Everlasting Love

by Latisha Sexton

Can one letter hold the answers to her past?

Nora Burnham learned the pain of loss at just four years old. Now, the only pieces she has left of her mother are her letters, one for every birthday until she turns eighteen. Every year, Nora eagerly reads her mother’s next letter, secretly hoping she will find the answer to the burning question that has plagued her since childhood . . .

Who is her birth father?

But as her eighteenth birthday comes and goes, Nora refuses to open the last letter, afraid she’ll be left wondering where she came from. When she finally gathers the courage to read her mother’s last words, the revelation stuns her.

After her best friend, Kip Green, offers his support, they embark on a road trip that will change the course of their lives. But will it end in the happily-ever-after they both desire? Or are they destined for more heartache?

Genres: Christian Romance, Christian Fiction

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Latisha Sexton is the author of contemporary Christian romance where grit meets grace. Her heart in writing is to make His name known through writing flawed characters, messy stories, and God’s amazing mercy and grace. She has loved reading for as long as she can remember and feels extremely blessed that God has called her on this writing journey. Born and raised in Kentucky, she resides there with her husband and three children. When not homeschooling, she’s most likely reading or writing (or talking about reading and writing to her author friends). Her favorite genres to read are historical and fantasy, and maybe one day she’ll be brave enough to dip her toes into writing them!

Reviews

[Tawni Suchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I currently don't have the words to express how much I love this book. But I'm gonna give it a go.

It is the second book of this series and I HIGHLY recommend you read Neverending Mercy (which is one of my ALL TIME favorite books) first but this book was absolutely the perfect follow up to that story.

I laughed. I teared up. I cried. I fell in love with these two cuties.

Kip and Nora were just so stinkin' lovable. Kip YEARNED for years for his best friend. Nora was completely oblivious to it and her own deepening feelings for her stud of a guy best friend.

This is friends to lovers done RIGHT. This is Christian romance done right. This is a beautiful story of a girl leaning on Christ and her friend encouraging her on her faith journey and being there as she seeks the biological dad she never knew. This is just a chef's kiss 👩🏻‍🍳💋book in general.

Easily 6 stars ⭐️ and one of my top reads of 2026.

Ratings:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💋
✝️✝️✝️✝️
16+

[Brittney (booksta.britt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everlasting Love
@sincerely.latisha
Release date 8/25

I was totally surprised whenever I found out Latisha was writing a book about little Nora!! I was super excited to get my hands on this one. I loved the friendship between these two for all of those years and then getting to see it grow into something more was so precious.
Kip is completely gone for her, and the definition of a true friend. I know he will always take care of her 🥹

I was also very intrigued with the back story of Nora’s mom & dad!! They had me very invested.
Getting more of Crosby was such a wonderful bonus.
He does the whole dad thing very well!

This was a wonderful Christian romance. I definitely suggest reading book 1 first before reading this one.

Quote -
Kissing Kip Green was like painting a masterpiece. Every time his lips met mine, it was like adding another color to the canvas. And I wanted to discover them all. For the rest of my life.

Kissing only, no foul language.


**I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still thinking about Everlasting Love and will be for a long time. This book is book two in the Lavender Falls series that had Ruth, Crosby and Haley. Haley’s daughter, Nora was in the middle-ish/to end of the book. Nora and Kip are two of our main characters along with some others, if you haven’t read the book I will not spoil. But man, this book had me torn up. Nora has opened a letter from her late mother, Haley every year on her birthday. She’s always wanted to know who her father is but every year, another year passes without knowing and the despair she feels. But she wonders with her 18th year letter will she finally be able to know who he is? And now, we have Kip, Nora’s best friend since they were children. He’s loved her for years but has never expressed his love for her because they are best friends. Oh, Kip, my heart is for you. 💔 I absolutely could not put this book down and did not want it to end. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one. 1000 ⭐️ for Everlasting Love. Latisha Sexton, you outdid yourself on this beautiful book. Thank you for your hard work bringing this book into the world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Dawn Whitby · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again. Latisha Sexton’s ability to tell a story that breaks your heart and puts it back together while weaving Jesus all the way through gets me every single time.

We met Nora and Kip as 4 year olds in Neverending Mercy, in Everlasting Love we get their journey through growing up as Best Friends and navigating changes in that relationship.

Highly recommend. Available for preorder!!!

[DianFlow]

The 1st book in this series, Neverending Mercy, was excellent & I highly recommend it! Looking forward to reading this one when it releases!

[Stephanie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh goodness, ALL the feels come out with this captivating, heart-breaking and stitching it back together so beautifully book. Everlasting Love is book two in the Lavender Falls series by Latisha Sexton, and I don’t think I can express enough just how wonderful this book is. It was so hard to figure out just what to say, which quotes to highlight to portray a glimpse at the heart of this story without spoiling anything.

I was blessed to be part of the launch team for this book, and when I first read Everlasting Love, my emotions ran the full gamut. There was a little bit of laughter, a touch of nostalgia (Crosby and Tinkerbell♥️), and tears-yes, I had tears that silently shook me while my husband slept. I could feel the angst and yearning flowing from the page, the anger and fear at different points from the characters, and oh, that happy joy filled ending that it all led to. I loved it so much, I knew I needed the paperback to hold and experience this story all over again.

I won’t say too much about the events that take place. You don’t need my synopsis- I’m just sharing how it touched me, how the characters tugged on my heart, and how woven all through those big feels, a greater truth was told. God and His grace are bigger. Forgiveness, redemption, and healing are always possible, and love is always worth the risk.

I was given a complimentary e-copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Hunt]

Such a sweet story! Probably my favorite of Latisha’s books so far. Appreciated the large, loving families, homeschool rep, and beautiful redemption arcs.

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate: 5/5
Genre: Clean Romance/ Christian Romance
🚨TW: mentions about taking drugs, alcohol, mentions about PTSD, mentions of feeling unloved or feeling of being abandoned, anxiety, loss of love one

Read it if you like
🦋 Triple POV
🦋 Childhood Best friends to lovers
🦋 Family
🦋 Friendship
🦋 He calls her “Butterfly”
🦋 Road trip
🦋 Christian Values

Favourite Moments
🦋 Their moments from childhood to becoming adult.
🦋 Her birthdays. (can’t spoil it)
🦋 His surprise for her. (can’t spoil it)
🦋 At Lavender Falls. (Can’t spoil it)
🦋 Reading of her mom’s letters to her. (can’t spoil it)
🦋 Him always reminding her that she is love and she is not alone.
🦋 Them relying on God and asking God for help in every situation and their feelings.
🦋 Their road trip to find her birth father. (read it then you will know)
(lots more)

Swoony Moments
🦋 He is a God-fearing man.
🦋 He falls first and harder.
🦋 He loves, cares, protects, and respected her.
🦋 He is trying to win her love
🦋 He is always there for her whenever she needs him.
🦋 His dimples. (can’t help it)
🦋 His love for his family and her family.
🦋 He is patient and waited for her.
🦋 He watch musicals and read romance books because of her.

Synopsis:
Nora was just 4 years old when her mother, Haley passed away from cancer. She was then adopted by her uncle, Crosby and his wife, Ruth who is also Haley’s best friend.

Haley left her letters but she can only open on her birthday. In Nora heart she wanted to know who is her real dad and why is he not in her life?

Things change when she opened the letter that reveals who her Birth Father is,with her best friend, Kip who was beside her, always with her since childhood. Kip decided to go to a road trip with her to find her father. Will this friendship turn to more? Will her father accept her and love her? Read Everlasting Love to find out.
Review
This story is just so heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. Both of them are just so sweet and adorable. I really couldn’t put this book down as I read their story. Their bickering and teasing are just so fun to watch hehe..

Love Kip so much. He is always there for her and also always remind her that God loves her and always there for her and also that her family, friends and him love her too. And he will do whatever it takes to make her smile and also a shoulder to cry on. The way he calls her “Butterfly” will make you seriously melt.

Love their moments together and love that he stood in the Word of God and even help Nora through it too and also prayed for her constantly.

I couldn’t help but cry along when she opens the letters from Haley, her mom who passed away from cancer wrote to her to encourage her to lean on God and also that she loves her very much.

Love that Latisha also wrote the story of Haley and also her biological father’s story so that we could grasp the situation clearer and know what really happened.

Love her adoptive parents who love her and want to remember the good things about her mom and don’t want her to think badly about her mom.

This story is filled with forgiveness and redemption. Everyone is not perfect because we still tend to do mistakes in life. But you can see God never abandon them or turn away from them because of their sin but instead forgive them.

What I learn?
You are loved. You are not alone. God love is everlasting and God will never abandon you no matter what. He is always there to guide and lead us.

Always ask God for direction. He has his plan for each of us. Doesn’t mean that your line of your family does that career means you have to stick to it. Well, it depends on God so we always have to pray and ask God what has He planned for us.

I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Please do follow Latisha’s IG (@sincerely. latisha). For more updates and new releases do subscribe her newsletter from her site https://latishasexton.com/

This is the 2nd book of Lavender Falls. It’s Little Nora’s story. Please do check out her adoptive mother and father’s story which is the 1st book entitled Neverending Mercy. I suggest that you should read the 1st book first before reading this book to understand better.

You can order this book on Amazon and it is available on KU.

[Amanda Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭 ::sobbing:: This book is so good. 😭😭😭 Friends to lovers is a tricky trope in my book because so many times I feel like screaming “Why can’t you see how much they love you and are perfect for you? just get together!” but in this book Latisha made it deeper than that. Nora had some soul searching to do in order to get to a place where she could even think of seeing Kip in a new light. It was almost like Nora was afraid of how perfect and pure Kip’s love for her was because she was broken.

There were so many lovely moments where Kip showed his love in action and any time he said “Anything for you, Butterfly.” It was as swoony as Wesley saying “As you wish.”, from The Princess Bride.”

The depth of Nora’s broken and abandoned heart was beautifully displayed in this story. I loved revisiting Crosby and Ruth and seeing their family grown up but I thoroughly enjoyed reading more about Haley and fitting together the missing pieces of the story from Neverending Mercy. The way Latisha weaves the story is just wonderful.

I reread Neverending Mercy right before Everlasting Love and I highly recommend reading it this way. You definitely need to read Neverending Mercy before Everlasting Love for it to have the same emotional impact and to understand some of Nora’s fears better.

Love this book and the sweetness of Kip and Nora!

[Kim Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton is a Christian friends to love story that shows how God can take the broken things of this world and piece them together for something beautiful.

This story follows the life of Nora Burnham whose mother died when she was only four. She was left with letters from her mom for each of her birthdays through her 18th and she hopes to discover who her father is through them. Hard things from her mom’s past are tackled including addictions and pregnancy outside of marriage. We see how they have ripple effects in the future which sets the stage for an emotional journey.

The book jumps back-and-forth in time as we get to see Nora reading through many of her birthday letters from her mom. We find that her best friend, Kip Green, is there for Nora through it all. And we see him fall head over heels for his friend. We especially see his feelings for her when he joins her for a road trip to find answers to Nora‘s questions.

I loved the friendship these two had and watching how they encouraged each other and seeing their relationship blossom to more. I also loved the redemption of the things that happened in the first book, Neverending Mercy, and I encourage readers to read it first. This is a beautifully done story that I highly recommend!

[Heidi Sjostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everlasting Love was everything I hoped it would be and more. Ever since reading Neverending Mercy, I’ve wanted to go back to Lavender Falls and check in on the “friends” I made there. After much anticipation the sequel is here and it was definitely worth the wait. While one doesn’t necessarily need to read Neverending Mercy before Everlasting Love, doing so will greatly enhance the experience. Everlasting Love tells the story of best friends Nora and Kip - their sweet friendship over the years and their tender journey of realization that maybe the love they share goes beyond that of friendship. All the while told with the message that though earthly relationships may fade away, the everlasting love of God towards us remains steadfast despite our failures and shortcomings. One of the sweetest stories of love, family, and friendship. I adored the sacrificial love Kip showed Nora, the example of strong Christian marriages, and the reminder God redeems what is broken in us and what was done to us. The classic movie/musical references were particularly fun. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers doesn’t get enough shout outs in my opinion.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author. No positive review was required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️“But . . . I didn’t actually like her in that way then. Not for a few months after that.”“Nah. You always looked at her differently. Your mind just hadn’t caught up with your heart.” ✨️
~

✨️ If only she knew she was the only woman whose heart I wanted to steal. No, not steal. I wanted her to offer it to me willingly so I could cherish and protect it always. Maybe then she’d realize that she’d already been in possession of mine for years.✨️

~

My thoughts: 🖊📖

This was such a sweet, feel-good romance! I absolutely loved the attention to detail in the relationship—the little moments, the way they cared for each other, and how naturally their connection developed. Their relationship was just SO CUTE I couldn't handle it. 😭🫴💕
And KIP?! EXCUSE ME?
—HE WAS THE ENTIRE GREEN FOREST.
He was thoughtful, caring, supportive, and everything I wanted from an MMC. I was swooning over him and their relationship the entire time.

~

I also loved the reminder that God can take the messiest, most complicated situations and turn them into something beautiful—a true masterpiece. 🙏✨ Sometimes we can't see what He's doing in the middle of the mess, but the way everything comes together in the end is just plain perfect.
Such a beautiful, adorable love story 💕✨
~

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a bit since we've gotten a new book from Latisha Sexton, but boy, was this one worth the wait! This story felt deeply personal as we have walked through some similar things in our family as Nora and struggled with things like identity and belonging.

What always works so well is when a Christian author doesn't give us a fluffy story and make it sound like life should always be incredible, in our view, under God's purview. Latisha writes with grit and grace, allowing us to see the beauty of a life well-lived under a grace we can't earn. God uses the imperfect to woo us to His own perfection.

Nora and Kip's friends-to-more story was done so well, and so tenderly. The yearning and still fully showing up while in the friend zone... classic and yet somehow fresh. I just know that a guy as stalwart and compassionate as Kip would be very difficult to resist.

If you want to enjoy this story to its fullest, I highly recommend giving Book One, Neverending Mercy, a read first. You won't regret it!

I received a copy from the author without the expectation of a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust me when I say that Everlasting Love is too good to miss! Everlasting Love is book 2 in the Lavender Falls duology so if you have not Neverending Mercy, you should get on it!

Nora and Kip were children in book one, and Everlasting Love is their story. Their childhood best friends to lovers story is one you will not want to miss! Kip falls first and falls hard. He has all the yearning, and he calls Nora “Butterfly” bringing all the swoon. Nora lost her mother at four years of age, and each year she receives a letter from her mother. She gets her last letter on her eighteenth birthday but does not want to open it. She has always wondered who her birth father was, and she is concerned her final letter will not reveal the truth of who he is. Everlasting Love deals with serious, gritty issues and the plot twists and turns will keep you reading. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put this down.

I highly recommend Everlasting Love; in fact, I cannot recommend it enough! I received an ARC copy, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.


Tropes

🔥Blue Collar MMC
💙Childhood best friends to lovers
🫠He yearrrrnsss hard, folks
🦋He calls her "Little Butterfly" (for the sweetest reason)
🎨Artist FMC
💌Letters
🚙Road trip
🤧You're going to need tissues

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Latisha Sexton has gripped us by the heart with a beautiful story of love, forgiveness and redemption. Also, true to her form of writing, the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride that twists, turns, goes upside down and sometimes backward; full of laughter, love, and tremendous heartache.

Nora struggles with fears of abandonment because of early childhood trauma, even when surrounded by loving family and friends. Kip struggles with what is the right thing to do with his life as he desires to follow God above all things, but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his family or loved ones in the process.

Enjoy the journey as these two friends grow up encouraging and helping each other from childhood to adulthood.

While this book could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading book one in this series Never Ending Mercies first in order truly understand some of the deeper nuances of this story.

[Aline Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story took me on a complete roller coaster of emotions. There were moments that broke my heart, moments that made me smile, and so many emotions in between. And honestly? It even put me into a reading slump afterward because I wasn’t quite ready to move on from this story.

Kip and Nora’s story is beautiful. Their friendship began when they were only four years old, and watching their relationship grow and develop throughout the years was incredibly special.

I appreciated how real their struggles felt. Their journeys reminded me that healing isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always happen quickly. What impacted me most was watching both characters come to understand their need for God and learn to trust Him with the direction of their lives.

This book stayed with me long after I finished it, and I think that says so much about a story.

I’m incredibly grateful that Latisha allowed me to be part of her team and trusted me with an early copy of this beautiful book.

Content note: This story includes themes of abandonment, a parent’s past drug and alcohol abuse, and PTSD. Please keep these themes in mind if they may be difficult for you.

I received an early copy of this book from the author and was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything a book should be. Honestly, I could end the review right there and it would be enough said.

But of course, I won't stop there. First, I love Latisha’s writing; there isn't one book of hers that I have read and haven't loved. She seamlessly blends humor, heartache, romance, and faith in every story and this one is no exception. The emotions are real, the actions are honest, the consequences raw. This is perfect for those who want depth and heart, a sweet romance, and an ending, that while happy, is not perfect.

Forgiveness doesn't erase the consequences of our sin, and sometimes those consequences effect others even more than they do us.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everlasting Love is the second book of the Lavender Falls series and one must read Neverending Mercy first to fully appreciate this story. We are introduced to Nora and Kip as 4 year olds in Neverending Mercy and now we get their journey of growing up while navigating changes in their relationship as best friends. Once again Sexton has written a story that will tug on your heart strings but is warming at the same time. This story is a poignant reminder that God’s love is an everlasting one, He will never abandon you nor forsake you. You are not alone and He is always near by to lead and guide us.

[Crystal Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Y'all. This one needs to be savored. It is not your light and fluffy romance. And that's part of the reason I loved it so much. 

This book picks up on Nora's life from Neverending Mercy - it's not essential that you read that one first, but it will make this story that much more meaningful if you do.

It is heart wrenching and beautiful and I was totally yelling at the characters in certain cases (which is always a good indication of an amazing book -- engaging those reader emotions!!!)

Read this one.

Best Friends to Love
Faith Filled 
Redemption 
Firefighter MMC
Long lost daughter 

Thank you Latisha for a copy of your book. This is my genuine review.

[Jenny x Carolena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everlasting Love left me without words — Latisha Sexton's second Lavender Falls installment builds beautifully on the first book's setup. She gives rich depth to Hailey Burnham while filling in the gaps of her story through daughter Nora's search for her birth father. Nora's fear of risking her friendship with Kip by wanting more was ROUGH, and when it finally clicks how much he's loved her all along, everything falls into place.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put Everlasting Love down as I was engrossed in Kip and Nora's story. With flashbacks, a road trip, Nora finding out who her biological father is, and different characters' POVS, Everlasting Love is a well-crafted story. It's about finding answers, healing, family dynamics, fears, true change, and faith.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story. I love the format of this book (and neverending mercy) I haven't really enjoyed the back and forward by many authors before but Latisha has done it perfectly. It was beautiful I couldn't put it down!

[Saranne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully dealt with the consequences of Haley’s actions. I love seeing Crosby and Ruth’s faith in action raising their daughters. What I missed most was the spiritual journey of Kip and Nora that was so rich in the last book.

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly executed best friends to lovers Christian romance. As good as or better than the first book.

[Natalia (Talia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 ⭐️


This was such a good book! From the romance (obviously 😅) to Nora connecting with her family, it was just beautiful!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! 5 stars

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful read by this author. Started a little slow, but then I couldn’t put it down.

[Danielle | TheReadingDanielleMcBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latisha Sexton does it again. Everlasting Love is a lovely continuation of the heartbreakingly beautiful - Neverending Mercy.

I’m loving reading stories that continue through generations & Nora’s story delivers an amazing perspective of her life after incredible loss at such a young age. But God provides new beginnings & restoration as her story evolves.

This is an incredible story of heartbreak, forever friendships, lives redeemed & Everlasting Love.

Latisha doesn’t shy away from hard topics but she meets them head on with mercy & grace. Nothing is graphic but she does mention addiction, drug use, promiscuity, depression/anxiety, loss of a parent, & loss of a child (this is not a complete list - just what stood out to me). But all of this just proves that God’s Love is Everlasting.

*I received an arc of this book - all thoughts & opinions are from my very own noggin.

[Carrie Cotten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything you’d expect in a Latisha Sexton novel. It has all the heart, angst and faith you could ever want. Kip’s patience was neverending and his care for Nora was so tender and sweet. I loved Nora’s stalwart faith, even when she was struggling with her identity and the pain of unrealized hope. This was an excellent read, definitely one of my top for the year.

[Sara Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Everlasting Love by @sincerely.latisha
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: August 25th

Everlasting Love, the second book in the Lavender Falls series, is the best of the best when it comes to childhood best friends to more. This is a trope that I typically enjoy because the relationship is built on friendship and has substance and time behind it.

Every year, the curiosity to find out who her dad is intensifies as Nora reads birthday letters from her late mom. For 3 years, Nora avoids reading the last letter from her mom: her 18th birthday letter. With her best friend Kip’s encouragement, Nora finally gives in and discovers information that leads to a cross-country road trip. With the blessing of Nora’s adopted parents, Kip joins her to keep her safe. Little does she know that Kip, who has always been there and has been a constant in her life, wants to be more than just best friends. Will Kip have the courage to say something even with the emotional rollercoaster Nora’s riding with learning about her past?

Kip is a walking green flag. He is attentive, thoughtful, prayerful, considerate, and hopelessly in love with Nora. He thinks of her needs before his own. Nora made me a little frustrated because… hello! Kip is right there! But I guess she had a lot on her mind with figuring out who her dad was 😂

Latisha, thank you for writing another moving, heartfelt novel that made me cry because of the Truth that is in it. I didn’t expect to read the third POV you put in Everlasting Love, but I’m SO glad you wrote it like you did. It 100% added to the development of the characters and to my understanding of the first novel. Sometimes I can get confused with multiple POVs and time period, but Everlasting Love is brilliantly written. Bravo! 🦋🦥

I received an advanced complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.