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Her Story So Far: A Novel
She thought she’d already lived her great love story—until grief revealed the truth.
Bestselling romance author Kelsi Jo Kincaid spent three decades writing happy endings and living what she believed was one of her own. But when her husband dies of cancer, the life she knew dissolves into a swirl of sorrow, silence, and unanswered questions.
In her attempt to process the grief—and help other widows do the same—Kelsi begins writing a memoir, crafting what she believes is a tribute to the love they shared. But the deeper she writes, the more the cracks begin to show. A letter, long buried, surfaces. So do secrets. And suddenly, the perfect marriage Kelsi thought she had begins to unravel thread by thread.
As she sorts through the wreckage of the past, Kelsi finds solace in a fellow widow named Claire. What begins as a tentative friendship soon turns into a love she never expected—and a self she never knew was waiting to be found.
But before she can move forward, Kelsi must face a devastating truth about the woman she was, the man she married, and the future she still has a chance to claim.
Bestselling romance author Kelsi Jo Kincaid spent three decades writing happy endings and living what she believed was one of her own. But when her husband dies of cancer, the life she knew dissolves into a swirl of sorrow, silence, and unanswered questions.
In her attempt to process the grief—and help other widows do the same—Kelsi begins writing a memoir, crafting what she believes is a tribute to the love they shared. But the deeper she writes, the more the cracks begin to show. A letter, long buried, surfaces. So do secrets. And suddenly, the perfect marriage Kelsi thought she had begins to unravel thread by thread.
As she sorts through the wreckage of the past, Kelsi finds solace in a fellow widow named Claire. What begins as a tentative friendship soon turns into a love she never expected—and a self she never knew was waiting to be found.
But before she can move forward, Kelsi must face a devastating truth about the woman she was, the man she married, and the future she still has a chance to claim.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 26, 2025
Her Story So Far details life after loss in all of its messy and complicated reality. The characters hit the page with vivacity and each secondary character and their importance are explained close enough to introducing the character to make sense. We get vivid images of each one and how they move through the world with ease and ownership. The prose is lyrical, transporting you to the beauty of each setting without getting lost in too many descriptions.
The pacing kept me hooked from page one, with each moment connecting to the next and each event important and high stakes enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. The first person point of view does a fantastic job of showing the breadcrumbs that will be important later when truth bombs are dropped without over emphasizing them.
By pure coincidence, I began reading Her Story So Far after a loss in my own life. Seeing Kelsi Jo wake up with those same feelings of drowning in grief, while also feeling immense guilt for any sliver of normalcy and happiness made me connect with her in a way that is rare and poignant. I found myself wanting to sit with her on the couch, cups of tea in our hands, and recounting the ways grief and loss has changed us forever.
The ending, without spoiling it, is exactly what each character needs in their lives, reconciling previous feelings of shame, self depreciation, and uncertainty while reshaping their identities for the better. Fans of character-driven novels like Normal People and This Time Tomorrow will love this.
Her Story So Far is a truly special novel, one that will stick out in my reader’s brain for years as an old friend.
The pacing kept me hooked from page one, with each moment connecting to the next and each event important and high stakes enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. The first person point of view does a fantastic job of showing the breadcrumbs that will be important later when truth bombs are dropped without over emphasizing them.
By pure coincidence, I began reading Her Story So Far after a loss in my own life. Seeing Kelsi Jo wake up with those same feelings of drowning in grief, while also feeling immense guilt for any sliver of normalcy and happiness made me connect with her in a way that is rare and poignant. I found myself wanting to sit with her on the couch, cups of tea in our hands, and recounting the ways grief and loss has changed us forever.
The ending, without spoiling it, is exactly what each character needs in their lives, reconciling previous feelings of shame, self depreciation, and uncertainty while reshaping their identities for the better. Fans of character-driven novels like Normal People and This Time Tomorrow will love this.
Her Story So Far is a truly special novel, one that will stick out in my reader’s brain for years as an old friend.
April 22, 2025
Loved this book! In her stunning first novel, Jill Carlyle creates a heartfelt and thought-provoking story that is as unique as it is inspiring. Centered around a middle-aged woman who believes she has it all—a loving husband, a comfortable life, and a clear path forward—everything changes when her husband unexpectedly dies. What follows is the unraveling of a secret he took to the grave, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew.
What makes this novel truly stand out is its unflinching look at reinvention later in life and a refreshing look at how love is defined. The protagonist’s journey through grief, betrayal, and ultimately self-discovery is portrayed with honesty, wit, and grace. Rather than falling apart, she rises—messily, bravely, and with a raw strength that is deeply relatable.
Jill writes with a unique voice that brings middle-aged women to the center of the narrative, not as side characters or supporting roles, but as complex, vibrant individuals with stories worth telling. This is a novel that doesn’t shy away from pain but also doesn’t dwell in it. Instead, it explores what it means to start over, to reclaim your identity, and to find freedom in the unexpected.
Her Story So far is a rare gem: a page-turner with emotional depth, a fresh perspective on womanhood, (and motherhood) and a reminder that it’s never too late to find your true self. A must-read for anyone who has ever faced a life they didn’t choose—and found the courage to live it anyway.
What makes this novel truly stand out is its unflinching look at reinvention later in life and a refreshing look at how love is defined. The protagonist’s journey through grief, betrayal, and ultimately self-discovery is portrayed with honesty, wit, and grace. Rather than falling apart, she rises—messily, bravely, and with a raw strength that is deeply relatable.
Jill writes with a unique voice that brings middle-aged women to the center of the narrative, not as side characters or supporting roles, but as complex, vibrant individuals with stories worth telling. This is a novel that doesn’t shy away from pain but also doesn’t dwell in it. Instead, it explores what it means to start over, to reclaim your identity, and to find freedom in the unexpected.
Her Story So far is a rare gem: a page-turner with emotional depth, a fresh perspective on womanhood, (and motherhood) and a reminder that it’s never too late to find your true self. A must-read for anyone who has ever faced a life they didn’t choose—and found the courage to live it anyway.
April 20, 2025
A beautiful, heartfelt story about overcoming loss, and finding oneself through the challenges and pain. Kelsi is such a strong female character and it was amazing going on the journey with her throughout the book. I love reading female stories and being able to relate some to the characters. There was believability about what happened and how things unfolded in this story that I found powerful.
April 6, 2025
Quick Review:
⭐️ 5/5 stars
Okay, I was a mess through most of Part One—like full-on tears. This book is such an emotional gut-punch (in the best way). Kelsi’s journey through grief and trying to find herself again? It felt so real. The writing is stunning too—the kind that sticks with you long after you’ve closed the book.
🌶️ 2/5 Spice
It’s technically open door, but most of the scenes kind of fade to black—and honestly? That made them hit harder. The intimacy isn’t about being sexy; it’s about holding on when everything else is falling apart. Every kiss, every touch feels like they’re trying to capture a moment before it disappears. It’s desperate. It’s tender. And it broke me way more than any spicy, five-page scene ever could.
🖤 2.5/5 Darkness Rating
This one’s heavy—grief is at the heart of it—but it’s handled with so much care. Nothing graphic, but the emotional weight is real. You’re walking with Kelsi through loss, betrayal, and the slow, painful process of starting over.
⸻
What I Loved:
I loved how real this felt. Like, nothing was overly dramatized—it was just raw and honest and hit in that deep, emotional place you don’t always expect from fiction.
The intimacy wasn’t about being sexy—it was about clinging to connection when everything else was slipping away. There was this undercurrent of desperation, like they were trying to memorize each other before it was too late. It wrecked me more than any spicy, five-page scene ever could.
Also, the little moments? The post-it notes, the memories, the way grief and love show up at the same time—it got me. And don’t even get me started on the tension with Eve… I knew something was off, and I have some opinions.
⸻
The Story (No Spoilers!):
Okay, so this story follows Kelsi—it’s a lot, but in the best way. She’s in her 50s, her husband is dying, her marriage is falling apart, and she’s basically standing in the middle of her life wondering who the hell she is without all the roles she’s always played—wife, mom, successful romance author.
It’s super introspective, like reading someone’s private journal, and you feel everything. The grief, the confusion, the betrayal—ugh, it’s heavy, but it’s handled with so much care. Nothing is overly graphic, but the emotional weight is real. You’re walking with Kelsi through loss, heartbreak, and the slow, painful process of starting over. And the writing? Gorgeous. It lingers.
And the way she starts slowly, quietly reclaiming herself? I was rooting for her the whole way.
⸻
Final Thoughts:
This book — It stays with you. It’s not just about Kelsi’s journey through grief and self-discovery—it’s about all of us who’ve ever had to pick up the pieces and figure out what’s next. It’s raw, real, and beautifully written. Definitely one that lingers long after you turn the last page.
Also, can we get some novellas out of this, please? Eve’s story alone—I have so many questions. And getting Kelsi’s daughters’ perspectives? That would be fantastic. Seeing how they navigated their own grief, made sense of their parents’ relationship, and dealt with what was hinted at in the epilogue? Yes please!
Overall—It just felt like such a beautiful, grown-up story about starting over. Not dramatic, not flashy—just true.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my honest review as an ARC reader.
⭐️ 5/5 stars
Okay, I was a mess through most of Part One—like full-on tears. This book is such an emotional gut-punch (in the best way). Kelsi’s journey through grief and trying to find herself again? It felt so real. The writing is stunning too—the kind that sticks with you long after you’ve closed the book.
🌶️ 2/5 Spice
It’s technically open door, but most of the scenes kind of fade to black—and honestly? That made them hit harder. The intimacy isn’t about being sexy; it’s about holding on when everything else is falling apart. Every kiss, every touch feels like they’re trying to capture a moment before it disappears. It’s desperate. It’s tender. And it broke me way more than any spicy, five-page scene ever could.
🖤 2.5/5 Darkness Rating
This one’s heavy—grief is at the heart of it—but it’s handled with so much care. Nothing graphic, but the emotional weight is real. You’re walking with Kelsi through loss, betrayal, and the slow, painful process of starting over.
⸻
What I Loved:
I loved how real this felt. Like, nothing was overly dramatized—it was just raw and honest and hit in that deep, emotional place you don’t always expect from fiction.
The intimacy wasn’t about being sexy—it was about clinging to connection when everything else was slipping away. There was this undercurrent of desperation, like they were trying to memorize each other before it was too late. It wrecked me more than any spicy, five-page scene ever could.
Also, the little moments? The post-it notes, the memories, the way grief and love show up at the same time—it got me. And don’t even get me started on the tension with Eve… I knew something was off, and I have some opinions.
⸻
The Story (No Spoilers!):
Okay, so this story follows Kelsi—it’s a lot, but in the best way. She’s in her 50s, her husband is dying, her marriage is falling apart, and she’s basically standing in the middle of her life wondering who the hell she is without all the roles she’s always played—wife, mom, successful romance author.
It’s super introspective, like reading someone’s private journal, and you feel everything. The grief, the confusion, the betrayal—ugh, it’s heavy, but it’s handled with so much care. Nothing is overly graphic, but the emotional weight is real. You’re walking with Kelsi through loss, heartbreak, and the slow, painful process of starting over. And the writing? Gorgeous. It lingers.
And the way she starts slowly, quietly reclaiming herself? I was rooting for her the whole way.
⸻
Final Thoughts:
This book — It stays with you. It’s not just about Kelsi’s journey through grief and self-discovery—it’s about all of us who’ve ever had to pick up the pieces and figure out what’s next. It’s raw, real, and beautifully written. Definitely one that lingers long after you turn the last page.
Also, can we get some novellas out of this, please? Eve’s story alone—I have so many questions. And getting Kelsi’s daughters’ perspectives? That would be fantastic. Seeing how they navigated their own grief, made sense of their parents’ relationship, and dealt with what was hinted at in the epilogue? Yes please!
Overall—It just felt like such a beautiful, grown-up story about starting over. Not dramatic, not flashy—just true.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my honest review as an ARC reader.
May 1, 2025
This story is written with raw and honest emotion as a middle-aged woman is suffering through the loss of her husband. I love the writing of days at a time and few chapters of flashbacks to help tell the character’s story. I have to be honest, I threw the book down in part two as an event happened in which the timing felt off to me. Picking the book back up however showed me the character’s own struggle to come to terms of self discovery and new love. It is nice to have a story in which is shown that life can be messy and while we experience our depth of grief we can still move forward to a better us.
November 26, 2025
This book was such a fast-paced and cozy read. I read through it in 2 days. It's easy to read and digest, with cozy prose that will make you want to wrap up in a blanket with a hot cup of tea or hot cocoa. The story is heart breaking and the reveals later in the book shocked me. I would definitely recommend if you love a heartbreaking romance that will tear you apart and put you back together.
April 19, 2025
This is a 5-star read that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I enjoyed the depth of the characters' dealings with difficult emotions and how they recognized and navigated them.
Her Story So Far centers around Kelsi Jo, a loving mom and wife, an author, who has centered her world around supporting her family. Her husband becomes ill, and she supports him in death. As Kelsi Jo works through grief, she uncovers some mysteries about their life that change her. Kelsi Jo navigates through feelings of love, loss, grief, and betrayal and finds her voice again.
“The past can’t be changed. We can only choose how we move forward.”
The character building was beautifully written. The family dynamic between the mother and her daughters highlights how Kelsi Jo supports each one according to their unique personality. The way Kelsi Jo navigated how her past has shaped and is re-shaping her future. The ability to be open, honest in your feelings, and find new love.
“Reinvention is never a one-time event but a lifelong unfolding.”
I thank Jill Carlyle for a digital Advanced Reader Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved it so much that I purchased a physical copy.
Her Story So Far centers around Kelsi Jo, a loving mom and wife, an author, who has centered her world around supporting her family. Her husband becomes ill, and she supports him in death. As Kelsi Jo works through grief, she uncovers some mysteries about their life that change her. Kelsi Jo navigates through feelings of love, loss, grief, and betrayal and finds her voice again.
“The past can’t be changed. We can only choose how we move forward.”
The character building was beautifully written. The family dynamic between the mother and her daughters highlights how Kelsi Jo supports each one according to their unique personality. The way Kelsi Jo navigated how her past has shaped and is re-shaping her future. The ability to be open, honest in your feelings, and find new love.
“Reinvention is never a one-time event but a lifelong unfolding.”
I thank Jill Carlyle for a digital Advanced Reader Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved it so much that I purchased a physical copy.
August 12, 2025
"Perfection is an illusion, Kels. What's essential is how we bounce back and how we find strength in adversity. Sunsets are breathtaking. But remember, they come after the day has run its course, with all it's challenges and triumphs" (p220).
One of many profound quotes.
This story was gripping, realistic, and oh man...the drama (Eve!)
I enjoyed the glimpses at various points in Kelsie's life, it helped to get to know her better. She became someone who felt familiar. She's brave, messy, resilient. It was refreshing to read about someone who lived a life and brace through the unimaginable. It felt encouraging. Her story showed that no matter where you are in life, you can still choose to begin again. It isn't too late. And, sometimes making a hard pivot isn't the end of the world. Though, it may feel that way...
Regarding Eve, I spent an embarrassing about of time raging over her. She was the perfect antagonist.
At the risk of expanding on spoilers, I'll conclude with this: I'm very curious and thrilled to see what will happen next.
One of many profound quotes.
This story was gripping, realistic, and oh man...the drama (Eve!)
I enjoyed the glimpses at various points in Kelsie's life, it helped to get to know her better. She became someone who felt familiar. She's brave, messy, resilient. It was refreshing to read about someone who lived a life and brace through the unimaginable. It felt encouraging. Her story showed that no matter where you are in life, you can still choose to begin again. It isn't too late. And, sometimes making a hard pivot isn't the end of the world. Though, it may feel that way...
Regarding Eve, I spent an embarrassing about of time raging over her. She was the perfect antagonist.
At the risk of expanding on spoilers, I'll conclude with this: I'm very curious and thrilled to see what will happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2025
I want to thank the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me. I thoroughly am enjoying reading it. This was the perfect character driven book that I look forward to reading. Great character development, a balance of romance, and emotional aspects too--I cried reading chapters of this book. I found the main character being middle-aged something so different than I've read before. But this type of story should be acknowledged for readers to see diversity in MC's when it comes to age. It creates a unique experience that readers learn about, how she deals with her husband's illness, and her relationship with her daughters, and friends. The writing style was easy to follow, and well written.
Lastly, I appreciate my name in the acknowledgement--- means a lot! <3
Lastly, I appreciate my name in the acknowledgement--- means a lot! <3
May 7, 2025
Poignant, painful and yet beautiful is how I'd describe Jill Carlyle's debut.
Kelsi Jo is an accomplished best selling author enjoying the next phase in her life, not just as a successful author but a proud empty nester mom in her 50s to three accomplished daughters, a beloved grandma and a loving wife to her soulmate-at least until the rug is yanked out from under her life.
The grief and the anger throughout the book is palpable and believable, as is Kelsi Jo's strength in learning how to live and love again. Even as she's reeling and emotionally from the revelations revealed to her, she refuses to let it destroy her or her family.
A phenomenal debut from Jill.
Kelsi Jo is an accomplished best selling author enjoying the next phase in her life, not just as a successful author but a proud empty nester mom in her 50s to three accomplished daughters, a beloved grandma and a loving wife to her soulmate-at least until the rug is yanked out from under her life.
The grief and the anger throughout the book is palpable and believable, as is Kelsi Jo's strength in learning how to live and love again. Even as she's reeling and emotionally from the revelations revealed to her, she refuses to let it destroy her or her family.
A phenomenal debut from Jill.
August 18, 2025
Hands down one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking but heart mending books I have read in years. There are so few books out there for women over the age of 40 - where we can see ourselves in the story, where we relate to the struggles, and identify with what the characters are going through. And "Her Story So Far" slides perfectly into that area of life that so many women want to read about. Jill's writing is not only poignant, thoughtful, and relatable - it's simply incredible writing! I loved this book and can't recommend it enough.
May 1, 2025
This story was a gut punch and then a hug!! It was so emotionally beautiful! I don’t read synopses because I like to walk in blind. Not knowing what to expect but having a visceral response in the first few chapters made me feel like I had to finish this in 1 sitting! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews