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A Different Kind of Forever
Michael Carlucci, the hot, young musical genius behind the successful rock band, NinetySeven, knows that he’s found the woman for him. Diane Matthews is not just beautiful and smart, she’s got an infectious passion for everything in her life, from her three daughters to her new play. For him, the search is over. He knows they belong together.
For Diane, it’s not as simple. She’s almost twenty years older than Michael. She’s not interested in a permanent relationship – she’s very happy with her life just the way it is, thank you very much. But she can’t deny the growing attraction between them – and it’s not just his touch that she craves. But it’s not until Michael is gone and an old love returns that she realizes just what he meant to her. He said he would love her forever. Can she trust that? Or should she find a safer route to happiness?
A Different Kind of Forever is the story about two complicated people finding – and trying to hold on – to love.
For Diane, it’s not as simple. She’s almost twenty years older than Michael. She’s not interested in a permanent relationship – she’s very happy with her life just the way it is, thank you very much. But she can’t deny the growing attraction between them – and it’s not just his touch that she craves. But it’s not until Michael is gone and an old love returns that she realizes just what he meant to her. He said he would love her forever. Can she trust that? Or should she find a safer route to happiness?
A Different Kind of Forever is the story about two complicated people finding – and trying to hold on – to love.
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
136 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Dee Ernst
34 books378 followersDee Ernst was born and raised in New Jersey, which explains a great deal about her attitude towards life. She loved reading at a very early age, and by the time she was ten she had decided to become a writer. It took a bit longer than she expected.
She went off to college, moved around a bit, had a job or two, a husband or two, and a daughter or two. It was the birth of her second daughter at the age of forty that got her thinking about what to do with the rest of her life. That was when she decided to give writing a real shot.
Dee loved chick-lit and romantic comedy, but hated the twenty-something heroines who couldn’t figure out how to go and get what they wanted. She began to write about women like herself — older, confident, and with a wealth of life experience to draw upon. She got an agent but no sales, and took the plunge into self-publishing in 2010.
In 2012, Better Off Without Him became an Amazon bestseller. She signed with Montlake Publishing, which went on to re-release Better Off Without Him and launch A Slight Change of Plan in 2013.
Since then she has written across several genres (cozy mystery, YA/fantasy, women's fiction) gone from full-length novels to short stories, and has written for Lake Union Publishing. She self-publishes under the 235 Alexander Street logo.
She is still in New Jersey, where she writes full-time. She lives with husband #2, daughter #2, a few cats and a needy cocker spaniel. She loves sunsets, long walks on the beach, and a really cold martini.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 30, 2016
2.5 stars. This started out with so much promise. The writing is well done, nothing too challenging. I knew this wasn't going to be a five star but I hoped for a solid four.
It’s an interesting premise. Single, older, professor/aspiring playwright, mother of three teenage girls, meets handsome younger rock star and they start a relationship.
The problem with that premise is that it’s a helluva a lot of story. I’ve never dated Taylor Swift [this is, embarrassingly, my frame of reference for rock star] but I’d imagine it’d be a nightmare. Add to that single motherhood and the day job and the age difference: oh, boy. Many hurdles, much angst. Except, there wasn’t, and I think there needed to be.
These two are pretty much perfect for one another and the stakes just never felt very high. There’s an attempt to up the ante in the last 75% or so by introducing this weird English (in the Disney sense – so much stereotype) ex-boyfriend and separating the couple, but it felt very contrived and, by that point I had somewhat lost interest. I think others may well enjoy this book, as I say, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, quite the opposite, actually, but, for me, the plotting was off.
It’s an interesting premise. Single, older, professor/aspiring playwright, mother of three teenage girls, meets handsome younger rock star and they start a relationship.
The problem with that premise is that it’s a helluva a lot of story. I’ve never dated Taylor Swift [this is, embarrassingly, my frame of reference for rock star] but I’d imagine it’d be a nightmare. Add to that single motherhood and the day job and the age difference: oh, boy. Many hurdles, much angst. Except, there wasn’t, and I think there needed to be.
These two are pretty much perfect for one another and the stakes just never felt very high. There’s an attempt to up the ante in the last 75% or so by introducing this weird English (in the Disney sense – so much stereotype) ex-boyfriend and separating the couple, but it felt very contrived and, by that point I had somewhat lost interest. I think others may well enjoy this book, as I say, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, quite the opposite, actually, but, for me, the plotting was off.
November 13, 2012
Dear Ms. Ernst,
Once upon a time, in a seedy bar, many years ago, I met a man, fell for him on the spot, married him, and decades later count myself lucky to have and hold him as my own. And yet, as I read your book, the wonderful A Different Kind of Forever, I found myself wondering, what if my life had turned out differently. What if I were divorced, trying to raise my kids as a single mom, loving my work, surrounded by great friends, but, romantically, sexually, alone? If I were, if I had that life instead of the one I do, I pray to the gods I, like your forty-five year old divorced heroine Diane Matthews, would have the great good fortune to one day, walking in the park, meet twenty-six year old Michael Carlucci.
Michael isn’t just any twenty-six year old. He’s “Mickey Flynn” the creative genius behind and the keyboard player in one of the world’s most successful bands, NinetySeven. He and his band have come back to their home town to play the last concert of their current tour. A few weeks before the concert, he’s walking his dog Max in the park and Max, who has a serious obsession with pastrami, smells the sandwich Diane is eating and begins dashing toward her. Diane, standing on the picnic table she’s jumped up on, decides her lunch isn’t worth being tackled by a very large dog, and gives Max her sandwich just as Michael finally catches up with his marauding pet.
Diane is the mother of three daughters. While the eldest, Rachel, has outgrown her obsession with NinetySeven, her younger two, Emily and Morgan, ages fourteen and sixteen, have not. Michael, as a peace offering for his dog’s thieving behavior, offers Diane free tickets to the concert, and, after talking with her for a few minutes, asks if he can buy her lunch. At lunch, he throws in backstage passes as well. Diane isn’t sure he’s serious, but sure enough, the next day, a large envelope arrives at her house with eight VIP tickets to the show. Then, that night, Michael calls her and asks her out to dinner. Diane, nervous but attracted, agrees to meet him but doesn’t tell anyone she’s going out with him.
The date though, is perfect. Michael tells Diane his life story, she tells him hers, they drink, laugh, and, when Michael walks her to her car, he kisses her until she can’t breathe and tells her he wants to see her again. They agree to meet backstage after his concert this coming Friday night. Diane, her friend, and their daughters go to hear the band—Diane isn’t sure what to expect. She hasn’t been to a concert in years and all week she’s thought about Michael, his kiss, his smile, and how much she’s wanted to see him again. The concert is great—Diane is astonished at how talented Michael is. As the music winds down, Michael comes out onto the stage—it’s a band tradition: at the end of each show he tells a story. This night, he tells the story of meeting Diane,
Michael, you see, fell in love with Diane the moment he met her. He believes there is one true love out there for each of us and, for him, he’s sure Diane is his. He woos her with everything he has.
This is a partial review. To read the complete review, please visit DearAuthor.com.
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
Once upon a time, in a seedy bar, many years ago, I met a man, fell for him on the spot, married him, and decades later count myself lucky to have and hold him as my own. And yet, as I read your book, the wonderful A Different Kind of Forever, I found myself wondering, what if my life had turned out differently. What if I were divorced, trying to raise my kids as a single mom, loving my work, surrounded by great friends, but, romantically, sexually, alone? If I were, if I had that life instead of the one I do, I pray to the gods I, like your forty-five year old divorced heroine Diane Matthews, would have the great good fortune to one day, walking in the park, meet twenty-six year old Michael Carlucci.
Michael isn’t just any twenty-six year old. He’s “Mickey Flynn” the creative genius behind and the keyboard player in one of the world’s most successful bands, NinetySeven. He and his band have come back to their home town to play the last concert of their current tour. A few weeks before the concert, he’s walking his dog Max in the park and Max, who has a serious obsession with pastrami, smells the sandwich Diane is eating and begins dashing toward her. Diane, standing on the picnic table she’s jumped up on, decides her lunch isn’t worth being tackled by a very large dog, and gives Max her sandwich just as Michael finally catches up with his marauding pet.
Diane stared at the animal in amazement, then turned as the owner came running up to her. He was completely winded, gasping, bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
“I’m so sorry,” he panted. “But my dog really loves pastrami.”
Diane stared at him. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
The owner of the dog nodded his head. “Oh, I know,” he gulped. “It’s probably the silliest thing I’ve ever had to say.”
Diane began to laugh, a tickle that began in her throat and bubbled up. She felt tears streaming from her eyes. No one would ever believe this. The owner started to laugh with her. He seemed very young, dark hair cut short and as he lifted his smiling face, she saw startling blue eyes, an angular jaw. Suddenly, she stopped laughing
“Oh, my God. I know you.”
He was still breathing heavily. “I’m Michael Carlucci, and this is Max.” The dog had finished and was sitting quietly at his master’s feet. Michael gazed up at her. “I’m very sorry. Can I help you down?”
“Oh. Yes, please.” She felt suddenly awkward, and reached down to take his hand. She climbed down off the table carefully, her skirt riding to mid-thigh, heels unsteady on the grass. They were suddenly eye to eye. He was not much taller than her, slim, in a white polo shirt tucked into faded jeans, a thin belt around his waist. His arms and hands were beautiful, she noticed, sculpted and strong-looking.
““I’m sorry,” she said, smoothing her skirt. “I thought you were somebody else. You look just like Mickey Flynn.”
He grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, that’s me. Michael Flynn Carlucci. I was named for my Irish grandfather.”
“I thought it was you. There’s a life sized poster of you in my daughters’ bedroom.
Diane is the mother of three daughters. While the eldest, Rachel, has outgrown her obsession with NinetySeven, her younger two, Emily and Morgan, ages fourteen and sixteen, have not. Michael, as a peace offering for his dog’s thieving behavior, offers Diane free tickets to the concert, and, after talking with her for a few minutes, asks if he can buy her lunch. At lunch, he throws in backstage passes as well. Diane isn’t sure he’s serious, but sure enough, the next day, a large envelope arrives at her house with eight VIP tickets to the show. Then, that night, Michael calls her and asks her out to dinner. Diane, nervous but attracted, agrees to meet him but doesn’t tell anyone she’s going out with him.
The date though, is perfect. Michael tells Diane his life story, she tells him hers, they drink, laugh, and, when Michael walks her to her car, he kisses her until she can’t breathe and tells her he wants to see her again. They agree to meet backstage after his concert this coming Friday night. Diane, her friend, and their daughters go to hear the band—Diane isn’t sure what to expect. She hasn’t been to a concert in years and all week she’s thought about Michael, his kiss, his smile, and how much she’s wanted to see him again. The concert is great—Diane is astonished at how talented Michael is. As the music winds down, Michael comes out onto the stage—it’s a band tradition: at the end of each show he tells a story. This night, he tells the story of meeting Diane,
“So, last week, I’m back home and I figure I’ll take Max out to Bloomfield Park. I got the Frisbee, I got tennis balls, we’re ready for anything, you know? So, we’re on the ball field, the park is practically empty, we’re having this great old time, and suddenly the wind shifts. Max freezes, and takes off like a shot and I know, man, I just know.” He paused and dropped his voice. “Shhhiiiit. It’s pastrami.”
Diane sank lower into her seat as Sue hit her excitedly on the arm.
“So Max is flying, and I am pounding after him, and there’s one, lone woman, sitting at a picnic table, eating a sandwich.” Laughter. “I yell, ‘he wants your sandwich’, and the woman jumps up on the picnic table, and she sticks out her hand and Max leaps like a gazelle, gets the sandwich, and it’s gone .” The audience started to clap and cheer. Michael was shaking his head, one hand on his hip. “So I’m looking up at this woman.” He got in closer to the mike, and dropped his voice again. “Sensational legs.” Diane glanced over at Emily, who was open-mouthed. “And this great tattoo right above her ankle.”
The crowd roared and hooted. Diane felt the blood drumming in her ears.
“Since she didn’t say anything about suing me,” Michael went on, “I bought her lunch and invited her to the show.” He shaded his eyes and looked down at them. “Are you girls having a good time?”
Megan, Emily and all their friends shrieked and waved excitedly. Michael nodded.
“Good.” He turned to the stage hand that had walked onstage with another microphone and an acoustic guitar. “Thanks, man.” He slipped the guitar strap over his shoulder and adjusted the mike.
“Now I’m going to tell you all about my sisters. I have three, all older, and they were all into music, and I spent my whole childhood sneaking into one of their rooms, and listening to whatever they were listening to. That’s how I began to love music. That’s when I decided to make it a part of my life.”
His voice had dropped, grown softer, and Diane could feel everyone leaning in, straining to hear.
“When I was five, I started taking piano lessons, because everyone in my house took piano lessons. But I wanted to play guitar. Angela, my youngest sister, was taking guitar lessons. I made a deal with my Dad that I’d go to my piano lesson like a good little boy, if I could also go with Angela. So she took me along with her, I’d sit in the corner and listen, then we’d go home and practice together, and that’s how I learned to play the guitar. Angela had this big, old Lennon-McCartney songbook, and we learned every song.” The crowd burst into applause. As they quieted, he went on.
“My sisters all loved the Beatles, especially Paul. I would play and they would sing along. And that is just about as perfect a memory you could have.” He had been looking down as he spoke, his hands folded over the curve of the guitar. He suddenly lifted his eyes and his smile went out across the audience. “I had forgotten. Diane with the sexy tattoo reminded me. I want to thank her for that. So this song is for the Carlucci girls, who are responsible for so many of the good things in my life.”
He began to play ‘And I Love Her.’
Michael, you see, fell in love with Diane the moment he met her. He believes there is one true love out there for each of us and, for him, he’s sure Diane is his. He woos her with everything he has.
This is a partial review. To read the complete review, please visit DearAuthor.com.
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
April 18, 2015
This is my opinion. Just making notes as to why this book did not work for me.
There is too much detail in this book. I do not care about Diane's friend's house or when it was built. What did that have to do with the story???
The heroine's daughters in this book were typical annoying girls. Rachel the adult daughter was the most annoying of them all.
The heroine is 45 and a professor at a college. She is divorced with three daughters, two who are teens. She meets a musician, Michael or "Mickey" who is 26 years old. The age difference does not bother Michael, but Diane has her doubts and then there is her hiding the romance from her daughters. There was very little more to the story, but that Diane dated another man who comes back to the picture.
The book was written in third person, multiple POVs from secondary characters I could less about. A lot of information could have been deleted.
I also do not see the female model on the cover portray (look like) the heroine in the story. I do not like the cover.
There is too much detail in this book. I do not care about Diane's friend's house or when it was built. What did that have to do with the story???
The heroine's daughters in this book were typical annoying girls. Rachel the adult daughter was the most annoying of them all.
The heroine is 45 and a professor at a college. She is divorced with three daughters, two who are teens. She meets a musician, Michael or "Mickey" who is 26 years old. The age difference does not bother Michael, but Diane has her doubts and then there is her hiding the romance from her daughters. There was very little more to the story, but that Diane dated another man who comes back to the picture.
The book was written in third person, multiple POVs from secondary characters I could less about. A lot of information could have been deleted.
I also do not see the female model on the cover portray (look like) the heroine in the story. I do not like the cover.
October 29, 2012
Charnel's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.75 Stars
A Different Kind Of Forever is a story about a divorced mother of three facing the ups and downs that come with having a relationship with a man much younger than she is. I like the start of the relationship, it’s sweet and funny and had me hooked at the end of chapter two. Diane is almost twenty years older than Michael and that is the couples main issue throughout the book. Michael is completely fine with the age difference but Diane has worries; mainly her worries involve what others will think along with how falling in love with Michael was NOT in her plans.
I like Diane and Michael as a couple but found Diane irritating at parts throughout the book. Diane is supposed to be the older, mature one but I guess it shows that age is just a number since Michael, even with rock-stardom, seemed more settled to me. Diane lets her daughters’, friends’, and coworkers’ opinions influence her.
A Different Kind of Forever is very well developed and the reader gets to see a couple really have to work to make the relationship succeed in the beginning stages. I was left feeling this was more of an HFN instead of an HEA, I would love to see a part 2 to this story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.75 Stars
A Different Kind Of Forever is a story about a divorced mother of three facing the ups and downs that come with having a relationship with a man much younger than she is. I like the start of the relationship, it’s sweet and funny and had me hooked at the end of chapter two. Diane is almost twenty years older than Michael and that is the couples main issue throughout the book. Michael is completely fine with the age difference but Diane has worries; mainly her worries involve what others will think along with how falling in love with Michael was NOT in her plans.
I like Diane and Michael as a couple but found Diane irritating at parts throughout the book. Diane is supposed to be the older, mature one but I guess it shows that age is just a number since Michael, even with rock-stardom, seemed more settled to me. Diane lets her daughters’, friends’, and coworkers’ opinions influence her.
A Different Kind of Forever is very well developed and the reader gets to see a couple really have to work to make the relationship succeed in the beginning stages. I was left feeling this was more of an HFN instead of an HEA, I would love to see a part 2 to this story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
June 30, 2020
I guess I should have DNF'd this, but I wanted to see what happened. It doesn't REALLY feel like a celebrity book. Like, nobody seems to care a whole that Michael is super famous and it doesn't seem to really affect their lives. There isn't a lot of conflict. A half-hearted love triangle near the end?
I just . . . wasn't really convinced by the love story.
Content warning for insensitive language. Now, this was published in 2012 and I'm not sure I would've noted all of these if I read this now, but I'm more aware now, so I'm noting it. Lots of careless words.
Owned ebook 3/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
I just . . . wasn't really convinced by the love story.
Content warning for insensitive language. Now, this was published in 2012 and I'm not sure I would've noted all of these if I read this now, but I'm more aware now, so I'm noting it. Lots of careless words.
Owned ebook 3/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
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June 15, 2024DNF at 32%
May 9, 2012
This was my first May/December romance featuring a younger man with an older woman. The theme is not as common as older man/younger woman, because for some reason society has decided to act favorably toward one of these and frown upon the other. I, for one, found the story to be refreshing and real. I didn't see anything wrong with the romance here between a forty-something and a twenty-something. It was a different kind of story than what I usually read but I was thoroughly engrossed, and was actually able to read through most of it in two days.
I really loved Michael Carlucci's character. He was young with an old soul, gifted, charming, and sexy! I really loved that he's not six feet tall like most romantic heroes. While a towering hunk is attractive, realistically there are equally sexy men out there that barely top 5 feet 8. As a woman whose husband is shorter than her, I found this part of his character to be endearing. Short men can be hot too! For me, Michael makes the story and I found myself rooting for him as he fell head over heels in love with Diane.
The heroine, however, felt a little flat for me. Most of the descriptions of her and her life felt mundane and without much spark. I have to admit I wasn't really pulled into the story until Michael stepped onto the scene. Through Micheal's eyes Diane shines, but on her own there wasn't much there for me to identify with. However, I did admire that this woman was a single mother of three and managed to hang on to her sex appeal and vitality.
The romance was hot...scorching in fact! Although about halfway through the book the story hit a lull in which it seemed like Diane and Michael were just waiting for the first opportunity to fall into bed together. For a significant part of the book it seems to be all about sex, at least for Diane and its hard to see any real relationship blooming until a little later. It's pretty obvious that Michael loves her early on....it takes Diane a little longer to get on board.
More conflict is added in and the focus is taken off of sex as Quinn, a man Diane once loves comes back into the picture.Naturally Quinn is the recommended and easier choice. The same age as Diane, he has grown children and is in the same phase of life as she is. However, her feelings for Michael have her torn. I enjoyed the play of emotion that took place as Diane struggled to figure out who it is she loved. And of course there were plenty of naysayers to Michael and Diane's relationship because of age, which was to be expected.
One small issue I had with the book other than the part that was all about the sex, was that it dragged in places. I feel like it could have used a little tightening up and a little less description of everyday sort of things. After a while it got monotonous and i would have preferred to have some of this glossed over.
Other than that, the book was a gem and I look forward to reading more of Dee Ernst's work in the future. If all of her books are like this, then I look forward to more wit, charm, and spicy romance!
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review in any way.
I really loved Michael Carlucci's character. He was young with an old soul, gifted, charming, and sexy! I really loved that he's not six feet tall like most romantic heroes. While a towering hunk is attractive, realistically there are equally sexy men out there that barely top 5 feet 8. As a woman whose husband is shorter than her, I found this part of his character to be endearing. Short men can be hot too! For me, Michael makes the story and I found myself rooting for him as he fell head over heels in love with Diane.
The heroine, however, felt a little flat for me. Most of the descriptions of her and her life felt mundane and without much spark. I have to admit I wasn't really pulled into the story until Michael stepped onto the scene. Through Micheal's eyes Diane shines, but on her own there wasn't much there for me to identify with. However, I did admire that this woman was a single mother of three and managed to hang on to her sex appeal and vitality.
The romance was hot...scorching in fact! Although about halfway through the book the story hit a lull in which it seemed like Diane and Michael were just waiting for the first opportunity to fall into bed together. For a significant part of the book it seems to be all about sex, at least for Diane and its hard to see any real relationship blooming until a little later. It's pretty obvious that Michael loves her early on....it takes Diane a little longer to get on board.
More conflict is added in and the focus is taken off of sex as Quinn, a man Diane once loves comes back into the picture.Naturally Quinn is the recommended and easier choice. The same age as Diane, he has grown children and is in the same phase of life as she is. However, her feelings for Michael have her torn. I enjoyed the play of emotion that took place as Diane struggled to figure out who it is she loved. And of course there were plenty of naysayers to Michael and Diane's relationship because of age, which was to be expected.
One small issue I had with the book other than the part that was all about the sex, was that it dragged in places. I feel like it could have used a little tightening up and a little less description of everyday sort of things. After a while it got monotonous and i would have preferred to have some of this glossed over.
Other than that, the book was a gem and I look forward to reading more of Dee Ernst's work in the future. If all of her books are like this, then I look forward to more wit, charm, and spicy romance!
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review in any way.
March 20, 2024
One of my pet peeves when reading books written by white people that have side characters who are people of color, is that the leads are always assumed white. The characterstics describe their hair or their eyes, physique, personality, etc. But anytime there's a black person, they are labled as the black person. Literally, they are first described as the "black woman", the "Latino" or the "Asian lesbian." It's very tiring and a reminder of the constant othering that occurs in books, media, tv, movies, etc. everything really. Where white is normalized and everything different must be named.
If you're going to talk about and label every person who is a different race, please also be equal opportunity and label all the white people, too. Of course this would be silly right? It's also frustrating and lazy to see in books. There are so many ways to describe someone's race or ethnicity. Including white people. So one can assume if an author can do it for a white character, they surely can do it for a person of color.
Also, this book wasn't very believable for me, the story dragged in the middle, the friendships this woman had didn't feel authentic. And I found myself not that interested, which is sad because the premise is really fun, and one that I wish was more normalized in society. No one bats an eye when an older guy is with a younger woman. But see the reverse? and it's a shock to society and all our sensibilities, and the sky is falling. Seriously, I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the writing itself.
If you're going to talk about and label every person who is a different race, please also be equal opportunity and label all the white people, too. Of course this would be silly right? It's also frustrating and lazy to see in books. There are so many ways to describe someone's race or ethnicity. Including white people. So one can assume if an author can do it for a white character, they surely can do it for a person of color.
Also, this book wasn't very believable for me, the story dragged in the middle, the friendships this woman had didn't feel authentic. And I found myself not that interested, which is sad because the premise is really fun, and one that I wish was more normalized in society. No one bats an eye when an older guy is with a younger woman. But see the reverse? and it's a shock to society and all our sensibilities, and the sky is falling. Seriously, I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the writing itself.
May 19, 2012
I really liked the dialog in this book between the main characters but also between the friends and family members. It felt real and comfortable. The hero might be a famous musician but this felt like a story between two normal people.
My only niggle was the HFN...I just now realized what a wrap everything up in a shiny bow epilogue addict I must be. I was fine with the ending but I would have loved to glimpse a few years in the future to see how the relationship is working.
My only niggle was the HFN...I just now realized what a wrap everything up in a shiny bow epilogue addict I must be. I was fine with the ending but I would have loved to glimpse a few years in the future to see how the relationship is working.
May 23, 2018
3 stars
March 2, 2015
ow many women have a fantasy about a hot younger rich man who finds you unbelievable attractive coming into your lives? If you do, this book, "A Different Kind of Forever" is for you.
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!
January 2, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
So, back when
came onto my radar and forced (!) me to buy it, this book also came to my attention because it was praised by one reviewer as being the superior version of the Robinne Lee story. So, again I was forced (!) to buy it, and always mean to read them back to back to compare. I'm not usually into comparing books in this way, but given the similarities and the discussions on both I wanted to see where I fell on the slider.
Personally, I disagree that this is the superior book of the two. It does contain a few narrative choices and plot points that I preferred overall, but I think the story itself and how it's written is much less impactful than Robinne Lee's version, and certainly more basic in its style.
Similarities between the two
Beware, many possible spoiler points noted below.
* The MMCs are both very successful pop musicians and are the main creative forces of their groups
* The age gap is 20 and 19 years between the two couples
* Both FMCs are divorced mothers who are conventionally attractive
* One FMC is in academia, the other the Arts... both which are generally more male-dominated and fairly elitist for the most part
* The MMC's both have stronger feelings for the FMCs sooner
* The MMCs both treat other people (including the teenagers that fancy themselves in love with them) with respect and dignity
* Only a smidgen of OW drama
* Both of the FMCs ex-husbands have much younger new wife/GF who are pregnant
I'm not sure what else, but on the face of it these books could well be two versions of the same story.
However, and this is a huge, how the stories play out in both books is vastly different and despite all the similarities mentioned above, there are many differences too, with plus and minuses for both.
The differences that I preferred in this one include; the age of the MMC Michael. I think that 26 is for most of us a different lifestage than 20 and therefore Michael is more believable in general as a long term love interest. The FMC Diane is the 45 year old divorced (amicably) mother of 3 daughters including 2 still at home. She is not a high earner but neither is she downtrodden as she a university professor and a part time playwright. Whilst she is not struggling financially she does not have much in the way of disposable income, so is fairly representative of the majority which is a relief.
So, like the other book mentioned in this review, this is going to be a WIP. So STBC
So, back when
came onto my radar and forced (!) me to buy it, this book also came to my attention because it was praised by one reviewer as being the superior version of the Robinne Lee story. So, again I was forced (!) to buy it, and always mean to read them back to back to compare. I'm not usually into comparing books in this way, but given the similarities and the discussions on both I wanted to see where I fell on the slider. Personally, I disagree that this is the superior book of the two. It does contain a few narrative choices and plot points that I preferred overall, but I think the story itself and how it's written is much less impactful than Robinne Lee's version, and certainly more basic in its style.
Similarities between the two
Beware, many possible spoiler points noted below.
* The MMCs are both very successful pop musicians and are the main creative forces of their groups
* The age gap is 20 and 19 years between the two couples
* Both FMCs are divorced mothers who are conventionally attractive
* One FMC is in academia, the other the Arts... both which are generally more male-dominated and fairly elitist for the most part
* The MMC's both have stronger feelings for the FMCs sooner
* The MMCs both treat other people (including the teenagers that fancy themselves in love with them) with respect and dignity
* Only a smidgen of OW drama
* Both of the FMCs ex-husbands have much younger new wife/GF who are pregnant
I'm not sure what else, but on the face of it these books could well be two versions of the same story.
However, and this is a huge, how the stories play out in both books is vastly different and despite all the similarities mentioned above, there are many differences too, with plus and minuses for both.
The differences that I preferred in this one include; the age of the MMC Michael. I think that 26 is for most of us a different lifestage than 20 and therefore Michael is more believable in general as a long term love interest. The FMC Diane is the 45 year old divorced (amicably) mother of 3 daughters including 2 still at home. She is not a high earner but neither is she downtrodden as she a university professor and a part time playwright. Whilst she is not struggling financially she does not have much in the way of disposable income, so is fairly representative of the majority which is a relief.
So, like the other book mentioned in this review, this is going to be a WIP. So STBC
March 7, 2024
The story of how I came across this book goes like this:
Watched the trailer for the movie "the idea of you", really liked the look of it, found out it's a book, read reviews of said book on goodreads, found out it's not a HEA, but a similar book to it was named in one review (A.K.A this one), read reviews, looked good! Let's try it out...worst mistake ever.
Just this one thing....WHY ARE PEOPLE LYING WHEN THEY'RE SAYING HE'S OBSESSED WITH HER AND FALLS FOR HER HARDER BLAH BLAH WHEN IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE???
The amount of OW crap that he just LET happen IN FRONT of the fl made me sick, even if they're not exclusive, Still. Like OMG THE DISRESPECT?? YOU'RE ON A DATE TOGETHER AND YOU'RE CASUALLY KISSING YOUR EX-FUCK BUDDY WHILE SHE'S WATCHING??? Rude ass ex too, stared down the fl like she was a bug, he was tight-lipped the whole time, the most unattractive dickhead behaviour ever istg
But I'll give it the benefit of the doubt since this book is ancient, over a decade old. and we all know how romance book standards change like *snap* that. He pissed me off though. It's not okay to do that shit. EVER. And the fact that the fl is fine with it irks me even more, are you that horny girl?? Have some self respect.
Anyway, this whole trope intrigues me though, the older woman-younger man thing. I might try another book, hopefully better than this crap.
Watched the trailer for the movie "the idea of you", really liked the look of it, found out it's a book, read reviews of said book on goodreads, found out it's not a HEA, but a similar book to it was named in one review (A.K.A this one), read reviews, looked good! Let's try it out...worst mistake ever.
Just this one thing....WHY ARE PEOPLE LYING WHEN THEY'RE SAYING HE'S OBSESSED WITH HER AND FALLS FOR HER HARDER BLAH BLAH WHEN IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE???
The amount of OW crap that he just LET happen IN FRONT of the fl made me sick, even if they're not exclusive, Still. Like OMG THE DISRESPECT?? YOU'RE ON A DATE TOGETHER AND YOU'RE CASUALLY KISSING YOUR EX-FUCK BUDDY WHILE SHE'S WATCHING??? Rude ass ex too, stared down the fl like she was a bug, he was tight-lipped the whole time, the most unattractive dickhead behaviour ever istg
But I'll give it the benefit of the doubt since this book is ancient, over a decade old. and we all know how romance book standards change like *snap* that. He pissed me off though. It's not okay to do that shit. EVER. And the fact that the fl is fine with it irks me even more, are you that horny girl?? Have some self respect.
Anyway, this whole trope intrigues me though, the older woman-younger man thing. I might try another book, hopefully better than this crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ A Different Kind of Forever is a love story with a 'reverse' age gap, where the woman is older. I read this right after I had finished The Idea of You, and liked them both for different reasons. A Different Kind of Forever wasn't as polished as the other book, but the ending of this one was much better.
The story was ok, not super realistic and not overly exciting. I have read one other book by Dee Ernst (Lucy Checks In) which I enjoyed. The writing on this didn't seem as polished, but I think I also was reading an older version. I really read this because someone commented that this book was better than The Idea of You and I had to see for myself. I don't think it was better, but it left me happier.
The story was ok, not super realistic and not overly exciting. I have read one other book by Dee Ernst (Lucy Checks In) which I enjoyed. The writing on this didn't seem as polished, but I think I also was reading an older version. I really read this because someone commented that this book was better than The Idea of You and I had to see for myself. I don't think it was better, but it left me happier.
January 28, 2024
I saw this book while reading the reviews of the idea of you, someone said that this one is much better and has more depth and the mmc is better so and more mature and I thought since I didn’t enjoy the idea of you that much why not give this one a chance.
Oh man I never thought I’d say this but the idea of you was better than this, honestly it took me like 4 business days to finish this and it’s only 200pages. I mean how come 200 pages felt like 500 pages and nothing was going on till the last 20 pages, like no drama no nothing. This book knocked me out cold twice it helped me with my sleep and every time I dreaded it every time I picked up to finish it.
It’s really amazing how it didn’t put me into ready slump or I’m already in a one idk but I’m glad I finished it.
Now I’ll go hunting for other books with older women trope I won’t give up. I think I like this trope so will see where that leads.
Oh man I never thought I’d say this but the idea of you was better than this, honestly it took me like 4 business days to finish this and it’s only 200pages. I mean how come 200 pages felt like 500 pages and nothing was going on till the last 20 pages, like no drama no nothing. This book knocked me out cold twice it helped me with my sleep and every time I dreaded it every time I picked up to finish it.
It’s really amazing how it didn’t put me into ready slump or I’m already in a one idk but I’m glad I finished it.
Now I’ll go hunting for other books with older women trope I won’t give up. I think I like this trope so will see where that leads.
June 10, 2022
I enjoyed this book, the only thing that seemed to annoy me was that the heroin, while I understand the need to be cautious moving forward in a relationship especially if you have kids, I feel she could have put more effort into this relationship especially when she seemed to really like / care about / maybe even love the hero. There's an incident with one of her daughters and and she cancels plans with the hero when there's nothing she could do by staying home, cancelling those plans wouldn't necessarily have changed anything at the time with her daughter. That's the only thing that seemed to annoy me was that and the situation is she allowed herself to be in with one of the other characters. I really liked Michael's character, I like his maturity and storytelling and that he figured out what he wanted and pursued it.
March 13, 2024
Read this one as it was suggested after finishing The Idea of You. Similar theme - older FMC, younger MMC. He's a keyboardist in a band, NinetySeven, and 19 years younger than her. She's a divorced mom of 3 girls, and they are from the same hometown. Their meet-cute is at a local park where his dog is after her lunch. They hit it off, go on dates, screw a lot, and avoid telling her two younger teenagers. He's off to London to finish a movie soundtrack with a director from hell. Before leaving he tells her he loves her, and she isn't sure yet. Sigh. So not my favorite read. She decides she loves him back after missing him in London, and he returns for opening night of her play. Happy ending for them. I will agree with other reviews that the ending seemed super abrupt. Like to epilogue to say how things panned out... ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2017
Yummy!
Nineteen years seems like an awfully big age difference (when I was in my 40s I went on a date or two with some guys in their 20s, and felt nothing in common with them), but hey, A Different Kind of Forever is a delicious fantasy. It skims over the vicious beatings I would imagine the older woman in such a relationship would get in the media, and how this might affect the relationship, let alone how her lover's fame might impact things. But hey, a girl can dream, can't she? Maybe a guy like Michael exists out there somewhere. Why not? It sure makes for entertaining reading, and a nice switch from the usual young girl/older father figure we see way too much of. I enjoyed it and look forward to more from Ernst.
Nineteen years seems like an awfully big age difference (when I was in my 40s I went on a date or two with some guys in their 20s, and felt nothing in common with them), but hey, A Different Kind of Forever is a delicious fantasy. It skims over the vicious beatings I would imagine the older woman in such a relationship would get in the media, and how this might affect the relationship, let alone how her lover's fame might impact things. But hey, a girl can dream, can't she? Maybe a guy like Michael exists out there somewhere. Why not? It sure makes for entertaining reading, and a nice switch from the usual young girl/older father figure we see way too much of. I enjoyed it and look forward to more from Ernst.
February 27, 2021
3.5 stars. I liked this...didnt love it. Picked it up because someone reviewed The Idea of You (which I loved) and said this was similar to that but better. I dont agree with that...this didnt hit me the same way that one did. But this was still a good, nice romance. The female lead made me mad frequently...the conflict at the end felt very contrived with the other man. But otherwise this was pretty solid.
November 15, 2023
A different kind of ending too…
A much happier ending than the last book I read about a rockstar in his twenties and the much older woman he loved.
All I can say is thank goodness. Dee Ernst’s book, A Different Kind of Forever, renews my faith that live doesn’t have to fit into certain age parameters and even if it isn’t forever like this book hints, it can be a love for the ages… while it lasts.
A much happier ending than the last book I read about a rockstar in his twenties and the much older woman he loved.
All I can say is thank goodness. Dee Ernst’s book, A Different Kind of Forever, renews my faith that live doesn’t have to fit into certain age parameters and even if it isn’t forever like this book hints, it can be a love for the ages… while it lasts.
August 5, 2020
This was my first time by this author and it’s a story of an older women with a younger man (very similar to The Idea Of You). I really enjoyed this story... it was story of Diane who’s a smart professor in her late forties and Michael who’s in a band.
February 9, 2019
3.9 stars
February 22, 2019
I really loved this book. A truly mature romance novel for once! Excellent job.
March 6, 2019
Love this author
I thought story was pretty fantasy like. But a great story. Lots of steamy sex for this couple. I will tell my GF about this one
I thought story was pretty fantasy like. But a great story. Lots of steamy sex for this couple. I will tell my GF about this one
July 20, 2020
Odd ending
I liked the story. I thought the ending was rushed and came out of nowhere. Like the author took a good story then chopped it off to finish the ending
I liked the story. I thought the ending was rushed and came out of nowhere. Like the author took a good story then chopped it off to finish the ending
July 26, 2020
Liked the reverse roles. Was a nice listen, but the ending was too rushed. I did like listening about a romance about adults. A really nice chamge.
February 26, 2022
Good but abrupt ending.
August 29, 2023
3.75 stars. I liked this in the beginning but then Diane drove me crazy. I understand uncertainty but she was almost cruel. And the other man drama was unnecessary.
March 22, 2024
Read The Idea of You instead.
August 17, 2024
Alright, but nothing happens, really. No amazing plot twist or anything.
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