Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Forever, which has been capturing hearts and minds on Netflix with its authentic portrayal of teenage romance and the complexities of first love.
Forever premiered on Netflix on May 8, 2025, and consists of 8 episodes with each episode running approximately one hour. This heartfelt series is a modern adaptation of Judy Blume’s beloved novel, reimagined by acclaimed showrunner Mara Brock Akil, bringing contemporary relevance to a timeless story of young love.
Set in 2018 Los Angeles, the series follows two young athletes as they navigate their first love while dealing with intense family and academic pressures. Forever masterfully explores themes of identity, intimacy, and the life-changing impact of first romantic relationships, creating an authentic coming-of-age experience that resonates with viewers of all ages.
Reconnected Hearts in the City of Angels
The story centers around two high schoolers in Los Angeles who are reunited as teens after being childhood friends, falling deeply in love and experiencing both the joy and heartache of a first romance. Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards navigate the complexities of identity, high school and first love while facing the intense pressures that come with being student athletes.
Forever doesn’t shy away from the real challenges that modern teenagers face, including pushy parents pressuring their kids into getting college athletic scholarships. The series balances these external pressures with the internal emotional journey of discovering love for the first time.
Keisha Clark: A Young Woman Finding Her Voice
Keisha Clark, portrayed by Lovie Simone, represents the modern teenage experience of balancing personal desires with family expectations. Her character development throughout Forever showcases the strength and vulnerability that comes with first love. As she navigates her relationship with Justin, Keisha must also confront her own identity and future aspirations.
Her journey in Forever demonstrates how young love can both challenge and strengthen our sense of self, making her one of the most relatable characters in recent teen drama television.
Justin Edwards: An Athlete with Heart
Justin Edwards, played by Michael Cooper Jr., brings depth to the role of a young athlete torn between his sporting ambitions and his growing feelings for Keisha. His character arc in Forever explores how first love can reshape priorities and challenge everything a person thought they knew about their future.
The chemistry between Justin and Keisha forms the emotional backbone of Forever, creating moments that feel both authentic and deeply moving.
When Love Meets Reality’s Harsh Demands
The most powerful moments in Forever occur when the young couple must face the reality of their circumstances and the expectations placed upon them. These pivotal episodes showcase how first love can be both a source of strength and a complicating factor in already complex teenage lives.
The series builds to emotional crescendos that force both characters to make difficult choices about their relationship and their individual futures, creating some of the most genuine and heartbreaking television moments of 2025.
Success on Netflix
Forever has achieved remarkable success on Netflix, earning a second season renewal just six days after its premiere. Audiences have praised the series for its authentic portrayal of teenage relationships and its respectful adaptation of Judy Blume’s beloved source material. The show currently holds a 7.7 rating on IMDb, with viewers particularly appreciating the genuine chemistry between the leads and the series’ honest approach to young adult themes, making Forever a standout addition to Netflix’s young adult programming.
The Perfect Romance for Your Next Emotional Journey
If you love coming-of-age stories with authentic romance, Forever is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This beautifully crafted drama delivers genuine emotion while exploring the transformative power of first love in a way that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Why This Heartfelt Series Deserves Your Attention
Forever succeeds in creating an authentic and emotionally resonant portrayal of first love that will remind you why these early romantic experiences shape us so profoundly, making it essential viewing for anyone who appreciates honest storytelling about the teenage experience.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 8 episodes (Season 1 completed, Season 2 renewed)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2025
Current IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Drama, Romance, Coming-of-Age
Status: Currently airing (Season 2 in production)
Protagonists: Lovie Simone (Keisha Clark), Michael Cooper Jr. (Justin Edwards)
Antagonist: Societal and family pressures, internal conflicts of growing up