Review: The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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.

Publishes in US: May 17th 2016 by Harlequin Teen
Genre: ya contemp
Source: bought
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no?

My reviews of Jennifer's other books

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away:  site Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

    The problem with forever is everything that I've come to expect from JLA, it has great characters and a steamy romance. It made me laugh it made me sympathize with the character and feel their pain.

I like how this story really took two people who came from a similar background and showed how they could overcome things in their own ways and that they had just different struggles and different way of dealing with everything.

I really felt for her because she had grown up pretty much conditioned that noise and speaking is bad so she's very quiet and it comes across as shy.  it's hard for her to talk to new people or to make new friends but she is starting public school for the first time in a long time and she's put face-to-face with a bunch of these insecurities.

On top of all of that a boy from her past someone she thought she'd never see again is also going to her school. I love seeing them reconnect and he was very protective of her in their group home and saved her from a lot of physical pain and protected her emotionally as best as he could. they had to find a unique balance of him still wanting to protect her and how much she cares about her and also how much she's growing up as a person and doesn't really need all the sheltering and does need to learn to use her voice and found the right way to communicate with other people.

I like the family dynamics in this one. of course we get to see the very rough side of the foster system in the way that she and Ryder grew up. but we also get to see her taken into a very loving home and how much they provided for her and helped her daughter through therapy and is still supporting her. Though they did have to learn how to let go and let her make her own decisions and trust in those especially as she is interacting with Ryder because he hangs out with a rougher crowd. even though he's in a home with the woman who really cares about her and has two brother like figures he's gotten into some trouble and one of his foster brothers the woman's actual grandson is in some trouble.

I liked the ending and how things wrapped up for them. She learned to stand up for herself, to use her voice, and she helped Ryder see the potential in himself and make steps towards his future, and letting himself believe that he's worthy. 

Bottom Line: Loved it, all I love about the author.

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading:

Gemini source: edelweiss

Mukherjee, Sonya *

What I read:

How It Feels to Fly

Holmes, Kathryn *

Break Me Like a Promise(Once Upon a Crime Family, #2)

Schmidt, Tiffany *

Since last STS on the blog:

• It's Not You, It's Me: The Marked Girl by Lindsey ...
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
•  Review: Endure by Sara B. Larson Source: library
• Review: The White Rose (The Lone City #2) by Amy Ewing Source: library
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
•  Short and Tweet Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing Source: library
•  Review: How it Ends by Catherine Lo Source: earc from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via edelweiss
•  Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry Source: bought
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
•   Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead Source: bought
•   Short and Tweet Review: Ignite by Sara B. Larson Source: library
• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
•  Review: Ask Me How I Got Here by Christine Heppermann Source: earc from Harper Teen via Edelweiss

My week: My mom is still in the hospital, and hopefully getting out tomorrow. She had cancer and they removed the top lobe of her right lung and she has had a few minor complications. Sorry I haven't been around, I have just not had time.
Update 5/29 evening- she's had complications and didn't get to come home yet. :(

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

It's Not You, It's Me: The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele

The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (Los Angeles)…
When Cedric, crowned prince of Caelum, and his fellow royal friends (including his betrothed, Kat) find themselves stranded in modern-day L.A. via a magical portal and an evil traitor named Malquin, all they want to do is get home to Caelum—soon. Then they meet Liv, a filmmaker foster girl who just wants to get out of the system and on with her life. As she and Cedric bond, they’ll discover that she’s more connected to his world than they ever could’ve imagined…and that finding home is no easy task…

Publishes in US:  June 7th 2016 by Harper Collins
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: Harper teen via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? yes Marked Girl #1 no info on 2nd

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

     I have done this several times on my blog. Books that just don't work for me. I know my reading style pretty well, and I can tell whether I will like the book or not accurately about 80-90% of the time. If I finish a book, then there are aspects of that book that I enjoyed. I never talk about the author in a negative way, I only say what doesn't work for me. Normally if I finish a book, I give it at least 3 stars, meaning that I liked it.

stopped at: chapter 6

   The cover as well as the theme of location via magic portal drew me to this one.

   this one's told in third person and it goes back from Liv to Cedric. I think I misunderstood in the synopsis because I was expecting it to be a normal girl all the sudden plopped into a fantasy world rather than the characters from the fantasy dropped into real life.

    Liv is into film and directing and we start the book with her working on a project and it also through quite a few people at me from her end. And then when Cedric comes into it we get another cast of characters throw into the mix and I was just a little confused and I wish that I would have read it right because I would prefer the other way around.

  That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive Reviews:
Helena Reads
Bookmark Lit

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Where do you want portal?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

Black River Falls

Hirsch, Jeff

Releases:  July 5th 2016 by Clarion Books

Seventeen-year-old Cardinal has escaped the virus that ravaged his town, leaving its victims alive but without their memories. He chooses to remain in the quarantined zone, caring for a group of orphaned kids in a mountain camp with the help of the former brutal school bully, now transformed by the virus into his best friend. But then a strong-willed and mysterious young woman appears, and the closed-off world Cardinal has created begins to crumble.

What are you waiting on?

Review: Endure by Sara B. Larson

 Endure (Defy #3) by Sara B. Larson

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.
When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?
Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.

Publishes in US:  December 29th 2015 by Scholastic Press
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: library
Series? Yes Defy #3
My review: #1 Defy #2 Ignite

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: Website | Twitter | Goodreads Facebook

    This one gave a recap in a very neat way King Damian was thinking of how his mom would tell the story of what had happened in the last two books so that helped to catch me up a little bit and also was a neat way of approaching the recap issue. 

     we get to see more of the romance between Alexa and Damien and I'm so glad that they're out in the open. there's some pretty steamy scenes between them but nothing that would cause me to think it was turning into more of a new adult novel or anything.

     We also get to see a lot of the other characters and we lose some of them in the wartime and others stick by Damian's side. he has to make a lot of tough decisions and he also has to come to grips with the fact that Alexa is part of his guard and she wants to fight for the country and she wants to play her part in helping to save her friends and people who are loyal. but she also has to realize that she is going to be the queen and she has to figure out a way to balance that. 

    The series finale brings the answers, action, and conclusion that I wanted. There were people that I wish didn't die, but I can understand why and see the foreshadowing. They all died doing something they believed in, and had already promised to give their life if needed for that cause,

Bottom Line: Good series ending.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you would cover up if you had scars on your face?

Review: The White Rose (The Lone City #2) by Amy Ewing

The White Rose (The Lone City #2) by Amy Ewing

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.
But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.
But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?
The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

GR
Publishes in US: October 6th 2015 by Harper Teen
Genre: ya light dystopia
Source: library
Series? The Lone City #2
The Black Key (The Lone City, #3) expected release October 4th 2016 by HarperTeen

My review of  The Jewel

Buy it:

Author stalk away:~site Facebook Twitter

Karen at For What It's Worth and Mary at The Book Swarm occasionally post twitter-style reviews. Karen calls hers Short and Tweet, and I am going to borrow that review style here.

My short and tweet (longer) review: 

   I am glad that I continued with this series, and will read the next one as well. I liked the romance more in this one, and I liked the character development, not only of main character but side characters as well. Some characters and plot twists surprised me, but still enjoy the ones that I saw coming. I like the strength and power that has developed in Violet, and the ways that she sees she can help, and love the continuance of her seeing through other people. 

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you rather know how to fight with weapons or magic?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

Carry the Ocean (The Roosevelt, #1)

Cullinan, Heidi*

Normal is just a setting on the dryer.

High school graduate Jeremey Samson is looking forward to burying his head under the covers and sleeping until it’s time to leave for college. Then a tornado named Emmet Washington enters his life. The double major in math and computer science is handsome, forward, wicked smart, interested in dating Jeremey—and he’s autistic.

But Jeremey doesn’t judge him for that. He’s too busy judging himself, as are his parents, who don’t believe in things like clinical depression. When his untreated illness reaches a critical breaking point, Emmet is the white knight who rescues him and brings him along as a roommate to The Roosevelt, a quirky new assisted living facility nearby.

As Jeremey finds his feet at The Roosevelt, Emmet slowly begins to believe he can be loved for the man he is behind the autism. But before he can trust enough to fall head over heels, he must trust his own conviction that friendship is a healing force, and love can overcome any obstacle.


Releases: April 7th 2015 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

What are you waiting on?

Short and Tweet Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

The Jewel (The Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.
Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.
Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Publishes in US:  September 2nd 2014 by HarperTeen
Genre: light dystopia
Source: library
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? The Lone City #1
The White Rose (The Lone City, #2) already released
The Black Key (The Lone City, #3) expected release October 4th 2016 by HarperTeen
plus novellas

Buy now at:

Author stalk away: ~site Facebook Twitter

Karen at For What It's Worth and Mary at The Book Swarm occasionally post twitter-style reviews. Karen calls hers Short and Tweet, and I am going to borrow that review style here.

My short and tweet review: 

   I liked the main character and premise. Romance felt like insta-love. Agree with others that it has "The Selection" by Cass feel. Will continue the series. 

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you be a surrogate?