Review of 'For Once in My Life' by Karly Lane

Review of 'For Once in My Life' by Karly Lane

Release date: November 28th, 2023

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

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What the story is about: (Publisher’s blurb).

Jenny thought she was done with men and relationships . . . her kids, however, had other plans. A delightful, entertaining and funny rural romance from Karly Lane, the bestselling author with over 550,000 books sold.

Jenny Hayward cannot believe that she's fifty years old and a grandmother with adult children! When did that happen? Not that long ago her three daughters were in school and Jenny was following her dream of becoming a nurse.

In the two years since her husband walked out, Jenny has been absorbed in her family and work. But then her daughters and her best friend secretly set her up with a profile on a dating app and she is unexpectedly thrust into the world of dating.

However, as the dates keep coming, Jenny wonders how the people she loves the most in the world have managed so impressively to pick the wrong men for her.

The annoying barman watching on is much more enjoyable company. The barman who is more than a decade younger than her. Yet Nick doesn't seem to notice her age at all . . .

Is Jenny's next date the date of her dreams?

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REVIEW

There is something special about Karly Lane’s novels. She inspires, uplifts, encourages, advises and even provides a heavenly escape through her fictional worlds where characters come alive and become friends we never want to say goodbye to—even on their worst days. Because their dilemmas are real, their passions absorbing and their encounters exciting. They wear a believable skin that stretches over us like a shelter in the storms of our own lives—helping us to look at issues from all angles and find solutions. Or at least point us in the right direction. Karly’s novels are relatable because they deal with human dramas (and sometimes animal traumas, too!) but they are always within the sphere of family, love, concern for others and the environment. For Once in My Life is no exception. This story is a lot about relationships and deals with ageism and how society looks at women differently than at men who date those younger than themselves. And even how it affects a person’s actions and reactions. It poses the question: if two people are right for each other, does an age difference matter?

An intriguing dedication opens the door on this reading journey. For Once in My Life is addressed to ‘all the women who still get a shock when it comes to saying your age out loud and wondering how it’s possible to suddenly be this old!’ Karly goes on to remind us of all of the miles we have travelled through child rearing, divorces, losses and grief but also the victories and new friends we’ve made (and sometimes lost). Then she offers advice and encouragement to be fearless, fierce and faithful to who you are. ‘Be true to yourself.’ All these elements are beautifully presented and played out in this story so that its message shines like a beacon of hope and that ‘the greatest times are ahead.’

As soon as I entered chapter one, I was transported to a familiar contemporary family in an Australian rural town. A good portion of the story takes place in and around a one hundred and twenty years old hotel that proudly wears its rustic timber frames and impressive history. But also contains ‘a vibrant modern look to its furnishings’ and ‘beautiful teal lounge chairs scattered in front of an open fireplace…’ This unexpected contrast gives it that extra dash of sophistication. One might say, it is a successful combination of ‘old world meeting the new’ which is reflected not only in the Hotel but also in many other aspects of the novel—even in dating. The past method of meeting people for dates in various physical locations is traded in for finding love through a dating app! And the relationships that might transpire may not always be so ‘traditional’.

The character focus in For Once in My Life initially is with fifty-year-old Jenny, a nurse, a mother and a soon to be lover. Two years earlier her husband left her for a much younger woman. Now she has to deal with her ex and the all that surrounds his newish relationship. This humiliation creates a bit of insecurity in her, as far as romantic relationships go, but the one place she is confident in is her job as a nurse. She is very good at it and we are able to see her skill in action when one of Nick’s (the barman and co-owner of the Hotel) apprentices comes in after having a horrendous accident in the kitchen. Jenny is calm, efficient and takes the emergency in hand and delivers positive results. (It is here that Nick is amazed by her abilities and is drawn to her even more.)

In the workplace she is dynamite. Her job holds her attention and takes up most of her life. Since her husband left, she has not been interested in starting another relationship. But her daughters think differently and set her up on a dating app without her knowledge or consent. When some dates roll in, they attempt to convince her to give this modern approach a chance. Reluctantly she gives in but things don’t turn out as hoped. After a few unpleasant date experiences under the watchful eye of Nick the barman (these dates are at his hotel) where he attempts to rescue her from some potentially bad experiences with men that he sees are ‘all wrong’ for her, things begin to change. Jenny realises she is attracted to Nick, a much younger man, and this age difference begins to play on her mind. Nick is also drawn to Jenny but the age difference appears to be of no concern to him.

The story is presented from two viewpoints, Jenny’s and Nick’s, and their romantic awakenings are a delight to follow. I found myself hoping they would get together as they seemed well-suited and happy. There are some dramas, of course, just as in real life curve balls can strike at any time. But the couple work out solutions that suit everyone involved. I must add, we learn a lot more about Nick’s background and (he does too!) so there are some surprise revelations.

I fully enjoyed the story and found the ending satisfying and true to the dedication in the novel. As with all Karly’s novels, I highly recommend, as they will make you smile, give your confidence a boost and show you that ‘The greatest times are still ahead.’ But another ingredient caught my attention. Being in the music industry, I often see connections between songs and stories and for Karly’s, I could not stop thinking of Steve Wonder’s For Once in My Life song that not only has the same title but carries a similar message. So it is a great song to listen to when reading and contemplating her book! And I highly recommend this 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ heart-warming treasure.

Thanks to publisher Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.