What do you think?
Rate this book
The Forever Man
Tate Montgomery needed a new life... And Johanna Patterson was the kind of woman who could make him leave the past behind. But how would he ever convince this reclusive spinster to open up her heart to him and his boys?
It seemed to Johanna that she had always been alone. Until the day that Tate Montgomery turned up at her farm with a ready-made family, and an offer that would change her life forever.
It seemed to Johanna that she had always been alone. Until the day that Tate Montgomery turned up at her farm with a ready-made family, and an offer that would change her life forever.
297 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
16 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Davidson
68 books90 followersCarolyn Davidson began writing in 1986, knowing absolutely nothing about the craft. Her first three books were rejected by Harlequin.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 7, 2014
Ya know, I get why people like Carolyn Davidson's writing, but I just can't seem to connect with it. The Midwife was the first book I read of Davidson's, and while I liked that one a lot more than this one, there was that same sense of emotional detachment. The characters say and do things that never have any satisfying resolution, and the reader is then left wondering what the hell the point was.
November 27, 2013
Carolyn Davidson is in top form in this book, giving us an irascible alpha male and a woman who is strong enough to take him on. There's not as much action as some of her other books, but she makes up for it with the steamy sex scenes.
March 30, 2020
Mais um belo romance de época desta autora. As duas crianças deram toda uma graça ao livro. Bom para desanuviar depois de um mais pesado
April 10, 2014
Bueno, es tierna la historia, aunque la personalidad de la protagonista me parece muy sumisa :/ No tiene mucho temperamento o al menos así como las que prefiero leer pero en general me gustó muchisimo :)
March 28, 2024
A very traditional type of story, both for the time it was written and for the brand it belongs to.
I just think that the relationship between the main characters could have been developed better, instead of simply relying on the usual cliches.
I just think that the relationship between the main characters could have been developed better, instead of simply relying on the usual cliches.
April 21, 2025
a very lovely book to read
This is a very lovely book to read. A woman has a farm a man has two children and some money. The woman is having a hard time running the farm and the man wants to help. But he wants a wife and mother for his children. There is a dog, horses, a bull, and more baby’s. There is always something going on the farm. Carolyn Davidson has written this book very well and has made it very enjoyable to read.
This is a very lovely book to read. A woman has a farm a man has two children and some money. The woman is having a hard time running the farm and the man wants to help. But he wants a wife and mother for his children. There is a dog, horses, a bull, and more baby’s. There is always something going on the farm. Carolyn Davidson has written this book very well and has made it very enjoyable to read.
August 24, 2019
Wonderful boom
My sister recommended this book because I wanted something different than "the typical" romance books I have been reading. This book has a wonderful story line. I love th Faith in God, the trials and trust of any marriage, and the romance. I laughed and cried.
My sister recommended this book because I wanted something different than "the typical" romance books I have been reading. This book has a wonderful story line. I love th Faith in God, the trials and trust of any marriage, and the romance. I laughed and cried.
December 31, 2021
Enjoyed the story of strangers making a bargain to marry, while each had secrets from their past. Kind of predictable. It was well written, though was bogged down with minor, unimportant details that made it drag in places.
August 11, 2022
Es una historia muy linda en donde nos muestra a una Johanna fuerte, independiente pero que en el fondo de su corazón guarda un gran lamento pero con la llegada de Tate y sus hijos a su rancho, la vida de todos cambiarán a mejor.
September 11, 2018
Bella storia molto coinvolgente e mai noiosa. Merita
July 29, 2019
Easy read.
May 2, 2022
It was alright. Annoyed I didn’t enjoy it more
January 23, 2023
3,5 ⭐⭐⭐
January 31, 2023
This book makes me wonder about the self esteem of the author. This female protagonist is such a doormat and the male is such a douche bag I can’t believe I kept reading.
December 21, 2024
A story, beautifully written about second chances ♥️Tate Montgomery and Johanna ♥️
October 8, 2025
A tad bit too sacharrine for me but I enjoy it nonetheless.
June 16, 2019
Even though I have read books with this general plot many times, Carolyn Davidson breathes new life into a pair of interesting characters. The two main characters have secrets that haunt them. Over the course of the book, the reader sees that these two compassionate and caring people help each other to resolve their individual issues.
After her father's death, spinster Johanna Patterson has all she can do to keep the farm afloat. One day, her minister comes by with a most unusual proposal; Tate Montgomery and his two boys need a new start and he would like to buy into Johanna's property. He needs help with his two small boys and Johanna needs help to keep her farm.
They agree to a marriage of convenience. While reading the story, readers find out what happened to Tate's first wife and why Johanna has been committed to remaining a spinster. The characters have real problems and the story moves at a comfortable pace.
After her father's death, spinster Johanna Patterson has all she can do to keep the farm afloat. One day, her minister comes by with a most unusual proposal; Tate Montgomery and his two boys need a new start and he would like to buy into Johanna's property. He needs help with his two small boys and Johanna needs help to keep her farm.
They agree to a marriage of convenience. While reading the story, readers find out what happened to Tate's first wife and why Johanna has been committed to remaining a spinster. The characters have real problems and the story moves at a comfortable pace.
May 26, 2013
The Forever Man, Carolyn Davidson, Harlequin Historical #385
It is reading for adults. It is set in the earlier part of the century before the automobile, and
it's setting is in the rural area. It involves the relationship of a man, his two children and a single woman whom he marries, and how the five of them deals with life as a family. Being a Harlequin book you can expect a good deal of romance. The author handles it interestingly. Throughout the story their individual pasts are slowly brought to the surface and dealt with. In some instances I think the author has a good understanding of human relationships, and does good characterizations.
It is easy reading and emotionally involving.
It is reading for adults. It is set in the earlier part of the century before the automobile, and
it's setting is in the rural area. It involves the relationship of a man, his two children and a single woman whom he marries, and how the five of them deals with life as a family. Being a Harlequin book you can expect a good deal of romance. The author handles it interestingly. Throughout the story their individual pasts are slowly brought to the surface and dealt with. In some instances I think the author has a good understanding of human relationships, and does good characterizations.
It is easy reading and emotionally involving.
January 14, 2017
This was good but not as good as Redemption.
I kept waiting for something MORE to happen. For there to be some BIG DRAMA. And while there were some secrets and some very low-key angst, the problems were all more typical marriage problems - Hey! You spent $$$ without talking to me first or Hmm. Your older son is having some problems adjusting to his new step-mother.
Tate's just a damn good man and it takes Jo a while to really trust him. She does trust him from the beginning but she keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Again, everything is quiet in this book. Even the arguing. It was refreshing.
Barely PG-13. That Tate is set in his ways.
I kept waiting for something MORE to happen. For there to be some BIG DRAMA. And while there were some secrets and some very low-key angst, the problems were all more typical marriage problems - Hey! You spent $$$ without talking to me first or Hmm. Your older son is having some problems adjusting to his new step-mother.
Tate's just a damn good man and it takes Jo a while to really trust him. She does trust him from the beginning but she keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Again, everything is quiet in this book. Even the arguing. It was refreshing.
Barely PG-13. That Tate is set in his ways.
February 18, 2022
A hard working farm couple . He would be way to autocratic for my taste but I'm sure he is a man of his time. She's a little on the dreary side but being powerless and overworked could make anyone a Debbie Downer.
Nicely written. Nice kids. Nice hea. Just a little slow at times. Not something I'd read twice.
Nicely written. Nice kids. Nice hea. Just a little slow at times. Not something I'd read twice.
June 5, 2023
Originally read 7/17/14 and loved it. Reread it 6/5/23 and will still keep the 4 stars rating but I wish that witch Bessie would’ve gotten a slap to the face.
July 14, 2025
I loved it! 2nd time reading it and I will read it again!
February 23, 2012
It was a sweet and solid story
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews