Welcome to today’s stop on the review tour for The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout!
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: May 17th 2016
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival, and finding your voice.
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 lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make 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.
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JLA is just one of those authors whose books you can’t help but enjoy. The Problem with Forever is the first of her contemporary YAs that I’ve read (I usually read her NA or fantasy books), but it was just as fantastic as I expected, if a little different from what I usually read from her. Besides the gorgeous cover, what really attracted me to this was the intriguing blurb – the fact that the main characters are long-lost friends who bonded over tragic circumstances. Mallory and Rider’s story turned out to be gripping and intense – from the very first page, I couldn’t put it down!
As a foster child, Mallory Dodge grew up in an abusive home, but the one person who was always there for her, who promised to protect her forever, was Rider Stark, a foster kid who grew up alongside her. While Mallory was able to get out and get adopted by good people, she never knew what happen to her dear friend – until now. The last person she expects to run into during her first day of her senior year of high school is her long-lost friend, who she’s never been able to forget. And it seems like he’s never been able to forget her either.
Mallory suffers from some pretty intense anxiety, including public speaking, due to PTSD from her childhood. As a defense mechanism, she’s quiet, awkward, and struggles to speak out. I could feel how much she hated this aspect of herself, but felt so helpless to change anything about it. Her growth and development is slow and gradual, though not without struggles, but it really felt so honest and real. JLA did a wonderful job with Mallory’s character, with making her relatable and genuine. She’s the kind of heroine I easily found myself cheering for.
Life was like doing this speech. It wasn’t necessarily about the end result, but more about trying.
I could… I could get behind that.
Rider is your typical cocky, bad boy senior… except he’s not. He’s actually so much more than that. He’s loyal, headstrong, and incredibly protective of Mallory – he always was since they were younger. He’s also so supportive of her, helping her try to overcome her public speaking issues. He once again becomes Mallory’s savior… but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need saving himself. Much as Rider would like to think their traumatic past only affected Mallory, he’s so messed up inside from it that he doesn’t even realize it. My heart broke even more so for Rider than Mallory, because as Mallory grows and heals, Rider only comes to believe that he has no self worth.
Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn’t exist.
This book… it’s painful and heartbreaking to read, but the changes Mallory and Rider make are nothing short of awe-inspiring. The inner strength within these two is a powerful thing to witness, made all the more sweeter after the tragedy and struggles they’ve overcome. I also loved all the secondary characters and how important and influential they are in Mallory and Rider’s lives, from Mallory’s adoptive parents to her best friend, from their speech teacher to Rider’s adoptive brothers. They all have an impact on the story and the main characters, which made this book feel all the more real to me.
The Problem with Forever is a raw and powerful read, and it’s one everyone should give a try. If you love JLA, get ready for an intense, highly emotional read – it’s a fantastic YA contemp you won’t regret reading!
Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.
#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
A Messenger Bag filled with a Kindle Fire, Signed THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER, Signed Copies from Jennifer L. Armentrout and Katie McGarry, and Book Goodies and Swag for 1 Winner
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Booklovers For Life 
I love that I’ve got a great sense of humor and I’m fiercely loyal. But because I also tend to be shy, most ppl don’t know these things
I have tremendous willpower and drive. If I say i’ll do it…I do. I always tell people that I can show you better than I can tell you. Just watch!
I love helping people. I also have a great sense of humor and very strong personality.
Betul E.
I am silly and have a great sense of humor!
I love that I am very compassionate towards others. Try to help when I can.
i hate that i’m very anxious and shy,i wish i wasn’t because this makes me hide and not be myself: a normal funny,ironic and loving girl.
I can laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously 🙂 I also have a pretty good sense of humor and I am very witty 🙂 I tend to be shy when I first meet new people. Once I get to know them, I start to open up and they get to see the real me.
I wish people knew how badly I want to help our environment. I’m too quiet to speak up and hold a rally or anything, but I dream of doing such things.
I sometimes wish people knew how much I want to help our environment. I’m too quiet to hold a rally or host a group, but I do dream of such things.
That I give too many chances to people who don’t deserve them 😦
I am very loyal and have a good sense of humor.
The one thing I wish people knew about me is how tenacious I am when I want something or when I need to accomplish something. I will work diligently to get something I am passionate about done.
One thing I love about myself is that I’m no longer afraid to be who I am. Being a “booknerd” was never “cool” back then, and to many, it could be boring, meaning I’d be boring. I would try to hide it when I was younger, but now, it doesn’t matter. I want to be me, and if you think I’m boring, so be it. =)
It took me years to find my voice and now I don’t have many people to share it with. I’m an empath who feels things too deeply and cares too much.
I wish I could talk to people about my past and struggles without it changing how they view me. I don’t need/want the pity and it doesn’t change who I am now. I’m doing much better though it’s not a visible change. But people just want to judge the outside and assume.
I really do want to be friends even though I might not reach out.
One thing that I love about myself is that I am fiercely passionate and a very loyal person.
I wish people knew how social I can be.
I wish they knew I am somewhat shy until I get to know you and also very close to family
I love making people happy and making others laugh! I also love when I cook for someone and they love my food! 🙂
I wish people knew that I love making new friends 🙂
Thank you so much! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR
You’re so welcome!
I am fiercely loyal and will always be there for others.
I am fiercely loyal and will always be there for others
I wish certain family members would understand that I feel less is more. They can be overwhelming.
I wish that people understood that because I am quiet, does not mean shy. I wish more people understood introverts sides.
I love that I’m fair-minded and ethical.
That i am a very compassionate, caring, and sensitive person.
I wish people knew I become more extroverted after I get to know people.
I love that I’m a pretty chill person. While I can rant and rave in my head and at home, in public, I’m as cool as a cucumber. 🙂
*Rachelle*
I love that I’m a very caring person, and I wish more people knew this and didn’t think that because I’m quiet, that I don’t hear or care. Thanks!
I like that I’m honest and will say what I think or how I feel. I think too often people sugar coat things, or WANT to be coddled and handled too gently…I say the world needs more honestly and truthfulness!
One thing I love about myself is that I am very open minded and willing to accept anyone in help. I wish people knew that I’m actually very friendly even though I’m very shy sometimes. P.S I’m soooooooooooooo excited for The Problem with Forever to come out becuse it sounds like such an amazing book and I already can connect with it.
Jaslyn, I hope you love it!! I can’t wait for everyone to read it 🙂
I wish people knew that I need to be loved back.
I wish people would know that I have a creative mind.
Im a compasionate person
THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is about finding your voice. I wish people know I do think about others, not just for myself.
I wish people knew that I am an introvert, I have extrovert tendencies, you have to in order to work retail, but it can be exhausting. I love that I’ve risen above a past that at times I thought would kill me, and that I continue to do so with each day I’m given. ❤ Thanks so much for a chance at this giveaway!
You’re very welcome! ❤
Great review. I have this book on my to read list as well and can’t wait to start!
Thank you! ❤ I hope you love it! Only a week to go 🙂
People think that I’m extroverted, and I’ve gradually widening my circle of friends. I’m a good listener and people tell me things that they’ve never told anyone else.
Well, I don’t know if I can say I “love” this about myself, but one trait I’m grateful for is the ability to discern people’s feelings. I’m very aware of how others around me feel and it’s helped me many times. 🙂
And by the way, this book sounds AMAZING!!
It IS amazing!! I can’t wait for everyone to read it! ❤
I love that I’m just so smart and have the best life philosophies. ❤
I just got this book yesterday!! JLA’s work has never been a disappointment. And your review has me so excited to dig in!
YAY!!! I’m so excited for you! Can’t wait to hear what you think – I hope you love it too 🙂
Many judge me as an introvert, silent, or nerdy one. But, I’m NOT !
Many judge me as an introvert, silent or nerdy one. Wish they knew the real noisy, talkative, friendly, fun loving person in me… 😉
I wish people knew that behind my reserved facade beats the heart of a woman who craves fun and enlightenment.
I love that I stick with what I believe is right. Even if it is against popular opinion, my morals mean more to me than people’s opinions.
I love that I am sincere no matter what 🙂
i want to share my inner voice!
I’m conflicted, because I’m not into emotional reads these days. But I do like her writing.
JLA is a great writer! If you’re ever in the mood, I hope you pick this one up 🙂