The Forever Girl
By Jill Shalvis
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!
2.5 Stars - If you can get past the murky start or really enjoy intriguing family dynamics, this is a likable story. I could tell from the start it wouldn't be a favorite of mine personally. But there's plenty to sink your teeth into as this could have been not just a novel but a saga really. Lots of different POVs and drama and cute puppies thrown in of course. But I wouldn't call this a light or easy read, even for fans of the author.
This book started off... clunky. It's the best word I can come up with. Maze and Cat alternate POVs and this is a strange family of people who don't really know each other. And only some of them are biological family. It had a very "This is Where I Leave You" vibe but with a wedding and foster siblings in the mix. Maze is a hot mess of emotional entanglements that you'll either relate to immediately or scratch your head at her. Caitlin is supposedly the put-together oldest sister but we know right away that's a sham too. She's just more rational and mature. Heather comes off as the wild card. And Walker is the hero and also the brother, who is the broody, silent alpha male type with a sense of humor hidden in there.
I've read something like 24 of Shalvis' books but apparently never a Wildstone before. (I'm more of her Accidentally On Purpose type reader.) Maybe I should have but this book didn't come off like more than a standalone. Normally I talk a little about every character and the best scenes, etc. But there are literally too many people and things happening. There was little romance here, Maze and Walker mostly had inner thoughts and sidelong glances. I think to emphasize the points of all families have issues and blood relatives do not make a family is admirable. And everything is told in a very sweet way. But maybe the two concepts just don't mesh very well in the same plot? Shalvis does dangle the tragedy backstory carrott for quite awhile, which was an interesting if heartbreaking situation. I just keep coming back to this novel was unimpressive and full of characters and details we didn't need. I kept mainly reading as a fan of Shalvis and without much else to do at the time. It's almost 400 pages but it's sadly lacking a dynamic that made me want to keep reading.
(NS)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep comments respectful and geared towards the review, new arrival post only. The library does reserve the right to remove any negative posts that it deems inappropriate.