Long Enough to Love You
About
*Amazon Best Seller*
Winner of multiple awards in women’s fiction, divorce fiction, and contemporary romance
Jenn is fifty-something and newly empty-nesting, living in a picture-perfect home that feels anything but full. Her marriage is safe, stable—and quietly suffocating. With her children grown and the silence growing louder, Jenn finds herself torn between two voices: one urging her to stay for the life she’s built, and another whispering that it’s not too late to become the woman she’s never fully been.
When Jenn stumbles upon her long-forgotten diaries, memories of a first love resurface—along with the painful truth that the most powerful loves are sometimes wasted on the young. Reconnecting with Tripp awakens a version of herself she thought had been lost, forcing Jenn to confront what she wants, what she’s settled for, and what it might mean to choose herself.
Long Enough to Love You by Kirsten Pursell is an emotionally rich novel about marriage, divorce, and self-discovery in midlife. With honesty, vulnerability, and heart, it explores what it means to question “happily ever after,” challenge middle-age stereotypes, and decide whether love—real love—can still be worth the risk.
Perfect for readers who love women’s fiction about divorce, midlife reinvention, and second chances at love.
Long Enough to Love You has received numerous honors, including:
- Firebird Book Awards (2024) – First Place, Fiction; Divorce Fiction; Romance
- Book Excellence Awards (2024) – Winner, Divorce Fiction
- The BookFest Awards (Spring 2023) – Second Place, Contemporary Romance
- Literary Titan Gold Book Award (2023)
- Reader’s Favorite – Five Stars (2023)
Praise for this book
"Pursell's excellent character descriptions and her ability to tell an emotional story without becoming sappy, make this book unforgettable and one I'm sure I'll reread many times. One excellent read." -Authors Show Linda
"In this meditative tale of self-discovery, author Kirsten Pursell ponders and challenges conventional wisdom about being middle-aged. Beautifully written in a heartfelt, candid manner, the book is well paced with surprise twists that will keep readers captivated...Powerful, honest, and unputdownable...meticulous execution of plot and character development."
-Book Excellence"This book was written with such authenticity and hit on many poignant notes of marriage that I literally stopped and checked to see if it wasn't a memoir...A story of wanting to find the person you were and have lost along the way. Vulnerable, Reflective, and Emotional." @subakka.bookstuff
"I find it rare that a book deals with that middle-aged time in life when the kids are gone and you are questioning - who am I without them and do my husband/wife and I still love each other? Been there. And let me tell you I felt SEEN from page 1! We need to talk about this time in life more...Jenn spoke to me in that way. I found myself thinking yep felt that...yep felt that too. A great story prioritizing our happiness and worth and never staying stagnant to fit some mold just because society tells you to. Bravo!" @kristis_literary_corner
"Long Enough to Love You is bold and cathartic ...The charming book cover sucks you into Jenn’s story, but it’s Pursell’s brilliant writing and wonderful storyline that compels you to stay, to follow Jenn’s story as she purges her emotions, and struggles to find herself again. It’s not just Jenn’s story, it's yours too." -Reader's Favorite"Jenn's quest for meaning will resonate with any woman looking back on her life—or wondering what the future may hold. Her struggle to come to grips with a lack of purpose is powerful...The idea of finding yourself by losing yourself is intriguing here, and Jenn's willingness to sacrifice comfort for intensity is equally courageous and risky...but the overriding message that wholeness can be formed from imperfection is the essence that will stick with readers." -BookLife Review
"This gripping book delivered a good message: beauty is in every age, not just youth, and you can find love at any age. I felt a lot of bombshells were dropped on the reader at the beginning making this one read that I couldn’t put down." -Literary Titan
"Long Enough to Love You is in turn, chaotic and cathartic and Pursell celebrates Jenn's willingness to be vulnerable, at times uncertain and exhilarating. A poignant story written beautifully that takes a closer look into Jenn's past, present, and possible future. It is authentic and unexaggerated, a gripping romance with clear prose and complex characters." -The Book Commentary
"A meditative tale about rediscovering one’s true self...The author tackles difficult issues of how adults should approach the later portions of their lives and how to balance second chances against the idea of starting fresh, taking a deep dive into those questions with insight and grace." -Kirkus Reviews
"This one tugged at my heartstrings." -Reedsy Review
"I found how Jenn's character embraced her unconventionalism liberating. This novel is not just bold but realistic in giving women permission to be uninhibited and to live life to its fullest." -Bridget Ball, Booked with Bridget
"Raw, emotional and authentic in a way that is hardly seen for middle-aged characters; this book was quite the journey." -Bookstagram/Amazon Reviewer
"I gave this book 5 stars - It was difficult to put down, made so much sense, provided moments of clarity for me, connected with my life in a way many books don't." -DevouringABook Review
"A Beautifully Relatable and Empowering Journey...What I loved most was how this book gives women the encouragement to listen to their inner voice and chase their dreams. It’s refreshing, daring, and even a little sexy at times! I enjoyed every moment and couldn’t wait to see how it all came together. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring, down-to-earth story that feels like it was written just for you."