{Review} The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 17th, 2016
Finished Date: September 18th, 2016

Publishers: Mira Ink
Genre: YA, Contemporary 
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 480
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo 

 

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 Review: YA contemporary is one of my favourite genres so when I found out Jennifer L. Armentrout – one of my favourite authors – was writing one I was completely ecstatic. She always writes good stories that have amazing characters and smoking hot love stories and The Problem with Forever is no different. If you liked Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limit series or Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry series then this book will be perfect for you. And if I’m honest, there just isn’t enough of these stories around so I’m really hoping that JLA decides to write more. 

The Problem with Forever is an emotional story about two teenagers who have terrible pasts after being in a group home together but found strength in one another during the dark days. Years later they are reunited and given a second chance but can they overcome the past and move on with their future?

I always love stories that can pull me in from just reading a few pages and The Problem of Forever did that. I was about two chapters in and I just knew I was going to love this book. From the get go your pulled into an emotional and dark story that was honest, raw and sad. It’s not all sad though. It’s also a story full of hope and about creating a future that was better than the past. Not only that but it has an amazing love story that is tangled up in all the hurt so prepare yourself for an emotional ride. 

I loved Mallory as a character. She was fantastic! She’s a survivor and she is trying to move on from her past. She does struggle but she also tries to push herself. The events from her past have left her feeling like she can’t speak up so she’s a very quiet person but like I said she’s trying to change that. She’s been in therapy and found ways to cope with her issues. But now she wants a future and she pushes herself to have a better life. I really came to respect her for trying, even though at times she fails, she still continues to try. But I found once she found Rider again that was a big turning put for her. She found the one person again that always believed in her no matter what and accepts her for who she is.

Rider was also a fantastic character. He and Mallory both handle things completely different and while Mallory’s issue affect her where she can’t talk, Rider seems to have no hope for himself. I felt sad for him at times. He’s such a protective character. He’ll do anything for Mallory or for the ones he cares about. He realises that this second chance they’ve been given is a good thing. He doesn’t want to lose any moments especially seems they’ve been apart for so long. I really admired Rider’s strength. He’s really is an amazing and supportive character. 

The secondary characters were second to none and I’m totally shipping a story for Hector and Ainsley. Seriously their story cannot be left that way. I need more! I loved how JLA added something personal about herself in this book as well – Ainsley’s medical condition. I have to be honest when I say I didn’t know anything about it before now and now I’m aware of it, I’m glad I am. I don’t want to say to much as it’s something Ainsley discovers herself throughout the story so I want you to experience it for yourself. But it’s an interesting one.

In all, The Problem with Forever was without a doubt one of my favourite YA contemporary stories for 2016 and at just under 500 pages somehow this book still wasn’t big enough. I urge you all to read it because if you haven’t guessed by now it is amazing! 

Thank you to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.