Turning forty was a revelation. I confess, I dreaded it for years, agonizing at thirty-five because I was halfway through my thirties and approaching that awful number suggesting old, signifying middle age. Then somehow, before I was ready, I was forty—and single. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I liked being forty—forty felt smart, sexy, competent. Being divorced is difficult at any age, but being forty I didn’t have to ask permission from anyone anymore. I knew who I was, knew what I wanted, and knew what I didn’t want. I didn’t want to continue on the same path. I wanted the path not yet taken.

Five months after my fortieth birthday, I was in Hawaii on business, and much like my character Jacqueline in Flirting with Forty, I decided it was time to try something new. Completely out of my comfort zone, I donned a rash guard over my conservative one-piece suit, lathered on sunscreen, and took a private surf lesson. It was frightening, exhilarating, and exhausting, and yet the view of Waikiki with the green mountains behind the city and rugged Diamond Head off to the right showed me a Hawaii I didn’t know existed. Hawaii suddenly wasn’t tourists and fruity tropical drinks, but a place of spirit and sun, water and mountain. It was one of those epiphany moments: I realized that the world is bigger and more interesting than we know and there’s so much more possibility than we let ourselves see. I returned to Seattle a changed woman. Not only was I coming home with an idea for a new book, but I was determined to be more positive and no longer limit myself with preconceived ideas of what I could or couldn’t do.

I never expected a single surf lesson—or conversations with a sexy young surf instructor—to change my life, but the lesson and conversations did. I’m still not a great surfer. I don’t charge the waves the way competitive athletes should. But I do paddle out, and I jump up to my feet, and enjoy the ride.

Also by Jane Porter

Also by Jane Porter

The Frog Prince

Praise for The Frog Prince

Praise for
The Frog Prince

“A painfully funny, utterly true story for every woman who has ever wondered what happens after the fairy tale ends. I absolutely loved this book!”

— Susan Wiggs, USA Today bestselling author

“Porter… has a great ear for dialogue. She offers a fresh twist on the ‘broken heart and personal renaissance’ theme of so many chick-lit novels.”

—Seattle Times

“Witty and fun.”

—San Francisco Chronicle

“Filled with vibrant, interesting characters, the world of The Frog Prince leaps off the page and keeps readers enthralled.”

— Kristin Harmel, author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star

“There’s real heart in this book… enjoyable reading for those wondering what comes after the happily ever after.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine