NO REGRETS: The Forgiving Heart of Allyson Porteus

by Donna Lynch

At an annual summer's party, Allyson Porteus met charming Kyle Riker, and she soon began an affair with him. But when Janice Caldwell, his prominent and wealthy wife, learned of this, she had plans of her own, quickly ending the romance. When Allyson meets real estate attorney Marc Kelsey, she embarks on a new friendship that slowly develops. Kyle, however, attempts to rekindle his romance with her and Allyson cannot keep herself from falling under his spell once more. She dreams of a future with her baby's father; she yearns for the three of them to live as a family. But when Allyson finds her best friend, Felicia, in bed with Kyle, her dreams are finally destroyed. And, Marc is always there for her, despite her confusion and obstacles. Allyson realizes that Marc is the man with whom she'll truly find happiness. When Kyle is suddenly hospitalized, however, everything rapidly changes, and Allyson faces the most difficult decisions of her life.

308 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jim Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished "No Regrets" in a week...hadn't done that in over a decade! Saturday to Saturday while in Treasure Lake. I messaged Donna to let her know I had started the book. This novel had more turns than the BQE in Brooklyn. I quickly found relief in situations that eroded into another one time after time...I could feel the restoration, then my opinions of the protagonist would change. I'm not sure if I ever regained the same "affection" I had for the character initially. That cycle occurred a few times and that's where the art of "reconciliation" comes in. Forgiveness, coping skills, mistakes, shame, despair, despise, demise, fidelity, lies, dedication, restoration, reconstruction...and the cadence of resolve. All of the Baskins and Robbins flavors of emotions are well written in this story that will tweak your feelings as you follow the tale. I liked this book perhaps better than Donna's second one, and I am about to order her third sometime soon! The Title couldn't be more deserved after the read.

[Christine McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this amazing story of forgiveness. I did not expect how some of the problems would turn out! Great read.