The Problem with Forever

Amy Landon's narration is emotional and breathy. These qualities make sense for the heroine, Mallory, as she recalls her traumatic youth. Mallory spent a significant part of her first 13 years fearful of her abusive foster parents. She was often hidden in a closet by Rider, a protective older boy who spent his childhood in foster homes as well. Landon's breathy, emotional tones are still appropriate hen timid 17-year-old Mallory recovers enough from her selective mutism to enter public school, where one of the first people she meets is none other than Rider. The story is predictable in terms of romance, tropes, and clich�s, but the characterizations of the protagonists become deeper as they shed their traumas and help each other reclaim their true selves. S.W. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

March 7, 2016
Seventeen-year-old Mallory Dodge is as meek as her old nickname, “Mouse,” and Armentrout (the Dark Elements series) layers her backstory with significant challenges: Mallory lived in foster homes, was abused, and is nearly mute and trying to learn to speak again without fear. Mallory’s present is filled with equally remarkable fortune: she has been adopted by kind doctors; sparks fly when she runs into Rider, her one-time foster home protector, at her new school; and people are generally patient, welcoming, and kind to her. Though Armentrout creates a diverse cast of characters (Rider, Mallory’s parents, and several other characters share Latino backgrounds), they tend to be short on dimension. Rider is an ever-understanding hero, his girlfriend is cartoonishly mean, and Mallory’s adoptive parents are nearly perfect. Mallory spends the bulk of the novel shrinking in the face of everything, and at times her innocent demeanor feels contrived. But Armentrout’s effort to gradually coax her protagonist from her shell via a supportive, loving community succeeds, and readers looking for an inspirational comeback story will find Mallory’s to be satisfying and hopeful. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.