The Forever Moment

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

When an acclaimed Scottish author, on a book tour to the US to promote his latest romantic novel, The Forever Moment , meets a young woman who looks strikingly similar to a long-lost love from a high-school exchange to Kentucky, he wonders if he left behind more than memories twenty-two years ago. But when he digs deeper and is finally reunited with his lost love, who he thought had abandoned him after a whirlwind romance, he discovers that life isn’t quite like the plot of a trashy novel. And some memories can hold you back as well as spur you on. The Forever Moment is a wryly funny, dramatic and gripping story that takes us back to the first heady stirrings of teenage romance. It examines how we hold onto and romanticise the past, which can stop us moving forward. And that, with maturity, comes a deeper understanding.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I went into this book blind, and almost put it down twice. It wasn’t bad, but it started off a little slow for me and I had a hard time giving it my full attention. However at about 1/4 of the way through the book I started to really enjoy it. 4.5 stars for me.

When one picks up a novel by Paul A. Mendelson, the writer responsible for six seasons of the now classic 'May to December' TV series, one can be forgiven for having Great Expectations. Especially as the main protagonist is Charles Dickens - and a writer no less!
The author has honed the art.of storytelling to the point of perfection. Here he juggles two time frames - 1982 and 2004 - two cultures - Kentucky and Glasgow - and turns teenage aspirations into middle aged enigmas.
This is a book full of witty one liners but there's also profundity and meaningful observations. It entertains with a deceptive ease. I didn't want it to end.
I unashamedly steal a line from Oliver Twist: 'Please, sir, can I have some more?'

I was fascinated by the premise of this story, but it was a bit hard for me to get through. Starting with what I liked-- I love a good second chance romance! Charlie & Laura had a whirlwind teenage romance many years ago when he was an exchange student in Kentucky & now, as a successful author he's back in the US & decides to go find some closure. I also love books about books. the fact Charlie is an author, always telling a story, I loved that nuance to this book.
I had a hard time with the writing style. I think I tried to read it too fast, it might have been easier to read if I gave myself the time to fully immerse myself in the story, like going on vacation where I have no other things on my mind. I was determined to finish the story, despite some plot points I had a hard time believing (like Charlie being convinced he had a long lost daughter right away, instead of a more logical conclusion at first) and think this was a very well thought out- well developed story. I had a bit of a hard time following it, with alternating pov's, but from what I gathered, this story was unique, while also being a classic second chance story with its own twists & turns.
I rate it 3.5 so rounding to 4 stars. I think this could be a great story for a more patient reader. Thank you for the ARC!!!

This was so good I was completely engrossed in this story. I thought that it was so good and I had to know what happened, so it kept me reading long past my bedtime.
I just reviewed The Forever Moment by Paul A. Mendelson. #TheForeverMoment #NetGalley
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Going back to a teenage romance is the best! I read this by the pool mostly and it was good for that setting. If you like character-driven over plot-driven you will enjoy this! I also think fans of Sally Rooney - especially Normal People will enjoy how Paul Mendelson tells the story of Charlie and Laura.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this story and the premise that two peoples lives can be intertwined forever after a chance encounter when paths cross. The emotion throughout kept me reading more and faster and the book covers some difficult aspects of grief and loss as well as having key elements of joy and happiness.

Admittedly, I hadn't read anything by Mendelson before this so I was unsure what to expect. His writing is elegant and ... poetic? I thought the character development and. plot were both well thought-out and I loved the second chance romance aspect. A lovely read overall!

I loved this book. Such a fun back and forth in time and the exact resolution I was hoping for. I do wish we were clued in to their meeting with their daughter a drop more.

Lovely book with genuinely lovely characters. Never any of this authors books before, but I will definitely be a loyal reader in the future!

A beautifully crafted story filled with love and laughter. One cannot but warm to the theme of first love and the changes to come in the characters Charles and Laura and their circumstances in the ensuing years.
There is a sensitive analysis of relationships without losing the intensity that such a romance can bring. The main characters are believable and the author never gets too sentimental about them. Charles and Laura have their flaws and for reasons (you need to read the book) have allowed the chance of happiness to slip by.