See You Then
by Susan Coventry
A 40-year-old widow falls for her 23-year-old neighbor in this debut contemporary romance.
In her first foray into fiction, Coventry presents a sympathetic heroine confronted by forbidden love. Samantha Sullivan lives alone in suburban Michigan, where she’s been quietly grieving her deceased husband for nearly five years. But when her attractive, young neighbor Jason Grant returns to his parents’ house from college for the summer, she’s stunned by his good looks. As they chat over the backyard fence, she feels the first stirrings of her libido since before she lost her husband. She tries to laugh off her fantasies about the much younger man, but it quickly becomes clear that Jason feels an attraction to her, too. With wisdom well beyond his tender years, he convinces her that she should give their budding relationship a chance. The two quickly become close during a series of very private and steamy dates. However, Sam is frightened about how others will perceive their relationship and tries to keep it secret despite Jason’s objections. When he finally tells his parents about Sam, his mother gives her a cold reception, which Sam interprets as a harbinger of what’s to come. Sam soon attempts to extricate herself from the relationship, pushing Jason to accept an internship in Denver that could result in a permanent job. Although she thinks she’s falling in love with him, her fear of social rejection may prevent them from ever having a chance. As Coventry describes the complex issues of age and love that Jason and Sam must navigate, she also touches on other weighty topics, such as grief, friendship, and emotional renewal. She tells the story at a fast clip, building the suspense in a way that will keep even the most experienced romance fans engaged. The story artfully explores the difficulties inherent in unconventional relationships without skimping on steamy sex scenes. Although the tale’s trajectory is somewhat predictable, readers should enjoy Coventry’s witty narrative style, complex characters, and knack for flirtatious dialogue.
A modern love story with an absorbing, unique take on May-December relationships.