen Saunders @ 11:49 pm
great contest, I know someone who'd like this.
Lillie @ 12:28 am
What a great idea!
Lynn @ 12:39 am
I'm always looking for a good book to read
Karen B @ 12:47 am
Hope I'm not too late! Loved the movie and can't find the book locally – would love to win!
Sheila B @ 1:19 am
Please enter me. I love to read and am always looking for new authors to discover.