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 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.
The Problem With Forever is the type of book that makes me want to cry at the end. I’m not sure if it’s from happiness, from feeling all the emotions the characters are experiencing, from the heartache of the events, or all of the above. All I know is that this book was one heck of a story and I loved every world-shattering part of it.
We start off with our protagonist, Mallory, who essentially is a shell of a person. She’s completely intact however, after a traumatic childhood, she keeps everything inside and is extremely introvert. She finally decides, after having a break through couple years to go to a brick and mortar high school. It’s there that she is bombarded with social situations she didn’t imagine but also comes face to face with her past.
I must admit, I truly enjoyed being inside of Mallory’s head as odd as that sounds. There was one point semi-early in the book where a quote she says just hit me and has haunted me since I read the words.
“My name is Mallory… Dodge.” I drew in a deep breath, speaking to no one. “And I like… I like reading. And I don’t like… I don’t like who I am.”
I feel like these words just shook me to the bone. Without a doubt, everyone has felt this at some point in their life. For me, I adore reading and there has been so many times that I have questioned myself or didn’t like what I have seen in the mirror. These words truly made you feel what she was feeling not just in that moment, but essentially her whole life. Following her was unlike any other character I have read and I adore every moment of watching her grow and change.
With our other characters, you cannot help but love them all in some way. Each friend and adult somehow finds their way into their heart. I’d go into specifics but, Rosa, Jayden, Hector, Kiera, Ainsley, and even Paige all affect you in some form or another. Then, there’s Rider. Oh Rider. The sexy, smart knight in shining armor who deserves the world and doesn’t see it. You cannot help but root for this boy every step of the way.
Overall, I adored every piece of this story. There were so many parts that shattered me, some that made me melt, and some that made me smile with happiness. The Problem With Forever is definitely a story worth reading and I would recommend it to everyone.
Jotted by Jena 