The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a heart wrenching story about finding your voice and your place in the world.
About ‘The Problem with Forever’
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’ book review
This may be my favorite Jennifer L. Armentrout novel to date. There is something so special about Mallory and Rider that it is hard to identify. Their story is compelling and written with raw emotion. Jennifer L. Armentrout has created a beautifully nuanced story about a girl who needs to a find her voice and boy who only knows how to protect others no matter what the cost.
Mallory has lived through hell as a foster and now after years of therapy and being home schooled she decides to test herself by going back to public school. Mallory luckily has found a wonderful home with the doctors who helped save her life years before.
For Mallory, going back to high school is a test of her abilities to be around people, something she hasn’t ever been really good at. Mallory’s anxiety and inability to speak at times due to anxiety are portrayed so realistically it sometimes hurt to read. Every time Mallory berates herself for not speaking you want to cheer her on to do better next time and every time someone tries to tear her down you want to yell for her. The writing is so powerful you are completely drawn into the world and these characters.
Rider is the boy you want to save, mostly from himself because he has a bit of a hero complex. Just like Mallory, Rider was exposed to a horrible start in life. In fact, he protected Mallory many times so his experience might be even worse. Rider has turned out differently than Mallory. While he has a foster home it isn’t one of wealth and he still protects the underdog which happens to be his younger foster brother Jayden. While Rider is strong there are still cracks from his past that threaten to shatter him. Rider is a wonderfully layered character that makes you feel deeply.
Jennifer L. Armentrout writes with pure emotion and has crafted a story that will make you feel deeply for the characters as they struggle to find themselves. The Problem with Forever is a must read especially for fans of Katie McGarry and amazing storytelling in general.