Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Forever Love #1

His Forever Girl

Rate this book
Zoey Hawthorne has always been my forever. Best friends since we were kids, she and I were meant to be. Until I screwed it all up before we went to high school. I had to step away before I ruined my shot with the girl who held my heart in her hands.

Letting her go was the biggest regret of my life. Making it up to her won’t be easy, but I have to show her that I never lost sight of her. I mean that literally and figuratively. Zoey’s not just my love, she’s my obsession. I worry for her, care for her, and above all, want to protect her. She’s too good for me, but that’s not going to stop me from having her.

Loving Zoey has never been optional for me. She’s the one, and I intend to show her just how much she means to me.

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2020

792 people are currently reading
1292 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Darling

72 books1,551 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
819 (37%)
4 stars
634 (28%)
3 stars
478 (21%)
2 stars
170 (7%)
1 star
86 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
Profile Image for Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️.
736 reviews954 followers
June 18, 2025
🌟Brief Summary:
❤️Awwww be still my heart ❤️
This was the sweetest Novella and just what I needed to get my fix.

❤️This is a childhood Friends to lovers I can get down with!

-Reid and Zoey are neighbors and BFF since they were little. But when they are 13yr old and Reid realizes HIS FEELINGS HAVE CHANED and he is in love with her and just a bit obsessed 🤭. So what does he do? Well He cuts her off completely of course. Ok He was young and stupid and now 5 yrs later is ready to claim her…. Cause SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIS.

-Unbeknownst to Zoey he has kept a close 👀eye on her. Kept boys aways from her and bided his time. He knows he fucked up and let things go to far and he is determined to make things right and show Zoey he’s been hers the whole time.

❣️Things I Liked/Loved❣️

❣️❣️NO MANWHORES HERE🥳
HE SAVED ALL HIS FIRSTS FOR HER!!!!
Yay I love this ❤️ often times we get that he manwhores around while in love w the h and she sits around watching him be a douche… well not here! He knew she was THE ONLY ONE FOR HIM. And even though he is a hot football star he only has eyes for Zoey.

❣️HIS WHOLE LIFE IS PLANNED AROUND A FUTURE WITH HER. He knows what he wants with razor focus and won’t be deterred.

❣️The box of presents he’s added to each year they were apart. Awww Christmas and birthday gifts and any little thing that made him think of her throughout the years he saved and gave to her…. 😍 swoon

❣️Lots of OM jealous moments- our Reid has no problem putting OM in their place.

❣️MINE MINE MINE

❣️The man might be a V but he knows what he’s doing in the bedroom… he googled 🤭

❣️Mild stalking OTT obsession behavior. Our man knew EVERYTHING about his girl and kept his 👀on her constantly.

- no real conflict but in this kind of read I didn’t mind that at all.


Things I Did 💔 Not Like
-Wouldn’t have minded if it was longer.
-His choices at 13yr made sense but not really at 18. To let it go that far was a bit annoying.

🥀 Hero:
Reid 18yr old - definitely book boyfriend material

🦋 Heroine:
Zoey 18 yrs old

💭 POV:
Duel first person

🔥 Burn Rate:
Medium

😡/😍 Angst level:
Low

❤️‍🔥 Sexy times & Descriptive sex:
Yes 🔥🔥🔥

🌓 Push/Pull:
A little push back from the h, our hero has to prove himself after all.


☠️ OW/OM Drama:
Some minor OW and OM drama from others that want each of them and try to cause trouble but Reid shuts shit down fast!

🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
None

🤬 Cheating:
None

👰🏼‍♀️ Virgins:
Duel Virgins

⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
None

Safety⚠️Triggers🗡️:
Very mild bullying
Talks of birth control
No condoms

🌈Epilogue:
Yes 2 many many years later

🥂HEA:
Yes❤️

My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,684 reviews2,451 followers
January 18, 2021
Back to high school and its fast pace and little steam. Some drama.

Reid did what any dumb boy did he broke his bffs heart because he didnt know how to express his feelings so he ignored Zoey for 5 years and made sure no guy dated her.. I hate when guys do this. So Reid was already on my shit list. So now its almost the end of high school everyone has their pick in schools Zoey is excited she got into her school only problem her ex bff Reid is also going to that school, but now he's talking to her again, making sure guys are push out of her away ruins any date and tells her she's his.

Zoey is confused why he now giving her the time of day. She does push him away few times but that doeant help since he pushes back showing her that he made a mistake and now he's there to stay. But they do have drama from ppls at school.

Om/ow drama,no cheating, slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, both virgin

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
Slight push away from both
Pinning
Seperation 5 years (of them not being friends)
No condom
Safeish
Hea
Epilogue
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,318 reviews2,164 followers
December 2, 2020
This is short and has a premise that doesn't really work because it relies on inherent contradictions in Reid's motivation and characterization. He's mature enough to realize that he'll jeopardize their forever if they continue as they are but too immature to realize that he's doing it wrong, for example. And Zoey's turn around is way too easy once Reid pulls his head out and starts talking to her.

And then it turns into a sex romp so I'm abandoning it at about two-thirds. I liked Zoey and Reid was kind of nice if you just discarded the past and took his infatuation with Zoey as given. But that wall of sex kind of did me in...
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,771 reviews987 followers
Read
December 31, 2025
Love the epilogues, but him avoiding her for five years because he's so attracted to her that he didn't know what to do about it kind of makes me feel annoyed and sad. Then again, he was a kid who didn't know better, so maybe I should give him some grace? Hmmm, idk, I'll think about it. 🤷‍♀️

And her forgiving him so easily doesn't sit well with me. I hoped she would let him work hard for it a little bit, but nah-uh, it's like the last five years didn't happen, and they just picked up where they left off, just with an added attraction and other stuff.

Anyway, this novella is not one of my favorites. I dislike the reason why they weren't together, but like I said, I loved the epilogues and to see them still happily in love years later.

Safe and dual V! 💖
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,300 reviews37 followers
December 1, 2020
This story was so freaking cute 😍 At first I really hated that Reid had cut Zoey out of his life, but later on it made sense and I forgave him 😉 A sweet story about the first and real love with a sweet HEA and a great epilogue. They were their first and only... nobody else existed for them🥰🥰🥰 Safe and sweet with double virgins in every aspect😍😍😍 Can't wait for the next book to come out.
Profile Image for Alison.
1,507 reviews108 followers
April 7, 2022
so sweet

I really enjoyed this and thought it was really sweet. I’m not a fan of second chance romances (this JUST qualifies as one to me) but the fact that Reid never even kissed another girl made it for me. I just wish that zoey had made him work a little harder foe her forgiveness.
Profile Image for ♡Tonya♡.
2,062 reviews568 followers
December 3, 2020
4 stars

Pretty cute story. It most likely would have been 5 stars if she hadn’t gone on a date. Even if it was a failure, she shouldn’t have gone. I felt bad for the heroine because the H’s actions pretty much ruined her middle school and high school years. I’m always baffled at a hero who hurts the heroine in order to not hurt her🤷🏻‍♀️ (see it makes no sense) Once he got his head out of his backside, I was glad that she didn’t fall right at his feet. It didn’t take long but he worked for it.

-no cheating
-om drama - a guy asks her out at a party and she goes.
-ow drama - typical high school mean girls who took jabs at the heroine. The hero had never been with her
-no violence of a sexual nature
-dual virgins - first and only everything
-great epilogues many years later which brought up my rating
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,109 reviews628 followers
September 11, 2021
“His Forever Girl” is the story of Zoey and Reid.

A sweet romance between high school sweethearts. The hero and heroine have been best friends, when he suddenly starts ignoring the heroine and breaks her heart. At the end of high school, she tries to move on when the hero gets his head out of his bum, and finally claim his love.

I have come to dislike the plot of “if you’re not mine, you can’t belong with anyone”, especially if it’s at the top of “I’ll ignore you for no reason”. Otherwise, it was ok. I liked the part where he saves momentos for every birthday he wasn’t with her.

Safe
3/5
Profile Image for Vfc.
1,543 reviews
December 5, 2021
A new author to me, I failed to realise it was a Young adult set in high school transitioning into a New Adult in college and following their emergence into adulthood. Childhood friends until age thirteen, no reasonable justification for their being apart until they’re eighteen, at which time he comes to his senses. From that point onward they’re together and never apart.

〰️ No cheating
〰️ Catty whispers and jealousy from other jersey chasers
〰️ Both virgins
〰️ Each other’s ‘firsts’
〰️ Both suffered in silence for the other
〰️ Epilogues

At thirteen...Reid is heartless and tells his best friend Zoey to “get lost”. For five years Reid denied his feelings not even being cordial or friendly but ignoring Zoey. He’s never admitted his feelings but he’s been warning her admirers away.

He cut himself out of her life completely, and doesn’t know how to correct his stupidity. Reid wants to make amends for being cruel as she was undeserving of his treatment. They’d been close friends until the point she’d tried to sit next to him, and he told her in no uncertain words to get lost. The words that came out of his mouth set the tone for the next years.

She did exactly that and stayed lost. She avoided him like the plague. Rubbing the area over his heart, hoping the ache for the loss would go away. He’s looking forward to the next four years at college (after this point his friend, Jackson is no longer mentioned).

Opening the bathroom door, I’m met with Reid’s broad chest. “Hey,” he says to me. Hey? Really. He hasn’t spoken to me in years. He barely even spared me a glance, and now he wants to act as if he can say hey and I’m just supposed to fall into line? I stand there confused and shocked. “You can actually see me? Wow. All this time I thought I was invisible.” My words are laced with sarcasm. I really don’t understand what he’s doing. First he stopped the server from bringing me the wrong dessert, and now he’s talking to me. What the hell? He runs his hand through his short hair, shifting from foot to foot. For the first time in my life, I think Reid is feeling unsure of something. Not my problem. I push past him.

Reid is an oversexed high school football playing moron, with caveman, obsessive tendencies. Zoey allowed him to win her over without much effort. After being ignored for five years, couldn’t she have been a bit more indifferent, assertive and more forceful❓ She suppressed her feelings for him for years, as they moved through different social circles and then she falls into his arms, without much hesitation?

Eighteen months later with them in college, a transition epilogue as he plays football and they’re still together. Many years into the future...Willow and Zoey wrote a bestselling book on the importance of friendship (most people wanted inside details on their somewhat public love lives), from college graduations, weddings, NFL drafts.
“Hello, Landon. People should start showing up in an hour. Can you have champagne ready?”
“I can do anything you want, sugar. Two broken glasses is enough damage for today.”
Their parents’ are having their wedding at their brand new house, it took about four months to build.

Their parents didn't want some giant house. They only wanted to be close to their children. With Reid’s first contract on the heels of some very nice endorsements, they bought a house on a giant plot of land and started building this place for them. It’s not even a half a mile away. The house looks ordinary from the outside, but the kitchen is breathtaking and has all the small details that make a house look grand. You'd think you were in a mansion and not a medium-sized house.

They wanted to do something for their parents, and Reid relished the idea of them being close when he travelled for a game. Now Reid is in the process of building a giant garage for his dad.

Many years later, we see their children starting their own lives as they expand and grow together as a family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Fiona Fog.
1,461 reviews86 followers
November 25, 2020
I love everything this author writes, but these two and their story are in my top favourite from her.

She delivers a sexy sweet read that has everything a romance reader craves. Awesome characters, as well as the secondary ones she engages a reader from that opening chapter.

Zoeys our lead, she’s off to college soon she just needs to finish her senior year and stop thinking about Ethan King. Boy next door, her former best friend and the love of her life. She thought they were forever until he dropped her like she was nothing.

Ethan King. Star quarterback and hopelessly in love with Zoe. His next door neighbor and best friend until he shut her from his life. He did it to protect her. He’s alpha with A and his captivating love for Zoey that’s swoon worthy.

He has his work cut out for him, winning her back is not going to be easy. But he’ll do it she’s his forever.
It’s a definite YES from me

An automatic one click for me.
Profile Image for Flo₂₂.
1,612 reviews131 followers
December 4, 2021
i couldn't even be mad at Reid honestly xD
he is so damn cute, and sweet, and awesome!
He was 13 and he was a kid fighting with his emotions i can't give him fault for that and also i loved how he still tracked her everywhere and kept her somewhat safe .
Profile Image for Andréa.
813 reviews
November 30, 2020
I quite enjoy when the hero knows he wants the girl from a young age and never changes his mind. She's the one and he'll get her. I find it refreshing and endearing. So this one was short but still put a smile on my face. Cute characters, cute story.
Profile Image for Hey Lin.
745 reviews
April 13, 2022
This is a quick, short and sweet novella that wasn't a five star but it didn't make me want to stab my eye with needles either.h

The h thinks that the H is taken because he's on a date with a Cray Cray woman that his mom set him up with but he wants nothing to do with her.

But they catch feelings and live in the same apartment so of course they gonna kiss in the elevator ya dig?

I guess the forbidden aspect is that he's older (iirc if I recall correctly) he's 28 and she's a 18 just barely out of high school and a v cuz of COURSE she is.

The ow drama was a little out there since Tiffany (ow) comes to the door with a gun to shoot....someone. Probably the h. Probably. Most definitely.

It all ends well 😂 don't worry!

Good for a quick read but you are mine is still my favorite favorite of hers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ana Flavia.
210 reviews14 followers
Read
October 5, 2022
eu nem vou dar estrela pq eu abandonei esse livro kkkkk acho que em 60%. É um livro -extremamente- curto, o jeito que começa parece que vc perdeu uma coisa ali sabe? um prequel ou um livro anterior, mas nao, é aquilo ali mesmo. Por exemplo, o livro começa com o Reid ja querendo reconquistar a menina (eu esqueci o nome desculpa), e por isso, voce sente que vc ta lendo a metade de um livro. Ja no segundo cap ele ja vem falando dela e ''intrometendo'' na vida dela depois de 5 anos sem ao menos olhar para ela e o que a menina faz ACEITA! e como se ele nao tivesse deixado a amizade dela e esses 5 anos nunca se passaram, e dai ele beija ela e ela deixa????? é um livro curto e mesmo assim eu nao consegui terminar kkk e pior a menina é uma chata (ele tambem nao é legal nao) o jeito que ela perdoa facil (que eu tenho certeza que é pelo fato de ser curto e ela nao quis perder tempo com algo que ela deveria perder), isso de começar ja no meio, ele do nada ''reconquistando'' ela tipo ele acordou em um dia e falou ''ela sera minha'' sendo que o jeito que é feito isso é muito ruim e infantil.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,214 reviews4 followers
November 28, 2020
Reid and Zoey

Reid and Zoey live next to each other. Once the best of friends,until something changes. Misunderstandings have them apart for a bit. Sweet, OTT man once he comes to his senses. The best epilogues!
Profile Image for Birdie.
401 reviews
February 2, 2021
I generally enjoy Lucy Darling books and this one was cute and had some light angst in it, but the premise was just so stupid. I couldn't get beyond that. Reid never hated Zoey, he was just confused about his feelings for her and he totally pushes her away. I could deal with just that, but he never hated her and he always knew that, why didn't he try to mend things with her sooner? He ruined her high school experience because he was selfish. I just think the plot for this one was lazy and poorly developed. It could have been so much better. I wish Zoey had gone on more dates, to be honest.

The second book, His Forever Love, about Zoey's bff, Willow, and Reid's coach, Theo, is MUCH better than this one in my opinion.

At least Reid was 100% faithful to Zoey, he didn't date or sleep around to try to get over her. He's just a coward who ruined her teenage years and then steamrolled over her feelings once he decided he was ready to face his feelings for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Granger McGringot.
1,440 reviews218 followers
November 28, 2020
Idk. I feel that Ive read this book through Alexa Riley's title "not yet". The plot similarities was bout 80%. I mean both books' H were ignoring and being an ass to h for years before finally getting his act together and start chasing the h. Second, both books MC set up as final-yr high school students. Third, they both started as childhood bff, before the "separation". Third, both parents in love with each other.

The difference was that both werent step siblings. Again, idk. I felt like re read the book, despite different setting and dialogue. But, maybe that's just me.

Both virgin love
Each other first
No condoms, contraception
No drama
Safe read. HEA. Epilogue
Overall score: 3 safe read stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Annelie.
684 reviews25 followers
March 26, 2023
Luckily short!

Thanks God this book was short because it was so void of any strong storyline it was appalling😰
Be aware that this book is more suitable for teenagers than YA or adult...
The FMC is a doormat who caved after less than one week being pursued by the guy, Reid. The reason he rejected her when they were 13 years old (🙄 yes, 13 years...) is confusing and not believable at all.
Usually I live epilogue and second epilogue but here I think there are 3 epilogues and it was a bit ridiculous...
Lost my time here...
Profile Image for rosa.
543 reviews13 followers
Read
April 28, 2022
Never thought I would dnf a novella, but I guess here we are...
Profile Image for Brandi .
1,682 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2020
This was a cute, quick read by a new-to-me author.

Zoey & Reid had a sweet & possessive relationship both before it actually began & after. I loved how Reid always tried his best to protect Zoey but rolled my eyes multiple times at his reasoning for staying away from her. Man, there were too many lost years between those two for my liking but I was over-the-moon happy when they came together. (Literally & figuratively.)

I definitely will be checking out more books by this author.
Profile Image for Sarah Anne.
1,881 reviews191 followers
October 3, 2021
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.

Overall: 3-stars

Safety Rating: Safe with Exception

Possible Triggers: No
• No abuse
• No OTT sad parts

Ending:
Profile Image for FLOR .
455 reviews203 followers
June 15, 2025
Cumplió con su objetivo de sacarme de mi bloqueo.
Profile Image for Kellyythoralabatalla.
1,016 reviews35 followers
August 4, 2025
me pareció tan pendejo porque le dejo de hablar y aún más pendejo cuando empezó a hablar otra vez. de resto me gustó, a esto me refiero cuando quiere leer sobre adolescentes, no esas otras mamadas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.