The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a young adult contemporary book about friendship, survival, finding your voice and is filled to the brim with life lessons. Mallory Dodge has grown up as a foster kid and has been homeschooled all her life but decides to step out of her comfort zone and start her senior year at a public high school. Years later, after surviving a terrible foster home together, Mallory is reunited with Rider Stark, the friend and the protector she had but hasn't seen since childhood because they were separated after a terrible accident. As they start to spend more time together, Mallory realizes the connection she shared with Rider has never faded after so many years, causing the friendship and feelings to come back. Though the feeling they have for each other is so much more different than the ones they had as children.
This book made me laugh, swoon and cry. It made me experience every kind of emotion and I loved it so much. The friendship between Mallory and Rider was so special, as children and as teenagers. Mallory always had trouble with speaking and standing up for herself but Rider was always there for her when she struggled. He is protective and kind by nature. I loved how much he cared for Mallory and how he called her “mouse” and I also loved the character growth Mallory had by the end of this book. The whole book was so wholesome, except one part towards the end. Just a heads up, be prepared to cry… Not only are the main characters wholesome but so are the side characters. Mallory’s bff was great and so were Rider’s bffs, Hector and Hector’s brother, Jaden.
The Problem With Forever is perfect for those who like reading about a beautiful coming of age story with first loves, friendships, loss and finding yourself. These characters were so young to experience such stuff but being there for each other made everything better for them.