The Problem With Forever

5 - "Use your words..." Stars!

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I personally find Jennifer Armentrout’s NA/YA works some of the best out there, she excels in this genre, whereas I find her adult offerings a little on the mediocre side, she always delivers, and with her own unique style when it comes to her younger characters.

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Mallory and Rider, are kids of the system, both had horrendous beginnings to their lives, yet after one horrifying night, one got lucky, the other got absorbed into a broken system. That said at the point we pick up their story again, four years on, both of them are making the best of the hand that life has dealt them.

"Hoping never really got us anywhere did it."

This is one of those books that pulls you in from its first paragraph, it also keeps you in its grip as you discover more about the Mallory and Rider from the past, versus the Mallory and Rider of the now. The direction their story took wasn’t a massive surprise, but I still could not put it down, its one you become emotionally invested in very quickly.

"You’re not the same girl I knew four years ago."

One the protector, and you can tell straight off who, but I liked that as the story took shape you could see the underlying strength pushing through from the other as well. Especially as events overtook them, and Rider’s perceived control of the situation he found himself in was completely blown away. Mallory steps up, but also as events unfold realizes that under the devil-may-care façade Rider puts across, is a guy dealing with more than a few feelings of insecurity himself.

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Parts of the book are understandably hard to read, but everything is so beautifully put forth that even the unhappy bits were worth reading, the author took two damaged souls, and rebuilt their connection until they were whole again. I like that Mallory’s issues weren’t rushed through to a perfect resolution, she is a work in progress, and you can see that progress as the story moves along.

"We don't have the same lives anymore, do we?"

Going back to school is a big thing for her, and the author imparted that, and the feelings and reactions towards those first few weeks really put you there with her.

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There is scope with this book in my opinion to be developed into a series, what with the events of this story having an irrevocable effect on some of the secondary characters, there are also a plethora of students at Lands High School that could potentially have their own issues that they are dealing with as well. Notably for me though are Ainsley and Hector, best friends of Mallory and Rider, in the latter stages of this book I found myself as interested in what was going on with them as I was with the main couple.

In her eyes, he took up her entire world.

This is just a beautifully written book, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

This is my favourite JLA non PNR read. I can say that categorically. The tangibility of the characters in this book, not just the lead characters, was just right. This was a book that delved into abusive childhoods and brought together two kids from the past into the now. I sometimes feel in books where abuse is a factor, that everything is 'worse case scenario'. Mallory and Rider's pasts were awful but not the absolute worst and I wholly appreciated this insight into abuse.

Now that I feel I've said abuse too many times (last one), it really isn't the prime focus of this book, just the foundation. Mallory might not be a strong female character lead but she was an evolving, developing young women. Rider was one of those immediately cool types, without trying to be, but not cocky. Rider believed in Mallory and didn't want to change her. Rider could also be incredibly sweet. Their meeting again in the now is pretty amazing. These two evoked all the feelings.

A word needs to be said about the side characters that were a real strength in this book. I felt I got to know Carl, Rosa, Ainsley, Jayden and Hector. I loved Jayden and I want to read more in the future about Hector and Ainsley. I am a long standing fan of JLA but have always favoured her PNR books, The problem with forever has turned the tide and I'm hoping for more of a similar vein.

The publisher provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

I was so happy that I got the opportunity to review this book of of Netgalley as Jennifer L Armentrout is such a wicked author and I'd heard so many great things about her books already. I have to say that this isn't the sort of book I would usually read, it isn't an epic fantasy or a book with wizards and fae but it does hold a magic of its own. It was so heart rending and I was so touched by the writing and the down to earth manner that the author so perfectly depicted all the characters.

Basically the book is about a girl called Mallory who was in care for half her life and had a horrible childhood, the only light in her life being Rider, the boy she grows up with. After a terrible accident, Rider and Mallory lose touch and don't see each other for 4 years, they both change so much and then one day Mallory goes back to high school and they meet. Sparks fly and they begin their journey back to each other, finding out about one another and questioning life and the changes they have made.

I was literally so caught up in the story that I stayed up so late the night that i got the eBook and I cant wait for the paperback to come out so I can have a copy of my own to hold, eeeeek. I have to truly congratulate Jennifer for her ammmmmmazing story and character development, she nailed the emotions that the reader should feel and took me on a journey that I wont forget. You know those books that start to fade in memory over time but always have a special place and an emotional attachment to you, this was one of those books.

I really enjoyed the exploration of the back story and the twist at the end with is so heartbreaking but so well written and makes the reader question everything. Urgh, you just feel so much, and that's how you're supposed to read right? with feeling? This is the first eBook galley I have ever read and I literally can't wait to read more of this authors work and get my hands on a copy of this one to add to my collection! Might have to wait a while though because very poor from buying so many books at once, aha!

Its hitting the shelves in a few weeks I think, possibly sooner in the US, but readers in the UK like me can look forward to an epic romance, a teen roller-coaster and some wonderful memories. I hope you take the time to check out Jennifer L Armentrout's books and work as its so worth it and I would hope that you love and treasure The Problem With Forever as much as I do.

Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC.

"Forever was 'n work in progress. And I couldn't wait for forever."

I loved Jennifer L. Armentrout since reading her Convenant series. This book is totally different from that series but I still loved it. At the end I had to get some tissues to wipe away the tears. This is the story of Mallory and Rider but also a story about healing your scars. Even though this is a YA book I think that adults will also love reading this. This book touches on issues like foster care and dealing with personal problems. I loved the story line as well as the characters and would highly recommend The Problem with Forever.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L Armentrout My rating: 5/5 WOW. I AM BLOWN AWAY.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and Harlequin UK for allowing me to get a free advanced copy of this book.

Emotional and captivating, Jennifer L Armentrout explores a world not too many of us wish to delve into, weaving it together with a beautiful love story of a girl and boy who believed they were simply too broken to fix.

Beautiful beautiful read.

Dark themes: This book has a lot of themes of child abuse, drugs, depression, and others. I loved it. JLA writes the story so masterfully. She understands that these issues are sensitive and must be dealt with that in mind. I never really thought about how lucky I was to have the things I have until after reading this book. It made me realise how grateful everyone should be for the little they have, because there are people out there who have much much less. It breaks my heart to read about children being mistreated so violently, and every time there was a flashback in the book, it just made me want to grab the characters and hug them. It makes me guilty that I wasn't aware of the extent of this problem. This is why books like these are important.

"Pain spiked, but there wasn’t a lot of blood on my hand when I lowered it. Please wake up. Please wake up. Please wake up."

Loving you: so in this book, Mallory (the main character) is a person scared of any kind of social interaction. She can't even say a word to anyone without thinking about it for twenty minutes, and that is because of her PTSD and the conditioning she went through during her childhood. Despite that, you see her grow to start trying things she's dead afraid of, because she wants to accomplish something and life without trying anything you're afraid is a life where you're stuck. You don't move forward. She learns to take risks and realises that if she fails she had to be okay with it, because she wasn't perfect, and was a work in progress. The lesson to take away from Mallory's character development in this book is so important. Don't give up on yourself before you give yourself a chance.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS ON POINT: Ainsley: wonderful best friend. She's so sweet and funny. Genuinely smart and so good-hearted. I admire her spirit endlessly.

Paige: this is a character that you don't love from the beginning, but by the end, she learns to forget and forgive and that things may not be as obvious as she wants to be. She stands up for the main character and I'm so proud of her. I don't know if that's weird, to be proud of a character, but I am.

Keira: unfortunately, we don't learn too much about Keira, but she's always been there, quietly encouraging.

Romance: Perfectly done, and doesn't demean the sadder themes of the book. Rider is amazing, cute, sweet, romantic, and simply perfect in his imperfect way. Made reading this book an absolute pleasure. Mallory and Rider's love is beautiful. A love story to stay with me for a while. Really impressed with JLA's writing. Not that I'd been expecting any less from JLA, to be honest.

"He drew it up my back, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. My eyes fluttered shut as his lips brushed over the curve of my cheek. It was the craziest torture. My entire body tensed, prepared for the moment when his lips met mine. And it was the sweetest pressure, a feather-light brush of his lips over mine. Once. Then twice. I felt the touch everywhere, a jolt to the system that zipped through my veins, and then the pressure increased. Rider kissed me then."

This book made me cry a little bit sometimes, because the writing was so stunning. Definitely recommend it. I am not person who usually likes to read contemporary books, but if you are like me, then you should definitely read this book. It's amazing, easy to get into, and a really satisfying read. Easy 5 stars for me.

"Forever was the fire-breathing dragon inside me that had shed the fear like a snake shedding skin. Forever was simply a promise of more. Forever was a work in progress. And I couldn’t wait for forever. "
Love, Yomna

Mallory grew up being neglected and subjected to child abuse. She has not had the easiest time of it so when she gets adopted by Carl and Rosa, she has a home. She didn’t speak and it took a long time for her to slowly get to a place where she could go to public school. She had been homeschooled previously. You can feel Mallory’s pain as she tries to adjust to the life she has been in and the life she has now. Growing up she had a friend who did all he could to protect her from the neglect and abuse. When she left the house she was in and was adopted, she never thought that she would see him again. The moment she starts at her new school, she meets him.

Rider Stark, is a child in a foster home. He was the light in Mallory’s life when she grew up in that house, he did everything that he could in order to protect her. He is an enigma and a very interesting character. I love his strength as he helps Mallory rediscover the person she never knew that she could be. He has made his fair share of mistakes and is part of a past that Carl and Rosa (Mallory’s adoptive parents) don’t want to reintroduce into Mallory’s life. However, he cannot seem to stay away from her.

Mallory grows as a person all the way through this book, each small change lit a spark of hope in me, this book will speak to your heart. I loved seeing her go from a timid female to a strong heroine who knows what she wants and is willing to fight for it. She has been through a horrible ordeal but it is not about what you went through, its about how you deal with it.

Rider does hurt Mallory but not intentionally, it is because he thinks she is better off without him. These two souls have been through harrowing experiences and yet that is what makes them the perfect souls for each other. They truly are ‘forever’ for each other. I have never read a JLA book before this date but I am so in love with her writing style and I’ll be going to find some more treasures and gems in her books for sure!

5 Stars!

Growing up in foster care, neglect and abuse are no strangers so Mallory Dodge and Rider Stark. As Six year olds, they were each other’s solaces in a world where they were failed by the adults around them. Years later freedom comes as a result of a particularly harrowing night, but with it, a separation and end to the home they found in one another.

It’s not until four years later, as seniors in high school that they re-enter each other lives. There are some powerful moments shared and what takes place is the a story of love, loss and discovery. I was moved by JLA’s descriptions, her emotive style of writing and the overwhelming admiration I have for Mallory and Rider.

I always feel as though I’m in safe hands when it comes too JLA and YA. The reticence I usually feel about the sub genre dissipated within the first few pages of The Problem with Forever. There is such depth in both the storyline and characters, the only problem I had was putting it down.

I was asked to review this by Net Gallery

I found the sad parts of the book really quite difficult to read, but the author writes so well and I wanted to persevere. Maybe a tad too personal for me. Needless to say the main character did not have a happy childhood and undoubtedly this does have a knock on effect in life. One of the aspects I took was to surround yourself with people you love and care for.

She is saved by a foster family but cannot brush off her thoughts and memories. A blast from the past – her protector and friend – they try to help each other face those demons.

A well written book, with thought and the author has taken a terrible subject and run with it. A great book

Readers if you are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder – you can get help

Serious question….Is there anything that Jennifer can’t write? I have been a fan for a while; I’ve read her Covenant series and her Lux series and loved them. I was a bit doubtful when I read the summary – this was so out of the realm from her usually paranormal (Demi-gods? Aliens?) Romance. I read somewhere it was challenging well let me put your mind to rest this book is PURE BRILLANCE!! Storyline? Fantastic! Characters? Amazing? The writing? Flawless! Jennifer did it again! Where will her talent stop? This novel really makes her shine and shows the extent of her writing skills and talent. This book touch the very dark subject of child abuse and PTSD and yet it had some light, it brings you hope. This book was raw as in it made you feel deep, unadulterated feelings. My chest was tight during the whole book and I laughed, cried, ached and loved along with Mallory and Rider. And what a ride it was? Once again Jen used her gift and transported you right in the middle of the action and you couldn’t help but identity with Mallory and root for her. She is amazing and following her evolution during the book was perfect. Rider….What can I say about Rider? He was my soft spot maybe because he is just so broken. It might not be as flagrant as Mallory but it run deeper. He has a hero complex as far as Mallory. I really loved him and ached for him. The dynamic between Rider and Mallory was also all consuming and they saved each other for so long…until the time they realized they had to save themselves, together. The side characters were also well develop and had purpose for the plot. They all had justification and back story. In conclusion: This is an amazing standalone contemporary YA novel that I would advise to anybody! This novel with be particularly appealing for Simone Elkeles fans. A must read! Stars: 5/5

Jennifer Armentrout delivers a gorgeous contemporary book that tackles mental health. I simply adored this book!

Another stunning book from Jennifer Armentrout, who never fails to deliver on story, characterisation and originality!