01 Aug Book Review: Forever… by Judy Blume

Judy Blume was already a pioneer in young adult fiction when Forever… was released in 1975. She carved out a space for honest teen voices by tackling puberty, friendship, and family—but in Forever… she took it further, exploring first love and sexuality with a frankness that was groundbreaking (and controversial) for its time. It’s a book that captures the confusion, passion, and joy of teenage connection without judgment or melodrama.

What’s it about?

At the heart of Forever… are Katherine “Kiss” Laurie and Michael Wagner, both high school seniors navigating a summer that will change everything. Katherine is thoughtful, responsible, and curious; Michael is charming, confident, and deeply kind. When they meet at a park, their chemistry is electric—and within weeks they’re inseparable.

The story unfolds in careful, observational detail as they spend more time together: going on long walks, holding hands, confiding their hopes and anxieties. Blume writes intimate scenes with sensitivity—a first touch in a parked car, a shared moment in Katherine’s bedroom, a conversation about what each of them means by love. The book doesn’t sensationalize sex—it treats it as part of growing up, like learning to ride a bike or dealing with a parent’s heartbreak.

Their relationship deepens as they prepare for college and face the reality that they may not go to the same place. Michael begins university out of state; Katherine stays local. The decision to start having sex isn’t rushed—it’s wrapped in conversations about what it means and how to handle it emotionally. Blume addresses consent, expectation, responsibility, and what sex does to a relationship, without moralizing. Katherine tracks her emotional landscape with honesty: joy, fear, confusion, and hope all tumble together.

As summer bleeds into autumn, the tension of separation builds. They love each other, but they’re also changing. School year routines, friend groups, family expectations—life intrudes. Their bond is tested not by betrayal but by growth and distance. By the final pages, they reach a point of care, respect, memory, and kindness—a real ending that acknowledges that people can grow beyond relationships without diminishing their value.

What This Chick Thinks

Real Teenagers, Not Stereotypes

Blume avoids caricature. Katherine wonders about college essays and her mom’s moods. Michael’s not a smooth playboy—he’s a boy who gets shy when he cares. Their first kiss is awkward. Their first time together is messy and sweet. That authenticity is why it still resonates today.

Sex as a Rite of Passage, Not Taboo

Even with censorship attempts in the seventies, Forever… felt normal. Not sensational. Blume gives sex a context—emotion, consent, protection, heart. And she doesn’t punish her characters for it. Katherine and Michael aren’t destined for disaster—they’re headed for life, and that in-between moment is where the power lies.

Empathy Over Drama

Unrequited attraction, jealousy among friends, parents asking questions—it all lands softly. There’s tension, but it doesn’t erupt. Instead, Blume uses empathy. She lets Katherine share her voice: nervous, excited, sometimes overwhelmed. That emotional clarity hits harder than any twist.

A Few Dated Details

Of course, it’s from the seventies: no smartphones, pale lipstick, and Michael’s parents giving Katherine wine at dinner. Those details can feel vintage, but they don’t interfere. They just place you in a different landscape—one where letters and landlines mattered. It adds charm.

Final Thoughts

Forever… feels timeless because it trusts its teenage characters. It doesn’t preach or preachy—it listens and lets them feel deeply without shame. Love, first-time sex, heartbreak—it’s all presented with maturity and compassion. This is YA done with respect and sincerity.

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like:

• Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden – A groundbreaking YA romance with emotional honesty and tenderness.
• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – Another honest dive into teenage struggles and emotional trauma, told with raw voice.
• Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume – A classic YA rite-of-passage where Blume’s voice first found its power.