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This Could Be Forever
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?
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?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2025
74 people are currently reading
7137 people want to read
About the author
Ebony LaDelle
3 books614 followersEbony is the author of Love Radio—which was People magazine’s best book of the summer, a 2023 Audie Award Finalist, a 2023 Michigan Notable Book, Apple Books’ best book of 2022, an Amazon's Editor Pick and was featured on the Today Show. A Baldwin Fellow, she’s also the author of the forthcoming YA romance This Could Be Forever and editor for the anthology You’ve Got a Place Here, Too. Prior to being an author, Ebony was a brand marketing director in book publishing and worked at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, among others. You can visit her online at www.ebonyladelle.com and follow her on social at @ebonyladelle.
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March 21, 2025
In Ebony LaDelle's This Could Be Forever, we meet Deja and Raja, two young people navigating that pivotal moment between adolescence and adulthood. Deja carries the meaningful responsibility of being her family's first college student, while Raja pursues his artistic passion against the backdrop of his family's traditional expectations. Their chance summer encounter in Maryland blossoms into a genuine connection that challenges both to reconsider what they want for their futures.
What makes this novel stand out is how LaDelle crafts a story about love in all its forms. The romance between Deja and Raja feels refreshingly real - her confidence and his thoughtful resistance to convention create a chemistry that's impossible not to root for. The book tackles interracial and intercultural relationship dynamics with honesty, celebrating both the joy of shared differences and acknowledging the real challenges that come with them.
LaDelle's writing transports you to the warmth of a Maryland summer, creating moments that range from laugh-out-loud funny to genuinely touching. While some story elements follow familiar patterns, the emotional journey feels fresh, especially through the authentic voices of these compelling characters. Their story beautifully illustrates how finding your own path can coexist with honoring your roots.
This Could Be Forever is a thoroughly enjoyable romance that offers cultural richness, emotional depth, and characters you'll miss when the final page turns. It's a wonderful read for anyone who appreciates contemporary young adult fiction with heart and substance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the advance review copy!
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What makes this novel stand out is how LaDelle crafts a story about love in all its forms. The romance between Deja and Raja feels refreshingly real - her confidence and his thoughtful resistance to convention create a chemistry that's impossible not to root for. The book tackles interracial and intercultural relationship dynamics with honesty, celebrating both the joy of shared differences and acknowledging the real challenges that come with them.
LaDelle's writing transports you to the warmth of a Maryland summer, creating moments that range from laugh-out-loud funny to genuinely touching. While some story elements follow familiar patterns, the emotional journey feels fresh, especially through the authentic voices of these compelling characters. Their story beautifully illustrates how finding your own path can coexist with honoring your roots.
This Could Be Forever is a thoroughly enjoyable romance that offers cultural richness, emotional depth, and characters you'll miss when the final page turns. It's a wonderful read for anyone who appreciates contemporary young adult fiction with heart and substance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the advance review copy!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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June 23, 2025
3.5/5
- Love how this author always includes so much depth in her stories! You really get to know the characters like they’re real people which I love.
- The way that this author discussed interracial relationships and the complexities of intertwining families was written SO WELL!! This is rarely included in romance stories and it was so refreshing.
- Can’t wait to read more from this author!
- Love how this author always includes so much depth in her stories! You really get to know the characters like they’re real people which I love.
- The way that this author discussed interracial relationships and the complexities of intertwining families was written SO WELL!! This is rarely included in romance stories and it was so refreshing.
- Can’t wait to read more from this author!
June 21, 2025
i finished after 1 month!!! (it's not even bad i just was lazy about it 😭)
this was such a beautiful story about mixed relationships, racism, coming of age, and very diverse. i loved how authentic this story felt, i don't think i've ever read a more realistic dialogue than the ones in this book.
all the conversations felt so real and hilarious, also with serious topics and issues people still have when cultures clash.
will definetly be checking out more books from ebony after this!!!
thank you to simon & schuster canada for a free advanced readers copy
this was such a beautiful story about mixed relationships, racism, coming of age, and very diverse. i loved how authentic this story felt, i don't think i've ever read a more realistic dialogue than the ones in this book.
all the conversations felt so real and hilarious, also with serious topics and issues people still have when cultures clash.
will definetly be checking out more books from ebony after this!!!
thank you to simon & schuster canada for a free advanced readers copy
June 15, 2025
2.75 Stars ✨
After thoroughly enjoying Love Radio, I was excited to dive into This Could Be Forever. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The novel is strongest when it follows Deja as she transitions to college out of state. Watching her move from North Carolina to Maryland, navigate family dynamics, and grow into self-sufficiency was engaging and relatable.
However, I struggled with the male main character. His dialogue often felt forced and cringey, and I found his POV difficult to get through. Since the story alternates between Deja and Raja’s perspectives, that meant a lot of time spent with a character I didn’t connect with. 🫠
The book touches on important themes like colorism, interracial relationships, and Nepali culture. While I appreciate their inclusion, the way these topics were presented often felt like info dumps rather than being naturally woven into the narrative. Still, I recognize how vital it is for YA books to explore these discussions.
One of the biggest drawbacks was the lack of romantic chemistry. Deja and Raja seemed so consumed by family issues and identity struggles that their connection as a couple didn’t feel convincing.
Lastly, the book is too long—nearly 400 pages for a YA romance. Since much of it takes place during a summer semester, the college setting introduced in part one feels underutilized in the rest of the story.
After thoroughly enjoying Love Radio, I was excited to dive into This Could Be Forever. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The novel is strongest when it follows Deja as she transitions to college out of state. Watching her move from North Carolina to Maryland, navigate family dynamics, and grow into self-sufficiency was engaging and relatable.
However, I struggled with the male main character. His dialogue often felt forced and cringey, and I found his POV difficult to get through. Since the story alternates between Deja and Raja’s perspectives, that meant a lot of time spent with a character I didn’t connect with. 🫠
The book touches on important themes like colorism, interracial relationships, and Nepali culture. While I appreciate their inclusion, the way these topics were presented often felt like info dumps rather than being naturally woven into the narrative. Still, I recognize how vital it is for YA books to explore these discussions.
One of the biggest drawbacks was the lack of romantic chemistry. Deja and Raja seemed so consumed by family issues and identity struggles that their connection as a couple didn’t feel convincing.
Lastly, the book is too long—nearly 400 pages for a YA romance. Since much of it takes place during a summer semester, the college setting introduced in part one feels underutilized in the rest of the story.
May 24, 2025
2025 reads: 128/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. this did not affect my rating.
deja has a plan: she’ll study chemistry at the university of maryland and continue selling skincare products made from plants grown on her family’s farm. raja’s got a dream: though his traditional nepali parents want him to study engineering and eventually settle down in an arranged marriage, he wants to open his own tattoo parlor and find love one day. when deja walks into the tattoo parlor raja works at, they both start crushing. over the course of the summer, they fall harder for one another, but soon realize how difficult it can be to be with someone who doesn’t quite fit the expectations their parents had.
love radio is one of my favorite romance books, so i was very excited for another book by ebony ladelle! i loved deja and raja so much. their own passions were so interesting, and i loved how they supported each other. they also took the time to learn each other’s cultures and family dynamics, which i loved to see! overall, this was a sweet romance that i think would make a perfect summer read. i can’t wait for more from ebony ladelle!
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. this did not affect my rating.
deja has a plan: she’ll study chemistry at the university of maryland and continue selling skincare products made from plants grown on her family’s farm. raja’s got a dream: though his traditional nepali parents want him to study engineering and eventually settle down in an arranged marriage, he wants to open his own tattoo parlor and find love one day. when deja walks into the tattoo parlor raja works at, they both start crushing. over the course of the summer, they fall harder for one another, but soon realize how difficult it can be to be with someone who doesn’t quite fit the expectations their parents had.
love radio is one of my favorite romance books, so i was very excited for another book by ebony ladelle! i loved deja and raja so much. their own passions were so interesting, and i loved how they supported each other. they also took the time to learn each other’s cultures and family dynamics, which i loved to see! overall, this was a sweet romance that i think would make a perfect summer read. i can’t wait for more from ebony ladelle!
June 12, 2025
What a stinking cute book!
This Could Be Forever feels like having a crush on someone for the first time in a way that is all-encompassing and sweet, I ate it up!
This also has the forbidden romance aspect due to the cultural and racial differences between Deja and Raja. Ebony LaDelle did a wonderful job depicting South Asian/Nepal culture and explaining things such as caste—which is very much present here in America, but America is first and foremost a nation divided by race. When you live in a country where everyone around you is just about the same racially but all of you have been differently impacted by imperialism, things like caste play a larger part—and when you move to America, the American dynamics of race and belonging also factor and result in a person of color but participating in antiBlack racism while they also juggle their concerns about social caste, education background, etc. This was written in a way that is extremely digestible for its young adult audience, so I recommend this to parents looking to teach their children about this topic; especially if their teens date interracially.
Deja's connection to her Southern Black roots, grandmother, siblings, and parents were wonderful. She was so sure of herself and self-contained in a way that so few young girls dare to be, and I enjoyed her POV so much. Raja was funny, charming, kind of a goober, and I loved how he came into his own not only as a man but as a son as the story went on. This book actually depicts young adults becoming adults in the eyes of their parents for the first time in a brilliant way. The narration was wonderful, it really breathed every character to life.
I loved this down! YA romance is doing its biggest this year!
5 ⭐️s
This Could Be Forever feels like having a crush on someone for the first time in a way that is all-encompassing and sweet, I ate it up!
This also has the forbidden romance aspect due to the cultural and racial differences between Deja and Raja. Ebony LaDelle did a wonderful job depicting South Asian/Nepal culture and explaining things such as caste—which is very much present here in America, but America is first and foremost a nation divided by race. When you live in a country where everyone around you is just about the same racially but all of you have been differently impacted by imperialism, things like caste play a larger part—and when you move to America, the American dynamics of race and belonging also factor and result in a person of color but participating in antiBlack racism while they also juggle their concerns about social caste, education background, etc. This was written in a way that is extremely digestible for its young adult audience, so I recommend this to parents looking to teach their children about this topic; especially if their teens date interracially.
Deja's connection to her Southern Black roots, grandmother, siblings, and parents were wonderful. She was so sure of herself and self-contained in a way that so few young girls dare to be, and I enjoyed her POV so much. Raja was funny, charming, kind of a goober, and I loved how he came into his own not only as a man but as a son as the story went on. This book actually depicts young adults becoming adults in the eyes of their parents for the first time in a brilliant way. The narration was wonderful, it really breathed every character to life.
I loved this down! YA romance is doing its biggest this year!
5 ⭐️s
March 21, 2025
This could be for ever by Ebony Ladelle
ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada
-I love the way they show having immigrant parents, the pressure of that, they want the best for you but it can be a lot
-OMG their meet cute was everything, their connection is undeniable, you can feel it, i’m GIDDY
-their connection truly made me miss having a crush and being mesmerized by someone, if I met Raja i’d want to know everything about him
-her memories with her grandmother were heartbreaking but also so moving
-this book truly brought me back to my summer before going off to uni, so many changes, new things coming
-he’s a Rihanna fan PERIOD i love him
-i loved learning about the different cultures , this book beautifully showcases the beauty and hardships of being in multicultural relationship
-they truly are from different worlds and religion, but seeing their life and connection collide is truly beautiful
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada
-I love the way they show having immigrant parents, the pressure of that, they want the best for you but it can be a lot
-OMG their meet cute was everything, their connection is undeniable, you can feel it, i’m GIDDY
-their connection truly made me miss having a crush and being mesmerized by someone, if I met Raja i’d want to know everything about him
-her memories with her grandmother were heartbreaking but also so moving
-this book truly brought me back to my summer before going off to uni, so many changes, new things coming
-he’s a Rihanna fan PERIOD i love him
-i loved learning about the different cultures , this book beautifully showcases the beauty and hardships of being in multicultural relationship
-they truly are from different worlds and religion, but seeing their life and connection collide is truly beautiful
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 2, 2025
Argh this was cute😩🥰 I couldn’t stop laughing and blushing.
June 15, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Y’all, this book had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time! It was SO CUTE. Ebony LaDelle, you’ve done it again!
This book follows Deja and Raja before their freshman year of college. Deja is moving away from home for the first time, and she’s both nervous and excited to spread her wings. Meanwhile Raja is trying to pursue his dream of having his own tattoo shop one day, but his parents want him to follow a more traditional path.
As someone who comes from a Nigerian family who very much believed in the doctor/lawyer/engineer career path, I related so much to Raja’s struggles. He wants to follow his dreams, but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his family. I also related to Deja’s feelings of wanting to leave where you grew up and explore the world.
A huge challenge that these two face in their relationship is their families and trying to bring their two cultures together. The conversations that these characters have about race and prejudice are so real and so well done. It was so important to see them actually discussing these things on the page and I was so impressed with how well it was handled. As someone who’s married to someone with a different cultural background, I felt so seen! I loved how family played a central role in this story and how both characters were close with their sisters.
LaDelle also writes about sexism and how both the cultural and societal expectations are different for boys vs. girls. We see Raja acknowledge his own privilege and actually listen to the women in his life who are trying to guide him (and we love to see it!).
We have to talk about the romance too, of course. I was absolutely rooting for these two to be together and Ebony includes several swoon-worthy moments over the course of their relationship. Raja is down bad for Deja and he’s definitely been added to my list of approved book boyfriends.
I loved this book from start to finish. This is how YA romance should be done!!
/////
Not me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time I was reading this!! This is how YA romance should be done! Full review to come.
Y’all, this book had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time! It was SO CUTE. Ebony LaDelle, you’ve done it again!
This book follows Deja and Raja before their freshman year of college. Deja is moving away from home for the first time, and she’s both nervous and excited to spread her wings. Meanwhile Raja is trying to pursue his dream of having his own tattoo shop one day, but his parents want him to follow a more traditional path.
As someone who comes from a Nigerian family who very much believed in the doctor/lawyer/engineer career path, I related so much to Raja’s struggles. He wants to follow his dreams, but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his family. I also related to Deja’s feelings of wanting to leave where you grew up and explore the world.
A huge challenge that these two face in their relationship is their families and trying to bring their two cultures together. The conversations that these characters have about race and prejudice are so real and so well done. It was so important to see them actually discussing these things on the page and I was so impressed with how well it was handled. As someone who’s married to someone with a different cultural background, I felt so seen! I loved how family played a central role in this story and how both characters were close with their sisters.
LaDelle also writes about sexism and how both the cultural and societal expectations are different for boys vs. girls. We see Raja acknowledge his own privilege and actually listen to the women in his life who are trying to guide him (and we love to see it!).
We have to talk about the romance too, of course. I was absolutely rooting for these two to be together and Ebony includes several swoon-worthy moments over the course of their relationship. Raja is down bad for Deja and he’s definitely been added to my list of approved book boyfriends.
I loved this book from start to finish. This is how YA romance should be done!!
/////
Not me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time I was reading this!! This is how YA romance should be done! Full review to come.
April 17, 2025
Thank you to Simon Teen for this ARC!
Maybe I don't dislike "insta-love" as much as I thought I did because I personally LOVED every moment of this book. I'll make the exception for YA books. Don't care! Deja and Raja were so cute. The connection was quick yes, but that's bound to happen on a college campus in close-ish proximity! It was adorable and I had fun seeing them get to know each other and embrace each others cultures.
Deja and Raja face the common challenges that come with dating outside of your race and culture. They both face similar obstacles when it came to their families judgement, specifically with their stubborn fathers. I loved seeing both of their growth through their journey together. Raja especially made me proud. His methods weren't always perfect, but I loved seeing him stand up for Deja and himself. I feel like Deja brought out a different confidence in him that he didn't have before. Deja was such a confident girl in general the moment we start the book. She was a real go-getter with her dreams and aspirations and it seems that it definitely inspired and influenced Raja.
I also really loved seeing the complexities of family shown in this book. Family was very important to both of them, but they challenged the norms. Never disrespectful, to me! They had so much love and respect for their families, but they had to remind them that they are not under their control and things are changing! I like that. I was glad to see both characters call out their family members' ignorance and biases when it came to each other. The families can mean no harm, but they still need to be corrected.
Maybe I don't dislike "insta-love" as much as I thought I did because I personally LOVED every moment of this book. I'll make the exception for YA books. Don't care! Deja and Raja were so cute. The connection was quick yes, but that's bound to happen on a college campus in close-ish proximity! It was adorable and I had fun seeing them get to know each other and embrace each others cultures.
Deja and Raja face the common challenges that come with dating outside of your race and culture. They both face similar obstacles when it came to their families judgement, specifically with their stubborn fathers. I loved seeing both of their growth through their journey together. Raja especially made me proud. His methods weren't always perfect, but I loved seeing him stand up for Deja and himself. I feel like Deja brought out a different confidence in him that he didn't have before. Deja was such a confident girl in general the moment we start the book. She was a real go-getter with her dreams and aspirations and it seems that it definitely inspired and influenced Raja.
I also really loved seeing the complexities of family shown in this book. Family was very important to both of them, but they challenged the norms. Never disrespectful, to me! They had so much love and respect for their families, but they had to remind them that they are not under their control and things are changing! I like that. I was glad to see both characters call out their family members' ignorance and biases when it came to each other. The families can mean no harm, but they still need to be corrected.
April 22, 2025
Deja and Raja just graduated high school and are both in their college town early. On her first night in town, Deja walks into Raja’s tattoo parlor and sparks fly. But, Raja comes from a strict South Asian family and Deja’s Black father doesn’t want her going to college so far away, let alone dating a brown boy. Both teens are family-oriented, so can they overcome the obstacle that is their respective families?
This was a sweet story! I liked Deja and Raja immensely. I liked how most of the conflicts weren’t about *them* necessarily, but about things they had to deal with outside of their relationship. Both of the MCs were very mature, which I found unrealistic at times. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see communication and understanding, but they’re 18 and had no flaws... I wasn’t buying that. While there weren’t a lot of stakes to the story, I loved seeing these two grow and stand up for one another! The ending line almost had me crying--it was so sweet. ^.^
Ebony LaDelle is an automatic-read author for me now!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a sweet story! I liked Deja and Raja immensely. I liked how most of the conflicts weren’t about *them* necessarily, but about things they had to deal with outside of their relationship. Both of the MCs were very mature, which I found unrealistic at times. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see communication and understanding, but they’re 18 and had no flaws... I wasn’t buying that. While there weren’t a lot of stakes to the story, I loved seeing these two grow and stand up for one another! The ending line almost had me crying--it was so sweet. ^.^
Ebony LaDelle is an automatic-read author for me now!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
August 20, 2025
So freakin’ sweet! Ebony LaDelle always knows how to make you feel everything in her YA romances. Like wow 😮💨💕
This Could Be Forever follows Deja and Raja, two college freshmen starting at UMD. Deja’s a holistic queen from the South, and Raja’s a rising tattoo artist from a traditional Nepali family. Their lil tattoo meet cute was one of the cutest I’ve read in a minute ngl. After they meet, they’re instantly drawn to each other but hesitant to act on it because of their cultural differences and how their families might react. But instead of playing it safe, they decide to dive in and make something real out of the connection they have.
What really stood out to me was how serious Deja and Raja were about each other. They didn’t play about one another, even when things got hard. Watching them grow together, despite being so young was beautiful. They created the lives that they wanted and stuck to it. And in the end, their families caught up and saw how real their love truly was 🥲🫶🏽
This Could Be Forever follows Deja and Raja, two college freshmen starting at UMD. Deja’s a holistic queen from the South, and Raja’s a rising tattoo artist from a traditional Nepali family. Their lil tattoo meet cute was one of the cutest I’ve read in a minute ngl. After they meet, they’re instantly drawn to each other but hesitant to act on it because of their cultural differences and how their families might react. But instead of playing it safe, they decide to dive in and make something real out of the connection they have.
What really stood out to me was how serious Deja and Raja were about each other. They didn’t play about one another, even when things got hard. Watching them grow together, despite being so young was beautiful. They created the lives that they wanted and stuck to it. And in the end, their families caught up and saw how real their love truly was 🥲🫶🏽
September 11, 2025
I won this in a giveaway!
This was objectively well-written, but it took me days to read. Anything introduced is resolved, and there are clear character arcs. But the dialogue and some of the male lead's narrative voice weren't my favorite.
Cute and mostly lighthearted, but the dialogue was cringy. Maybe my adult is showing because some of it felt very unrealistic or “too good to be true.” I don't think Raja sounded like the average young adult male.
Our leads are well-adjusted and knowledgeable, but they sound like Tumblr pamphlets. Are there well-informed young adults, yes? Even young adults who are activists have a more natural way of speaking. While it certainly gave background to the issues present, I think so much of it sounded stilted.
There are also the unspoken complexities of interracial dating as a Black woman when the other person is also a person of color but nonblack. You can tell the author has put some time in doing research for this story throughout all the history and cultural references.
I enjoyed some of the less noticeable discussions of college freshman life. Raja was a junior tattoo artist who attended his local college while at home before moving into his apartment. While most of this decision stemmed from him not wanting to make the transition too harsh on his immigrant parents, it’s also another version of college life. I went local as well and don’t see this as often in media for young adults.
While the story was good, it wasn’t fun if that makes sense. There are so many social issues at hand. The author gets the exhaustion that can come with cultural barriers and biases and even touched on interracial dating very well. You can FEEL the passive aggression or polite but not welcoming environments. The struggle Raja and Deja endure going against tradition or their parents or others’ remarks. It’s a lot. These sections were well-written and established that atmosphere masterfully, but it was stressful.
I also think she was respectful and nuanced in the conversations here. For example, the topic of arranged marriages. It was absolutely not for Raja and his sibling, but it wasn't demonized either. It's shown as a valid way to find love as well. I’m also glad the story didn’t rely on making Deja have to continually ingratiate herself to people who didn’t accept her; the story was firm on not making excuses.
Overall, I think my favorite part was Deja’s relationship with her grandmother Queenie. Deja has a southern upbringing with a huge family that admired her, and I was happy to see the family interactions. Due to the story being set before the Fall semester, the college setting really plays in the background/was non-existent. The romance was insta-lovey but sweet, but I wanted more time to see their chemistry grow/more lighthearted interactions. So much of this story was going up against a mountain that there wasn't much time to swoon and be at peace.
SN: I know it's hypocritical as someone who has used ride share app services, but Deja was in a random guy's car way TOO EASILY. Girl, he could have done anything to you!
This was objectively well-written, but it took me days to read. Anything introduced is resolved, and there are clear character arcs. But the dialogue and some of the male lead's narrative voice weren't my favorite.
Cute and mostly lighthearted, but the dialogue was cringy. Maybe my adult is showing because some of it felt very unrealistic or “too good to be true.” I don't think Raja sounded like the average young adult male.
Our leads are well-adjusted and knowledgeable, but they sound like Tumblr pamphlets. Are there well-informed young adults, yes? Even young adults who are activists have a more natural way of speaking. While it certainly gave background to the issues present, I think so much of it sounded stilted.
There are also the unspoken complexities of interracial dating as a Black woman when the other person is also a person of color but nonblack. You can tell the author has put some time in doing research for this story throughout all the history and cultural references.
I enjoyed some of the less noticeable discussions of college freshman life. Raja was a junior tattoo artist who attended his local college while at home before moving into his apartment. While most of this decision stemmed from him not wanting to make the transition too harsh on his immigrant parents, it’s also another version of college life. I went local as well and don’t see this as often in media for young adults.
While the story was good, it wasn’t fun if that makes sense. There are so many social issues at hand. The author gets the exhaustion that can come with cultural barriers and biases and even touched on interracial dating very well. You can FEEL the passive aggression or polite but not welcoming environments. The struggle Raja and Deja endure going against tradition or their parents or others’ remarks. It’s a lot. These sections were well-written and established that atmosphere masterfully, but it was stressful.
I also think she was respectful and nuanced in the conversations here. For example, the topic of arranged marriages. It was absolutely not for Raja and his sibling, but it wasn't demonized either. It's shown as a valid way to find love as well. I’m also glad the story didn’t rely on making Deja have to continually ingratiate herself to people who didn’t accept her; the story was firm on not making excuses.
Overall, I think my favorite part was Deja’s relationship with her grandmother Queenie. Deja has a southern upbringing with a huge family that admired her, and I was happy to see the family interactions. Due to the story being set before the Fall semester, the college setting really plays in the background/was non-existent. The romance was insta-lovey but sweet, but I wanted more time to see their chemistry grow/more lighthearted interactions. So much of this story was going up against a mountain that there wasn't much time to swoon and be at peace.
SN: I know it's hypocritical as someone who has used ride share app services, but Deja was in a random guy's car way TOO EASILY. Girl, he could have done anything to you!
May 19, 2025
3.75⭐️
A haven of representation for following your heart and fiercely loving those in your life.
Disclaimer: I read this as an eARC through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Teen for the free copy. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
What do you do when your families don't approve of your choices in life and love? You fight fiercely for the things you want and need in life. That is exactly what Raja and Deja have to do in order to show their families how much they care for each other.
Things I loved:
•Darker complected, African-American FMC. Nepali MMC. Cultural representations surrounding weddings and other family traditions.
•Hard discussions surrounding family expectations with school, futures and arranged marriages.
•Detailed descriptions of cultural foods and what they represented.
•Talks of natural skin care and products
Challenging aspects:
•Insta Love between FMC and MMC was unrealistic for their age.
•Confusing timeline surrounding MMC's age. (he was tattooed "years ago" at a tattoo convention without parental consent, but was only 18 at the time of meeting the FMC)
•Pacing was a little on the slow side for me. There were times where I found my mind wandering, and I had to pull myself back into the story.
•Missed opportunity with a Dominican queer side character that was very lovable. But was used for plot movement in the beginning and then faded into obscurity.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It had a ton of representation that felt very realistic, and definitely created an emotional pull towards our main characters. I feel like there is a lot that anybody can relate to within this novel when it comes to family and cultural expectations. I like how in depth the representation went for their backgrounds and cultures. It didn't shy away from difficult conversations or topics that are rarely discussed in novels. I'll be picking up the other authors novel "love radio" and giving that a try as well.
⏰/📖:384 pages
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Teen
Genre: YA fiction
Themes: Choosing your destiny, fighting for those you love
Tropes: Insta-Love, Love by choice
Rep: Darker complected African-American FMC, Nepali MMC
Spice: 🌶️ Light kissing
Release Date: May 20, 2025
A haven of representation for following your heart and fiercely loving those in your life.
Disclaimer: I read this as an eARC through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Teen for the free copy. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
What do you do when your families don't approve of your choices in life and love? You fight fiercely for the things you want and need in life. That is exactly what Raja and Deja have to do in order to show their families how much they care for each other.
Things I loved:
•Darker complected, African-American FMC. Nepali MMC. Cultural representations surrounding weddings and other family traditions.
•Hard discussions surrounding family expectations with school, futures and arranged marriages.
•Detailed descriptions of cultural foods and what they represented.
•Talks of natural skin care and products
Challenging aspects:
•Insta Love between FMC and MMC was unrealistic for their age.
•Confusing timeline surrounding MMC's age. (he was tattooed "years ago" at a tattoo convention without parental consent, but was only 18 at the time of meeting the FMC)
•Pacing was a little on the slow side for me. There were times where I found my mind wandering, and I had to pull myself back into the story.
•Missed opportunity with a Dominican queer side character that was very lovable. But was used for plot movement in the beginning and then faded into obscurity.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It had a ton of representation that felt very realistic, and definitely created an emotional pull towards our main characters. I feel like there is a lot that anybody can relate to within this novel when it comes to family and cultural expectations. I like how in depth the representation went for their backgrounds and cultures. It didn't shy away from difficult conversations or topics that are rarely discussed in novels. I'll be picking up the other authors novel "love radio" and giving that a try as well.
⏰/📖:384 pages
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Teen
Genre: YA fiction
Themes: Choosing your destiny, fighting for those you love
Tropes: Insta-Love, Love by choice
Rep: Darker complected African-American FMC, Nepali MMC
Spice: 🌶️ Light kissing
Release Date: May 20, 2025
June 23, 2025
This was a cute, low stakes YA romance.
May 22, 2025
this could be forever is a sweet and thoughtful story about two teens (deja + raja) falling in love while trying to stay true to themselves and their families. deja is headed to college and navigating life as the first in her family to do so, while raja is balancing his love for art with his nepali american parents’ traditional expectations— these two are quite the different pairing.
my fave aspect of this book was the tender ways that ladelle weaved in the experiences of immigrant parents and cultural traditions throughout the story. you could feel the pressure both deja and raja faced from wanting to honor their roots to ultimately choosing their own paths. the way the story explored race, culture, family, and identity felt honest and real and it really made this story special. there’s some threads of miscommunication but i honestly think it’s expected given this age group.
this book is about young love + figuring out who you are and standing up for what you want especially when it’s hard.
my fave aspect of this book was the tender ways that ladelle weaved in the experiences of immigrant parents and cultural traditions throughout the story. you could feel the pressure both deja and raja faced from wanting to honor their roots to ultimately choosing their own paths. the way the story explored race, culture, family, and identity felt honest and real and it really made this story special. there’s some threads of miscommunication but i honestly think it’s expected given this age group.
this book is about young love + figuring out who you are and standing up for what you want especially when it’s hard.
May 17, 2025
Ebony continues to blow me away with books that are equal parts dreamy, realistic, and heartwarming. they feel like the best hug, and this one was no different.
This story follows Deja, a Black freshman, and Raja, a Nepali freshman, who meet at the tattoo parlor where Raja works (I know 😍). From that spark-filled moment, we watch them navigate not just a new relationship, but also the huge life transition of leaving home for the first time.
I loved how their relationship was grounded in both their similarities and differences—it showed that with a LOT of care and effort, two people from different backgrounds can make it work.
And honestly, I wish this had been my college love story😭. Leaving home can be so lonely, especially when you’re close to your family, and I could’ve used a Raja in my corner 😩. The romantic and family dynamics were beautiful (albeit at times extremely difficult), however the pacing of their relationship felt so genuine.
Also, there’s no third act breakup!! I have zero complaints. I loved every minute and hope this story touches so many hearts the way it touched mine 🥹
This story follows Deja, a Black freshman, and Raja, a Nepali freshman, who meet at the tattoo parlor where Raja works (I know 😍). From that spark-filled moment, we watch them navigate not just a new relationship, but also the huge life transition of leaving home for the first time.
I loved how their relationship was grounded in both their similarities and differences—it showed that with a LOT of care and effort, two people from different backgrounds can make it work.
And honestly, I wish this had been my college love story😭. Leaving home can be so lonely, especially when you’re close to your family, and I could’ve used a Raja in my corner 😩. The romantic and family dynamics were beautiful (albeit at times extremely difficult), however the pacing of their relationship felt so genuine.
Also, there’s no third act breakup!! I have zero complaints. I loved every minute and hope this story touches so many hearts the way it touched mine 🥹
August 25, 2025
Thank you to @simonteen for a free copy of this book.
Ebony LaDelle has a knack for crafting YA romances that resonate with readers of all ages, steering clear of cheesy clichés while addressing important topics.
Deja is a fierce sunflower girl. She’s driven, focused, and has a clear plan to chase her entrepreneurial dreams, all while holding her family values close. I loved Deja’s memories with her grandmother.
Then there’s Raja, future ink king. This perfect gentleman is passionate about tattoos and determined to defy tradition. He stands firm against family expectations, embodying what it means to truly chase your dreams.
Their meet-cute? So cute! The chemistry between Deja and Raja is electric, bringing back those giddy feelings of a crush.
LaDelle beautifully explores the dynamics of having immigrant parents. The pressure to succeed is palpable, yet the love and support shine through.
I love how this book took me back to the summer before college. This time of change and new beginnings is perfectly captured in Deja and Raja’s journey.
This Could Be Forever isn’t just a romance. It’s a celebration of family, culture, and the power of connection.
Ebony LaDelle has a knack for crafting YA romances that resonate with readers of all ages, steering clear of cheesy clichés while addressing important topics.
Deja is a fierce sunflower girl. She’s driven, focused, and has a clear plan to chase her entrepreneurial dreams, all while holding her family values close. I loved Deja’s memories with her grandmother.
Then there’s Raja, future ink king. This perfect gentleman is passionate about tattoos and determined to defy tradition. He stands firm against family expectations, embodying what it means to truly chase your dreams.
Their meet-cute? So cute! The chemistry between Deja and Raja is electric, bringing back those giddy feelings of a crush.
LaDelle beautifully explores the dynamics of having immigrant parents. The pressure to succeed is palpable, yet the love and support shine through.
I love how this book took me back to the summer before college. This time of change and new beginnings is perfectly captured in Deja and Raja’s journey.
This Could Be Forever isn’t just a romance. It’s a celebration of family, culture, and the power of connection.
May 19, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ I could not waaait to get my little hands on Ebony LaDelle's newest book! Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc. This book follows Deja, a recent high school graduate who is taking the giant leap into adulthood by leaving her ancestral home in North Carolina to go to college in Maryland and pursue her dream of creating her own natural beauty products line for people of color. Her first weekend visiting the campus, she meets Raja, the young artist who does her celebratory "I'm going to college" sunflower tattoo; he is also starting college with her in the fall.
The main story follows Deja and Raja as they learn each other and follow the sparks from their meetcute. It also follows the very real conflict that is dating interracially in America. Deja's Black culture and Raja's Nepali culture are depicted in such detail and beauty in this story. Along with that though was seeing their families' journey of acceptance of their blooming love story.
I loved this story so much. It felt like a slice of home in so many ways. Deja and Raja being SO mature and considerate of one another and standing on business about their choices was so refreshing to see. The family dynamic on the sides of both main characters was enlightening as well. I understood the good and the bad and I was happy with the way the book wrapped up. It didn't feel unrealistic at all. it felt hopeful and loving. I can't wait to add the physical copy to my shelves on release day, May 20th!
The main story follows Deja and Raja as they learn each other and follow the sparks from their meetcute. It also follows the very real conflict that is dating interracially in America. Deja's Black culture and Raja's Nepali culture are depicted in such detail and beauty in this story. Along with that though was seeing their families' journey of acceptance of their blooming love story.
I loved this story so much. It felt like a slice of home in so many ways. Deja and Raja being SO mature and considerate of one another and standing on business about their choices was so refreshing to see. The family dynamic on the sides of both main characters was enlightening as well. I understood the good and the bad and I was happy with the way the book wrapped up. It didn't feel unrealistic at all. it felt hopeful and loving. I can't wait to add the physical copy to my shelves on release day, May 20th!
March 21, 2025
Thank you @simonteen for a digital copy to review!
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.
^from the publisher!
Okay so I really, really enjoyed this book. The dual POV was perfection and I really loved both of our main characters. Deja was so level headed and had such big dreams with her business and love of natural products, and Raja had the sweet vulnerability with the fear of wanting to be his own person and not completely disappoint his family.
These two characters were so layered and complex that as the story moved forward and you got to know them better, their motivations became so clear. What started as a simple meeting turned into a deep respect and care for each other and their relationship. I loved how vulnerable they were and how they each had complicated family dynamics at play. The growth was amazing!! I also really loved how they each had a supportive sibling to give them guidance and love. 🥹
Fully recommend.
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.
^from the publisher!
Okay so I really, really enjoyed this book. The dual POV was perfection and I really loved both of our main characters. Deja was so level headed and had such big dreams with her business and love of natural products, and Raja had the sweet vulnerability with the fear of wanting to be his own person and not completely disappoint his family.
These two characters were so layered and complex that as the story moved forward and you got to know them better, their motivations became so clear. What started as a simple meeting turned into a deep respect and care for each other and their relationship. I loved how vulnerable they were and how they each had complicated family dynamics at play. The growth was amazing!! I also really loved how they each had a supportive sibling to give them guidance and love. 🥹
Fully recommend.
July 12, 2025
I did my best not to compare this book to love radio and that was so difficult to do
There were a lot of cute moments between Raja and Deja but I felt like every thing felt soooo rushed !! It’s like slow down!! I mean from dating to marriage talk after barely one semester of college was crazy 😂😂😂.
I do commend the author for touching on the difficulties of merging different cultures and how it can really be a burden at times. Other than that the book kind of fell flat in the romance department for me. I really wanted to love this book but it was just okay. I did like the ending so for that I give it a 3/5 ⭐️.
There were a lot of cute moments between Raja and Deja but I felt like every thing felt soooo rushed !! It’s like slow down!! I mean from dating to marriage talk after barely one semester of college was crazy 😂😂😂.
I do commend the author for touching on the difficulties of merging different cultures and how it can really be a burden at times. Other than that the book kind of fell flat in the romance department for me. I really wanted to love this book but it was just okay. I did like the ending so for that I give it a 3/5 ⭐️.
May 12, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was a cute YA romance. Two teens of different ethnicities/religions trying to navigate first love and independence while dealing with disapproval from family.
I admit the first half of this book dragged a bit for me and I found it hard to get into. However, the second half flowed much better to me. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this ARC.
This was a cute YA romance. Two teens of different ethnicities/religions trying to navigate first love and independence while dealing with disapproval from family.
I admit the first half of this book dragged a bit for me and I found it hard to get into. However, the second half flowed much better to me. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m glad I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this ARC.
September 22, 2025
If the goal of this book is to get this story and these voices out there for young adults of color to see and hear themselves in the nuance and layers of love stories, then mission accomplished!
As an adult reader, my inner child was glowing while connecting to Deja.
As an adult reader, this also left a little to be desired with pacing and their relationship development. I do appreciate this book greatly and it will be high on my rec list for any teen who will listen!
As an adult reader, my inner child was glowing while connecting to Deja.
As an adult reader, this also left a little to be desired with pacing and their relationship development. I do appreciate this book greatly and it will be high on my rec list for any teen who will listen!
June 29, 2025
This book was such a beautiful, emotional ride. I loved the chemistry between Raja and Deja and how real their connection felt. The story did a great job balancing romance with healing and self-growth. There were a few slow moments, but overall, it pulled me in and kept me rooting for their love. I really enjoyed it!
May 31, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up
June 16, 2025
4/5
— Ebony knows how to write a YA love story. This college love story was super cute between Deja and Raja. They came from different backgrounds, a black FMC and a Nepali MMC, both freshman’s moving away from home for the first time.
— I loved watching them navigate through trying to live for themselves and love freely, as well as stand up to their parents to make their relationship work. The family dynamics and the romantic gestures were beautiful.
— Ebony knows how to write a YA love story. This college love story was super cute between Deja and Raja. They came from different backgrounds, a black FMC and a Nepali MMC, both freshman’s moving away from home for the first time.
— I loved watching them navigate through trying to live for themselves and love freely, as well as stand up to their parents to make their relationship work. The family dynamics and the romantic gestures were beautiful.
May 23, 2025
Ebony's romances are so sweet and so heartfelt and this one was no different ❤️ i can't relate to finding soulmates in college but Ebony captured young love so well!
May 29, 2025
1) Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eARC! 2) This story was sooo adorable y’all 🥹 I loved Deja and Raja so much and felt like their relationship development was 9/10. I also felt like they handled the difficulties that came with their relationship with more grace than *Grown* adults would have, which I really appreciated as I feel people have a tendency to underestimate what young adults are capable of. All in all, this was such a lovely read!
March 27, 2025
This Could Be Forever is such a great read! I love how Ebony LaDelle brings two cultures together—showing the differences, yes—but also shining a light on the similarities. The connection between the FMC and MMC was definitely love at first sight, and it was so sweet watching them grow together. Their chemistry felt so real, and the way their relationship grew had me hooked. I highly recommend this book if you're into romance with heart, culture, and connection. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Ebony in the future!
June 12, 2025
not a fan of this book. The romance was too fast and too soon. Why are you talking about arranged marriages on day 2 of meeting?
It also felt very "educational" all way up until the end when they got to the wedding and nothing was explained anymore.
A lot it felt unrealistic and cringy and I LOVE YA! So I was also bit annoyed. ESPECIALLY with the overuse of the following words: laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle. Every single page, or every other page had a 1 of all of those words. yes... I'm sure, because I tabbed the book every time I saw it.
It also felt very "educational" all way up until the end when they got to the wedding and nothing was explained anymore.
A lot it felt unrealistic and cringy and I LOVE YA! So I was also bit annoyed. ESPECIALLY with the overuse of the following words: laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle. Every single page, or every other page had a 1 of all of those words. yes... I'm sure, because I tabbed the book every time I saw it.
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