What's Better Than This?

By: Lorraine Salmon

Narrated by: Lorraine Salmon

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

What's Better Than This? is the story of making the most of the time you have with the people you love. This romantic memoir spans a 14-month love affair, from an instant first blush affection that quickly escalates into a hilarious middle-aged sexy frolic, then just as quickly, blooms as a pivotal and meaningful mid-life romance before turning into a last-wishes-before-dying story which confronts listeners with the questions that arise when we look death squarely in the eye.

Mid-life lovers Lorraine and Mackey become infatuated with each other after a first night frolic leaves them on the floor in laughter. This whirlwind-romance memoir meets last-wishes-before-dying in this fast-paced true story that leaves the listeners as out-of-breath as the characters as they twist and turn through each frightening hurdle and find love and laughter in the moments of any day. Something special is found in a day, a lunch, a hot dog, a bracelet, a sunrise, a car wash, a will, guy friends, girlfriends, sister love and father love, former spouse love, and a high school reunion friendship - leaving the lovers and their witnesses realizing that space they have inhabited is marked forever with the memories of them.

A journey into the souls of two lovers, with heartbreaking tenderness, the couple dares to confront the painful questions that arise when we have the courage to look death squarely in the eye. As Lorraine and Mackey find a way to be there for the other, listeners are compelled to examine the choices they themselves make each day. This memoir takes place over fourteen months. It's about falling in love, fast - and living, fast. The lovers live out their time on the banks of the Hudson River, on Long Island, and the roads leading to and from these places. Infatuated with each other, the universe conspired to help them in ways that surprised them and the listeners at every turn.

©2018 Lorraine Salmon (P)2019 Lorraine Salmon

It's Better to Have Loved...

It's 4:00 a.m. and I've just completed listening to the audible of What's Better than This. I'm exhausted. I've been fully immersed in this tragic yet beautiful story of Lorraine and Mackey's love story. I've read this story twice before, yet listening to the author's narration has made this even more personal and intimate. I laughed and cried through this emotional journey. I felt I was with a dear friend throughout the telling of the story of two loving souls, destined and intent to memorialize their perfect love. This book is the most beautiful eulogy and testimonial of a pure love and reminds me that it truly is better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all.

Such a beautiful job Lorraine.

What is better than this?

I read this book first as an advanced reader and twice through the published version when it first came out. All times, I laughed with them and cried for them. Lorraine is a compelling writer that makes you want to read more but yet makes you think you can’t possibly want more. Now after hearing the audible version, I will admit I again laughed and cried. I am still and will always remain in awe of her strength, compassion and ability to move forward and share this amazing love story with all!

Heart wrenching and beautiful

This story captured my heart from the very first minute. It was so hard to stop listening...what would happen next? I love stories like this. True stories. Love stories. A story that makes you laugh and can then move you to tears. A story that makes you believe in true love. If you are in your mid-years and you think life is over after a divorce or separation, listen to What’s Better Than This? You will be enthralled and find hope and maybe even for the first time be able to open your heart to true love. ❤️

I don’t want it to end!!!

I started listening to this book on my long commute to work (that I dread), and I can’t believe that I actually wished I had a longer drive so I didn’t have to turn the book off! Thank you Lorraine for sharing your beautiful love story.

Heartfelt

A beautiful story of love and growth through the happinest and saddest moments life offers.

Beautiful love story.. but...

Very touching and heartfelt; so eloquently written. A beautiful tribute to a whirlwind mid-life romance that promises happily ever after just when you think you’re at the end of the road to lifelong happiness. The only critique i have is that the author greatly minimizes the first wife’s significance, constantly referring to her as the mother of her BF’s children, rather that the FIRST WIFE. While the author had spent quite a tremendous, life-changing and deeply personal and intimate ONE YEAR relationship with her new BF, the first wife shares a deeper connection and YEARS of history, and a gazillion memories. The author’s ‘martyr’ storytelling feels almost offensive to the first wife. I couldn’t help but sense that the author was getting in her last licks by writing this memoir, in an effort to bolster her place in the BF’s family unit and to be heard by an audience... any audience. We hear you, Lorraine Salmon, loud and clear!! You had the magical touch, you are superwoman, you are the best thing since sliced gluten-free bread. You came up with all the best ideas. You get ALL the credit for everything! Whew! That ego is exhausting...