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Tennent Surf #1
The Perpetual
Shelly is a disciplined, schedule-loving attorney whose has written an internationally beloved romance novel based on an affair she had in the 1990s, her early twenties, with sexy, nomadic, professional surfer, Jason Mattis, whom she only saw once a year for five years in a row.
When Jason shows up to her book signing in 2019, she must come to terms with the fact that their chemistry is still as hot as it was thirty years ago. Before they can explore any rekindling, he gets a phone call that pulls Shelly into a part of his life that was previously unknown to her, involving an oil heiress, a Central American gangster and his menopausal wife, an antique crucifix, a group of women who are kindred spirits, and the undeniable attraction to Jason after all those years.
The Perpetual will make you believe in second chances at love, female friendship bonds, untapped personal strength and feeling sexy at any age.
When Jason shows up to her book signing in 2019, she must come to terms with the fact that their chemistry is still as hot as it was thirty years ago. Before they can explore any rekindling, he gets a phone call that pulls Shelly into a part of his life that was previously unknown to her, involving an oil heiress, a Central American gangster and his menopausal wife, an antique crucifix, a group of women who are kindred spirits, and the undeniable attraction to Jason after all those years.
The Perpetual will make you believe in second chances at love, female friendship bonds, untapped personal strength and feeling sexy at any age.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2022
20 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Kehagiaras
13 books60 followersMy writing journey began after my 50th birthday, and the pandemic lockdown provided the opportunity to write. Some of my stories have haunted my dreams for decades. When the characters shouted day and night, I knew I had to write about them.
My previous lives have been in advertising, fashion, and a small business owner. I've made it my life’s ambition to push through challenges of a dyslexia diagnosis to consume novels, poetry, articles, and tell fun, swoony, romantic stories.
A proud GenX woman and native Californian, I live in Hermosa Beach, CA, with my husband aka "The Greek", two beautiful kids, and two spunky-rescue kitties.
My previous lives have been in advertising, fashion, and a small business owner. I've made it my life’s ambition to push through challenges of a dyslexia diagnosis to consume novels, poetry, articles, and tell fun, swoony, romantic stories.
A proud GenX woman and native Californian, I live in Hermosa Beach, CA, with my husband aka "The Greek", two beautiful kids, and two spunky-rescue kitties.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 20, 2023
I love the idea of a second chance at romance and if any couple were meant to be together, it was Shelly and Jason. My favorite parts of the book were the flashbacks to when they first met in California, and thirty years later, when Jason surprised Shelly when she was doing a book signing at a Barnes & Noble in Vancouver.
Shelly was a young law student attending a surfing event when she met Jason, a handsome and popular surfer who swept her off her feet and changed her life forever. Shelly fell for Jason’s hypnotic blue eyes, his mesmerizing presence and larger than life personality. They were inseparable that first summer, but Jason would never really be hers. Shelly opened her heart and house to him for the next four summers, then suddenly their romantic interludes were over. All she had left were her memories of a carefree time when anything was possible except a life with the man who would remain forever in her heart.
Shelly had led a full life since then, working and taking care of her family but every so often, thoughts of Jason made her wistful for a time that meant everything to her. Their summer romance was magical, and sometimes it felt like a dream she never wanted to wake up from. All these years later she wondered why Jason would seek her out and what did it mean for them going forward? Shelly and Jason’s love was still strong thirty years later and I hoped that this time, they would get their happily ever after.
Shelly was a young law student attending a surfing event when she met Jason, a handsome and popular surfer who swept her off her feet and changed her life forever. Shelly fell for Jason’s hypnotic blue eyes, his mesmerizing presence and larger than life personality. They were inseparable that first summer, but Jason would never really be hers. Shelly opened her heart and house to him for the next four summers, then suddenly their romantic interludes were over. All she had left were her memories of a carefree time when anything was possible except a life with the man who would remain forever in her heart.
Shelly had led a full life since then, working and taking care of her family but every so often, thoughts of Jason made her wistful for a time that meant everything to her. Their summer romance was magical, and sometimes it felt like a dream she never wanted to wake up from. All these years later she wondered why Jason would seek her out and what did it mean for them going forward? Shelly and Jason’s love was still strong thirty years later and I hoped that this time, they would get their happily ever after.
December 15, 2022
The choices we make in life take us in various directions. The choice when we are younger is so different than when we are older.
Past loves that come back into our lives usually don't involve kidnapping you, taking you to a third-world country, and possibly getting you killed. But your heart still beats in tune with his heart.
This is a fast-paced book, with lots of action, sexual chemistry and body positivity for those over 40.
The description of the third-world country, how their lives are affected by the government, and the drug cartels, and what is being done to educate and bring technology to females in rural areas is refreshing as it ties into the greed of those in power who try to control.
Shelly and Jason have a history of deep respect and trust. When he comes back into her life, she believes in him and will do whatever to help free him from the clutches of greedy men in the third-world country. It is refreshing to have a man accept the extra padding that a mature woman has and love her as she is, not needing the woman to look like a model. We need more books like this.
Past loves that come back into our lives usually don't involve kidnapping you, taking you to a third-world country, and possibly getting you killed. But your heart still beats in tune with his heart.
This is a fast-paced book, with lots of action, sexual chemistry and body positivity for those over 40.
The description of the third-world country, how their lives are affected by the government, and the drug cartels, and what is being done to educate and bring technology to females in rural areas is refreshing as it ties into the greed of those in power who try to control.
Shelly and Jason have a history of deep respect and trust. When he comes back into her life, she believes in him and will do whatever to help free him from the clutches of greedy men in the third-world country. It is refreshing to have a man accept the extra padding that a mature woman has and love her as she is, not needing the woman to look like a model. We need more books like this.
April 28, 2023
Can you have two great loves in your life? This is the question Cindy Kehagiaris asks in The Perpetual. This second-chance story centers on two successful adults in their mid-50s, a romance novelist and a former professional surfer. Their romance bounces between the present and their past, tapping into so many fantasies while acknowledging the reality of life, including divorce, mortgages, and hot flashes.
I love how Kehagiaris did not flinch from our heroine, Shelly, having a first marriage where she loved her husband, now deceased. She doesn't regret the life she spent with her first husband, nor does our hero, Jason, regret his failed marriage. Our experiences are what shape us, and their experiences allowed them to be perfect for each other at the right time.
The book has strong Romancing the Stone vibes, with a CIA-style Central American coup plot that at times got a bit overly complicated for me.
Favorite out-of-context quote: “I wanted to play him like a washboard in a jug band.”
I love how Kehagiaris did not flinch from our heroine, Shelly, having a first marriage where she loved her husband, now deceased. She doesn't regret the life she spent with her first husband, nor does our hero, Jason, regret his failed marriage. Our experiences are what shape us, and their experiences allowed them to be perfect for each other at the right time.
The book has strong Romancing the Stone vibes, with a CIA-style Central American coup plot that at times got a bit overly complicated for me.
Favorite out-of-context quote: “I wanted to play him like a washboard in a jug band.”
January 8, 2023
Great second-chance over-40 romance! I appreciated the character depth and plot nuance, and the fun premise (an author’s former crush and the hero of her popular romance book shows up years later knowing it’s about him? So much fun!) Be ready for a globe-trotting wild ride involving more than one kidnapping and in-depth political intrigue, which ended up over my head at times but it was worth it for the characters and the heart.
February 22, 2025
DNF at 10%
I don’t like cheaters, nor the man cheating on his girlfriend, nor the woman making out with a man she knows has a girlfriend - not the leads I can root for, too many books on my TBR to finish this one that makes me feel agitated so early on!
I don’t like cheaters, nor the man cheating on his girlfriend, nor the woman making out with a man she knows has a girlfriend - not the leads I can root for, too many books on my TBR to finish this one that makes me feel agitated so early on!
June 23, 2025
"The Perpetual" audiobook was a fun listen! Heather and Jeffrey do a great job as Jason and Shelly, bringing them to life. Their second chance was well deserved, and their adventures kept things interesting;)
Perfect for anyone looking for a light and entertaining story!
Perfect for anyone looking for a light and entertaining story!
May 22, 2025
This is the first book in a contemporary romance series with *older* main characters and it was so unexpected, filled with adventure and I enjoyed the journey!
Right from the start it gets into the action and the two main characters meeting each other again DECADES later. The whole book was very romancing the stone coded and I ate it up! There are flash backs to when the couple first meets as the story progresses and I thought that was very well done.
Between all of the adventures and unexpected twists these two reignite their spark and choose each other again.
Overall it was a great book. There were some moments that felt more like “telling” vs “showing” but it wasn’t enough to keep me from reading and enjoying the story.
If you are looking for an adventure romance book with some older main characters (early 50s) this one is for you!
Right from the start it gets into the action and the two main characters meeting each other again DECADES later. The whole book was very romancing the stone coded and I ate it up! There are flash backs to when the couple first meets as the story progresses and I thought that was very well done.
Between all of the adventures and unexpected twists these two reignite their spark and choose each other again.
Overall it was a great book. There were some moments that felt more like “telling” vs “showing” but it wasn’t enough to keep me from reading and enjoying the story.
If you are looking for an adventure romance book with some older main characters (early 50s) this one is for you!
May 11, 2025
Second chance romance
Dual narration- Heather Costa & Jeffrey Kafer
Great voices.
Steamy and swoony. This is a fast paced and good listen. I enjoyed the flashbacks to years ago when the MCs first met. If there was ever a couple who deserved a second chance it’s these two.
I liked that the author made the main characters older. Really great character development and depth to the storyline.
Dual narration- Heather Costa & Jeffrey Kafer
Great voices.
Steamy and swoony. This is a fast paced and good listen. I enjoyed the flashbacks to years ago when the MCs first met. If there was ever a couple who deserved a second chance it’s these two.
I liked that the author made the main characters older. Really great character development and depth to the storyline.
May 19, 2025
just like a man to come back into a woman after 20 years and still not have his life together.
June 6, 2024
Sooo... he was a cheater (emotionaly cheating his gf with h, and cheating h with his gf and all other women he's been with while in open relationship with his gf/wife)...
So this one thing was a no go for me, adding absolutely ridiculous plot and quite badly executed? Not my cup of tea...
So this one thing was a no go for me, adding absolutely ridiculous plot and quite badly executed? Not my cup of tea...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2022
Love me a surfer!
Remind anyone of “Romancing The Stone”? Total vibes. So much fun! Great characters and adventure, sexy, female body and age positivity.
Remind anyone of “Romancing The Stone”? Total vibes. So much fun! Great characters and adventure, sexy, female body and age positivity.
December 7, 2024
Unfortunately, I find it difficult to enjoy or connect with the main characters because their backstories feel somewhat weak. Personally, I believe they would be better off going their separate ways.
November 30, 2022
This is action-packed, has a large cast of characters and the fun and magic of reuniting with a past love + body positivity past 40.
July 2, 2025
I was really excited to read a second chance romance with main characters in their early fifties. However, the book was not what I had expected. There was some romance, but mostly it was a mafia type action story with loopholes in the storyline.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews