I Could Live Here Forever

A Novel

By: Hanna Halperin

Narrated by: Megan Trout

A BELLETRIST BOOK CLUB PICK

“Halperin’s radiant second novel walks the fine line between the longing for couplehood and the torture of codependency. . . . Let the rapturous intimacy and gut-churning ups and downs begin!” —Leigh Haber, The New York Times Book Review

“I read this book in three days and canceled plans to finish it. It is heart-wrenching and relatable in so many ways.” —Emma Roberts

By the award-winning author of Something Wild, a gripping portrait of a tumultuous, consuming relationship between a young woman and a recovering addict

When Leah Kempler meets Charlie Nelson in line at the grocery store, their attraction is immediate and intense. Charlie, with his big feelings and grand proclamations of love, captivates her completely. But there are peculiarities of his life—he’s older than her but lives with his parents; he meets up with a friend at odd hours of the night; he sleeps a lot and always seems to be coming down with something. He confesses that he’s a recovering heroin addict, but he promises Leah that he’s never going to use again.

Leah's friends and family are concerned. As she finds herself getting deeper into an isolated relationship, one of manipulation and denial, the truth about Charlie feels as blurry as their time together. Even when Charlie’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, when he starts to make Leah feel unsafe, she can’t help but feel that what exists between them is destined. Charlie is wide open, boyish, and unbearably handsome. The bounds of Leah’s own pain—and love—are so deep that she can’t see him spiraling into self-destruction.

Hanna Halperin writes with aching vulnerability and intimacy, sharply attuned to Leah’s desire for an all-consuming, compulsive connection. I Could Live Here Forever exposes the chasm between perception and truth to tell an intoxicating story of one woman’s relationship with an addict, the accompanying swirl of compassion and codependence, and her enduring search for love and wholeness.

Very slow moving

This was unfortunately so slow and hard to get through. It was hard to be drawn in.

Very relatable

This book messed me up! If you’ve ever been in a relationship with an addict this book will hit you were it hurts. Very good book though but be mindful there is many NSFW scenes

A little slow but painfully real

This story is really slow. I found the first chapter hard to get through, especially because I didn’t enjoy the super breathy narration style.

But I am glad I stuck with it. I don’t know that I can say I ENJOYED this book, more that I felt it in a way that was sometimes incredibly uncomfortable, but I think that’s the point.

Very well written

Represents the experiences of this generation well, the generation of iPhones, tindr, and the opioid epidemic

The accuracy in the depiction of the roller coaster of feelings that occurs in a doomed and dysfunctional relationship

This beautiful story breaks your heart yet at the same time confirms every feeling, thought and frustrating experience of those who saw remnants of themselves in Leah because they too had loved someone destined for destruction