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Survived by Her Longtime Companion
Hired to work on a biography of the late film star, Daphne DeMonet, Bailey Hampton arrives to conduct an interview with Eleanor Burnett, Daphne's "longtime companion." To Bailey's dismay, she learns Eleanor has set up a co-interview with Bailey's ex-partner, Chelsea Parker. Estranged for eleven months, the two women hide their painful memories and strain to be civil to one another. Eleanor startles them by insisting that they take turns reading aloud from Eleanor's diaries of her life with Daphne DeMonet. Only after the diaries are read in her presence will Eleanor proceed with a full interview. Once Eleanor discovers that Bailey and Chelsea are ex-partners, the diary readings take on a new meaning for her. Can they learn from the mistakes she and Daphne made as young lovers? Will that knowledge bring Bailey and Chelsea together again? Or is it too late to mend their broken relationship?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2012
9 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Chris Paynter
10 books79 followersChris Paynter is the author of nine novels, including "Survived by Her Longtime Companion," the winner of the 2013 Golden Crown Literary Society Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award and Finalist for the 2013 Lambda Literary Award in Lesbian Romance. Her latest release is "Just a Touch Away," a romance set in Indiana about a grieving children’s book author and the illustrator who captures her heart. She has been a three-time GCLS Finalist for the Ann Bannon Award, and her novels have won five Rainbow Awards Honorable Mentions. She was also a GCLS Finalist in Traditional Lesbian Romance for "Come Back to Me."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 28, 2016
If there was a 6th star I would give it to this book. By far my favorite book and I'm too scared that nothing will come close to it..
It's a parallel love story with 2 couples involved however Daphne & Ellie story is much stronger and the connection is just so REAL. The story takes you through a journey of 65 years and it does it brilliantly and touches upon the struggle of gay society in the old days where everyone needed to lie/cover their sexuality. Unfortunately this hit me personally because where I come from its still the same exact situation in 2016!!
I need to warn you though that this is rather a very sad story. It hits you with the realization of how unimportant certain things we choose are compared to the more important elements of our life that we either take for granted or not notice even!
I don't think there's a book that made me cry so much! It's too sad but wonderfully sad at the same time if you know what I mean :)
It's a parallel love story with 2 couples involved however Daphne & Ellie story is much stronger and the connection is just so REAL. The story takes you through a journey of 65 years and it does it brilliantly and touches upon the struggle of gay society in the old days where everyone needed to lie/cover their sexuality. Unfortunately this hit me personally because where I come from its still the same exact situation in 2016!!
I need to warn you though that this is rather a very sad story. It hits you with the realization of how unimportant certain things we choose are compared to the more important elements of our life that we either take for granted or not notice even!
I don't think there's a book that made me cry so much! It's too sad but wonderfully sad at the same time if you know what I mean :)
June 18, 2019
This great book would make a great movie. Two parallel love stories, captivating and very believable characters, interesting and well-constructed plot. I like all of Chris Paynter's novels but this one is definitely best so far. One of my five top books of 2012.
--- *Updated after multiple rereads* ---
One of my top books ever.
--- *Updated after multiple rereads* ---
One of my top books ever.
February 13, 2019
This was an extremely touching book with a double dose of love story within its pages.
Bailey and Chelsea start out in a broken relationship state. Travel and too much time away from each other has created a chasm that Chelsea feels is too much to overcome. They choose to end their 9 year relationship.
Eleven months later, both Bailey and Chelsea (unknowingly) are called upon to interview the longtime companion of Daphne DeMonet, a famous movie star who has recently passed away.
After meeting Eleanor, the woman who spent her life with Daphne, they embark on several weeks of meetings and diary readings to uncover the story of their love. And it calls into question decisions Bailey and Chelsea have made in their own lives.
It was sweet, turbulent, frustrating, sad, and hopeful. I went through all the emotions. Cried. All the signs of a really good book.
This was released forever ago, I think. So thank goodness for goodreads that this showed up in my feed recently to give it a go.
Bailey and Chelsea start out in a broken relationship state. Travel and too much time away from each other has created a chasm that Chelsea feels is too much to overcome. They choose to end their 9 year relationship.
Eleven months later, both Bailey and Chelsea (unknowingly) are called upon to interview the longtime companion of Daphne DeMonet, a famous movie star who has recently passed away.
After meeting Eleanor, the woman who spent her life with Daphne, they embark on several weeks of meetings and diary readings to uncover the story of their love. And it calls into question decisions Bailey and Chelsea have made in their own lives.
It was sweet, turbulent, frustrating, sad, and hopeful. I went through all the emotions. Cried. All the signs of a really good book.
This was released forever ago, I think. So thank goodness for goodreads that this showed up in my feed recently to give it a go.
June 8, 2016
To be honest, I struggled a bit with this book. I wanted to love it, I was excited to read it, but it never really clicked for me. I was waiting to feel just totally immersed in the two love stories, but it never really happened. I think part of the problem was the fact it had two love stories going at once. While I have enjoyed stories with groups of women and different relationships going on. For whatever reason, maybe because one relationship was in the past and one present... I felt like I never really got into the characters and their love-stories. While I did feel more of a connection with Daphne and Eleanor's story, Bailey and Chelsea's relationship was more like an afterthought. And I found having to force myself not to skip over their parts.
The overall writing was good, and the book affected me enough to ball my eyes out in the end. I just wished I had connected a bit more. I have read all these wonderful reviews from my Goodreads friends and I can't help but think why didn't I like it more? Maybe I'm not the romantic I thought I was. But I guess it just proves to me how some people just identify more to some stories than others.
I would still recommend this to romance fans. I did like it, just not love it, and chances are you may like it better than I did.
The overall writing was good, and the book affected me enough to ball my eyes out in the end. I just wished I had connected a bit more. I have read all these wonderful reviews from my Goodreads friends and I can't help but think why didn't I like it more? Maybe I'm not the romantic I thought I was. But I guess it just proves to me how some people just identify more to some stories than others.
I would still recommend this to romance fans. I did like it, just not love it, and chances are you may like it better than I did.
February 2, 2025
I loved this book!
A wonderful and amazing story about two women that spans over 60 years. This is one of those books that if done right and with the true essence of the story would make an amazing movie.
A wonderful and amazing story about two women that spans over 60 years. This is one of those books that if done right and with the true essence of the story would make an amazing movie.
March 24, 2019
First off, I couldn’t believe how quickly I got hooked into this story. After just 6% of the book, I was literally boohooing about Bailey and Chelsea needing to get back together somehow some way. There are so many stories that I read where I barely connect with the mains after finishing the whole book and here I was all in after 3 slim chapters of Survived. Then when Eleanor and Daphne’s story came into play, I didn’t want to do anything else but read read read.
We start off in the center of an anguished breakup of a long term relationship. Both women heartbroken and certain that’s the end except that then there would be no book. Then almost a year later, they meet again while researching the life and death of an old Hollywood star and her rumoured long time female partner.
The past of old Hollywood plays perfectly against the present of the estranged couple. Daphne and Eleanor’s story is magic and unwraps like a stellar biography while read in diary form by Chelsea and Bailey. Not a wrong note anywhere, beautifully and richly told story.
We start off in the center of an anguished breakup of a long term relationship. Both women heartbroken and certain that’s the end except that then there would be no book. Then almost a year later, they meet again while researching the life and death of an old Hollywood star and her rumoured long time female partner.
The past of old Hollywood plays perfectly against the present of the estranged couple. Daphne and Eleanor’s story is magic and unwraps like a stellar biography while read in diary form by Chelsea and Bailey. Not a wrong note anywhere, beautifully and richly told story.
April 20, 2012
I remember reading the description of Survived by her Longtime Companion by Chris Paynter when it came out and thinking it sounded too sombre for the kind of story I was in the mood for, but ever since I’ve kept hearing how much people have loved this novel. So when it came up as the book of the month on the Facebook lesficReader group, I thought I would take a look at it, and I’m extremely glad that I did.
The rekindling of the relationship between the younger protagonists, although harrowing at times, is told with warmth, great observation and some lovely humour. I found this an emotionally gripping novel and the story between Bailey and Chelsea starting as they split up made an interesting and tender romance. There are also many nice touches that flesh out Bailey and Chelsea’s relationship including habits of a long-term relationship that made me cringe because I recognised them: “fine” being an answer that means nothing of the sort – the other four-letter f word as Eleanor says.
But it is Eleanor, the older British character, and her great life-long romance with Daphne that completely stole the show for me. Eleanor's attractive, witty, classy, flirtatious with an amusing lack of patience and a friendly but sharp edge to her. This wasn’t something I’d pictured from the blurb, but it was a real draw for me. I also found Eleanor’s first-person narrative through her diaries convincingly British, different from the very American telling of Chelsea and Bailey’s story. Eleanor uses the occasional American term (as she would living in the States for so long) but the feel of her story was very British for me.
Her story – an almost lifelong romance with film star Daphne – is completely absorbing. It spans glamorous 50s Hollywood to poignant heart-breaking moments of an ailing film star and old woman. I felt the same way as Bailey and Chelsea at the end – knowing Daphne was dead but wishing the story would re-write itself to make it not so – this was very effective writing
The rekindling of the relationship between the younger protagonists, although harrowing at times, is told with warmth, great observation and some lovely humour. I found this an emotionally gripping novel and the story between Bailey and Chelsea starting as they split up made an interesting and tender romance. There are also many nice touches that flesh out Bailey and Chelsea’s relationship including habits of a long-term relationship that made me cringe because I recognised them: “fine” being an answer that means nothing of the sort – the other four-letter f word as Eleanor says.
But it is Eleanor, the older British character, and her great life-long romance with Daphne that completely stole the show for me. Eleanor's attractive, witty, classy, flirtatious with an amusing lack of patience and a friendly but sharp edge to her. This wasn’t something I’d pictured from the blurb, but it was a real draw for me. I also found Eleanor’s first-person narrative through her diaries convincingly British, different from the very American telling of Chelsea and Bailey’s story. Eleanor uses the occasional American term (as she would living in the States for so long) but the feel of her story was very British for me.
Her story – an almost lifelong romance with film star Daphne – is completely absorbing. It spans glamorous 50s Hollywood to poignant heart-breaking moments of an ailing film star and old woman. I felt the same way as Bailey and Chelsea at the end – knowing Daphne was dead but wishing the story would re-write itself to make it not so – this was very effective writing
May 29, 2015
What a journey. This is a really well written and touching novel.
To some people, this story may be a story of hope, with a positive message. And it is, somewhat. But personally, I found it incredibly sad. Beautiful, but so, so sad. I cried, a lot. If you're not in a good place emotionnally, you probably shouldn't read this one.
I don't know why I finished the book with a heavy heart, but I believe the reason is the lack of balance between both love stories. I got a lot more attached to Daphne and Ellie than to Bailey and Chels, and as a result the "feel-good" romance of the latter didn't help me get over how heartbreaking the last years of Daph and Ellie's relationship were.
There is a lack of simple happy intimate scenes.
In most romance novels, there's this idea of "forever" at the end of a book with a happy ending. The idea that the couple has years ahead of them and that their lives are just getting started. But in this one you're left with the realisation that life is fragile, that time is precious and that you can't waste it. It's kind of a terrifying thought.
Of course, Bailey and Chelsea get their happy ending but next to Daphne and Ellie, their relationship seems less intense. Also because we don't get to read much about their time together.
Anyway, this is worth reading because it's a realistic story of life. And well, we can never read enough of these, even if they break your heart
To some people, this story may be a story of hope, with a positive message. And it is, somewhat. But personally, I found it incredibly sad. Beautiful, but so, so sad. I cried, a lot. If you're not in a good place emotionnally, you probably shouldn't read this one.
I don't know why I finished the book with a heavy heart, but I believe the reason is the lack of balance between both love stories. I got a lot more attached to Daphne and Ellie than to Bailey and Chels, and as a result the "feel-good" romance of the latter didn't help me get over how heartbreaking the last years of Daph and Ellie's relationship were.
There is a lack of simple happy intimate scenes.
In most romance novels, there's this idea of "forever" at the end of a book with a happy ending. The idea that the couple has years ahead of them and that their lives are just getting started. But in this one you're left with the realisation that life is fragile, that time is precious and that you can't waste it. It's kind of a terrifying thought.
Of course, Bailey and Chelsea get their happy ending but next to Daphne and Ellie, their relationship seems less intense. Also because we don't get to read much about their time together.
Anyway, this is worth reading because it's a realistic story of life. And well, we can never read enough of these, even if they break your heart
August 21, 2013
This is an interesting and entertaining read that speaks to relationships. How easy it is to neglect the one you love and how precious and wonderful life can be with the right person in your life. The reader gets to travel back in time through a series of diary entries to the golden years of Hollywood when same sex couples had to disguise their true feelings for each other or risk being black listed by the big studios. Well edited and well paced and well deserving of its Goldie award, Ms Paynter had written a lovely story from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 12, 2019
Every time I shut off my e-reader and saw the percentage that was left of this book, I would cringe, wanting to draw it out. Yet I couldn't help but blow through this in a weekend. Chris Paynter, where did you come from? This was the first book of hers I read and definitely won't be the last.
This was such an eloquent, well written love story with two female couples as the main characters. I was riveted by both storylines and had many emotions run through me as I reached the end. Sadness, hope, grief, happiness, contemplation. I agree with other reviewers who said this read like a movie, and wonder if Hollywood would ever take a chance on it. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
This was such an eloquent, well written love story with two female couples as the main characters. I was riveted by both storylines and had many emotions run through me as I reached the end. Sadness, hope, grief, happiness, contemplation. I agree with other reviewers who said this read like a movie, and wonder if Hollywood would ever take a chance on it. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
June 19, 2021
This 60 year love story touched my heart
August 16, 2015
This book has popped up in my amazon recommended list for a long time and I've always thought that I wouldn't be interested after reading the synopsis. I am so glad that I've given this a try as this book is going to make it to my all time favourite list.
The pacing and the parallel story line went surprisingly well, and I thought it was very well balanced. Ellie's and Daphne's story was in the past while Chelsea and Bailey's story is forward moving. Ellie has already lost Daphne, contrasting with Chelsea and Bailey's story where they can still find each other and move into the future.
Ellie and Daphne's love for each other was deep and transcended through time and obstacles. I loved the way the diary passages are worded and I was completely absorbed into Ellie and Daphne's story. To me, Ellie and Daphne's story felt realistic - there will always be challenges to overcome, it is a matter of how much you're willing to make things work. There are parts of their story which is heartbreaking to read. This book kind of reminded me of the movie "The Notebook", and I'm happy to see that they are with each other towards the very end. I also think it would be fantastic if this is going to be turned into a move one day.
This book kind of reminded me of the movie - The notebook.
The pacing and the parallel story line went surprisingly well, and I thought it was very well balanced. Ellie's and Daphne's story was in the past while Chelsea and Bailey's story is forward moving. Ellie has already lost Daphne, contrasting with Chelsea and Bailey's story where they can still find each other and move into the future.
Ellie and Daphne's love for each other was deep and transcended through time and obstacles. I loved the way the diary passages are worded and I was completely absorbed into Ellie and Daphne's story. To me, Ellie and Daphne's story felt realistic - there will always be challenges to overcome, it is a matter of how much you're willing to make things work. There are parts of their story which is heartbreaking to read. This book kind of reminded me of the movie "The Notebook", and I'm happy to see that they are with each other towards the very end. I also think it would be fantastic if this is going to be turned into a move one day.
This book kind of reminded me of the movie - The notebook.
April 16, 2014
I liked this book a lot!
I thought it was interesting that it had two different story lines with two different time frames.
because of the fact that the book evolves around two different couples, I was afraid that it would be hard to stay with the feeling of each story. This was no problem at all, there was a nice balance between the different story's. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Chris Paynter. Very well done with this one! What a blessing it must be to experience a love like Daphne and Eleanor.
I thought it was interesting that it had two different story lines with two different time frames.
because of the fact that the book evolves around two different couples, I was afraid that it would be hard to stay with the feeling of each story. This was no problem at all, there was a nice balance between the different story's. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Chris Paynter. Very well done with this one! What a blessing it must be to experience a love like Daphne and Eleanor.
July 5, 2015
Woah! I am hopelessly in love with Eleanor and Daphne in the end. This book moves me to tears of happiness. It gives me hope knowing that love can last a lifetime, and even longer than we could imagine. Wouldn't we all wish for a love like this?
May 9, 2019
Sighs...what a touching story, which I would have love for it to go on. Sweet story that tug at my heartstrings. I have other books by the same author, but I set them aside for too long.
January 17, 2018
I enjoyed the dual nature of this book, two stories entwined but there were times when it felt a little quick and I wanted more than surface details and a quick glimpse at the emotions experienced.
Overall a lovely story - 3.5 for me.
Overall a lovely story - 3.5 for me.
March 3, 2019
Oh! I so wanted to love this book - but couldn't. I didn't like one of the characters, didn't believe in them, didn't want them to succeed - just plain groaned every time they were back on the page. Sorry.
November 19, 2015
Just my luck that right I had just recently finished a very sad romance story right before this just to encounter another one that made me cry---again! My heart is not ready to go through these emotional roller coaster twice in a row, it is fragile, really fragile!
Normally, I would be the first one to yell out "epilogue!" However, the ending of this story is right where it supposed to be. I don't think any other unnecessary wrap-it-up scene is needed.
PS: I really enjoy Eleanor and Daphne's story, perhaps even more so than the two main casts (maybe that was the whole point).
Normally, I would be the first one to yell out "epilogue!" However, the ending of this story is right where it supposed to be. I don't think any other unnecessary wrap-it-up scene is needed.
PS: I really enjoy Eleanor and Daphne's story, perhaps even more so than the two main casts (maybe that was the whole point).
July 12, 2013
I liked this book and, yes, I cried twice. If Goodreads offered 1/2 stars, I would have gone 3.5.
I enjoyed the dual stories but wish there would have been more of both of them. I know, that's probably too much to ask for but I felt like we only got to skim the surface of both couples.
I still recommend the book to romance readers. It's a good one!
I enjoyed the dual stories but wish there would have been more of both of them. I know, that's probably too much to ask for but I felt like we only got to skim the surface of both couples.
I still recommend the book to romance readers. It's a good one!
April 6, 2022
After a while, a book that make me cry. I know Daphne was going to die but it was still difficult. I like a good Hollywood romance.
Bailey and Chelsea had gone their seperate ways amicably. After 11 months they met at Eleanor's house. Together they read from the diaries. First with Eleanor then without her and in the end with her again. I read this book in less than 24 hours.
Bailey and Chelsea had gone their seperate ways amicably. After 11 months they met at Eleanor's house. Together they read from the diaries. First with Eleanor then without her and in the end with her again. I read this book in less than 24 hours.
November 1, 2024
This was sweet and sad and a solid way to incorporate two different stories and timelines. The only thing that took me completely out of it was the amount of detail about sex in the diary entries, which is honestly unrealistic and just plain weird if you're making people read it out loud in front of you.
February 11, 2019
I think tried to read the chapter 26 almost three times until i finished, because I couldn't stand so much love and pain at the same time.
.... A beautiful masterpiece.
This book is a reminder to everyone to love and live life to the fullest.
.... A beautiful masterpiece.
This book is a reminder to everyone to love and live life to the fullest.
March 28, 2016
A remarkable treasure!
This was breathtaking, heart-wrenching. The diaries are a roller coaster of emotions, describing a relationship full of turmoil. These diaries will pull you into their life story and let you experience their life together from the beginning. It was fascinating following the journey of Daphne and Ellie. Interviewing Ellie changes their lives forever making them understand what is the most important in their life and that it is worth fighting for. The writing style is more than excellent and written in a page turning format. I don't want to give anything away and beyond that, I have no words that will do this book justice. This one is a real treasure and the story will remain with me for a long time.
This was breathtaking, heart-wrenching. The diaries are a roller coaster of emotions, describing a relationship full of turmoil. These diaries will pull you into their life story and let you experience their life together from the beginning. It was fascinating following the journey of Daphne and Ellie. Interviewing Ellie changes their lives forever making them understand what is the most important in their life and that it is worth fighting for. The writing style is more than excellent and written in a page turning format. I don't want to give anything away and beyond that, I have no words that will do this book justice. This one is a real treasure and the story will remain with me for a long time.
May 8, 2014
I really love this story.. I can't remember the last time that I cried just by reading a story. I almost believed that Daphne and Eleanor was real.
What they had was beautiful.
Now I sound like their real. :D
What they had was beautiful.
Now I sound like their real. :D
January 14, 2016
A sad but beautiful book. Beautifully written and my heart break along with Eleanor along the journey. Love it but might not have the heart to read it again. Totally recommend to people who haven't read it though. Simply beautiful.
March 11, 2013
This book is one of my favorites. The older story line just cut me in two and then put me back together again. Loved it so much!
July 8, 2022
It's been a while since i last cried after reading a book. thank you Chris paynter for this wonderful book.
November 4, 2019
Stunning
Biographer Bailey’s lover of nine years, Chelsea, leaves her when their relationship stalls. Eleven months later she is hired to do an interview with Eleanor who is the longtime lover of deceased movie star Daphne. Unknown to her Chelsea is also after an interview with the elderly woman. When Eleanor realizes that the two women are former partners she sets out to make them realize how special love really is.
OMG, WHOA, WOW and HOLY COW!!!! This book is AWESOME and ever so hard but its beauty makes up for that. I don’t have the words I need to make anyone see how…special this book is. The story is about Bailey and Chelsea but it revolves around Eleanor’s diaries of her life with Daphne. A great deal of the book is their story and it’s not always easy or pretty. Of course Daphne was a movie star in the 50s and beyond and things were not easy for lesbians then, especially famous ones. This book made me FEEL! It picked me up, set me in the middle and kept me there while the story unfolded around me. It was impossible to put it down. While there was a happy ending, Ms Paynter makes you work for it and you know what? That’s ok! In spite of the pain it’s all worth it. When it was done, I was crying so hard both from loss and from joy and peace. I couldn’t remember this was just a book, it was all too real! If you only read one book by this author, make it this one! It is truly awe inspiring!!!
Biographer Bailey’s lover of nine years, Chelsea, leaves her when their relationship stalls. Eleven months later she is hired to do an interview with Eleanor who is the longtime lover of deceased movie star Daphne. Unknown to her Chelsea is also after an interview with the elderly woman. When Eleanor realizes that the two women are former partners she sets out to make them realize how special love really is.
OMG, WHOA, WOW and HOLY COW!!!! This book is AWESOME and ever so hard but its beauty makes up for that. I don’t have the words I need to make anyone see how…special this book is. The story is about Bailey and Chelsea but it revolves around Eleanor’s diaries of her life with Daphne. A great deal of the book is their story and it’s not always easy or pretty. Of course Daphne was a movie star in the 50s and beyond and things were not easy for lesbians then, especially famous ones. This book made me FEEL! It picked me up, set me in the middle and kept me there while the story unfolded around me. It was impossible to put it down. While there was a happy ending, Ms Paynter makes you work for it and you know what? That’s ok! In spite of the pain it’s all worth it. When it was done, I was crying so hard both from loss and from joy and peace. I couldn’t remember this was just a book, it was all too real! If you only read one book by this author, make it this one! It is truly awe inspiring!!!
May 15, 2012
I love this novel, am sure I'll read it many times.
There are two love stories, separated by time, in the novel and the way Chris Paynter weaves the two stories together is amazing.
The main story is about a Hollywood star and her female lover. I grew up with Hollywood stars, in films and my dreams, so it was fascinating to read about one, she felt so real!
The characters are so lovable, and the novel is beautifully written!!
Lately, I've lost my faith in lesbian romance but "Survived by her Longtime Companion" may just have restored it!
There are two love stories, separated by time, in the novel and the way Chris Paynter weaves the two stories together is amazing.
The main story is about a Hollywood star and her female lover. I grew up with Hollywood stars, in films and my dreams, so it was fascinating to read about one, she felt so real!
The characters are so lovable, and the novel is beautifully written!!
Lately, I've lost my faith in lesbian romance but "Survived by her Longtime Companion" may just have restored it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews