Jennifer L. Armentrout

Growing up in the foster system she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents Mallory must face a new milestone-spending her senior year at a normal high school.

But she never imagined she'd run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn't seen since childhood.

It doesn't take long for Mallory to realise that the connection she shared with Rider never faded. Yet as Rider's life spirals out of control. Mallory must make 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.

The problem with forever

Kaila Nesbitt

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

From #1 NY Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a deeply powerful and emotional story about struggling to overcome your past and find where you belong.

The Problem With Forever

prawnie

5 stars because really hit home and made me cry so much that im probably dehydrated. the amount of growth and healing in this book is amazing. definitely read trigger warnings.

It wasn’t bad, but it was way to long…

Emma Kamer

Jazelle H

Book: The Problem with Forever

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis: The promise of forever is a very heavy promise to make, and the disappointment of it can be a burden to carry. Mallory Dodge grew up in a nightmare that she still carries with her in silence. When she once again crosses paths with the boy who protected her when no one else would, Mallory is forced to learn about herself, her past, and what ‘forever’ truly means.

Writing Style: Armentrout’s writing style is clean and creative, but was sometime’s unnecessarily repetitive. Written in first person from Mallory’s point of view, readers see the narrator’s fear and confusion, though this sometimes left readers as much in the dark as Mallory was about events that were occurring. By holding details of the narrator’s back story, allowing snip bits throughout the novel, Armentrout developed suspense as well as sympathy for the narrator. The first person narration of a shy character keeps the narrator from revealing certain details, but also allows readers to witness and understand Mallory’s fear.

Characters: No doubt readers will swoon over Mallory’s long lost protector, Rider, with spray paint at his fingertips and hair falling before his eyes. Regardless of his, as Ainsley would say, ‘stupid-hot’ aesthetics, I think it’s Rider’s treatment of Mallory, his unending devotion to the girl he’d sworn to protect, that readers will fall for. From the very first moment the two of them have alone, Rider treats Mallory as though he’s always been in love with her. Rider isn’t just a love interest, though, or a ‘white knight.’ Armentrout does a wonderful job of giving each of her characters (from best friend Ainsley to adopted father Carl) an added depth, and those layers reflect back against Mallory. I believe the protagonist, regardless of her back story, is a character readers can connect with. Everyone has scars and everyone carries them differently. Seeing Mallory struggle and succeed is a reminder that no one is ever alone, that our pasts don’t define us, and ‘forever’ means something different to everyone.

Loved and Lost: I had a difficult time at the beginning of this novel, given that we are only given bits and pieces of Mallory that don’t entirely fit. It wasn’t until seeing her scenes with Rider that we see the piece that connects Mallory’s fragments. I say this not because Rider is the biggest part of her character, but because before Rider is introduced, Mallory struggles to hide her past from readers. Reflecting on what happened in their childhood shows us why Mallory is quiet, why she has difficulty making friends, but that it is possible for her to change (demonstrated by her ease of conversation with Rider). Rider encourages Mallory’s development, while Mallory forces Rider to realize he’s holding himself back. This realism in their relationship (that it isn’t one-sided development, showing that Mallory could save Rider as much as he saved her) is such a strong point of the novel. This isn’t just a love story, and believe that’s key in YA works. Being a young adult is all about self-discovery and growth. In this novel, we see that for every character (even mean-girl Paige).

Quotes:

“We’d been separated. But we had never really been apart.”
“I’d learned early on that the good kind of forever was, well, it was a lie. That kind of forever literally and figuratively ended in flames, because no matter how tightly you tried to hold on, that kind of forever slipped between the fingers. The bad kind of forever lingered like a shadow or ghost. No matter what. It stayed, always in the background.”
“Those two words. I’m real. No one else might have gotten the significance of them, but I knew they meant the world…Being real could hurt. Being loved could hurt. That’s what…what living is all about and the opposite is unimaginable.”
“The past never went away and it was not designed to do so. It would always be there, and it should be acknowledged.”
“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.”

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Overall: I certainly recommend this book. Despite a shaky start, the heart of this novel–not in the love story, but in the growth of the characters–touches hearts in return. Definitely pick this one up.

I was so proud of Mallory every time she came out of her shell and used her voice. also, there needs to be more boys blushing in romance books because Rider blushing was adorbs.

I've been eyeing this book for a while. mmm idk I was kinda expecting more from this book like it didn't really leave me "breathless" and bummed I didn't love it as much
...but its okay like the cover is pretty

Caroll-Ann

This book was so real, so honest and so heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. I finished it almost in one sitting because it captivated me.

Isabela H 

Aaaaaaaaa I thought this book was just going to be a cheesy YA romance novel that was gonna be light and dramatic like a soap opera but it was so much moreeeeee. I loved every moment of it, however heart breaking, and I'm glad that I finally got around to reading it after letting it collect dust on my shelf for a year (whoops). 
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching love story with a little something more

Catarina Vieira

3,5/5

Ok talvez o problema seja meu e eu já não esteja muito numa onda de YA mas simplesmente não funcionou para mim. A história é gira mas... longa? Com um monte de coisas desnecessárias? O livro é demasiado longo e eu ia a 25&% e sentia que já estava a mais de meio na história. O protagonista é demasiado confuso e não conseguia acompanhar os pensamentos dele e a protagonista acabava por me irritar da forma como a autora escreveu o livro. Não sei, simplesmente era aborrecido porque nada acontecia e quando acontecia era tudo demasiado rápido em pouco tempo quando ela teve o livro todo para a aprofundar de melhor forma a história. 

Acho que tinha muito, muito potencial apenas não resultou para mim apesar de ter gostado da historia acho que foi contada de uma forma muito má. Sem dúvida potencial para 4/4,5 mas... não deu.

Gisela Ayala 

I don't know how to even begin to describe how much I love this book. I was so surprised at how much I loved it! I thought it was going to be like an okay book, but I was SO wrong. 

I think of it like this - I waited so long to read this book but I read it at the exact moment I needed it. The Problem with Forever has heartbreak, loss, and brought up the issue of foster kids. It always breaks my heart when I hear about kids and teenagers who are in the foster care system. Some of the kids and teenagers go through these horrible circumstances and grow up into even more horrible circumstance and we BLAME them for being the way they are when they never even had a chance. No one ever showed them that someone cared. It's awful. 

But the story of Mallory and Rider is full of hope. It never skirts the ugly stuff, and the author, Jennifer does an amazing job of pointing out the ugly situations. But she also shows the transformative power these situations can have when we are able to believe in ourselves with a little help from a network of loved ones. 

Her writing was also very lovely and descriptive, in a good way! 

Mallory and Rider's relationship is so freaking swoon-worthy too. Any little thing they would say to each other had me squealing and grinning. So super cheesy I know! But it was just so darn cute!!!

sofia !

gosh- this book had me feeling so many emotions in so many ways. i wish jennifer would write more YA i'm so intimidated of her adult fiction AH 2022's first book did not disappoint

I liked this book, easy read and cute little romance. I will say I don’t really get the whole plot line behind Ansliey’s eyes? Like it didn’t seem like it fit into the story and was kind of forced. Other than that, I enjoyed it.  

Autumn Hunsinger

Sophie

3/5 stars

hey! puerto rican isn’t a language!!!!

alexandra 

Evie's Annotations 

Wow,what a roller coaster. 90% of the time I cried, seriously I was scared that I will wet my book 😂. I think this is one of my favourite books written by Jennifer. I love everything about it, I lived every page every word every emotion Mallory and Rider felt and lived. I never cried so much from a book,like ever, this was so new for me to feel so emotional .🥺

I wish i could rate it more than 5 stars because it definitely deserves more. I love every character in Mallory's life . They all where unique and different and with their own story. ADORED IT !!!

“This book blew me away, completely. Gripping from page one, I—quite literally—couldn’t put it down.”—Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners Growing up, Mallory Dodge 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, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at a public high school. But she never imagined 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 soon it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make 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. Praise for The Problem with Forever: “We’re left breathless and a little haunted and wanting more.”—Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die “Heartbreakingly real...a remarkable novel about the power of first love and the courage it takes to face your fears.”—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author Also from #1 bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout: If There’s No Tomorrow The Harbinger Series The Dark Elements Series

The Problem with Forever

Sophie 

The tears are streaming down my face I love JLA so much her writing is definitely one of my faves top 5 for sure! 
Mallory & Rider everybody god damn they have my whole heart. The story was written so beautifully from Mallory’s POV seeing her character development throughout this whole book it was perfect. Her and Rider childhood friends to strangers to friends to lovers god tier. Oh it was just so good!

“I might’ve saved you all those years ago, but now you’ve saved me.”

Carley Whitehead

Shafia Ghassani

i liked it, i liked these really soft characters we have, i needed something soft at the moment so yeah it was a really nice read, i should’ve probably absorbed this book more because i think i relate to some of their problem with forever but i think i was just too sad for them i couldn’t pay attention.

Madelynn snobl

Incredible. Moving. Amazing. I could not put it down. One of the best books I have ever read.

Megan Williams

Jennifer L. Armentrout has never disappointed in terms of her novels and writing style. In every single one of her books she has created worlds, social structures, and complex characters that I fall in love with every single time! I never know what to expect yet I'm always pleasantly surprised by the storyline and all the different ways drama is created and then resolved again. This remains true in The Problem with Forever and the fact that the characters and the plot line brought around definitely stuck a chord and had me crying and laughing and just enjoying the entire reading experience. 

 This book tells the story of a girl named Mallory and her transition and growth from a past which has taken her voice into a young women who can fight her own battles and express her opinions. Mallory personified strength yet she didn't know she possessed this strength and it almost hid from her within her memories and her "lost" voice. Nicknamed "Mouse" by her childhood protector, Mallory allows this nickname to become her life and does her best to subconsciously personify a mouse. 

 There were so many emotions within this novel. I truly felt like I was invested in the novel and these characters because there was such a strong writing voice within Mallory and I could picture every detail of her life and the struggles she faced to overcome her past an make peace with her life experiences. There was so much heartbreak within this novel, literally at every turn, that I constantly was crying and getting caught up in the characters. 

 The interesting part of this romance novel was the fact that there really was no "villain" except those in the past. Mallory definitely has the definition of a "tough childhood" and this childhood constantly interfered with her present life and it was those figures from her past which caused her constant fear and pain. Even the usual ex-girlfriend of the love interest (Rider) wasn't really a villain for even though she definitely causes some trouble for Mallory, she does it because she truly liked Rider and for me that was completely understandable and therefore redeemable. 

Mallory was a character who will grab onto your heart and not let go. Her struggles will become your struggles as her journey to find her voice and her courage. I loved her as a character because as a reader you see her strength slowly overcoming her fear and her shyness. She truly had a heart of gold and some of my favorite parts involved her and Rider figuring out their past and where that past fit into their future. 

Speaking of Rider...

DANG! Now I can only imagine because this is a book, but boy does Armentrout make him sound so freakin' fine. I loved his character, even with all the drama he creates, and I loved his protective nature and his determination to always be what Mallory needs. Yah, Rider is definitely my current book bf because of his absolute devotion and kindness to Mallory and all of the other characters within this novel. Rider and Mallory's relationship was truly amazing to read about because even as it added a little spice to the novel, it remained innocent and perfect and completely appropriate for the characters being in high school and the genre of the novel. 

 Overall, this novel was true perfection and I am so glad I was able to read and enjoy the characters and their relationship as they worked to overcome the nightmares of their pasts. The perfect way they survived their childhoods only to be reconnected again in high school was a great way for their relationship to reconnect and the characters to be a part of each other's lives again.

Kathy Biehl

Normally I don’t like reading books based on high school characters, but I gave this one a try and was not disappointed! Such an emotional story, had me tearing up multiple times! 

Mallory is a very relatable character, especially if you are a very shy and anxious person like myself. 

And I loved how Rider was always there for Mallory when she needs. But I loved it even more when we really got to see Riders challenges and struggles. That is what really made the story for me.

Some secrets go too deep for words... From No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival and finding your voice... 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 home schooling 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 realise 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 lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider's life spiral out of control, Mallory must make 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.

Axanaregnart 

Rima khadarou 

so boring, she spent like 300 pages stuttering. There weren’t any like quotes that stood out either. So boring.

Alex Hill 

I honestly don't remember the last time I was this in love with a book.

Kimberly Siles Butron 

wtf is puerto rican o whatever ? thats not even a language ! its spanish.. theres is literally a scene where hector is talking spanish and mallory says her friend aisnley is fluent in it so she gets some of his puerto rican..what??? if you are going to write about latinos do the research! this book honestly felt like it didnt get edited, it was so repetitive literally copy paste the whole time and the characters ugh can they be more plain ? ryder had no personality and mallory's personality was her ptsd, take away her speech problem and you'll have nothing, the best way i can describe them is PLACEHOLDERS. honestly I've try to read jen's books but i can take her redundancy anymore..like at least in some of her books you have funny dialogue but yeah, not in this one. 
one star because I enjoyed the first 50 pages or so

The problem with forever

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