Together Forever

Love Stories For Young Adults #16

by Cameron Dokey

Dean Smith is at the top of Natalie Taylor's crush list. Tall and intelligent, with a bit of a stubborn streak, Dean's an ideal Taurus...and horoscope junkie Natalie's perfect Valentine. After one magical night--one amazing kiss under the stars--Natalie knows she's found a great guy. But everything changes when Natalie discovers the lurid truth. Dean's not a strong, silent Taurus--he's a fickle Gemini! And that magical kiss was a lie! Will Natalie follow the stars...or her heart?

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Cameron Dokey is an American author living in Seattle, Washington. She has a collection of over 50 old sci-fi and horror films. Cameron was born in the Central Valley of California. Cameron grew up reading classical literature and mythology, perhaps due to her father, Richard, being a teacher of Philosophy, Creative Writing, and Western Literature.

Cameron has one husband and three cats, and is the author of over a dozen young adult novels. Her favorite read is J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings." Her favorite TV show is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

When she's not writing, Cameron likes to work in the garden and is learning to quilt.

Reviews

[Lynai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings. I felt like I totally wasted my time with this forgettable book. But I also felt refreshed going down memory lane because this is soooo high school! The book even has photos of the Backstreet Boys! Oh well, time to pick up another book. This time I'm ready for some serious reading. :)

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In February 1997 Bantam Books released Cameron Dokey’s book “Together Forever: A Valentine Special.” This young adult book features the dating and social relationships of four upper class students at Emerald High School in Seattle, Washington. The dating experiences of one of the students Natalie Taylor was strongly influenced by her belief that Zodiac astrological signs based on birth dates influence the quality of interpersonal relationships and can dramatically impact the “forever bonding” of the male-female dating partners. Dean Smith who is a classmate of Natalie is deeply enamored by her physical presence, mental acumen, and interpersonal kindness. He asks her to be his date at a school Valentine Day dance party. She accepted, and they had a wonderful experience on their first date. However a few days after the dance she broke off her relationship with Dean when she learned that he was born on a date with a Zodiac astrological sign (Gemini) that was not compatible with her birth sign (Scorpio). After the breakup Dean mailed her a special framed photograph taken of them at the dance. A week later he made arrangements to pair her with a classmate that had a very compatible Zodiac birthdate with her astrological sign, he also spied on her dating relationships much to Natalie’s consternation, and he made special arrangements to fund birthday parties for the friendships they both shared. His constant attention to her interests and preferences are amazing. She was sometimes concerned by his behavior, but she also was also deeply touched by his efforts to restore their relationship. Dean sought advice from his peers, from a fortune teller seer, his mother, classmates, and people he deeply respected. Natalie was overwhelmed by his attention and she decided to renew her romantic relationship with Dean and his friends. The book has a surprise ending that features his mother’s revelation that he was born on the east coast of America at midnight on a date and year that in fact made him a Zodiac Taurus and not a Zodiac Gemini. In fact he is a near perfect match with Natalie Taylor! (P)

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom's need not worry at all! Amazing for tweens & teens, no sex, no talk of sex. Not even sexual innuendos, just kissing! First kiss/first love, romantic, creative, clever, funny! I would highly recommend these "love stories" books written by different authors. They're what I started out on, as an adolescent in the 90s, daydreaming about my future first love, 😻 and I sometimes still pull them out and read them as an adult! And, most all of the main characters, a girl looking for love, have a best friend/gal pal like most of us do/did to rely on, and to chat with! My mom loved these for me, as did I!

[RTR Ollaio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book, its very fabulous

[Tejeda Enoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLEEEE, I love this book

[Josie]

Natalie was insufferable, irritating, and unlikable, not to mention selfish. I think the hero here deserved better and so I actually DNF'd this one.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this story way back in high school and it's still a nice, swoon-y read years after! I'm also a zodiac sign aficionado (but not as devoted as the main character), so I can definitely relate. I was half expecting to get bored and find the story immature now that I've reread it after decades, but I was surprised to find myself enjoying it. I love Cameron Dokey's work and this just shows how timeless her writing is.

[Bookabulary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do you know that feeling when you see someone's horoscope in your social media timeline and all you can think about is "I don't care! Stopppppp!" Yep, that one.

[Cammie (Bibliolater.alligator) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst of the worst, the most hated and cursed! Please read just about any other Bantam Love Stories book over this abomination.

[MRC Undertaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It´s about love, and I loved it.