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Felice Cohen
Author
Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love
Felice Cohen, author

Adult; Memoir; (Publish)

What if your first love was a forbidden one? At twenty-three, Felice Cohen was, like other recent college grads, hesitant about entering the real world, with the added stress of coming out in the early nineties. Focused on how to land a full-time position as a writer, falling in love was the last thing on her mind. But fall in love she did. With her boss, a woman thirty-four years older. Felice and Sarah embarked on a high-stakes, year-long love affair. Addicted to the high of first love, Felice was enthralled by Sarah’s attention and content to hide their love in the shadows. Sarah, meanwhile, threw caution to the wind, risking her comfortably established life that included a prestigious job and long-term girlfriend. Though not perfect, it was enough. That was until their secret was exposed, forcing Felice to publicly acknowledge their illicit love or start a new life for herself. Felice chose to walk away. In this candid coming-of-age memoir—as compelling as a novel—Felice chronicles the happiness and heartbreak of an age-gap love affair while struggling to figure out the direction of her future. Ultimately, this is a story about navigating life’s unpredictable path while following one’s heart, and finding acceptance.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8.25 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Cohen offers a moving story of love, grief, and a passionate reflection on the true meaning of devotion. She chronicles her early adulthood path of discovering love in the midst of searching for her place among her family and the world, addressing how she navigated social prejudice against her sexuality and contemplating her choice to date an older woman.

Prose: Cohen writes with confidence, blending humor effortlessly into the narrative, even during the story’s solemn moments. Her prose flows smoothly and will incite profound sorrow for readers, as well as the nostalgia and poignancy that come with first love.

Originality: This is an intimate recounting of Cohen’s life and deep connections to her loved ones. The journey is a mixture of grief, joy, and self-discovery.

Character Development/Execution: Cohen brings her story to life through vivid characters who readers will easily connect with. She sorts through her past brilliantly, and her emotions are raw and utterly convincing. Secondary characters feel natural—anyone who has ever lost a loved one or navigated the pain that often accompanies passion will relish this memoir.

Date Submitted: October 17, 2022

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