Analysis
I am excited to contribute and share my first book review as part of the WOW! Women On Writing Blog Tour for Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, written by B. Lynn Goodwin. The author’s memoir chronicles her first and only serious relationship and marriage to Richard – a two-time widower she meets on Craigslist. The author briefly mentions a couple dates and friendships she had before meeting Richard, however, she makes it clear that none of those encounters were neither amorous nor physical. I admire Lynn’s transparency about her inexperience in dating, not succumbing to societal pressures or expectations and taking a bold risk by seeking companionship on Craigslist.
Reading through the nuances of Lynn and Richard’s relationship made me chuckle at times, because it demonstrated that dating fears and anxieties are ageless. I often forgot while reading the novel that both Lynn and Richard are in their sixties and not in their early twenties. A couple of my favorite messages that reverberate throughout the book are compromise, respect and boundaries. Whether you have a friendship, relationship or marriage, compromise and respecting each others boundaries are critical and essential components required for a successful, loving and harmonious relationship. I enjoyed reading this book as a reminder that love does not have a timeline. Whether you are single or divorced, the possibility of finding a loving relationship is never far away if you seek it, recognize it and work on it with your partner. Though the book chronicles Lynn finding love and marriage at age 62, it is important to mention Richard’s honesty and clear intentions during the course of their relationship. In a society where these qualities are few and far between, it is a breath of fresh air to read about Lynn’s real life experience with a true gentlemen, her husband, Richard. Never Too Late can be purchased through Amazon, click here or on the book.
Book Summary
How does a 62-year-old woman who’s never been married find happiness with a two-time widower seeking his third wife on . . .Craigslist!? Does she throw caution to the wind and relinquish her freedom, or should she take a crash course in compromises? Author B. Lynn Goodwin tells all and more in Never Too Late. How she was attracted to Richard’s clear expectations, his honesty, and his incredible openness. She’d never met anyone like him. Would she recognize love if it knocked on her heart? And could an educated woman be happy moving into a blue-collar world? Whether you’ve been single forever, are trapped in an unhappy marriage, or you’re simply curious, you’ll find secrets to a happy marriage in Never Too Late.
Paperback: 222 Pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Koehler Books (December 20, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1633936082
ISBN-13: 978-1633936089
Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 is available for print and eBook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound.
Praise
“A vivid, engaging, and heart-warming tribute to that rare and wonderful thing: a late-in-life
love.” – Susan Wittig Albert, Ph.D, author of Loving Eleanor and The General’s Women
“A book filled with grace and charm.” – Aline Soules, author of Meditation on Woman and Evening Sun
“Very different from any love story you have ever read.” – Richard J. Smith, Ph.D., author of Life After Eighty, Once Upon A Christmas, and Musings of an Old Man
“For those who think life has passed them by, take heart, and read B. Lynn Goodwin’s book, Never Too Late, an unflinchingly honest, personal tale of love found after 60.” – Kate Farrell, Author and co-editor of award-winning anthologies: Times They Were A-Changing: Women Remember the ’60s & ’70s and Cry of the Nightbird: Writers Against Domestic Violence
About the Author
B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. She’s written You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers (Tate Publishing) and Talent (Eternal Press). Talent was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award and won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award.
Her manuscript, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 was published by Koehler Press on December 20, 2017. Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com and elsewhere. She is a reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is a manuscript coach at Writer Advice. She always has time to write guest blog posts and answer questions. She loves working one on one, trouble-shooting, and helping writers find what works.
B. Lynn Goodwin can be found online at:
Website: http://www.writeradvice.com/
Blog: https: //blynngoodwin.com/blog-page/
Twitter: https: //twitter.com/Lgood67334
Facebook: https: //www.facebook.com/blynn.goodwin
Pinterest: https: //www.pinterest.com/Lgood67334/
WOW! WomenOnWriting (@womenonwriting) says
Fantastic review! And you are spot on, the honesty in this book is so wonderful to read and so rarely seen in today’s society.
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
Yes! Very inspirational read on love and relationships.
lgood67334 says
Thanks for your kind and observant review. I hope this blog and the book will reach lots of readers.
Food Diary: Now there’s a subject I have plenty of material to support.
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Lee says
Wow! Never Too Late sounds like a great book. Heartfelt review of the book!
Lee
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
Thank you! Yes, it’s a good read.
lgood67334 says
Lee, I’d love to see you pick up a copy. Here’s the link for paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Too-Late-Wannabe-Wife-ebook/dp/B077ZK468Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1511161467&sr=1-1
Take a look at the opening. It’s there for anyone to read. =)
Linda Nguyen says
Ah so it IS a memoir? Or a novel?
I have a few books to get through but can’t wait to get to this one! Thanks for bringing it to Galentine’s!
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
It is a novel, but it is classified as a memoir based on the authors experience.
lgood67334 says
Interesting. You could also say it’s a memoir that reads like a novel. It all happened, but it is from my point of view. My husband is re-reading it right now, and got a couple more people interested this weekend. WTG, Richard!
Kate K. says
This sounds like an unusual but good read! Books are relationships are so often limited to twentysomethings, so it’s nice to know there are books out there about every age in love.
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
Yes! As I mentioned in my review, Love does not have a timeline.
lgood67334 says
Very true. I certainly waited long enough, didn’t I. You can find out why in the book: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Too-Late-Wannabe-Wife-ebook/dp/B077ZK468Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1511161467&sr=1-1
lgood67334 says
City Girl, I hope you’ll post your review on Amazon. Go to https://www.amazon.com/Never-Too-Late-Wannabe-Wife-ebook/dp/B077ZK468Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1511161467&sr=1-1. Scroll down to “Write a Customer Review.” Copy; paste; post. I’d love to see it up there!
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
I absolutely will!
imanisamonep says
Love your perspective!
fooddiaryofacitygirl@gmail.com says
Thank you!