Yvonne Cruz
I am a huge fan of this author, and once again, she delivers a story filled with heart. Maze Porter, Walker Scott, and Heather met when the Walshes fostered them for a year. They became great friends and a “new” family was created, with Caitlin and young Michael Walsh. Until the day tragedy occurred and the foster kids were separated. Kids that had suffered a childhood of abandonment. Once again feeling they were being left behind and not good enough to keep. The friendship/family, filled with hurt but also with love, get back together at the Walsh cabin. This time they are called “home” by Cat , who wants her “family” with her on her wedding day. Not only is Cat struggling with the wedding plans, but everyone is keeping secrets. In the meantime, the attraction, as well as the hurt between Walker and Maze is palpable, and Heather brings an unexpected guest. As we get to know this “motley crew”, we get to fall in love with each and everyone of them. At times you’ll want to cheer for them, as well as cry for them, at others you’ll want to shake some sense into them, but in the end you’ll want to just love them and tell them they truly can find their happiness if they give it a try. A quote from the book really summarizes it: “We’re more than our circumstances. We deserve hopes and dreams and love like everyone else.” Once again, the reader is presented with a wonderful and engaging plot from the first page to the last. One with characters that are complex and perfect in their imperfections. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
3 people found this review helpful
Debbie Diem
The Forever Girl is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Jill Shalvis. Ms. Shalvis has provided readers with a well-written book populated with an outstanding cast of characters. Maze went into foster care when she was a teen and was placed with Caitlin's family. Walker joined the family and then Heather. Until the night of the fire, when Caitlin's brother died. Every year they'd meet at the cemetery for Michael's birthday until the year things went bad. Maze hasn't seen the family of her heart since then. Now Caitlin has called them all home for her wedding. This is a story of tragedy, love, healing and trust. You'll find plenty of drama, laugh out loud humor, sizzle, angst and suspense between the pages of this book. I loved this story and look forward to reading more from Jill Shalvis in the future. The Forever Girl is book 6 in the Wildstone Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shannon M
4.5* The Forever Girl was a wonderful story about love and friendship, and found family. While I've enjoyed every Jill Shalvis book I've read, there was just a little something more about this one, that helped propel it to the top of the list. It was emotional, complex, funny, heartwarming, and heart-tugging. I loved Maze, Caitlin, Heather, and Walker. Although these friends were only together for a year when they were children, as Caitlin's family took Maze, Heather, and Walker in as foster kids, an unbreakable bond developed between the four, that distance, time, nor stubbornness, could break. Brought back together for Caitlin's wedding, the four friends have the chance to work through past hurts, reopen the lines of communication, and learn to forgive themselves- some more so than others. While a lot of the story centered around Maze, I loved that we got the chance to know Cat, Walk, and Heather as well. This is truly an awesome group of friends, with so much love between them. I really enjoyed everything about this story- the laughter, the tears, the wanting to smack a certain someone upside the head, the second chance/s at love. Don't let the fact that this is Wildstone #6 keep you from starting this one right away- it can be read as a standalone, as can all the books in this series. Though there might be some mention of characters from other books in the series, the only real connecting factor is the location. So do yourself a favor and grab The Forever Girl, you won't be sorry!
