I have adored virtually all of Milly Johnson books, she always managed to get a bit of everything into the story line. Full of interesting characters, humour, and warmth. Highly recommended.

In true Milly Johnson style, the author has written about issues that normal women go through every day with compassion, empathy, and her trademark humour, making this a particularly thought-provoking novel giving the reader lots of mull-over!

Taking these issues and creating complex characters that we can all relate to, dysfunctional family dynamics are explored in minute detail, and you can tell that so much thought has gone into each word. Milly’s carefully crafted sentences and life lessons speaking a million words, yet are worded so poignantly, that you need to take a moment to read and re-read particular lines, sigh, ponder and then move on.

While I have adored every one of Milly’s books, instead of them getting staid and similar, she excels by each one getting better and more ‘grown-up’, yet still with family and friendship at the heart of what she writes.

Heartwarming and ultimately brilliant! Milly you are a wordy genius!

This novel comes highly recommended.

Together, Again‘Together, Again’ is the latest book by ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling author, Milly Johnson.

Sisters Jolene, Marsha and Annis have convened at their beautiful family home, Fox House, following the death of their mother, the tricky Eleanor Vamplew. Born seven years apart, the women are more strangers than sisters. Jolene, the eldest, is a successful romantic novelist who writes about beautiful relationships even though her own marriage to the handsome and charming Warren is complicated. Marsha, the neglected middle child, has put all of her energy into her work, hoping money will plug the gap in her life left by the man who broke her young heart. Annis is the renegade, who left home aged sixteen and never returned, not even for the death of their beloved father Julian. Until now. So when the sisters discover that their mother has left everything to Annis in her will, it undermines everything they thought they knew. Can saying their final goodbyes to Eleanor bring them together again?

I’ve spent this morning cuddled up with the latest book by Milly, and just like her previous books, it’s a witty, warm-hearted and poignant story about female relationships.

The story is primarily seen through the narrative of three sisters, Jolene, Marsha and Annis who due to a family drama have little to no contact with each other but when their mother dies and they have to sort out the family estate, they reflect back on their lives in the Vamplew house and the journeys that they’ve all been on.

I genuinely loved this story, the characters are a fantastic blend of personalities and the three sisters were a joy to read. Jolene is the eldest sister, a successful author who looks to have the world at her feet but her marriage is crumbling and she longer knows the person that she has become, Marsha never settled down as her heart always belonged to another man and Annis disappeared from the family home when she was 16 and never stayed in touch. The sisters are all going through things and it’s so lovely to read that even after all the years of being apart, their bond was just as strong and through the grief, suffering and reopening of old wounds they are all there for each other.

Other narratives in the story are from Eleanor, their deceased mother, a cold and cruel woman who showed no love towards her daughters particularly Marsha who she always wanted to be a boy. She had no time for children and enjoyed hosting parties where she was centre of the attention. Whilst Sally next door, is a complex character who was apparently only Eleanor’s true character, she was a meek woman who was ridiculed by Eleanor and her pompous husband, Julian.

Just like other books by Milly, this book is packed with Yorkshire charm and warmth. The characters are relatable and interesting and I loved the interactions with the sisters as they reconnected and helped each other with their troubles. Uplifting, tender and beautifully written, ‘Together, Again’ is a wonderful story about the strength of the sisterhood, new beginnings and putting ghosts to rest. Another great book from Milly!

You can buy ‘Together, Again’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

All hail Queen Milly!! Together again is a gem which is not to be missed. This is a book that really highlights why Milly Johnson is so fabulous.

A new Milly book is always exciting and this has been no different. This has delivered on every level. The opening instantly pulls the reader in and I knew instantly it was going to be a book that would steal my heart.

I am a huge fan of Milly and her books. Many have picked me up on my darkest days and I always feel like I know the characters. Milly just makes them seem so real and I love a visit to a Johnson book.

This is a book that has completely pulled me in. The relationship between the sisters has been complex but Johnson has painted this beautifully. The book has really pulled me in and touched a part of my heart that I didn’t expect.

There is so much to love in this book. Milly is just phenomenal and the talent oozes from the pages. I’ve read so many books by Milly and this is possibly a favourite. This is a gem from beginning to end.

There is nothing negative I can say about this one. Together Again is filled with real life themes, wit and gorgeous characters who will steal your heart.

I’m so excited to see what might be coming next from Milly. This is a definite for the TBR.

There's one thing you can guarantee with a Milly Johnson book, and that is feelings.

The Vamplew sisters got me. I felt so many different emotions as I made my way through their individual and combined stories. I absolutely adored reading about them.

I like this change in direction for Milly. Normally, she writes happy families, loving parents, and cheerful siblings, but Together Again is quite different. There's more tension and drama, and I loved it! Don't get me wrong, the heart of the story is what you'd hope from Milly!

I adored this book, and I felt like I bonded with the sisters (and of course, John Abruzzi). Read it, love it and thank me later!

Another great book by milly
Had me hooked from the first page to the last
Read in one day
Was brilliant
Can’t wait for her next book
Thanks NetGalley

Together, Again is Milly Johnson's 20th novel which is an achievement in itself but personally I believe it's her best to date, well of the books I've read as have to confess I've still not read some of her earlier books.

It's clear when we first meet the Vamplew sisters that a lot has happened in their lives and that they didn't have the easiest of childhoods living with their parents, Eleanor and Julian, in their family home Fox House. The sisters, Jolene, Marsha and Annis, are reunited for the first time in a very long time after the death of their mother including Annis who didn't turn up for the funeral of her father.

Despite being sisters they have never really had a close relationship and in fact at one time they all felt like they were only children due to the seven year age gap between each of them. Will spending this time together enable them to be able to mend bridges and rebuild a relationship that they all seem to be craving?

Of the three sisters Jolene is the one who appears to have it all, a successful career as a romance novelist and a loving marriage but appearances can be very deceptive as in reality she's unable to follow her own advice that she gives the characters in her books with regards to her relationship with her husband. The more I discovered, the more I was willing her on to stand up for herself and take back everything that was hers.

Meanwhile Marsha appears to have chosen a successful career over love as she's put everything into building up a successful business that she's now had an offer to sell. But without the business, who really is she as she's shut herself off to love following having her heart broken when she was younger. Will spending time at home help her come to terms with her past and help her look forward to a brighter future?

As for Annis, she was the sister with an air of mystery around her regarding why she ran away as a teenager and has never reconnected with her family until now. The more we learn as to what she has been through the more I wanted to know what led her down this path. She has endured so much that has made her stronger and self-reliant, will spending time with her sisters enable her to finally lay the ghosts to rest and give her the sense of belonging she deserves?

Add into the mix neighbour Sally who on the outside appears to be a busybody but scratch below the surface and you'll discover that she has deeply affected by events involving the Vamplews. Sally is also the holder of a secret that she wished she didn't know thanks to a letter from Eleanor that she was asked to give one of the sisters which she wished she had never read. It's only over time that we the reader get an insight to each of the relationships within the family and finally uncover the shocking truth that is revealed in the letter.

Although Together, Again does include some of Milly Johnson's trademark humour between the pages it's definitely a grittier read than her other books which I personally enjoyed. I loved getting to know each of the sisters and would love a follow up at some point even if it's just a novella so that we can get to see how the changes they have made have impacted their lives.

It's always a joy to be able to start a new Milly Johnson novel and this was no exception.

From an intriguing opening, where I realised I needed to learn more about Eleanor, to starting to get to know the three sisters who barely know each other, I was hooked.

We have Jolene who is the eldest, married to Warren and nothing is quite as it seems with them Which is arguably a theme for the book as there are plenty of secrets everywhere. Marsha who is the middle child, I really enjoyed getting to know especially with regards romances.

And then there is Annis to me the star of the book, completely estranged from her sisters she only returns home after leaving aged 16, when her mum dies. And somehow I completely failed to guess the reason she left home. Everything I learnt about Annis made me warm to her more and I was always happy when the story was focusing on her.

The rabbit she liberated may also be part of her appeal, as well as seeing how she slowly starts to form bonds with her sisters who she really doesn't know.

This a story of rediscovering your siblings, and overcoming the past. There are secrets everywhere to be discovered and there is always something coming up that catches your attention and won't let it go.

I was hooked on all the various sub plots and I was truly shocked by the final reveal from Eleanor. It's a wonderful story and one i'm glad I had a chance to read.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

Milly Johnson is a genius. I don't know how she manages to continually create stories which cover such a broad and varied depth of character and circumstances, but she never disappoints. Together, Again is no exception and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions as the sisters begin to rediscover each other again and their stories are revealed. I defy you not to ball your eyes out at points, but it's worth every one of tissues and when all the threads come together it is deeply satisfying. Add to your TBR pile now.

Love this author!! A very moving and thought provoking read right from the start, and a lot of sensitive issues dealt with very well, clearly a lot of research went into it. Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Three sisters reunite after they lose their mum and return to the family home. There is a lot of soul searching, heartbreak and warming scenes as we learn more about their history. A new Milly Johnson book is always a huge treat, a guaranteed great read. Her characters are always so relatable and very interesting. I'm only sad that I have now finished it and need to wait for her next 'best seller' to be released.

I’ve always loved Milly Johnson’s writing but Together, Again takes it to a whole new level (in my opinion!).

There is so much emotional depth in this story, tackling issues that change lives … and not just for one sister. All three siblings have made choices as a result of their experiences growing up in a home that is dysfunctional, that take away their power and leave them broken in some way.

All three have a narration that lets us in and get to know them better. Eleanor’s narration is through a letter. I’m not judging parents on the autistic spectrum or with different needs, but I have seen how parenting skills effect their children. It’s really hard to work with a parent who sees and experiences the world differently. And for this reason, I did feel compassion towards Eleanor. I didn’t see much love or care from her mother either …

As Jolene, Marsha and Annis pack up Fox House, their understanding of each other gets deeper. I loved their developing friendship. So strong together (loved the scene at the pub!). I also loved their healthy developing relationships with others. That opening up and trusting despite the fear was so special.

The quote below really struck me. It says so much about how problems/issues can impact on us doesn’t it!


"Time to unhook it from her heel and shrug it off for good".

The sisters aren’t the only ones to experience a change. Sally (Eleanor’s friend) is a key character. One incident had such an impact on her life. I cheered for her change of heart. And the changes she was starting to make in her life.

Not all secrets are revealed to everyone. And that’s how it should be. Totally understood the reasoning behind this. And loved that one of the sister’s could confide in someone who was a kind and caring soul.

So many emotions for me reading Together, Again. It’s not all doom and gloom though! As with all Milly Johnson’s stories, her characters find where they belong and we watch them go off on the start of their new paths.

Together, Again will draw you in and tangle you up before wrapping you in contentment and knowing that all is as it should be.

Highly recommended!

Another hit from the queen of contemporary fiction. Unlike many of her books, there is less romance but a powerful, raw look at dysfunctional families and the impact childhood has on 3 sisters. Under Milly Johnson's care and warmth difficult topics are covered that will resonate with many. It took me on an emotional but uplifting rollercoaster

It took me a long time to chew through this book - because, well, I wasn't desperate to get back to it. With some of the previous books by this author I couldn't put them down, I couldn't wait to keep them in my hands again and keep reading. This time, sadly, it wasn't like this.
It was a luke - warm story that didn't keep my attention. Perhaps there was too much negativity for me, perhaps it were the characters that I didn't care about as much as I would like, no idea. Those were the male characters, actually, that felt warm, positive, who wanted to live and experience things.

The huge secret hanging over one of the characters were explained in the last chapter and for me it was absolutely not twisty, surprising, it didn't make me go ooooh, wooow, it actually didn't evoke any emotions in me, but probably it's because of the facts that I couldn't warm to the characters, that I couldn't befriend them as much as I'd like.

Altogether, it was actually a sad stroy, filled with secrets, lies, unloving parents, domestic problems, abuse - maybe it was simply too much, maybe it was not the right read for those times. I just had a feeling it's missing on warmth and heart and the slow pace also didn't help.

Cute novel, lovely read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.

I always start my reviews by saying that Milly Johnson is my favourite author so I will first of all reiterate that whilst I try and formulate the words to describe this fabulous book.

Together Again, the title got to me straight away when I first heard it as it holds a promise of an emotive read for me and it certainly lived up to those high expectations.

To put it simply I have fallen in love with three amazing women in this book; Jolene, Marsha and Annis have all been through so much in their childhoods and the repercussions have affected their lives in completely different but harmful ways. A line from the book struck me as they described themselves as three only children because their age differences meant that they had nothing in common with each other and by the time Annis had reached sixteen she had run away from home and only came back for her mother's funeral.

As they spend time in Fox house they get to know each other again and their relationship as sisters slowly begins to grow. The sisters could never quite figure out why their mother couldn't seem to love them but it helps them in a way to become closer to each other.

This book is a cocktail of shattered dreams, painful secrets, heartbreak, revenge and new beginnings. It takes the reader on a journey through some dark places, interspersed with Milly's trademark humour, then gallops along at a frantic pace where you will be cheering our three heroines on as they reach the next stage of their lives. I loved the twists and tangles of all of their lives, including Sally the neighbour who had been the keeper of one of the devastating secrets. Milly Johnson is a whizz at skilfully weaving the intricacies of the story together. Although the story features very dark themes, this book left me feeling satisfied, uplifted and joyful and I'd love to find out what happens next for these wonderful characters.

Together, Again is the first book I've read by the author, and I was attracted by the synopsis as I love family dramas. Three sisters, Jolene, Marsha and Annis come together at their family home after the death of their mother Eleanor. There is a seven year age gap between each of the sisters and Annis, the youngest has been estranged from her sisters since she left home at 16. When the contents of their mother's contentious will are revealed family secrets emerge- can the sisters come together?
I felt that one of the novels strong points was the portrayal of the sisters and their relationships and I loved the setting of Fox House, the sisters family home. However, I never really became immersed in the novel, I felt that it moved at a fairly slow pace, and I began to lose interest. Reading other reviews, I'm sure fans of the author will enjoy this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Milly Johnson has produced yet another highly readable and enjoyable book. This one is based around the lives and relationships of three very different sisters. Built into the story are some very revelations and surprises. An excellent read. I now plan to buy the audio book which I'm sure will add depth to the story especially as it is read by my favourite narrator.

Together, Again is Milly Johnson’s 20th novel – a fantastic achievement in itself and this is a truly lovely book to celebrate that milestone. Published by Simon & Schuster on 29 September and available in ebook, audio and hardback with the paperback following on 2 March 2023, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read a copy via Netgalley.

The Vamplews were not a particularly happy family. Eleanor, whose death is at the heart of this story and who occasionally appears with her own voice, was a cold, distant mother – she didn’t seem a particularly pleasant person at all really and certainly didn’t shower her three children with much love or attention. With seven years between each of the sisters, Jolene (…yes that Dolly Parton song – #earworm 🎶), Marsha and Annis, the youngest, they regarded themselves as only children, despite being siblings. It takes their mother’s death to bring them together in one place – the family home, the rather imposing and grand Fox House, and to begin to work through the years of hurt and finally get to know each other whilst sorting out their mother’s affairs.

Add in to the story, a background of lies and a rather sad neighbour with her own secrets and domestic problems and you have a wonderfully touching and poignant read about relationships – both family and marital, run through with Milly’s typical wit and humour. I was pulled into the story from the very first page and that letter…..and although this isn’t in any way a mystery tale, there is a puzzle to the story which when fully revealed adds a shocking truth. I suppose I had an idea as to part of the background, but I hadn’t guessed the full extent.

There were so many characters here that I took to my heart and that certainly includes the three sisters. Romance novelist Jolene gives her characters all the right advice however seems unable to follow this in her own life; whilst Marsha had never recovered from having her heart broken despite building a successful business. However my favourite was Annis. The youngest sister was also the wisest, her hard life having given her a sense of empathy and wisdom that belied her years. There are some wonderful supporting characters too and all play their part in this rather special story, with its shades of light and dark.

I absolutely loved Together, Again and felt quite sad when I had to say goodbye to them all at the end. I’ve never read a book by Milly that I haven’t enjoyed but I think this is one of her best.