His Forever Love

The Forever Tree #1

by Missy Tippens

In Magnolia, Georgia, local legend says that a couple who holds hands around the "forever" tree will have an unending love. Even so, Bill Wellington held Lindsay Jones's hands around that tree years ago…and then left her behind. He chose the big city, and now he wants to bring his grandmother there. But to his amazement, he finds that Granny has a boyfriend—and a vibrant life. A life that includes Lindsay, Granny's caregiver. Bill never thought he'd want to come home, yet Magnolia clearly has its charms. As does Lindsay, who makes him long for a second chance at forever love.

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 27, 2009

About the author

Missy Tippens is a pastor's wife, mother of three adult children, and an author from near Atlanta, Georgia. She loves being involved in their church through the Happy Sack Ministry (healthy snacks for local school kids who may go hungry on the weekends), singing and playing hand bells!

After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for the Booksellers Best, Holt Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Maggie Award, Beacon Contest, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, https://twitter.com/MissyTippens and http://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens....

Reviews

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Legend has it that if you held hands with someone around the forever tree you would fall in love and marry. This story is about Bill and Lindsey who did just that, but Bill moved away to go to college and Lindsey stayed in her hometown. Bill comes back to town and finds his way to God and love once again. Bill's granny Bea was such a lovable character.. I am glad things went her way in the end. I liked the book, it was a fun love story.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable story and I loved the ending. Looking forward to reading more by this author!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lovely, dreamy, summery cover. I had no idea that Georgia could be so pretty—of course I’ve never been there. And the story has a lovely summery feel, so I’m really grateful to the Novel Journey blog for sending me a free copy and giving me the chance to read it.

The story starts with a local legend, that couples who hold hands round the Forever Tree will forever love each other. It sounded sweet, though I at once began to think of a science experiment I supervised when my kids were in elementary school, where they had to measure trees—not entirely romantic. Of course, the couples in this book are somewhat older, and don’t necessarily believe in local legends. But the idea drew me in.

Soon I was following the trials of Bill, who lives in the city and wants his Granny to move, and Lindsey who lives in the country and wants Granny to stay. Ah the tangled webs we weave, everyone wanting the best for everyone else, and nobody listening… except, of course, it’s a story and they do eventually listen. It was a rare treat, a love story where I really wasn’t sure what the right answer would be. And isn’t that like life?

A touch of legend, a touch of God’s blessing, and a touch of wise old Granny brings it all together. A lovely summer romance for those hot summer days. Thanks Missy Tippens.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about Bill and Lindsay. They have been good friends since grade school, where they did a project together about some trees in a local park.
One of the trees is called "The Forever Tree", there is a local legend about this tree. Bill and Lindsay are aware of the legend, but dont think that it applies to them...
I also enjoyed Bill's grandmother in this story, she is so sweet!

This is really a sweet love story!

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story about the forever tree. Supposedly, if you hold hands around it you will be together forever. Not in the case of Bill and Lindsay anyway. Fate just might bring them together after all, or is it the tree. A funny lighthearted romance sure to win anyone over with its charm.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty cute story. I was happy about the ending! Although I wish there was a little bit more to the ending. Overall it was a really cute book though.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bill Wellington returns to Magnolia, Georgia after his mother is injured in a fall. He's convinced that the best thing for her is to come live with him in Boston, Massachussetts, and he doesn't want to listen to Lindsey, who's taken care of Bea Wellington for some time, or to Bea herself. Lindsey tries many things to get him to change his mind.

Bill and Lindsey were childhood friends. Lindsey struggles to understand why Bill pushed her away and chose not to communicate with her for many years--not even when she was left standing at the altar. They spend most of the book fighting their attraction for each other.

The town has an odd superstition that those who join hands around a particular tree will be together forever.

Despite being a Christian, Lindsey doesn't think to pray about her relationship with Bill until about 3/4 of the way through the book.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical little romance story. Two people who loved each other all through school but she denied it labeling it friendship. After graduation he left town for college and she stayed and looked after his grandmother as one of her jobs that she loved. He comes back to move his grandmother to Boston to be with him and she really wants to stay in her home. As he's led back to God, he finds it in himself to realize he is in love with her, and she's resists her feelings. But God has other plans for her and she finally sees the light and as usual it has a happy ending.

[Lisa Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story but a little too sweet for my taste, a woman has thrown herself into caring for her family and community, including the seniors from her church, she seems to care for everyone but herself until the grandson of one of her charges comes home and attempts to have gran move to Boston to stay with him. There are some authors in the Love Inspired Banner who really challenge you to be a better christian, this book is not one of them.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story set in georgia about two people Bill and Lindsey who were supposed to be together, but went their seperate ways and lives. They meet again because comes home to take his grandmother to live with him. His grandmother does not agree (she's got a boyfriend and a life) and neither does Lindsey who has become her caregiver.

[Chrissy Hale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don’t hate the main characters but I hated Bill. I hated how he didn’t take his grandmother’s feelings in account. I hated how bossy he was. It is my way or the highway attitude that made me dislike him.

[Emily Thornburgh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought Lindsey acted childish by trying to stop Bill from caring for his grandmother. After a while, it got really annoying. Took me forever to finish it because I wanted to smack her upside her face and tell her to grow up! Lol

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about long endured love.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet romance with enjoyable characters!

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story with likable characters. There were lots of twists and turns in the plot, but in the conclusion, everything made sense.

[Katieailene · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a book lent to my by my grandmother. I often share some of the not-so-graphic mystery books with her, and she insisted that I would like it. While I claimed that I thought it was a good book, it was not something I particularly enjoyed. This is a story about an old story that says if you hold hands around this tree with somebody, then you will have a happily ever after with that person. The story is of two people who once held hands around the tree and then had a falling out when he left for college and never came back. He comes back to town to move his granny back with him and is met with resistance. You can guess the rest. Its just another predictable love story. But if that's your cup of tea, then I recommend you read it.

[SweetSue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh ugh, I have to stop reading books I don't like. Lindsay is annoying and pushy. Amazing that as a so-called Christian she thought she had any right to interfere between grandmother and grandson and then be so sneaky and backhanded about it. And that she expected a boy she'd been friends with in high school could possibly "desert" her when he went away to college and she was engaged to someone else. And then nurse a grudge about it for 15 years!

[Cynthia Bower · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book ok. The Christian viewpoint was refreshing to me. The topic was nice and I liked the inclusion of senior citizens and the concerns from all sides. I guess I'm just not into the way romance books drag things out and repeat quotes and thoughts as in Twilight. I feel like I am intelligient enough to not need to be told something over and over again. Sorry about my way of saying that but I guess there is a reason that I don't usually read romance.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindsay and Bill held hands around the forever tree as a scientific experiment. Bill went on to Boston to become a scientist. Lindsay stayed in Magnolia, Georgia even after her fiance' left her at the altar. Lindsay is now helping Bill's Granny Bea to stay at home and be safe. Will the sparks fly or will reason take over?

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missy Tippens is always great! I really like the Love Inspired series by various authors...always learn something from how the characters resolve problems and love the happy endings, of course...easy reading.

[Edwina Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read; sweet love story with believable characters the reader can't help but like!

[Olean Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

-This is a very inspirational romance and is enjoyable to read.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after reading The Wedding Garden, which is by a different author, but they kindof had the same theme. I liked it anyway.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, but drawn out,

[Lindi Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill and Lindsay are meant to be together. Formerly geeky Bill and cautious Lindsey have a past-and a future. Great story!!

[Maristyl Villacampa]

it's the best ever!
I really love it

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really disappointing. It was good until the last few chapters and then it got too sappy.

[JoAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story - inspirational romance - not too heavy on the religious quotes until towards the end. Nice closure, several happily ever afters.

[Angie]

I enjoyed this nice story!

[Phyllis Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsay must choose between Magnolia, GA or Boston.