Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The Problem with Forever

Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

23 reviews

tkreadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I absolutely adored this book. It had such a powerful message that being quiet is okay!

Mallory is the main protagonist suffering from the trauma she was faced with as a child. Defending herself left her with scars and bruises, so she always stayed quiet as her best friend Rider stood up for her and protected her. Years later, Mallory decides she wants her senior year in school instead of being homeschooled where she bumps into her childhood friend: Rider.

I loved all the characters. Mallory had such great character development as she was shy (therefore given the nickname ‘Mouse’ that Rider calls her) to being confident and standing up for herself. The emotions she felt were so realistic.

The reunion and reconnecting that these two main characters had was beautiful. The attraction that sparked between them from the very first moment, I loved that.

There is also some of the cliche high school drama such as a mean girlfriend involved. It’s obvious that Rider would straight away choose Mallory over Paige. I felt like he didn’t even really care for Paige, although he mentioned it, I just felt like he never did and it was always just Mallory. Yet Paige understands this and I like how the main male character’s ex is understanding! It’s not like that much in ya high school books. I hated Paige in the beginning because I thought she’d be the stereotypical mean girl but I ended up loving her in the end.

Rider and Mallory have such a deep and emotional connection as they did grow up in the same abusive foster home. They understand each other and Rider always feels like he needs to protect Mallory. I also love Mallory’s connections with Keira, her best friend Ainsley who I adored and the brothers Jayden and Hector. It was a plot twist that

Jayden was murdered and I’m not sure how I feel about it

But it’s not just a romance. Mallory ends up with this great courage that she didn’t have at the start of the book!

in her speech class, Mallory didn’t like presenting and so she only presented her speech to her teacher and not to the class. In the end, she does a powerful speech about the not just one but multiple people that influence and inspire her to the front of the class

and I think that really shows her confidence and character development.

There are several messages in this book such as be your true self, do what you want to do! This is demonstrated as Mallory’s foster parents Carl and Rosa want her to follow in their footsteps of being a doctor. However, Mallory wants to do something else. I loved every minute of this book.

Not a 5 as it was a bit predictable in some points but for sure worth the read! This has become a favourite romance contemporary of mine!

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deluna's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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risseandshine's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn't exist."

Wow. The way this book chose to be as vulnerable as it did smacked me right in the face. I'd also like to give credits to myself for choosing to read this book at the most perfect time. I didn't know I would need this book until I flipped the last page.

This book reads more than just a YA romance. It's about two scarred and bruised characters finding each other again, falling in love, while also battling their demons in the process.

Mallory was one of the most relatable characters I have ever read. I did not go through the same experience as she did, but the aftermath is pretty close. I wanted to give her the biggest hug and cheer for her with every accomplishment she achieved. Her will to try and fight for herself was an amazing display of strength and for that, she inspired me. And Rider...this sweet yet broken boy. It was admirable how he went through so much brutality he still remained standing. He deserves the world and he deserves to know that fact. The character development these two went through was beautiful and it made their romance so deep and genuine.

Aside from the romance, I loved how this book touched on the concept of 'forever'. How it's nonexistence can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. I noted some powerful quotes surrounding this thought that I am keen to go back to if and when the situation calls for it. Or even randomly as they were that noteworthy.

As much as I loved this book, I couldn't help but think that it still felt lacking in some places. There were side characters that I began to love but then they suddenly didn't feel there at all as the story progressed and I felt a bit disappointed. I wish their presence were established more with a more fleshed out characterization because I feel like they could have added significantly to the whole plot.

Overall, I loved my experience with this book. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a YA romance with depth yet still easy to fly through and digest. This was actually my first JLA book and now I know how this author writes, it definitely won't be the last.

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ekmuh's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

j_hudbook's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

*SPOILERS*

Gonna be honest this book was a
big letdown. I went into it thinking I was going to cry but noope nothing.

The story is all about mallory who got brought up in Foster care with her "protector" rider. They got split up after a traumatising event and (now fast forward 5 years) mallorys starting public high-school and guess who she crosses paths with..... rider.

From there they fall in love but then after someone they care about dies they split up only to get back together a WHOLE 3 DAYS LATER.

The story dragged and basically went knowhere. I just didn't find it developed or was as great as it could've been :/

Saying that if you want to find out the effects trauma has on people or just generally want to learn about the Foster care system this book if for you, just be aware there is little to no plot development at all :))

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