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The Problem with Forever |
Touching YA Romance

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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.
✱ Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout 
✱ Pages: 480 (hardcover)
✱ Publication date: 17 May 2016
✱ Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review


The story is based on two people - Mallory and Rider - who both faced abuse as children. I was kind of prepared for the waterworks.

Dealing with Old Wounds

Rider and Mallory both felt real to me - I understood their reactions, I understood their decisions, and how their past had affected them in different ways. These two high school students have tried to put behind them these horrible things in their past - but they are very clearly still dealing with them. It's emotional, and it naturally affects the story and drives it forward. It's a good premise - if a bit heart-breaking and tear-inducing.

High School is Hard for Everyone

Something Mallory starts to see is that maybe she's not as different from everyone around her as she thought. It has an impact on her journey as she tries to be like the others, to prove to herself and her foster parents that she's doing better and is able to go to school.

The Problem with Forever is an emotional, evocative and inspirational story about love, family, and how our experiences make us who we are. 

My favourite thing: Mallory's struggle felt so real to me, and it was easy to identify with her. I think we all have our struggles in high school, and even though her situation is worse than most, it still hits me hard.

Props to the Author

The Problem with Forever is absolutely lovely, moving, and overall just very, very emotional. It's clear that the author has done her research, and she paints a realistic picture of young foster children who sometimes slip between the cracks in the system.
Romantic YA (maybe even NA because of some tough topics?) that treats love in a very realistic way. I cry at the drop of a hat, really - but I have this rule that if a book makes me cry, it's probably easily worth five stars. I CRIED OKAY.


Do you read books that you know will make you cry?

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About the Author

Unprepared and anxious in the face of daily life (despite nearly a quarter century of life experience) Annika is a strange girl whose love of books, wine, and coffee knows no bounds. She also likes sloths, dragons, and pugs.

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