Review Detail

16 Forever by Lance Rubin is an interesting YA romance with a unique twist. The story follows Carter Cohen, who is stuck reliving his 16th birthday for the sixth year in a row. Each time he tries to turn 17, his memory resets, his body ages backward, and the world moves on around him. This fantastical time loop creates an unusual coming-of-age story where Carter must navigate high school life again and again, dealing with angst and the challenges of growing up while literally unable to move forward. I was drawn in immediately by the concept of reliving an entire year, and I finished the book quickly because I wanted to see if Carter could finally break the loop and move on. My favorite part of the book was seeing Carter finally confront his limitations and reflect on how much he’s grown emotionally, even if he’s technically stuck at 16, it was both satisfying and heartfelt.

The romance between Carter and Maggie Spear adds emotional depth to the story. Maggie is struggling with the reality of leaving for college and the fact that Carter doesn’t remember their relationship. Both characters make mistakes, feel regret, and learn about themselves in the process, which makes them feel real and relatable. I especially appreciated how the book handles their second-chance romance in a believable, sometimes messy way. The supporting characters, like Carter’s brother Lincoln, add tension and humor, and the author doesn’t shy away from letting the characters make significant errors that lead to interesting consequences. My favorite part of the book was watching Carter confront the reasons for his loop and the emotional growth he experiences along the way. While the ending felt a bit rushed and left some questions unanswered about the loop itself, the story remains an engaging, heartfelt read that blends fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age themes effectively.