Title: Flirting with Forty
Author: Jane Porter
ISBN: 0446697265
Pages: 368
Release Date: July 13, 2006
Genre: Chick Lit, Women's Fiction
Review: Hachette Group Book Tour
Rating: 4 out of 5

From the back cover:

He got the second home and the Porsche. She got the kids and a broken heart. Now Jackie, post-divorce and heading toward the big four-oh, is on vacation in sunny Hawaii and staring down her upcoming birthday-alone. But not for long. She's soon falling for Kai, her gorgeous, much younger surf instructor, and the wild passionate fling they have becomes the biggest surprise of Jackie's life.

Back home in Seattle, Jackie has to struggle with single parenthood...and memories of Kai. He hasn't forgotten her. Yet thousands of miles of ocean-not to mention an age difference that feels even wider-separate them. And, of course, her friends disapprove. When a choice must be made, can she, will she risk everything for her chance at happiness?

Flirting with Forty is the second Jane Porter novel I have read [review of Mrs. Perfect], and I can't believe it's actually taken me this long to pick up her books! They are funny, heartwarming, and completely addictive; they have this quality where they draw you in and keep you there until the novel is over. And even at that point, they leave you wanting more.

I really enjoyed reading about Jackie's self-exploration and development in this novel. I liked how she wasn't perfect; she'd make a vow to be happy, but just a few pages later, she'd be upset about something. The point was that while it wasn't going to be easy to succeed, she was trying. It was both realistic and reassuring; too often in novels, once a character makes a realization about him or herself, the change is lightning quick. Jackie's experiences assure the reader that life is not supposed to be that easy or simple; if you want to make a change, you have to work at it.

I have to say that I didn't really like any of the secondary characters in the novel. Of course, I enjoyed reading about Kai, and Jackie's children were fine, but both Jackie's friends and her ex-husband were pretty despicable. My problems with her ex-husband were pretty self-explanatory. He was a miserable person who did his best to find fault in and criticize Jackie every opportunity that he could. Her friends are a bit more complicated. They are entirely unsupportive and can't seem to understand Jackie's desire to have something different in her life. Even if they don't approve, isn't it the job of a friend to express concerns and reservations, and once these are aired, to be supportive? The character of Anne especially irked me - the way she could dish out criticism of Jackie's every movie, yet she couldn't bear to hear criticism of herself.

All of that being said, Flirting with Forty was an extremely enjoyable read that kept me hooked until the very last page. Jane Porter's novels are longer than the average chick lit read, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. The books don't drag on at all and the pages fly by quickly because her stories are so engrossing.

Flirting with Forty is now a Lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear which premieres on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9 PM ET/PT [website]. I'll write a review of the movie after I watch it, so make sure to check back!

And finally, I just want to give a big thank you to Miriam at Hachette for sending me this book to review!

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My Friend Amy
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A Bookworm's World
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Allison's Attic
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Booking Mama
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Bookopolis
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Wendi's Book Corner
The Book Czar
The Book Girl
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Books in Every Room
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Book Ahoy!
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At Home With Books
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