Two sixty-somethings, with a past. Their four year marriage, forty years ago. Throw in other marriages for each of them, family obligations, a drinking problem, economic differences and you have the makings of a memorable romance. Nickolas Butler didn’t quite deliver (for me) in this every-wish-fulfilled romance, A FORTY YEAR KISS, but I enjoyed the Wisconsin setting and the raw sincerity of Charlie. I especially enjoyed when finally Vivian’s secret was revealed and they could begin to heal, in earnest.

As a feel-good tale of redemption and true love, however fantastical, Butler hit every note. The book is a romance, pure and simple. But it is categorized also as literary fiction, which it is clearly not. Should a book’s description be held against it? No, but it does make reviewing it more difficult.

With thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ND- 15% in
Couldn't keep my interest due to the way it was writing.
I'm sorry for the inconvience,

In “A Forty Year Kiss,” after retiring from the railroad at 64, Charlie returns to his small town in Wisconsin to reconnect with Vivian, who he was married to from 1980 to 1984. His immaturity and drinking led to their divorce, and despite the years since he’s last seen her, he can’t forget about her. He hopes to rekindle their love but will settle for friendship. The book opens with him sitting in a bar, waiting for her to meet him there. The rest of the novel details their burgeoning romance, which is rekindled very quickly.

I usually like a book about redemption and second chances; however, I never could enjoy this one. In particular, it was hard to get used to the writing style with its short, sometimes incomplete sentences and dialog without quotation marks, which made it hard to tell when someone was speaking. In addition, the first 25% of the book was long and drawn out, filled with detailed descriptions of the minutia of the characters every day lives and inner most thoughts. A reader without my aversion to short sentences and lack of quotation marks might enjoy this slow paced romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was just OK. This is a sweet and (very) slow burn love story between two 60 something’s who were once married for 4 years 40 years earlier.

I appreciated that the characters were very well developed and likable. Especially the MMC. However, I kept waiting for something big to happen but it never did. Or it did but it wasn’t treated as something big. These big events were merely hiccups to the plot and resolved in a single chapter. When you read the book you’ll understand.

I loved the premise of this book. Long lost loves and second chances. I enjoyed the uncommon theme of older adult love. As someone who has had my own struggles with alcohol, I related to and understood the theme of alcoholism.

What I absolutely did not like about the book was the author’s decision to not use quotation marks for dialogue. There’s literally no reason to make it more difficult for the reader. So please, authors, don’t do this.

I am a Nickolas Butler fan. I have read Shotgun Love Songs over and over. His writing touches me. #FortyYearKiss has affected me as well. Vivian and Charlie are lovely characters. As in, I love them. I feel them. I live near where they live. I have lived the life they live. Rural Wisconsin, small town, just getting by. This love story, too. Charlie and Vivian have made mistakes. Nothing comes easy for them. But this is a love story that feels real. I tried to read slowly so I would not ever finish this book.
Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of A Forty Year Kiss in return for a review.

I downloaded this book when I saw the wonderful reader reviews it had received- and they were NOT wrong.

Vivian and Charlie were married a lifetime ago, and Charlie’s life choices led to a divorce 2 years in. Now they are in their 60s with a life already lived. They’re adults now and know what had gone wrong 40 years ago.

Small and big things, forgotten and forgiven. An overall heartwarming story.

honestly truly enjoyed reading this book and will be posting a review on my social media platforms. the writing style was impeccable and the character development *chefs kiss*. brainstorming content as i am typing this because i am obsessed.

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

wholly intrigued by this one from the title alone, it definitely surprised me. i was expecting a very women’s fictiony feel, and while it was definitely that the romance was also achingly beautiful and i loved the writing. absolutely swoon worthy and gorgeous story

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.