Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
Amazon | BN | iBooks | Kobo | Book Depository
Review:
Given how much I've enjoyed the books Anica has edited, I was excited to read a book written by her, and as it turns out, I had every right to be excited, as Always Forever Maybe blew me away. It was raw and heartbreaking, and while it was hard at times to keep reading - to keep watching Betts let Aiden walk all over her, to see Betts drift further and further away from her friends - I couldn't look away. I wanted to know - no I needed to know - what would happen to Betts. Would she be okay? Would she make amends with her friends before it was too late? And most importantly, would she see Aiden for what he truly was?
Always Forever Maybe is an incredibly fast paced read. I sat down to read it one afternoon and didn't stop once until I was down. Anica does such an amazing job of reeling the reader in. Her writing has a casual, simple feel, but it's never too simple. She does a great job of capturing the voice of Betts while also doing a great job of establishing the story and capturing the emotions involved. I felt so many different things while reading this - happiness, sadness, anger...
Betts is a complicated character, and I'd be the first to admit that sometimes it was difficult to stomach the choices she made. There were so many times I wish I could reach through the book and talk some sense into her. At the same time, however, I could understand the choices she made to a certain point. Sometimes it is easy to be wrapped up in the idea of new love, especially when it's first love. I know some have said that they couldn't believe how fast Betts fell in love with Aiden, but I could find it believable. I've seen friends become consumed by similar situations, seeing the good in people that they shouldn't.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the friendship between Betts and Jo. It was real as well as relatable, and it also didn't hurt that I ADORED Jo. She was sassy and fierce, and I admired how she wouldn't give up on her friends, no mater how much they push her away. In some ways, I feel like the reader takes on a role similar to Jo in the book - seeing Aiden for what he is while Betts remains blinded by it all.
Overall, Always Forever Maybe is a gripping book, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen's Dreamland or readers who love contemporary books that take on harder issues.
When Betts meets Aiden at the candy store where she works, their connection is like a sugar rush to the heart. Betts already knows the two of them are infinite. Inevitable. Destined to become an us.
Betts has only ever kept one secret from her best friend, Jo, but suddenly there’s a long list of things she won’t tell her, things Jo wouldn’t understand. Because Jo doesn’t see how good Aiden is for Betts. She finds him needy. Possessive. Controlling.
She’s wrong. With a love like this, nothing else matters.
Review:
Given how much I've enjoyed the books Anica has edited, I was excited to read a book written by her, and as it turns out, I had every right to be excited, as Always Forever Maybe blew me away. It was raw and heartbreaking, and while it was hard at times to keep reading - to keep watching Betts let Aiden walk all over her, to see Betts drift further and further away from her friends - I couldn't look away. I wanted to know - no I needed to know - what would happen to Betts. Would she be okay? Would she make amends with her friends before it was too late? And most importantly, would she see Aiden for what he truly was?
Always Forever Maybe is an incredibly fast paced read. I sat down to read it one afternoon and didn't stop once until I was down. Anica does such an amazing job of reeling the reader in. Her writing has a casual, simple feel, but it's never too simple. She does a great job of capturing the voice of Betts while also doing a great job of establishing the story and capturing the emotions involved. I felt so many different things while reading this - happiness, sadness, anger...
Betts is a complicated character, and I'd be the first to admit that sometimes it was difficult to stomach the choices she made. There were so many times I wish I could reach through the book and talk some sense into her. At the same time, however, I could understand the choices she made to a certain point. Sometimes it is easy to be wrapped up in the idea of new love, especially when it's first love. I know some have said that they couldn't believe how fast Betts fell in love with Aiden, but I could find it believable. I've seen friends become consumed by similar situations, seeing the good in people that they shouldn't.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the friendship between Betts and Jo. It was real as well as relatable, and it also didn't hurt that I ADORED Jo. She was sassy and fierce, and I admired how she wouldn't give up on her friends, no mater how much they push her away. In some ways, I feel like the reader takes on a role similar to Jo in the book - seeing Aiden for what he is while Betts remains blinded by it all.
Overall, Always Forever Maybe is a gripping book, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen's Dreamland or readers who love contemporary books that take on harder issues.
4 stars!!
About the Author:
Writer, storyteller, editrix. Author of the Anna, Banana chapter-book series, the picture book The Teacher's Pet, the forthcoming YA novel Always Forever Maybe, and more. Fan of dogs and ice cream.
Anica Mrose Rissi grew up on an island off the coast of Maine, where she read a lot of books and loved a lot of pets. She now tells and collects stories, makes up songs on her violin, and eats a lot of cheese with her friends in Princeton, New Jersey. As a former book editor turned full-time writer and storyteller, Anica has spoken with kids and adults across the country about all pieces of the writing process. Her essays have been published by The Writer magazine and the New York Times. She tweets about bookish things and her dog, Arugula, at @anicarissi, which is also her handle on Instagram. Find out more at http://anicarissi.com.
Follow the Tour:
May 29th
Pink Polka Dot Books- Welcome Post
May 30th
Never Too Many To Read- Creative Option
Rurouni Jenni Reads- Review & Favorite Quotes
May 31st
Velvet Spade Reads- Review & Favorite Quotes
The Book Slayer- Review
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf- Review
June 1st
Confessions of a YA Reader- Promo
Bookish friends and feline fancies- Review & Favorite Quotes
June 4th
Book Lady's Reviews- Review
Portrait of a Book- Creative Option
June 5th
Bookablereads- Review
Vicky Who Reads- Creative Post
June 6th
Pink Polka Dot Books- Review
RhythmicBooktrovert- Promo
Life of a Literary Nerd- Review
June 7th
Life at 17- Review
Colleen's Conclusions- Review
June 8th
Actin' Up with Books- Review
The Book Dutchesses- Review
This book sounds right up my alley. Thanks for sharing your review. I will definitely be checking this one out.
ReplyDeleteGreat review - sometimes you can't see what's right in front of you, but other people can see it - I'd be interested to see how it all turns out!
ReplyDelete