Forever & Always You: A spicy, feel-good romance from the international bestselling author of the DIMILY series

by Estelle Maskame

They promised to be best friends forever . . . but what if they could be more?

Of all of Gabby's terrible mistakes, losing Austin may have been the worst one.

As children, they were inseparable best friends - until golden girl Gabby publicly broke Austin's heart and set fire to their friendship. She hasn't seen him since.

Now Gabby is a college drop-out with a crappy apartment, her promising future rapidly slipping through her fingers. In her own words, she's nothing. So, she's got nothing to lose when she sets out to fix her life and the many mistakes she's left in her wake.

Austin is the one who got away, and she's never forgiven herself for hurting him. But can he forgive her now?

Fall head-over-heels for this heart-melting love story by international bestselling romance author Estelle Maskame <3

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Estelle Maskame is a novelist from Peterhead in Scotland. After gaining universal acclaim online during her teenage years, she signed a print contract with the Edinburgh-based publisher Black & White Publishing at the age of seventeen. She is best known for her international bestselling YA series, the DIMILY series.

Reviews

[Estelle Maskame · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Forever & Always You, please consider dropping a rating/review!🥰❤️

[Ava · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a proof copy of this before it’ll be released. It’s nicely fast paced and quite funny at times. I can definitely see this book doing well in shops and being popular on ‘booktok,’ so if you take it for what it is, it could be a quick, easy, fun read.

I did like how Gabby wasn’t likeable and then developed, but I think this could’ve been done across a greater time frame as she seemed way too aware of everything. Realisations of her punishing herself on purpose and her sudden transformation into a nicer person seemed to be a bit fast. However, I liked how this did have blips and she made other mistakes throughout the book as it made it a bit more realistic.

It’s not brilliantly written to be honest- phrases like ‘it was a core memory’ made me cringe a bit, and whilst I liked the improvement in her personality,I think the main character’s bullying in the past was so brutal that I struggled to forget it.

This could be a decent book for fans of Icebreaker and those types of new romance books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the eBook.

I do not blame Austin for making Gabby an enemy back as a teenager, I would too after those flashbacks! They made my blood boil and it took time for me as the reader to forgive Gabby for what she did.

Adult Gabby was much more likable and I was with her hoping for Austin to forgive! It was so lovely to watch them get to know each other as adults after having been such good friends as kids. Childhood friends to enemies to lovers was a fun take on the classic tropes!

This was a fun and quick read for me, perfect for romance fans!

[Grace Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! I received an ARC of this book through my work, and was really interested to see what it was like. And I have officially found a whole new set of books to add to my tbr. Estelle Maskame, this is phenomenal. The dogs are what pushed it to the 5 stars tho thehe

[ameliiesmithh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Estelle Maskame read and wow wow wow it truly did not disappoint, and I will be checking out her other work!

Such a gorgeously written and paced second-chance romance, with characters that were both loveable yet infuriating at times, and with beautiful development and character arcs throughout the story! If you love a book where you can really fall in love with the characters and their personal journeys, and root for them, then this is the read for you!

Thank you so much to Bonnier Books for the ARC!

[Sophie Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fluffy and spicy and just a cute romance with all my favourite tropes.

I love how Gabby & Austin’s relationship progressed, and how they grew and began to trust each other again. It was just a lovely romance with the perfect ending.

I also loved that there was no miscommunication trope (my least fave thing) and they they were open and communicative with each other. And danggg that spice was spicing!

The only thing stopping this being five stars was I would have loved more build up between them in terms of intimacy, like really playing in to that enemies/friends to lovers trope, that would have made it delectable imo.

[Jess Cram-Rossiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, however, the constant plot of ‘I can’t forgive you’ or ‘I can’t forgive myself’ became unbearable. Also I didn’t find the fast pace of how everything fell into place perfectly enjoyable. I didn’t enjoy Gabby as a main character. All that said, I did find it an easy read and found it quick to read.

[Shelby Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't defend blonde men very often but Austin is definitely my new favourite blondie who needs to be protected at all costs!

This was a fun and speedy romance - Gabby wasn't all that likeable at the beginning but her development throughout definitely made up for it. It was the sweetest friends to sort of? enemies to lovers and I really enjoyed it!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are so back!!
I am so excited for this one! Childhood friends to enemies to lovers, second chance romance, I am so ready💖💖

[Maggie Halpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute second chance romance. Gabby, with all her flaws and bitchy background, and gentle, kind Austin will melt your heart and have you rooting for them to get back together.

[Isobel Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so sweet, I really enjoyed it and there was some really great character development throughout.
Thank you so much to the publishers for the proof copy!

[cátia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
i read it more because of a friend of mine and she gifted me this book and she's friend with the author and she really wanted me to read it so i did and to be honest it was good a solid good read, i didn't really loved it that much and wasn't that obsessed but truly was cute fast read and a childhood friends to kinda strangers to friendish to lovers, a little bit insta lovey for my liking it but still so cute and there was dogs that's definitely a plus and they have a fun cutie banter with each other sooo a good read in between series or if you're looking for something really fast and just soft and lovely i guess!! gabby had a good development, im glad she ended up finding her way but she pissed me off sometimes specially when she was younger and the way she treated austin was not it but i guess she had kinda a life of karma after high school soo then austin is a cutie, so happy for him that he has a business and he's really successful and still is kind and caring and funny like he used to be!! i wanted more past scenes you know? of them together when they were younger but we only had like three or four and one of them was a shit show ugh i mean yeah it was important to the story but still poor austin, he should've made gabby apologize a little bit more not gonna lie but yeah overall i wasn't obsessed but it's a really quick read and fun and cute sooo and short too and not in a bad way really!

[Benevbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how Gabby wasn't a likeable character in that she isn't the nicest and how her behaviour was addressed at several stages throughout the book.

I did think that perhaps there might've been a bigger time gap when they're much later might've been better, but I still liked it how it was.

The spice scenes were the right amount of spice, perhaps sometimes they were a bit out of the blue, but still felt right within the tone of the story.

Overall, it was a sweet read, but it wouldn't be one I'd rush to read again.

[Amelie Van Genechten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik wist dat het een cliché boek ging zijn maar had echt niet verwacht dat het er zo dik ging opliggen.
Het einde was heel voorspelbaar dus jammer genoeg heeft het mijn boekenhartje niet gevuld.

Maar als ik het boek op mijn 16e had gelezen, dan zou ik het denk ik wel geweldig hebben gevonden.

[Helmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️ cute & quick to read! I liked the environment and 'rich' vibe. the second chance worked and had some fun quirks. they moved quite fast though. always love the porsche

[Amrta Nandwani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was it revolutionary? No.
But I love pancakes on a weekend morning too.

[claraht · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Morven · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOVED estelle’s previous books, so can’t help but feel disappointed by this one. The story was boring and fairly hard to follow, took me ages to finish it as i didn’t want to read it🤣

[Paula Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

a right feel good read

I loved this book it was a great read with a happy ending, it was well written and it was easy to read

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

He deserves better

[Emily Chiswell · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was stupid and i hated it

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAAAAAAA QUE LIVRO PERFEITO

[Char · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt they got together too quickly. The FMC really should have worked harder for his forgiveness. She still has a lot of growing up to do. It wasn’t even 50% in before we got a smut scene, which I think says it all. After they got together not much happened in terms of plot and moving the story along. They just hung out together, he made little digs at her for the past and had sex. Then they fall out because she broke his trust again and this is why it’s so painfully obvious that they got together way too quickly. But then it didn’t even matter because before the chapter was up they were back together again, for fuck sake. And he wanted her to move in after TWO months because they are just so in love with each other?? Right… honestly they won’t last in the long term lol.

[Read With Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
💛 Spice Level: Low – more emotional than explicit
🏷️ Tropes: Childhood best friends • Second chance • Grovelling • Small-town vibes • Emotional healing

Forever & Always You – Forever & Always You by Estelle Maskame

If you love messy history, aching tension, and a second-chance romance that actually makes the characters work for it… this one hits.

Gabby and Austin were childhood best friends — inseparable, comfortable, safe. Until Gabby broke his heart in the worst possible way. Years later, she’s back, carrying regret and hoping for forgiveness… but Austin isn’t the same boy she left behind.

What I loved most about this story is that it doesn’t rush the redemption. Gabby made mistakes, and the narrative doesn’t gloss over them. You really feel her guilt and her determination to grow up and do better. And Austin? He’s guarded but still soft underneath — the kind of hero who doesn’t lose his depth just because he’s hurt.

The tension is subtle but constant. It’s not explosive drama — it’s lingering looks, unfinished conversations, shared memories that still sting. The emotional weight carries this book more than plot twists, and I was fully invested in whether forgiveness was actually possible.

If I had one small critique, it’s that parts of the storyline feel familiar — but honestly, when second-chance romance is done with this much heart, I don’t mind a few classic tropes.

Overall, this felt nostalgic, tender, and quietly angsty. Perfect for when you want romance that focuses on growth, accountability, and earning your happily ever after.

Would I reread? Yes — especially when I’m craving emotional comfort with just a hint of ache. 💛

[Bubs Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Estelle Maskame and Black & White Publishing for the advanced copy!

I've been a fan of Maskame for a few years now so was super excited to see a more adult focused romance from her!

Forever & Always You is a second chance romance and a super easy read which is nice after a few fantasy books!
The story follows Gabby, an ex- mean girl who realises the error of her ways, and sets out to find Austin, her ex best friend and the one that got away, to ask for his forgiveness.

I felt the beginning was quite cheesy rom-com with everything that could go wrong for Gabby going wrong and her turning into a total klutz and I felt the relationship between the two is quite harsh almost to begin with? The way she was in high school was downright cruel so I can understand Austin not wanting to forgive her right away but he's not much better when he tries to humiliate her so many years later which 8 really wasn't a fan of.

Immaturity aside the relationship moved super quick which I get in second chance romances can happen but it did fell like very fast for a first time couple.

I was a big fan of Gabby's character development though - she was trying but still made mistakes - I felt that her actions while trying to reconnect with Austin made her more relatable. Not sure if I'd personally have tried to hard after how he treated her to begin with. But I suppose I don't know that I'd have tried to forgive Gabby if I was Austin 🤷‍♀️

Overall a quick read that I did enjoy, even with the characters actions being questionable to me 🖤

[Arayr · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Lu en VO anglais)

J'attendais avec beaucoup d'impatience ce nouveau roman d'Estelle Maskame, vu la promotion réalisée par ses soins sur les réseaux sociaux.

Au final, j'avoue avoir été un peu déçue par le scénario de l'histoire et sur sa profondeur.

Je trouve les personnages assez peu développés et pas vraiment attachants : il y avait un décalage trop important entre les flashbacks et le présent, sans qu'on ne sache trop comment les personnages ont évolué. On nous le décrit brièvement, mais je n'ai pas souvenir d'une scène où nous pourrions ressentir ces changements. J'ai plus eu l'impression d'être face au changement accompli.

De plus, vu les choses que Gabrielle a fait subir à Austin, je m'attendais à ce qu'Austin soit plus dur avec elle pour lui accorder son pardon. Elle revient trop facilement, Austin est encore amoureux d'elle et c'est l'excuse qui permet à l'autrice d'éviter un scénario trop compliqué, où Austin est distant et dur. Même si on a un aperçu des doutes et des insécurités d'Austin, on passe rapidement dessus, et je trouve ça un peu bizarre dans la construction d'une relation amoureuse où le pardon n'est pas accordée et la blessure plutôt à vif.

Enfin, j'ai aussi eu l'impression qu'on passait un peu trop en arrière plan la famille de Gabrielle, où se trouvent pourtant beaucoup de tensions et de non-dits, ce qui aurait pu apporter des éléments plus profonds à l'histoire.

Pour conclure, c'était une lecture sympa, mais qui n'a pas eu cette tension que l'autrice promouvait pourtant sur Instagram.

[Ella Jemima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever & Always You was a book I genuinely loved reading hence reading it in about two sittings in the space of two days. I especially loved seeing how the characters had grown and developed emotionally (i would have liked more background information on this, for example Austin’s development of the business, details of Gabby’s friendships at Duke) The romance and spice were really enjoyable and cute without feeling cringe or embarrassing, which is something Estelle Maskame always does so well, and she remains one of my favourite authors.

That said, I do feel the book was a little rushed. I would have loved more flashbacks to when the characters were younger, particularly to build a bigger picture of Austin's struggles growing up and the influence of Gabby's school friends. The reveal that Austin knew Gabby's dad before he passed away felt too vague for such an important plot point, especially considering Gabby had no idea, and it needed more depth and emotional exploration.

The themes of classism and the overall plot were strong and i really value in books, but I felt the story lacked honest detail in places and could have been way longer. While I enjoyed it, I didn't feel it was quite in-depth enough emotionally, and I was left wanting more and i did really enjoy it i just wished it was longer!

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOOO,

Mais je ne devrais mettre à jours mes lectures ?
En effet.
Mais je suis atteinte de la syndrome de la procrastination, qui n'aide pas beaucoup.
Il faut commencer par dire que Estelle Maskame est l'une des premières autrices que j'ai lu. C'est grâce à sa sage DIMILY que je me suis lancée dans la lecture de romance. Avec Tyler et sa toxic masculinity.
Bref, je n'ai pas encore fini de lire sa première romance New adult, Somewhere in the sunset, parce que je n'ai pas trop accroché au perso, mais je devrais.
Toutefois, celle-ci m'a plus embarquée. J'ai été touché par les persos et les dialogues sont marrants.
MAIS le plot en mode c'était elle la bully et elle veut lui demander pardon après je sais pas combien d'année et qu'elle le retrouve super successful (of course), m'a plu moyennement.
Il y a eu des flashback qui m'ont beaucoup touché, dans le sens négatif du terme. Comment a-t-elle pu le traiter ainsi et ne pas être une personne horrible ?

J'ai aimé les persos, mais je ressors de ma lecture un peu mitigée.

J'ai tout de même dévoré le livre, ce qui n'est pas rien.

Sur ce, à très bientôt pour d'autres review,

XOXO Cippy

[Evida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh i always love so much when i read Estelle Maskame's books. And that book is not different. Oh i love Maskame's writing style. She is so talented and she is grown and devoploment since dimily series which is also 5⭐ for me.

This story was so beautiful, heartbreaking and second changes! I cryed so much. So this is the reason 5⭐ feeling.

Gabby has so good chracter devoploment that i am so proud of her! Gabby is good chracter too Even though she did stupid things when she was a teenager and she was a bitch and bad person to her best friend which is Austin. Gabby's story is touching. But she gets a happy ending.

Austin comes from a slightly different background, but he also has good growth and development. He is defninelly good guy to her and he forgives her. Because he is done badly in love with her. Which is so cute.

Gabby and Austin is perfect for each others! And that book is feel good ROM COM story with spicy 2/5🌶️

[Books & Dreams (Monisha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever and Always van Estelle Maskame is precies zo’n romance waar je volledig in kunt verdwijnen. Geen groots drama of spannende plotwendingen, maar wél alles wat je zoekt als je zin hebt in een feelgood liefdesverhaal.

Het boek combineert heerlijke enemies to lovers met een vleugje second chance romance, en dat werkt ontzettend goed. De chemie tussen de personages spat van de pagina’s af en zorgt ervoor dat je als lezer continu blijft doorlezen. Hun dynamiek van frustratie naar iets veel zachters, voelt geloofwaardig en verslavend tegelijk. En af en toe zit er ook veel humor in het verhaal. Vooral Gabby is een grappig personage.

Wat dit verhaal zo sterk maakt, is dat het niet probeert meer te zijn dan het is. Geen over-the-top gebeurtenissen, maar juist de kleine momenten, de spanning tussen de hoofdpersonen en de emotionele ontwikkeling maken dit boek zo fijn om te lezen.

4.0 sterren