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A review by tkreadsbooks
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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!
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
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Child death, and Gun violence