Butler's The Forty Year Kiss is a poignant exploration of rekindled love later in life. Set in a quaint Midwestern town, the novel follows Charlie and Vivian, who reconnect after forty years apart. Once married and separated by Charlie's alcoholism, they now navigate their sixties with a deepened understanding of themselves and each other.

The novel stands out for its portrayal of mature romance, avoiding melodrama in favor of a more authentic narrative. Butler integrates themes of addiction and financial difficulties seamlessly into the love story, enriching the characters' journey. The slow-burn nature of Charlie’s return and his efforts to win back Vivian is depicted with a blend of nostalgia and wisdom, making their reunion feel both genuine and relatable.

Though some might find the pacing slow and the lack of traditional dialogue punctuation unconventional, these elements do not detract from the story’s heartwarming impact. The Forty Year Kiss is a refreshing and emotionally resonant read, ideal for those who appreciate a realistic and mature take on love. Scheduled for a February 2025 release, it promises to be a compelling addition to the romance genre.

Butler explores the possibility of going back home, picking up the pieces and building something new. I love his writing. His characters are people I want to get to know and as the story unfolds they become people I care about and root for. I loved this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. My review can be found on Litsy and on Instagram.

Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Forty Year Kiss opens with Charlie and Vivian, who are meeting again for the first time in 40 years. They were married for four years previously and hadn’t seen each other since but, Charlie is determined that now is the time to reconnect/rekindle his relationship with Vivian.

In short, this book was a sweet delight! It is not often that you read a romance where the main characters are a bit older and where there is a significant lack of drama, for the better in this case. However, this book still touches on heavy topics, such as alcoholism and financial problems, and they feel more realistic to real life struggles instead of a far fetched, fantastical romance. While I can definitely appreciate both, I think this story was unique compared to other current popular romances and I really enjoyed it. Both of the main characters were very endearing and grew on me over the course of the book. The author also brought the setting to life in this book and it truly set the background so well for this story. All of the elements combined so well to make this an enjoyable, very readable story. Finally, I found this book very propulsive because I wanted to see if Vivian and Charlie would make it— I couldn’t wait to see how the author would wrap this up.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this and I think it’ll be a wonderful Valentine’s romance when it comes out in Feb 2025. I know others will enjoy this and can’t wait to discuss with other readers!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for access to this arc.

I am not sure what to make of this as I type it out. The writing is absolutely fantastic but it didn't quite hit it for me. It felt long in some places and one of my biggest pet peeves is when an author refuses to use quotation marks. Drives me nuts. The plot itself is fantastic, loved reading about a couple who are past their prime but navigating the relationship scene. The characters are fully developed. But it felt stale at some points and slow in others to the point that I feel this could have been shortened. Do I give this 3 stars? No, that feels too low. But does 4 seem fair? Not really. So in reality I probably would give this a 3.75.

Triggers: alcoholism, abortion

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler. This is my second read by Butler and I really enjoyed it. This is the story of a Charlie and Vivian who were married for a short period when they were younger. Now they are in their sixties and they meet up again in a bar one evening. Both have stories of the lives they’ve lived. I thought Butler did an excellent job of writing from each of their perspectives over the years as well as currently. Do they have a future, another shot to make it work? Such a good story, I’m so glad I read this and I highly recommend this as well as Godspeed by him. After reading A Forty Year Kiss I looked up more of his books.

Nickolas Butler’s “A Forty Year Kiss” is a touching exploration of love, regret, and the passage of time. This novel weaves a rich tapestry of characters and emotions, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships.

The story revolves around Jack and Sarah, high school sweethearts whose lives take divergent paths after graduation. Despite the years and distance, their connection remains a lingering presence in their minds and hearts. When a class reunion brings them back together forty years later, they are forced to confront the choices they've made and the feelings they've harbored.

What I found most compelling about this novel is Butler’s nuanced portrayal of Jack and Sarah. They are not idealized versions of themselves but rather deeply flawed and human. Jack’s life has been marked by a series of unfulfilled dreams and lingering what-ifs, while Sarah has built a life filled with both joy and compromise. Their reunion is fraught with tension and unspoken words, but also a deep, abiding affection that has stood the test of time.

Butler’s writing shines in his ability to capture the small, intimate moments that define relationships. His prose is both evocative and precise, painting vivid pictures of the characters’ internal landscapes. The dialogue is natural and heartfelt, carrying the weight of decades of longing and missed opportunities.

The themes of the novel resonate deeply—how our past shapes our present, the enduring nature of first love, and the bittersweet reality of what might have been. Butler doesn’t offer easy answers or neatly tied-up endings. Instead, he presents a realistic, sometimes painful, but ultimately hopeful look at the complexities of life and love.

“A Forty Year Kiss” is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that stayed with me long after I finished reading. Nickolas Butler has crafted a story that is both specific in its details and universal in its themes. It’s a reminder that while we can’t change the past, we can find meaning and connection in the present. This book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the courage it takes to face our true selves.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I truly did not know what to expect with this book. It's my first Nicholas Butler book. His writing style speaks to me. He wrote a heartwarming story about second chance romance.

Forty Year Kiss tells us that it's never too late for love, especially if it never really went away. This book grabbed me from the start and I enjoyed it very much (you will too).

Firstly, thank you for allowing me to read this story. I throughly enjoyed the novel and fell more in love with the characters every chapter. I feel like it was a great balance of sharing the real struggle of marriage and addiction with the lighthearted moments and joys of family. Additionally, as someone who works with youth with special needs the way that Jessie was portrayed was done beautifully.

I don't often root for couples to get back together when addiction and neglect is involved but the way Charlie's character was developed had me really cheering for me. At some point I even thought to myself "come on Vivian you're being too harsh". Great story!

I've always loved Nickolas Butler's writing. Gorgeous prose and sly social observations, and it was refreshing to read about genuinely kind characters who want the best for those around them. Reminded me of the great James McMurtry lyric "Cashing in on a thirty-year crush; you can't be young and do that." This read goes down easy, and truly reminds readers that it's never too late.

This book is a delightful read that warms the heart with its descriptive narrative. The author has crafted a story that exudes warmth and comfort, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The characters are endearing, and their journeys are both touching and relatable.

However, there are moments where the pacing of the story slows down, causing the plot to drag a bit. These sections may test the reader's patience, but they are often followed by heartwarming and engaging scenes that make it worth pushing through.

Overall, this book is a lovely, heartwarming read that, despite its occasional slow moments, leaves a lasting impression with its sweet and comforting story.

I enjoyed this story even though I found it to have a slow start. I'm glad I stuck with it. Rich characters that were placed in a well-developed plot. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a good story with good character development. I felt engaged in the book, although it did take a bit for me to get into it. I am glad I had the chance to read this.

I loved this book and I am greatful for the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review. I think the book was incredibly well done and that both characters were incredibly realistic. I loved the flow of the book and getting to see everything unfold in their original relationship until the end. I LOVE that both characters were showed as flawed and understand the issues and mistakes that were made but despite those the spark between them is still there.

So, what is a romance novel? What is Women’s Fiction? This lovely book defies easy categorizing. It is, in fact, a ROMANTIC novel about love lost and love found.

Forty years after their divorce, Charlie reaches out to his ex-wife Vivian, surprisingly, she is open to a reconnection. Hence the title, forty years between kisses. Vivian is a struggling single grandmother. Her daughter is working to support the family. As the story unfolds, there are secrets which are revealed and difficult changes to contend with. As an older reader, I gloried in each moment. I especially liked the inclusion of Charlie’s years, ex p-wife, and finances.

I highly recommend this to my readers. As I went through the Reader’s Guide, I found myself thinking about the questions and very excited about discussions.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

A gorgeous, gorgeous book.. I’m a longtime fan of Nickolas Butler’s work, and his latest novel does not disappoint. My favorite thing about it is the way he takes everyday things and elevates them, filling them with the meaning they deserve. He does a great job capturing one of the biggest questions of life: do we stay where we are and play it safe, or take a chance when a new possibility shows up and surprises us? I love how his characters navigate this. It’s both poignant and thought-provoking. I especially appreciated the complexity he weaves into the female characters, the way their simple exterior lives hid multi-faceted hopes and dreams, regrets and yearnings. This is a great read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to review.

Set in and around Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where "alcohol is in the air", A Forty Year Kiss is the story of Charles who, now that he is in his 60s, seeks to reunite with his first wife, Vivian, whom he was married to for four years beginning in 1980. Charlie, who is an alcoholic, is a retired railroad worker who travelled the United States and made his money investing in computer start-ups. He inherited property from his family and reaches out to Vivian when he returns to Wisconsin. Vivian, by comparison, is a widow who lives in a rented house with her daughter and two granddaughters. The novel is about second chances and rekindling an old flame. Overall, the novel has a compelling plot with a few minor twists and turns--and a bit of a cheesy ending, even for a Wisconsin novel. And, readers may ask what happened to the goldfish.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this! I enjoyed this book - I felt myself rooting for the characters throughout the entirety of the book and couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I would definitely recommend!

Nickolas Butler excels at quiet, Midwestern characters and his new novel, A Forty-Year Kiss, only adds to his collection. Charlie and Vivian’s marriage ended forty years ago, but now that Charlie is retired he cannot stop thinking about her. He returns to the small town of Chippewa Fall, Wisconsin intent on restarting some kind of relationship with Viv — even if it’s only friendship. Switching back and forth between the two characters, Butler delves into how differently the forty years apart treated both of them and the challenges they face trying to reconnect. A Forty-Year Kiss is a sweet book about second chances, growing older, and finding happiness and family at any age.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is a sweet story about a couple- Charlie and Viv who where disastrously married in 1980, a marriage that imploded in a few short years because of Charlies drinking, and neglect. Charlie leaves their small town in Wisconsin and builds a career with the railroad. Vivian moves on with her life too, marrying again. Fast forward 40 years-both of them in single and in their 60s. Charlie has inherited his uncle’s farm and after rambling around the US is now retired has decided to settle near their old town, in hopes of winning Vivians heart. Charlie reaches out to Viv via social media with hopes of a second chance and to his delight she agrees to meet with him.

Both Charlie and Viv are written realistically- they have history, and are very aware of what went wrong last time, but that spark is still there. They are both flawed characters, and in the story make mistakes. The whole time I was rooting for them.
This is also a love story to Midwest, readers of WI will recognize many of the places mentioned if not by name than by feeling.
Recommend

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this! This book is about second chances and character development. The writing style was not what I’m used to, however I loved how this story was written. It seemed as if you were right there with the characters, the scenes were descriptive and perfectly set for the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from Nikolas Butler.

Thank you again for this opportunity!