Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Summary:

Some bonds can never be broken...

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

Review:

It's as simple as this: I adored this book!

Ms. Weiner definitely knows how to pack a plot full of surprises and turns that you didn't see coming. As I read Best Friends Forever, there was constantly several questions in my head. Such as "What happened in high school that hurt Addie and Val's friendship?" or " Would Val and Addie overcome their struggles and become friends again?" All these questions lead to me to race through this sweet and addicting read in less then one day!

Addie was a character that I loved and was rooting for the whole time. Since, she was a sweet an funny girl who just need to find where she wanted to be in life. Also, I loved how she took care of her brother, Jon, and didn't just run away from him after the accident. Val, on the other hand was a bit hard to like. Because, as you continued to read Best Friends Forever, you began to find out some things that didn't make her look like that great of a person. Though, as the story went on and I began to like her a bit more, I started to understand her actions. Leaving me to come to a good place with her by the end. Last but not least, I adored Jordan. He was a loyal and great guy who had a heart of gold in hiding. Throughout, I was hoping that he would come to his senses and admit his feelings for Addie.

Overall, Best Friends Forever is a book that I can say nothing but fantastic things about. I look forward to reading Jennifer's previous books as well as her future ones.

Grade: A+

Side Note: While this novel is aimed towards adults, it still has a crossover appeal because of the flashbacks of Addie and Val's teen years.

Best Friends Forever is now out in a hardcover and I definitely suggest you give it a try!