The Forever Year

by Lou Aronica

The deeply emotional novel of unforgettable love.

USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Jesse Sienna doesn’t believe that love can last. His parents’ marriage was caring but passionless, and his own romantic history tells him that love can burn bright, but that it cannot burn for long. So when his elderly father, Mickey, moves in with him and seems unable to understand Jesse’s no-strings-attached relationship with Marina, his current girlfriend, Jesse barely pays attention. It’s just another example of how different they are – and more evidence that he and his father will never connect on any meaningful level.

But the truth is, Mickey Sienna knows more about love than most people learn in a lifetime. More than half a century ago, he discovered the endless rewards of investing your heart and soul in someone…and he knows the devastating costs of letting the perfect someone slip by.

When Mickey sees Jesse taking an extraordinary woman for granted, he decides it’s time to tell Jesse his story – a story he’s never shared with any of his children before. It is a story that will change both of them profoundly.

At once a stirring family drama and a touching romance, THE FOREVER YEAR is filled with richly drawn characters and powerful situations. You will respond personally to the people you meet in this novel, and you will find yourself deeply enmeshed in their stories. And you might find yourself looking at love in a new way.

“THE FOREVER YEAR is pure pleasure from beginning to end, beautifully written and emotionally rich.”
– Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author

“THE FOREVER YEAR is a wry, tender, beautifully written novel…. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.”
– Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

“Better than Nicholas Sparks’s best. There’s more wit, more wisdom, and yes, there are tears.”
– John R. Maxim, New York Times bestselling author

“THE FOREVER YEAR is a warm, engaging story with a valuable contemporary lesson inside – it is well structured and funny and keeps you turning the pages till the very end to find out what happens. It may even make you rethink your own attitude toward love! I really enjoyed it.”
– Suzanne Vega, multiplatinum recording artist

Originally published as Ronald Anthony.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I have been associated with the book publishing world since August 1979, when I started as an assistant in the Managing Editor’s Department at Bantam Books. Prior to founding The Fiction Studio, I served as Deputy Publisher of Bantam and Publisher of Berkley Books and Avon Books. During this time, I launched the premier science fiction and mystery imprints in the business, and also presided over the largest growth period to date in the history of the #1 single-title romance program.

My earliest publishing experiences were in the field of science fiction and fantasy. I started my first publishing imprint, Bantam Spectra, at the age of 27 and published my first New York Times bestseller with that imprint a year later. My first editorial acquisition, David Brin’s Startide Rising, won the field’s two highest awards, the Hugo and the Nebula. I subsequently published New York Times bestsellers with Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, David Brin, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Raymond Feist, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, and others, while also acquiring five consecutive winners of the Nebula Award. In addition, I created the “Full Spectrum” anthology series, which won me a World Fantasy Award in 1994.

My biggest commercial accomplishment in the field of science fiction and fantasy was my acquisition and design of the Star Wars book publishing program. Started at a time when licensing interest in the movies was very low, the book publications consistently hit the New York Times list (as high as #1) while also jump-starting the entire Star Wars franchise.

In the nineties, I moved beyond science fiction. As Mass Market Publisher for Bantam, I launched the Bantam Crime Line mystery imprint and was closely involved in the development of several bestselling authors, including Elizabeth George, Robert Crais, and Diane Mott Davidson. I launched the Bantam Fanfare romance imprint, which led to the development of bestselling authors such as Amanda Quick, Tami Hoag, and Iris Johansen.

In 1994, I left Bantam to become SVP and Publisher of the Berkley Publishing Group. The two imprints I started there, Boulevard (a media imprint) and Signature (a literary imprint) had New York Times bestsellers within their first year. I also acquired and edited the bestselling futuristic mysteries by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).

In 1995, I moved to Avon Books to spearhead a turnaround of that company as SVP and Publisher. I supervised significant changes to the company’s industry-leading romance program, which led to the largest growth period in the program’s history to that point. Committing the company to a profitable path of publishing for dedicated readers, I launched a series of imprints focused on science fiction, literary fiction, mystery, pop culture, health, history, and teen literature. Most of these imprints had bestsellers very quickly.

In 1999, I left Avon after the acquisition of the company by The News Corporation. The creative investment I made in that house continues to pay significant dividends, however, as writers whose publishing programs I developed became breakout bestsellers, including Dennis Lehane, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J.A. Jance, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Bruce Feiler and Peter Robinson.

In addition to my current role with The Fiction Studio, I am a novelist and nonfiction writer. My novels, The Forever Year and Flash and Dazzle appeared under the name Ronald Anthony. My nonfiction books include the New York Times bestseller The Element (written with Sir Ken Robinson), the national bestseller The Culture Code (written with Dr. Clotaire Rapaille), Conscientious Equity (written with Neal Asbury), Miraculous Health (written with Dr. Rick Levy) and A Million Thanks (written with Shauna Fleming).

Finding myself missing the publishing side of the business, in 2008, literary manager Peter Miller and I started a small book imprint called The Story Plant. Right now, it’s a tiny opera

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mickie Sienna almost burns his house down, his grown children start looking into nursing homes. But his youngest son, Jesse, surprises them all by offering to have Mickie move in with him. Jesse has spent his whole life as the "baby" of the family and is ready to finally get to know his father the way his older siblings do.

In The Forever Year, Lou Aronica presents a story not only of the challenges a father and son face while getting used to living with each other again, but also a much deeper story of love that never ends. Jesse is in a very comfortable relationship with Marina. They are both enjoying their time together, but they're also realists. They know that love always dies, so they haven't taken that final step to full commitment. But Mickie can't understand how his son can take a chance on losing the perfect woman for him.

So Mickie decides to tell Jesse his own love story. He opens up about the woman who stole his heart as a young man, and hopes that Jesse will see how much love matters. But all Jesse can see is that the relationship obviously failed ~ after all, the woman Mickie speaks of isn't Jesse's mother! Will Mickie have the strength to finish the story and reveal the true message before Jesse ruins what he has with Marina?

I really enjoyed The Forever Year. It was a wonderful story of relationships ~ both between father and son, and between man and woman. Aronica switches back and forth between Mickie's voice and Jesse's voice throughout the story, so we can hear their personal thoughts and feelings about what is happening. Mickie's sections at times alternate between current time and the love story that he is telling Jesse. While this may sound complicated, it's quite smooth and easy to follow.

If you enjoy heartwarming stories about family and relationships, particularly love stories, I highly recommend The Forever Year by Lou Aronica.

[Michael Carlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched me in a way that I couldn't have anticipated. The final scene had me both smiling and crying at the same time (which was somewhat embarrassing since I was reading it on a flight). I will recommend this book to anyone who asks for a book recommendation. Lou Aronica is a master of character development and I know that Jesse, Micky, and Marina will be with me for a long time.

[Jody S]

Being a much younger sibling to three over-achievers has left Jesse feeling like an outsider among his own family. Especially now that his mother who was the glue that kept the family together is no longer there to support and encourage him. As it becomes clear his father Mickey can no longer live alone, the family has to make some important decisions. Jesse believes he’s found the solution, but nobody takes him seriously when he suggests their father move in with him. Following some good advice, Jesse convinces the one person who matters most and Mickey moves in. What follows is a wonderful story of the evolution of the relationship between a father and his adult son.

The Forever Year is a light romance and a heart-warming account of family relationships. Giving a fresh spin on the classic romance, it’s also a love story is told from the man’s point of view. The family dynamic - and especially the bond between a father and son - is explored, bringing to life both the good and the bad aspects so common to many. With believable characters and natural dialogue, The Forever Year flows smoothly and will draw readers in with its mix of humour and emotion.

Touching on the joys and struggles of love, family and work, The Forever Year is a story that everyone will relate to.

[D. Thrush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse asks his elderly father, Mickey to move in with him hoping that they can get to know each other better and bond. Jesse has a wonderful girlfriend, but he’s been hurt in the past and is reluctant to make a permanent commitment. Mickey observes this and hopes that by sharing the story of his first love, Jesse will realize that he shouldn’t take his girlfriend for granted. Not a lot happens in this story. It’s about relationships and choices. It is a bit long, but I was drawn into the story and cared about these characters. It’s heartfelt and relatable and touching in many ways.~

[Mattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly enjoyable read. As we watch the relationship between father and son and boyfriend and girlfriend grow, you will wish the story never ends. This is a read that will open up your emotional being. You will laugh, you will cry. You will be sad, you will be happy. I can guarantee that you will not be unhappy that you read this book and added it to your library! Lou Aronica, where have you been hiding?

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free Nook book from BookBub.com. Loved it! Couldn't put it down. He revised it and used his real name this time, the way I understood it.
Had previously published it under fake name cuz he was chicken! Read it!

[Denise Rago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way author Lou Aronica tells a story and I also believe in the message of this moving tale of family, loss and the power of all kinds of love to transform us.

[Sharon Culbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just really enjoyed this story.

[Terrij · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn in immediately and enjoyed the journey Jesse and his father experienced. What a heartfelt story, I've recommended this book to many of my friends.

[Shannon L. Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Year is a grand introduction as the first book of the The Hearts of Men Series. Author Lou Aronica masterfully intertwines the Story of Mickey and Gina to open Mickey’s son’s eyes to what real love is and should be. His son, Jesse, has an erroneous view that love never lasts and is not as real as society makes it out to be. It is through the telling of a story of Mickey’s first love that he hopes will save Jesse from sabotaging his current pseudo-relationship.


After Mickey’s wife dies, he moves in with Jesse. In a shocking revelation that even Jesse’s older siblings don’t know, he learns of his father having a different life before marrying his mother. He thinks it’s proof that since Gina isn’t his mother, something happened to make the love between his father and Gina break. Thus validating his idea that love doesn’t last.


Aronica’s writing is exceptional. As a reader, you not only want to know what happened to Mickey and Gina, you also want to know if Jesse will wake up and truly see what is right in front of him. The suspense is riveting to keep you turning pages well into the night or early morning as was my case.


This story has so many levels with its theme of family drama and everlasting love. The dynamics of a widowed man dealing with time and the consequences of being a senior juxtaposed with how his adult children want to deal with him after he accidentally sets fire to his kitchen hints at what lies beneath the familial surface. This story is rich with fully developed characters that you either want to hug or to shake some sense into. It is intriguing and emotional and truth!


Putting all of that aside, my favorite scene is when Jesse goes to California. The “light bulb” moments he has about life, creativity and the meaning of it all was awe-inspiring. His joie de vivre was infectious even through the page.


There are 8 stand-alone books so far in the series. I look forward toward adventuring through the next book, When You Went Away.



To read excerpts of each, visit Lou Aronica’s website. https://www.louaronica.com/hearts-of-men

[Catherine Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a well worn sweater--it just fits

I didn't know this author but thought I'd try something new. So glad I did. The story is familiar about a father, a son, his love and the challenges and joys of "normal" life. But what set this story apart was the writing. The language was accessible but not dumbed down. The characters human and fully drawn. You see their foibles and everyday heroics. It also reinforces that love can be demonstrated and expressed in both subtle and overt day--it should just be shared. Bravo, Mr. Aronica!

[Marsha Bernabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This was such a lovely romantic story. I very much enjoyed this story and how it was told from the sons point of view.

[susan e. sullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story line

The story line is beautiful, but took a long time to get there. Love the twist from Dad, I had a different thought.

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie, the youngest sibling in his family, now in his 30s and still feeling ignored or tolerated as the “baby” of the family, shocks the family. His Mom has passed away and his Dad, Mickey, is elderly and starting to be forgetful. The turning point happens when he leaves a pot on a turned-on stove and proceeds to sit in the living room and fall asleep. The fire makes all of his adult children realize he is now in danger if left to live by himself. So they have a family meeting where the toss-up is between their father living in an assisted living home or nursing home, though he’s physically fit for his age. So what a surprise when Jessie volunteers to have his Dad live with him.
Jessie at first realizes how quickly his idea was rather “romantic” in nature, a chance to finally be seen and heard as he is and not just an extra who never really connected to his father, a chance at closeness. But as future pages show, the glamor of the idea is quickly paling and the tension is rife with repeated misunderstandings or assumptions about each other that are far from reality. But that’s about to change when it’s Jessie’s turn to get shocked by getting to know the man he never understood was capable of being a “lover” outside of his role of father. This is even more interesting given Jessie’s present belief about there being a “true” love that lasts forever – no don’t assume you know how this will turn out because you can’t do the usual prediction for this story!
The reader will read about Mickey’s great love before Jessie’s mother came into the picture. It is said that everyone gets only “one” true love, and Mickey’s lesson to Jessie has to do is risking it all to make that happen, no matter what the eventual outcome.
The Forever Year is biting and sweet story at the same time. It’s sweet romantic fiction with a tad of the Nicholas Sparks but without the soppy quality of the latter; and thus the entire tale seems more realistic and endearing! Nicely done, Lou Aronica!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessie, the youngest sibling in his family, now in his 30s and still feeling ignored or tolerated as the "baby" of the family, shocks the family. His Mom has passed away and his Dad, Mickey, is elderly and starting to be forgetful. The turning point happens when he leaves a pot on a turned-on stove and proceeds to sit in the living room and fall asleep. The fire makes all of his adult children realize he is now in danger if left to live by himself. So they have a family meeting where the toss-up is between their father living in an assisted living home or nursing home, though he's physically fit for his age. So what a surprise when Jessie volunteers to have his Dad live with him.
Jessie at first realizes how quickly his idea was rather "romantic" in nature, a chance to finally be seen and heard as he is and not just an extra who never really connected to his father, a chance at closeness. But as future pages show, the glamor of the idea is quickly paling and the tension is rife with repeated misunderstandings or assumptions about each other that are far from reality. But that's about to change when it's Jessie's turn to get shocked by getting to know the man he never understood was capable of being a "lover" outside of his role of father. This is even more interesting given Jessie's present belief about there being a "true" love that lasts forever - no don't assume you know how this will turn out because you can't do the usual prediction for this story!
The reader will read about Mickey's great love before Jessie's mother came into the picture. It is said that everyone gets only "one" true love, and Mickey's lesson to Jessie has to do is risking it all to make that happen, no matter what the eventual outcome.
The Forever Year is biting and sweet story at the same time. It's sweet romantic fiction with a tad of the Nicholas Sparks but without the soppy quality of the latter; and thus the entire tale seems more realistic and endearing!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best reads I've come upon in a long time. A story of the youngest son in a family who takes his father into his home, rather than going to a "hone," as his siblings would have preferred. Being much younger than his siblings, Jesse feels this is an opportunity to get to know his dad. His siblings were closer to his father when they were young, and Jesse felt he missed out of knowing his dad, as his mother was the key figure in his life as work seemed to be what Mickey (his dad) was interested in.
Mickey is concerned that Jesse has the attitude that relationships don't last, and that Jesse and his girl friend, Marina are in love but afraid of commitment. Mickey decides to tell Jesse about an incredible story of a woman he was once engaged to and describes their meeting and courtship. Jesse suddenly sees the young man, Mickey once was, that he knew nothing about.
As their living arrangement progresses, Marina is a positive influence on Mickey. He keeps telling Jesse he is missing out on moving toward making this relationship a permanent commitment.
Jesse gradually gets to know his older siblings better as things progress with his father living with him.
One of the rare examples of "it's never to late," to get to know a parent or a grown child.
A loving, caring, novel. I will look for more of Lou Aronica's novels.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Year (The Hearts of Men book 1) by Lou Aronica
Have read other works by the author and have enjoyed the books.
This one starts out with Mickey Sienna and he's 83 and his wife has been gone 4 years now and he's not himself. He ends up starting a fire in the kitchen and the neighbors rescue him while calling the fire department.
The grown children learn of it and they get together and decide it's time he goes into assisted living or a nursing home.
The youngest, Jessie, single says he will take him to live with him and the others sign off on it all together. Jessie is a writer who does feature stories and he has a girl Marina who is a schoolteacher.
Love how the father opens up about Gina-his first love because he nor any of the other siblings know anything about this. He confides in Marina and she does meet Mickey and they get along great.
Love the story inside the story and especially the care Jessie gives to his father while he's alive. Tragic at the end but also eye opening to understand what the father was trying to tell his son about his own life and how he wanted him to NOT walk in the same steps he had taken.
Excerpts from the authors other works are included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Molly Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, Funny, and Fascinating, March 15, 2013
By Charles G. Campbell (ohio)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Forever Year (Paperback)
I am a great admirer of Lou Aronica. He has a long career in the publishing field on both sides of the page, as an editor and as an author. So he knows what he is doing!

This is a edited reprint of Aronica's first novel. I was frankly surprised, because it seemed like a polished and mature work, not a debut novel. It is the intertwining story of a son, his love life, career as a writer, and his struggle with committment. Running and twisting together is the story of his aging father, whose life proves to be surprising and a revelation to his son. I enjoyed the characterizations, and Aronica dapples the story with great one liners that made me laugh out loud.

Aronica has a light touch with a subject matter that could have easily become pedantic and preachy, or worse, like some sort of romance novel. This is not that. I highly recommend.

[Steven Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning, I was drawn right into Lou Aronica's, The Forever Year . It is rare that I read a fictional work which offers the experience of an old friend sharing his story; this is one of those experiences. In fact, I intend to have my sons read this book to receive the invaluable lesson on love that is imparted from Mickey to Jesse (told in a manner that will have them turning the pages deep into the night).

The Forever Year is a clever, witty and vivid novel that addresses the family dynamic (especially between a father and his son) in all of its difficulty and delight- as well as evolution. The characters are believable and real, the dialogue is flawless and the story line is one that made me laugh, as well as brought tears to my eyes. Although I finished The Forever Year in January, I won't be surprised if it's the best book I read in 2013; it was that good! Do yourself an enormous favor and read it for yourself.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this e-book for free from Amazon for signing up for their Romance eNewsletter. I am so glad I did! I loved this book! I love the male perspective on love as well as the masculine perspective on father-son relationships. Aronica skillfully weaves several story threads together: the father and son learning to live with one another, the son realizing how skewed his views of love are and romance are, the father remembering his one true love as he grapples with aging after the death of his wife, family dynamics among siblings of different ages, and the son's writing career ups and downs.

It's a satisfying read just for the story lines. It's even more enjoyable for the way the characters develop, the way the language flows, the way the insights and lessons learned burn into your memory. I highly recommend this book. I think Aronica will give Nicholas Sparks more than a run for his money: he'll make him step up his game.

[Tika · Rating 2 out of 5]

My definition of "romance novel" generally means "erotic fiction" and there is nothing erotic about this novel. So I suppose I just exposed myself to a new genre. Dick-lit? Is that a thing?

A brief Google search has sadly shown that I'm not the first to come up with this. Oh well. Back to the book:

This is a nice, well-written book. A fairly quick read, good for traveling. Characters were pretty well developed. I did take a bit of issue with how "perfect" Marina was depicted here, always so wise and knowing the right things to say...just didn't seem realistic. And the ending felt very abrupt, maybe that was the point, but I wish there'd been a little more to the end.

All in all, a good, thoughtful story that made me question a few of my own beliefs about love and relationships. Worth a summer read.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this Nook book up through B&N not knowing what to expect, except I liked how it sounded. It turned out to be a story about how meaningful relationships should not be taken for granted or underestimated. An aging father moves in with his youngest son after his wife passes away and it becomes clear that Dad should not be living alone. Jesse is much younger than his 3 older siblings and a single man. The story revolves around Jesse's own views on commitment and relationships with women and a lesson his father is trying to teach him. Mr. Aronica included some notes at the end about his career as a writer and some excerpts from some other books he has written. I will definitely be adding them to my "want to read" list.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy read and one that I had a hard time putting down. I can't remember the last time I felt like I knew the characters of a book so well! I loved the story, the way it was told, the characters and very much loved the lessons it taught. Several stories actually develop simultaneously when we meet Jesse and his father, Mickey. It offers a wonderful illustration of relationships and how complex and difficult they can be because of what we do to them, based largely in part on our own historical experiences. But relationships can change and people can grow and sometimes, when we get hit upside the head often enough, we might even learn an important lesson before it's too late!

[Gary Garth McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up, the youngest child in a family didn't know well his older than usual father. When the father's health is failing, the youngest child, our male protagonist, takes him in. Living together, the father tells his son about a love affair before his marriage to the son's mother, and the son has his own struggles in a love affair. For me, The Forever Year passed the toothbrush test: while brushing my teeth, I looked forward to reading more in bed.

I invite you to read my interview with Lou Aronica re The Forever Year in the online magazine Late Last Night Books at http://latelastnightbooks.com/2016/04...

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best stories I've read in a long while. A love story told from a man's perspective. A story about family and the different ways we relate with each other. This is also a story which explores the subtleties of a parent and child relationship as we are older and facing the possibility of having a role reversal situation in which the child may have to act as the parent of their own father.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very beautiful story, however it took me a few days to read. It was a little slow paced, but evoked true emotion as the protagonist Jesse and his father Mickey became closer(then fought, laughed, etc.)
The end made me cry because Jesse finally 'grew up' when he realized the point his father was trying to make about true love and also I wished he was able to have a happier ending with Mickey.

Again, this was a beautiful story, but it left me wanting a little more.

[Nancy Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet book. For 3/4 of the story I thought the title was about one relationship. Turns out, it was a completely different one. A commitment-phobic 30-something youngest son takes care of his widowed dad. It changes them both completely.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5. The first e book that I've completed since I got My IPad in February. A story within a story about love. Well written with fully formed characters. This book took me finally out of my comfort zone of my "real" books and showed me it"s possible to really enjoy well written e books!

[Joan Schulhafer]

Read this in the original Ronald Anthony (pseudonym) edition. Loved it. A touching, insightful portrait of a father and son as they explore their relationship and learn from each other. An intense and intimate portrayal that touched my heart.

[Ivy Kaprow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... One of the best love stories I've ever read. Heartfelt, warm, poignant and at times, funny. It didn't feel as though I were reading a novel, but rather looking in through a window watching this beautiful story unfold.