Definitely I enjoyed the book so much and would love it on my shelves at my store.I couldn’t wait to keep reading the book it was that good.

Charlie, in his sixties and divorced, seeks to reconnect with Vivian, his first wife. While their marriage only lasted
four years, Charlie wants to correct what went wrong and see if they have a future together. Vivian has been
married and widowed since they parted. She also has problems of her own, regarding her children and a secret.
Charlie will need to prove he is willing to make the changes needed for the reunion to be successful.
Lovely second chance story.
#AFortyYearKiss #Sourcebooks #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read the ARC of Nikolas Butler’s upcoming release.

I have enjoyed all of Butler’s books and this was no exception. I took a few days to think before writing about it. I spent time on leave covered trails contemplating the story, I felt very connected to the book, whether it is my age of my own losses, I found myself immersed. This is a story of rekindling.

Charlie and Viv were married briefly more than 30 years before, it was tumultuous, and ended painfully. They both went on to experience their lives and various trials.

Charlie purposefully seeks Viv out and invites her for a drink. They’ve lived entire lives and are now in their 60’s. Charlie is lonely and regretful, while Viv is deeply loved by her family but companionless. Charlie was very selfish in their marriage. He deeply regretful but he is old enough now to see who he was, and while still not perfect in real time (I mean, who is?), he wants to do better. Much better. But we all know things take time and sometimes many tries to get it right. Viv was hurt, we see how deeply her pain goes as the book develops, and while she is gun shy she also has a forgiving heart and wants to believe in change. She considers the possibilities but is not a kid anymore, there will be expectations, she has learned to love and respect herself. Can Charlie be who she needs him to be?

The story unfolds as the two rediscover one another. Some of what they find is downright ugly and painful, the depth of the story is refreshing. This is not a rom-com, this is very real and raw. It is a story to savor a bit as love, life, can be hard but worth the effort.

In my 50’s now and seeing my own dad alone after losing my mom, the absolute love of his life, I am seeing Charlie and Viv through a lens of hope - regardless of missteps and imperfection, as it is relatable and human. We, as a society, are in a time of great loneliness, this book really allows me to believe there is still time to carve out a new path after losses of all kinds. And I’m smarter now, we can figure so much out with time if we continue to have curiosity. I’m lucky to have an almost 40 year partner by my side, but it wasn’t always easy. Some days still aren’t easy. The second chances Butler writes about so earnestly allowed for me to reflect and have gratitude for my own life’s blessings.

A Forty Year Kiss is a sojourn into the lives of two people in their 60s, who for 4 years, 40 years ago, were married and are now reconnecting as near strangers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn't quite love it.

📖 I thought the plot was great. I really enjoyed reading about older adults. It's an interesting view into that age group. I can't think of any other romance books that have MCs in their 60s, so I appreciate the author going in that direction.

The math wasn't matching for me, and that sort of stuff bothers me. Also some of the railroad stuff didn't quite align, as someone who's been married to a 20+ year railroader for longer than he's been a railroader.

✍️🏼 I thought the writing was quite good. It reads smoothly and easily (aside from the issue below).

I'm not sure if it's because it's a eARC, or if it was a choice, but the dialogue not being in quotes really bothered me. I found it confusing at times and it broke immersion. To help with this, I used the "read aloud" option in the netgalley app. It definitely helped, even with the AI voices.

The dialogue sounded natural when AI read it.

⏳️ It's a bit slower moving than I prefer, but still solid.

👥 The characters are well developed and nuanced. They felt like real people, with nuance and personality. I appreciate that we get some character rep for people with Down Syndrome.

💞 I thoroughly enjoyed the romance. It seemed realistic and kept me interested and rooting for them.

Thank you to @wiscobutler @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

This is an easy read. Over the course of this book, not a whole lot happens. I think that it is more of an introspective story, one that tries to get you to reflect on your own feelings and emotions without invoking those feelings or emotions itself.

The story itself is quite beautiful if you look at it through the lens that something big doesn’t have to happen. It’s a story of regret, forgiveness and growth. I particularly loved that the characters were more mature. I’m to the point where I find them relatable as well. It didn’t sugar coat that second chances are not easy at all. I enjoyed the story immensely. I admired the characters and what they were doing. How much a person can change over forty years but still have some similarity to the person they were.

The writing was so well done, and I stay engaged throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

It was an okay read for me. Not a must, must read, but nevertheless worth the read.

Can safely recommend.

Fellow readers, this is a book to experience because we want to read words and sentences that put us in touch with our authentic imperfect human selves.

There's no syrup here. The characters are developed deeply, they are raw and human. This isn't a book that you read for the plot, though the pacing is good and things happen to the characters.

The work reflects the complexity of midlife and relationships. A gem of a read.

Kudos to the author, and deep appreciation to NetGalley for an early copy.

This book was okay. Likeable characters that were developed well, but I found that not much happened. I do not like it when the author doesn’t use quotation marks for dialogue? To me it makes it so difficult.

Second chances abound on this emotional journey of love, and reconciliation. Set in small-town Wisconsin, the novel follows Charlie and Vivian, a couple who divorced after just four years of marriage. Now in their sixties, Charlie returns to his hometown, determined to reconnect with Vivian after decades apart. Despite the passage of forty years, the emotional connection between them is still palpable.

Butler skillfully explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and personal growth. The novel stands out for its mature love story, as it delves into the complexities of rekindling a relationship later in life, touching on real adult issues like alcoholism, financial instability, and long-held secrets. The characters' vulnerabilities and inner struggles are richly portrayed, with Charlie seeking redemption and Vivian cautiously guarding her heart after years of putting her family first.

It's refreshing to see an author tackling the challenges and rewards of love later in life. Readers looking for a touching and authentic exploration of second chances will find A Forty Year Kiss a heartwarming and satisfying read.

I enjoyed reading this book! It’s a romance story about 2 ex-lover’s that meet after 40 years. They rekindle, realize their differences, and find themselves growing together and learning a lot about themselves. I sat and read this in about 2 sittings. There isn’t a bunch of drama and twists, but this story is warm and cute.

This book kept my interest right from the first page. It tells the story of Vivian and Charles. It happened that they were once married and it didn't turn out so well. Divorce followed. Now 40 years later Charlie wants Vivian back and starts a campaign to win her over. There are many obstacles to overcome and in fact, a secret or two. Many things have changed in both their lives. Their are a few secrets that need to b revealed. Will they destroy the new found love between them or bring them closer together.? The book is an easy read and I found myself being drawn to it each time I tried to put it down. Give it a try...I think its worth your time.

This was a very enjoyable read. Second chances are possible but difficult. Well written and some twists which you might be able to figure out before the ending.

This was a wonderful, tender, second chance romance. I will always remember these characters; they felt so real to me.

Thank you to Nickolas Butler, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for this arc of A Forty Year Kiss, out February 2025!

📜Quick Summary: It’s been forty years since Viv and Charlie have seen each other. Forty years since their divorce, and he isn’t quite sure what he will see when he invites Vivian out for a drink one night. He’s moved back to take over his uncle’s farm in upstate Wisconsin after his passing, and well…he’s ready to reach out to his ex-wife. Forty years of secrets, new lives, challenges, mistakes, and experiences have passed, but there’s just something he cannot let go of.

❣️Initial Feels: This novel felt heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I could tell from the beginning that this literary novel was going to be one heck of a romance story, that would transcend time and become something for the readers.

👀Trigger Warnings: alcoholism, divorce

📖Read if you want: romance, second chances, a story about hope, an “older” couple romance without the drama, real life difficulties and experiences

💡Final Sentiments: This novel does not use quotation marks so if that is something that may throw you off…here’s your heads up! Once I got into the groove of the story, I got used to it…but I still think I like the use of quotation marks when it comes to dialogue. ( This may be a big turn off to many readers. ) Charlie and Viv’s story was a beautiful one, if not organic in the way they developed. Married young, made mistakes, had serious struggles, and ended in an early divorce. The story seemed rushed from the beginning (for me), when he laid out what he wanted on the table when they meet for that first drink. I personally would have liked to seen some more development prior to their “fresh” start. Charlie seemed well developed, made good choices financially, and Viv…well her life isn’t looking the way she would like it to be.

🌟Overall Rating: 3.5 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for the ARC. The prose was lovely but I couldn’t connect with the characters.

This book, in my opinion, starts off fine, with a good pacing and decent writing.
But then the characters start to make some choices and some dialogues didn't work for me.
The romance, sometimes, felt a little far-fatched for my taste.
However, I'm not a really romance reader, so maybe I'm being too picky. More hardcore romance readers might enjoy this book a lot more.

I loved the premise of this book, finding love again after 40 years apart. I love stories with older protagonists. This was ok but a little too saccharine for me. I predicted the secret and when it gets exposed everything is just smoothed over quickly with no real conflict. It’s a nice romance but it doesn’t go in depth with any of themes it has. There is some issues with addiction in the book but it glosses over it and makes it seem like tackling his addiction will be no big deal. It actually kind of reminded me of Ryan Stradal with its characters and Midwest lifestyle. I loved aspects of it but I like my reads a little more raw and gritty and not so sweet with happy endings so probably just a preference thing. If you like romance especially with older more mature characters I think this will be a hit with you.

I am a fan of Nickolas Butler, now having read 4 of his books. Each is quite different and this is another I would not have expected from him. That is one of the things I enjoy about his writing. I read an E-ARC from NetGalley due out Feb 15 2025 for an honest review. The release date is no surprise as this is a romance, it might be labeled a Second Chance Romance but I found it to be a late in life, coming of age novel and working to get a relationship right this time romantic trop.

It is the story of Charlie and Vivian. Married and divorced young. Charlie, now retired and in his 60's returns to their small town in upstate Wisconsin hoping to find Vivian and to reconnect in some way not knowing what he will find. Charlie has done all right for himself but this one part of his life haunts him and he wants to see if there is any chance of setting things right. Yet while Charlie has good intentions he has not really changed in important ways. Vivian is skeptical and has baggage/problems of her own.

It is a heartwarming story and like romance stories has its own happy ever after but Butler does pack much more into the telling. I felt it did look at some of the problems older couples can face in renewing a relationship from younger/wilder days but at times felt like it lacked a little of the drama and attained its HEA (happy ever after) almost too easy thus the 4 stars. Good story telling and certainly the excellent, easy to read writing I've come to expect from Butler. I just wanted a little more drama to spice up the tale.

Nickolas Butler can write about human emotion, redemption, and relationships like no one else. Another heart warming story of love and forgiveness.

This book was so sweet. A second chance romance that felt very authentic and nostalgic. I loved reading about the perspective of this older couple giving love another shot, and how they handled past regrets and missed opportunities. I couldn’t help but to root for all the characters and to love all their parts including their flaws.