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Forever. I Promise.
Dear Author,
People always tell me that the chance of finding your true love in high school is pretty slim. Well thank god then that I didn’t meet Patrick in high school; that’s just the time I fell in love with him. We actually met the day we were born, our mothers going in labour the exact same day and us being born just minutes apart from each other. We grew up together, always being at each other’s side, no matter what. So why are people so shocked about us falling in love? Why are they telling us that for us to be close is great but for us to love each other is wrong?
But all this doesn’t matter, because no matter what our families may think, I am never letting him go. I simply cannot live without him and I certainly don’t want to. So even if everybody will turn on us, we’ll be good, because we have each other.
Photo Description:
Two teenage boys cuddle outside. One is leaning back against the other’s chest and they’re smiling at each other like nothing else exists in the world.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
People always tell me that the chance of finding your true love in high school is pretty slim. Well thank god then that I didn’t meet Patrick in high school; that’s just the time I fell in love with him. We actually met the day we were born, our mothers going in labour the exact same day and us being born just minutes apart from each other. We grew up together, always being at each other’s side, no matter what. So why are people so shocked about us falling in love? Why are they telling us that for us to be close is great but for us to love each other is wrong?
But all this doesn’t matter, because no matter what our families may think, I am never letting him go. I simply cannot live without him and I certainly don’t want to. So even if everybody will turn on us, we’ll be good, because we have each other.
Photo Description:
Two teenage boys cuddle outside. One is leaning back against the other’s chest and they’re smiling at each other like nothing else exists in the world.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
97 pages, ebook
First published August 4, 2013
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Lily Grace
9 books51 followersLily Grace hails from the Midwest but currently resides in the DC metro area. Her background is in public health and the life sciences and she spends her days working as a health care consultant. When she’s not busy being a nerdy scientist she curls up with her laptop and dreams up romantic stories about beautiful men.
She's a fan of loud rock concerts, cooking, shoe shopping, and strawberry ice cream. She loves love, hates cleaning, and is still amazed that when she decided on a whim to try writing a story a few years back that it would lead to having her works published.
You can contact her at lilygrace28@gmail.com, find her at http://lilygracetales.blogspot.com, and tweet her at @lilygracetales.
She's a fan of loud rock concerts, cooking, shoe shopping, and strawberry ice cream. She loves love, hates cleaning, and is still amazed that when she decided on a whim to try writing a story a few years back that it would lead to having her works published.
You can contact her at lilygrace28@gmail.com, find her at http://lilygracetales.blogspot.com, and tweet her at @lilygracetales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 20, 2020
Another coming-of-age / coming out story in the LHNB collection.
Patrick and Zack were born on the same day, grew up together, were best friends in their whole life.
One day Zack realizes he is not only gay, but practically in love with his best friend. He is overwhelmed and shocked by it.
Their coming out to each other is sweet and uncomplicated. But when they are outed by accident, their life becomes a nightmare. They have to face exterior problems: bullying and homophobia. Their parents are simply horrible. I know there are people out there like them, it just makes me sad and angry.
Patrick and Zack are wonderful. I loved how rock-steady their relationship is. Their trust and love for each other is beautiful. I don’t even care about the slightly clichéd pairing of a jock and a nerd (and also a blonde and a dark-haired boy) – it seems I meet this one quite often recently.
Their friends are totally awesome:
Forever. I Promise. is a gripping, heartbreaking story.
Lily Grace, you are on my radar.
My favorite quotes.
My cover:
Patrick and Zack were born on the same day, grew up together, were best friends in their whole life.
One day Zack realizes he is not only gay, but practically in love with his best friend. He is overwhelmed and shocked by it.
“Pat… I need to tell you something.” Try as he might, he couldn’t keep the tremble out of his voice.
When Patrick scooted closer and wrapped his arms around him, Zack couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. He cried into Patrick’s shoulder and Patrick just held him tighter.
“Zack, I promise you, if you’ve killed somebody, I’ll help you hide the body.”
Their coming out to each other is sweet and uncomplicated. But when they are outed by accident, their life becomes a nightmare. They have to face exterior problems: bullying and homophobia. Their parents are simply horrible. I know there are people out there like them, it just makes me sad and angry.
Patrick and Zack are wonderful. I loved how rock-steady their relationship is. Their trust and love for each other is beautiful. I don’t even care about the slightly clichéd pairing of a jock and a nerd (and also a blonde and a dark-haired boy) – it seems I meet this one quite often recently.
“We just, we need to figure out what we’re going to do. You’re the smart one. What’re we going to do, Zack?”
Their friends are totally awesome:
Forever. I Promise. is a gripping, heartbreaking story.
Lily Grace, you are on my radar.
My favorite quotes.
My cover:
August 6, 2013
A sweet, but not fluffy story about two boys growing up as best friends, who realize that their connection goes beyond friendship. Outed shortly after they figure out their feelings for each other during senior year, they are faced with bullies, hate and cold-hearted parents. Neither Zack's mom nor Patrick's parents will ever be eligible for parent of the year award, and I wanted to choke the ever-loving crap out of all three of them for most of this story. Bigoted, hateful, close-minded assholes don't deserve to have children. Love them unconditionally, support your kids in what makes them happy, give them a good foundation upon which to build their own lives - that's your fucking job. All three of them failed spectacularly, and deserved to lose their sons. Fuckwads. Rarely does a story make me so angry as the ones that depict bigoted assholish parents. Like homosexuality is a choice. Or a disease. UGH!
Free from the M/M Romance group's Love Has No Boundaries 2013 challenge. My thanks to the author.
Free from the M/M Romance group's Love Has No Boundaries 2013 challenge. My thanks to the author.
September 26, 2025
Too much homophobia, though I guess it could have been worse. 😕
I forgot how heavy the homophobia got, and I skimmed through a lot of it. The two friends, Brad and Joel, were a nice balance to the dirtbag parents, but they weren't as present as they could have been. Patrick and Zach figured out pretty easily that they were into each other once they came out to each other, and that's about the only easy thing in their relationship. 😢
If I had remembered how heavy this was on the homophobia though, I wouldn't have bothered rereading it, but I liked the MCs enough to tough it out with them.
I forgot how heavy the homophobia got, and I skimmed through a lot of it. The two friends, Brad and Joel, were a nice balance to the dirtbag parents, but they weren't as present as they could have been. Patrick and Zach figured out pretty easily that they were into each other once they came out to each other, and that's about the only easy thing in their relationship. 😢
If I had remembered how heavy this was on the homophobia though, I wouldn't have bothered rereading it, but I liked the MCs enough to tough it out with them.
September 25, 2015
Wow. Just wow.
It's stories like Forever. I Promise that makes me thankful that I love to read in the first place, and makes fall in love with reading all over again. It's stories like this one that makes thankful for the authors like Lily Grace who is able to tell such a beautiful story about two beautiful people who don't want anything else except to be with each other and for other people to respect what they have, accept it for what it is, and move on so both parties can live their lives as they wish to do so. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Its also stories like Forever. I Promise that makes seethe with anger because people such as Zack and Patrick's parents' actually live and thrive off of their prejudices; their inability to accept anything that isn't normal or doesn't fit the mold of the "accepted" universal idea of what love is, what love means, and who love is able to exist between. It's stories like this one that also makes me really sad that there are people like Zack and Patrick who then have to go through their lives knowing that the people that should love them no matter what don't.
It's stories like this one, however, that also remind me that those people that are like Zack and Patrick survive everyday because they have each other. It's stories like this one that just make me . . . happy.
As I read this story--very late at night or very early in the morning, however you want to look at it--I kept getting nervous as I got closer and closer to the end because I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay with Zack and Patrick so much longer than ninety-seven pages worth. I wanted to know years and years worth of living and loving after where the story left off. Alas, this was not the case; it's okay though because in my mind they get everything they deserve and much, much more.
This was a very touching and heart-wrenching story that made me smile, laugh, awww, cuss people's idiocy and bigotry, and, in general, remind me that love is special no matter who it is between.
It's stories like Forever. I Promise that makes me thankful that I love to read in the first place, and makes fall in love with reading all over again. It's stories like this one that makes thankful for the authors like Lily Grace who is able to tell such a beautiful story about two beautiful people who don't want anything else except to be with each other and for other people to respect what they have, accept it for what it is, and move on so both parties can live their lives as they wish to do so. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Its also stories like Forever. I Promise that makes seethe with anger because people such as Zack and Patrick's parents' actually live and thrive off of their prejudices; their inability to accept anything that isn't normal or doesn't fit the mold of the "accepted" universal idea of what love is, what love means, and who love is able to exist between. It's stories like this one that also makes me really sad that there are people like Zack and Patrick who then have to go through their lives knowing that the people that should love them no matter what don't.
It's stories like this one, however, that also remind me that those people that are like Zack and Patrick survive everyday because they have each other. It's stories like this one that just make me . . . happy.
As I read this story--very late at night or very early in the morning, however you want to look at it--I kept getting nervous as I got closer and closer to the end because I didn't want it to end. I wanted to stay with Zack and Patrick so much longer than ninety-seven pages worth. I wanted to know years and years worth of living and loving after where the story left off. Alas, this was not the case; it's okay though because in my mind they get everything they deserve and much, much more.
This was a very touching and heart-wrenching story that made me smile, laugh, awww, cuss people's idiocy and bigotry, and, in general, remind me that love is special no matter who it is between.
September 10, 2013
I tend to stay away from YA.
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. These two boy were incredibly courageous and mature considering the circumstances.
Zack and Patrick had every hurdle that could tear them part thrown their direction.
I was really hoping either set of parents would come around. To hate, so strongly that you forever loose your child seams ridiculous. I wanted to give these boys a hug and promise they would be okay.
But, you know. They got it under control. They take care of one another. Have each other. Sometimes that's all you need.
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. These two boy were incredibly courageous and mature considering the circumstances.
Zack and Patrick had every hurdle that could tear them part thrown their direction.
I was really hoping either set of parents would come around. To hate, so strongly that you forever loose your child seams ridiculous. I wanted to give these boys a hug and promise they would be okay.
But, you know. They got it under control. They take care of one another. Have each other. Sometimes that's all you need.
August 5, 2013
You have to hand it to these teenagers. They show immense courage and tenacity in the face of dreadful odds. With both sets of parents against their love, Zach and Pat hold true to each other. I loved that geeky Zach seems the stronger. Pat is the jock but he is also the protector,
I felt their coming out to each other could have been handled better, but the rest of it flowed smoothly, The parents seemed a little extreme to me, but I guess these sorts of bigots actual exist (goddammit)...
Great response to prompt provided.
I felt their coming out to each other could have been handled better, but the rest of it flowed smoothly, The parents seemed a little extreme to me, but I guess these sorts of bigots actual exist (goddammit)...
Great response to prompt provided.
August 15, 2013
This was another really great LHNB story. I love YA books and this one was just lovely. It was angsty, sweet, happy, sad, and in the end it was beautiful. It's about best friends realising their feelings for each other and struggling when their parents try to keep them apart. We had two great friends who made it easier for them and a big bully who made my blood boil. I love the way this author wrote the story, so I hope to read more from her soon.
August 9, 2013
amazing!!!!
October 10, 2013
This was a lovely story about two boys who grow up together and fall in love. They face homophobia and discrimination from some although they find help from others. I loved how supportive the boys were of each other.
Thanks Heather for the GB pick!
Thanks Heather for the GB pick!
June 16, 2018
Way too angsty for me, and some of the dialogue was a bit weird.
It wasn't bad per se, but it could have been so much better.
It wasn't bad per se, but it could have been so much better.
December 1, 2013
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
4.5 stars Oh my goodness! What a beautiful, sweet, and sad story. I loved the connection between Pat and Zach. I loved that they got together with almost no agnst. I loved their smexy innocent exploration during the ultra sweet sex scenes. I even loved the pain I felt when things weren't going well. The one thing I didn't love, was their parents reactions. I'm OK with the unfortunately realistic plot device of parents not understanding. Pat's parents were actually better in the realism I think but I didn't like the way Zach's mom was portrayed. It just seemed like it was trying a little too hard to make things too hard for them. But great story, sweet Epilogue. I'd love to see a sequel of these guys, or even better, of Joel and Brad!!!
Random pet peeve
August 4, 2013
Well, this was a very well written story. I liked how it started about finding your true love and how he wash happy that he didn't realize it until later on. :-) Scott was a jerk. Brad and Joel were awesome friends. But the worst how their 'parents' reacted. It really sucks they aren't open minded. It was sad, but I am happy that it worked out for them in the end. They don't need people in their lives if they aren't going to be that way, no matter if they were just their friends or parents.
August 4, 2013
3.5
Around the time that I read this, I had been reading an excess of super sweet ooey-gooey stories, and I was so worried this would be another one of those. I was even prepared to call up my dentist (or possibly Heather, haha) to fill some cavities.
Luckily, it wasn't. In the end, this was an okay read. It just didn't have anything super duper special for me.
Around the time that I read this, I had been reading an excess of super sweet ooey-gooey stories, and I was so worried this would be another one of those. I was even prepared to call up my dentist (or possibly Heather, haha) to fill some cavities.
Luckily, it wasn't. In the end, this was an okay read. It just didn't have anything super duper special for me.
August 4, 2013
What a heartbreakingly beautiful story. It amazes me that there are parents out there that would rather lose a child than have them be gay. What a bunch of bigoted fucking assholes.
January 25, 2014
It was good but at the end the blatant homophobia was just a bit too much for me, like look: This is how homophobic parents react.
Apart from that it was good.
Apart from that it was good.
March 27, 2018
I loved the relationship part of this story. Wonderfully sweet.
Some Favorite Quotes:
his best friend, his hero, and his favorite person all wrapped up into one.
"maybe we can just be each other's family."
Some Favorite Quotes:
his best friend, his hero, and his favorite person all wrapped up into one.
"maybe we can just be each other's family."
September 25, 2020
Lovely and so very real. The epilogue takes place over 15 years ago, but unfortunately I don't think we've come very far from the POV of the (intolerant, bigoted, and stupidly hateful) parents. I only can hope that in another 15 years, we'll have made some huge strides. I live in hope...
May 4, 2017
Sweet, touching, lovely story of first love and forever love.
April 24, 2020
Short and very good.
October 4, 2020
This had some nice details, but was otherwise pretty mainstream.
January 10, 2021
Love Patrick and Zack's relationship <3 They are so rock-solid XD
August 5, 2015
WOW... this story was heart...breaking!!!
I really felt so bad for Zach and Patrick. My last year of highschool was in 2004 and I'm trying to think back at how it would have been had I known an openly gay couple. I can imagine it would have been much the same as those boys, but what I can't understand is how parents are so willing to throw away a relationship with their own flesh and blood... The children they made, they raised, they nurtured their entire lives until one day it just stops... I can not imagine either of my children doing anything so bad that I just stop loving them or stop wanting them around me always. I absolutely hated both of their parents, and I know people still act that ignorant today. I just don't see how in anyone's mind it's justified. I don't understand.
I'm so glad these boys had each other, and the two good friends they had with Joel and Brad, not caring about anything other than their friends and their happiness.... we should all take a minute to learn from them.
I didn't mean to get on my soap box here, but the majority of this story I was heart broken and pissed off... I'm glad they got their HEA although I really wished the parents would have got a nice dose of karmatic justice!!! Oh well.... I'll make something horrible up in my mind to feel justified LOL
Overall, hard but awesome read.
I really felt so bad for Zach and Patrick. My last year of highschool was in 2004 and I'm trying to think back at how it would have been had I known an openly gay couple. I can imagine it would have been much the same as those boys, but what I can't understand is how parents are so willing to throw away a relationship with their own flesh and blood... The children they made, they raised, they nurtured their entire lives until one day it just stops... I can not imagine either of my children doing anything so bad that I just stop loving them or stop wanting them around me always. I absolutely hated both of their parents, and I know people still act that ignorant today. I just don't see how in anyone's mind it's justified. I don't understand.
I'm so glad these boys had each other, and the two good friends they had with Joel and Brad, not caring about anything other than their friends and their happiness.... we should all take a minute to learn from them.
I didn't mean to get on my soap box here, but the majority of this story I was heart broken and pissed off... I'm glad they got their HEA although I really wished the parents would have got a nice dose of karmatic justice!!! Oh well.... I'll make something horrible up in my mind to feel justified LOL
Overall, hard but awesome read.
August 4, 2013
LHNB Story released 4.8.13
YA suitable story. Zack and Patrick have been friends since birth, in fact they share their birthday and live next door to each other. The story starts with a brief scene from when they were 10 but then fast forwards to the age of 17 and concentrates on their final year at school, from admitting they are gay and like each other to being outed at school and discovered by their parents on the same day. Forced to stay apart from each other, apart from a few stolen moments, at both home and school their feelings for each other do not change and they finally get to graduation and leaving home for college. Despite the unsupportive parents and some bullying at school this is a very low angst read with a nice HEA.
YA suitable story. Zack and Patrick have been friends since birth, in fact they share their birthday and live next door to each other. The story starts with a brief scene from when they were 10 but then fast forwards to the age of 17 and concentrates on their final year at school, from admitting they are gay and like each other to being outed at school and discovered by their parents on the same day. Forced to stay apart from each other, apart from a few stolen moments, at both home and school their feelings for each other do not change and they finally get to graduation and leaving home for college. Despite the unsupportive parents and some bullying at school this is a very low angst read with a nice HEA.
January 5, 2014
This was a nice, coming of age story. I liked the friendship between Patrick and Zack. What I didn't understand was Zack's mother. She was so distant with her son so I didn't quite understand why she made such a big deal about him being gay. I don't like it but I could understand Patrick's parents' reaction better.
There was something lacking in this novella and I can't quite put my finger on it. It would have been nice to know what Zack's major was in college since he was the Valedictorian and Patrick's as well.
Don't know why but it bugged me when Zack would call Patrick "Pat."
There was something lacking in this novella and I can't quite put my finger on it. It would have been nice to know what Zack's major was in college since he was the Valedictorian and Patrick's as well.
Don't know why but it bugged me when Zack would call Patrick "Pat."
March 30, 2016
2.5 rounded up
I like those coming of age stories. But I couldn't really get into that one. There's too much cliché in this one: hateful parents, bullying classmates, evil teachers. What the heck was this about Zack's mom? She was like a zombie. That was odd.
I liked how some friends accepted and helped them. I liked the connection between them Especially that forever feeling is something I can remember feeling as a teenager. When we're young we can still believe that love has no limitations... :)
I like those coming of age stories. But I couldn't really get into that one. There's too much cliché in this one: hateful parents, bullying classmates, evil teachers. What the heck was this about Zack's mom? She was like a zombie. That was odd.
I liked how some friends accepted and helped them. I liked the connection between them Especially that forever feeling is something I can remember feeling as a teenager. When we're young we can still believe that love has no limitations... :)
July 12, 2015
A short read that really reminds me of how small-minded and homophobic some people can be, even when it's their own child. I loved that Zack and Patrick were brave and amazing to stand together through all the bullying by fellow students and even by their parents. I'm glad that the author didn't go too angsty, as that's usually what I avoid in YA.
August 5, 2013
Ooooh, I hated their parents!! But I adored Patrick and Zack, they were so sweet together. I really liked the realism in this, with their parents' reactions and having to deal with daily high school life. I really enjoyed their friends too, love Brad and Joel scheming to help them out. Thanks for a sweet story!
January 18, 2014
Great story about two young men who have been friends forever realising that they love each other. Neither has a supportive family so they have to rely on friends and each other for happiness.
Well written and a decent length that leaves you feeling satisfied. I'd definitely read more by this author.
Well written and a decent length that leaves you feeling satisfied. I'd definitely read more by this author.
September 30, 2014
3.5 Stars
I just wanted to smack Patrick and Zack's parents! Especially Patrick's! Zack's mom was cool and distant throughout his life, so the change isn't as dramatic. But Patrick's did a complete turnabout and that is something I will never be able to understand.
I just wanted to smack Patrick and Zack's parents! Especially Patrick's! Zack's mom was cool and distant throughout his life, so the change isn't as dramatic. But Patrick's did a complete turnabout and that is something I will never be able to understand.
August 21, 2013
A sweet coming of age, friends to lovers story. For a short story, it had a lot of depth, pulling you in from the start, making you really feel for the characters. I loved the final words of Zach's speech--if only everyone would take them to heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews