Don’t just read The Problem with Forever…Experience it! 

I picked up The Problem with Forever by  Jennifer L. Armentrout after spotting an endorsement on the cover from Christina Lauren, one of my favorite adult romance writers.  Claiming it was a book that couldn’t be put down was on point. From Armentrout’s intense first scene, her story continued to deliver with not only a protagonist you can’t help but root for, but also a consuming romance and a heartbreaking look at real life issues. 

Here we go: All Mallory wanted to do was have one normal year of high school before heading to college, but when her first day of public school brings her face to face with Rider, the boy who helped her survive foster care as a child, everything changes. Mallory embraces the reunion, once again feeling the connection she shared with her old protector and blossoms under his watchful eye. But when it becomes apparent that both of them are still suffering from the lingering effects of their harrowing childhood and the differences that resulted from their years apart, they have to decide if they can overcome their past to create a future together. 

Armentrout does a great job of showing how money and upbringing impact a child’s potential and self worth. The setting of this book was a big part of the story. Mallory lives in Baltimore, Maryland. It just so happened that as I was reading this book I was also rewatching The Wire, an HBO show that aired from 2002 to 2008, which also takes place in Baltimore. In fact, every time I read the word Baltimore, in my head I heard it spoken in the voice of one of the shows main characters, Detective McNulty. 

In my humble opinion, there are two shows that every person should watch at some point in their life: Six Feet Under and The Wire. What makes these shows so captivating is that they deal with subject matter people tend to avoid. For Six Feet Under that means sitting down to an hour of television that makes you consider your own mortality and the unpredictable nature of death. For The Wire it means thinking about the ripple effect narcotics has on a city and more importantly the lives of people on both sides of the issue. You have the police working on the streets trying to manage day to day drug deals, the specialized units working to get the higher level dealers off the streets, and you have the dealers themselves managing their empire with a high level of discipline. Eventually you also have teachers, politicians, and journalists.

When I first watched The Wire I found myself growing attached to the young “hoppers” skipping school to make a quick buck working corners. I couldn’t help thinking about Rider and his foster bothers during watch through, who are similar in many ways to the TV show characters. In season one I was particularly fond of Wallace and Bodie and will forever be haunted by the scene including the line, ‘Where’s Wallace?” And if watching those boys’ journeys isn’t enough, in season four I was introduced to four fresh faced middles schoolers, Michael, Duquan, Namond, and Randy (who is in foster care like Rider), all effected by drugs in different ways. This, coming after a season that was so good, I questioned whether it could be topped. I don’t went to spoil anything, but if you watch, you’ll understand what I mean.

In Armentrout’s Acknowledgements, which I faithfully read at the end of every book, she speaks of ‘delving into a world a lot of people may find it hard to look closely upon.’ She’s talking specifically about foster care, but I view the issues in The Wire the same. In tackling these topics head on, something special happens. A work of art is created that is not just entertaining, but also memorable and thought provoking. It changes your perspective and makes you question beliefs you considered unwavering. And if that isn’t the makings for good television, or a good book, I don’t know what is. 

There you have it. Do yourself a favor and read The Problem with Forever. See if you can find a way to watch The Wire. If you make it to season four, which, let’s be honest, after season one you won’t want to stop, you’ll feel the issues in Armentrout’s book come alive visually. 

If you haven’t already read  The Problem with Forever what are you waiting for? If you already have, why not pick it up again? Either way, take my advice when you do—don’t just read it, experience it! 

Want information about purchasing this book from Neighborhood Reads, a local Washington, MO book store? Click the book cover above!