Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
This Could Be Forever
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This compelling and complex romance about love across cultures follows a Black girl and Brown boy who find themselves—and each other—while pursuing their passions the summer before college.
Deja’s got a plan. The first in her large family to go to college, she wants to study chemistry and sell natural skin care products, like the ones she already creates from plants grown on her family’s North Carolina farm. It all starts with the Onward Bound summer program at the University of Maryland, the summer before school officially starts.
Raja’s got a dream. His traditional Nepali parents want him to study engineering and settle down in an arranged marriage, but his passion is art, and he wants to open his own tattoo parlor one day. In the meantime, he’s apprenticing at a tattoo shop in College Park, Maryland.
When Deja walks into the shop where Raja’s working, they both start crushing hard—over the course of the summer, they fall more and more deeply for one another. But the closer they get and the more their lives entwine, the more they find that dating someone who doesn’t match your parents’ expectations is harder than they ever imagined.
Can they bridge the divide between the vision their families have for their futures and the lives—and love—that are starting to feel like destiny?
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781665948678
EAN:
1665948671
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
384
Authors:
Ebony Ladelle
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published Date: 2025-20-05
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and Ebony’s writing is impeccable in my opinion. “Love Radio” was an exceptional read, and “This Could Be Forever” will undoubtedly hold a cherished place in my heart. The exploration of diverse cultures and the intricacies of cross-cultural dating are topics that are often overlooked in contemporary society.
I wish I had stories like this to read when I was in my youth and growing up. Love LaDelle’s characters, their stories, their development and arcs.
This one had me in my feels. It was such a sweet and touching YA romance, coming of age love story. A family oriented and culture driven narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed. I like the thoughtful way the author tackled the mmc's culture and interracial relationships. I learned SO MUCH about Nepali culture. The way the two main characters navigated their family dynamics Deja a first generation college student moving away from home and Raja dealing with the pressures of his immigrant families expectations felt so real. These two brought out the best in each other. This book had me smiling and giggling. I was rooting for all of these characters not just Deja and Raja. Ebony LaDelle is an auto read author for me. This book was just a nice warm hug. Would have loved an epilogue IJS! Thank you to Simon Teens and NetGalley for the eARC.
As a high school educator, I often turn to YA reads to recommend to my students and mentoring group. This book is at the top of the list. This book reads like a movie. I believe that it should be adapted into a Netflix show. I get multicultural Forever vibes from this novel. The ebb and flow of the relationship between the leads is just so pure, and has you reminiscing on your first love. The pressure to live up to the expectations that your family places on you is something that a lot of young people can today can relate to. Overall, just a fun, lighthearted read with the right comedic touch.
I was NOT ready for this book! Raja and Deja are now two lovers I will hold close in my heart when it comes to meet-cutes and book couples!I’ve been feeling a lot like a hopeless romantic lately but This Could Be Forever left me with the feelings of more romcoms. Author LaDelle was very conscientious about the cultural differences that can impact an interracial romance and navigating these when you experience a first love.I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to feel all squishy and bubbly with some hard feelings in between.
