***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
A sexy and sparkling later-in-life contemporary romance about a woman who leaps out of her comfort zone and takes a chance on love by New York Times bestselling author Jane Porter.
Paige Newsom is finally at a place in her life where she’s comfortable. She loves her job as a college professor in Southern California, lives close enough to her mother to visit her regularly, and has three daughters who are flourishing in their own careers. Paige has no plans to upend her life again after her divorce eight years ago, but she’s about to embark on a new adventure: co-teaching a course that includes a three-week international field study.
Paige can think of a dozen reasons why she shouldn’t go, one being a dazzling Australian biologist who will be teaching alongside her. Professor Jack King is charismatic, a world traveler, and more like Indiana Jones than Indiana Jones, all of which unsettles Paige, who prides herself on being immune to any man’s charms. She isn’t looking for love, and it turns out, neither is he. But as the two co-professors lead the rigorous program together, first on campus, then in beautiful Tanzania, their biggest challenge will be working closely together while resisting the undeniable chemistry they feel when they’re with each other.
Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter is a delightful later-in-life contemporary romance, that touched my heart.
Paige Newsom is in a good spot in her life. Divorced for years, she’s living her life on her terms. Her three daughters are spread out across the country and living their own lives now, and her job as a professor at Orange University in Southern California is what she’s always wanted to do and she has friends and enjoys the students. But, when she’s asked to take on a new course just before the semester starts, she’s not happy but agrees to the take on co-teaching the course. But, could the visiting professor be the same Jack King she had a one-night stand with back when she was a grad student in Paris?
I loved that these characters are older. Paige is just about to turn 50 and Jack is 55, and it shows that love can happen at any time in your life. They have instant chemistry, but, both have good reasons for avoiding a relationship. Although the chemistry is instant, it still takes some time for them to trust each other enough to start a relationship.
I loved the setting of this story. It’s set in South Orange County, California and that’s where my family lives, so I enjoyed all the references to places I know and enjoy. The author knows this area well, and her reference to the real places is spot on. Orange University is not a real place, but almost everything else is. When Paige complained about going to LAX to pick up her daughter, I felt her pain.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Jane Porter
USA Today, and New York Times bestselling author of 65 romances and women's fiction titles, Jane Porter has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times, with her Tule Publishing novella, Take Me, Cowboy, winning the Novella Category July 2014. Today, Jane has over 15 million copies in print, including her wildly popular Flirting with Forty, a novel picked by Redbook Magazine as it's Red Hot Summer Read in 2006 before being turned into a Lifetime movie in 2008 starring Heather Locklear.
Jane holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco and makes her home in sunny San Clemente, CA with her surfer husband three sons, and two dogs.
I just adore that more romances are coming out with middle aged characters. I’m so tired of being told that after 25 women should just vanish from the world. We’re still here and thriving! This sounds so good! I wanna read it.
This sounds like such a fun read! I love stories where characters step out of their comfort zones. I bet the setting in Orange Country was painted beautifully, minus the part about LAX airport haha. Thanks for sharing!
I like the idea of older characters too Wendy. It’s rarely that authors choose to focus on them, but I’m glad when they do. I’ve barely read one or two books where this has been the case. Wonderful review.
Wonderful review, Wendy. I always enjoy books with older MCs. A second chance romance is always a good story for me. I also like when I can make a personal connection to a story.
I really wanted to take this one on, but I’m so pressed for time right now! I might still be able to download it. I’ll check. I love the sound of revisiting a one-night stand from college when you’re in your 50s. I’m very familiar with Orange County and I just flew out of LAX last night. Not my favorite airport for sure, but it got me to Montana and I love it here!
I too think it is great that the main character of a romance is older than usually found in a romance. On the cusp of turning 70, however, 50 seems a lot younger than it used to.😂
This sounds really sweet and interesting. I’m putting it on my list.
This actually sounds like it would be fun to read. I’m going to put this on my TBR. Thanks!
Thank you, Jenni! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
I just adore that more romances are coming out with middle aged characters. I’m so tired of being told that after 25 women should just vanish from the world. We’re still here and thriving! This sounds so good! I wanna read it.
It’s so true, Carrie. I don’t find many books with older characters, but this one was lovely.
This sounds like such a fun read! I love stories where characters step out of their comfort zones. I bet the setting in Orange Country was painted beautifully, minus the part about LAX airport haha. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! It was fun being in familiar territory.
I like the idea of older characters too Wendy. It’s rarely that authors choose to focus on them, but I’m glad when they do. I’ve barely read one or two books where this has been the case. Wonderful review.
It sure doesn’t happen often. I like to mix it up a bit with all ages of characters.
Wonderful review, Wendy. I always enjoy books with older MCs. A second chance romance is always a good story for me. I also like when I can make a personal connection to a story.
Thank you, Carla!
I really wanted to take this one on, but I’m so pressed for time right now! I might still be able to download it. I’ll check. I love the sound of revisiting a one-night stand from college when you’re in your 50s. I’m very familiar with Orange County and I just flew out of LAX last night. Not my favorite airport for sure, but it got me to Montana and I love it here!
You would enjoy this as it has so many familiar landmarks. I love Montana and I’ll be driving through Montana in just a few weeks!
I love the sound of this book. Even your review is heartwarming, so I imagine the book would just make me smile and smile. Excellent review, Wendy!
Thank you, Tessa!
Great review, glad you enjoyed reading 😊
Thank you, Jenny!
I also like that these have older main characters for the romance than you normally see. It’s just so great!
Yes! And it’s a good book!
I too think it is great that the main character of a romance is older than usually found in a romance. On the cusp of turning 70, however, 50 seems a lot younger than it used to.😂
I agree, Linda! I’m in my early 60s, so 50 sounds young to me too!
Good review, Wendy! I am excited that more books are coming out that feature slightly older couples!
Me too, Cindy!
Wonderful review Wendy! I can’t wait to read this!!🤗📚❤
It’s a good one, Susan. I think you’ll enjoy it!
I love that more authors are including more relateable characters. Great review!
I love it too, Rae!
I think that there is definitely a market for older characters in books.
I agree! I sure enjoyed this one.