For a Lifetime by Valerie Kapp is a sweet but emotional contemporary romance about learning how to be a survivor, acceptance, and allowing yourself to be loved again.
Renata Santos is a survivor but still sees herself as a victim. Nearly three years after rescuing her niece from a horrific fire her self-esteem and self-image are at an all-time low. She buries herself in work and is adamant that love is a thing of the past. Who could bear to look at her scars when she can barely look at them herself?
Brianna Walsh has given up on love. She has spent the last 8 years building up a virtual reality company. The company is currently trying to get a system they have developed that improves STEM scores into high schools. When Brianna meets high school principal Renata Santos, she isn’t prepared for the strong attraction she feels.
Renata feels the pull too, it’s the first time in a long time she has longed for another’s touch. But both women have a past they need to let go of in order for them to open up to the possibility of new love. The journey is emotional and far from smooth but if they allow themselves to travel it, it could just be something that will last a lifetime.
Writing
The writing in this book is lovely. The author invoked emotions with her words. The way Kapp developed the main characters was believable and never rushed. I particularly liked how Renata’s feelings towards herself were described.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
What I loved about this book is the emotional journey both main characters went on. It’s such a sweet romance but it is filled with lots of emotions and healing that both Ren and Bri have to deal with.
Ren has such low self-esteem; she sees herself as a victim and the image that she sees in the mirror repels her. She struggles to see herself as a survivor. Her scars are part of who she is however she uses them to remind her of the person she lost in the fire. Ren is obviously a different person from who she was before the fire, but she fails to see that person as strong, brave, and selfless. It takes Bri coming into her life for her to finally confront her self-image and change how she feels.
Bri is confident and self-assured, she has one of those personalities that draws people in. She is a forgiving soul who has been hurt in the past, it’s that past hurt that makes her hold back a little when it comes to Ren. She is wary and struggles because she’s not prepared to be hurt by love again.
Both these women are older (50’s and 60’s) and I adored that this author shows that even when you’re at a stage in your life where you believe you should just settle and be happy with what you have, it only takes ‘the one’ to come along and make you rethink those beliefs. Now that journey is not easy but if you are willing to go on it then the destination could be something that will last a lifetime.
There is a brilliant cast of extras in this book in the form of family and friends who are supportive and loving, these characters really bring the book together and give it that hallmark feel of warmth.
There is a small mystery woven through the story, it’s not the main storyline but it adds a little to it, I would have loved a bit more of it but equally, it was great the way it was.
One of the best things about this book is that it has a powerful message about body positivity. It enforces the notion that how you look isn’t what’s important because when the right person sees you, they see the whole you scars and all. Another amazing message in this book is the need for consent- just because you are comfortable with something doesn’t mean your partner is and it’s sexy and respectful to ask before you touch.
Heads Up
Bri was in a fire that has left both physical and emotional scars.
There is a stalker mystery in this book.
The Conclusion
If you love sweet, emotional romances that have that hallmark feel to them, then this one is for you. It is one of those books that make you think and put you in the position of the main characters. Renatta and Brianna are fabulous, I loved them both and was praying for them to open themselves up to new love. Ren in particular has a wonderful journey; her self-esteem is low, and it is only seeing herself through Bri’s eyes that gives her the push she needs to take the next step.
For a Lifetime left me feeling warm and loved. I read this book quickly because I couldn’t wait to learn how these women dealt with what was affecting them. It’s a beautifully told story and one that gives you a big hug. It’s one of those books that could be turned into a movie, and I’d watch again and again.
Excerpt from For a Lifetime by Valerie Kapp
A loud, high-pitched beep awakens me from a dead sleep.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Pause.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Pause.
What is that noise? I inhale and immediately start coughing. And that odor?
Finally, I sit up and rub my eyes. The beeping continues. With a jolt, I realize the dense white fog is blocking me from seeing across the room.
I touch the leather underneath me to feel grounded as the fog swirls around me. If I squint, I can barely see two other high-back chairs across from me. I’m on my sister’s couch in her living room. It hits me: the beeping is the smoke alarm.
Oh my God, where’s Izzy?
I knock something over as I bolt across the living room. The smoke thickens with each step.
Izzy. My breath wheezes as I look to the right toward the front door, then turn left down the bedroom hallway, yelling, “Izzy, fire!” I lift the bottom of my T-shirt over my mouth and nose as my hand guides me against the wall.
Izzy’s head slams into my right side as she flies through her bedroom door. “Aunt Ren—the smoke alarm—all this smoke. I’m scared.” She wipes her eyes and coughs. The smoke billows down the hallway.
“We need to stay low. Let’s crawl toward the front door.” I lead the way, telling her to hold on to my pants leg.
I must save Izzy.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1642474619
Publisher: Bella Books
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