What will Tabitha do? No spoilers from me. I bet many readers will identify with Tabitha in her challenges = a teen daughter, her mom, her job, her husband. I liked the setting, the humor, and the character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. And last but not least, the storytelling makes it a good read.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book even though I did not finish this book.

I don't often give up on a book. I don't like not finishing it. However I just couldn't get into this one. I was skipping parts and that's never a good sign. To me it just seemed a bit all over the place. Didn't grab me at all. Sorry.

I enjoyed this book. We meet three generations, actually we learn about four generations! All women and all from the same family and this is their story. Set in gorgeous Ireland this story is centred around Tabitha anMEP’s wife and headmistress, her activist mum Nora and her daughter Rosie. Has Tabitha settled for second best? Has she put the needs of others first to her own cost? What’s going on with Rosie and why is she so very stressed? Why is Nora setting up camp at the school gates? This family drama is warm , gentle, funny in parts and true to life. It’s like a hug!

I must admit that I haven't heard of Sian O'Gorman before but if there's one thing I like doing, it's discovering new authors. Sian has written three books in total and 'Together Forever' is her most latest book and was released on 1st April 2018. I was so looking forward to reading 'Together Forever' and so I opened the front page with some excitement. I was not to be disappointed as I really did enjoy the book but more about that later.
I really felt for the character of Tabitha Thomas. She is a hard working head teacher at a primary school, who happens to be married to a politician, Michael, who is basically addicted to his 'career'. He has definitely neglected his marriage, his home life and his daughter and he has his priorities all wrong. There is a teaching vacancy at her school and when the agency sends somebody along, Tabitha is stunned to see that it is her one time love, Redmond. They share old memories, they flirt and at last it seems that Tabitha is getting the attention that she deserves. Tabitha's mother, Nora, is a game old bird and ever so slightly rebellious. She stands up for what she believes in and this brings her into potential conflict with Tabitha when she (Nora) protests outside of Tabitha's school to save some trees from being chopped down. I also liked the character of Rosie, Tabitha's daughter and Nora's granddaughter, and I really felt for her. She is a student, who is approaching the most important exams of her school life so far and she is starting to feel the pressures. It's assumed that she will follow her father's career path and go to the university/ college that he went to and so he is piling the pressure on. Will Tabitha and Red get together? Will Tabitha regret her life choices? Will Michael realise what is happening and reassess his priorities? Will Nora's eco activities get her into trouble? Will Rosie pass her exams or will the pressure be too much for her? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into 'Together Forever' as the pace is a little slow to get going. However after a couple of chapters I got into the book and was swept along by the story. I absolutely loved the fact that the book is set in the Republic of Ireland as I love the Republic. I have relatives in Ireland that I need to visit some time and I absolutely loved Irish history. Reading 'Together Forever' took me through a whole range of contrasting emotions. At times I felt angry, upset, emotional, hopeful and there were certain parts of the book that had me chuckling along - usually the behaviour of Nora. There were also certain times that I wanted to smack Michael Thomas for the fact that he was putting so much pressure on Rosie. I have been where Rosie is in that I was under a lot of pressure to pass my exams and I couldn't see how life could continue if something went wrong and I didn't want to feel as though I was a disappointment. 'Together Forever' certainly has a bit of everything that you could want in a book- there is drama, comedy, romance and it is ultimately a feel good, escapist read.
In short, I really enjoyed reading 'Together Forever' which is pure escapism and a welcome distraction. I would recommend it to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.

Together Forever by Sian O’Gorman a four-star read that you can while hours away with. I will be honest, and I had to start this book three times, I don’t know what it was that I couldn’t get into at first but on the third turn it started to flow for me. This was a heart-warming read and the way the three generations interact was great, they had such warm qualities to them. The writing was great in the most part, but it drifted a couple of times and I was left wondering where it was going, but the author managed to bring it back quick enough. Overall a very warm read if you are in the mood for sweet and warm then this is the one for you.

A lovely story with warm, believable characters who demonstrate the true meaning of family, friendship and community. There is a reassuring continuity in this story which focuses on a mother and her daughter but encompasses both of their grandmothers too.

Tabitha is a pillar of the community, a primary school headmistress in the village she grew up. Her daughter Rosie is studying for a pinnacle exam and her mother Nora is still an activist despite her advancing years. Tabitha suffered a tragic loss in her early twenties which changed the course of her life when someone from her past returns is this a good thing or bad? Tabitha's marriage is not happy but convenient she has Rosie her purpose for marriage, but everything else is missing.

Red's return ruffles her calm life, but they only have past memories, not future ones. There is a liberal amount of serendipity in this story which gives it special magic and makes it enjoyable escapism reading. The plot is simple, and there is a sinister antagonist who threatens the community. There are lots of complex characters who bring the village to life and a touch of romance.

A story of everyday people touched with a little of life's magic.

I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

4☆ A Wonderful Read

Together Forever is a heartwarming story of family, relationships, love, exam pressure, being an environmental Activist.

From the first chapter I had a special feeling this book was going to be good and I was right! It's a lovely paced read that has wonderful characters.

I really enjoyed this beautiful read and the relationships between Grandmother,  Mother (Tabitha) and Daughter (Rosie) it was so lovely to see their bonds and all the backstory. For example having children out of wedlock.
There was plenty of humour, drama, friendship.

Tabitha is married to Michael. He is never at home as he works in parliament.
They don't seem to have much love there it was almost a marriage of convenience.
He is very keen for Rosie to follow on the family tradition but the added pressure of her dad and exams makes her withdrawn.

Tabitha is also the head teacher of Star of the Sea girls primary school for the last 5 years. It's a wonderful thing as Rosie also went to the school.
She makes a great principle and I loved the way she fought for her school.

If you enjoy chick lit books with a dazzle of romance, a hippy activist grandmother, plenty of laugh out loud moments, then you will love this charming, feel good read.

Tabitha is a great mother and school principal. She's trying to keep the school afloat and also support her daughter through the stress of her final school exams, the Leaving Certificate. Her husband is a busy MEP, and not much help to her. He's a hilarious character, I really enjoyed his story.

Her mother is a bit of an ageing hippy and loves a good protest, particularly anything to do with saving trees. When there is talk of land being sold by the school, she's one of the first on the scene.

I also loved the story of her best friend, Clodagh, working in the shallow world of TV, where it's very easy to be replaced by a newer, younger model.

An old flame of Tabitha's from her youth returns from abroad, and an interesting story unfolds, adding to the mix.

This is a novel with many funny moments, brilliantly written, with fabulous characters, but it's also heart-warming and full of love. The depiction of Tabitha's relationship with her own mother and her daughter are a lovely example of mother-daughter relationships.

A new favourite author for me. If you haven't read any of her books before you're in for a treat. If you have, you'll adore this latest one. Highly recommended.

How many of us dream of happy ever after, and then just make-do, convincing ourselves that it's all for the best and we're putting others first? This is a tale of exactly that . . . and so much more!

Tabitha Thomas is quite a conformist with a non-conformist mother and the memories of a free-spirited grandmother. She would do anything to support her teenage daughter Rosie, including putting aside her own self happiness. She has concentrated on her career as Head Teacher and supporting her daughter and her high-flying friend, Clodagh. As long as she keeps up the standards for her politician husband, peace reigns. But sometimes the life you've settled for isn't really there at all . . .

This is an excellent book, with so much going on! Characters of every age sprinkle this novel with sense, nonsense and good humour. And in among all that there is truth, anxiety, doubt and acceptance, which all add up to a fantastic read! Sian O'Gorman never disappoints and is just the author to go to when you don't have the perfect life yourself and crave a little understanding. Sometimes it's nice to appreciate that not everyone else is living the dream either!

My grateful thanks to publishers Aria for pre-approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

In Together Forever, Siân O' Gorman creates realistic characters and I especially liked those of Tabitha and Rosie as well as Tabitha's mother.

The portrayal of the school Tabitha works at was spot-on, as were Rosie's exam fears.

Any teachers, students or environmental activists will identify with this book. I did find that the pacing dragged slightly but that was compensated for by the strangths in character development. The beginning drew me into the story and I also enjoyed the insights and memories of what went on years ago between Tabitha and Red.

A further strength of the book were the emotions put into Red and Tabitha meeting again.

I love the cover and title of this book!

I have also read Always and Forever by Siân O' Gorman.

Thanks to Siân O' Gorman and Aria, an Imprint of Head of Zeus for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.