Review: The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
TITLE:The Problem With Forever
AUTHOR:Jennifer L. Armentrout
GENRE:YA romance
RELEASE DATE:May 17th 2016
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.
It had been a while since I read a YA book and I was happy to go back to something sweet while still dealing with harder subjects. Jennifer L. Armentrout is an author I'd read before but mostly in her paranormal books, so I knew it would be good.
"It's okay. Remember? I promised I'd keep you safe forever. Just don't make a sound."
Mallory Dodge had a difficult childhood, growing up in a foster home with bad guardians. But her young years were a little brighten by Rider, her only friend also living with her in this house, and her biggest protector.
Her nightmare of a life ended when she was thirteen years old and adopted by a couple of doctors, after she escaped a tragedy and ended up in the hospital. They helped her healed from the trauma of living in this life of violence, providing her with love and understanding. But her past did a number on her and to protect her, she was home-schooled.
For her senior year, Mallory decides she wants to go to high school to prepare for the future of going to college. She's been really sheltered and doesn't have a lot of interaction with people. She suffers from PTSD and for her it's really a challenge to speak to someone, even a small word, because she's been raise to keep her mouth shut in fear of bad treatments. It also resulted in her nickname "Mouse".
Her first day of school, what a surprise for her to come face to face with Rider her childhood best friend who she lost contact with for four years. He's now a tall sexy boy who makes her heart beat fast.
From there they start a friendship as if they hadn't lost sight of each other and you see that deep connection between them. The story has good secondary characters in Jayden and Hector who's really funny. But there's a little gray cloud in their happy reunion with Paige, Rider's girlfriend who's absolutely jealous of Mallory.
With passing weeks their friendship develops in stronger feelings for both of them and it's sweet to see these slow-building changes happen. Everything goes pretty well between them and Rider is very attentive of Mouse's feelings, but Carl and Rosa, Mallory's adoptive parents don't seem to appreciate her relationship with him. I couldn't help to ask myself why? Is there something Mallory doesn't know about Rider or are they just over-protective of her after all she's been through in her young life??
"I'm scared of everything," I admitted, voice hushed. "Everything. My biggest fear is forever. that I will be like this forever."
The Problem with Forever vehicles a deep message to always keep fighting adversity and never give up and live in the moment because forever isn't the same for everyone. Seeing Mallory finally finding her voice was a great experience. The book was a little too long for me, I think it could have been even better if the story had been condenses in less pages. It was dragging by times and that's the reason it lost a couple stars in my rating, but overall I really enjoyed it for his meaning and his sweetness!
P.S: I love the colorful cover of the book!!
** 3.5 STARS **
