I love books in verse! It takes a level of craft and nuance to tell a story with visual structure as well as verbal restraint. Lovely and full of depth.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A moving YA novel in verse about a Black queer girl struggling with her mental health and the aftermath of witnessing police brutality in her community. I've read all of Mariama's books and this was definitely my favorite! I think each of her books has been better than the last and I'm really excited to see what she writes next. I particularly loved that this was set in Oakland! It's a story of love, friendship, identity, and mental health. Highly recommend for fans of Brandy Colbert, Amber McBride, and Elizabeth Acevedo!

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

After witnessing an act of police brutality, Sadie's world is turned upside down when her anxiety gets bad and she's diagnosed with agoraphobia.

I really loved this all the way up until the end. It's a great portrayal of what it's like to live with mental illness. I also think it's super important to see representation of mental illness that's not focused on white protagonists. My one qualm is that I think it wrapped up a little bit too neatly.

This was a phenomenal novel.

As somebody who works with teenagers, I felt like the author captured the experience and voice of somebody this age so, so well. Also, she did a fantastic job of exploring the complexities of anxiety and agoraphobia in a way that really opened my eyes even more to the reality. The way she described the MC’s struggles felt SO real. I could tell the anxiety well up within myself. It’s a talent to make a story feel so tangible.

I also thought she did a great job of exploring racism + police brutality and how that is affecting so many youth. This book has the capability to help those in similar situations feel seen.

Last, but not least, does a social media app like this actually exist? I think it could potentially be very beneficial.

Thank you PenguinTeen and NetGalley for this eARC! My review is live on GoodReads and Amazon.

This was a really powerful novel-in-verse that shows the true sides of society, grief, trauma, and agoraphobia. It was a sad and powerful book that I’ll be recommending to others! Great representation.

Mariama is one of my favorite middle grade authors and I love that she wrote a young adult book! This was a novel in verse full of emotions-you will FEEL in this book. The anxiety portrayed was spot on-I highlighted so many places I identified with. I also like that there was a diverse cast of characters and all of the things that happened felt natural and real. This book will make you feel mad, angry, hopeful, and in love.

I was drawn into the beautiful cover and was just as drawn in with the inside as well. Wonderfully written to portray the hardships of anxiety while suffering from agoraphobia and handling being Black in America.

DNF because I truly didn't feel like I was reading a novel in verse, just some paragraphs with line breaks. I was missing the lyricism. I did find the main character really compelling though, I may try to revisit this in the future. I'm leaving a 3 star review because I'm required to leave one, but I would consider this unrated as of now.

I spoke about this book on a bookmail/bookhaul video and spoke on how much I loved it. Mariama went in a different direction with this one being in verse but I really liked it and it gave the points where there could be heaviness levity. The live is linked to hear more of what I said!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Themes: Mental Health, Agoraphobia, Police Brutality



This book is a must read. So many children and adults experience what Sadie feels. Inside is safe, outside is dangerous. Not because of anything they have done but the actions of others. This is Sadie's story through poetry. It's a lyrical masterpiece that would sweep the Academy Awards and other award programs as well.

Absolutely beautiful. Many will feel seen by Sadie.

This book really hit home for me ! It touched my heart and gave voice to the inner teen in me that struggled through mental health! What a way to showcase the importance of us through this read!! It was so moving, I literally cried at the end!! #mustread
TITLE: Forever is Now
AUTHOR: Mariama J. Lockington
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Status & Giroux Books for Young Readers (Macmillan)
RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2023
GENRES: YA contemporary, poetry, mental health
SYNOPSIS:
A poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us.
I’m safe here.
That’s how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend’s arms. School is out, and even though she’s been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie’s whole world is upended in an instant.
I’m not safe anywhere.
That’s how Sadie feels every day after—vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie’s therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic—agoraphobia—she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie’s best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can’t even leave your house?
I can build a safe place inside myself.
That’s what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door.
From critically acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington comes Forever is Now, a powerful young adult novel-in-verse about mental health, love, family, Black joy, and finding your voice and power in an unforgiving world.

I knew Mariama could write gorgeous middle grades but WOW she can write YA too. The poems in this one blew me away, and as per usual, I was struck with the authentic representation of mental health struggles and adoption that I've come to associate with Mariama's work.

A contemporary, lyrical dream. As someone who thinks lyrically all the time, I loved experiencing this protagonist's journey in the same way. I was really impressed with that way Mariama J. Lockington was able to depict an entire world, characters and conversations in verse. As a neurodivergent reader who also loves poetry, this book's layout is so accessible and exciting. Having a female character that struggles with both anxiety and insomnia is something that I wish was around when I was growing up. I am really grateful that this novel exists.

Sadie lives in Oakland with her parents and younger brother. She is ready for her summer internship and hanging out with her girlfriend until she witnesses a violent incident of police brutality (right after her girlfriend gives the "it's not you, it's me" speech), which triggers Sadies's anxiety to a tipping point into agoraphobia and her whole summer goes down the drain. Now, Sadie must rely on her new normal of connection through social media, relying on her bff Evan to keep her connected, finding coping mechanisms, and identifying triggers meanwhile wanting to stand with her community.
This is a beautiful novel-in-verse through Sadie's POV as copes with anxiety while also struggling to have her family understand her. Sadie's mom is the archetype for parents who are tolerant (hesitantly accepting without understanding) while Sadie's dad is the character who truly attempts to understand her. I love the setting and the commitment to representation and diversity throughout the novel with the clear understanding of how the communities interact in the Bay Area. Mariama Lockington does well in explaining the experience of someone suffering from anxiety and depression. I hope this book reaches a young person who needs it.

I really felt for Sadie as a main character, she felt like a real person and I enjoyed going through this journey with this. Mariama J. Lockington does a great job in writing this and it had a great plot going on. The rest of the cast worked with what I was expecting and were just as real as Sadie was.

Mariama J. Lockington’s newest release is a deep plunge into the world of modern-day youth, especially those in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.

A novel-in-verse, Forever is Now is written from the perspective of Sadie, a black teen who is subject to unexpected news and witnesses police brutality in one afternoon. While she’s already managing life day-to-day with chronic anxiety, this moment turns her world upside down, and she is unsure how to continue with her life. With the help of her friends, family, and new (maybe even cute?) neighbor, Sadie discovers the importance of community, Black Joy, and love.

Forever is Now is a quick but soul-changing read. In today’s world of discrimination and global collapse, Lockington’s encouraging words prove to young readers that there is hope even in the darkest moments of life. Their brilliant descriptions of panic attacks, isolation, and moments of dismissal are brutally accurate. This is a perfect choice for a young adult who is catching on that the world is not in its best shape but doesn't yet know how to take the steps to change it.

Be sure to pick up a copy for your favorite teen at a local bookstore today! Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Forever is now, a heartfelt and powerful novel in verse YA book. It follows a Black Queer girl named Sadie who is diagnosed with agoraphobia and anxiety, learning to manage her mental health. Sadie founds her place as an activist with an online community. Her anxiety become severe after witnessing police brutality against an innocent Black college student. The book addresses the impact of mental health on family members, being Black and LGBTQ+, and Black Lives Matter movement. Despite Sadie's anxiety, she has a passion in boxing, for Black People and Social justice. Sadie focuses on the joy life brings. I think everyone in the world should this stunning, moving and heartfelt book. Be sure to read the author's note at the end of the book.

Thanks to Turn the pages tours for the chance to feature and review this book.

I knew when I saw that Lockington had a YA book coming out that I needed to get my hands on it. And then the blurb and cover were released and I knew then that I had to move hell and high water to get a copy. Because let's be real, I NEEDED THIS BOOK. lol

Ok so immediately the first thing that stood out to me was the type of book it was. I was a little scared that it was a novel in verse. I am usually not a fan, but adding in the rest of the factors about this book, I knew I had to give it a chance at the very least. And sure enough, it did it for me. This was ok I think because not only was it a novel in verse, but it was a mix between verse and prose. That was a new one for me, but it made the verse part easier to digest. (Not that it wasn't good!) Finally I got used to the verse part and it didn't even bother me anymore after awhile.

What I saw while reading was the amazing rep it had! Starting with the anxiety and agoraphobia. I can say with absolute certainty that this book was accuate and felt hella real. Why? Because i have experienced everything that Sadie did. I've always had anxiety, but after 2020 I was terrified to go outside. I don't remember leaving the house. I got my groceries delivered etc. Then I got pregnant and found out I was having a boy. A little Black boy. And then George Floyd. By then, I didn't want to go out for anything in fear that something could happen to me or my baby boy. (Because who knows when he'll become a threat.)The whole world was scary and I hated feeling like I was trapped in my own house. Sadie mirrored my feelings exactly. I'm so glad she had someone to talk to. The LGBTQ+rep was also really good, as this was an own voices novel.

The other rep that I found amazing was the Black rep. I loved how real this was. Especially the way mental health is seen in the Black household. A lot of times they don't view it as real. Idk, they say just get over it or act like it's a phase. I really enjoyed getting to see Sadie's mom change in this one. It was refreshing that someone finally used that perspective. Other people don't know the struggles Black people go through when we talk about mental health issues to our parents and grandparents. Hearing "Just pray about it" all the time is disheartening. Especially when anxiety isn't something you can just pray away. Seeing her struggles with her and her mom wasn't great, kinda heartbreaking really, but it was real and I loved it. Her mom didn't really understand and it was ok to highlight her learning just as much as Sadie.

The relationships were the other aspects of this book that stood out to me. The romance that came up was super cute! And I loved that neither of their issues were solved by the other. They both had to work things out on their own. It was just so much more real. And then there was Sadie's bestie. I LOVED them! They comforted her and let her be scared when she needed to and brave when she felt like it. I was so happy she had someone in her corner. With a family who doesn't understand and some of them borderline selfish, it was a treat to see her be so loved by just her friend. Now her ex? GTFOH is all I'll say. She really pissed me off lmao Don't be doing that because you see she don't need you! lol

This book was definitely what Dr. Rudine Bishop would call a "mirror" to me. I related to so much of this book. If I had had something this close to what I was going through when I was a teen, I don't know if I would have been so scared of therapy. I might have known that people like me do this and they're fine. I would have felt like i wasn't alone. Which I think Lockington was going for. Or so that's what I got from the interview with her! If you'd like to make your own decisions, look down below!