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Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love
What if your first love was a forbidden one?
At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind.
But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older.
Felice and Sarah embarked on a high-stakes, year-long love affair. Addicted to the high of first love, Felice was enthralled by Sarah's attention and content to hide their love in the shadows. Sarah, meanwhile, threw caution to the wind, risking her comfortably established life that included a prestigious job and long-term girlfriend. Though not perfect, it was enough.
That was until their secret was exposed, forcing Felice to publicly acknowledge their illicit love or start a new life for herself. Felice chose to walk away.
In this candid coming-of-age memoir—as compelling as a novel—Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future. Ultimately, this is a story about navigating life's unpredictable path while following one's heart, and finding acceptance.
At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind.
But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older.
Felice and Sarah embarked on a high-stakes, year-long love affair. Addicted to the high of first love, Felice was enthralled by Sarah's attention and content to hide their love in the shadows. Sarah, meanwhile, threw caution to the wind, risking her comfortably established life that included a prestigious job and long-term girlfriend. Though not perfect, it was enough.
That was until their secret was exposed, forcing Felice to publicly acknowledge their illicit love or start a new life for herself. Felice chose to walk away.
In this candid coming-of-age memoir—as compelling as a novel—Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future. Ultimately, this is a story about navigating life's unpredictable path while following one's heart, and finding acceptance.
262 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
14 people are currently reading
1706 people want to read
About the author
Felice Cohen
10 books97 followersKnown nationally and internationally as the woman who lived in one of the world's smallest apartments, Felice Cohen is the grandchild of two Holocaust survivors and the author of the award-winning book "What Papa Told Me," a memoir about her grandfather's life before, during and after the war. Her second book, "90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (...or more)", is based on the video of her 90-square-foot Manhattan studio that went viral with tens of millions of views on YouTube.com, gaining media attention around the globe, including the U.S., Australia, Germany, Canada, Ireland and South Korea. What enabled Felice to "live large" in that tiny studio is that she's been a professional organizer for over 25 years.
Felice's newest book, "Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love" is about a secret, lesbian, age-gap love affair she had when she was 23 with her boss, a 57-year-old woman who had a long-term partner. Felice kept it a secret for three decades. In this candid memoir, Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future.
"What Papa Told Me" was endorsed by Elie Wiesel and Yad Vashem, has sold over 40,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into Polish. It won three honorable mention book awards, is taught in US schools' Holocaust curriculum and is in several Holocaust Museums in the US, Poland and the UK. Felice has spoken to tens of thousands of students and adults across the country and is featured in two documentaries focusing on grandchildren of survivors, and has a chapter in the anthology "In the Shadows of Memory: The Holocaust and the Third Generation," written by grandchildren of survivors.
Felice also writes a series of illustrated books called The Fancy Tales, which are modern day New York City versions of the classic fairy tales we grew up with, yet they contain a wholesomely presented and slightly sophisticated gay twist. She writes these under the pen name Weecee. The first three in the series include: She'safella, Peter Pan Zee and Jack and the Bad Stock.
For information on speaking engagements, her books or having Felice organize your life, please visit her website www.felicecohen.com
Felice's newest book, "Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love" is about a secret, lesbian, age-gap love affair she had when she was 23 with her boss, a 57-year-old woman who had a long-term partner. Felice kept it a secret for three decades. In this candid memoir, Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future.
"What Papa Told Me" was endorsed by Elie Wiesel and Yad Vashem, has sold over 40,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into Polish. It won three honorable mention book awards, is taught in US schools' Holocaust curriculum and is in several Holocaust Museums in the US, Poland and the UK. Felice has spoken to tens of thousands of students and adults across the country and is featured in two documentaries focusing on grandchildren of survivors, and has a chapter in the anthology "In the Shadows of Memory: The Holocaust and the Third Generation," written by grandchildren of survivors.
Felice also writes a series of illustrated books called The Fancy Tales, which are modern day New York City versions of the classic fairy tales we grew up with, yet they contain a wholesomely presented and slightly sophisticated gay twist. She writes these under the pen name Weecee. The first three in the series include: She'safella, Peter Pan Zee and Jack and the Bad Stock.
For information on speaking engagements, her books or having Felice organize your life, please visit her website www.felicecohen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 20, 2023
Check my bookshelves. I don’t read memoirs. It turns out this may be short-sighted (okay, ignorant) on my part.
You see, when I think of memoirs, my reaction is: Nah, I don’t really want to know what high school you went to or what year you got promoted to manager at the plant.
Until now, I’ve always envisioned memoirs as being chronological, dull material that reads like a CV, only with more pages. Alfred Hitchcock used to say drama was real life with the dull bits left out. Memoirs, to me, seemed to promise the reverse of that.
It’s not that I lack interest in my fellow-humans. On the contrary. I am interested in the choices people make in their lives, and how those choices play out for them. I am interested in examining how our identities are shaped by other people, be they lovers, our parents, or society. I am interested in how the past shapes us, and how we live after it happens to us. I am interested in how we subvert ourselves, then redeem ourselves. Most of all, I’m fascinated by what it takes to make us grow.
Felice Cohen’s memoir, Half In, A Coming of Age Memoir of Forbidden Love, explores her secret love affair with a woman 34 years her senior, and in the process looks at all the things I just mentioned above. Her writing is engaging, and slow-cooked in the passage of time until it brought out all the flavours. It reads like a novel. I’m glad to report I have no idea what high school she attended.
(PS: I heard Felice read from Half In during the 2023 ReadOut Festival of LGBTQ Literature from Gulfport, Florida. That’s what prompted me to try reading a memoir.)
You see, when I think of memoirs, my reaction is: Nah, I don’t really want to know what high school you went to or what year you got promoted to manager at the plant.
Until now, I’ve always envisioned memoirs as being chronological, dull material that reads like a CV, only with more pages. Alfred Hitchcock used to say drama was real life with the dull bits left out. Memoirs, to me, seemed to promise the reverse of that.
It’s not that I lack interest in my fellow-humans. On the contrary. I am interested in the choices people make in their lives, and how those choices play out for them. I am interested in examining how our identities are shaped by other people, be they lovers, our parents, or society. I am interested in how the past shapes us, and how we live after it happens to us. I am interested in how we subvert ourselves, then redeem ourselves. Most of all, I’m fascinated by what it takes to make us grow.
Felice Cohen’s memoir, Half In, A Coming of Age Memoir of Forbidden Love, explores her secret love affair with a woman 34 years her senior, and in the process looks at all the things I just mentioned above. Her writing is engaging, and slow-cooked in the passage of time until it brought out all the flavours. It reads like a novel. I’m glad to report I have no idea what high school she attended.
(PS: I heard Felice read from Half In during the 2023 ReadOut Festival of LGBTQ Literature from Gulfport, Florida. That’s what prompted me to try reading a memoir.)
September 9, 2022
This is an unusual story of a 23-year-old college woman who falls in love with her boss, a 57-year-old woman and Director at University of Massachusetts, Amherst who returns her love. Not only is the age-gap a barrier to Cohen revealing her love even to her closest friends and family, but her boss, Sarah, is already in a relationship and living with another woman. This story has been told in various forms in heteronormative relationships, and some of the same power dynamics apply, but with the added layer of secrecy because it occurred at a time when it was still not safe to be “out” as a lesbian.
What I particularly appreciated about Cohen’s presentation of her story, was the subtle layering of nuance as she talks about her fear of other’s judgement of the age-gap, her role as the “other woman” and her ambivalence about her sexuality. Shining through her shame is the intense tenderness, love, and passion they both shared despite the circumstances and the age gap. Sarah is not unsympathetic, even with her faults and the obvious inappropriateness of her behavior, and Cohen leads the reader to understand how Sarah found herself in love with a vulnerable, much younger woman. All judgement aside, this an incredibly touching love story, demonstrating the complicated web surrounding how human beings can love one another, and how despite all obstacles, it is better to have loved.
What I particularly appreciated about Cohen’s presentation of her story, was the subtle layering of nuance as she talks about her fear of other’s judgement of the age-gap, her role as the “other woman” and her ambivalence about her sexuality. Shining through her shame is the intense tenderness, love, and passion they both shared despite the circumstances and the age gap. Sarah is not unsympathetic, even with her faults and the obvious inappropriateness of her behavior, and Cohen leads the reader to understand how Sarah found herself in love with a vulnerable, much younger woman. All judgement aside, this an incredibly touching love story, demonstrating the complicated web surrounding how human beings can love one another, and how despite all obstacles, it is better to have loved.
August 15, 2022
Felice Cohen is a phenomenal writer. Her memoir, Half In, honestly blew me away. It’s equal parts heartbreakingly beautiful and inspiring. Definitely required reading for all humans. I can’t wait to read her next book!
May 12, 2022
I couldn't put this book down and read it straight through. The author's honest and provocative account of loving someone in secret and the futility of finding peace in the silence, will in retrospect, leave readers profoundly touched as the reminder of this memoir will play in your head like a cherished tune.
March 15, 2023
Very emotional
Felice shares how she fell in love with an older woman and their very special relationship and story that wasn’t without heartbreak and complication along the way.
I loved Felice’s deeply moving and emotional recount of life with Sarah. They didn’t have the easiest journey but they had the one thing many of us can only dream of which was a true love. Felice captured herself and Sarah in a way that really made me feel like I knew them, so I was heartbroken from the very start when it dawned on me that Felice was going to share just what had happened between meeting Sarah and the point at which the book opens.
Nothing was easy for them, especially with the complications of other partners and Sarah being cautious that her affairs with Felice didn’t put her established life and relationship at risk. They both took so many chances being together but I loved the experience, as it was in so many ways relatable and I admire Felice for the way she handled everything because it can’t have been easy.
At times I was grinning ear to ear, lost in the moment with them both and loving how freeing their relationship appeared to be and at others I was in floods of tears, struggling with what they were being put through. A wonderful sharing of a love that will move you and stay with you long after you finish reading.
Felice shares how she fell in love with an older woman and their very special relationship and story that wasn’t without heartbreak and complication along the way.
I loved Felice’s deeply moving and emotional recount of life with Sarah. They didn’t have the easiest journey but they had the one thing many of us can only dream of which was a true love. Felice captured herself and Sarah in a way that really made me feel like I knew them, so I was heartbroken from the very start when it dawned on me that Felice was going to share just what had happened between meeting Sarah and the point at which the book opens.
Nothing was easy for them, especially with the complications of other partners and Sarah being cautious that her affairs with Felice didn’t put her established life and relationship at risk. They both took so many chances being together but I loved the experience, as it was in so many ways relatable and I admire Felice for the way she handled everything because it can’t have been easy.
At times I was grinning ear to ear, lost in the moment with them both and loving how freeing their relationship appeared to be and at others I was in floods of tears, struggling with what they were being put through. A wonderful sharing of a love that will move you and stay with you long after you finish reading.
September 20, 2022
Writing kept me going until the end. Story is relatable. I had a box of kleenex and big smiles . READ IT. PASS IT to your friends for a can not put this book down. Reminded me of past loves and roads I chose, painfully and now with no regrets. Reminded me of secrets told and untold. We are who we are until something says NOW NOW WRITE IT . Felice did it for her and for all of us who get to read this book. Who doesn't have doubts about choices they made in their earlier years that affect their today?
September 14, 2022
I haven't cried at the end of the book in SO long. Felice's story of her coming of age and dealing with forbidden love left me with some tears. All I wanted to do when I wasn't reading her story was get back to reading more of her book!
I loved her writing and how descriptive she was with what was happening in her life and with the relationships she was having. Another plus for me was the setting of a college campus that just happens to be about twenty minutes from my house. I enjoyed recognizing stores, shops, cafes, restaurants and more throughout Western Mass where Felice attends and works and falls in love at UMASS Amherst.
If you desire to read a book that will have you thinking about the story long after you've finished it, pick up Felice Cohen's Half In. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the chance to read this vulnerable memoir that had me ALL IN!
I loved her writing and how descriptive she was with what was happening in her life and with the relationships she was having. Another plus for me was the setting of a college campus that just happens to be about twenty minutes from my house. I enjoyed recognizing stores, shops, cafes, restaurants and more throughout Western Mass where Felice attends and works and falls in love at UMASS Amherst.
If you desire to read a book that will have you thinking about the story long after you've finished it, pick up Felice Cohen's Half In. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the chance to read this vulnerable memoir that had me ALL IN!
September 27, 2022
Beautifully written and heart wrenching. I couldn't put it down.
September 21, 2022
Cover to cover I was captivated throughout. I highly recommend.
September 18, 2022
Half In is a powerful, heartfelt, and enlightening journey about longing, love, truth and gaining self: understanding, acceptance, and love. Thank you for sharing yourself.
September 11, 2022
Great book! Honest. A story that reminds us all about first loves and the conflicts that can arise when they don’t fit into what we thought they should be.
August 26, 2022
Wow! “Half In: A Coming-of Age Memoir of Forbidden Love” by Felice Cohen is a heart-warming, raw, and authentic coming of age story of the highs and lows of having a “forbidden (secret) love!” The risk/reward ratio, given the significant age difference, of this love affair is explored in a visually gripping way! Felice brilliantly takes us along on her journey of self-discovery as she grapples with her identity and desire to pursue her “writing” passion post college graduation! Her copious life-long journaling not only helped her cope with the stress of her secret but authenticated this memoir and truly brought it to life. I predict this will be a “book to screen adaptation” coming to a theater near you soon!
The courage to bare one’s soul, at the risk of judgement, is refreshing and proven therapeutic! Our journey of becoming is not always a bed of roses. Felice, whether intentional or not, however, gives us permission to live out our truth without shame.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading! I didn’t want it to end. It left me wanting more. While this is not a self-help book, if you are, or have ever, struggled with a secret, it’s a must read!
The courage to bare one’s soul, at the risk of judgement, is refreshing and proven therapeutic! Our journey of becoming is not always a bed of roses. Felice, whether intentional or not, however, gives us permission to live out our truth without shame.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading! I didn’t want it to end. It left me wanting more. While this is not a self-help book, if you are, or have ever, struggled with a secret, it’s a must read!
October 5, 2022
Half In by Felice Cohen is a captivating deep dive into a young woman’s struggle to discover her own sexuality, over nearly two decades, and to accept it without shame. This well-written story is shared with honesty, and a touch of humour.
June 30, 2022
Half In” introduces readers to another side of author, Felice Cohen. Already known for her book, “What Papa Told Me” about her grandfather surviving the Holocaust, this is a more intimate side of Felice and the story of her romantic life. Many people struggle to figure out who they are and who they want to be with-whether straight, gay, bi, etc. Felice is no different. What makes her different is the internal struggle that she dealt with in who she is and who she wanted to be with.
Unfortunately, American society tends to care way too much about other peoples’ gender, sexuality, color of their skin, etc. Many times, people will internalize these stigmas, questions, stereotypical remarks and think that their feelings are wrong and should stay secret from the world. When this happens, the only person that is really being destroyed is that one person who is not being true to themselves. “Half In” clearly shows this.
Felice is in love with an older woman… a much older woman. She is confused about how she feels about this and projects it out to the world. It’s bad enough that she’s confused about if she likes men or women (nothing wrong with that) but add the big age difference and the fact that this woman, Sarah, was her boss… keeping the relationship secret was needed…at times. It didn’t help that Sarah was living with her partner Linda at the time and was forced to keep their relationship a secret.
Felice keeps it real in “Half In.” She shares her struggles. She shares her thoughts. She shares the intimate moments that she shared with Sarah and other lovers. She shares her truth. She shares her journey of maturity. She does it in an entertaining light that most readers will come to appreciate. She realizes that she is not happy and one way for her to be happy is to share the love that she and Sarah shared publicly. This sharing is this memoir.
As most memoirs go, “Half In” is relatable. Most readers will find a piece of themselves in it even if they haven’t struggled, like Felice did, with figuring out if they are straight, gay, bi, etc. Readers will relate to how much love is needed and that there is support out there for everyone, even if you have to search long and hard for it.
Unfortunately, American society tends to care way too much about other peoples’ gender, sexuality, color of their skin, etc. Many times, people will internalize these stigmas, questions, stereotypical remarks and think that their feelings are wrong and should stay secret from the world. When this happens, the only person that is really being destroyed is that one person who is not being true to themselves. “Half In” clearly shows this.
Felice is in love with an older woman… a much older woman. She is confused about how she feels about this and projects it out to the world. It’s bad enough that she’s confused about if she likes men or women (nothing wrong with that) but add the big age difference and the fact that this woman, Sarah, was her boss… keeping the relationship secret was needed…at times. It didn’t help that Sarah was living with her partner Linda at the time and was forced to keep their relationship a secret.
Felice keeps it real in “Half In.” She shares her struggles. She shares her thoughts. She shares the intimate moments that she shared with Sarah and other lovers. She shares her truth. She shares her journey of maturity. She does it in an entertaining light that most readers will come to appreciate. She realizes that she is not happy and one way for her to be happy is to share the love that she and Sarah shared publicly. This sharing is this memoir.
As most memoirs go, “Half In” is relatable. Most readers will find a piece of themselves in it even if they haven’t struggled, like Felice did, with figuring out if they are straight, gay, bi, etc. Readers will relate to how much love is needed and that there is support out there for everyone, even if you have to search long and hard for it.
April 11, 2023
I'm not going to lie, this is not an easy book to read.
It's not your classic romance with a happy ending. It is a memoir with a lot of angst.
However I believe that this is a book that should not be missed. It stays with you after you have done reading it.
Personally it evoked strong feelings. I felt sad but I also felt mad. It exposes the human nature is a very raw and real way.
The story Felice Cohen is sharing is actually her story, one she shared with her greatest love, Sarah. The story is told in a diary type of way that takes you aback at first but then you get used to its fast paced rhythm.
Even though it darkened my mood due to its theme, still not only do I not regret reading it but I think it would have been a loss had I not read such a book.
It about reality, human flaws, love, pain and loss. So it's about life.
It's not your classic romance with a happy ending. It is a memoir with a lot of angst.
However I believe that this is a book that should not be missed. It stays with you after you have done reading it.
Personally it evoked strong feelings. I felt sad but I also felt mad. It exposes the human nature is a very raw and real way.
The story Felice Cohen is sharing is actually her story, one she shared with her greatest love, Sarah. The story is told in a diary type of way that takes you aback at first but then you get used to its fast paced rhythm.
Even though it darkened my mood due to its theme, still not only do I not regret reading it but I think it would have been a loss had I not read such a book.
It about reality, human flaws, love, pain and loss. So it's about life.
September 5, 2022
Felice did it AGAIN!! I can't help but go All IN with Half In. I cried, I ached, and I laughed, joining Felice on her coming-of-age journey while reflecting on my own. It is difficult to put the book down and when I finally finished it, it left me for wanting more. Half In is another Must Read from Felice.
August 2, 2022
Half In by Felice Cohen is a modern day masterpiece. The title might be Half In but I was ALL in from the very beginning to the finish line. Felice's writing is so honest and the book is both heart warming and heart breaking. However, you will also laugh hysterically from her brilliant humor. When you finish this book, you will love Felice and her family and you will be telling everyone you know to read this classic!
January 2, 2023
Could not put this book down. Felice needed to trust her heart, but there were times when she didnt know what to do, or if she could. Ups and downs but she knew what needed to be done for her happiness.
September 27, 2022
‘Having memories are better than not having them’ – A wise, excellent new novel!
Author Felice Cohen lives in both New York City and on Cape Cod serves as a speaker, Holocaust educator and author. Her books to date – 90 LESSONS FOR LIVING LARGE IN 90 SQUARE FEET, WHAT PAPA TOLD ME, and JACK AND THE BAD STOCK, PETER PAN ZEE, and SHE’SAFELLA (gay fairy tales under the nom de plume Weecee), and now HALF IN – a memoir described by the publisher as ‘At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind. But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older. In this candid coming-of-age memoir Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future. Ultimately, this is a story about navigating life’s unpredictable path while following one’s heart, and finding acceptance.’
Thoroughly enjoyable simply as an enlightening and intriguing novel, Felice takes her story to another level with her lyrical prose and her sensitivity to communicate well the approach/avoidance conflicts that immerse gay coming out processes – an example of which is on the first page of the Prologue as Felice approaches her lover Sarah’s home: ‘Standing at the kitchen counter is Katherine, Sarah’s girlfriend. Katherine introduces me to the hospice nurse beside her, saying, “Felice used to work for Sarah.” Katherine doesn’t know my real relationship to Sarah. No surprise. Few do.’ That quality of on target addressing gay relationships is but one aspect that makes this a memorable book. This is a superb novel for everyone, but a particularly poignant one for teenagers, female and male, who are facing the coming out portal of their lives. Brava!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Author Felice Cohen lives in both New York City and on Cape Cod serves as a speaker, Holocaust educator and author. Her books to date – 90 LESSONS FOR LIVING LARGE IN 90 SQUARE FEET, WHAT PAPA TOLD ME, and JACK AND THE BAD STOCK, PETER PAN ZEE, and SHE’SAFELLA (gay fairy tales under the nom de plume Weecee), and now HALF IN – a memoir described by the publisher as ‘At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind. But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older. In this candid coming-of-age memoir Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future. Ultimately, this is a story about navigating life’s unpredictable path while following one’s heart, and finding acceptance.’
Thoroughly enjoyable simply as an enlightening and intriguing novel, Felice takes her story to another level with her lyrical prose and her sensitivity to communicate well the approach/avoidance conflicts that immerse gay coming out processes – an example of which is on the first page of the Prologue as Felice approaches her lover Sarah’s home: ‘Standing at the kitchen counter is Katherine, Sarah’s girlfriend. Katherine introduces me to the hospice nurse beside her, saying, “Felice used to work for Sarah.” Katherine doesn’t know my real relationship to Sarah. No surprise. Few do.’ That quality of on target addressing gay relationships is but one aspect that makes this a memorable book. This is a superb novel for everyone, but a particularly poignant one for teenagers, female and male, who are facing the coming out portal of their lives. Brava!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
September 19, 2022
Felice Cohen’s memoir “Half In” is an engaging story of navigating early adulthood amidst the complexities created by coming out in the 90’s and a “forbidden” age-gap love affair. Sharing her journey truthfully with only one supportive uncle, Felice finds adulting challenging on many levels and the path to her dream of being a writer clearly full of potholes and detours along the way. Unflinching in facing her own self-protective, sometimes questionable choices, Felice, with a wry humor, gradually finds her way to understanding herself and processing the extended passion for her mentor/lover, Sarah. They say history is best understood when we are years away from the events; clearly Felice needed time and distance to make sense of her memorable first love as well as the pattern it created as she moved into other relationships. The healing involved in writing this appealing book makes for a hopeful future.
September 16, 2022
"OMG! What an extraordinary book! I can't put it down and I got a plane to catch! OY!
Felice Cohen brilliantly weaves the messiness and magic of love that is ageless, the heart-breaking trajectory of a love that has to be kept in secrecy, and the power of connection no matter the age of both partners. She propels you into the scene with her powerful descriptive language, use of images, and nails the line between humor and pathos. There are rare times that you feel the author has gotten lost in the work, in the most wonderful ways, which allows her and all of us to find ourselves! Bravo!
Grateful for the long plane ride ahead to finish it. I highly recommend it!"
Lois B.
Felice Cohen brilliantly weaves the messiness and magic of love that is ageless, the heart-breaking trajectory of a love that has to be kept in secrecy, and the power of connection no matter the age of both partners. She propels you into the scene with her powerful descriptive language, use of images, and nails the line between humor and pathos. There are rare times that you feel the author has gotten lost in the work, in the most wonderful ways, which allows her and all of us to find ourselves! Bravo!
Grateful for the long plane ride ahead to finish it. I highly recommend it!"
Lois B.
September 9, 2023
I was never more than half into this book. I found Sarah to be narcissistic and smarmy, and I found Felice to be not as funny as she thought she was. She also threw in a fat phobic joke about someone which was not fun to read. It just kind of went on and on with the same thing, and I dreaded seeing yet another of their boring letters to each other. What I loved the most was the relationship between her and her gay uncle. Felice is not very deep. She is a decent writer, making the book finish-able but not much more than that. I also had a sense that Sarah had Butch energy, and that Felice had femme energy, and that that was a lot of what made it spark as opposed to what felt like a stupid femme on femme relationship that she had before Sarah. So all in all there were some elements that I liked but it really didn’t go deep enough but I think that’s really just Felice.
September 19, 2022
great read! thank you for writing this!
March 26, 2023
A deeply moving memoir that will resonate with readers on so many levels.
“Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love”by Felice Cohen is one of the most compelling memoirs I have ever read. I was deeply moved from the poignant prologue to Cohen’s understated epilogue.
The writing in this memoir is so nuanced and well-structured that it reads like a novel rather than a traditional memoir. I think this is its strength. Without this, Cohen’s stifling internalised homophobia, ageism and shame would be overwhelming. Cohen’s brutal honesty and dry wit create a real connection with her reader.
Authenticity is such an overused word, but it is really appropriate for “Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love”. This is a memoir which reminds us as a community where we have come from and how far we have to go. It also demonstrates how important being authentic is. It shows the struggles Gen Xers have battled with/continue to battle with and how positive representation can change people’s perspectives, lives and relationships.
I was deeply moved and affected by Cohen’s love story. This book will remain with me for a very long time.
“Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love”by Felice Cohen is one of the most compelling memoirs I have ever read. I was deeply moved from the poignant prologue to Cohen’s understated epilogue.
The writing in this memoir is so nuanced and well-structured that it reads like a novel rather than a traditional memoir. I think this is its strength. Without this, Cohen’s stifling internalised homophobia, ageism and shame would be overwhelming. Cohen’s brutal honesty and dry wit create a real connection with her reader.
Authenticity is such an overused word, but it is really appropriate for “Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love”. This is a memoir which reminds us as a community where we have come from and how far we have to go. It also demonstrates how important being authentic is. It shows the struggles Gen Xers have battled with/continue to battle with and how positive representation can change people’s perspectives, lives and relationships.
I was deeply moved and affected by Cohen’s love story. This book will remain with me for a very long time.
August 9, 2022
In Felice Cohen’s Coming-of-Age-Memoir, Half In, Cohen pulls back the curtain on the raw emotions and intense sexual passion a secret love evokes. That this steamy love is deemed forbidden due to an age-disparity and a cheating affair could be an after thought, but it continues to pervade the author’s psyche and feed a guilty conscience. The pain of unfulfilled love and angst of an uncertain future drips from the page but Cohen’s signature humor lightens the mood.
I was thrilled to learn that Cohen’s experience opened both her heart and mind to a deeper understanding of self. Cohen covered all the bases for me: A moving, witty story with secrecy, sex, literature/poetry, romantic and family love and a smidgen of sports. A courageous piece of writing and self reflection.
I was thrilled to learn that Cohen’s experience opened both her heart and mind to a deeper understanding of self. Cohen covered all the bases for me: A moving, witty story with secrecy, sex, literature/poetry, romantic and family love and a smidgen of sports. A courageous piece of writing and self reflection.
May 8, 2023
You know the outcome from the first chapter so no spoilers. A tiresome story of bisexuality dripping into and onto the backs of us plain lesbians. Why we aren’t truly telling our own stories continues to mystify me. So Felice was an accepted and well liked visitor to the Northampton lesbian community. I live in Cape Cod and have no intimate knowledge of what that would be like. She did a fine job writing the story. The other woman, Felipe’s clandestine lover, as she is no longer here, had her story managed by Felice and told by Felice. I was curious enough to finish it and I am not suggesting malice, but I strongly do not recommend this book.
June 10, 2022
Half In by Felice Cohen is both poignant and witty. Felice beautifully captures the angst she experienced growing into the person she was meant to become, helping us understand how our experiences, relationships, and connections shape us in ways we often don’t realize until we are much older. Half In is a touching love story, coming of age story, coming out story, and growing up story that made me laugh and cry. I couldn’t put it down and strongly recommend you pick it up. I’m all in with Half In.
January 31, 2024
utterly destroyed…
With a sense of renewal. This was one of the hardest books to read especially knowing it was a true story. Knowing from the beginning that was an outcome that could not be changed. The ending was devastatingly set. This I knew and I still gambled my heart.
I knew Felice was in trouble when she sent those beans wrapped in a red bow and then followed up with an apology letter. I knew that Felice and Sarah would be goners from first meet.
I can relate to Felice (we share the same name…(Felicia). I’m not a cancer, but a Pisces. I saw the age gap through Felice’s eyes and like her you can suffer under the delusion of “imaged” wrongs that the person you love and hold most dear in your heart will be rejected by others and can’t be understood. It’s like the old adage, “Age ain’t nothing but a number except when it comes to relationships.” I kept waiting for Felice to really feel the safety and comfort in Sarah’s love for her and then perhaps Sarah knowing that she could count on Felice to go there may have made different decisions ultimately about how she handled her indiscretion with Linda. I think and believe that it was possible to get all that she wanted from Sarah. Sarah had some insecurities about the age gap, but it was never about her love for Blu. She was all in and not letting her go. Her love was deep, abiding and real.
I know that the unconditional love was the love of soulmates. It transcends distance, time, and death. It was and is a relationship that will never end. It will always be both of theirs greatest hit. Even when things got really bad between and the angst level was boiling high, their love centered them. Perhaps a love of this magnitude also scared them that if they were to break, the damage that it could do to their hearts would be irreparable. They fell in love at first sight. As much as how the affair happened was wrong, they were going to happen. They were destined to happen. I think they were tethered and all the signs from the universe pointed to it being so. Just the way they melded into each others lives was crazy spooky like Einstein spoke about entanglement as spooky action at a distance.
Felice will never be able to fill the void that Sarah’s passing left in her wake. It is evidenced by Felice’s relationship patterns. For someone to be so worried about others would think, especially her parents, she certainly had a sordid way of engaging in relationships. It took her and Sarah two years to finally admit their crush. It was never meant to be a brief moment in time for them. Sometimes when you meet the one based on how you loved your life prior to that meeting can also be very messy. It still doesn’t detract from the fact you’ve found the one. That’s why it didn’t matter about Linda of 13 years being there or Felice’s hangups about the age difference. It was bound to be. I am just sorry that they missed out on another 7 years of so of being together before the cancer took Sarah away. It broke my heart to know that was the of their physical love affair.
Since matter cannot be created or destroyed, where is Sarah? Well, the medium told Felice that “she will be watching her.” If that is true, then perhaps Sarah may be reincarnated for them to get it right a second time? I mean, Felice is still young and in her early 50’s now, there is still time. Well, I’d like to think that, if we “believe” the medium or in a medium.
Why did Sarah will her house to someone else after the promise she made? I can only think that was because she always wanted what was best for Felice. She moved her and wanted her to succeed. She truly believed in Felice and they could do anything. She was always singing her praises and reading her articles since the beginning. That house had so many good mementoes for them and also not so good ones. And maybe, giving the house would hold back Felice from doing what she truly loved if she came back and held onto the past again. When Felice moved to NY it was her second boldest move of her life. Sarah knew and saw that. Even then, “they” weren’t over.
I don’t know either one of them. But I cried like a baby when Sarah went into the coma, came out the coma and then finally passed. I was utterly broken and cut to the quick. I was so invested in them having a HEA.
With a sense of renewal. This was one of the hardest books to read especially knowing it was a true story. Knowing from the beginning that was an outcome that could not be changed. The ending was devastatingly set. This I knew and I still gambled my heart.
I knew Felice was in trouble when she sent those beans wrapped in a red bow and then followed up with an apology letter. I knew that Felice and Sarah would be goners from first meet.
I can relate to Felice (we share the same name…(Felicia). I’m not a cancer, but a Pisces. I saw the age gap through Felice’s eyes and like her you can suffer under the delusion of “imaged” wrongs that the person you love and hold most dear in your heart will be rejected by others and can’t be understood. It’s like the old adage, “Age ain’t nothing but a number except when it comes to relationships.” I kept waiting for Felice to really feel the safety and comfort in Sarah’s love for her and then perhaps Sarah knowing that she could count on Felice to go there may have made different decisions ultimately about how she handled her indiscretion with Linda. I think and believe that it was possible to get all that she wanted from Sarah. Sarah had some insecurities about the age gap, but it was never about her love for Blu. She was all in and not letting her go. Her love was deep, abiding and real.
I know that the unconditional love was the love of soulmates. It transcends distance, time, and death. It was and is a relationship that will never end. It will always be both of theirs greatest hit. Even when things got really bad between and the angst level was boiling high, their love centered them. Perhaps a love of this magnitude also scared them that if they were to break, the damage that it could do to their hearts would be irreparable. They fell in love at first sight. As much as how the affair happened was wrong, they were going to happen. They were destined to happen. I think they were tethered and all the signs from the universe pointed to it being so. Just the way they melded into each others lives was crazy spooky like Einstein spoke about entanglement as spooky action at a distance.
Felice will never be able to fill the void that Sarah’s passing left in her wake. It is evidenced by Felice’s relationship patterns. For someone to be so worried about others would think, especially her parents, she certainly had a sordid way of engaging in relationships. It took her and Sarah two years to finally admit their crush. It was never meant to be a brief moment in time for them. Sometimes when you meet the one based on how you loved your life prior to that meeting can also be very messy. It still doesn’t detract from the fact you’ve found the one. That’s why it didn’t matter about Linda of 13 years being there or Felice’s hangups about the age difference. It was bound to be. I am just sorry that they missed out on another 7 years of so of being together before the cancer took Sarah away. It broke my heart to know that was the of their physical love affair.
Since matter cannot be created or destroyed, where is Sarah? Well, the medium told Felice that “she will be watching her.” If that is true, then perhaps Sarah may be reincarnated for them to get it right a second time? I mean, Felice is still young and in her early 50’s now, there is still time. Well, I’d like to think that, if we “believe” the medium or in a medium.
Why did Sarah will her house to someone else after the promise she made? I can only think that was because she always wanted what was best for Felice. She moved her and wanted her to succeed. She truly believed in Felice and they could do anything. She was always singing her praises and reading her articles since the beginning. That house had so many good mementoes for them and also not so good ones. And maybe, giving the house would hold back Felice from doing what she truly loved if she came back and held onto the past again. When Felice moved to NY it was her second boldest move of her life. Sarah knew and saw that. Even then, “they” weren’t over.
I don’t know either one of them. But I cried like a baby when Sarah went into the coma, came out the coma and then finally passed. I was utterly broken and cut to the quick. I was so invested in them having a HEA.
March 6, 2023
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Half In
Author: Felice Cohen
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A very enjoyable and often thought-provoking story of a woman ´coming out´. I enjoyed the relaxed writing style and the openness of the author.” Female reader, aged 53
“A story of forbidden love! A compelling story, honestly told – or it felt that way anyway. In many ways it´s a coming-of-age story looking at self-acceptance and sexual awaking. All good stuff!” Female reader, aged 64
“I suspect hidden love in the workplace is very common! An enthralling insight, slow in the beginning, but then I totally got into it. It´s so often a struggle in life to work out who you are, what you want, how you feel, etc. This book attempts to explore that and is very much successful. Sad in parts, funny in others, I´d recommend it to other readers.” Male reader, aged 48
“I did enjoy this, but I felt the humour didn´t always hit the mark. Although I did like the chicken soup at a funeral joke! The author is a good writer who tells her story in an accessible way.” Female reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
‘A thought-provoking, coming-of-age tale of hidden love. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Half In
Author: Felice Cohen
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A very enjoyable and often thought-provoking story of a woman ´coming out´. I enjoyed the relaxed writing style and the openness of the author.” Female reader, aged 53
“A story of forbidden love! A compelling story, honestly told – or it felt that way anyway. In many ways it´s a coming-of-age story looking at self-acceptance and sexual awaking. All good stuff!” Female reader, aged 64
“I suspect hidden love in the workplace is very common! An enthralling insight, slow in the beginning, but then I totally got into it. It´s so often a struggle in life to work out who you are, what you want, how you feel, etc. This book attempts to explore that and is very much successful. Sad in parts, funny in others, I´d recommend it to other readers.” Male reader, aged 48
“I did enjoy this, but I felt the humour didn´t always hit the mark. Although I did like the chicken soup at a funeral joke! The author is a good writer who tells her story in an accessible way.” Female reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
‘A thought-provoking, coming-of-age tale of hidden love. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
September 10, 2023
I’ve never read anything like this but I loved it so much! I could relate a lot to Felice. <3
It was the year 2018 when I started questioning my sexuality. I didn’t feel comfortable with labels and didn’t vision myself as someone who loves women. But I also noticed I lacked an interest in men. Yet, I hid behind the straight label. It went well until the year 2021 came along.
Our conductor announced she would be leaving so we had a few people audition. I didn’t really care about those people until one woman came along. I was immediately interested in her personality. She seemed so professional that I wanted nothing but break that down.
Due to a surgery I was out for a year but we picked her to be out new conductor. Every Tuesday I would observe her, simply enchanted by her tough personality and her slender body frame.
I asked her for music lessons and she said yes. Every Monday I would be alone with her. First it was awkward but we would talk more often. She was so caring.
Eventually I fell head over heels for her. My conductor is my first love and I still love her, 3 years later. We’ve shared stories from the past and from nowadays with each other and we’ve shared intimate moments. Yet I’m afraid of confessing my love for her, we differ 36 years. Society thinks large age gaps are horrible so, just like Felice, I keep our bond for myself.
My conductor is interested in me, in some way. I don’t know which way. I hope one day I’ll be brave enough to confess.
But I hope our story ends with me dying first.
It was the year 2018 when I started questioning my sexuality. I didn’t feel comfortable with labels and didn’t vision myself as someone who loves women. But I also noticed I lacked an interest in men. Yet, I hid behind the straight label. It went well until the year 2021 came along.
Our conductor announced she would be leaving so we had a few people audition. I didn’t really care about those people until one woman came along. I was immediately interested in her personality. She seemed so professional that I wanted nothing but break that down.
Due to a surgery I was out for a year but we picked her to be out new conductor. Every Tuesday I would observe her, simply enchanted by her tough personality and her slender body frame.
I asked her for music lessons and she said yes. Every Monday I would be alone with her. First it was awkward but we would talk more often. She was so caring.
Eventually I fell head over heels for her. My conductor is my first love and I still love her, 3 years later. We’ve shared stories from the past and from nowadays with each other and we’ve shared intimate moments. Yet I’m afraid of confessing my love for her, we differ 36 years. Society thinks large age gaps are horrible so, just like Felice, I keep our bond for myself.
My conductor is interested in me, in some way. I don’t know which way. I hope one day I’ll be brave enough to confess.
But I hope our story ends with me dying first.
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