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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, We Almost Had Forever by Simon Mennell is a poignant family saga set against the vibrant backdrop of 1950s Singapore, weaving a heartfelt tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of reconnection across decades and continents.
We Almost Had Forever

In an era where families are often stretched across continents, separated by time zones and endless miles, Simon Mennell’s We Almost Had Forever emerges as a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of human connection. This evocative family saga, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1950s Singapore and spanning decades and continents, captures the ache of separation and the quiet courage of rebuilding what time has fractured.

At the heart of the novel are Daniel, a radio engineer driven by a passion for connecting distant voices, and Mei Lin, a nurturing teacher brimming with dreams for their unborn daughter, Ava. Their story begins in the bustling, culturally rich streets of Singapore, a city pulsing with the promise of a new future. Yet, as life’s unpredictability unravels their plans, the couple is pulled apart, leaving behind years of silence, longing, and unanswered questions. Their daughter, Ava, becomes the fragile thread binding their past to a future of hope and possibility.
Mennell’s narrative is a masterful blend of intimate family dynamics and universal themes, weaving together romantic love, parental devotion, and the unexpected bonds forged through shared experiences. From the vibrant markets of Singapore to the distant shores of Korea and Florida, the novel traces the family’s journey across decades, exploring how love endures even the harshest trials of separation. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt dialogue, Mennell paints a world where joy and sorrow coexist, where small, everyday acts of courage and kindness build lives filled with meaning.
We Almost Had Forever is not just a story of loss but a tender celebration of resilience and reconnection. It delves into the slow, deliberate process of healing, showing how families, even when scattered, can find their way back to one another. The novel’s reflective tone invites readers to consider the power of forgiveness, second chances, and the quiet beauty of finding peace in the present while honoring the past. At its core, it’s a story about lost love, fate, and the extraordinary possibility of saying the words left unspoken for decades—a reminder that some connections are meant to be found again, no matter how far apart life pulls us.

Simon Mennell
Simon Mennell, a bestselling author and global executive, brings a wealth of personal experience to this debut novel. Raised in humble circumstances, Mennell forged a dynamic international career across Singapore, Dubai, Qatar, and the Channel Islands—experiences that deeply inform their writing. Their memoir, Shattered Norms: A Punk’s Journey to the Boardroom, reached number two on Amazon’s Hot New Releases and earned national recognition with a featured interview on BBC Radio. Mennell’s ability to weave resilience and reinvention into their storytelling shines through in We Almost Had Forever, a novel that resonates with anyone who has loved deeply, lost profoundly, and found the courage to begin again.
Beyond We Almost Had Forever, Mennell is the author of the sci-fi series Dream Agents and the leadership guide L.E.A.D.E.R.: The Six Principles to Unbreakable Leadership. Splitting their time between the UK and Thailand, Mennell lives in Yorkshire with their family, finding inspiration in golfing and flying gliders. This heartfelt novel, published by Westow Publishing Ltd., is a powerful reminder: never give up on the connections that matter most.
We Almost Had Forever is available now, inviting readers to lose themselves in a story of love’s endurance and the quiet strength of family bonds across time and distance. For more information on Simon Mennell’s work, visit [insert publisher or author website if available].
Find more from Simon Mennell now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4g71lkh
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3K464qN
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