Once In A Lifetime

The Harringtons #1

by Gwynne Forster

With a young daughter to support, recently divorced Alexis Stevenson jumps at the chance to become household manager for wealthy businessman Telford Harrington and his two brothers. Though she knows it won't be easy turning their bachelor-pad mansion into a home, she is determined to handle any obstacles, while maintaining a separate life for herself and her daughter. But Alexis isn't at all ready for the red-hot chemistry crackling between her and Telford—or the fact that she's suddenly caught in a maze of unexpected secrets and deep mistrust. But if she and Telford find their way through it—together—can they both embrace the love they so deeply desire?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2013

About the author

Gwynne Forster (1922-2015) was the pseudonym of American novelist, short fiction writer, demographer, and sociologist Gwendolyn Johnson-Acsadi. Forster was best known as an early innovator of the African American Romance fiction tradition. Forster was a prolific writer who authored more than 50 books, as well as multiple studies in the field of demography. Forster won a wide readership with her novels and garnered awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Black Writers Alliance Gold Pen Award.

Reviews

[SassyMama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Characters...Okay Storyline

Miscommunication and secrets are at the root of Gwynne Forster's latest romance novel, "Once in a Lifetime". The novel offered great characters that I grew to love, though at times, I found the plot a little confusing at times.~~~~~~~The Harrington brothers, although rich and successful in business, have not led the ideal life. Each brother is driven but Telford has something to prove and is obsessive in his business dealings. Alexis has secrets she will not reveal and is determined to turn Harrington House into a home. With an endearing heart and a captivating spirit, Tara, Alexis' daughter, has enthralled the men of Harrington House to the satisfaction of Alexis. Can this little girl change the hearts and minds of men who are accustomed to their tranquility and space? Can she change the mind of her mother who does not want to put her trust in relationships again?~~~~~~~This is a cute story with all the ingredients of a nice romance novel, however I felt the big "secret" was not really a big deal and I didn't care for the ending. In spite of this, I did love
most of the characters and their different voices. I am not sure if a follow-up book is in the plans, but I'd love to read more about little Tara and also what happens with Alexis's sister and the Harrington brother.

[Shonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning of the book. The intro to the main character was if I was reading a story. However the 4 yr old daughter was too much for me to handle. It got to the point of annoying. Also, the book started to drag. 300+ pages was too much. It seemed like the author had a great plot but she had to insert fillers and subplots with fillers. In the 300+ pages, she coulda told all 3 brothers stories and left out the little girl. Now I'm gonna be leary whenever kids are involved (at least until I forget this book).

Overall, I think the book had potential but it fell flat. I did like the fact that the main characters weren't having sex like every 3rd page. It's a romance novel and that's what I got instead of thinly veiled erotica. Romance does not equal erotica as erotica does not equal romance.

With that said, I enjoyed but would've suggested some changes if I was the editor or authors friend.

One more thing, I appreciate that the language wasn't simple like some romance novels. I am somewhat intelligent.

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good, but now I remember why I vowed not to read Gwynne Forster anymore. Some of the dialogue sounded like it came from the 18th century or straight out of a Victorian romance. Lots of outdated and just plain strange language. Won't be reading her again.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable ✍🏾

I have been immersed and fascinated by the author's writing and storytelling. I admit, I had to had to blow away the cobwebs of my vocabulary. I enjoyed the stimulation of my mind. The characters were developed and I did not beg for the truth to emerge until the last chapters. Favorite characters are, "Henry and Tara".

[devona cromartie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed reading the book. She always brings the day characters to life and deal with real life issues. It was a great read and will pass it on to friends to read.I look forward to reading more of her stories to see what happens with the brothers.

[Leigh-Anne Ford Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chance meeting

Life seemed to come full circle for Telford and Alexis. The love they held within themselves lasted a lifetime. Love can stand the test of time. Great book.

[Ajoke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel was a total disappointment for me. She has plenty of great ideas brimming with so much potential for development but the final execution is choppy and amateurish. In fact I found her writing throughout the entire novel choppy and disorganized. None of the events transitioned smoothly into each other, always jumping from day to day or even weeks ahead all within the same sentence or paragraph. There were times I couldn't tell which characters were speaking and so much time wasted trying to figure out what the heck they were trying to say, all their conversations vague and evasive.

To make matters worse she danced around the issue of Alexis and Telford getting together for so long I gave up caring halfway through the book. I might have even quit reading it but I was curious to see how the big "secret" was going to be revealed. Besides I'd already invested so much time into it that I might as well see it through. Unfortunately the revelation of the big "secret" was ridiculous at best and barely worth the build up.

The one good thing I can say about this novel is that after I finished and started a new book, immediately I missed the characters. She does well to create interesting characters that are lovable and believable; my favorite being little Tara. Unfortunately this is the only reason the novel wasn't a complete waste of time.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story went on..............FOREVER. Uh. It was an okay read but the "secrets" were so incredibly trivial that they could not sustain the premise. I just wanted it to be over. I didn't like the fact that this novel (not alone) follows the format of the well-to-do uppercrust Blacks have so much more self control when it comes to being chaste than "regular" Blacks. The verbiage was so annoyingly unrealistic I had to speed read past some of it just to plow through. I mean, who uses the phrase "protracted calcitrance" to describe a child's behavior? Who? That was the main one that stuck out in my mind but there were dozens of them peppered throughout the story.

The "secrets" revealed about Melanie Krenner just didn't add any intruige to the story whatsoever. The self-imposed guilt she had over it was just not believable even for a martyr like Alexis. The other equally stupid "secret" involved the fact that she had met Big Tip in college. While the interaction may be deemed embarassing; there was certainly nothing sinister about it. Can not recommend.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

In reading what the story was about I thought this would be a good story... but no! This story was very boring! The characters were stiff, it was too long, the wording was, in the only way I can describe it, extra!! I learned in a english course I took that one rule in writing is to not fill your work with "dressy words"! Most times it's better to be simple. And the dialogue between characters was like listening to elderly people from the deep south talk nonsense! You couldn't understand anything they were saying!I hope the stories for the remaining Harrington brothers aren't like this.

[Shavonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, this book started out ok. I felt like this book was filled with fillers. It feels like I am watch a cat chase a mouse. It got pretty boring and I got so frustrated with all the filler I decided not to continue reading it.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telford after 16 years found his true love

I love plot and character development. Therefore the pace of the story was on point. The family element that brought joy to Tara was aww inspiring. You always want children to be happy.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: The Harringtons

[Tena Meriwether · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Interested in reading stories about the other brothers.

[Barbara Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took a long tim to get to the point, you could tell where it was going just took a while to get there. So I could find myself gettting bored with what I expected to happen.

[Jacqueline Henderson]

Her heroines always has class and morals but are freaks in bed without being too graphic . Love her.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to this series of brothers and the women they fall for.