Forever is the Worst Long Time: A Novel

First thoughts as I began to read were that despite the incredible pity I developed for James, the death grip I had on my iPad were significant of my determination to know what was next. What I did not expect was the tightness in my chest in response to a memoir written for the child of a dying father. It felt true and real...raw in all its emotion. Absolutely my kind of novel.

This book was a very heartfelt read about love and loss. It's an unconventional love story with a likeable main character telling a story to his daughter starting from the time he met his best friend's girlfriend/wife until almost the end where "this story ends with loss". Beautiful story, and it had me crying towards the end. I think someone could make a good movie based on this book.

Wonderful, heartfelt story written in true form. Felt like a fiction novel, but one that most definitely could be true. I fell in love with all the main characters for the author made it so easy to do so. Worth the read.

If you are looking for a good romantic comedy book, this is not it. However the message is solid and the writing is superb. The characters are flawed and real. Not happily ever after just hard hitting shyt happens life. Definitely worth reading with a glass of wine.

Once more Camille out does herself in telling a beautiful story about love and the sacrifices we make for it. Three people in love with each other make a wrong turn in life and the results last a lifetime.

As much as we crave a concise, linear narrative, life happens as it will, often in a haphazard fashion that feels anything but finished. We must cobble together our most important moments and call them our story.

I liked the character development and the plot. There was no mystery but many small true to life issues that happened to Jim and Lou. I thought the writing style was enjoyable and the editing was well done.

This tear-jerker book is well-written with a contemporary story-line that never touched my heart. Never even got misty, and I can cry at commercials. I read it quickly and was interested in the plot, but I just did not care about the characters. Perhaps it is because they also seemed somewhat detached from their lives and passions. Spoiler: Rob belongs in jail for his financial misdeeds but like his real counterparts, he came out of the financial melt-down with his fortune intact while thousands lost their homes and livelihoods. Not liking him or feeling sympathy for his affluenza. The book is told from the perspective of James who is telling the story of his life and her birth to his daughter. James is an aspiring novelist who can never actually finish a book, perhaps because of his fear that it won’t be perfect. He is blessed with a true friend , Pascal who is not given credit as one of the true great friends in the book. It is Pascal who saves James from whiny self-destruction several times and unemployment. I liked the structure of the book and the way that the story was told even if it seemed constructed rather than true. “Life breaks everyone” she quotes Hemingway and then goes on to either prove it true or disprove it. Hard to say. There is loss, there are tribulations, and there is resilience. The only truly likable character is Emerson whose parents grew up enough to be good parents in a somewhat unconventional manner. I am usually a person quickly moved to laughter and quickly moved to tears. Not here. I would give it three and half stars if possible, but since three stars is so negative on the store I will round it up to four. I got it for free as a Prime reader loan and the ratio of cost to entertainment value was still not great.

A wonderfully written novel filled with humor and lovable characters! Love the family drama intertwined within the plot and how relatable it is! There were tears and laughter and it's such a refreshing book!

Thank you Net Galley for the early copy!!!

Once again, Camille Noe Pagan writes a masterful story that engages the reader from start to finish. The novel starts with a somewhat predictable story line—the main character is smitten with his best friend's girl—but there's so much heart and complexity weaved throughout, it keeps the reader guessing until the last page. More than that, it's a story line that stays with you. To me, that speaks volumes. In fact, Noe Pagan's book is the first in a while to make me look at things in a new way, specifically love and loss. I never before considered how they are so inextricably linked. Of course, this isn't the first time Noe Pagan has tackled tough issues related to death and illness. In all three of her books, she doesn't shy away from illness, death of loved ones, etc. Bottom line: This is a fabulous novel that I whole-heartedly recommend to everyone who has a pulse! Enjoy.

I am not a perfect score giver....usually figure it was "good but not great" and most scores are a 3 or 4. However, the characters, drama that unfolds and the arch of the story were so compelling 5 stars were necessary. For the person that enjoys how life can be messy but still very rewarding, Forever is the Worst Long Time is a book for you. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I feel the character development was not as good as in the romance books I like. The book was half over before I figured out he was writing to his daughter. And having had a sister die from ALS I did understand the medical issues.

A story about fragile friendships and so called love that does not live up to its depths despite the name. Usual everyday life dishonesty and avoidance of the truth even between "best" friends. But I guess this is how a lot of people function nowadays. Horrible masks for the outside world, emptiness inside. One could pretty much foresee the events in the story. But the worst thing was that I did not grow to love the characters at all. No feelings upon finishing the book but the gratefulness for not spending a lot of time on this book.

What a twist to the storyline! It is absolutely and ridiculously unbelievable; yet so well crafted that you will still hang on every predictable word until it throws you for a loop and you douse your fave in unforeseen tears.

It just didn't develop any attachment to the characters in this book. Never understood why the female lead was such a big deal; she seemed sad and mopey the whole time. I thought the writing was rather stilted and flat and just never really developed a rhythm.

I was excited to receive my advance copy and started it with the expectation of reading a bit and coming back to it later. Instead, I found myself pulled in and reading it in one sitting. Be prepared to follow the characters closely and to have your heartstrings tugged on. I think this story portrayed in a vivid way the layers of complexity we find in our lives: relationships, unconventional living arrangements, regrets, joys, sorrows. I absolutely loved the opening, and found myself going back to it once I had finished. This is one I'll read again!

Cliched and unrealistic. A disappointment after enjoying the author's other book. I think the problem is that the main character is not believable as a man--it definitely feels like a woman wrote him. The whole middle name thing, the amount of time he goes without sleeping with anyone just does not ring true. The whole time of the novel is sentimental and unsatisfying---at least for this reader.

This is a novel about love, loss, friendship, betrayal, choices we make and those made for us, family, and forgiveness. It's funny and sad, and touching. It's about life. It will move you, make you think and feel. Recommended. Five stars.

One literature litmus test is whether an author can compel readers to root for characters who make questionable choices in questionable circumstances. Camille Noe Pagán excels at this in her exquisitely crafted third novel, FOREVER IS THE WORST LONG TIME. As she chronicles the star-crossed journeys of James and Louisa, Pagán reexamines traditional parameters of friendship, trust, loyalty and love. Keep the tissues close for this satisfying, unconventional story. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."

Could not put this book down. It touches deep into the heart; weaving together hope and despair, love and loss, promise and defeat. A work encompassing the full spectrum of human emotion. Simply put, a brilliant and touching book.

Could not put this book down. It touches deep into the heart; weaving together hope and despair, love and loss, promise and defeat. A work encompassing the full spectrum of human emotion. Simply put, a brilliant and touching book.

The characters felt so real. I enjoyed the time I spent with James Hernandez and friends :) I also liked the author's touch on the very last page, implying narrative through names and not spelling everything out.