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Affair Without End #4
One Forever Kiss
One Forever Kiss is the final book of the Affair without End Series and written as a standalone novel. An epic love story spanning six decades, one man, and two women woven together in a poignant, sexy, and unpredictable way.
“You see, sometimes it takes being madly in love with a woman and doing it badly to learn how to be madly in love with a woman and do it well.” ~ Jackson Parker
In the summer of 1960, eighteen-year-old Jackson Parker is a devil-may-care ladies’ man living a cushy life as a senator’s son, hitting beaches and hitting on girls. He is destined for what everyone proclaims will be a promising future. Shortly before his first semester at Harvard he meets Lena Mansur, a world-class violinist, a woman older than him, mysterious and beautiful with a notorious past.
Over the course of fifteen years they will share an intense romance against the backdrop of the turbulent decade of the sixties, culminating in the seventies in what Jack is sure will be his one forever love.
Then on a beach in Santa Barbara, Linda Cray enters Jack’s world—a feisty, strong, independent woman seventeen years his junior with a troubling past of her own.
Over the course of three decades, they will love and pull apart, only to love again, staying strong and true to their hearts as they dedicate themselves to each other and the people they love.
The journey is far from conventional.
The obstacles between them many.
Their love enduring.
Told in an interweaving narrative by Jack that moves between past and present, One Forever Kiss illuminates the cost of ambition, the demands of family, the sacrifices we make out of love, and reveals how the mistakes of the past can destroy even an intense love—or save it.
“You see, sometimes it takes being madly in love with a woman and doing it badly to learn how to be madly in love with a woman and do it well.” ~ Jackson Parker
In the summer of 1960, eighteen-year-old Jackson Parker is a devil-may-care ladies’ man living a cushy life as a senator’s son, hitting beaches and hitting on girls. He is destined for what everyone proclaims will be a promising future. Shortly before his first semester at Harvard he meets Lena Mansur, a world-class violinist, a woman older than him, mysterious and beautiful with a notorious past.
Over the course of fifteen years they will share an intense romance against the backdrop of the turbulent decade of the sixties, culminating in the seventies in what Jack is sure will be his one forever love.
Then on a beach in Santa Barbara, Linda Cray enters Jack’s world—a feisty, strong, independent woman seventeen years his junior with a troubling past of her own.
Over the course of three decades, they will love and pull apart, only to love again, staying strong and true to their hearts as they dedicate themselves to each other and the people they love.
The journey is far from conventional.
The obstacles between them many.
Their love enduring.
Told in an interweaving narrative by Jack that moves between past and present, One Forever Kiss illuminates the cost of ambition, the demands of family, the sacrifices we make out of love, and reveals how the mistakes of the past can destroy even an intense love—or save it.
540 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2016
34 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Susan Ward
43 books491 followersAward-Winning author Susan Ward is a #1 bestselling author of Rock Star Romance and New Adult Fiction. Known for complex, gritty, and unpredictable emotional reads, to the delight of her readers she is always expanding her fictional universe.
She likes her romance books to be packed with exciting heroes who keep you guessing, and intelligent, complicated heroines who make them work to get them. Her stories are filled with twists you won't see coming, both laughter and tears, and her Happy Endings are never cookie-cutter, but always deliciously satisfying.
She lives in California with her husband and dog Lady. Her favorite things to do are writing an angsty HEA love story, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, having a good glass of wine, traveling, binge watching TV series once the episodes are fully released, and chatting with her readers.
For future releases, upcoming book signings, or to contact: Http://www.susanwardbooks.com
Or follow on Twitter @susaninlaguna
Or Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanwardboo...
Want to know the reading order of her books: www.susanwardbooks.com/parker-series1...
She likes her romance books to be packed with exciting heroes who keep you guessing, and intelligent, complicated heroines who make them work to get them. Her stories are filled with twists you won't see coming, both laughter and tears, and her Happy Endings are never cookie-cutter, but always deliciously satisfying.
She lives in California with her husband and dog Lady. Her favorite things to do are writing an angsty HEA love story, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, having a good glass of wine, traveling, binge watching TV series once the episodes are fully released, and chatting with her readers.
For future releases, upcoming book signings, or to contact: Http://www.susanwardbooks.com
Or follow on Twitter @susaninlaguna
Or Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanwardboo...
Want to know the reading order of her books: www.susanwardbooks.com/parker-series1...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2023
**** 4.5 stars ****
Fuck this series!
Fuck this series!
May 31, 2016
I so wanted Jack's story after reading the Sand & Fog Series, and the Half-Shell Series. These characters by now all feel like family, and Susan Ward does a fantastic job of bringing them to life in their individual stories. I now know what makes Jack tick, and in particular, I love the back and forth telling of his story. From the radical 1960's to present day, Jack Parker still rocks in a slower-paced yet vital way. I wanted--needed to know what drew him to Linda. And Ward covers that from his perspective of course at the very beginning. We get to read more about Chrissy and Alan, and I so love Krystal in this book, I can hardly wait for her story!!
I highly recommend Susan Ward's series. She writes so descriptively and fluidly you become so invested you feel as if you're there!
Great job!
I highly recommend Susan Ward's series. She writes so descriptively and fluidly you become so invested you feel as if you're there!
Great job!
May 28, 2016
An epic conclusion to the series. Jack has always been a bit of an enigma for me in both this series and the Half Shell books, of which he is the patriarch. Here we finally get the story of him and his late wife, Lena, starting in 1960 and leading through many turbulent years until her death in the early '80s. In the present day, we also see an older Jack reflecting on his life and second great love, Linda.
This book is great value for money in that readers get two love stories, not just one. I can't say I was a huge fan of Lena's, but there is one chapter with her which had me reaching for tissues, and I'm not usually a crier. It was just beautifully written.
I grew to love Jack and Linda more than I already did, and Madison has also become one of my favourites. I look forward to reading more about this family in the future. Highly recommended.
This book is great value for money in that readers get two love stories, not just one. I can't say I was a huge fan of Lena's, but there is one chapter with her which had me reaching for tissues, and I'm not usually a crier. It was just beautifully written.
I grew to love Jack and Linda more than I already did, and Madison has also become one of my favourites. I look forward to reading more about this family in the future. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2016
This review contains spoilers!
Overall I enjoyed this story about Jackson Parker. The length of the book didn’t bother me, nor did the occasional back and forth between present and past tense, most of the book really is in past tense so it didn’t feel jarring to me. More like Jack telling us his life story, which felt comfortable. The story flowed and the writing overall was very strong, with some insightful and beautifully-phrased passages throughout;
“ Death changes life. It is forever altering, especially in those moments when you realize it is inevitable.”
“We do go through agonizing moments over and over again until we get them right. But that’s not the result of a divine being or some superior master plan. It is the inescapable flaw of human existence. We live the same moments and they end the same way, only to be repeated, until we change. We have to change the road we’re on and the journey we are making.”
What kept this rating lower for me was some of the time jumps [6 years ahead, etc.], they felt a bit jarring at times. And some parts of the story-line itself didn’t quite seem realistic or well enough explained. I didn’t feel like we found out enough about Lena so I couldn’t really empathize or understand his or her motivations for staying together, or breaking up for that matter. I had a sense of what she was like, but that’s about it.
At about 64% he decides to get sober but really, I didn’t get that there was any problem with his drinking during the first half of the book at all. It was never portrayed as an issue really. And the reason I didn’t read the first 3 books of the Affair Without End series [which for me was too insta-love], but also because I just didn’t care for Linda that much. I never got any sense of her whatsoever so this last part of the story was touch and go for me. I would have liked to learn more about when Jack was sponsoring other addicts, his emotions and thoughts during that, especially with Alan. I feel this was a missed opportunity as this would have been a perfect time to find out more about Alan [from the Half Shell series] through Jack's months with him. I also feel like we may have understood Jack even more if we'd found out some details about his life as a rock star, his thoughts and emotions during writing, recording and performing.
Overall I’d give this 3.75 to 4 stars. As I said, the writing itself was strong, just more of the plot and characters needed to be fleshed out for me so I could better understand them and what motivated some of their decisions.
I will definitely be reading this author again as I feel she has real potential.
Overall I enjoyed this story about Jackson Parker. The length of the book didn’t bother me, nor did the occasional back and forth between present and past tense, most of the book really is in past tense so it didn’t feel jarring to me. More like Jack telling us his life story, which felt comfortable. The story flowed and the writing overall was very strong, with some insightful and beautifully-phrased passages throughout;
“ Death changes life. It is forever altering, especially in those moments when you realize it is inevitable.”
“We do go through agonizing moments over and over again until we get them right. But that’s not the result of a divine being or some superior master plan. It is the inescapable flaw of human existence. We live the same moments and they end the same way, only to be repeated, until we change. We have to change the road we’re on and the journey we are making.”
What kept this rating lower for me was some of the time jumps [6 years ahead, etc.], they felt a bit jarring at times. And some parts of the story-line itself didn’t quite seem realistic or well enough explained. I didn’t feel like we found out enough about Lena so I couldn’t really empathize or understand his or her motivations for staying together, or breaking up for that matter. I had a sense of what she was like, but that’s about it.
At about 64% he decides to get sober but really, I didn’t get that there was any problem with his drinking during the first half of the book at all. It was never portrayed as an issue really. And the reason I didn’t read the first 3 books of the Affair Without End series [which for me was too insta-love], but also because I just didn’t care for Linda that much. I never got any sense of her whatsoever so this last part of the story was touch and go for me. I would have liked to learn more about when Jack was sponsoring other addicts, his emotions and thoughts during that, especially with Alan. I feel this was a missed opportunity as this would have been a perfect time to find out more about Alan [from the Half Shell series] through Jack's months with him. I also feel like we may have understood Jack even more if we'd found out some details about his life as a rock star, his thoughts and emotions during writing, recording and performing.
Overall I’d give this 3.75 to 4 stars. As I said, the writing itself was strong, just more of the plot and characters needed to be fleshed out for me so I could better understand them and what motivated some of their decisions.
I will definitely be reading this author again as I feel she has real potential.
June 4, 2016
Jackson Parker has only ever been a side interest for me due to his relationship with Alan Manzone.
Well, this book made me fall in love with Jack himself...not like that...but a deep admiration for all that he had done for his daughter, Chrissie, and of course, Alan. Although this is really the story of his never-ending love for his deceased wife, Lena, and his deep affection for Linda.
A back-and-forth in time, One Forever Kiss, gives us history and also brings us up to date with the whole clan. About 2/3 thru, we learn of how Jack came to be so integral in Alan's life, and it is woven with Linda and Chrissie ... it equaled perfection for me.
As did the epilogue.
I'm sure Ward has more in store for us with this family - the grandkids and great-grandkids.
FIVE stars...the writing is like prose, and the story intricately decadent.
Well, this book made me fall in love with Jack himself...not like that...but a deep admiration for all that he had done for his daughter, Chrissie, and of course, Alan. Although this is really the story of his never-ending love for his deceased wife, Lena, and his deep affection for Linda.
A back-and-forth in time, One Forever Kiss, gives us history and also brings us up to date with the whole clan. About 2/3 thru, we learn of how Jack came to be so integral in Alan's life, and it is woven with Linda and Chrissie ... it equaled perfection for me.
As did the epilogue.
I'm sure Ward has more in store for us with this family - the grandkids and great-grandkids.
FIVE stars...the writing is like prose, and the story intricately decadent.
May 29, 2016
I'm so glad Jack and Linda finally got there HEA!!!
October 29, 2022
Didn't Feel It
I wanted to love this book, but this was a different Jackson Parker than was in the Sand & Fog series. I just could not reconcile the icon from those books with the unhappy Senat9rs son and total jerk of this series. I just could not feel the connection between Linda and Jack or even Lena and Jack. If theirs were supposed to be the love of a lifetime, all three of their actions fell flat for me. Love was more a word than an emotion with both Jack's big romances. His heart never seems to be engaged in anything. Too many of the big events, like Sammy's death were just a footnote. I was left feeling empty rather than satisfied or happy. I have read Alan Manzone's storiy many times, but I would not bother with these again.
I wanted to love this book, but this was a different Jackson Parker than was in the Sand & Fog series. I just could not reconcile the icon from those books with the unhappy Senat9rs son and total jerk of this series. I just could not feel the connection between Linda and Jack or even Lena and Jack. If theirs were supposed to be the love of a lifetime, all three of their actions fell flat for me. Love was more a word than an emotion with both Jack's big romances. His heart never seems to be engaged in anything. Too many of the big events, like Sammy's death were just a footnote. I was left feeling empty rather than satisfied or happy. I have read Alan Manzone's storiy many times, but I would not bother with these again.
December 26, 2021
What an exceptional marathon of a life story!
This was quite a touching tale interwoven through several generations! I loved each character as the finish arrived! Very well done!
This was quite a touching tale interwoven through several generations! I loved each character as the finish arrived! Very well done!
September 24, 2017
Amazingly beautiful!
Want to read
July 20, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/20/2021)! 🎁
February 19, 2017
Great Book and Series!
I got caught up in this book and the series. I felt the emotions that ran through the characters that brought me to laughter and tears. You developed the characters so well, it was like each life change the characters went through you could actually see the layers build that made them so complex, but yet simple. Great job! I would recommend the whole series, it's not just a rock romance novel, it's so much more! It's a whole lifetime of a family's experience.
I got caught up in this book and the series. I felt the emotions that ran through the characters that brought me to laughter and tears. You developed the characters so well, it was like each life change the characters went through you could actually see the layers build that made them so complex, but yet simple. Great job! I would recommend the whole series, it's not just a rock romance novel, it's so much more! It's a whole lifetime of a family's experience.
June 2, 2016
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I was delighted to read Jackson's story. I was not expecting it but it was nice to see his relationships from his pov. I always got the impression that things between him and Lena had been wonderful. The majority of this book is their story and how Jackson constantly kept messing up because he couldn't see the big picture. I'm glad his love for her never died, even though their ending was sad. Of course it would take something major for him to turn his life around and for him to finally have the type of relationship he always wanted with Lena. His relationship with Linda was just as rocky. There were some surprises in their relationship that I was not expecting and I'm glad that he finally got his happily ever after
December 24, 2016
She did it again
Heart wrenching and beautiful, as with all her stories. I will never stop re-reading them. Love that this is from Jack's POV.
Heart wrenching and beautiful, as with all her stories. I will never stop re-reading them. Love that this is from Jack's POV.
July 12, 2016
This was my favorite of the series. Understanding Jack made all of the characters make more sense.
April 27, 2017
I've debated how to rate this. It wasn't easy! I absolutely love the concept of Jack and the lifespan of his story. Yet, I felt some parts were slow and other parts were repetitive. However, I did read the entire series in 4 days. Learning about Jacks background, his lost loves and the truth behind the man was outstanding! The storytelling was above clever. Unfortunately, Linda's role just made me angry. I got it. Yet, I don't like it. Overall, I thought it was an outstanding series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews