The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis (Book Review)
WELCOME BACK TO WILDSTONE!
A story of family, forgiveness, and secrets that have the power to change the course of more than one life.
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The Forever Girl is an intriguing mix of contradictions, as the characters themselves are deeply flawed and all mixed up. They each want to connect and belong, but none of them quite know how to make it happen. Which all makes for a really fun, in-depth read that takes readers into the very heart of family and what it means to be a flawed, deeply emotional human.
DEANNA’S THOUGHTS
The Forever Girl is the sixth book in author Jill Shalvis’s Wildstone series, and it quickly became one of my favorite reads of hers. The characters are deeply flawed, but more importantly, they lack the ability to connect, though each one of them greatly needs it.
Maze is one of those characters that both breaks your heart and drives you nuts. She is quite literally her own worst enemy, but she’s also secretly desperate for belonging and connection, so much so that it terrifies her to actually go for it because what happens if she loses it? Naturally, Shalvis does an excellent job of presenting these conflicting sides of Maze’s personality, and then building on it through her many conflicts with the people who mean the most to her.
And Walker, oh, blessed stoic, Walker. I loved him, even though at times I wanted to shake him and tell him to stop hiding behind the caution tape Maze dresses herself in all the time. Yes, I totally get why he is the way he is, and how hard it is for him to be different. But man, oh man, I wanted to let him know he deserves to open up that can he thinks he shouldn’t open. Maze is an enigma to be sure, but there is definitely a part of Walker who understands exactly who she is… and who she isn’t.
We’re going to have to talk eventually…
Aside from the great dynamics between Maze and Walker, I loved the conflicts and anxiety that existed between all four main focus characters. They each have a ton of baggage, which often causes conflict and doubt between them, but at the core, they love each other deeply and they are each desperate—in their own way—to get back what they lost when they were kids.
Such a great, touching read. Everything about it was wonderful, because it didn’t shirk on the hard conversations or the doubts, fears, and insecurities all human beings go through at some point or another in life. Especially when we want something badly enough, and these characters definitely want things badly. They just have a tough time bringing those wants to the forefront and out into the real world.
Amazing read! Highly recommend checking it out.
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BOOK INFORMATION
THE FOREVER GIRL
BY JILL SHALVIS
AVAILABLE NOW!
PRICE: $9.99
PUBLISHER: William Morrow Paperbacks
SERIES: Wildstone
AVAILABLE IN: Digital, Paperback
PUBLISHED: January 12, 2021
PAGES: 400
When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.
Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.
Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.
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