For Now, Forever

The MacGregors #5

by Nora Roberts

White Periwinkle: Pleasures of Memory

Premed student Anna Whitfield simply had no time for men, much less marriage! But Daniel MacGregor was as stubborn as a mule when it came to getting what he wanted. He was determined to build his own dynasty—and lovely Anna was vital to his plans. Together they created moments to treasure...a love to remember now and forever.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Harlequin, Historical, Chick Lit

218 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1987

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series begins with stories involving the children of Daniel and Anna MacGregory, two people who seem to be an unlikely pair. After a serious car accident that puts Daniel in the hospital, he takes us back in time through his dreams to recount how he and Anna first met and their rocky journey to marriage.

I’ve had my issues with the series to date but this is the story I have waited for without knowing it. Up until now, Anna has seemed a bit opaque, which contradicts who she is on her resume. I couldn’t imagine how she ended up Daniel whose traditional views about marriage couldn’t be more diametrically opposite of who she is so I’ve been intrigued about their history. Well, their romance far surpassed my expectations with both of them staying true to their characters.

I hoped that Daniel and Anna’s courtship wasn’t easy and, to put it mildly, it was extremely tempestuous for that era. I admired Anna for her quiet strength, fortitude and passion in pursuing her medical degree in the midst of barriers presented from family and Daniel. I respected how he persisted and actually struggled to understand and embrace her needs. He never gave up and she never gave up on him. This story puts the whole series into a better place for me and I enjoyed it immensely.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

[Zubee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel was such a character throughout this whole series that I just had to read his book ...
Anna doesn't disappoint ... she is strong and patient while he is like a bull in a china shop ...
But their love is beautiful ...

[fleurette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a great fan of Nora Roberts but mostly of her longer books. Her category romances are not in my taste. For Now, Forever was too old-school and too eye-rolling to me. It was lacking in the character and relationship development.

I didn't like Daniel. He is bossy and much more alpha than I can stand. He decides that Anna will become his wife and he completely doesn't care that she has other plans. He tells her that he will not change for her but expects for her to do otherwise. And Anna, she fights with Daniel but always agrees with him in the end. I wanted her to be more assertive. I know it's not a modern romance but still…

I also couldn't find many feelings between them. Daniel meets Anna few times and he is convinced that he is in love with her. The same with Anna. And the whole bargain part was ridiculous.

I hope for other books in this series to be more modern.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estoy entre el 3.5 y el 4. Creo que la nota ideal sería un 3.75.
A pesar de que el libro anterior ha sido el que más me ha gustado de la saga hasta ahora por todo lo que expliqué en su review, este libro también me ha transmitido mucho. Volvemos a tener una historia corta, aunque algo más larga que las demás, y los personajes vuelven a estar poco desarrollados. Me hubiera gustado que la autora hablara un poco más del trabajo de Anna, sin embargo el libro me ha encantado.
Un mensaje que vuelve a dejar claro Nora Roberts en esta novela y que me parece imprescindible que lo interioricemos es que no importa cuanto ames a una persona, tú debes serte fiel a ti mismx y puede que dejarlo todo por otra persona pueda verse como un acto romántico, pero en realidad abandonar tu pasión, dejar de lado tus sueños para que otra persona pueda cumplir los suyos suele salir mal, porque acabas resentidx y marchitadx por dentro. No dejéis que nadie os haga creer que sus aspiraciones son más importantes que las vuestras, que no os pisoteen, os ninguneen u os menosprecien. Porque aunque pueda parecer un acto precioso y nada malicionso, a la larga es peor para la pareja porque los sueños dejados de lado acaban convirtiéndose en munición para atacar y odiar a la persona que os "hizo" apartarlos a un lado.
Y, sinceramente, creo que la autora retrata este mensaje a la perfección en esta novela. Además, me ha gustado ver a un personaje tan independiente y fuerte, que hace lo que quiere sin importar si la sociedad la va a mirar con malos ojos. BRAVO, Nora Roberts.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, maybe? It was just OK. I thought I would reread this series I read years ago, but this one was a bit of a dud. It felt so dated.

It was the back story of the series' patriarch, Daniel MacGregor, and was set in, I guess, the 1950s or 60s, when it was hard for a woman to choose to be a doctor. I didn't mind the story of Anna with her absolute focus and determination to become a surgeon, but who gets derailed by the hot Scottish businessman, Daniel MacGregor. It did feel a little too dragged out, however, and then there was the purple prose. Ugh. Written in the 80s, and it felt like it.

So the romance wasn't bad, but it felt 'overwritten' in parts. I will try to reread the other books in the series, but I'm not sure I'll be able to stay the course. We'll see.

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[*CJ* · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING.
If you've read the MacGregor series so far, you know that Daniel and Anna the parents and patriarch of the family play a major role at cajoling their kids to find their soulmates.
We finally get their incredible story. (I always adore flashback parent tales!)
The book begins in the present where an injured Daniel lies in the OR while Anna has her family to support her..
Flashback to 40 years prior when Daniel is a young and charming self made billionaire who's finding his niche in the rich society, when he runs into med student Anna, the first aspiring female surgeon in her class- and is literally blown away by her.
While Daniel wants an homemaker wife to raise his heirs, Anna wants to work hard and help people in life via being a doctor.
He soon begins relentlessly pursuing her- initially she resists but slowly, he shows his worth to her.
She on the other hand makes him understand her profession and need to succeed- and makes him question his of vision of an ideal wife. Its a beautiful courtship, with bittersweet moments, esp like with the patient Mrs Higgs and her initial refusal to marry him.
There is a lot of back and forth, when Daniel keeps proposing and Anna keeps saying no. There's a lot of angst when she tries to make him open up and he tries to coerce her to accept, but it only adds to the book.
Their story is beautiful, and you really fall for both Daniel and Anna. So many feels in this book! Their lovemaking is explosive, and you honestly feel the devotion Daniel has for her right from the start, which Anna quietly reciprocates.
Back to the present, its a beautiful ending.
One of the best books I've read..ever. (I'm biased with my love for family based romances!)
Long live the MacGregors!
Safe
5/5

[Gramedia Pustaka Utama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kehidupan yg tidak mudah di tanah airnya membuat Daniel kuat. Sebagai seorang bujangan yang kaya, dengan otak encer, dia menarik perhatian semua wanita.
Tapi Anna tidak semudah itu takluk pada pesona Daniel. Dengan Cita2 yang tidak lazim pada jaman tersebut, Anna tetap bertahan pada prinsipnya untuk tidak memenuhi lamaran Daniel saat itu, tetapi dengan berani memutuskan untuk tinggal bersama dengan Daniel.
Pada jaman tersebut, tinggal serumah dengan pria yang bukan suaminya masih menjadi gunjingan dimana, tetapi Anna tidak peduli. Pada akhirnya Anna dapat meraih cita2nya menjadi dokter dan kemudian menjadi dokter bedah terkenal, membuat Daniel bangga.
Terkadang kita memang tidak perlu memperdulikan komentar orang di sekitar kita, jika ternyata komentar tersebut tidak sejalan atau bahkan bisa menghancurkan kita, sejauh kita memang berpegang teguh pada prinsip yang baik.
Saya mulai jatuh cinta dengan Daniel.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've liked other books by Nora Roberts. I don't know if I've loved anything by her, but I've enjoyed her work.

This book was not for me. I did not buy into this romance. These two seemed poorly suited for each other in a lot of ways, and I could not feel the spark that the two characters supposedly had. It seemed like instalove to me in a lot of ways, and other than physical attraction... I couldn't figure out what they liked about each other?

Also I really hate the "woman is not interested in man until he makes it clear he's a creep who won't leave her alone" trope. It is the worst.

[Liliflaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

nisam ni sumnjala da ce i ova prica biti prelepa kao i ostale, a opet, sasvim drugacija :)

[Neşe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitap ve kapak uyumu diyorum mükemmel. Sonra ilk kitaptan beridir tanıdığımız MacGregor ailesinin reisi Daniel ve eşi Anna'nın tanışma ve evlilik yolunda yaşadıkları birbirlerini tanıma ve birkaç sorunun üstesinden gelmelerini okumak güzeldi.

Daniel'in işini kurup yoluna sokmasından sonra bir aile kurma amacıyla katıldığı davette Anna'yı görünce onunla evlenmeye karar verir. Anna'nın ise şu anki tek hayali üniversitede son yılına gireceği ve doktor olarak mezun olmak ve iyi işlere imza atmaktır. Bu yüzden Daniel'i görmezden gelmek istese bile Daniel'in kararlılığından kaçamaz.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute... i like Ana and Daniel's story more than Serena's.... Not sure about others in between - haven't read them yet!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still not entirely sure WHEN this book is set, but I very much enjoy proto-feminist Anna Whitfield and her battle of wills against Daniel MacGregor.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely my favorite of the series. Anna and Daniel's story. The two main characters whose romance started the whole dynasty. Wonderful.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was used to Nora Roberts writing not about romance but a little of suspense and thrillers. This one is nice.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is love story of the MacGregor patriarch, Daniel MacGregor, and Anna Whitfield. Anna is an ambitious, aspiring doctor at a time where most women were expected to be only wives and mothers. Daniel is a successful businessman in search of a wife. If you love Daniel then this is a must read, and if you are lukewarm on his character this book may improve your opinion. You also get the bonus love story of Myra Dittmeyer! To hear a full discussion of For Now, Forever listen to Season 1, Ep. #11 "Nora Roberts The MacGregors: For Now, Forever, Rebellion, and In From the Cold" of Romancing the Shelf, a Nora Roberts podcast: https://romancingtheshelf.libsyn.com/

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rereading the MacGregor series has been fun. What is crazy is how little I remember of these books - almost like I'm reading a brand-new book every time. Before, I rated these books as compilations (Serena and Caine, Alan and Grant, etc.). But that didn't really tell me which books I really liked - just which compilation. Ugh Anna is too good for Daniel, the patriarch of the MacGregors, who annoys the crap out of me - 3 stars.

*PSA - Listen to my friends' Nora Roberts podcast, Romancing the Shelf - they are doing a deep dive into the MacGregors now!

[Esra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaaann Anna ne uğraştırmış Daniel'ı yaaaa inatçı kadın :D Daniel'e olan aşkım daha da perçinlendi bayılıyorum kendisine... Şu ana kadar serinin en iyi kitabı buydu benim için bayıldım... Yeni bir bebiş geldi diğeri de yolda :D Şimdi seride baya gerilere gideceğim yeni kitapta ama daha sonrakiler sanırım torunlara kayacak gibi :)

[Jovana Kuzmanovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

😍 😍 😍 Love it.

[Renata Homrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Roberts é uma autora que seus livros sempre estiveram entre meus desejados, mas por um motivo ou outro acabava sempre ficando para depois. Mas, graças a esta linda parceria com a mais linda ainda da Harlequin Books, finalmente pude ler um livro dela.

Este é o 5° livro da Série Macgregor, e posso afirmar a vocês que não há problema algum em ler ele antes dos livros anteriores.

Aqui temos como protagonistas Daniel MacGregor e Anna Whitfield. O livro já começa com um prólogo super tenso, com Daniel muito maus no hospital após ter sofrido um acidente, e Anna com os filhos, genro e noras do casal aflitos com tudo isso. Logo após isso, a partir do primeiro capítulo vamos conhecendo como a história de amor de Anna e Daniel começou quando ainda eram jovens.
Há cinco anos desde sua chegada na América, Daniel vem construindo um verdadeiro império. E, agora que já tem sua fortuna, ele começa a pensar em construir uma família, com uma mulher dedicada a ele, a casa e seus futuros filhos. O problema é que Daniel foi se interessar justamente por Anna, que não planeja ser nada daquilo que ele espera de uma esposa.

Anna é uma mulher batalhadora e esforçada, que não mede esforços para ser a melhor aluna da turma de medicina, onde é a única mulher. Ela tem uma personalidade forte, e por ser apaixonada pela profissão e ter planos estabelecidos, um casamento é o que ela menos quer para sua vidaHá cinco anos desde sua chegada na América, Daniel vem construindo um verdadeiro império. E, agora que já tem sua fortuna, ele começa a pensar em construir uma família, com uma mulher dedicada a ele, a casa e seus futuros filhos. O problema é que Daniel foi se interessar justamente por Anna, que não planeja ser nada daquilo que ele espera de uma esposa.

Anna é uma mulher batalhadora e esforçada, que não mede esforços para ser a melhor aluna da turma de medicina, onde é a única mulher. Ela tem uma personalidade forte, e por ser apaixonada pela profissão e ter planos estabelecidos, um casamento é o que ela menos quer para sua vida
Daniel e Anna se conhecem em uma festa, e mesmo ambos deixando claro suas intensões, que eram basicamente uma ao contrário da que o outro espera, a atração entre eles foi algo que ocorreu desde a primeira troca de olhares.

Daniel é um homem insistente, e tenta de tudo para conquistar Anna. E Anna, mesmo tendo seu coração arrebatado por Daniel, não pretende mudar nenhum de seus planos.

O livro é escrito em terceira pessoa, e a leitura é ótima, onde me vi presa a história e imaginando como Anna e Daniel encontrariam um ponto de equilíbrio para ficarem juntos.
Além dos protagonistas, há personagens secundários que chamam a atenção e cativam. Um destes personagens é Myra Lornbridgt, amiga de Anna. A personagem é bastante divertida, além de mostrar ter uma personalidade ainda mais forte que Anna.

Mais uma vez vou elogiar a Harlequin, pois esta edição está linda: capa, diagramação, tradução, tudo muito lindo mesmo!

Fiquei completamente apaixonada por esta história, pois ela me encantou, divertiu e emocionou. Recomendo este livro pra quem busca um romance com uma mocinha inteligente e que não se prende a padrões preestabelecidos, e um mocinho insistente, conquistador e osso duro de roer.

Agora estou com um problemão: preciso ler os livros anteriores ahahahaha

[Rose (Roseleitora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Whitfield e Daniel MacGregor são como água e vinho, mas estas diferenças foram o que mais os atraíram. E foi o amor que nasceu em meio a tantas diferenças, que há quase 40 anos eles começaram uma família. Uma família grande e amorosa, que agora estava reunida no hospital enquanto o patriarca Daniel, o mais duro e doce dos homens, lutava pela própria vida.
Anna, que por conta de sua grande teimosia formou-se em medicina e tornou-se uma grande cirurgia, estava no momento de mãos atadas e o coração dilacerado só em pensar que seu Daniel não pudesse resistir.
O mesmo turrão, cabeça dura que nunca aceitava um não como resposta. Mas no momento ela precisava ser forte, por ela, por Daniel, por seus filhos, genros, noras e netos.
E, enquanto tempo parecia congelado, Anna lembra como tudo começou. Em um tempo em que ela sonhava apenas com seu diploma, Daniel chegou para abalar suas estruturas e mudar a direção de sua vida.
Mas nem tudo foram flores, e a jovem decidida a ser alguém precisou de toda a sua força, coragem orgulho para enfrentar não só o preconceito da época, como toda determinação de Daniel em fazê-la sua esposa.
Não era por falta de amor, mas ela precisava antes de qualquer coisa, que Daniel a aceitasse do jeito que era, e isso incluia, principalmente sua carreira.
Os 5 livros até aqui, esse foi o que mais gostei. A forma como Anna conseguiu lutar pelo que acreditava, mesmo quando ninguém a levava a sério. Uma mulher mais fraca poderia ter desistido e tentado a forma mais fácil. Mas esta não era Anna, e por isso Daniel a amava tanto.
Resta saber se ele seria forte suficiente para continuar a lutar pela família e pela sua própria vida.

[Ruth Benziger · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first four MacGregor books, including his children and their family ties, it was delightful to be able to see Daniel and Anna’s story. The man in the first four books was the father, the patriarch, the family man. Getting a glimpse inside of who he was as a young man, shows who he is at the core. Where he came from. To see a man with confidence in spades get tongue-tied and question himself over Anna was rewarding. He was put in his place several times and I laughed about it each time.

In contrast to his funny side, I finally understand his need to continue his family line. You get a glimpse of his past and understand his need for it. His insistence on it. I loved getting the image of the land before the big castle was built. His vision, his explanation of what he wanted to leave behind for the future MacGregors.

I loved seeing Anna as a young adult going after her medical degree. Seeing Myra before she became Ditmeyer. To see their friendship was really special. Anna’s first loss as a medical worker made me cry. It shows the kind of doctor she turned into.

Seeing Daniel and Anna’s love story was so sweet and eye-opening. Nora has the ability to show the humanity, the flaws, and that pushing past fear and scars can lead to beautiful things. Sharing a life and a family together shows what they could have missed out on. So far, this has been my favorite in the MacGregor series. On to the next…

[Julia Schubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Vorgeschichte einer großartigen Familiendynastie

"Die MacGregors 5" von Nora Roberts ist eine faszinierende Vorgeschichte, die einen tieferen Einblick in die Entstehung der MacGregor-Familiendynastie gibt. Dieses Buch zeigt Daniel MacGregor in einer anderen Zeit und präsentiert ihn als Mann auf der Suche nach der perfekten Frau.

Die Protagonisten, Daniel MacGregor und Anna Whitfield, bieten eine interessante Dynamik. Daniel ist bekannt für seinen dominanten Charakter, während Anna selbstbewusst und entschlossen ist. Ihre Beziehung ist geprägt von Anziehung und Konflikt, was für eine spannende Handlung sorgt.

Nora Roberts entführt den Leser erneut in die Welt der MacGregors und stellt die Weichen für eine beeindruckende Familiengeschichte. Obwohl Daniel in diesem Teil der Serie nicht so sympathisch wirken mag wie in den vorherigen Büchern, passt seine Entwicklung zur damaligen Zeit und den gesellschaftlichen Normen.

Insgesamt vergebe ich dem Buch 4 von 5 Sternen. "Die MacGregors 5" bietet eine fesselnde Vorgeschichte und zeigt die Anfänge dieser großartigen Familiendynastie. Die Charaktere und die historische Atmosphäre fügen sich gut in die Serie ein und lassen den Leser gespannt auf weitere Entwicklungen der MacGregors warten. Wer die Serie bisher genossen hat, wird auch von diesem Buch nicht enttäuscht sein.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I "read" this on audiobook by Brillance audio. More on that later. This is a prequel of sorts. It starts out with a life or death situation for Daniel and then goes on to relay the story of Anna's and Daniel's courtship. For those who have read the first four in the series, this would be very satisfying. I had not. It was a good story for me but would have been better as a standalone without the first and last chapters. That said, the story gets four stars from me.
Now the audio. I do not recommend this audio. I have never listened to one where the reader has a pronounced lisp. Instead of following the story I found myself waiting for the next word with the /s/ sound. She is dramatic enough and does well with the female voices. Daniel's Scottish brogue is not good however. Stick with the print or electronic versions and skip the audiobook on this one.

[calypso]

I've had this book for almost 4 years and this is the first time that I'm reading it. Nevertheless, it is in awful condition even if I bought it new. So many people borrowed it from me and I wanted to know what's so special about it.

It is interesting, I must admit, but it is not my cup of tea. I'm a feminist and Daniel's views about women and buisness were killing me. He was too much an alpha and too much a "male". I didn't like it a bit. He changed his opinion at the end, but it was too late for me to like him as a character.

Anna was wonderful. I'm a medical student too and I could really relate to her. She was smart and ambitious and she stood her ground.

I don't know how those the were a match but okay, I'm willing to accept it.

The thing is, I don't really understand romance novels and I don't think I ever will. But that won't stop me from trying.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the two book set - THE MacGREGORS: REMEMBERED through my library.
Good solid fun read.
I only read Daniel and Anna’s book and loved it, didn’t read the historical book Rebellion.
Daniel is in a car accident and whilst on the operating table his memories of meeting and pursuing Anna are followed.
Daniel is of course the rough, tough take no prisoners man I expected having read the earlier books.
Of course Anna is a perfect match for him.
But I loved that quiet Anna, has an inner strength, fortitude and the tenacity needed, that sees her willing to walk away when Daniel treats her like an ornament, rather than the strong, capable woman and doctor she is.
I loved having the whole family there and how they were when Daniel came around.
Knowing these two are still together 40 years later and still in love makes this a very pleasurable read.

[Душкицаа · Rating 5 out of 5]

„U pitanju su ljubav i sreća, zar ne?", prošaputao je Danijel.

Bio varvarin ili ne, shvatila je da je razumeo, a po tonu njegovog glasa i da je cenio. Ne mogavši da se odupre, okrenula se ka njemu. Lica su im bila blizu jedno drugom, a svetlo je bilo prigušeno. Muzika se čula, obavijajući ih svojim nežnim notama. Jedan delić njenog srca je popustio. „Kao i u mnogim stvarima."




„Neke lepe stvari moraju biti tužne kako bismo cenili lepotu onih lepih stvari koje nisu."




„Trebalo bi da mislite na brak i porodicu."

„Jer je žena jedino sposobna da u naručju nosi dete dok joj drugo raste u utrobi?"

Namrštio se. Nije mogao da se navikne na glup način na koji Amerikanke posmatraju stvari. „Žena treba da pazi na dom i porodicu. Muškarcu je lako, Ana. On samo treba da izađe i zaradi novac. A žena drži svet u svojim rukama."

[Ofelia Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

empece a leer la historia del patriarca de los MacGregor, al principio No me estaba gustando mucho mas que nada por la personalidad de Daniel , machista y solo pensando en la mujer como alguien que deba quedarse en casa, pero al avanzar la historia me gusto su personalidad, descarada y decidida .
al igual que la de Ana, de no dejarse vencer por los prejuicios de la epoca, y seguir sus institos.
la verdad que los dos personas , mas daniel tuvieron un buen desarrollo. llegando a entender que la persona la cual queria para compartir su vida tambien necesitaba cumplir sus sueños y metas y no solo quedarse encasillada en los estandares que le pedia la epoca.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazingly enough, I quite enjoyed Ms Roberts different style of writing to her usual drivvel.
It read very much like a 1950's style of the times in etiquette, dress etc.
I didn't like the fact the character Daniel was such a brute, yet the times of the 1950's (I am presuming it is set then, it is never mentioned) many men were biased toward women and expected them to drop their hats and come running.
Anna was a tad annoying at times, but she held her ground which I respect.
Onto the next in the series!