Book #152: Au Revoir by Gwen Davies

 

Au Revoir

Gwen Davies

 Released: June 18th, 2024

My 18th book for 2026 was Gwen Davie’s “Au Revoir”.  

Interesting book.  I was recommended this novel on my Kindle Unlimited.  I have read previous books from Davies before, and figured I’d check out this one as well.

It’s a pretty deep romance novel.  Jen bumps into Mike, her ex of 15 years ago.  They stayed in touch but just long enough to catch up every 6 months.  One day, Jen sees something that reminds her of Mike.  After sending it to him, they begin talking more frequently and seriously.  Complicating this is Jen’s boyfriend of 15 years, Rob.  Rob has shut himself off from Jen causing her to feel distant.  He discovers the messages and confronts Jen about it.  As the talking continues, Jen and Mike grow closer through talking and feel feelings from years ago and she considers leaving Rob.  Suddenly Rob gets diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Jen is put into a difficult predicament.    Rob asks for Jen’s hand in marriage and she has a decision to make.  One door must close, and another stays open.  Which will she choose?

There's a lot of things I could say about this story, but I'll say this: Sometimes life imitates art, and in even rarer circumstances, art imitates life.

I relate to this story because I have faced similar circumstances.  They are never easy.  Love can be so difficult when it feels so simple.  Ultimately, we write our own story in life.  Some things hurt. Some feel good.  Some are sad, and others stick with us forever.  This book was like reading my own life…

Here is what I learned:

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• “Let the moment go. Don't forget it for a moment, though Just remembering you've had an "and" When you're back to "or" Makes the "or" mean more Than it did before Now I understand And it's time to leave the woods.” ~ Stephen Sondheim, “Into the Woods”
• Jen McCoy lives in downtown Buffalo.
• Mike Kimbaugh is Jen’s ex of 15 years.
• Mike was Jen’s first love.
• Mike lived on the west coast at one point.
• The Seahawks game brought Mike to Buffalo.
• Jen has a PhD.
• Jen knows French.
• Mike and Jen catch up on Facebook Messenger every 6 months.
• The two met in Virginia.
• Jen is a nerd.
• They met at a chess event.
• Mike looks like Christian Bale.
• Jen slept with a guy just to lose her virginity.
• Jen is a real 21st Century Feminist.
• Jen has been to Paris.
• Jen thought Mike liked one of her friends instead of her.
• Mike and Jen did not kiss on their first date.
• Mike has friends everywhere.
• Mike fed a vegan meat.
• Mike pulls pranks.
• Jen once threw a laptop at Mike’s head.
• Rob is also nerdy.
• Rob moved around the nation with Jen.
• Rob and Jen watch classic TV together.
• Jan has dreams of choosing between Mike and Rob.
• Summer in Buffalo is short but hits hard.
• Jen and Rob live in the first floor of a 100-year old house on Delaware Ave.
• Jen has a young dog named Ellie.
• Mike is a super James Bond fan.
• Mike has been on a James Bond Adventure.
• Mike was once engaged to Karen.
• Mike once lived in Seattle.
• Mike and Karen suffer a baby loss from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• Mike used to be a ridiculous DJ on the radio.
• Mike was ghosted by a woman he believed was serious.
• “Someday the right girl will come along. You’ll find her- the one. The one you click with. The one who makes you feel whole. And it’ll all be worth it. I promise.”
• Jen has feelings for Mike.
• Mike lost 50 lbs after the pandemic.
• Jen gained 50 lbs.
• Mike is obsessed with avocados.
• Rob was laid off a couple years ago.
• Rob is a House Husband.
• Jen worked 60 hour weeks to make ends meet.
• Jen and Rob have slept in separate beds for over a decade.
• Ellie prefers Jen over Rob.
• Charlotte lives in a farm in East Buffalo.
• Jen and Charlotte met in grad school.
• Andy and Charlotte are in a long distance relationship.
• Bonfires at Charlotte’s are a ritual.
• Rob and Charlotte do not get along.
• Charlotte rescues stray dogs.
• “I want you to have that… But… I’m so selfish. I don’t want it to be with anyone else but me. I never stopped loving you. Ever. I can’t. I feel like an idiot saying this. But, if I don’t, I’ll regret it.”
• “Whatever this is… I don’t care how long it lasts. I know someday you’ll find her. Just tell me. Don’t hide it. Just be straight up. And I’ll back off. But, for right now, I’m going to enjoy being in love with you. And I’m going to enjoy having you love me. I know it won’t last. I know you’ll find her. But… right now, I’m so happy!”
• Jen slept with Chris to hurt Mike.
• Mike owes Jen the next 4 lifetimes.
• Jen hopes to be reincarnated in the 1950’s.
• The 50’s are Mike’s favorite decade.
• Rob discovers Jen and Mike’s messages.
• Rob had cancer and a previous heart attack.
• Rob lied about the way Jen’s previous dog died.
• Rob proposes to Jen to claim survivor benefits.
• Mike broke up with Jen because he believe she hated him.
• Mike watches Monday Night Football.
• “It was who he was. He just got caught up in his world and what he was doing in the moment. He lived in the moment, for the moment. I was a creature of plans.“
• Rob has hacked into Jen’s social media.
• Mike has been to Japan, Switzerland, and France.
• He keeps a journal of his travels.
• Rob and Jen get married.
• Rob started treatment for cancer.
• Jen and Mike talk every morning.
• Mike and Jen write letters to one another via mail.
• Rob hacked into Jen’s campus network to control her email and work phone.
• Mike visit Buffalo but does not see Jen.
• “You were here. You were right here… and you never came in…”
• Jen sends letters to the wrong address.
• Jen and Mike bid farewell as she returns to her marriage and he starts a relationship with another woman.

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Overall, this book hit deep.  Probably deeper than some others will take it, but still a valid love story that reads well.

Recommended.

On to Book #153: The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

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