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Once in a Lifetime

Once in a Lifetime

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: i hate romance novels...
Review: ...but this book changed my mind. I read Ms. Foster's mainstream novel and decided to give this category romance a try. Now I'm hooked.It's sexy, it's fun and the characters are people I really got excited about. I'm going to buy Ms. Foster's other books as soon as I can get my hands on them.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SO CUTE...
Review: ...that little Tara could make any man surrender in a matter of minutes. But it was the sexual tension between Telford and Alexis that kept me turning the pages. Alexis could handle all three Harrington bachelors with no problem.....I liked her style! By the way that Jack character was the biggest idiot.....
I know Ms. Forster won't leave her readers hanging.....do I hear SEQUEL.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: supern contemporary romance
Review: Alexis Stevenson believes her ex-husband Jack is an idiot for giving up all rights to their daughter Tara so he would not lose half their estate to her in the divorce. It did not matter to Jack that he cheated on her and that his former wife cooperated with the divorce. Instead, he leaves his spouse, who spent much of her time in support of his career at the cost of her own profession, with monetary problems while he continues to live the good life. Still Alexis pities him for not understanding what is truly important.

Alexis obtains work as the home manager for the three Harrington bachelors. However, she worries that she finds herself quite attracted to one of her employers Telford. As they begin to fall in love, encouraged by her precocious daughter, Jack, having repeated the same error several times, begins interfering causing a distrustful rift between Alexis and Telford.

You don't know Jack if you have not read Gwynne Forster, one of the best contemporary romance writers of the last few years. Her latest tale, ONCE IN A LIFETIME, is a marvelous story starring a strong cast who makes the tale work on several levels. Though Jack seems unreal at times, Telford and Alexis are a great lead duet and the support provided by Tara and his two siblings enhance the audience's understanding of the protagonists and the significance of love in anyone's life. Ms. Forster beguiles readers with this strong novel that requires loving sequels.

Harriet Klausner

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Moving on...
Review: Alexis Stevenson is moving on with her life and away from her ex-
husband Jack and the comforts of upper-class living. She
becomes the home manager for The Harrington brothers; wealthy
and attractive bachelors, but all with their flaws, which
include a mistrust of women as a result of seeing how their mom
mistreated their father.

Alexis steps in, sets house rules, and runs the mansion with the
assistance of the cook Henry. By her side is her precious
daughter Tara, who in my mind carried the story--she is
definitely a character I'll always remember. Tara's innocence and instant liking to the brothers,
in particular Telford, made me long for family and friends. It
is through her character that I saw the true meaning of love.
Meanwhile, Alexis and Telford share not only feelings for each
other, but Alexis is keeping a secret from him that could affect
their new found love while in the background her ex-husband pops
up starting his own brand of drama.

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.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Moving on...
Review: Alexis Stevenson is moving on with her life and away from her ex-
husband Jack and the comforts of upper-class living. She
becomes the home manager for The Harrington brothers; wealthy
and attractive bachelors, but all with their flaws, which
include a mistrust of women as a result of seeing how their mom
mistreated their father.

Alexis steps in, sets house rules, and runs the mansion with the
assistance of the cook Henry. By her side is her precious
daughter Tara, who in my mind carried the story--she is
definitely a character I'll always remember. Tara's innocence and instant liking to the brothers,
in particular Telford, made me long for family and friends. It
is through her character that I saw the true meaning of love.
Meanwhile, Alexis and Telford share not only feelings for each
other, but Alexis is keeping a secret from him that could affect
their new found love while in the background her ex-husband pops
up starting his own brand of drama.

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.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Loved the Family, but can be confusing read.
Review: I normally can't get into Gwynne Forster. This book kept my attention. I fell in love with Tara. Tara shows that children know when you truly love them. She did not feel that with Jack, but always felt it with Telford. Henry was tough around the edges, but you knew he was a teddy bear inside. Towards the end, I was wondering if Alexsis and Telford would ever get their act together. It's an okay read, if you can keep up with the ever skipping plot.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Loved the Family, but can be confusing read.
Review: I normally can't get into Gwynne Forster. This book kept my attention. I fell in love with Tara. Tara shows that children know when you truly love them. She did not feel that with Jack, but always felt it with Telford. Henry was tough around the edges, but you knew he was a teddy bear inside. Towards the end, I was wondering if Alexsis and Telford would ever get their act together. It's an okay read, if you can keep up with the ever skipping plot.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Second Chance at Love and Happiness
Review: It would seem that pretty Alexis Stevenson has lived a charmed life, she went to the best schools and later had a rich husband, a lovely home and a beautiful child. Now that she is divorced she must find a way to take care of herself and her young daughter Tara. Alex can't go back to teaching, requirements have changed. As she reads an ad for a full-time housekeeper she realizes that this could be the answer to her prayers. All she has to do is convince the three wealthy Harrington brothers and Henry, the brother's long time caretaker, that she is capable of handling the tasks at hand. Young Tara steals the heart of Henry and of each of the brothers one by one. They all watch as Alex and Telford fall deeply in love as they continue to deny it. For Telford falling in love means learning to trust a woman's love. For Alex it means telling the truth about her background. She fears that will mean losing Telford and the home and ready made family she and Tara have come to love. The "Once In A Lifetime" storyline has many twists and turns but they always leads back to Telford and Alex. Gwynne Forster has written a sensuous and romantic story with an interesting social twist that grabbed me immediately. Vannie(~.~)

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Strong characters keep this story together - 3.5
Review: 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 and the tension not heightened enough.

Alexis Stevenson has recently divorced her rich, yet cold husband and has nothing...except for her darling, four-year-old daughter, Tara. Her job as a university professor is gone, and she's desperate to find a job to take care of her and her daughter. Enter a homemaker position at the Harrington estate, in which Alexis will have to brighten up a home that has been closed off for years and lived in by three brothers who have lived like the bachelors they are. Almost immediately, Alexis falls for the middle brother, Telford Harrington, and so does Tara. Alexis finds it difficult to take on the task of making the estate a "home," especially when dealing with her growing feelings for Telford and his obvious attraction to her. Tara's quick attachment to Telford and her need for a father figure, also make it hard to Alexis to get in too deep with Telford. Her position is only for two years. Who's to say she would be asked to stay after that time. As her stay at the estate lengthens, Alexis finds it hard to deny her feelings for Telford, but when mistrust and miscommunication arises through a series of situations, she realizes that if she truly wants Telford and is willing to fight for him, then all the secrets must be aired out to allow her heart to fully bloom. Can she bury her insecurities and allow her feelings to be revealed?

I have to say, I read this book in pretty much one sitting. I was really drawn into the characters' lives and their storylines, particularly that of little Miss Tara. She was about the most vibrant and lovable character I have read in a book in a long time. The romantic scenes in the novel truly grabbed me and made me appreciate Forster's wonderful writing and way of conveying emotion and scene with few words. Two things kept me from giving Once in a Lifetime a higher rating. One, the tension wasn't heightened enough for me. I never felt that the main characters WOULDN'T get together. They never seemed in jeopardy, and so I wasn't nervous or scared for the characters and their relationship. Two, I found myself confused a few times in regards to who was speaking, and how fast scenes and situations switched up in the story. A couple of times, I had to go back and read to make sure I knew what was going on and who said what.

Overall, however, I do recommend that others pick up Once in a Lifetime. I'm a HUGE fan of Gwynne Forster, and her characters will always keep you glued to their stories. After reading this and recently, When Twilight Comes, I am definitely anticipating Forster's next literary read.


Shon Bacon

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Strong characters keep this story together - 3.5
Review: 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 and the tension not heightened enough.

Alexis Stevenson has recently divorced her rich, yet cold husband and has nothing...except for her darling, four-year-old daughter, Tara. Her job as a university professor is gone, and she's desperate to find a job to take care of her and her daughter. Enter a homemaker position at the Harrington estate, in which Alexis will have to brighten up a home that has been closed off for years and lived in by three brothers who have lived like the bachelors they are. Almost immediately, Alexis falls for the middle brother, Telford Harrington, and so does Tara. Alexis finds it difficult to take on the task of making the estate a "home," especially when dealing with her growing feelings for Telford and his obvious attraction to her. Tara's quick attachment to Telford and her need for a father figure, also make it hard to Alexis to get in too deep with Telford. Her position is only for two years. Who's to say she would be asked to stay after that time. As her stay at the estate lengthens, Alexis finds it hard to deny her feelings for Telford, but when mistrust and miscommunication arises through a series of situations, she realizes that if she truly wants Telford and is willing to fight for him, then all the secrets must be aired out to allow her heart to fully bloom. Can she bury her insecurities and allow her feelings to be revealed?

I have to say, I read this book in pretty much one sitting. I was really drawn into the characters' lives and their storylines, particularly that of little Miss Tara. She was about the most vibrant and lovable character I have read in a book in a long time. The romantic scenes in the novel truly grabbed me and made me appreciate Forster's wonderful writing and way of conveying emotion and scene with few words. Two things kept me from giving Once in a Lifetime a higher rating. One, the tension wasn't heightened enough for me. I never felt that the main characters WOULDN'T get together. They never seemed in jeopardy, and so I wasn't nervous or scared for the characters and their relationship. Two, I found myself confused a few times in regards to who was speaking, and how fast scenes and situations switched up in the story. A couple of times, I had to go back and read to make sure I knew what was going on and who said what.

Overall, however, I do recommend that others pick up Once in a Lifetime. I'm a HUGE fan of Gwynne Forster, and her characters will always keep you glued to their stories. After reading this and recently, When Twilight Comes, I am definitely anticipating Forster's next literary read.


Shon Bacon


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