Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.

This novel, of the return of love after a 40 year absence, is at once a tribute to love later in life, and a romantic, sometimes sentimental account of that love.

After a lifetime of working, drinking, and marrying other people, Charlie, 64, returns to his Wisconsin roots to find the first wife he left abruptly 40 years earlier. Vivian now lives with her daughter from a second marriage and two young granddaughters in a small, shabby house, just getting by financially, but with much affection and warmth.

Charlie believes she is the only one he has ever really loved, and works hard to show her he is a changed man, worthy of her devotion as well.
The author uses an abundance of detail to tell his story, with long lists to describe events and experiences, and he is perhaps overly fond of similes. He also weaves in an alphabet of society’s challenges: abandonment, abortion, alcoholism, anger management, brain injury, children without fathers, developmental disabilities, economic hardship, and on.

Charlie is the most fully realized person, though one wonders how plausible it is for him to change so completely from a young mean, violent, drunk to a kind, wise, and generous older man.

Despite this, the main characters are sympathetic and engaging, and worth getting to know as they learn and emotionally grow together.

Forty years after their divorce was finalized, Charlie returns to Wisconsin to reconnect with Vivian. Charlie has to regain Vivian’s trust and they both have years of secrets to work through. Will they be able to worth through their past and have a second chance at love?

This was a sweet second romance that was based in a small town in Wisconsin. I loved that this book did touch on real life topics and Vivian and Charlie had to work through those issues. Overall, the plot was decent, but I do wish there would’ve been more of an ending as it felt abrupt, but I guess it kind of makes sense. I really wanted to love this book, but the style that it was written in made that really hard for me. Though, if you want a romance written from a male perspective, definitely give this a shot! It was still a good story.

Spice: 1/5
Rating: 3/5

Tropes:
Hidden Secrets
Small Town Romance
Second Chance

Thank you Net Galley, Nickolas Butler, and St. Martin’s Press for a chance to read this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This book started off so slowly that I actually was unable to finish it. I was hoping for something so wonderful but was disappointed.

Charlie and Vivian were married young and it lasted 4 years. Charlie left their small Wisconsin town and Vivian behind. 40 years later, at age 62’, he returns and seeks out Vivian to see if there is a spark left between them. He’s full of regrets and apologies and wants to spend what’s left of his life with her. But Vivian is cautious and progress is slow. This is a poignant story of the ultimate in second chances, in lives complicated by children, regrets and past hurts.

**Book Review: "Forty Year Kiss" by Nicholas Butler – ★★★☆☆**

"Forty Year Kiss" by Nicholas Butler is a novel that explores love, relationships, and the passage of time through the lens of a long-term marriage. The story delves into the complexities of commitment and the often-unforeseen challenges that arise after decades spent together. While Butler’s prose is thoughtful and the themes resonate with anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of a long-lasting relationship, the book falls short of reaching its full potential.

The character development is one of the strong points of the novel. Butler crafts relatable and multifaceted characters, making readers empathize with their struggles and triumphs. The protagonist’s reflections on love and intimacy over the years are poignant and provide a meaningful commentary on how relationships evolve. However, at times, the pacing feels slow, leading to sections that could have benefited from more action or tension to keep the reader fully engaged.

The vivid imagery and descriptive writing contribute to a strong sense of place and atmosphere, drawing readers into the couple’s world. However, while Butler captures the essence of a long-term partnership, some readers might find that the narrative meanders, making it harder to maintain momentum throughout the story.

Overall, "Forty Year Kiss" is a heartfelt exploration of love that many readers will find relatable and thought-provoking. Yet, its slower pace and less dynamic storytelling may limit its appeal to those looking for a more gripping narrative. This book is suitable for readers interested in contemplative novels about love and marriage but may not resonate as strongly with those seeking a more fast-paced or plot-driven experience.

This is a poignant family story. Vivian and Charlie are in their sunset years when they are given a second chance at love. The plot of the story looks at the journey it takes for them to come to terms with the past and live in the present. It depicts the characters struggles as they try to overcome their demons. It is an emotional and interesting story that is filled with human emotions.

I've been a fan on Nickolas Butler since I read The Hearts of Men. His newest novel does not dissapoint. I loved the anticipation of watching the second-chance romance unfold. Beautifully eloquent prose.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC. This was an ok family saga/redemption story for me. Slower paced than I would have liked. I was also very distracted by no quotation marks when people were speaking. Overall and ok story.

A sweet second-chance romance. The pace is slow and deliberate. The characters felt a little distant. And so many things just felt too convenient.

I enjoyed my time with this story, but don't think it will stick with me long.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

Charlie and Vivian parted ways after just four years of marriage. Too many problems, too many struggles, even though the love didn't quite die. When Charlie returns to Wisconsin forty years later, he's not sure what he'll find. He is sure of one thing — he must try to reconnect with Vivian to pick up the broken pieces of their past. But forty years is a long time. It's forty years of other relationships, forty years of building new lives, and forty years of long-held regrets, mistakes, and painful secrets.

Slow burn, later-in-life coming of age story. This was a fascinating look at two well-developed characters with plenty of flaws, who lost each other when they were young and found each other again when they were older. I loved this! 4⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This is my honest opinion of the book.

A love story set in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Charlie and Vivian meet after being separated for forty years. Charlie had been drifting in and out of relationships and work and now he is alone and retired. He returns to Chippewa Falls haunted by his ex-wife Vivian and wanting to meet her again.

Vivian lives with her daughter and two grandchildren and is very wary about starting another relationship with Charlie.

Vivian has secrets, her daughter Melissa has secrets, and Charlie needs to change his drinking habit.

This was a slow romance about families, relationships and secrets. I loved the way Charlie recalled the life he shared with Vivian and what he missed.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a chance to read this E-Book.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.

A touching and sometimes hard story of a man in his sixties reconnecting with his first wife, the love of his life. Forty years after their separation and divorce, he finds her and sets out to woo and court her. Her life has been hard-never enough money, living at just above poverty with her daughter and two children. The love of her daughter and children sustain her through it all. Flashbacks to their marriage and to his life unfold a story in a natural flow toward the possibility of a second chance. Alcoholism plays a major part in the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well written novel based on an interesting concept - the author overheard a couple discussing their renewed relationship after 40 years apart. That said, I did not find it as engaging as Shotgun Love Songs by the same author. Somehow the characters were a little flat to me, and not as interesting as I hoped. Did love the closing scenes at Wrigley Field in Chicago (though as a season ticket holder, I don't think I've ever seen "kiss cam" on the Jumbotron.

This sounded very interesting . However, I just didn't get sucked in. I read only a third of it, so things might have gotten better, but there was very little plot line happening. I felt no connection to the characters at all. Maybe other readers will feel differently. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC.

Story of an older couple getting a second chance of love together. Charlie and Vivian were married in their twenties, divorced after four years of marriage. Forty years later Charlie looks for Vivian hoping to reconnect. Will they fall in love again or has too much happened in each of their pasts? A delightful story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have really high expectations because I loved the author's previous book Shotgun Lovesongs. This one was a bit too slow for me. If you like a character-study type of book, this one could be good for you. The three main characters - Charlie, his ex-wife Viv, and her adult daughter Melissa all go through transformations over the course of the book, and since the book is told from alternating points of view -- Charlie and Viv -- you get to know them, as well as Melissa well. I happen to prefer more action, and it picked up for me in the 2nd half when it felt like a bit more was happening.

This was a beautifully crafted exploration of love and the passage of time. The story follows a couple reflecting on their life together, filled with poignant moments and bittersweet nostalgia. Butler’s writing is lyrical and heartfelt.

I really enjoyed how the characters felt so authentic, grappling with their shared past while navigating the complexities of their relationship. The emotional depth was impressive, but at times, the pacing felt a bit slow, particularly during the middle sections, which slightly dulled the momentum.

Overall, tis is a touching meditation on love, commitment, and the memories that shape us. It’s a worthwhile read for anyone who appreciates stories that delve into the nuances of long-term relationships.

This book was very pleasant to read--a bit slow moving, but a calm and almost soothing story about a second chance at love. I agree with many others about not being a fan of the lack of quotation marks. I've stopped reading books because of this, and while I would have preferred the punctuation to be more standard, in this case it did not bother me as much as I expected. It actually contributed to the easy flow of the book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an e-ARC of this book.

Charlie and Vivian were married for 4 years when they were in their twenties, but it fell apart and after their divorce they went on with their lives without connecting again. Forty years later, Charlie moves back to their Wisconsin town and is determined to win Vivian back. Now that they are both in their sixties, they both have lived through a lifetime of trials and tribulations, and the way they come together and their new, mature love is a story of second chances, forgiveness and realizing that it is never too late to make changes in yourself.

I found the writing in this novel to be beautiful, the characters very well drawn, and I highlighted numerous inspiring and meaningful passages. I thought the author did a wonderful job portraying more mature love, and was delighted to see a love story between two people in their sixties. This is a very character driven novel however, and although there are discoveries to be made about our protagonists, the pace is quiet and slow, which readers need to be aware of before they pick it up.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an e galley in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of the book seemed appealing, love lost and now found; however, the execution was not. The lack of quotations was very frustrating to me. Also, I found the pacing of the book to be extremely slow.