Forever and Always Books in Order

How to Read the Forever and Always Series in Order

E. L. Todd's Forever and Always is a massive, emotional, and highly addictive contemporary romance series. Centered around the tumultuous, passionate relationship of Sean and Scarlet, this indie romance sensation spans 22 works (21 primary novels and one prequel/prologue novella). Because the story is heavily serialized and features continuous character development, reading them in the correct sequence is absolutely critical to understanding the character growth, relationship dynamics, and ongoing drama.

Depending on your reading style, there are two primary paths you can take to tackle this series: the Publication Order (the recommended path) or the Chronological Order.

1. The Recommended Reading Path: Publication Order

For the vast majority of readers, the best way to experience Sean and Scarlet's story is in the order the books were originally released. This sequence builds the emotional stakes naturally, starting with the couple's intense friends-to-lovers transition in college and moving through their adult challenges, trust issues, and eventual milestones.

Although Touch of Love is chronologically a prequel, it was published as the sixth book. Reading it in publication order allows you to appreciate the backstory of the characters after you have already invested in their present-day struggles.

Follow this exact publication sequence:

1. Only for You (2013)
2. Forever and Always (2013)
3. Edge of Love (2013)
4. Force of Love (2013)
5. Fight for Love (2013)
6. Touch of Love (2014) (Prequel / Book 0.5)
7. Lover's Roulette (2014)
8. Happily Ever After (2014)
9. The Wandering Caravan (2014)
10. Come What May (2014)
11. Again and Again (2014)
12. Lover's Road (2014)
13. Meant to Be (2014)
14. Here and Now (2014)
15. Until Forever (2014)
16. New Beginnings (2014)
17. Love Conquers All (2014)
18. Love Hurts (2014)
19. The Last Time (2014)
20. Sweet Sins (2014)
21. Lost in Time (2014)
22. Closing Time (2014)

2. The Chronological Reading Path

If you prefer to read events in the exact order they occurred in the characters' lives, you should start with the prequel novella, Touch of Love, before moving into the main books. This path gives you the full context of their childhood and early friendship before the romantic sparks fly in Only for You.

To read chronologically, simply move Touch of Love to the very beginning of your list:

1. Touch of Love (Prequel Novella)
2. Only for You
3. Forever and Always
4. Edge of Love
5. ...[Continue through the rest of the publication list in order, ending with Closing Time]...

Understanding the Prequel: Touch of Love

A common point of confusion for new readers is the placement of Touch of Love. Originally published in early 2014, this book functions as a prologue to the entire series, detailing the early years of Sean and Scarlet's relationship long before they realized their mutual attraction. While starting chronologically with Touch of Love offers deep insight into their shared history, some readers find that starting with Only for You provides a more engaging hook into the series' central conflict.

The Core Dynamics of Sean and Scarlet's Story

At the center of Forever and Always is a classic friends-to-lovers trope elevated by high-stakes emotional drama. Scarlet is a young woman struggling to move past trauma and build a future, while Sean is her steady, loyal best friend who secretly harbors deeper feelings. As they attempt to cross the line from friendship to romance, they face a barrage of external obstacles, including long-distance relationship strains, career choices, past flames, and massive trust challenges—most notably the arrival of Sean's ex, Penelope, who claims to carry his child in the second book, Forever and Always.

Beyond Sean and Scarlet, the series features a beloved supporting cast, including friends like Ryan and Janice, whose own relationship hurdles and humorous banter create a warm, community-driven atmosphere. E. L. Todd writes with a fast-paced, dialogue-heavy style that makes these lengthy serials feel like a quick, addictive watch.

The Sequel Connection: Transitioning to Forever and Ever

One of the most exciting aspects of E. L. Todd's writing is her massive, interconnected romance universe. Once you finish the 22nd book of this series, Closing Time, the story does not truly end. Instead, it transitions directly into a massive sequel series titled Forever and Ever.

While Forever and Always details the romance of the parents, Forever and Ever is a multi-generational follow-up saga that shifts focus to their children. The sequel series stars Cayson Nelson—the son of Sean and Scarlet—alongside Skye Preston, Slade Preston, and Trinity Prescott as they navigate their own complex relationships, college careers, and adult lives. The parent characters, including Sean and Scarlet, make frequent appearances in the sequel series, making the transition between the two series incredibly satisfying for long-term fans.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into this romance epic, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind:

• Fast-Paced Releases: E. L. Todd is incredibly prolific. Almost the entire series was published rapidly within 2013 and 2014, meaning the storytelling reads like a soap opera with immediate cliffhangers and resolutions.
• Bingeability: The books are relatively short and fast-paced. Because they are highly serialized, they are best read close together so you don't lose track of minor character subplots.
• Standalones? None of these books can be read as standalones. Trying to read them out of order will result in major spoilers and confusion, as each book picks up right where the previous one left off.