Netflix's 'Forever' Review: A Tender, Timely Coming-of-Age Journey

Forever is a moody, modern coming-of-age drama set in the 2010s and based on Judy Blume’s novel of the same name. Adapted by Mara Brock Akil, the series reimagines the classic tale through a fresh lens with Black leads at the center. Fans of coming to age stories have long been asking for another that features black leads, Forever is a nice nod to those that precede it. While some book fans may argue the series strays too far from its source material, Forever stands on its own as a poignant and powerful teen love story that balances heartache with hope.

The series follows high school juniors Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) and Keisha (Lovie Simone) as they navigate love, identity, and the looming uncertainty of life after graduation. Keisha is recovering from a very public sex scandal that forced her to switch schools, while Justin is grappling with the pressure of fulfilling his mother's academic dreams when his heart lies elsewhere, in music. They come from different worlds, but a chance meeting at a party where neither feels they belong sparks a connection that feels real, raw, and magnetic.

Growing Pains

The series starts on a quiet note, taking its time to develop the internal struggles of its leads. Justin’s world is shaped by expectations: a scholarship to a Division One basketball program or admission into Northwestern, ideally both. Meanwhile, Keisha is hiding from her past. She doesn't want to disappoint her hardworking mother, who has done nothing but make sacrifices to give her the best possible options and outcomes. However, her attempt to please her mother, partly by pretending to still date her ex, Christian, creates friction in her relationship with Justin, whom she sees secretly. It caused them to break up and make up more than once before finally hitting their stride.

Love, Choices, and the Space In Between

By the time graduation rolls around, so do big decisions. Keisha is accepted into Howard, and Justin gets into Northwestern. They discuss trying to make long distance work, but Keisha is looking forward to life at Howard. Justin cannot bear the thought of being too far from her so he suggests that he attend Howard. After a discussion, he realizes that he was clinging too hard. They loved hard, but maybe he needed to take a step back. They soon discover that real love doesn't always mean holding on—it can also mean learning to let go. The saying goes, 'if you love someone, let them go', the series does well with this idea and shows that growth sometimes means that you have to walk away to find yourself before you can truly give yourself to someone else. Sometimes, you must walk away to allow that person to find themselves.

Final Thoughts

With just eight episodes, Forever is angsty but grounded, giving us flawed, vulnerable, and refreshingly real teens. The chemistry between Simone and Cooper Jr. carries the emotional weight of the show, and the soundtrack perfectly complements each moment, turning pivotal scenes into quiet symphonies of feeling. While the first episode takes a while to warm up, by episode two, the series hits its stride and never looks back.

Whether you've read the book or not, Forever is a thoughtful and beautifully told story about first love, second chances, and the journey to self-discovery. For this viewer, it's a ten out of ten. I think that the story can and should be continued. There is no word on whether this is intended to be one season or more, but I hope for a season two set after college. However, the series does stick to the book with the ending of episode 8.

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