*I received a free copy of The Problem with Forever from Harlequin Teen via BEA16. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout Published by Harlequin Teen on 17 May 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Pages: 480
Format: ARC
Source: BEA16
For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.
Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.
It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.
The Problem With Forever gave me all the feels, and it took me a while to be able to actually write a full review – no coherence for days.
I love NA novels that make me sad, angry, happy – sometimes all at the same time. The Problem With Forever really rose to the occasion and made my heart break more than once, and I cried, laughed and cheered. I also screamed a bit – especially at Mallory’s adoptive dad – because characters did or said stuff they really shouldn’t have. Mallory and Rider *sighs* they have been through so much darkness and abuse, it’s truly amazing they can function and have any kind of hope at all. They were in the same foster home until something really bad happened, and Mallory was taken to the hospital, where she was later adopted by two doctors. And then she was homeschooled, because for the longest time, she didn’t talk. At all. Because she had to be as quiet as possible in her foster home, just to stay safe from her foster dad’s explosive anger.
Rider and Mallory tried their best to take care of each other when they were children, and after they were separated, they both thought they wouldn’t ever see each other again. And this was true until Mallory started high school for her senior year so she could get ready for college. The Problem With Forever captured the way both Mallory and Rider had been lost without each other, and how strong their bond was because they had grown up in the same sad and dark situation. I loved seeing them get to know each other again, and I especially loved the character development that showed Mallory transform from ‘Mouse’ to a young woman who was able to stand up for herself and use actual words to do so.
The Problem With Forever touched my heart in all the right ways, and just thinking about it – I finished reading it over a week ago – makes my chest heavy all over again. Armentrout truly outdid herself here, both with the story, and the characters. I was captivated from page one.
I nodded as my heart turned into a gooey mess. He actually remembered that I drank milk every chance I got – that and Cokes, when Rosa and Carl let me get away with it.
Page wasn’t lurking by my locker Thrusday morning. Jayden was as I switched out my books. An act of God held up his baggy jeans. That faint earthy smell clung to is Ravens T-shirt.
What I was lacking wasn’t thinner thighs or a flatter stomach. It was courage. The fat was, I was a giant scaredy-cat. how could I bet thinking about a guy’s lips when I couldn’t even get mine to work to form words?
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I love this book! The feels are real here, the feels are real. This was the first contemporary book that I read by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and I cannot wait to read more. I’m glad that you loved the book. 🙂
I was still so full of feels when I wrote my review, I forgot to say anything at all about the writing 😀
I love to fnd a good NA book and I confess that everyone is reading the last books of this author, it’s been many years since I haven’t read one but I really should do that
I haven’t read many books at all by this author, Melliane. The Problem with Forever is a great story, and I hope you’ll be able to pick it up!
I am very behind on her books and haven’t even looked at the blurb on this one yet. Wow, that does sound intense and amazing. I have a soft spot for foster kids. Definitely need to read this one.
You might have the feels, but that was a good articulate review. 🙂
I’ve hardly read any of hers at all, Sophia 🙂 I loved the resilience of the main characters – they had been through so much.
Thank you! 🙂
My mood for NA books has been non-existing the last few months, but if it ever shows up again, I’ll try and give this one a read! 🙂 Great review!
It’s really worth it, Bee! I’ve been a bit fed-up with NA lately, too, but this story is more… something? See, I still can’t really talk about this book :p
I’ve never read an Armentrout read but you have me wanting to run to the nearest book store or going to my trusty friend, Amazon, and one-clicking one of her reads. NA doesn’t usually do it for me but I hope she’ll have something different that I can connect with. Great review!
Some NA works well for me, and others not so much, Leona. This one really did it, though. I loved the way difficult subjects were dealt with, and how hope really is stronger than all else!
Oh goodness! It sounds like I might better put this one on my COYER list. I can see that you were affected by the story – and I’m eager to see for myself how these two, who grew up in such dismal circumstances, find each other again. 🙂
**BIG HUGS**
Oh yeah, Brandee! You definitely should. I know you have a copy of it, too 😉
I haven’t read a JLA book in a while, and I really miss reading her books! Glad to hear you loved it. 🙂
Oh then you should definitely pick up this one, Aria!
Twitter: lattenightsbook
Oh I’m so glad you loved this one! I’ve been contemplating on buying it but I’m still not sure. I might get the ebook if it goes on sale. I’m really interested in what happened with Mallory and why she had to stay quiet. I’m also looking forward to the relationship between Mallory and Rider so much!!
Great review 🙂
Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews
It was so full of feels, Gen! I really went through the story feeling all kinds of different emotions 🙂
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I still need to try this author too. Another one that I have one of her books on audio and just haven’t gotten to it yet. Sounds like a great story.
Which books do you have on audio? Now, you got me really curious, Melanie!
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I have Obsidian (Lux #1). I won it in a contest where I could pick any audio narrated by Justine Eyre. I picked that one, but haven’t listened to it yet. I like her, she narrates Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series.
I really enjoy Justine Eyre, too. I wasn’t a big fan of Lux… hopefully, you’ll enjoy it more than I did 🙂
Twitter: kbaby81
Armentrout is an author that I have read, but not fallen in love with. I guess I just have to find that one book of hers that blows me away. Great review!
I wasn’t a big fan of her paranormal series, Lekeisha… but this one was really good!
Wow. Sounds like a powerful book!
Yeah, it sure was, SJ!
Jennifer L Armentrout really has talent.
Just reading this review makes me sad. It is a terrible thing that foster homes should be so unsafe.
I agree, Xyra… Foster homes should be even better than conventional homes!