Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter

Posted May 23, 2022 in review Tags:

Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter
Pages: 336

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley

Goodreads

A sexy and sparkling later-in-life contemporary romance about a woman who leaps out of her comfort zone and takes a chance on love by New York Times bestselling author Jane Porter.
Paige Newsom is finally at a place in her life where she's comfortable. She loves her job as a college professor in Southern California, lives close enough to her mother to visit her regularly, and has three daughters who are flourishing in their own careers. Paige has no plans to upend her life again after her divorce eight years ago, but she's about to embark on a new adventure: co-teaching a course that includes a three-week international field study.
Paige can think of a dozen reasons why she shouldn't go, one being a dazzling Australian biologist who will be teaching alongside her. Professor Jack King is charismatic, a world traveler, and more like Indiana Jones than Indiana Jones, all of which unsettles Paige, who prides herself on being immune to any man's charms. As the two co-professors lead the rigorous program together, first on campus, then in beautiful Tanzania, Paige's biggest challenge will be working closely with Jack while resisting the undeniable chemistry she feels when she's with him.

Flirting with Fifty delivers something I think is seriously lacking in romance: an older woman finding love. As the title implies, Paige is about to turn 50. She is divorced with 3 grown kids. She loves her job as a professor. Honestly, she is living her best life! So often in romances it is about 20 or 30 something character meeting, falling in love, having kids, etc. It is refreshing to get a heroine who is past that stage. She isn’t looking to fall in love and start a family. Love in your late 40’s and on is about something different than love in your 20’s!

Jack is a great hero! There is a bit of a second chance twist here that I appreciated as well. I also found his job fascinating-he is kind of like an Indiana Jones type guy who travels all over the world. Now he is co-teaching a class on Biology with Paige (office romance, anyone?) and they end up going to Tanzania!

Flirting with fifty is a slow burn; this feels appropriate for the story. However, I am really impatient with slow burns. This is also just straight romance-there is no conflict or suspense and I think I really need that in my stories as well. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and think it will appeal to readers looking for mature characters.