Ebony LaDelle's This Could Be Forever is a quite suspenseful and relatable YA romance. You know what I mean. You really want the protagonists to fight their way to happy ever after and there are strong obstacles in the way. But it's also much more, offering fascinating insights into a culture many of us know little about.
It starts when Deja, who is visiting the college she's going to attend, steps into the tattoo shop where Raja (who also will be a first year student there) works. The sparks are there. Even though they don't exchange digits you just know it isn't the last they'll see of each other. If only it was that easy.
Raja's devout Hindu parents have their hearts 💕 set on him becoming an engineer. Not exactly compatible with his dreams of being a tattoo artist and opening his own shop. Even though he isn't going out of state for college they're angry that he's moved out of the family home into a studio apartment of his own. They're determined to set him up with an arranged marriage to a proper caste Hindu girl from Nepal...
...most definitely not a Black Christian American. But they aren't the only ones with reservations about the relationship. Deja's family hails from North Carolina where they experience plenty of racism. Her parents want her to be respected and loved, something they fear Raja's family will be incapable of.
But while the parents on both sides are acting apprehensive and sometimes cringe worthy Deja and Raja are finding allies in siblings and cousins. Will love conquer all?...
...only one way to find out.
On a purrrsonal note, I am having an absolutely purrrfect Friday. It started on campus with first Friday bagels. My bestie Catherine toasted me a perfect sweet cinnamon one. (If she ever gets tired of anthropology she'd have a future with Bagel Central.) I saw so many friends who love my tattoo. I went to the fiber arts club which I know I'll enjoy. And best of all I got an email 📧 saying I WON ONE OF THE GRAND PRIZES in the Orono Public Library summer ☀️ reading challenge. Luckily Catherine, who was giving me a ride home, was agreeable to stopping at the library on the way.
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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