Welcome!
Hello readers, welcome to my blog, Booking Around! Here you will find book reviews and discussions!
I appreciate you checking out my blog and hope you enjoy♡
I appreciate you checking out my blog and hope you enjoy♡
The Problem With ForeverTitle: The Problem With Forever Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Publication Date: May 17th, 2016 Publisher: Harlequin Teen Category: Young Adult Genre: Contemporary Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Synopsis: 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. My Thoughts:
I've been waiting for this book since the moment it was posted on Goodreads and it didn't even have a title. I knew right then and there that I wanted to read this book and I also knew I'd love it. I mean it was written by my ultimate favorite author so how could I not love it? It was such a wonderful emotional roller coaster and I loved being there for the ride. I read this book so incredibly quick and I wish I would have taken more time with it because it made me realize that the problem isn't with forever. The problem was that I'm once again out of JLA books to read. It was a very sad realization. Mallory "Mouse" Dodge didn't have a good childhood. She spent her early years in the system living in a less than ideal foster home. She didn't have the luxury of a warm comfortable bed or parents who loved her unconditionally and she was lucky if she got feed every night. Her foster father hated noise and with noise came consequences. Along with Mallory another child lived with her in the same foster home, his name was Rider. He would always tell Mallory' "not to make a noise" for if she made any type of sound things would turn ugly. Mallory spent her days hidden in a closet while Rider did his best to keep her safe from the wrath of their foster father, even if it meant putting himself on the front line. He became her protector and the only person who truly cared about her well-being. He promised that he would always be there to protect her but one day at the age of twelve they were separated. Mallory didn't know what had become of Rider and Rider didn't know what became of his little Mouse. Mallory was luckily rescued by loving adoptive parents but her past still haunts her and she appears to be "stuck". Due to her traumatizing past, her compassionate adoptive parents have kept her homeschooled but she is now seventeen and wants to live out her senior year at a public high school so she can go to college. Mallory prepared herself the best she could for the anxiety a new public school would bring but what she didn't prepare herself for was the fact that she'd end up at the same school as Rider Stark; her once best friend and protector. It's been four years since she's seen him and she didn't expect to ever see him again but she would know his face anywhere and who she saw was unmistakably Rider Stark. It doesn't take long for Rider and Mouse to catch up and realize that their connection is still there. They become each others support system where they can look to each other to lean on and overcome their demons together. Rider was lucky to get out of their awful foster situation too but he didn't get the cozy life Mallory was blessed with. Despite the suit of armor Rider wears, he is struggling with inner demons as well. Together they learn to overcome the weight that their past continues to bare on them and grow despite it. I love Mallory has a person. She may have been quiet and reserved but she was trying her hardest to be brave. She tried to be strong. People don't realize how hard it can be to try your best to be mentally strong and it needs to be acknowledged that when you are, it's a big deal. She definitely is fighting a constant war in her mind and often wants to resort back to hiding in a closet but she pushes past it and steps out of her comfort zone to help improve herself. Every small step she takes adds up to help her overcome her inner demons. "Forever wasn't pain and grief. Forever wasn't a problem. Forever was my heartbeat and it was the hope tomorrow held." Mallory and Rider's reunion was very cute. He was so happy to have his Mouse back and she was so happy to have her best friend back. As they spend more time together their relationship slowly evolves as they realize that their feels for one another runs deeper than friendship. But maybe these budding feelings are a ghost from their past and maybe they will only ever share their past together. After all, they are different people now as they grow into themselves all the while remember who they once were. We get to watch Rider and Mallory jump through hurtles together as they struggle to figure out whats right and overcome themselves in the process. It's a quite beautiful book and you can't help but cry both sad and happy tears. The Problem With Forever was most definitely one to poke, prod, and tug on your heart strings especially towards the end. One of the reasons why I love this book so much is that Jennifer brought out the cold hard truth and didn't sugarcoat things. It show that we do have an issue with our foster care system and even though not all houses are bad, there are foster care situations that are not safe. In these situations the kids come out scarred and struggle with what they have endured. It's a very real and emotional realization that makes you truly appreciate the good in your life. This book deals with child abuse, drug trafficking, PTSD, Anxiety, and of course the holes in our foster care system. I have a loving supportive family and horses that make me happy but I struggle with anxiety and because of that I get too nervous to be independent, don't like to talk to people, ect. I'm always reminding myself that people have it worst and this book really puts that in perspective. Yes, I may have my own little demons but in the grand scheme of things I have it good and TPWF makes you realize how much you take for granted. This books is great and will be loved by any reader but I also highly recommend it to those who struggle with anxiety, PTSD, and/or the foster care system. I know it's always great when you can relate to the characters and really connect with a book. "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."
3 Comments
Brianna
5/18/2016 05:00:36 am
Good review its made waiting for the delivery man even worse ;)
Reply
Margaret
9/9/2016 12:05:46 pm
I can't wait to read this one!
Reply
9/12/2016 05:36:56 pm
Hopefully you love it just as much as I did! Thanks for reading my review!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
EventsNext Bookish Event: TBA
Short BiographyMy name is Devynn, I'm a 18 year old girl who resides in sunny Southern California. Most of my time is spent with my nose stuck in a book or on the back of a horse. I love the outdoors and hiking, specifically in the spring when everything is blooming and beautiful! Archives
November 2017
Categories |