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The Shorts #1
Still
In her life, there have only been three lovers. But Leslie doesn’t lament the meager number, she only truly mourns the second one. In her youthful arrogance, she turned him away, thinking there would be many more chances. Now, she lives two lives—one in the present, and another plagued by bittersweet memories of the past.
But maybe, even now, it might be possible to reconcile the two.
But maybe, even now, it might be possible to reconcile the two.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2017
About the author
Nia Forrester
54 books1,038 followersI live in Philadelphia, PA where by day I work on public policy reform, and by night I read authors who move me, and write woman-centered fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 21, 2022
Loved this short by Nia Forrester! This is my first read of hers and I am hooked! I loved that the heroine was in her 50’s at the end. Nothing like a good second chance that literally ends leaving you aching for more❤️
November 29, 2020
Still was depressing as hell. Leslie was a sad woman who made bad choices in men. Starting with her husband. Everly was trash. I honestly don't know how Leslie stayed married to that man for 10 years. But, the Lord gave her the blessing in the form of Fleming after Everly died and Leslie screwed that up because she felt like his country boy ways were beneath her. She told him she didn't want to marry him because, she couldn't have kids but Fleming saw straight through that lie. He finally got fed up with Leslie's bougie ways and married another woman. Good for you Fleming! In the end, Leslie ended up with Anthony who was an exact replica of Everly. This character was very dislikeable. I found it hard to feel sorry for Leslie because, she pushed away the one man who loved her and gave her everything she craved emotionally just to end up with a man who treated her like trash because he was familiar. After 10 years, Leslie reaches out to Fleming who is a widower now. From the way the book ended, you can deduce she and Fleming will start their relationship again. Leslie is the epitome of not knowing what you have until it's gone. Throughout this book, Leslie looks back on her time with Fleming with regret because, she realizes she messed up a good thing. And, essentially, that's what this book was really about. Leslie regretted staying in an unhappy marriage for 10 years and allowing her stuck up ways hinder her from having a good and healthy relationship with Fleming. Still is my first book my Nia Forrester. While the book was well written, I can't honestly say I liked it. I really hope the rest of the books in this series are not like Still.
March 9, 2026
4.5⭐️ This 25 page short was just enough to ease my way into Nia’s writing. As soon as my emotions were about to spill out it was over 😩 I need more!
Woman in middle-age reflecting on chances missed and the ones she may yet recapture.
Woman in middle-age reflecting on chances missed and the ones she may yet recapture.
February 3, 2021
Amazing short!
My heart aches for Leslie because I know there are many women whom can relate to the very feelings she had felt... Yet I love a good second chance not many are afforded one and you’re left yearning for the unattainable.
My heart aches for Leslie because I know there are many women whom can relate to the very feelings she had felt... Yet I love a good second chance not many are afforded one and you’re left yearning for the unattainable.
August 16, 2026
“I thought about you then. And I think about you now. Still.”
Leslie let the man she loved get away once, and in the years that have passed, losing him seems to be one of her greatest regrets. Now, time is offering her a second chance at something real.
I love that even in such a short story, Nia Forrester still manages to hit home the importance of embracing the happiness in front of you instead of letting fear and what ifs keep you from it.
3.75 ⭐️
Leslie let the man she loved get away once, and in the years that have passed, losing him seems to be one of her greatest regrets. Now, time is offering her a second chance at something real.
I love that even in such a short story, Nia Forrester still manages to hit home the importance of embracing the happiness in front of you instead of letting fear and what ifs keep you from it.
3.75 ⭐️
October 7, 2023
Ok
A cute quick read. And I do mean quick, lol. Leslie went with her heart after all those years. Good
A cute quick read. And I do mean quick, lol. Leslie went with her heart after all those years. Good
December 27, 2025
Such a depressing story with what a sweet end.
August 25, 2026
2.5 rating. It was okay. The main character got on my nerves and needs therapy!
July 17, 2017
Enjoyed!
I liked this short a lot, and I would recommend it to anyone like me: starving for more work from Nia Forrester.
I liked this short a lot, and I would recommend it to anyone like me: starving for more work from Nia Forrester.
October 27, 2017
What if you had taken a leap of faith and lived in the moment? What if you had not judge a book by its cover and actually read and paid attention to the story? That's the questions Leslie is asking herself as she looks back on her life and choices she's made. This is a short story where Leslie trying answer all of these things. I enjoyed where the story was going but it was just a little too short for me.
March 1, 2021
By Nia Forrester
Still
Good Lawd Everly was a stiff! I don't even understand how Leslie stayed married to him for all of that time. Ain't no way. With the way that Everly thought, he needed to be by himself or not date outside of Nuns🤷🏾♀️. As I continue to read and listen to Leslie tell her story about her past and current relationship, all I could think about was "Damn, why is she settling? She's not even satisfied nor happy"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Still
Good Lawd Everly was a stiff! I don't even understand how Leslie stayed married to him for all of that time. Ain't no way. With the way that Everly thought, he needed to be by himself or not date outside of Nuns🤷🏾♀️. As I continue to read and listen to Leslie tell her story about her past and current relationship, all I could think about was "Damn, why is she settling? She's not even satisfied nor happy"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 3, 2026
Shut up. I’m SOBBING. 😭😭💛
February 9, 2026
I wanted soooo much more of this! I'm glad she was able to possibly get her forever again <3
July 18, 2026
This was a quick good read
July 27, 2020
such a great short read with some good life advice,,, MORE
August 21, 2017
Close too home
Wow, I can skip therapy after reading this story. Or maybe go more often and work through regrets. Excellent story; looking forward to more stories of couples that are "middle age".
Wow, I can skip therapy after reading this story. Or maybe go more often and work through regrets. Excellent story; looking forward to more stories of couples that are "middle age".
August 10, 2017
Leslie tells her story of her life and her loves. At the ripe old age of 49 she realizes that her second love was really her only love. She realizes that what you had may have been what you were looking for all the time. Great short written by Ms Forrester of reflection and admitting the wrong in some of our choices.
Thank you for a great read Ms. Nia. I hope Leslie and Fleming speak to you some more to tell how things progressed in their togetherness..
Thank you for a great read Ms. Nia. I hope Leslie and Fleming speak to you some more to tell how things progressed in their togetherness..
August 10, 2017
I could relate a bit to Bryn.
On a sidenote, the thing I hate about short stories is that the endings are always so open. The thing I love about short stories is that the endings are always so open.
On a sidenote, the thing I hate about short stories is that the endings are always so open. The thing I love about short stories is that the endings are always so open.
August 10, 2017
Such a great lunch time read!
Wasn't sure what I expected from the short, but it was good. It was certainly like a tapas. It was a full course, just small. I like it. I would like to know how things turn out with these characters as well.
Wasn't sure what I expected from the short, but it was good. It was certainly like a tapas. It was a full course, just small. I like it. I would like to know how things turn out with these characters as well.
August 7, 2017
Beautiful
well written, short, but well written. A tell of regrets and second chances for the seasoned woman. I so can relate. I don't have the courage the heroine has however. Well done.
well written, short, but well written. A tell of regrets and second chances for the seasoned woman. I so can relate. I don't have the courage the heroine has however. Well done.
August 6, 2017
Great read
Great read, excellent short story. Leslie lived an unfulfilled life due to her choices and settling. Hopefully, her reconnection with Fleming will make her happy.
Great read, excellent short story. Leslie lived an unfulfilled life due to her choices and settling. Hopefully, her reconnection with Fleming will make her happy.
July 29, 2017
One good short
Disclaimer: I love Nia Forrester!
I have read all but 1 of her books. I skipped her book of shorts. I just don't like shorts or so I thought. Being able to have my heart invested so quickly in the characters is a sign of exemplary writing. This book is clocked at 22 pages—22 pages. It's like a clown car, packed; but is neither a trick nor an illusion.
This is a well-crafted work about love lost and reflection. Many women will relate to Leslie, the main character. Her doubt, sadness and insecurities resonant. But, somehow even with all the melancholy, Forrester allows us to feel Leslie's joy, hope and the happiness swelling in her heart.
Bottom line, this was one good short story.
Disclaimer: I love Nia Forrester!
I have read all but 1 of her books. I skipped her book of shorts. I just don't like shorts or so I thought. Being able to have my heart invested so quickly in the characters is a sign of exemplary writing. This book is clocked at 22 pages—22 pages. It's like a clown car, packed; but is neither a trick nor an illusion.
This is a well-crafted work about love lost and reflection. Many women will relate to Leslie, the main character. Her doubt, sadness and insecurities resonant. But, somehow even with all the melancholy, Forrester allows us to feel Leslie's joy, hope and the happiness swelling in her heart.
Bottom line, this was one good short story.
July 23, 2017
I love short stories--always have. It's a literary form that is often overlooked by today's readers who usually want series or super-long novels. With Still, the first in the Shorts series by Nia Forrester, we get a slice of life story about a second chance at love. The main character, Leslie, is nearing middle age and realises that her life is not what she'd anticipated. She has only had three lovers in her life--her first husband (Everly, who died in a car crash a little after their 10th anniversary), Fleming (who made every part of her sing, but didn't want the same things she wanted) and Anthony (who is so boring that Leslie feels no spark of passion with him).
What we get is a beautifully written short story that takes us into Leslie's inner world and shows us a thoughtful woman who is worried that she has allowed herself to settle instead of allowing herself to be fulfilled. And in this I think we all can relate. There are times when we make decisions that are based on being practical rather than spontaneous or passionate.
I won't spoil the story for you. I will say that if you have never read short stories before, you are in for a treat. Forrester succeeds quite effortlessly in presenting Leslie's life for us with carefully crafted sentences that pique the reader's interest and are wonderfully descriptive without being overwhelming or overwrought.
I am looking forward to the next instalment of the Shorts. I am hooked!
What we get is a beautifully written short story that takes us into Leslie's inner world and shows us a thoughtful woman who is worried that she has allowed herself to settle instead of allowing herself to be fulfilled. And in this I think we all can relate. There are times when we make decisions that are based on being practical rather than spontaneous or passionate.
I won't spoil the story for you. I will say that if you have never read short stories before, you are in for a treat. Forrester succeeds quite effortlessly in presenting Leslie's life for us with carefully crafted sentences that pique the reader's interest and are wonderfully descriptive without being overwhelming or overwrought.
I am looking forward to the next instalment of the Shorts. I am hooked!
July 25, 2017
Even more enjoyable the second time! I'd love more of this story.
July 16, 2017
Nice Short
I'm never really sure what kind of surprise this author will have in store for me. This story was in line with her similar gems. This short story was engaging and thoughtful. A nice sweet, short story...
I'm never really sure what kind of surprise this author will have in store for me. This story was in line with her similar gems. This short story was engaging and thoughtful. A nice sweet, short story...
July 16, 2017
My heart beats STILL!!!
Omg! Great read! Definitely want more!! Cant wait. Its not over until its over. I really hope love wins for them.
Omg! Great read! Definitely want more!! Cant wait. Its not over until its over. I really hope love wins for them.
July 17, 2017
Still
This was a nice short story. You learn a lot about these characters in a short amount of time. It makes you want more.
This was a nice short story. You learn a lot about these characters in a short amount of time. It makes you want more.
September 15, 2017
A great story.
January 16, 2022
Still
Still gives me chills! Adele should write a song about this😂 Ain’t it funny how life circles back around! I love all of the shorts!
Still gives me chills! Adele should write a song about this😂 Ain’t it funny how life circles back around! I love all of the shorts!
September 14, 2026
🍂💧
The FMC was honestly sad to me. She was so regretful about how her life turned out and the choices she made, especially when it came to the men she chose. You could really feel her reflecting on where she was versus where she thought she would be. That part of her story definitely stood out to me.
Overall, this was okay for me. It wasn’t a bad read, but it also didn’t completely blow me away. I think the FMC’s regret and sadness gave the story some depth, and I appreciated getting to see her really sit with some of her choices and their consequences. This was my first time reading a book by this author and while this one was just okay for me, I’m definitely interested in checking out more of her work.
The FMC was honestly sad to me. She was so regretful about how her life turned out and the choices she made, especially when it came to the men she chose. You could really feel her reflecting on where she was versus where she thought she would be. That part of her story definitely stood out to me.
Overall, this was okay for me. It wasn’t a bad read, but it also didn’t completely blow me away. I think the FMC’s regret and sadness gave the story some depth, and I appreciated getting to see her really sit with some of her choices and their consequences. This was my first time reading a book by this author and while this one was just okay for me, I’m definitely interested in checking out more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews