A Moving, Witty Novel About Love, Secrets and Midlife Reinvention
What if your greatest love story is also your biggest question mark?
Twenty-two years after a chance encounter at a Glasgow sandwich van turned into the love of a lifetime, Nell and Daniel’s once-electric relationship has settled into a routine of missed connections, work stress, and unspoken truths. Their lives are comfortable—successful even—but the spark that once lit them up has dimmed.
Daniel has built a food empire from scratch, transforming his late-night sandwich hustle into a thriving business empire. But while he’s chasing deals and expanding menus, Nell is quietly shrinking in her own life. A talented graphic designer, she feels more like a supporting act in someone else’s story—drifting further from the woman she once wanted to be.
Their marriage, once built on laughter, passion, and spontaneous nights out, now runs on low-grade friction and unspoken compromises. The things they don’t say to each other have begun to matter more than the ones they do.
Then a photograph from Nell’s past resurfaces online. It’s seemingly innocent—but for Nell, it threatens to unravel a long-buried secret she’s kept hidden for years. As the truth begins to ripple through their carefully balanced life, both Nell and Daniel are forced to face the question they’ve been avoiding: is this still the life they want—or just the one they settled for?
As regrets rise to the surface and old dreams reawaken, Forever, Maybe explores the messy, beautiful reality of long-term love. Can two people who once believed in “forever” find their way back to each other—or is it finally time to let go?
Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, David Nicholls and Marian Keyes, this emotionally intelligent, funny and poignant novel is a love story for grown-ups—one that doesn’t shy away from the grey areas, the regrets, or the resilience it takes to stay (or walk away).
Why readers will love Forever, Maybe:
- A deeply relatable heroine navigating identity, family and honesty in midlife
- A sharply observed portrayal of marriage, ambition and compromise
- A rare look at long-term love that’s tender, unsentimental and real
- Witty, warm and emotionally resonant writing from Emma Baird
Whether you’ve ever wondered what happened to the person you used to be—or the person you used to love—Forever, Maybe is a heart-hitting, beautifully told reminder that happily ever after isn’t something you find. It’s something you choose, again and again.
