Series: standalone
Genre: romance
Pages: 480
Rating: *****
Growing up, Mallory Dodge 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, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at a public high school. But she never imagined 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 soon it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make 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.
“It was all about trying, and that was what I would do. I would try.”
This is the story of Mallory and Rider. How they meet, how they fall apart, and how they fall in love. This story is full of pain, loss, and love. It's about realizing who you are and what won't hold you back. Because when you really think about it, nothing-and no one-can hold you back.
Mallory comes from a past of pain. She tries not to think about all that happened to her, or to the person who was her best friend. It's all in the past, and she finally feels like she's moving forward and getting better. Adoptive parents who are still surprising her with generosity, she's slowly learning how to live apart of a good life. But when a part of Mallory's past come to her present, it sets her back. But is it for the worse?
I really love Mallory. She goes through so much, and though for a while she lets what happened dictate her present and how she thinks, it doesn't last long. She realizes how strong she really is and doesn't deserve to live like she has. She hasn't used her voice in four years, but she's now getting back into using it. She gets stronger each day, especially when a set back is thrown at her. She figures out how to be stronger and makes it through. It takes a while, but she really learns about the type of person she is. She learns that no matter what happened in her past, the present is different. She won't let anxiety get to her. She's finally learning how to deal with it and live. That's my favorite part about her. I see so many characters who let circumstances dictate how they are as a person, or keep them from doing certain things. So it was a breath of fresh air to see a character grow and realize this.
“Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn't exist.”
Rider doesn't have adoptive parents. He's been shuffled around, living off the streets and just trying to make it day by day. He lives with a grandma and her grand kids, who he becomes great friends with. He's just trying to get by and stay under cover after having a troubled past few years. Rider is strong, the protector type of guy. I adore how he is with Mallory, especially their familiar friendship.
"...util he couldn't, until the promise of forever had been shattered, and everything...everything had fallen apart."
This is a romance, but I liked how ever though they've known each other, they weren't instantly together. Their new friendship built as they tried to figure out how to be around one another. They haven't seen each other in so long, it's awkward but cute. I loved reading the scenes with them. They were so real and my heart hurt for the both of them.
The side characters in this story were good. Each one had their role to the MC's and how they grew. Mallory learned how to stand up for herself and be strong, while Rider learned that he is loved, he just needs to open his eyes and see it. His friends were so good in this story, though they weren't around a whole lot.
As with any story though, this one came with crushing moments. Just when everything settled, stuff happened that tilted their world all over again. It hurt when I read that part, knowing how involved this person was to them.
This is written from Mallory's POV, written in first person. I didn't see any grammatical errors, and the story sucked me in from the beginning. I couldn't put this one down, but then again, I can't put any of her books down. So give this one a go, you can't possibly regret it.
Unless you hate feeling strong emotions and living for a week with no soul.
But then again, what reader doesn't want that to happen?
Unless you hate feeling strong emotions and living for a week with no soul.
But then again, what reader doesn't want that to happen?
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