Part of Forever

by Taylor Epperson

What would you do if your soulmate couldn’t be yours forever?

Rosie Dillon has lived and breathed ballet. While it’s her life’s passion, it also means always listening (and obeying) her mother.

Now, she’s eighteen, and her biggest audition is done. She finds out her cancer is back. She has 5 months left of senior year, so why not have the one other thing she’s always wanted?

She’s always been drawn to Tucker Bensen, her best friend’s cousin. He kissed her—once—almost a year ago, and though it’s silly, she’s been dreaming about it ever since.

With news that her childhood cancer is back, will Rosie finally be brave enough to let herself fall, or will she let her mom’s rules hold her back from the one thing—the one person—she’s meant to be with?

Part of Forever is a young adult contemporary novel. While at its core, it is a love story, I can't make any happily ever after promises.

246 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Taylor Epperson writes sweet romances that are sure to make you laugh and swoon!

Reviews

[Maddie Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid YA debut from Taylor Epperson. Rosie and Tucker’s story had many elements I love to see in a YA: friends, family, dreams, and uncertainty about the future. The author did a great job capturing Rosie’s innermost thoughts and reactions to every situation. The cabin scene was a favorite. Tucker’s background was fun and interesting, and the final chapter really sold this story for me.

Oh, and Lucy. She was such a lovely part of this story.

There was one line in this book, about glitter, that I read multiple times, because the foreshadowing was so excellent. I loved that it wasn’t explicitly called out. Bravo, Taylor!

My only critique: some of the relationship drama (even with friends/family) felt a bit forced. I felt the cancer alone was enough to put tension on the story without the extra miscommunication stuff.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Taylor!

[Kim Golding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this beautiful new YA book by Taylor Epperson! I knew going in that there might not be a “happily ever after” but read it and loved it anyway!

Rosie is a ballerina determined to make it to Paris to study after high school. Tucker is an aspiring country music star hoping to make it big in the music world. Rosie & Tucker have been friends for a while, but also have feelings for each other, despite Rosie’s mom’s disapproval. When Rosie’s routine cancer scan (after being in the clear for 9 years) shows a mass near her lungs, everything in her life is about to turn upside down.

Rosie was such a sweet girl. Her dedication to dance, her family, and her friends was amazing. Her relationship with Tucker was so sweet, and her brief friendship with Lucy was so poignant.

Favorite quotes:

“I think you’re going to be the death of me, or at the very least, break my heart into a million pieces.”  I stop walking and face him. “Or…we could just never break up and then we’ll be each other’s forever, and I won’t break your heart.”

“Sometimes a soulmate looks like a best friend, but sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to fall in love with your person, the one that lights you up and fills you up with this joy that you can’t even explain. They are the ones who understand you better than anyone else in the entire world. And you get to love them and be loved by them every single day.”

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

Taylor Epperson enters the world of YA romance. One of the main reasons I read contemporary romance is for the happy endings. I love seeing a story end on a high note. I am not opposed to a great love story with a happy ending that isn’t guaranteed. In Part of Forever, Taylor takes your heart, squeezes it, breaks it, puts it back together again, and then…well can’t give too much away.

This story was perfect and truly captures a coming of age romance that I was unable to put down.
Rosie and Tucker were wonderful characters. Their relationship starts out solid and I loved watching it grow as life hits them square between the eyes. Rosie dreams of being a ballerina who studies in Paris. Tucker has high aspirations of making it as a country singer. While they are best friends, they unknowingly have feelings for each other, but have never crossed that line from friends to more. Life gives them a major curve ball when a routine cancer scan shows that Rosie’s cancer has returned.

Rosie decides it’s time to take her life in her own hands, live it on her terms. She finally breaks the silence surrounding her feelings for Tucker and they fall into the relationship both have always wanted. This book put my emotions through the ringer, but Taylor wrote an amazing story. While Rosie and Tucker were the focus, the other relationships that Taylor puts into her book, round out the story perfectly.

Taylor truly outdid herself with this book, the storyline, and the character development. The level of raw emotion spread throughout this novel allows the reader to become fully immersed. Taylor gives us the romance side we all love, while throwing in a reminder about real life happenings and to not squander any opportunity. A beautiful story, hands down, that I hope you take a chance on.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🩰Soulmates
🎸Friends to More
🩰Dream or Bust
🎸Coming of Age Romance
🩰YA Romance

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit different from my typical reads- for two primary reasons: it's YA and while it IS a love story, it is NOT a romance (no happily ever after guaranteed-- think along the lines of Nicholas Sparks). I love my happily ever afters and don't tend to read a lot of YA, so I was a little unsure about this one... but I've loved all of Taylor's previous books that I've read so I cautiously decided to give this one a shot...and I'm glad that I did. This was such a beautiful story. Did it make me cry? Absolutely! (Seriously, keep the tissues ready!) Did I still wish for that happily ever after? Yes, that's the romance reader in me. But it was still a beautifully written story. While I may not be the target audience now, I did still enjoy it. More importantly though, this absolutely reminded me of the types of books I was reading and loving when I WAS a teenager- books like A Walk to Remember and everything by Lurlene McDaniel. It was emotional and hard... but it was also very real.

Part of Forever is a closed-door YA love story, with kisses only. It does have some minor language and mentions of sex, in a way that still felt appropriate to the intended audience. While the characters themselves were eighteen years old (seniors in high school), I think this would still be appropriate for most teens 16+, and maybe slightly younger, depending on the individual.


**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... just wow, when I read the blurb for this, I was on the fence mainly because I love a HEA but I also love Taylor's writing. I'm so glad I picked this up, it was ABSOLUTELY beautiful!! I can't remember the last book I read that made me cry so much, soooo much emotion and so well written, I felt like I was in this journey with Rosie all the way. It's told from the POV of Rosie, her journal entries and letters - it's the letters that got me the most. I can safely say this book will stick with me for a while, whilst it is fiction, it does depict the reality of life and that was the hardest part to take from this book. Primarily Rosie's love story with Tucker, but also the love for her family and friends - there's a whole lot of love in this book. Read in one sitting because I could not put this down, despite the ugly crying. Thank you Taylor for writing this epic story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[Brittany Rolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved A Walk to Remember, you'll love this book too. This was a really good YA debut for Taylor! I've read a few of her other books and they never cease to make me smile. This one though...it made me smile but also cry. A lot. Yet, I still really enjoyed it.

This story is a romance, but NOT a love story. And there is no guarantee of a happy ending. But what I can tell you is that this book will take you on a journey. A journey of finding love, trusting yourself and trusting others. Opening yourself up to new experiences, even if they are scary. Trusting that even if life doesn't turn out like you'd hoped, it'll still be okay.

My favorite part of this book may have been Lucy. She was so optimistic, despite what she was going through. She was so insightful, and I felt she was exactly what Rosie needed in a friend. She reminded Rosie what was really important.

This isn't my typical read, but I am really glad I read it. Thank you Taylor for the chance to read an early copy of it. ❤️

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean romance about young love. Trigger warning, it does deal with subjects of cancer and death.

Rosie has been trying out for parts as a ballerina. She works very hard to be the best and is trying to get into the Paris Institution. Her mother is very strict that her focus needs to be on everything for her ballerina career. She doesn’t want Rosie to give it up until way later in life as she didn’t have the chance as a family came along. Rosie ends up meeting Tucker through her best friend and becomes friends with him. He’s very supportive of her career as he is trying to get into singing and songwriting without his estranged father’s help.

This was a good book with great characters. This isn’t a fluffy type romance. It is a love story. But, it also deals with a cancer diagnosis, death, religious themes. It’s a grab you by the heart book, so have some tissues ready.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Courtney Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of Forever follows Rosie Dillon, a passionate ballet dancer facing the return of her childhood cancer. With only months left of senior year, she must decide whether to finally take a chance on love—with Tucker Bensen, her best friend’s cousin, who has captured her heart since their first kiss—or obey the rules she’s lived by her whole life.

This story is emotional, tender, and bittersweet. While it’s a love story at its core, it doesn’t promise a traditional happily ever after. It reminded me of the YA classics I loved as a teen—like A Walk to Remember and books by Lurlene McDaniel—balancing heartbreak, hope, and real-life struggles in a way that stays with you.

Closed-door romance with kisses only, minor language, and appropriate themes for older teens (16+). Even if the love story didn’t fully connect for me, the honesty and emotional weight of Rosie’s journey made this a poignant read.

ARC received for consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling story that will make you cry. Whether it was a heartwarming or heartbreaking moment. Seriously I was balling my eyes out at certain parts. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions in a good way. It’s a love story, however there isn’t a HEA. This book has similar vibes as a Walk to Remember. Read the trigger warnings in the beginning of the book, this book covers sensitive subjects such as cancer. I could relate to Rosie’s family and understood how they felt with my own experiences as a caregiver to a loved one with cancer. Taylor wrote and handled these topics well. This is a closed door YA novel that I think is suitable for the ages 16 or older due to language and other topics mentioned.

I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.

[Kristiann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie and Tucker’s love story is heartbreakingly beautiful. I loved seeing both of them learn and grow as they navigated everything. They reminded me that it is a privilege to love and be loved, not just romantically but platonically as well.

The side characters were essential to this story and I enjoyed getting to know Rosie and Tucker’s family and friends because it really framed in the picture of their love.

Go read this book if you like:

🩰 A dancer FMC
🎸 A musician MMC
😘 On page kisses
📝 Letters and journal entries
🎶 Sending songs to express feelings
😜 A fun cast of side characters

I promise that it’s worth the tears but also please read CW/TW before reading. 💜

[Leah Tregier · Rating 5 out of 5]

My face is wet with tears, and that is no lie. I was blessed with an ARC copy of this book and gosh I didn’t know what I was in for. It’s rare you read a romance that doesn’t promise a happy ending, but this was phenomenally done, so much so my heart all at once filled with butterflies, and simultaneously broken on the floor. I appreciated the closed-door elements, keeping this a very clean book, fully focused on the emotional elements. I wanted Tucker & Rosie to be forever, but sometimes you only get to be ‘Part of Forever’

“Save a dance for me” 😭😭😭😭

[Debbie Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosie navigates her cancer, ballet career, overbearing mom, a new friendship with a terminally ill girl, a new boyfriend, and secrets because she doesn’t want to be the “sick girl” again. It’s been a few years since I was 18 and a senior in high school, but the emotions and worries Rosie feels about Tucker, her best friend Grace, her brother Nathan, her mom, are pretty much how I remember it.

3 stars means I thought it was a good book and I enjoyed it. If you like clean, YA romance accompanied by a good cry, then this is a good choice and I highly recommend.

[Kelli M. Stowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie and Tucker’s story perfectly captures the complexity of being a teenager in love, while also weaving a beautiful tale of love and loss. It is a captivating story that had me reminiscing on my own teenage dreams and the many bumpy roads I had to take to get to where I am now. It had me laughing, daydreaming, and sobbing as I related their story to my own in so many ways.

As the author note says, this is a love story but an HEA is not guaranteed. I went into the story knowing it would break my heart, but I didn’t know that it would also put it back together.

[Cie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please make sure to read the trigger warnings before starting this book, as it addresses some sensitive topics and issues.

I don’t read a lot of YAs, but this one is very nice, with lovable characters, and so emotional. You get all the possible highs and lows and probably a good cry as well.

With thanks to the author for this ARC.

[Wendy Droke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. But, I also loved Walk to Remember and Fault In Our Stars. If you did not love those books, this is not the book for you. If you want something light and fluffy, find a different book by this author. If you want a YA book that will make you think about life and death and probably clear your tear ducts, find a box of tissues and cuddle up for a good read.

[Amanda Davids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet YA romance, but warning, it does not have a HEA!! It is still a great ending and a beautifully told story about life and young love. Reminded me of the Lurlene McDaniels books I loved back in middle school!