Book Review: “This Could Be Forever” by Ebony LaDelle

Book Review: “This Could Be Forever” by Ebony LaDelle (2025)

Genre: Romance, YA, Contemporary, Fiction

Page Length: 384 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

Deja’s got a plan. The first in her large family to go to college, she wants to study chemistry and sell natural skin care products, like the ones she already creates from plants grown on her family’s North Carolina farm. It all starts with the Onward Bound summer program at the University of Maryland, the summer before school officially starts.

Raja’s got a dream. His traditional Nepali parents want him to study engineering and settle down in an arranged marriage, but his passion is art, and he wants to open his own tattoo parlor one day. In the meantime, he’s apprenticing at a tattoo shop in College Park, Maryland.

When Deja walks into the shop where Raja’s working, they both start crushing hard—over the course of the summer, they fall more and more deeply for one another. But the closer they get and the more their lives entwine, the more they find that dating someone who doesn’t match your parents’ expectations is harder than they ever imagined.

Can they bridge the divide between the vision their families have for their futures and the lives—and love—that are starting to feel like destiny?

Review:

I loved LaDelle’s debut novel Love Radio to pieces and when I saw she was coming out with a new title I was so excited (and grateful for the publisher to send me a copy). Love Radio was a really refreshing YA Contemporary Romance fiction novel which had good mixture of romance growing up self-discovery, moving on, and healing with your past. This Could Be Forever incorporates some of the same themes of the previous novel while adding in themes of multiculturalism.

Though this book tackles some serious topics such as racism, colorism, and sexism among other discussions they are handled with care and nuance. LaDelle manages to ground the novel in reality which makes it relatable to its audience while also balancing it out with fluffy romance bits. The romance between Deja and Raja was swoon worthy! Even though their attraction to each was instant they still take the time to move things slowly despite the intensity of their feelings. I loved their initial meet cute and how they communicated with each other and took efforts to really learn about each other’s culture. The novel also touches how interacial relationship can sometimes bring challenges with differing backgrounds which I appreciated.

This story illustrates the moment in our lives when you are navigating the moment between adolescence and adulthood in an authentic way. It reminds reader how you can discover your own path in life while honoring your heritage. LaDelle did a wonderful job of not only crafting memorable characters, but also giving them complexity and depth when it came to Deja’s and Raja’s families interacting with each other. The part of the novel I resonated with most is Deja’s relationship with her grandma, Queen, who has passed on and how they share such a deep connection with each other. It reminded me of the days I spent with my grandma growing up.

If you’re looking for a story with heart, romance, and culture This Could Be Forever is a great addition to your Summer reading TBR!

Final Verdict: