Are you, like me, a reader of "a certain age" aching for romances featuring characters with some life experience? Characters who think they've reached the age where new love is a closed door rather than an exciting rainbow of possibilities? Characters so firmly entrenched in their comfort zone that the thought of trying something new sends their anxieties into a tailspin, if it even occurs to them? Characters who discover it's never too late to open your mind - and heart - to the joys of new beginnings? If any of these pique your interest, do I have a book for you!

Flirting with Fifty is a gem of a story that I didn't want to put down. These characters were so well developed and relatable. I wanted to be friends with Paige...and Jack! I was immediately invested in them, their relationship, and their futures...hopefully, together. Porter used a deft hand in creating them, balancing hopes and fears, old regrets and new possibilities. She didn't shy away from the emotional baggage both carried and how that affected their abilities to move forward, how it impacted the way they viewed relationships. Their journey was a slow burn that felt realistic and appropriate for where they were in their lives, especially for Paige. I loved the friendship that developed between them, the mutual respect, the caring. I especially appreciated Jack's responses to Paige's insecurities and doubts. I also enjoyed how their family relationships and friendships were interwoven into their romantic journey. Again, so realistic and relatable for a couple in their fifties, with adult children, and complicated relationships in their past.

The scenes in Tanzania were some of my favorites in the book. Porter's descriptions brought the scenery, culture, animals, and people of that country to life for me. And the unexpected impact the trip had on Paige had me reading, and rereading, passages as my heart twisted, then bloomed, with the incredible depth of emotion. So many feelings.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Flirting with Fifty is heartwarming and clean contemporary romance that revolves around Paige Newsome who finds second chance at love at age 50. The story is about second chance, learning to get out of comfort zone, put yourself first, trust, friendship, and love.

This is character driven story, written in third person alternative from Paige and Jack’s perspective that highlighted their personal life and feelings. The story mostly take place in Orange County, California with academic setting but we also see Yellowstone Park and Tanzania that add interesting elements to story.

Romance is slow burn with second chance trope. I liked instant chemistry and connection between them, how they both recognized their feelings and pull toward each other even after 30 years. It made me want to believe in ‘love never dies’ thing.

There isn’t much conflict or drama and no hot scenes so if you prefer romance, clean and dramafree you’re going to love this. What makes this different is main characters’ age.

Why 3.5 starts-

This started really good but the middle part is terribly slow. I don’t have problem with slow burn romance or slow pace but here it felt too slow with nothing happening for long long time. It had lull of regular normal life which is sure realistic and relatable but like I said Paige’s dilemma and self-doubt was too much for me. She was constantly in her head to the extent of making her monologue repetitive and i didn’t like that.

Overall, Flirting with fifty is lovely, heartwarming, realistic and enjoyable clean work place romance with second chance trope.

I read this book in one sitting and while it was okay, I skimmed through most of it to get to the romance scenes between our two protagonists. I think this was a case of the book just not being for me! There were elements that made the book interesting, but nothing that kept me super enthralled or wanting to know more.

FLIRTING AT FIFTY (Modern Love Book #1) by Jane Porter is a women’s fiction/contemporary mature romance mash-up featuring two college professors who are reunited thirty years after a one-night stand in Paris.

Paige Newsom is close to her fiftieth birthday and finally satisfied with her life. A respected mathematics professor in Southern California with three adult daughters which she still has good relationships with even though they are all on their own around the country. She divorced her alcoholic husband eight years previously and has no wish to date ever again.

The head of her department calls her in to his office to tell he she will be dual teaching a class in the fall with a visiting professor due to another teacher’s medical leave. What Paige is not expecting is that her fellow professor is the famous epidemiologist and biologist Jack King. The same Jack King she had a one-night stand in Paris when she was twenty. Memorable for all the wrong reasons. Paige finds the mature Jack just as intriguing and alluring as ever, but she is happy with her life and does not want to open her heart to a man again. Jack wants more of Paige than she may be willing to give.

I am always excited when I can find a story with a mature romance. I found Jack to be wonderful and his reasons for not being married believable due to his professional life. I had a little more difficulty understanding Paige. Her life and tribulations as a mother of grown daughters and her longtime friendship with Elizabeth all rang true for me and I understood why she would be happy single after her terrible marriage, but I found her insecurities overblown especially with her career accomplishments. Her reasons for putting Jack off were the same for much of the story and then very quickly at the ending everything was fine. Other than that, I enjoyed all the secondary characters and the descriptions of the trip to Tanzania. I am looking forward to reading more in this series and discovering who will be featured in the next book.

This is an entertaining women’s fiction/contemporary mature romance read.

A refreshing take on romance and getting older. Maybe it is because I am, but I am enjoying these more and more. Discovering life and love after heartbreak and enjoying who you are and who you’ve become!

i really enjoyed this book!! it was so much fun to read, especially in the summertime!! thank you so much to netgalley for letting me read this one early!!!

Paige thought she had life figured out. She’s divorced but she’s happy. She has three daughters she is close with and she’s about to co-teach, which she is excited about. What she does not expect is at the age of fifty to find love again.
.
Paige soon realizes that just because she is supposed to have life figured out doesn’t mean she actually has life figured out and the excitement of new love is very real and alive.
.
Thank you #berkleypub and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Flirting with Fifty, authored by Jane Porter, is the first in the series Modern Love. As an introduction to the writing of Ms. Porter, I found Flirting with Fifty an enjoyable and easy to read later-in-life romance.

Paige Newsom is a content college professor at Orange University, at least until she had been volunteered to co-lecture with one of the leading epidemiologists in the world – Jack King. Wait a minute – Jack King – the Jack King she hooked up with 30 years ago in Paris? Paige is happy with her life finally; she has three grown daughters who are doing well in their own lives/careers; Paige lives near her aging mother and gets to visit her often. And she is well and truly healed from the disaster of a first marriage. So with the re-introduction of the man who, shall we say, was her first, this will be an interesting read ☺.

In the beginning when the two are (re)introduced to each other I wondered how they would react. Did not take long for Paige to ignore the fact that she knew him. I thought that would be hard since when she did think of him she remembered him as:

“tall, broad shoulders, handsome. A great kisser. Adventurous in bed.”

Does that sound like a woman who can easily ignore Jack King??? I think not! So this reader knew there would be some serious heat…at least on the part of Paige finding Jack attractive. And on the flip side – Jack had definite thoughts on that one night in Paris as well.

As the two work their way through co-teaching, you can just feel the palpable tension between them. It takes a long time for Paige to admit to herself that she is still interested in Jack. But when they discover they are mutually interested in each other – the sparks fly (with mega heat). Of course – where would a love story be without a misunderstanding? But once they get past the few bumps in the road (both literally and figuratively) – well – lets just say it is HOT.

Given the state of the world and apprehension for travel due to the pandemic – I was happy to read about a passion of mine (travel) as the characters took a weekend trip to Yellowstone National Park and then to Arusha, Tanzania (albeit this was part of the course they were teaching at the college, but still).

I quite enjoyed all the references to Canadian cities – loved being able to relate to the locations ☺! I also loved the Indiana Jones type vibe I got from Jack – a man who travels all over the world for his job and loves it. But yet – when it comes to incorporating the right love into his life – they make it work.

As an introduction to the writing of Jane Porter, this was truly a wonderful start. Ms. Porter’s writing is easy to read, her portrayal of characters in their mid-life story engaging in a more mature relationship was done well. I would not hesitate to pick up the second book Flirting with the Beast in this series (when it has been published).

I really enjoy books by Jane Porter. This one didn't quite keep the pace of her other books, but it was still enjoyable. It was nice to read a book with more "mature" characters - Paige and Jack are by no means old, but they are older and have more life experiences than most characters featured in romance novels. I do think I would have gotten more into the story if there weren't so many chapters at the beginning focused on how they first met in Paris. It seemed to slow down the pace of the story. However, it was still enjoyable and a good one to recommend to those wanting characters closer to middle age.

I loved reading a book with older characters. It was so nice to be able to relate to their position in life. They were still 10-15 years older than me, but I found that easier to relate to than when they are that much younger. I hope contemporary romance continues to provide us with older characters!

The team teaching aspect of this story was really interesting. As a teacher I totally understand how stressful a teaching partnership can be. But these two were perfect together, of course.

This book lost me a little with the scientific academia but overall I really enjoyed the university setting and especially their travel abroad experience! We definitely need more books with those settings.

I loved the romance because since they were older it wasn't all high emotion. There was still passion, but a different level and it was perfect. I loved how everyone really knew what they wanted.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Paige and Jack had a thing.
A long time ago, under the starry sky of Paris. She’s never forgotten that night — the magic and promise of it, the abandon and empowerment of claiming what she wanted.

A lot of time has passed. She’s older and wiser and finally making strides in her career.
She has grown children and a contented life. She has enough, and even if she might long for the warmth of an embrace, or a foot rub every now and then, or someone to dance barefoot in the kitchen with, she’s resigned to the fact that she has a full life.

And then she’s voluntold she’s co-teaching a class with the hot shot visiting professor. Who just so happens to be the man she experienced that one magical night with. She’s mortified until she’s convince he either doesn’t recognize her or doesn’t remember her.

When Jack finally connects the dots, he can’t believe it’s the girl from Paris. The girl who crossed his mind every so often even though she faded into the morning fog like a wraith.
He’s raw and scarred from his losses, and he shouldn’t be yearning for the inherent promise of an encounter he should have forgotten a long time ago.

They say that there is a season for everything. The season wasn’t right all those years ago, but it is now. And neither Paige nor Jack can resist its inexorable pull.

“We are too soon old, and too late smart” – at least according to an old Dutch proverb. Flirting with Fifty is the story of a woman who seems to be caught at the balance point between those two states.

Paige Newsom is just about to turn 50. The big 5-0. But it doesn’t seem all that big a deal to Paige, who finally has her life arranged the way she thinks she wants it. She has a marvelous job, in a place that’s close enough to home to feel “just right”. Also close enough to visit her mother back home on a regular but not too frequent basis.

Her career may have not hit stellar heights, but she’s done well enough for herself and she’s stable enough to be able to afford a home in coastal Southern California, have enough to help out her grown daughters when they need it, and save for her retirement.

Now that’s a bit closer than she likes to think about. Not that she won’t have enough saved. And not that being retired and alone isn’t amazingly better than being retired with her narcissistic, alcoholic, emotionally abusive, bullying ex-husband. It wasn’t all bad, after all, she got her girls out of it and they are her heart, but she stayed more than long enough to make her swear off all men.

So she’s not interested in meeting someone new. At all. Ever. Which means that shaking Paige out of her comfortable but slightly lonely romantic rut is going to require the re-introduction of someone from her past.

Jack King wasn’t the one that got away because Paige never let it get that far. Their one-night stand almost 30 years ago rocked her world. But she saw at the time that she could fall and fall hard for him, someone who clearly wasn’t ready to settle down or settle with someone. Or so she thought at the time.

Of course, at the time, she was only 20 and Jack was 25, pretty much a long time ago in the equivalent of a galaxy far, far away. Actually it was Paris, France, which was pretty damn far away from Paige’s home in SoCal.

Jack’s become a superstar in his field of studying climate change and human effects on the planet. He has his own show on the Discovery Channel and teaches around the world. He’s rather like a 21st century Indiana Jones – without the whip and the aversion to snakes.

And Jack is coming to her university in Southern California to team teach his specialty class and needs a co-teacher for the class who teaches advanced math and statistics. Her Dean has just voluntold her that she’ll be Jack’s co-teacher for the semester.

She’s mortified. Jack is intrigued. Because for him, Paige IS the one that got away. And this time he’s not planning to let her run off in the middle of the night before he has the chance to tell her how he really felt all those years ago.

And how he feels now.

Escape Rating A: I picked this up because of how rare it is to see a romance that centers people past their 30s. The only other one I can think of is Jasmine Guillory’s Royal Holiday. (Which was terrific and well worth a read!) Not that there isn’t plenty of women’s fiction where the story centers around a woman and her daughters where a romance occurs for the mother – not that I don’t love LOTS of those books – but those don’t center the romance the way that Flirting with Fifty does.

What made this work so well is that Paige is more-or-less content in the life she has created for herself. She has what she needs and most of what she wants and she’s not looking for more. It’s a good life. It also works well that we see enough of her thoughts and memories about her ex-husband to understand why she’s in the emotional place she’s in without dwelling on his abuse. She’s still affected by the past – as we all are – but her regrets don’t consume her.

She’s also mature enough to acknowledge that her actions with Jack in Paris happened the way they did because she wasn’t mature at all. She was young and insecure – not too surprising at 20 – and couldn’t cope with her own feelings. She was embarrassed and overwhelmed and she ran instead of dealing with him in what might have been a very awkward morning after.

The romance is lovely because they don’t pick up where they left off. There’s a lot of water under that bridge, and the only way to see if they have something now is to let it happen slowly if it’s going to happen at all. They move from colleagues to friends to more than friends to lovers in a hesitant but natural progression.

It makes sense that way. They’re not who they were 30 years ago. Who is? But they’re also not NOT who they were. Their younger selves are still inside them, and those selves have, if not exactly regrets, at least a certain wistfulness about that road not taken. So this time they decide to take a few steps down that road and see how it feels.

The other thing that made this story work is the way that the author captures the combination of the giddiness of falling in love again with the issues of already having lives and plans that will need to be adjusted and cooperated over to make anything work. And that both of them have pasts that are guaranteed to bite the relationship in the ass at times. As Jack’s certainly does.

He does an excellent patient grovel when required. It’s not glossed over and it’s not leapt past. Which meant that their HEA felt earned and included the acknowledgement that the “ever after” past of that equation was never going to be as many years as it might have been – but that those years will be filled with love.

As they should be.

I am utterly thrilled to learn that this is the first book in a series of romances centered on later-in-life couples. The next book, Flirting with the Beast, is coming in November. YAY!

Reviewer’s Note: As much as I loved Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, the picture of Jack King in my head is Sam Neill – probably because of the accent. Your imaginary casting mileage may definitely vary.

Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter is a contemporary romance novel. As the title suggests Flirting with Fifty features main characters that are later on in their lives but still haven’t found that someone to make their lives complete.

Paige Newsom has settled into a comfortable life after her divorce teaching as a college professor in Southern California. Paige lives near to her elderly mother and has her three beautiful daughters off beginning their lives which is all she has wished for in her life.

However, when Paige gets notice that she’s needed to step in to a duel teaching role with a visiting professor Paige gets the nudge she needs to step out of her comfort zone. Jack King is someone Paige once knew and never thought she would see again but now that they are working together Paige begins to see that her world wasn’t as full as she believed.

Being an avid reader and loving to read books about people from all walks of life I was excited to pick up Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter. I really enjoyed the characters in this mid-life story and thought the author did a wonderful job showcasing the more mature relationship. Flirting with Fifty also included a love of mine in the characters taking a more exotic trip so a double yay for some exciting virtual travel! Tie it all up in a lovely bow and this was certainly an engaging read for anyone who loves a nice contemporary romance a little outside the norm.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Sandy M’s review of Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 24 May 22

The older I get (I’ve been reading romance for approximately 50 years, so you do the math!), the more I find myself becoming irritated with some of the younger heroes and heroines I read. So when I get a chance to read more mature characters, I try to go for it. It’s an extra bonus that Jane Porter happens to be a favorite author for me, so I figured I’d win all the way around with this one.


For the most part I did win. I enjoyed both Jack and Paige, though it is Paige who gave me fits here and there. She and Jack have a brief history. They had a quick fling during the time they studied abroad thirty years before. She’s now a professor who will be assisting Jack during his lectures/classes at her university. They both are stunned when they realize at different points they’re going to be together again – and they both at first pretend they don’t’ remember the other. Paige has decided to keep to herself after her divorce, and Jack has been happy raising his son after his wife’s death, as well as keeping busy with his work travels around the world. He would like to get to know Paige better since their reunion, but Paige is still keeping her distance, despite the attraction that still sizzles between them.

And this is where I got a bit miffed with Paige. It’s all well and good to be wary. She’s lived through a lot, with a good portion of it being unhappy. But she has her girls, and they do their best when they can to keep in contact and be with her. However, I’m not a fan of running away in my romance, especially when it’s a lot of running, which Paige does. After a while, she decides to live a bit more and goes on a student trip with Jack. I really like she’s finally spreading her wings. Then she clips those wings when she allows doubt and misunderstanding to creep in. I realize that’s in keeping with her character, but that realization only goes so far. At this time in the story, I wanted more of her growth to show through, her new-found belief in Jack to show through. But instead, she runs, literally. That bothered me.

We do know, of course, things will work out. We’re reading romance after all. And Ms. Porter does a credible job of making that happen, though I feel Paige should have groveled, so to speak, or come to her own realizations earlier. But it’s Jack who saves the day. He’s patient and understanding with Paige’s vulnerabilities and he’s willing to do what it takes to make it work between them. Their chemistry is still as strong as it was that one night long ago, and I’m glad Paige finally lets go to see that, after that wild ride to get there.

Still a good story to take some time with, spend good as well as not-so-good times with charming, flawed characters, and visiting a couple of places most of us will never see.

Grade: B+

3.5 rounded up.

I was so happy to come across a love story that was in the 40 and 50’d age group. I’m not quite there yet but close and I can relate a lot more to this than the young 23 year olds falling for the first time 😉

I think it was a fresh twist on romance with the characters being 49 and 55. Anyone nearing the age of 50 will relate to a lot of Paige's thoughts about growing older, emotional love as well as physical love.

While I liked the characters I think we could have had some deeper character growth and I think that would transform into the reassess investing more into the characters. .

The plot, was a bit too much of a slow burn for me. I feel like it lacked some of the common conflict that we would be facing at that age and that could add to it.

It was a very enjoyable lighter read. It was nice to see something a bit more out of the box.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me an e-copy of Flirting with Fifty.

When this book came past my email asking for a review, I jumped at the chance to read it. I will admit that I didn’t read the first book she wrote, Flirting with Forty. However, after reading the description of the book, it has nothing to do with this one, just a carry-on of a tile. I hoped that it was good as much to my dismay I am rapidly approaching 50.

Paige lives a cookie-cutter life. She likes the routine and organization of her life. She also no longer dates after the horrific marriage and divorce she suffered. Enters Jack. Someone she hadn’t thought of him in 30 years, not since they had a night in Paris. Now they are back together to co-teach a university class joining biology and math together. I loved this book. I could relate to Paige on so many levels. I mean I don’t have a terrible marriage or suffered through a divorce. However, I lack self-esteem and struggle with letting go. I don’t exactly like spontaneity. I like things to be organized or at least as much as I can organize. I love the relationship between Jack and Paige. They truly are each other’s soul mates if there is such a thing.

I was really not a fan of the daughters. They seem to be using their mother. They say that they want to be there for her but they never have the time for her. She would drop what she was doing in a heartbeat to go to them. They didn’t want her to date at all. I just felt like they were being selfish. I love the way the world opened up to up to her. She threw caution to the wind and took the trip of a lifetime that was the most important trip of her life. This book was an excellent read, I fell in love with the characters. It makes me want to read the first book to see if it is just as good as this one was. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for more books by the author.

Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter is a delightful, slow burn, second chance romance with grown up love, combined up with obligations, family, and old regrets. Paige Newsome and Jack King had a brief encounter thirty years ago in Paris. Now they have been thrown together to teach a course at Paige's University. She believes that he doesn't recognize her so she pretends not to recognize him. Paige is just about to turn 50 and Jack is 55, and it shows that love can happen at any time in your life. They have instant chemistry, but, both have good reasons for avoiding a relationship. Although their attraction is instant, the chemistry is off the charts, it still takes some time before they are open to trust each other; enough to start a relationship. Paige and Jack had a lot of soul searching to do before they could make a relationship work after having very different experiences with love in the past. Paige had to deal with challenges and insecurities many people face as they get older, as well as a fear of partaking in another relationship, after the disaster of her marriage. I liked that Jack was willing to let Paige come around to the relationship without forcing any issues or pushing her to choose him. The tidbit about something that happened in their twenties made this a second chance romance. Their travel to Africa added another layer to this story and a depth to Paige and Jack’s relationship.

Ms. Porter, an amazing story teller, wrote an amazing, emotional, inspirational, and heart-warming story, written with sensitivity and believability that definitely should not to be missed. This story is filled with strong attraction, clever dialogue, and strong, big-hearted characters, enabling Paige and Jack to overcome difficulties and be given a second chance for a future together. I highly recommend Flirting with Fifty to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book prior to purchasing it.

am a huge Jane Porter fan and I never miss the opportunity to read her latest book offering. Flirting with Fifty is a second chance romance between two adults in their fifties. While their love has stood the test of time, their current adventures are awesome.

Paige Newsom is a mathematics professor at a college in southern California. She is smart, loves teaching, and cares deeply for her three young adult daughters. After her divorce, it took her a while to pull herself back together. Now she is enjoying life with visits and calls from her daughters, a wonderful best friend, and a sliver of the ocean she can view from her apartment. Then her-one night-stand from 30 years ago returns and her nicely structured routine is never the same.

Jack King hails from Australia and has one adult son. Jack is a professor, biologist and the host of a documentary series on TV. He travels the world to share his knowledge about the environment. Jack has it all, good looks and charm included. Co-teaching and traveling with Paige brings new meaning to his life, and he does everything possible to ensure that they finally find their forever together.

I enjoyed this book, however, I would have liked a little more romance and heat between Paige and Jack. Their time in Tanzania was interesting, and I enjoyed Paige's reactions to her surroundings. The plot twist at the end was quite exciting, which resulted in cementing Paige and Jack's relationship. Overall, a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Jane Porter is an author I have read before and enjoyed so much. Flirting with Fifty is a book I was looking forward to and am so happy that I read. I love the characters, Paige and Jack are interesting “older’ characters who are not looking for love, but both deserve to find a happy ever after. I love that they had a history together, but that history did not define where their relationship could head in the future. Mostly, I love how Paige, since her divorce, has come into herself. She knows what she wants and deserves and is not willing to settle.

Flirting with Fifty is an easy read. The story had some depth, lots of romance, “older” characters that are very relatable, and a storyline that pulls the reader right in. I felt like I was right with Paige and Jack as the work through their current lives. Their children play a small role in their decision making, as they should since they are all grown. I enjoyed how they talk to their children but do not make decisions based on their children. Their hearts are the true leaders into what will happen next for each of them.

I recommend this book to anyone who love an Indiana Jones type male character and a smart, independent female character.

Paige, a post divorce college professor with three grown daughters, gets the surprise of her life when an esteemed Indiana Jones looking Australian comes to co-teach with her. But wait…she knows this man! She slept with him decades ago in Paris. Will he remember her? Will it be awkward? Or will he open her eyes to love and happiness after fifty?

“She couldn’t relax and enjoy being together. She couldn’t stop thinking that she could end up pregnant or hurt. She couldn’t stop wondering what he thought of her, and her body. Were her breasts too small? Were her thighs too wide? Did he notice that her belly wasn’t perfectly flat? Was he comparing her to others? No wonder she couldn’t fully enjoy herself…In her twenties, Paige had liked her brain, but waged war on her body. She exercised relentlessly, all the way through grad school, trying to reshape parts that weren’t perfect, thinking that once everything was perfect, she’d be . . . what? Happy? Relaxed? Secure?” Says Paige…”There are advantages to getting older. I’m glad I’m not twenty anymore. I like being my age. I like having some perspective.”

This passage in Flirting With Fifty is so incredibly spot on I had to stop and re read it. I can imagine that every woman at any age can relate to these thoughts and feelings. So here here to a contemporary romance with mature adults!

If you enjoy second chance romances, stories of love post hurt and divorce, and sexy mature Australians, add this to your summer tbr!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.