This book didn't go the way that I expected it to, but instead it was incredibly touching, leaving me in a bundle of emotions and tears.

Incredibly well written, this book actually made me go back several times to check that it was indeed a work of fiction and not a memoir. I enjoyed the occasional use of second person, which made me feel involved in the story and gave me another lens through which to read the story.

I can't say I was terribly fond of James as a character, but seeing him grow was nonetheless an intriguing experience. The way that he interacted with his dreams was so terribly realistic and very telling of what real people go through, but the way he ultimately chose an unexpected path was really sweet.

Lou, also, kind of irked me, but I think that's because of how James portrayed her. I appreciated her reality check when it came to the idea of love and how it lasts, endures, and changes throughout time, but in general James made her seem too perfect for no apparent reasons.

The way this dealt with death felt very poignant and realistic--from a scene early in the book to one near the end, I felt like characters dealt with death in a way that I could relate to, and the scenes were touching. James makes a lot of poignant observations about how humans grieve.

As long as you don't mind crying, I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Forever is the Worst Long Time/Camille Pagán When struggling novelist James Hernandez meets poet Louisa “Lou” Bell, he’s sure he’s just found the love of his life. There’s just one problem: she’s engaged to his oldest friend, Rob. So James toasts their union and swallows his desire.
As the years pass, James’s dreams always seem just out of reach—he can’t finish that novel, can’t mend his relationship with his father, can’t fully commit to a romantic relationship. He just can’t move on. But after betrayal fractures Lou’s once-solid marriage, she turns to James for comfort.
When Lou and James act on their long-standing mutual attraction, the consequences are more heartbreaking—and miraculous—than either of them could have ever anticipated. Then life throws James one more curveball, and he, Rob, and Lou are forced to come to terms with the unexpected ways in which love and loss are intertwined.
 
This book didn't go the way that I expected it to, but instead it was incredibly touching, leaving me in a bundle of emotions and tears.
 
Incredibly well written, this book actually made me go back several times to check that it was indeed a work of fiction and not a memoir. I enjoyed the occasional use of second person, which made me feel involved in the story and gave me another lens through which to read the story.
 
I can't say I was terribly fond of James as a character, but seeing him grow was nonetheless an intriguing experience. The way that he interacted with his dreams was so terribly realistic and very telling of what real people go through, but the way he ultimately chose an unexpected path was really sweet.
 
Lou, also, kind of irked me, but I think that's because of how James portrayed her. I appreciated her reality check when it came to the idea of love and how it lasts, endures, and changes throughout time, but in general James made her seem too perfect for no apparent reasons.
 
The way this dealt with death felt very poignant and realistic--from a scene early in the book to one near the end, I felt like characters dealt with death in a way that I could relate to, and the scenes were touching. James makes a lot of poignant observations about how humans grieve.
 
As long as you don't mind crying, I recommend this book. ( )

4.5 stars. What starts as a story about loving the wrong person turns into a story about the expansive nature of love and its ability to transform, mutate, and adapt. ( )

Title: Forever Is The Worst Long Time
Author: Camille Pagan
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Forever Is The Worst Long Time" by Camille Pagan

My Thoughts....

This was a read of emotions, love, friendship, betrayal, tragic, loss,regret, forgiveness with three main characters: James, Lou and Rob who were all far from perfect. With their stupid mistakes they made, along with some crazy decisions will they ever be able to stop all of the hurting that is going on among these friends? This author gives the reader quite a complex plot that is well developed with surprises that goes in unexpected ways with surprises, celebrations as well as disappointments that will have you at some time shaking your head. By the end of this story the reader gets quite a heart breaking, wrenching story that will also be very thought provoking and also engaging read from 'lack of closeness in relations, ruined friendships, death and loss'. What else can be said about this story is the choices that one makes in there life can turn out to be short and or long term consequences. 'Life is short and it is what you make of it... for one must make it count.' ( )

4.5 stars. A tale of friendship, love, parenting, and life. This book is told from James's perspective. It was nice to read a book with the male viewpoint. A previous Camille Pagán novel I read had some humor with the storyline but this one did not. I would call this book a drama. Humor wouldn't be appropriate, but although very good, I wasn't expecting a heavy storyline. The characters are well developed and their struggles are real. This is one of those books that I don't want to reveal the plot in the review, its better to read the story without knowing much about it. This was a quick read and I was rooting for the characters throughout. Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this great book. ( )