Forever Evergreen: A Small Town Friends to Lovers Romance

by E.M. Langston

When Jensen Fisher is left as the sole beneficiary of her grandparents' will, she finds herself spending the summer before college cleaning out their estate in California. As family secrets begin to emerge and her estranged mother shows up demanding her share of the inheritance, Jensen finds herself in need of an escape.

After unexpectedly reconnecting with friends from her past she quickly finds herself shucking responsibility and agreeing to spend part of her summer at their lake house in the small mountain town of Evergreen. Nicole, once her best friend, has no interest in reconnecting. Andrew, her first crush, might have a little too much interest in reconnecting. And Grayson, the boy she always overlooked, is impossible to overlook anymore.

As Grayson teaches Jensen how to embrace life, the adventurous side of herself begins to reemerge. In Evergreen she can be wild and carefree, but only for so long before reality begins to creep in. Her future is already planned out and this version of herself might not fit the mold.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2025

Reviews

[Jackie Sayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything I could have hoped for and more. I would be tearing up from sad moments or sweet moments, then be cracking up at the character dialogue and one liners. The setting of this book is so fun as someone who lives in the Bay Area and loves a good lake trip. The story is fast paced and I was always convincing myself to read one more chapter, even if it was way too late at night! Can’t wait to see what is next from this author!!

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redemption Arc

This book was third person POV which takes me longer to read but also the plot took so long to pick up. Included a lot of manipulation and a redemption arc.

[Brittany Truett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to get ready for an ARC read of Scorching Summit and boy did it not disappoint. This author reminds me of Abby Jimenez’s books (a good thing). While being a light romance book, there’s the underlying topics of real life drama and the not so pretty aspects of life. I enjoyed getting wrapped up in the Evergreen world and getting to know all of the characters. It made me extremely excited for Andrew’s story in the second installment.

[Haley Garin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small-town summer romance was such a fun read, while still being full of so many emotional layers! I really enjoyed reading this, and would suggest this for anyone who loves lakeside small town settings, childhood friends to lovers, and shocking secrets coming to light.

I felt like I related to Jensen a lot, especially being a swimmer myself! The sport is all-consuming and EXHAUSTING!! But I can totally relate to making it your whole life and getting caught up in it. Watching Jensen reconnect with her old self in Evergreen, and her old family friends was heart-warming. It made me happy that she was finding herself and figuring out what she truly wanted. I was so glad she escaped the cage that Eric, private school, and her chosen future trapped her in. It was great to see her get back in touch with the Reese’s and I found that Nicole not forgiving her right away was sad, but really realistic.

Her and Grayson’s romance felt a little too insta-love for me, but I’m a sucker for the “he’s been in love with her since childhood and finally gets to shoot his shot” trope so I ate it up!! It was entertaining reading about him trying to control himself when he learned she add a boyfriend😂! And then after she broke up with Eric, and their tension finally snapped they were electric!!

And that ending?!?! Are you kidding???! Her grandparents were the true villains the whole time! I would have never guessed that. I’m so glad things were uncovered, her mom’s name was cleared, and they were able to reconnect and hopefully build a relationship. I’m also so excited for Andrew’s book! I’m so curious about him and I feel like there were some good little nuggets about him slipped into this book.

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏊‍♀️🌲Book Review🌲🏊‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I am so glad that I read this one! I downloaded and read via KU since I got the approval to read book 2, and let me say this one was so good!

Let me say, Holy Plot twist Batman! 🤯
The way that everything went down in Jensen and Laurels life was so chaotically catastrophic that I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor!

A story of self discovery but also a crazy sub plot that is so insane that by the end of the book your mind will explode!

Jensen living her life and getting ready to start school at Stanford. I will say in the beginning I felt for Eric (Jansens BF) although they were definitely better as friends, he just wanted to keep her in a cage so he could show her off and not share in her own dreams and aspirations.

The moment Jensen starts to attempt to clean out her grandparents house she discovers a box full of cards and letters from the neighbor and her mom all addressed to her that she never got (since she was away at boarding school for 7years).
The moment she opens them and reads the letters to her from the woman who used to live next door, changes the entire trajectory of her life, in the BEST way possible!

that plot twist tho! Ugh my heart breaks for Laurel 🥺 (Jensens mom)…

Tropes:
🏊‍♀️She’s a PRO swimmer
🌲Summer at small lake town
🏊‍♀️Self Discovery
🌲Childhood friends to lovers
🏊‍♀️He has always loved her
🌲Family drama/trauma
🏊‍♀️FMC self discovery/reflection
🌲Small town romance
🏊‍♀️Mystery(ish) subplot

[Dawn Starkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Evergreen was everything I hoped for and more! This small-town summer romance delivered all the feels: family drama, laugh-out-loud one-liners, sweet emotional moments, and even a few scenes that had me tearing up. I devoured this book, constantly telling myself just one more chapter.

Set against the backdrop of a charming lakeside town, the story is both heartwarming and heartfelt. I especially loved the childhood friends-to-lovers element and the secrets that come to light—it kept things fresh and emotionally layered.

Watching Jensen grow into herself over the course of the novel was one of my favorite parts.

If you enjoy young adult romance with depth, heart, and a whole lot of charm, this one’s for you. I’m thrilled to know this is the start of a 4-book standalone series. I cannot wait to see what’s next from this author!

[Mallory Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Forever Evergreen by E.M. Langston is a beautifully written, emotionally cozy story full of heart, healing, and holiday charm. Set in a small town that feels like it was plucked straight out of a Hallmark movie, this book pulled me in with its comforting vibe and endearing characters.

The romance is sweet and slow-building, and the emotional arcs felt authentic without being too heavy. I really appreciated how Langston explored themes of grief, second chances, and finding your way back to yourself after loss. The writing had a gentle, lyrical quality that added to the story’s warmth.

If you love small towns, & heartfelt romance, Forever Evergreen is a lovely addition to your TBR. I’ll definitely be reading more from E.M. Langston!

[Alex Preedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book but I also really struggled with it just being really young main characters. I’m looking forward to Andrew’s book since he is a little older and can have a HEA that you’re not getting with Jensen and Grayson.
But I love their chemistry that was instant. I loved Jensons growth and that she finally decided to live her own life and not her grandparents expectations. Overall the book was so sweet and Graysons family was a huge highlight. And all of Evergreen really were a positive to this book.

[Jamie Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Evergreen was so good and gave me all the feels. 🥹 It’s a beautiful second chance story—not just for love, but for family too. I loved watching Jensen reconnect with her mom and seeing Grayson finally get a shot with his childhood crush. 💛 Sometimes all it takes is stepping away from everything you thought you knew to realize what (or who) your heart truly wants. This book was heartfelt, emotional, and sweet in all the right ways. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Scorching Summit! 🔥

[Taylor Suhr (Fontes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this a 3.5, the story was a cute friends to lovers with some real world situations. It was a little long at times, but the ending I was not expecting and was very pleasantly surprised! I read this because I was interested in the second book and wanted the background of this world. The main characters are a little young in the first one for what I usually like to read so since Andrew is older I’m looking forward to the sequel. If you’re looking for a quick summer read, it’s pretty good!

[StephanieMichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute coming of age story. I loved the friends to lovers and the mystery between the FMC and her relationship with her mother. The ending with her mother actually had me tearing up. I struggled a little bit with how young these characters were only because they seemed to be written older and some of it wasn't very believable for their age to me. With that being said, I liked that this story wasn't just about them getting a HEA and more about both growing up in general.

[Laura K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book in a day! A small town romance meets found family trope. Jensen comes back home to deal with her grandparents affairs and reunites with her found family - her childhood neighbors. Jensen also reunites with Grayson and their connection is instant. Jensen comes alive with every page turn. This story is a light and fun while navigating the different relationships that tie the characters together. I really enjoyed the redemption ARC at the end too.

Definitely recommend starting this series!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so so good!!! I DEVOURED this book in less than 12 hours (literally not an exaggeration) I loved the banter between Jensen and Andrew, their relationship was so wholesome to see. When she finally admitted she was in love with Grayson I was literally kicking my feet like a little girl. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and the author did a FANTASTIC job at creating a supportive, dynamic family unit. Forever Evergreen is a perfect small town summer romance!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to have read an ARC copy, thank you for sending my way! This book made me miss carefree summers.

This is a sweet romance, perfect for beach- (or lake!) side reading. Tons of character growth and a fun cast of characters!

[Krista Jardine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun coming of age romance is so much more than I expected! It creates all the emotions and has twists that are totally unexpected. I loved the character development and watching Jensen grow into herself through out the novel. I am very excited that this is a 4 book stand alone series!

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

loved the banter and the storyline of this book. it wasn't something I was expecting and I felt for all the characters. the growth that you see the characters going on throughout the book was amazing!!!

[Laura Linker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book.There are so many layers to it, and it’s so much more than just a beach read. I highly recommend it, and I’m really looking forward to the next book!

[Madison quinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, the way it takes Jenson back to her roots was a win for me.
I loveeeee books that make you find yourself again and that is exactly want E.M. did here!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

worth the read

This was a very cute story, fun supporting cast, creative premise. Had a happy ending. Would say this is worth the read.

[Dominique King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud, I cried, I gasped and felt every other emotion you can feel while reading a book. This book was so amazing and so easy to relate to! can't wait for the next book to come out!!!