Forever & Ever

A gritty, fresh Australian story with a Romeo and Juliet themed love story at its centre, from the inaugural Indigenous Writers Mentorship recipient.

‘An evocative and gutsy new voice.’ Tara June Winch

Talia is sixteen, pregnant and angry. Her family is broken. She’s looking after her unwell mother. Her dad’s gone. At school she is shunned. And Johnny-the one person she thought she could count on-just walked away.

Johnny is Barkindji, smart and confused. He’s struggling with the weight of his parents’ expectations: he wants to please them, but is the future they’ve planned for him the one he really wants? He makes a decision he knows he’ll regret: leaving Talia behind.

But some love-no matter how impossible-never lets go.

Forever & Ever is a gritty, heart-wrenching love story set in a Murray-Darling river town simmering with deep-seated prejudice and long-buried secrets.

‘A heartfelt exploration of love, loss and relationships… I would strongly recommend this book to kids 14+.’ Eadie, bookseller, 16 years old

‘Allanah Hunt portrays a regional Australian town unable to confront its racism, or to accept that it matters, with honesty and courage. Country is vividly alive on the page… Forever & Ever is insightful, generous and engaging.’ Judges’ comments, 2026 Kate Challis RAKA Award

‘A devastating exploration of first love, loss and the perilous work of growing up…a novel to read with your heart in your hand.’ Books+Publishing