Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

Together Forever (Orphan Train, #2)

by Jody Hedlund

Marianne Neumann has one goal in life: to find her lost younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children--firm but tender and funny. Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

Reviewed by phyllish on

4 of 5 stars

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Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

My rating is 4.5 Stars

Guilt can be good, and it can be bad. Properly applied, it can draw one to the Savior. There are many who, though forgiven, washed whiter than snow, cleansed from all unrighteousness, go through life still carrying the burden of their sin. Others, like Drew and Marianne in Together Forever, hold on to guilt that was never theirs to begin with.

There are so many things to like about Together Forever. The plight of the orphans. The richly developed characters. The swoony attraction and romance that grew between Drew and Marianne. The mystery. The conflict.

I loved the way Marianne thought herself to be weak and inadequate, and yet she had such inner strength and compassion that she continued to do what she knew was right. Her deep love for the children in her care led her to step out of her comfort zone, and she grew so much. She had so much to learn about the price of telling lies and the freedom that comes from the truth.

Drew was so close to God, and yet he had so much to learn about forgiveness. He allowed his past and his father to dictate his view of himself. I loved seeing his interactions with the children. His breezy, carefree way of distracting them from the unknown future and the way he directed them to God in prayer was so heartwarming.

Just as I thought things were going so well, tragedy threw everything into turmoil! I enjoyed the twists in the story. The answer to the secondary mystery surprised me.

This lovely story is part of a great series. I read the prequel, but not book one. Though I am now very curious about Elise’s story, I didn’t feel like I missed anything in this story for not having read it.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads

Be sure to read Jody's Guest Post and get a preview of Together Forever at AmongTheReads.net


I would like to thank Celebrate Lit, Netgalley for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 May, 2018: Finished reading
  • 25 May, 2018: Reviewed