16 Forever

by Lance Rubin

It’s the morning of Carter Cohen’s 16th birthday, and everything’s going his way.

He’s psyched and ready to get his driver’s license, his little brother’s not hogging the bathroom, and, man, something smells good for breakfast…

But when Carter bounds downstairs, Mom bursts into tears. It happened again. It’s Carter’s 16th birthday—for the sixth time. Every time he’s supposed to turn 17, he loops back a year. His memory gets wiped clean, his body ages backward—the rest of the world moves on, just not him.

Maggie Spear, on the other hand, has been dreading this day ever since she and Carter started dating. When she spies him in the halls and he doesn’t seem to know her at all, it’s obvious that it’s over between them. She can’t be in a relationship with someone who is just going to forget her again and again. Since Carter doesn’t remember that they’re together, then it’s probably better if she just pretends that they never were.

Except Carter senses that there’s more to their story than Maggie’s letting on, and Maggie’s keeping secrets of her own—but in the process of trying to let the other go, they find themselves falling in love all over again.

With Maggie soon leaving for college and Carter’s birthday quickly coming around again, will they be able to find a forever that isn’t stuck at 16?

Filled with tender moments, silly banter, and lots of teenage angst, 16 Forever is the latest YA page-turner from New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Lance Rubin.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult Romance

Audible Audio

First published January 6, 2026

About the author

Hi, I'm Lance Rubin.

I wrote the Denton Little series and Crying Laughing. My solo MG debut, Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend, comes out this August 2025, and my new YA novel, 16 Forever, comes out in January 2026.

I also co-wrote The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek with Good Mythical Morning's Rhett & Link, Monster Club: Monsters Take Manhattan with filmmakers Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel, and the musical Broadway Bounty Hunter with Be More Chill's Joe Iconis & Jason SweetTooth Williams.

I'm originally from Matawan, New Jersey. I went to Brown University, and now I live in Brooklyn with my family.

Before I became an author, I was primarily an actor. "Anything I'd recognize you from?" you might ask. Probably not, unless you watched the short-lived NBC hospital show Mercy, in which I guest-starred as a patient with a naked sleepwalking problem.

I love Back to the Future, empathy, the New York Knicks, the Heavyweight podcast, and the Before Sunrise Trilogy.

Thanks for reading. Reach out and say hi!

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a unique take on a time loop story. It’s not even really a time loop, since time moves forward for everyone but Carter and everyone around him is aware that he is unable to get to 17.

I had previously read a novella by this author and I was interested to try something longer by him. The book had an easy to read writing style and I absolutely flew through it. I also had no idea where the story was going so props to the author for that, since I read a lot of stories that play with time. I also liked seeing Carter put the pieces together. As the story progresses, Carter (and by extension the reader) finds out what has been going on around him in the six years he has been stuck.


The romance was only okay for me, mostly because she didn’t really come into the story until later and they didn’t interact much for the first half of the book. They had some cute moments, but I would have liked to see them together more. I liked Carter’s relationship with his parents and younger brother (who is now older) a lot though. Suddenly becoming the younger sibling would certainly be a strange thing to have happen to someone!

I did enjoy the book overall; my 3 star rating is mostly for the ending. I wanted more! It was very sudden, so much so that I was shocked when I flipped the page on my e-reader and saw the acknowledgements. At the very least I would have liked an epilogue! There also really wasn’t an explanation as to WHY and HOW this happened to Carter. There were a few suppositions going around, but usually in a story that plays with time there is some reasoning behind it, so I was a little surprised that nothing was confirmed for Carter.


Still, this was a fun YA contemporary. Give it a read if you like books that play with time in some way — this is a unique one for sure!

[Bethany Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harper Collins for the digital copy to review!

I love a time loop story. And this one had a different twist to it. Everyone *except* our main character remembers his years in the time loop. That was very intriguing to me, because usually only the main character remembers!

There was a lot to unpack in this one in a good way. I liked how Carter tried to figure out why he was stuck, and how in this time loop, he really seemed genuinely intrigued, confused, happy, and sad all at the same time. I loved his relationship with his brother and the I thought it was heart wrenching when we saw Lincoln’s POV.

I really felt for Carter and Maggie. The more complex their relationship got, the more I was worried about how it would end. Maggie’s friends had her number though, lol. The relationship between Maggie and her sister was another really intriguing one in the book, and I loved how they were both insecure about different things.

The ending was really sweet and I was happy with it. I had a good time, and this is a great coming-of-age book for teens! I finished it in two sittings if that tells you anything. :)

[Flirting with Fiction💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ALC. This is my personal review.

Think Groundhog Day + Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind + 17 Again, but make it an older school John Green YA romance with a bit of romcom thrown in there.

I loved this book. This is a true YA novel where the characters and their thoughts, words, and actions are all incredibly realistic and believable. I don't want to give too much away, but what really made me fall for this story was how it's so much more than just Carter's story. Even more than Carter and Maggie's story. This book has a lot of levels, and I definitely got emotional.

While a play on the time loop trope, I love that this story isn't about avoiding or fixing the mistakes of the past. It's about leaning into the mess and how sometimes the chaos and uncertainty is what he need to move forward. Rubin had me on the edge of my seat until the very last second...and then I sobbed like a baby. Happy tears, of course!!

This was a 6 STAR read for me and definitely one of my top 5 favorite YA reads ever.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy books where characters relive the same day over and over, so when I saw that this story had the main character reliving not just a single day but the entire year he turns 16, I was immediately intrigued. It felt like a fresh spin on the typical “stuck in time” trope, and I was excited to dive in.

Carter Cohen wakes up on his 16th birthday only to discover he’s actually 22 years old. He’s been looping for six straight years, and no one can figure out why. Each time, he forgets the entire year he just lived, and when his next birthday rolls around, everything resets. It’s as if he’s turning 16 for the very first time all over again.

It’s a mind-boggling setup, especially considering that Carter’s younger brother Lincoln was 13 when the looping started. Lincoln’s now 19 and in college, essentially becoming the older brother while Carter's body remains frozen at 16. Meanwhile, most of Carter’s old friends have graduated college and moved on to adult lives he can no longer relate to. He’s stuck starting over again making new friends at school. Everyone seems to know about his condition, which is helpful because they don’t bombard him with questions, but also awkward because it makes him a subject of pity.

Maggie Spear, Carter’s girlfriend until he turned 16 again from the latest loop, is trying to move on with her life. Carter completely forgot who she was and their six-month relationship, which is heartbreaking. But she’s also keeping secrets from him, and that creates a lot of tension between them.

As the story unfolds, Carter discovers that several people believe they might be responsible for his condition. He starts trying to make amends and take accountability for the people he’s hurt, but nothing seems to change his circumstances. Still, it was refreshing to see him finally take control of his life, become less self-centered, and try to help others.

That said, I had a few issues with the book that made me deduct 1.5 stars (I rounded up to 4). The amount of swearing was distracting, the physical age-reversal aspect of Carter’s condition didn’t quite make sense to me, and the ending felt too abrupt.

Overall, it was a fun story with a solid coming-of-age theme. I’d recommend it to teens who enjoy a modern take on time-disruption stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

[TotallyTae23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley & HarperCollins for the ARC!!!

I love the time loop trope, a true classic and I throughly enjoyed this spin on it!
I liked the writing style a lot, and found the story surprisingly realistic! It was the perfect balance of all the emotions and I grew really attached to Carter and Maggie. I thought the characters were definitely a strong point in this story.
Unfortunately I can’t say much more without spoilers, but I highly recommend giving 16 forever a go!!

[Brandi Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.

Carter wakes up every year on his would-be 17th birthday thinking he's 16 again. The issue is that everyone else's lives have moved on without him. Even his body de-ages. Stuck in the loop, Carter must navigate starting over while everyone else tries to help him adjust.

Legally 22 years old, Carter has some growing pains during his recent loop while drawn to a mysterious girl he thinks he might know. Meanwhile, Maggie, Carter's girlfriend from the past year tries to avoid him to avoid more heartache. Can they stay away from each other, or are they both in for more heartache?

This novel is well written and provides an interesting take on a time loop full of deja vu. I enjoyed the story, but I struggled to follow the medical aspects of Carter's condition in an otherwise realistic depiction of daily events in his life.

[Adrianne Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for this ARC 

All opinions are my own.



16 forever is about Carter, who's stuck in a time loop. The night before his 17th birthday, time rewinds, and he wakes up 16 again. He has been living like this for years only he doesn't remember, but his family and friends do. The author navigates this in such a fun way. I found Carter to be realistic for the most part and just a fun character. I enjoyed his and Maggie's storyline as well as seeing how it affected others through the multiple pov's. 16 forever is a good balance of fun, sad, and real life moments. The pace of the book was perfect, as well as the dialog. I would definitely recommend this book. 

[Nicole Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“16 Forever” by Lance Rubin puts a fresh spin on the familiar time-loop trope by trapping its main character not in a single day, but in an entire year. Each time Carter Cohen reaches what should be his seventeenth birthday, time resets for him. He wakes up sixteen again with his memory wiped, his body de-aged while the rest of the world continues moving forward. By the time the story begins, Carter is legally twenty-two, even though he’s physically stuck in the middle of sophomore year.

The emotional weight of the premise quickly becomes clear. Carter’s younger brother, once a kid trailing behind him, is now in college. His old friends have graduated and moved on to adult lives Carter can’t share. The entire school knows about his condition and treats it with a mix of understanding and pity, leaving Carter constantly restarting his life while everyone else grows up around him.

At the heart of the story is Carter’s relationship with Maggie Spear. Maggie was his girlfriend during the previous loop and they had a relationship Carter has completely forgotten. Knowing how painful it is to fall in love only to be erased from his memory, Maggie tries to keep her distance. But Carter feels an undeniable pull toward her, and despite her resistance, the two begin falling in love all over again. Told through dual points of view, the story captures both sides of this heartbreak: Carter’s confusion and longing, and Maggie’s grief at loving someone who will inevitably forget her.

Rubin leans heavily into coming-of-age themes, exploring identity, responsibility, regret, and what it means to grow up when time refuses to let you. Carter’s early loops show him as immature and self-centered, but as the story progresses, he begins to take accountability for his actions and actively tries to help the people around him even when it won’t save him. The family dynamics are a standout element, showing how deeply Carter’s condition affects not just him, but his parents and brother as well. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking this condition is for Carter as well as his family with them aging while Carter doesn’t.

The plot itself is a slow burn, spending much of its time on character relationships and emotional buildup rather than plot twists. The pacing was a bit uneven at times, and the medical explanations behind Carter’s condition can be confusing; I wanted more development of that aspect of the story. However, the final stretch delivers a stronger emotional payoff, even if it leaves some questions unanswered.

Overall, “16 Forever” is a bittersweet YA romance with a clever premise and a strong emotional core. It’s a story about loving someone when nothing is guaranteed, about growing up even when time stands still, and about the ache of being left behind.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up out of pure audiobook desperation—and once again proved I should stop judging books by my last remaining library hold.

This one completely caught me off guard. I needed something, nothing else looked remotely appealing, and this was the option left standing. Turns out, it was more than worth my time. I was pulled in quickly and ended up far more emotionally invested than I ever expected to be.

What starts as a seemingly straightforward premise quietly slides into magical realism. Carter Cohen remembers nothing after his 16th birthday. He wakes up on what should be his 17th… except it feels exactly like turning sixteen again. And again. And again. For the sixth time. While the rest of the world moves forward, his body actually ages backward during that missing year. He’s stuck at sixteen in both mind and body, watching life progress without him—which is exactly as unsettling as it sounds.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lance Rubin, Katie Schorr, and Dustin Rubin, and all three were excellent. The performances felt age-appropriate, emotionally grounded, and never distracting (a surprisingly rare trifecta). Their narration added real weight to the story and kept me locked in.

What really sold this for me was the emotional depth hiding beneath the premise. Carter’s frustration, grief, and growing desperation as he tries to piece together a life he can’t remember—and find a way to finally move forward—hit harder than expected. And yes, this is also a romance. A complicated one. A tender one. And one that somehow avoids being cheesy while still being heartfelt, which feels like a minor miracle.

There are a lot of layers at play, but at its core this is a coming-of-age story about identity, time, love, and what it actually means to grow up when growing up isn’t guaranteed.

Sometimes the book you grab out of sheer necessity ends up being the one you can’t stop thinking about—and this one absolutely earned that spot.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harper Audio- Children’s via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[Leah Stuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

16 Forever is a sweet coming of age YA romance. Told in dual POV, it tells the story of Carter and Maggie and their complicated relationship. Complicated because when Carter wakes up on what is supposed to be his 17th birthday, he is actually 16. Again. For the sixth time, in fact. Every time he is supposed to turn 17, Carter loops back a year. His memory gets erased and his body ages backwards, while the rest of the world moves on.

Carters girlfriend, Maggie, has been dreading his birthday since the day they started dating. When she sees him at school on his birthday and he doesn't know who she is, she realizes their relationship is over, but she can't bring herself to start all over again and hope he falls in love with her again. It's too painful. So she resolves to stay away from him and pretend they never dated. However, Carter feels a pull towards Maggie and keeps finding himself wanting to be around her. Even though Maggie tells him they can't be together, the two of them find themselves falling in love all over again. But what will happen when Carter's birthday rolls around yet again? Are they doomed to start over year after year or will Carter finally be able to move past 16?

I really enjoyed 16 Forever. Lance Rubin has not only created a unique love story, but he has given the reader true-to life-flawed characters who just want what's best for each other. The family dynamics between Carter and his parents and brother play a large roll in this book. Not only do we see how Carter's loop affects him, but we see how it also affects his family. The same is true with Maggie. By giving us her POV, Rubin enables the reader to see both sides of the story; what it's like for Carter being stuck at 16 and what it's like for those who have to watch him loop year after year.

The emotions and words are honest, raw, and genuine. We see the reality of what happens when we keep secrets from those we love because we want to protect them. We see what it's like to struggle and not know how to fix our situation. Themes of grief, regret, relationships, and love can be found throughout this story.

Lastly, it is pure delight watching Carter and Maggie fall in love all over again. Theirs is a love story for the ages.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

16 Forever was an interesting and thoughtful YA read, and while I did enjoy it, I think this is a story I would have loved even more if I’d read it when I was younger. At its core, this is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a speculative time-loop premise, and it explores first love, growing up, and the ache of being out of sync with the world around you in a way that feels very true to the teenage experience.

I found myself rooting hard for both Carter and Maggie. Watching their relationship unfold—again and again—was bittersweet, and my heart broke for each of them at different points. The multi-POV worked well here, giving insight into how differently they process the same impossible situation. I did wish there had been a little more romance on the page, but the emotional connection and longing between them were still very present, making their story feel tender and genuine.

The magical realism and speculative elements were handled in a way that kept the focus on the characters rather than the mechanics, which suited the story well. The time loop adds an emotional weight that really highlights the uncertainty, frustration, and hope that come with growing up and falling in love for the first time. While the book discusses the idea of intimacy in an age-appropriate way, there is no on-page spice, keeping it firmly in YA territory.

Overall, 16 Forever is a reflective, heartfelt read that leans more into emotion and character growth than big twists. It left me feeling nostalgic, a little sad, and hopeful all at once.

Thank you to Lance Rubin and the Harper Collins Children's Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review this thoughtful story.

[Aaron Holsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that quietly gets under your skin — and then stays there.
It ended up being one of my favorite reads in a very long time.

Carter Cohen is trapped at 16 years old. Every year, just as he’s about to turn 17, time resets for him: his memory is wiped, his body rewinds, and the world continues on without him. Each loop leaves him more isolated, while everyone else grows older.

Maggie, his girlfriend from a previous loop, is devastated that Carter no longer remembers her — and determined not to repeat that heartbreak, even as their connection resurfaces. Carter, meanwhile, is forced to confront what it means to live without a future while desperately searching for a way out.

The novel alternates between Carter’s and Maggie’s perspectives, with a few chapters from Carter’s older brother, Lincoln. This structure works beautifully, deepening the emotional stakes and showing the ripple effects of Carter’s condition. (The audiobook narration — by author Lance Rubin, his wife Katie, and his brother Dustin — is excellent.)

I was fully invested in Carter and Maggie. I cared deeply about what happened to them, and I found myself unexpectedly emotional at several points. The book captures, with real honesty, the pain of being left behind and the fragile beauty of living in the present.

Despite its dark premise, the novel is filled with humor, warmth, and sharp dialogue. The pacing is excellent, the reveals are perfectly timed, and the relationships — romantic, familial, and platonic — feel authentic and lived-in.

Highly recommended.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

16 FOREVER by Lance Rubin (Jan 6, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the earc

Each year on Carter Cohen's 17th birthday, he fails to turn 17. Instead, it's like time reverts back to when he was 16...for him anyways, and he turns 16 again. He's unable to remember being 16, but Maggie Spear remembers. She doesn't want to be with someone who doesn't remember her, but when Carter senses there's more to their story, they find themselves falling in love again.
16 FOREVER is a YA contemporary novel with a unique premise. From page one, the reader is taken on a journey. Ultimately, this book does fall flat---at least until the 70% mark, when everything really goes down. To be clear, I did struggle to make it to 70%, because I struggled getting to the 30% mark.  Honestly, I didn't like this author's writing. It felt juvenile to me. It was cringy and it was just hard to see past that. This put me in a slump. It felt like a chore to continue on. I didn't care for the characters---especially Carter and Maggie. They were annoying, petty, and kind of rude. The only reason I powered through, after taking about two weeks of from reading this, was my want to see the ending. This surprises even me, but I thought the ending was just enough. Yes, 16 FOREVER could have benefited from an epilogue, but it is what it is. I do think 16 FOREVER will have its audience, but it wasn't for me...which sucks because I wanted to love this one way more than I did.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I have received a free copy of this book, and it will not affect my thoughts or feelings towards it.*

16 Forever by Lance Rubin is the perfect YA novel of coming to terms with growing up and learning to own up to our own mistakes. I was beyond excited to start reading this novel after hearing how it was basically Groundhog Day but for a year, and see how that would affect the lives of everyone around our MC, Carter. I thought Carter and Maggie were both lovely characters to follow and watch grow, experiencing the pain of only one of them knowing why everything fell apart, and the other who won't stop pushing for the answers. I always felt like I was cheering these two on their journey to find each other and themselves again. The pacing of the novel was great and never left a dull moment, and always had great beats for the explosive fun moments and the slow, thoughtful ones. I thought the ensemble of characters helped create this believable world of people accepting and learning how to move on with Carter's circumstance and highlight the pain it can bring to people when others can't grow up.

Overall, the novel was 5/5 star read for me as it delivered a quick and thoughtful perspective on the fears of never growing old and the real purpose of growing older. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick YA romance with a fun twist on the idea of growing up.

[Rachel Auer · Rating 4 out of 5]

DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS.

Firstly, I love the cover art. It's so satisfying to look at.

I really loved this book in ways I didn't expect. It was such an interesting concept. Kinda of a reverse Groundhog Day where everyone else knows Carter is going back to 16 but they all age around him. He gets left behind by his little brother when he suddenly becomes older than him, he forgets everyone he's met after his 17th birthday, has to make new friends, etc.

It really felt like a representation of mental disability or traumatic brain injuries that can occur that make people perpetually a certain age or not age at the standard rate. People were coddling him, treating him like he was younger than he was, stepping on eggshells around him so as not to upset or disrupt his new "norm."

Now, I really wanted it to end with him waking up on his birthday and it being his 16th birthday again. That would have fully confirmed my theory that it was a representation of disability in some way. But I also got all the feels when he did wake up and turned 17. Although, I will say, I was shocked everyone just assumed after 6 years of being 16 that if the curse broke, he would just turn 17 and not go back to the age he would have been had he not relived all these past years. Regardless, it was a great book along the way.

*I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.*

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carter Cohen is reliving his 6th year of being 16 years old. The morning of his 17th birthday, he goes back to the morning of being 16 a year earlier. He has no memories of that year so he is constantly starting over, redoing school, and making new friends. While he stays 16 years old, the world around him continues on. Everyone knows about his "condition" and can't seem to fix it until Maggie Spears comes along. Maggie is determined she knows how to solve his condition, but on his 6th time turning 17 he ends up back at the start. Will Carter be able to break this curse and live to see his 17th birthday?

First, this book was extremely refreshing from the recent storylines I have read lately. I am such a sucker for a time loop storyline. This book is YA (young adult) but it gives off those innocent, giddy feelings of being a teenager again. Lance Rubin really hits it on the head with those teenage feels, the giddiness of first loves, and the devastation of a first heartbreak. I found myself laughing out loud throughout this book.

I will not be able to recommend this book enough. Easily in my top books of the year!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio Children's for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Christina Penrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so unique. For starters, I have not read may books with the main character being the male in the story. I know that sounds odd but i just have not gravitated towards many books like that. Second, this book was a time loop kind of story except instead of the main character living the same day over and over and being aware, the main character lived a year and then on his 16th bday started that year over again. He also would forget the last year where everyone around him remembered what was happening to him. It kind of reminded me of 51st dates, in some aspects.

I loved listening to this book! The narrators were really good. I did at some points get annoyed with the male acting childish, but then remembered this was about a 16 yo not an adult. While this is a YA book, I would consider it an upper YA with some of the language and alcohol use.

I really did enjoy this book! Interesting take on the time loop story.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

This was an interesting spin on a time loop story. Carter reverts back to his 16th birthday every year on what should be his 17th. He forgets everything that have happened in the past year, while his family and friends keep moving forward. He returns to the middle of sophomore year. His younger brother is now in college and the class he should be in has already finished college. We learn more about past loops from his brother and parents. He and his family are trying to figure out what started this and how to end it, including seeing all kinds of doctors. I liked how the whole school knew what was going on with him and helped support him each time he reverted back. For grades 9 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This plot really sucked me in with the first chapter, especially as more was revealed and you learned how truly complicated it is. Everyone knows about Carter's "condition" at this point and just live around it. The typical 16 year old activities and the Maggie's band were a nice little layer of storyline. It lost a few points to me with Maggie's sister being involved which made you really start to think about Carter's situation and it kinda felt creepy. I think both sets of siblings conflicts would have made more sense with some more flashbacks or maybe a prologue at the beginning, there was a lot to their lives we never saw and just had to take guesses about relationships.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartfelt, emotional, second chance stuck in a time loop YA love story featuring a Jewish teen boy, Carter Cohen who keeps repeating his 15th year every time he tries to wake up on his 16th birthday. Full of emotional depth, complex interpersonal family relationships, love triangles and a compelling love interest who remembers them falling in love when he doesn't. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon's See you yesterday. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy by this new to me author!

[kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars.

16 Forever is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. Rubin’s writing is extremely moving, and the characters are special. I read this book within a few days, and could not put it down. Each perspective was well-written, and made me root for every single character! I will recommend this book, as I believe this story is extraordinary. 16 Forever is one of my favorite books!!

[Sara]

After flood of memory still i lovey
at same age
at virty age
at any age
i still love
even if my moon want to be far
even if y cant bear my unturned book
i lovey
with y and any age and time
i love y
my blood time friez at same one
now my past ashed my time
still i love y
body grow time grow snow man move
still i love y

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and interesting story about a guy who gets trapped in his own personal time loop while everyone else ages. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh. Made me weep. A love story, a sibling story, and a growing up story that I couldn’t get enough of

[Lance Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book. I'm proud of it. I think you will enjoy it too. Happy 2026.

[Olivia Shulman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Starr ❇✌❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
*Review to come*

[Derbfam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept about a group of friends who stop aging at sixteen after a tragedy. The emotional parts hit well, especially themes of grief and feeling stuck, but the story drags at times. Some sections felt repetitive, and I wanted a bit more momentum. Overall, a thoughtful read, just not as strong as it could’ve been.

Thank you NetGalley

[Shannon Miz]

From the PW Rights Report:

"Every year, on what should be his 17th birthday, Carter somehow wakes up 16 again, remembering nothing from the past year. But when Carter meets Maggie, it becomes clear they once knew each other, maybe even loved each other. And Maggie may be Carter’s one shot at discovering the solution to his condition. The only problem? She wants nothing to do with him. Publication is set for summer 2025; Mollie Glick at CAA brokered the deal for world rights."