“Luisa Cloutier’s tribute to her husband, Brandon, is a beautifully written and engaging ‘coming of age’ journey, and the author’s distinct personality and perspective are evident throughout, creating a warm and moving memoir.” –Indie ReaderWhen Luisa’s mother died, Luisa was left to take care of her family. Her dream of leaving Naples for a better life died too. Hard work and sacrifice left no … too. Hard work and sacrifice left no time for dreaming or romance. Until one day she met a U.S Marine stationed in Italy. Though Brandon didn’t speak Italian, he understood what Luisa needed and made her feel like a princess. They fell in love, married and began to build a life together in the United States.
Because of Brandon’s military service, Luisa spent long periods apart from him. Under the stress, their marriage slowly began to fracture, leading to infidelity and separation. During that time apart, both Luisa and Brandon realized what they truly meant to one another. When they reconciled, their love grew even stronger, and Luisa faced something she didn’t think she would ever recover from.
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In Until Forever, Luisa Cloutier tells a very personal story about the unexpected loss of her husband at a young age. The story opens at a time after her husband’s death when she is extremely depressed and losing the will to live. From there, she goes back in time to recount how she and her husband met in Italy, fell in love, and built a successful life together in the United States. While there is heartache and conflict, the two manage to find their way, eventually opening their own fitness studio, which becomes very successful. The sudden loss of her husband is a brutal shock, but Luisa eventually moves on and opens her heart again to another.
Woven throughout the book is the story of cultural differences between Italy and America, traditional Catholic values vs the societal pressures of modern day living, and parental expectations of what it means to be a good daughter vs a young woman’s need for independence. An important point, which provides additional tension in the story, is the deathbed promise made by Luisa to her mother. These critical aspects, demonstrating conflicting cultural and family values, nearly cripple Luisa, who is caught between pleasing and honoring others and tradition while longing to expand her horizons and follow her heart. They nearly prevent her from thinking for herself and letting her husband go after he dies. Fortunately, she has the help and guidance of those who teach her to listen to herself and do what she knows in her heart is the right thing to do.
A compelling story from the outset, describing an experience when the author’s grief has taken her to a very dark place, Until Forever also relates the author’s coming-of-age. Through overcoming the loss of her husband, she also grows from it, learning what it can teach her, so she becomes stronger and wiser. The reader is not given any further information after she meets a new man, but she expresses her growing confidence and maturity, her independence, as she faces, yet again, the big empty house she and her husband once shared. We are left with new possibilities when her new boyfriend arrives in America.
Intimate and emotional, Luisa Cloutier has written an excellent story, something that takes courage and a brave willingness to bear one’s heart and soul to readers. Those grieving the loss of a spouse may benefit from this book. Others may simply enjoy this heartfelt and dramatic love story.
After finishing this book I googled the author and found the business she started with her husband with photos of them and others mentioned in the book. She is evidently a motivational speaker now, something not mentioned in the book.
This is the “real life” story of how Luisa and Brandon met and fell in love, and of their life together, initially in her hometown in Italy and then after their return to his homeland, America. I found it easy to read and Luisa’s “voice” feels authentic.
It’s an inspirational romantic book for strong women. If you lost a loved one or suffer from depression you will find relief but not only that, you will be inspired to go on with your life. You will smile again.