Customer Reviews

Forever

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Forever is The Sequel to Timm McCann's debut novel Until. Forever picks up where Until left off and brings back intelligent, sensitive and sassy characters Betty, Drew and Jacqui.

After only 3 months of dating and barely getting over prior lovers, Betty and Drew decide they're ready to spend the rest of their lives together and to say, "I Do". But what they didn't envision were the bumpy curves at every turn. The wedding day is eventful with hitches galore and a clear indication of what is yet to come during the first year of marriage. From the wedding day delay, the reader feels that Drew and Betty's marriage will be a rollercoaster ride filled with more mid-air suspension than dips. Drew and Betty quickly realize that staying together Forever is more than simply saying I Love You or I Do. Situations, circumstances and people threaten to tear them apart as they try to hold on to a tumultuous relationship that they hurried into.

Betty's sidekick, best girlfriend, Jacqui continues to be a business savvy professional woman. Her restaurant Jacquetta is a big hit. However, Jacqui's personal life is crying out for love and commitment. Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, as her biological clock begins to sound like a bomb ticking away and time running out, she wants more. Unfortunately, her current beau, Stephan isn't sure that commitment is what he seeks. In the process, Stephan experiences a tragedy that makes him rethink what's most important in his life and whether or not it should even include Jacqui.

Forever is a well-written and satisfying sequel. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it better than Until...and I really enjoyed that book! McCann gives us mature characters that jump off the page and into our lives as we live vicariously through them for a moment. The secondary characters were equally impressive and included Drew's mom-the woman any daughter-in-law could easily learn to hate and Blue...a man of much wisdom and knowledge. Every man should know an elderly friend named Blue.

As the storylines intertwined, I quickly turned the pages to see what would happen next. Although Forever is not a mystery...there was much suspense and intrigue as we witnessed events in the main characters' lives and wondered what effect those situations would have on their relationships. All I can say is pick up this book and experience it for yourself. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised as well.

Wow, comes to mind when I think of Timmothy B. McCann's latest novel. I eagerly awaited his sequel to Until and Mr. McCann did not disappoint in picking up where he left off.

Mr. McCann ended Until with a beginning, so I expected Forever to read like a gushy novel filled with "I love you bookie wookie" type romantic cliches. Timmothy kept it real, he blinded the reader with a realistic portrayal of a first year marriage. He skillfully showed that marriage is about much more than an abundance of love its about compromise, but more importantly-communication.

Mr. McCann has everything in this book except for the kitchen sink. He threw in a lot of love, shimmers of hope, jealousy, faith and pounds of healing. The characters are so colorful you can't help but find yourself rooting for them. His writing is so vivid, its conducive to sitting down and watching your favorite television show.

Mr. McCann brings back Drew and Betty more powerful than ever, with a lot more issues than before. Drew has taken on the role of caring for his dying mother, while Betty has taken on a court case to rival that of the O. J. Simpson trial. Both are so caught up in what's going on in their own lives, that they fail to see their marriage deteriorating before their eyes. They focus more on the "me, me me" instead of "US". Drew and Betty have all the love in the world, but is love always enough?

Throw in Betty's ex-fiance, Evander, who's back trying to insinuate himself into her life. Her childhood friend, Jacqui, who still has not learned to keep her over opinionated comments about Drew to herself and you've got a mixture of trouble brewing for the Staleys. Forever is full of surprises, wisdom and inspiration. You will see each of the main characters growth by the time you turn the last page, from Betty and Drew's acceptance of what Til' Death Do Us Part really means, and a more mellower Jacqui as she faces her own relationship issues with her boyfriend, Stefan.

My favorite character was Mr. Blue, an older being who unwittingly teaches Drew how to step up and be a man. Mr. Blue is truly the foundation of this novel spreading words of wisdom we can all learn from.

Overall, Timmothy does such a fantastic job with this novel, it will make you take a closer look at your own relationship. It's as if he challenges you to ask yourself if you know what Forever really means? And, I challenge you to read it and find out.

Keep up the great work Mr. McCann and I look forward to your next novel.

.

"Forever" is a story that explores the notion of just what that entails. It follows the lives of Betty and Drew from the moments before their wedding into their first year of marriage. We often arrive at the church with rose colored glasses and soon after the honeymoon discover what we thought we were getting isn't what we get. Well the glasses have come off for the newly married couple, with career, family and ex-lovers getting tossed into the mix. As I read this wonderful, engrossing story, I found myself counting the remaining pages, never wanting the story to end. Mr. McCann has brought together a great ensemble of characters, woven it around a heartfelt truthful story, with life long lessons sprinkled throughout. If you are looking for a good read, then "Forever" will not disappoint. And if you haven't had the chance to pick up Timmothy McCann's previous works, then you have done yourself a great injustice. In this day and age of flash-in-the- pan fiction, "Forever" stands high above the rest. Kudo's Timm for another story well woven and you know I am eagerly awaiting the next.

Sequels...it takes guts to write a sequel to a bestselling novel, but it takes true talent, meticulous preparation, and keen insight to write a sequel that is just as excellent, if not better, than the original story. With Forever, Timmothy B. McCann has penned an ambitious, tightly written, romantic, realistic, and highly recommended story about the rigors of relationships and what it takes to make them successful.

Financial analyst Drew Staley and lawyer Betty Robinson vow to share their lives forever at their wedding. But McCann shows how easy it is to say one thing, and how tough it is to do another when factors are thrown into a relationship that you hadn't predicted. From familial pressures, to work stresses, the Staley couple is forced to endure trial after trial (no pun intended). Their love for one another is questioned each step of their marital journey. Not only does Evander (Betty's one time lover) return to throw confusion into the mix, but Drew develops a personal problem that threatens Betty's security. In addition, the minor characters of Jacqui and Stefan are just as intriguing, but the one to look out for is Blue. His mouth is filled with wisdom that will leap off the pages and right into your own heart and mind. All the characters are richly drawn, and McCann does a fantastic job with his descriptions which are detailed enough to allow the reader to envision the story's sense of place, and to experience the vast array of character emotions.

Using humor, social commentary, and some of the most romantic scenarios one could ever hope for, the writer has really upped the ante in Forever, a novel that won't be soon forgotten.

The characters in the story are so real and natural. Drew and Betty are a professional married couple that love each other but just can't totally give themselves to each other because of bad relationships they had with other people. Betty gets a murder case that will give her Jacqui, Betty's true blue friend, is a successful, sharp, witted sistah who speaks her mind. The book is well written and I didn't put it down until I read the entire book. Neither will you!

The title of McCann's new book, Forever, made me wonder what really lasts forever, does life, love or even death? And why do we exert so much energy trying to make something last forever instead of getting all the good we can, to last just for a lifetime. But I digress, this is a story about what happens after the glitter, it is centered around 2 couples trying to decide if they want to invest in themselves and make what they share last. But the characters seem too insecure to open themselves and too unsure to trust that what they feel will be enough.

The main characters, Drew and Betty were fresh from bad relationships, they hastily married because they both feared the other would change their mind. While Betty, a lawyer is embroiled in the biggest murder trial of her career, Drew is spending too much time caring for his ailing mother and things become strained, add to that mix, a lover from Betty's past, and they had me wondering if their marriage would last another month, forget forever.

Their respective best friends, Jacqui and Stefan have their own issues, Jacqui's restaurant is booming and she is mad in love with Stefan, he is 40 years old and still pursuing a career as a model. He wants to be financially stable before he commits, but Jacqui's biological clock is ticking, she wants to get married now.

This book reads like you're sitting down talking to a friend, it is a mature account of how issues, real or perceived, can cause so many problems when left to fester. Drew was afraid to ask Betty why she married him, why she refuses to sell her house and why she rolls away from him in bed. Betty is afraid she still has feelings for her ex Evander, and she is afraid that if she gives all, Drew will leave her like all the other men she loved. Both were afraid to ask if they married to soon, so they grow further apart. Is divorce the answer? And if so, then what happens to the theory of Forever?

McCann has written one of the best sequels I have read, he is a voice that will be heard over and over again. Reading this was like taking a good strong sip of humility! This is an excellent story, one you do not want to miss.

aNN Brown
The RAW Reviewers

Timmothy McCann has successfully captivated the attention of readers in this masterpiece. This interwoven tale of love, deceit, mystery, poetry, and commitment says very little about the book itself. Timmothy McCann while captivating us with this storyline of friendship, dedication, and loyalty allows the reader to feel the very essence of his soul. He has allowed the reader to enter into his personal space. It is as if one can feel his love floating from chapter to chapter and his spirit dancing from page to page. God has trully given him a spendid talent and a heart to share it with others. Thank you Mr. McCann for touching many lives. You have delved in the hearts of many and touched ME deeply. I have enjoyed the ride....Until.....Always......Forever......

The first time I read Until, I was blown away that a man could right such beautiful words (in the romance genre). He didn't give us goodie-good ending, but left us to our own imaginations and quick palpitations. When I read Forever, I got angry, I cried and I laughed. One thing I can say about Timmothy McCann --he keeps it real. We all want the fairy tale romance, wedding,etc., but it's what comes after the vows that makes the difference. He kept it real. I will always love his lead characters in this story, but my favorite was Blue. What a man of wisdom (I took notes). Keep up the good work Timm.

In a riveting sequel to his debut novel UNTIL, Timmothy McCann continues the story of Drew and Betty in FOREVER. Married after a quick courtship, the newlyweds are faced with many challenges which makes them both wonder if they should have gotten married.

Drew's mother is dying, Betty's old boyfriend is trying to get back in her life and if that's not enough, there's even some legal drama as Betty's career as a lawyer is scrutinized because she is involved in a high profile court case. What would challenge a strong marriage might prove to be enough to break up the Staley's marriage almost as soon as it started.

To make the story even more interesting, there's a subplot with Betty's best friend Jacqui. What makes this character believeable is that we all know someone like her. She doesn't always make the best life decisions, but she is always ready to give everyone advice. Stefan is her boyfriend who can never quite reach his career goals. Together they have enough issues to warrant their own book! (hint, hint, Mr. McCann)

The best sequels are the ones that can stand on their own and FOREVER is certainly in that category. Love, hope, doubt and friendship--this book has it all and more. I look forward to losing myself in Mr. McCann's next novel.

I have read all of this authors work. It all started with Until... and then Always and now Forever. I must say the brother always finds a way to push it to another level. Reading Timmothy is like listening to your favorite CD. You feel his words, you can dance to his prose and he makes you beleive in love in a world that can some times be so cold. Bravo Timmothy and I look forward to whatever you give me to dance to next.
Mary Mary