A Beginner's Guide to Forever

A Novel

De: Kendall Ryan

Narrado por: Vanessa Edwin

Opposites attract in this hopeful, globe-trotting romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kendall Ryan.

Alessia Moore, a thirty-seven-year-old powerhouse at the helm of a nonprofit in Nairobi, is tirelessly working to build a school for girls. Professionally, she’s thriving, attracting investors to support her mission. But her love life is nonexistent, and she’s starting to wonder if the one even exists for her.

When she meets Hart Winthrop, the twenty-five-year-old son of a billionaire investor poised to support her foundation, she’s unprepared for the pull she feels. Hart is confident, intelligent, and charming. But there are issues—he’s too young for her, and getting involved with him could jeopardize everything she’s worked for.

As fate takes them across the globe—from glamorous cities to hidden corners of the world—what begins as a forbidden fling grows into something neither of them expected, leaving Alessia to wonder…Should she break her own rules for a chance at something real?

©2025 by Kendall Ryan. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

A sophisticated romance with a reverse age gap

SOLO NARRATION

Alessia's dream of building a school for girls in Nairobi is a huge undertaking. When the Winthrop family agrees to make a large donation towards her project, she meets Hart, the son of the benefactor's donation but this isn't the first time she's met him. They met earlier in Florence, Italy & a spark was started then.

When Hart realizes who she is, he makes his intentions very clear & direct. He'd like to pursue something. Alessia is so hesitant & doesn't really have faith in a future with him. One of her biggest fears...their age gap. She's 37 & he's 26. Even though Hart sweeps her off her feet, is everything she's ever hoped for in a partner, she has a hard time looking past what she considers road blocks. She's only ever wanted to have a family & kids & she doesn't even consider the possibility that Hart may want these things too. She refuses to date another, "Someday, maybe" person like her last relationship.

This is quite a different book for Ryan & I found it refreshing & interesting. I LOVED the reverse age-gap. We don't see it enough in romance. Ryan handles it very maturely & it was believable to think that this would be Alessia's thinking. This is a story about two people who are in different stages in their life but finally realize that they have common goals in what they want out of life.

There's a real balance between Alessia's struggle with her heart & her desire to accomplish something great with her school in Nairobi. Although, I had a few issues with the pacing of the book in certain parts, I honestly LOVED the idea behind this story, a slightly older FMC having dreams of being successful not only in her work but wanting a family as well.

This book is really about finding love WHEN & WHERE you least expect it. The "perfect person" in our mind doesn't always match who "our person" truly is. Let yourself love outside of the box if needed. Our preconceived notions about love & age just honestly don't matter. Love is love and that's what really matters in a relationship.

🎧Let's talk narration: Honestly one of the reasons this audio was so easy to listen to was the incredible talent from Vanessa Edwin. She never ceases to amaze me with her captivating voices, emotional performances & her sweet, light & airy tones are seriously so easy to listen to. She did such a great job at voicing Alessia along with several other female & male characters alike. Showing off a beautiful French accent as well. We get to hear Alessia's vulnerability, fears & true joy she finds when she realizes she's found the one. She's just such a favorite of mine & it's NEVER hard to have her in my ears.

This book is definitely one for someone who is looking for more mature MC's & some substance to the story & relationship.

Love this audio

This was such a beautiful and heartfelt listen. Alessia and Hart’s story blends globe-trotting adventure with an emotional connection and that irresistible opposites-attract spark. Alessia is strong and passionate about her mission, but she can’t help doubting whether their age gap will work. Hart, on the other hand, never questions it for a moment—he’s confident in his feelings and determined to prove they belong together.

Vanessa Edwin’s narration was spot-on. She gave Alessia a confident yet vulnerable voice and made Hart sound effortlessly engaging, capturing all the chemistry and emotion. The pacing flowed perfectly, and the international settings felt vivid and alive.

I also loved that Kendall Ryan included ways to donate to an actual school at the end of the eBook—it’s such a thoughtful touch that ties right into Alessia’s mission in the story.

If you love romance with a strong heroine, a younger hero who’s more than meets the eye, and a dash of wanderlust, this one is a must-listen.

great read!!

This was a really good book! I liked this author, I'll definitely have to read more!

Cougar Fun

It is a good topic that isn’t talked about much and rarely happens often and should not be frowned upon!

Good narration

I was so looking forward to reading/listening to this book but sadly it wasn’t what I was hoping for.

This is Alessia Moore and younger man Hart Winthrop’s story. I’m not a huge fan of age gap romances and sadly I had a hard time connecting to Alessia and Hart.

Alessia is working to educate under privileged girls when she meets the son of a potential investor.

I did enjoy their initial meeting, however it seemed that they were trying too hard. They frustrated me on so many occasions.

Although this book wasn’t for me, it may well be for you. The narration was good and easy to listen too.