The Opposite of Never: A Novel

by Mary Kathleen Mehuron

Overview

Life is mostly a mixed bag. Devastated when they lose their spouses, both Kenny Simmons and Georgia Best carry on for the sake of their children, although they are certain that the best part of their lives is long over. Then Georgia and her lifelong companions, Linda and Yvonne, meet Kenny while walking down a dusty Vermont country road, and the four of them hit it off. Soon, Kenny becomes a regular part of their hiking group, and he and Georgia grow more than fond of each other. Kenny’s stepdaughter, Zelda, and Yvonne’s teenage son, Spencer, also fall in love—at first sight. Through surprisingly relatable circumstances, they are drawn into opiate use, shocking everyone, and the two of them struggle through the torment of addiction together. In an impulsive and daring attempt to create a grand finale out of difficult times, Kenny takes Georgia off to vacation in Cuba just as it is opening up to Americans—and what they discover in the golden light of Old Havana is another startling surprise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943006502
Publisher:	SparkPress
Publication date:	04/24/2018
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Mary Kathleen Mehuron is a career educator who made a splash with her first book, Fading Past, an autobiographical novel whose protagonist, like Mary Kathleen, grew up Irish-Catholic in New Jersey. The Opposite of Never is Mary Kathleen’s second book, and to finish it, she traveled alone to Havana in January 2015 in order to experience the city before it became Americanized. Mary Kathleen lives and teaches in a ski town in Vermont where she and her husband raised three sons, she is an occasional contributor to the local newspaper, The Valley Reporter and writes curriculum daily for private students. She takes extended time to work on her novels on Grand Turk Island and in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

"Most Anticipated Books of 2018" —Brit+Co "Breakout Novels of 2018" —Indie Picks “10 Heartwarming Tales about Family” —Culturalist “6 Books About Family To Cherish This Spring” —Buzzfeed "10 Books to Keep You Woke in 2018" —Bookstr "Only Spring Reading List You Need This Season" —Jordan D'Amico "What starts out as a tale of loss and despair quickly turns into a narrative of rediscovering oneself in The Opposite of Never. This new novel examines the gaping loss that the death of an aging spouse can bring, and the effort it takes to move through that grief. It also delves into the complicated relationships that can sometimes exist in families, and the devotion it takes to overcome tragedy and addiction with grace, humor, and benevolence. The book, at times, is especially heartbreaking, but it will leave you feeling cleansed and hopeful as both a mother and a woman." —Working Mother "A realistic lifelike story that shows the effects that addiction has on a family. Overall, an unforgettable read that will warm your heart and leave you with a feeling of hope." —Lovely Lovely Day "The characters are identifiable, sympathetic, vivid and clear even in their human damage and wonderful redemption. Mehuron pens a memorable story of friendship, love, romance, and... life." — Marley Gibson, best-selling author of adult contemporary romance fiction including the Glamorous Life series "She has many writerly gifts, but her talent for crafting compelling characters of both genders and different generations is especially evident in this emotionally powerful narrative." —James M. Tabor, best-selling author of Blind Descent and the Hallie Leland series including The Deep Zone "The Opposite of Never is a lovely story about loss, love, redemption, the power of female friendship and one of the most important emotions needed to become whole again–forgiveness." —Kris Radish, bestselling author of A Dangerous Woman From Nowhere "This entertaining novel by educator and columnist Mehuron (Fading Past , 2015) is a welcome addition to the genre of women’s fiction, with protagonists not just over the age of 30, but well over 40. … An enjoyable tale featuring 50-something protagonists coping with contemporary social problems.” —Kirkus Reviews "A journey through love, loss and starting over, The Opposite of Never is a realistic read about the road to recovery." —Working Mother, “16 Spring Reads for Working Moms” "How do you forgive yourself for mistakes you made when you were young? How do you go on after you lose someone you love? How do we handle the unrelenting pace of life when all we want to do is shut down? In The Opposite of Never, Mehuron seems to suggest the answer to all of these questions lies in the friendships we build with one another . . . Mehuron’s attention to detail reveals a lush landscape, from the stunning architecture of her characters’ homes to the hillsides on which they ride horses, camp, and ski. The people in this novel feel imminently familiar and their struggles real . . . a hopeful reminder that our lives may change for the better if we are open, honest, and willing to take the necessary leaps to change them." —Manhattan Book Review

From the Publisher

2018-02-07
Three women in a Vermont town navigate the challenges of late middle age in this novel.Longtime friends Yvonne Paquette, Georgia Best, and Linda Kingsley meet to walk most mornings. They welcome new friend and recent retiree Kenny Simmons on their hikes, unaware that he is already linked to them. Years ago, Yvonne's son, Spencer, was seriously injured in a car accident while under the influence of drugs. Kenny's stepdaughter, Zelda, was not only in the car, but supplied Spencer with the drugs as well. When Yvonne and Kenny unknowingly reintroduce Spencer and Zelda (now sober and pregnant by another man), they rekindle their romance, much to Yvonne's concern. Meanwhile, Kenny and Georgia cannot ignore their growing mutual attraction, which blossoms when he helps her find a new house. Zelda experiences a life-changing accident, for which Yvonne blames herself, followed soon after by another freak auto crash involving Yvonne's husband and Linda. At the same time, Georgia faces relentless resentment from her daughter, Margot. Margot objects not only to her mother's newfound romance, but also to her unwillingness to continue to bankroll her daughter's lifestyle. With the specter of opioid abuse haunting their New England town, all three families are forced to encounter the ramifications of this social issue by the story's end. This entertaining novel by educator and columnist Mehuron (Fading Past, 2015) is a welcome addition to the genre of women's fiction, with protagonists not just over the age of 30, but well over 40. They show that—as much as the reality may disgust characters like Margot—people over 50 still fall in love and have sex. But aside from the conflict provided by a few players, the characters get along unrealistically well. While Kenny's and Yvonne's ability to forgive their children for the havoc their addictions wreak is commendable (no matter how much readers will want to wring Spencer's and Zelda's necks), it is also a bit Pollyannaish. And Georgia and Kenny's trip to Havana—based on the author's own experiences—at the end of the book is captivating but is unnecessary to the story and seems like an afterthought. An enjoyable tale featuring 50-something protagonists coping with contemporary social problems.

Kirkus Reviews