Sequel novel "This Never Should Have Happened" is now live!

This Never Should Have Happened - Lived-In Love Book 2

The Story Behind the Book

This Never Should Have Happened is a literary fiction novel by Bart A. Charlow born from a desire to see a love story that feels entirely true to both human nature and the places we inhabit.

Real relationships rarely follow a script, and neither do the settings that shape them. Written from a deeply candid male perspective, this book explores the unexpected ways love arrives later in life, moving between the distinct landscapes of the California coast and the historic Catskills.

The depth of this story is grounded in two halves of my life. The psychological realism draws directly from my lifelong professional background as a therapist, capturing the quiet hesitation, timing, and emotional baggage we carry as adults.

Meanwhile, the rich, realistic atmosphere of the settings comes from my heritage as a third-generation Borscht Belt Catskill hotelman. I wanted the locations to be characters themselves—bringing an authentic sense of place to a slow-burning narrative of realism and depth.

This book is written specifically for mature readers who look for nuance over tropes, honest human connection, and a deeply textured sense of place.

Book Elements

Title: This Never Should Have Happened
Author: Bart A. Charlow
Genre: Literary Fiction / Realistic Romance
Settings: Catskills (New York) and Northern California
Core Themes: Later-in-life love, psychological realism, geographic depth, male point of view
Reader Profile: Intended for a mature audience seeking emotional and narrative depth

About the Author

Bart A. Charlow writes literary fiction rooted in real-world human behavior and deeply textured settings. Growing up as a third-generation Borscht Belt Catskill hotelman and later building a career as a therapist on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula, his writing seamlessly blends psychological insight with a rich, authentic sense of place.

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Lived-In Love™ Series Book 2

The highly anticipated sequel to That Catskill Summer continues the deep psychological exploration of mature love, choices, and hidden truths. How do we rebuild when life-altering secrets come to light?

3 Hearts, 2 Coasts, Only 1 Love Can Survive

Author Aaron Ben-Ami thought returning to the iconic Catskill resorts to develop his new series would be a straightforward celebration of the past. Instead, he finds himself caught in a complex emotional gravity between two very different women: Izzy Sandler, the captivating lead actress carrying generational echoes of an old flame, and Monica Stuart, the talented costume director who rekindled his fire after devastating loss.

As Aaron and Monica’s passionate relationship hits a critical crossroad—unable to agree on where, or if, they can share a future—the emotional stakes intensify. With powerful feelings swirling, both women, alongside Aaron’s divorced daughter Ella, circle one another at a charged Catskill reunion, trapping Aaron directly in the center of their competing desires.

Confrontations abound as old loves and old wounds resurface. In this refreshing, deeply authentic exploration of the mature male heart, life begins to mirror art, forcing Aaron to navigate a maze of regret, passion, and family ties to find a resolution that may not be as simple as it seems.

Who's who

Aaron Ben-Ami: novelist and widowed psychotherapist; author of the bestselling novel within the novels.
Elyse Krieger: Aaron's real first love, from a Catskills hotel summer almost sixty years ago.
Alice Rieger: the fictionalized version of Elyse in Aaron's novel and in the movie made from it.
Izzy (Isobel) Sandler: the actress who plays Alice; Elyse's granddaughter.
Monica Stuart: costume director; Aaron's partner after his devastating loss.
Ella Gold: Aaron's divorced daughter.
Jake & Lizzie Gold: Aaron's grandchildren.
Davey Edelman: Aaron's oldest friend and sponsor.
Helen Ruskin: Davey's old flame.

Just the FAQs

Who is the ideal reader for 'This Never Should Have Happened'?

This book is crafted specifically for a discerning, mature audience that demands emotional substance over predictable formulas. If you appreciate complex character development, realistic relationship hurdles, and a story that isn't afraid to explore the messier, more inconvenient sides of adult affection, this narrative will resonate deeply with you. It's a later-in-life story, because love doesn't have to end at any certain age.

How does the author's background as a therapist change the tone of this love story?

I've seen and heard a lot about the way people really think, feel and behave as a therapist. Decades of observing human behavior allow me to strip away melodramatic cliches. The dialogue, internal struggles, and relational friction on these pages mirror how mature adults actually think, communicate, and hesitate when love appears at an unexpected moment. It grounds the fiction in an authentic psychological truth that few novels capture.

Does 'This Never Should Have Happened' focus more on the California coast or the Catskills?

The book builds a powerful narrative bridge between both coastlines. The story moves fluidly between the crisp, contemporary atmosphere of Northern California and the historic, grounded weight of the New York mountains. This geographical contrast mirrors the internal emotional shifts of the characters, offering a deeply textured reading experience that celebrates the power of place. Place is a character in the story, not just a spot on the map.

What really is "second chance romance"?

We all hope for do-overs when we realize a mistake or have a preventable loss, as much in love as anything else. "Second chance" refers to the delicious opportunity and the perilous challenge of getting to try it again with the person of your affection. This Never Should Have Happened is very much about later-in-life second chances, some of which really are a gift, and some of which really never should have happened!

How steamy is this romance?

This Never Should Have Happened is different from most romance novels: It's love from a man's point of view, though there are strong female characters. As with all the Lived-In Love series, it's a realistic portrayal of love and intimacy. In the real world love is messy. This story is deep and it's nuanced. There is a bit of "open door" sexuality, but nothing graphic and any sexuality is purely consensual between adults, nothing kinky. Are you ready for later-in-life affairs? Because love definitely doesn't just die with aging. If anything it matures. BookAnon's review of That Catskill Summer placed the heat somewhere between "jalapeno to habanero". This sequel follows that pattern.

Do I need to read That Catskill Summer first?

This Never Should Have Happened stands on its own as a complete engaging story. Reading it together with That Catskill Summer gives it more impact. I would recommend reading the Lived-In Love series in order: That Catskill Summer first, then This Never Should Have Happened. And the third book, when that comes out.

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