Jackie Laurens’s life is as dreary as the rain that gives her beloved Seattle its soggy reputation. In the past year, her divorce and the required shuffling of two young children is painful all around. As her fortieth birthday approaches, she is constantly reminded of the social chasm between single parents and married families. When a close friend invites her to go to Hawaii, Jackie hesitantly agrees. She wonders if she’ll find peace in the mini-vacation and decides to go, even though her friend backs out.

Alone in the Aloha State, Jackie finds much more than peace when she meets Kai, the gorgeous surfing instructor ten years her junior. A fiery affair opens Jackie’s eyes to the meaning of happiness. Although the romance was meant to be short-lived, she can’t forget the sun-kissed hunk who made her feel alive. She juggles her responsibilities as a mother and self-made businesswoman, all the while pining for her distant surfer.

Jackie is forced to weigh her happiness against the necessity for mature, adult life choices. None of her friends approve of her obsession with Kai. Her ex-husband refuses to take her feelings seriously. Her two children grow resentful of the changes they see in their mother. Eventually, Jackie must decide if her romance with Kai is worth the steep price.

With hip, intuitive grace, author Jane Porter shines. She goes beyond showing and makes the reader understand Jackie’s story. Although Jackie seems to whine about being “too old” or “too afraid” more than is necessary, the language used is eloquent, insightful, and often witty. In one case, Jackie’s narration reads: “I do remember what it was like in those early years when Daniel and I struggled… Then baby Jessica came, and it was William and Jessie and me killing time every day until Daddy came home from work.”

It would have been nice to see more development of Kai’s character, since he is so vital to this story. Although he is meant to be a bit mysterious, the reader doesn’t get to see much deeper than the happy-go-lucky beach-boy lover. It is, perhaps, disturbing—even dangerous—that Jackie doesn’t learn more about him before making certain decisions concerning their relationship.

Most women will find something to identify with in Flirting with Forty. Those who don’t will, through Jackie, find their eyes opened to the feelings and issues faced by women they know and love.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
6/25/2006

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