A book about empty nesters, narrated by Jenn.
A mother and wife who has lived her marriage just going through the motions. When Jenn’s mother dies she finds her diaries about her first love, they empower her and remind her of how she lost herself into becoming Mom!

It is sad how so many people feel trapped in marriage because of circumstances. You know the reality of what’s written is truth:
PEOPLE STAY IN MARRIAGE FOR:
Their kids
For financial purposes, I can’t support myself.
Giving up thinking this is as good as it gets.
Don’t want to be alone..
We all know these realities are lies, such an amazing read!

Many should read because Jenn’s thoughts on life, marriage, love, and finding yourself is completely relatable.

Jenn, fifty-something and empty-nesting, feels like a donut: whole on the outside but missing the middle. The deafening sound of silence in the picture-perfect, oversized home she shares with a husband who does not see her makes the voices arguing in her head hard to ignore. One voice tells her to stay because safe and simple is good; another says leave so you can be the version of yourself not defined by others. The thought of ever after without happily feels like purgatory.

The chance discovery of her long-forgotten diaries unearths memories of a first love long buried, reminders that the most beautiful love is sometimes wasted on the young. Her words become a very real reminder of everything first love had been when she reconnects with Tripp in unexpected ways.

Long Enough to Love You by Kirsten Pursell follows Jenn – a courageous yet vulnerable protagonist – as she dissects and unpacks her marriage in an emotional journey to stay true to herself despite societal norms and middle-age stereotypes that would suggest otherwise.

At first I wasn't sure how to feel about Jenn. But then I had to really think about what I would do if I was in her shoes. We are all quick to point out what we should do or what society tells us to do. Jenn said eff that and I really enjoyed that part. Will recommend to others.

This was a slow burn read. It wanted to like the story more as there were moments that were poignant and relatable but also I couldn't "hear" the character's voice coming through.

#arc
#netgalley
#longenoughtoloveyou

I am unfortunately DNFing this one. I cannot connect with the characters and I this book isn’t for me.

I did receive a complimentary copy for this one through NetGalley and all the opinions I’m expressing are my own

I really enjoyed this heartwarming realistic story, it's so nice and refreshing to read novels where the protagonist is an older woman navigating all the issues that that brings. I thought it was an honest and interesting narrative of a woman unpacking her marriage and making bold choices.

I'm not sure how I feel about what I just read.
While mucho kudos to Jenn for finding her happy place, I'm not sure I liked the way she went about it.
She expected Mark to read her mind, while also not giving him any of the things she thought he should instinctively know to give her.
And then after she agreed to try and work things out, she had an emotional affair and let the fall out from that affect ger attempt at giving Mark a chance.
Then physically cheating on him and again, he unknowingly bore the brunt of the end of that.
She should have just left him at the beginning of the book.
This left me kind of confused.
I received an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Have you considered your life and wondered if you were happy? Have you ever thought about leaving the life that you know and starting anew, even though it would upset the ones you love?

“Long Enough to Love You” is a beautiful exploration of the evolution of one’s life and determining to take one’s life into their own hands even if it may be difficult to do. The quote, “Time does not stand still or wait” for anybody, is the true theme of this book. The true message is deciding to choose oneself and determining your own happiness.

The book opens with Jenn, a recent empty nester, finally deciding to talk with her husband about deciding to separate but quickly deciding to postpone due to a death in the family. What follows are Jenn’s inner thoughts and countless conversations on the matter with family and friends, as well as the struggles that follow when searching for happiness. Plot twist……a first love comes into the picture, making the decision more difficult but bringing the realization of what one needs to be happy and the adventure of exploration.

If you are looking for a quick read that will take you on a journey through finding happiness or another “Eat, Pray, Love”, this book is for you. Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The cover on this book really drew me in. I struggled relating to the character due to her age (50's), but am glad I continued reading. I think there was some character development lacking (really centered on her being in the mood for sex). I think if you can relate to her situation, you may enjoy the book more than I did.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for an advance read. This was such an interesting book with an interesting story. I had a hard time getting into it, but glad I stuck it out. Some people might find the main character annoying and whiny, but I did not think she was that bad.

I really enjoyed this story! I was captivated by the title and the beautiful cover but I was glad I read it. I did struggle a bit to relate to the main character as she was in her mid-50's and married. But I took the story for what it was and enjoyed the journey!

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the e-arc copy of this book in exchange of honest review.

I just finished it and personally i don’t feel like this book is for me. I’m quite intrigued with the blurbs and the earlier chapel but the more i read the more i don’t enjoy this book. It’s an okay read, not that bad but i will not recommend it before trying to read the review

Long enough to love you, this book for me is a reminder that no matter now many times we settle for just enough, it's never going to be enough. Jenn is a powerful woman who through empty nesting discovers that she wants to be more than 'mom', she has never really lived her life for herself. She soon learns through lost love that she is definitely worthy of so much more. I loved Jenn, Tripp took a while to grow on me. A stunning read that will make any woman's mind start turning.

This book is not at all what I expected. Long Enough to Love You is a book about a 50 something woman, Jenn, who is unhappy in her marriage because her husband is not 'prince charming' or complimentary enough toward her. She has, arguably, the perfect life and everything she has ever wanted, but she is only interested in whether or not her husband makes her feel princess special, and whether he has sex with her enough. Her ego is the size of Alaska.

Jenn is a selfish, whiney, and horny as heck character who cares about no one but herself and who has no real interests beyond sex. There are at least 80 pages (possibly as many as 100) dedicated to Jenn going on and on about sex. Her character was not well developed - she was wooden, and aside from her obsession with her first love, Tripp (who she went on endlessly about throughout the entire book. It got old.) sex, and herself, there's nothing to her.

The narrative was written in first person, which made Jenn come across as even more whiney and annoying. First person is difficult to do well, and in my humble opinion the author did not succeed. If I had been the publisher, I may have suggested 3rd person. I'm not sure, however, that even that could have fixed this book. Her character did not engender sympathy, at all. She was far too negative, and under-developed, and the manuscript was overall very dark and depressing. The selfishness portrayed in these pages was a huge turnoff, literarily.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, unless you're in your mid 50s, have decided you hate your life and want to implode it, and need someone to commiserate with you. In that case, pour a glass of wine and dig in.

This was a really interesting read. I was intrigued by the heroines realisation that happy enough wasn’t actually enough. I liked her exploration of what she wanted for the rest of her life and her commitment to seeking what she really wanted.

It wasn’t a usual read for me but I found I couldn’t stop reading and felt extremely happy with the resolution of the story for everyone.

This was different than most stories I read, but I liked it. The protagonist is an empty nester who realizes that her marriage has really been about the kids and she is no longer fulfilled. She, dangerously, reaches back into the rosy recall of her past, looking for happiness. What ensues is her journey through her mind and how that plays out in her life. It's a very realistic look at an issue that people don't like to discuss...

A bit somber and introspective for my taste. The writing is lovely, but I had difficulty relating to or even liking Jenn. I feel like this is very specifically aimed for women in her situation--empty nesters in an unfulfilling marriage.

A story so well written !
Jenn, in her fifties struggles in her mariage. She wants to found herself and someone who will think she’s the most beautiful woman in the word.
Her journey make her reconnect with her first love and then she knows « enough » is not enough for her anymore.
There is no age to fall in love and there is a whole life to find that love.
Jenn is so loving and selfishness, she spend her life giving and loving and waiting for her husband to see her for who she really is. Everyone can fin themselves in Jenn and she deserves her happy ending sooo much !!

Long Enough To Love You hooked me from the beginning. I am in my fifties and can relate to some of the story or at least the ideas and thoughts she was talking about. I enjoyed Jenn as a character and understood the back and forth confusion she had. My only issue with the story was how much she went on and on with her feelings and thoughts. I know the author was trying to show the back and forth emotions Jenn was having and how she loved her husband but wanted more from him and her conflicting thoughts. I think the author could of looked more into other relationships like her daughter to talk about or get in the head of her husband and find his side of the story a bit. The part I could not take was Jenn repeating herself over and over and it sounded winey after awhile. I kept thinking I know, I know you want this but can't have that lets just move forward. It wasn't a long book and I read it quickly, within a day. I would be interested in another book by this author just to get a feel of her writing style or see how different her other books are.
Thank you Net Galley for letting me read an ARC of this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the opportunity to read Long Enough to Love You
by Kirsten Pursell. Beautifully written. I admit to finding myself sometimes torn regarding Jenn's feelings.