I Would Stay Forever

Parkhurst Prep #2

by Clara Nielsen

Dean Graham has always been a little too smug, a little too charming, and always just a little too close.

He’s my brother’s best friend. The guy who never missed a chance to get under my skin. He never meant anything to me.

Until suddenly, he did.

On the worst night of my life, Dean was the one who held me up. Now, he’s showing up in ways I never expected, and seeing through the smile I use to keep everyone out.

But falling for Dean is out of the question. I already know how love ends, and I refuse to let it ruin me the way it ruined my family. It’s easier to protect myself this way—because I’ve already made up my mind to leave this place, and everyone in it, the moment I graduate from high school.

Now, I don’t know what scares me the idea of staying… or what it would mean to leave him behind.

I Would Stay Forever is a sweet & wholesome slow-burn young adult romance. Get your copy today!

Genres: Sports Romance, Young Adult

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2025

About the author

Clara Nielsen writes sweet & swoony YA romances set in high school, all about shy girls and the boys who are head-over-heels for them. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll probably find her out on the lake, putting together the perfect playlist, or sipping on a chai latte while daydreaming about her next story.

Reviews

[ProseAndPetals · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Secret-something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.”

The plot was basic and foreseeable. The characters were alright. The bit of this story was the literal best part. He was sweet, kind, cute, funny, and athletic. Dean had his passcode his jersey number and Lavender’s number. He constantly checked on her after her parents divorce. He paid for her food. Treated her so nicely. 🙂

The family members were just sad. So many secrets. The family situations of divorce, cheating, and distant relationships are sadly really common now, but I wish it wasn’t in this book or irl. The writing was pretty good, a few typos though.

Thank you BookSirens for the arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tw: broken wrist, heavy topic of divorce, cheating, panic attacks
Language: minimal
Spice: none
POV: first, female
Enjoyment 🏈🏈

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-wrenching read

The landline of emotions a family goes through when a parent cheats is the premise for this heartfelt story of four siblings navigating their new reality.

Lavender is heartbroken to find her dad in the arms of another woman as her brother’s best friend yells at him to confess what he’s done. She’s always liked Dean but as they spend more time together she starts to see him in a new way. He’s the only one Lavender feels like she can talk to and when he admits to caring about her, she must decide whether to take a chance on romance or run away and protect her fragile heart.

I enjoyed the interactions within the siblings and the sweet heat between Dean and Lavender. Now, I need to go and pick up Sebastian’s story!

[Tori{LovesReadingRomance}(STARDUST IS OUT!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot more then I liked the first one, but I did love knowing the timing of the things that were happening in the first book, and that helped me to know what part of Nora and Sebastian’s relationship we were at even though it’s Dean and Lavender’s book

Can’t wait for the third book!

[addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. It gave off a little bit of wattpad vibes but overall I believe this book is a very good YA romance book. It is not too immature where the characters are unrealistic, but it’s also a clean and cute romance that I think would be enjoyed by all ages. I am so thankful I received this arc, (thank you booksirens) I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely check out the authors other work.

[Jen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute YA story with a HEA. A brothers best friend with tons of angst and moments of yearning. The friendship group is precious and I really enjoyed it.

[Camille Blais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loooooved Lavender and Dean. I almost felt like I would have needed their story before Nora’s and Sebastian, but regardless it was amazing. It made me sad, then happy, then warm and fuzzy. Clara always knows how to write a great love story.

[Calypso✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨I Would Stay Forever is the kind of brother’s-best-friend romance that sneaks up on you.

💕This book gave me everything I love in a brother’s-best-friend romance—banter, tension, and that slow shift from annoyance to something much deeper. 🫠Dean was the perfect mix of charming and protective, and I loved how he kept showing up when it mattered most. 🔥The chemistry between him and the main character felt natural and tender, especially as their walls started to come down.

🫶🏽I loved how he saw through her defenses and kept showing up for her, even when she tried to push him away. 🤭Their romance felt slow-burn and real, with just the right mix of angst and sweetness. I felt for Lavender and the struggles she went through with herself and family. I’m glad she had Dean to rely on.❤️‍🩹

🥹The emotional side of the story really surprised me. It’s not just about first love, but also about grief, family struggles, and the fear of leaving everything behind. 🩵While I did find a few moments predictable, the writing pulled me in and the ending left me with that bittersweet, hopeful feeling that sticks. Definitely a great pick if you love heartfelt, angsty YA romance.🙌🏽

Thank you to the Author Clara Nielsen for the opportunity to read this ARC!💙

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would stay forever

Oh wat een verhaal! Dit is het tweede deel van een serie en ik ben enorm fan van Clara Nielsen. Ik mocht hiervoor ook een serie van haar lezen en deel 1 van deze serie en ik kan blijven lezen. Dit zijn non spicy verhalen met een echt goed verhaal. Overal is over nagedacht en er worden heftige onderwerpen beschreven. Maar die zijn zo goed verwoord en de scène zijn zo mooi dat het hele verhaal voelde als een levensles en prachtig verhaal in een.

Het boek is rustig opgebouwd dus je kan er langzaam inkomen. Er zitten overlappen in vanuit boek 1 wat super leuk was om nog eens te lezen. De schrijfstijl was perfect voor dit verhaal het las heerlijk weg. De personages zijn zo lief voor elkaar en voor andere. Ze willen niemand pijn doen, maar hebben zelf ook best veel aan hun hoofd. Je zoet dat ze daarom door het boek heen dichter naar elkaar toe groeien en een band opbouwen, ondanks dat Lavender dat niet wilt. Een geweldig boek dus zeker een aanrader om op je tbr te zetten!
Oh, what a story! This is the second book in a series, and I'm a huge fan of Clara Nielsen. I was also allowed to read a series by her before this one, and book 1 of this series, and I could keep reading. These are non-spicy stories with a really good story. Everything has been carefully considered, and the heavy topics are described. But they are so well-written, and the scenes are so beautiful, that the whole story felt like a life lesson and a beautiful story all in one.

The book has a slow pace, so you can get into it slowly. There are overlaps from book 1, which was super fun to reread. The writing style was perfect for this story; it was a joy to read. The characters are so kind to each other and to others. They don't want to hurt anyone, but they have a lot on their minds themselves. You're glad that they grow closer throughout the book and build a bond, even though Lavender doesn't want that. A fantastic book, so definitely recommended for your TBR!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsseptember #boekstagram #bookblogger #lekkerlezen #leesmaand #boekenmaand #boekentips #boekenplank #feelgood  #readingisgoodforthesoul #booklover #booksbooksbooks #boekenwurm #spreadthebooklove #sharethebooklove

[Linda Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Would Stay Forever is the second book in the Parkhurst Prep duology. It runs parallel to the first book—You Belong With Me—and either can be read first.

What captured me was the effect parents have on the lives of children and teenagers, and how it affects their ability to find love.

Lavender covers for Dean, taking the blame for disclosing a family secret that devastates the family. Her reaction to the family’s troubles is an irrational desire to escape her house and eventually run away from the town. Yet, her brother’s best friend Dean grounds her when she is out of control.

Dean’s parents demand excellence in football, so he trains obsessively. And he wants nothing more than to be Lavender’s friend and more.

Lavender’s fear of ending up like her parents conflicts with her growing attraction to Dean. He doesn’t want to ruin his friendship with her brother over Lavender or his secret.

This slow-burn romance pulls at the reader’s heartstrings on every page. The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader’s interest without rushing the storyline. The dialog is fitting for these teens in this setting.

This author, as in her other YA teen novel series, has given us characters that are easy to empathize with. These are teens struggling against self-doubts and family expectations, and they are anything but cookie-cutter characters.

I highly recommend reading both books in this sweet, wholesome series.

[Daphné S-Vieira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in this story more than I enjoyed the plot, I think. It felt very repetitive and like we kept running around in circles. I feel like this book could have been edited down by a few dozens of pages. I was also a bit annoyed by the back and forth between British and Canadian/American wording soccer/football mostly which then didn't translate into how it was written (honor instead of honour for example). There were still quite a few typos in the eARC, but that's totally fixable before publishing with a good copy editor.

Here's what the book did well though: have a great cast of characters with interesting dynamics. The main couple was very sweet and had fun banter. Their scenes were always great to read! Dean is an excellent book boyfriend! The family scenes were heartwarming, especially the relationship between Lavender and Sebastian. The friendship scenes were mostly fun if a little juvenile at times (they're seniors in high school so I'll give them a pass).

I do feel like I needed to read Sebastian's book to fully understand whatever was going on with Tiffany and Nora, but this book can still totally be read as a (interconnected) standalone. Actually, I think reading this installment made me want to go read You Belong With Me because I have a feeling having a better sense of that story will help me appreciate this one more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Raven Bork · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Would Stay Forever captured my heart in the sweetest, most understated way. What looked like a typical summer romance quickly became something deeper, more meaningful, and truly emotional. Lavender’s voice feels authentic and relatable—her shy observations, her guarded heart, and the way she processes life made her easy to connect with from page one.

The romance with Dean is slow, gentle, and so sincere. There’s no over-the-top drama, just two people learning to trust, to hope, and to let themselves be seen. I loved how their connection grows through small, honest moments rather than sparks and fireworks. It felt real.

What surprised me most was the emotional depth beyond the romance. The way the story explores family dynamics, frustration, and healing gave the book real weight. It made me care about more than just the love story—I cared about Lavender’s whole world.

The pacing is calm and steady, the writing is tender, and the relationship is wholesome without being boring. If you’re looking for a YA romance that’s heartfelt and grounded with characters you genuinely root for, this one’s definitely worth your time.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Clara. I love the nostalgia that her books bring me . The carefree and less complicated life. This one was a little bit harder than some of her other books. This is a brothers best friend trope which I know is a favorite of the book community. This one made me hurt for lavender . In this book we go through how a divorce affects the children in the family and how everyone can react differently to a situation. It was not an amicable divorce. It was due to cheating and the effects it had on the kids in the family. This book centers on lavender . I like that her characters are mature enough but still naive about the world. I loved how much dean loved her and had for a long time.

““Why did you come?” I asked softly. “I wasn’t at your game and you still came after me without waiting. Shouldn’t you be mad at me?” He laughed softly. “I will come every single time you call me, Lavender. Every single time.”  “Why?” I ask, my voice shaking, cracked, broken. “Because I love you.”

[Alina Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the start, this book intrigued me. The writing flows in a way that makes it easy to slip into the story, but there’s always this sense that something deeper is waiting under the surface.

What I loved most were the relationships — they felt real, with friendships and family ties that actually carried weight. The mix of warmth, conflict, and care between the characters kept me invested the whole way through.

Overall, I really liked this book. Sometimes the style reminded me a little of Wattpad — not always polished, but in a way that made the story feel raw and personal. That energy suited the characters and made their world feel alive.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a familiar brother’s-best-friend trope and turned it into something deeply emotional and heartfelt. Dean Graham’s charm hides a quiet steadiness that made his character impossible not to love, and the slow-burn romance felt natural and earned. The story beautifully explores grief, family scars, and the fear of choosing love when leaving feels safer. Tender, angsty, and lingering—this one stayed with me long after I finished.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would stay forever is an easy read that is not at all spicy in my opinion. This is my first book from this author but I find myself looking forward for more from them. I love the banter between Dean and Lavender in the beginning. It's a captivating book but then again I have always loved a brother's best friend romance. Love the friend group dynamics, the silent Starburst made me think of my best friend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Camden Louthan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I actually really liked this one, I liked it even more than the first one. It’s very YA so low on the spice but super sweet. I will say I feel like Dean was more of a background character than a main character but I think that sometimes happens when it’s not dual POV. I really liked Lavender and her grief journey and honestly foooook their dad.

[books_by_bugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc back in September, so here is my review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one was SO much better than the first one. The characters felt more real, and less immature. They were literally so layered and the slow burn is so AHHHH!!!!
It doesn’t top my fav book by Clara, through the dark, but it’s defiently in my top 2!
the angst in this was amazing as well :)

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sweet ya romance, was shipping them since the first book ❤️. I know in real life unlikable people get happy endings, but i would really like if the author gives the father an unhappy life in future books about the other two sisters 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Yasmine Boumeftah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Would Stay Forever completely pulled me in. Dean and Lavender feel so real, you laugh with them, worry with them, and honestly, you just want everything to work out for them. Clara Nielsen writes those little moments that hit right in the heart, and the mix of humor and emotion is just perfect.

[Scarlett Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

so so cute!!! i loved nora and sebastian’s book and was so excited to read this one! loved seeing lavenders pov and how she dealt with everything going on. also loved dean such a sweetheart 🫶🏼 thank for the arc!

[Kira Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The last 80-60 pages were the best part. Lavender’s anxiety it relatable to a point that I started spiraling. I loved Dean sm, he lowkey reminded be of Wes(bttm) in his confession. I rlly like the characters it was just the plot that took this down in stars.

[Tamzin Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. It was so entertaining and kept me glued the whole time. I loved the different perspectives of the story it gave but how they all ran on the same time line. It has the perfect mash of characters and the classic storylines!

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, clean, slow burn romance with everything desirable in this kind of story! Love had Dean was always there for her! Loved it!!

[Adeena Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this so baddddd!!!! I genuinely don't care just get me a man like him. He's so sweet.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story!

Loved the dynamic between Dean and Lavender! The way he brought her comfort was so sweet! She really shaped into a strong character.

[Zoe Gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book more than Nora’s book. I feel like Lavenders character had more depth and story than Nora’s. And Lavenders and Deans love story is much more connection than Sebastian and Nora.

[Humera · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this is my fav book of the Parkhurst Prep series. Like I love this. I NEED Imogens book to come out to see if it can beat this one.

[gab · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 they were cute af

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
The ending was so cute and he was so sweet and I loved how they talked about wantigg by to get away

[Anna Sawatzky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book there was absolutely no plot. should of known by looking at the cover🤦‍♀️