Review & Giveaway: The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis

Series: Wildstone #6
Read As A Stand Alone: Yes
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: January 12th, 2021
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Bookshop.org | Google Books | IndieBound | Kobo |

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Blurb from goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis does it once again with a heartfelt story of family, forgiveness, and secrets that have the power to change the course of more than one life.

When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.

Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.

Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.

My Thoughts:

"The Forever Girl" was an emotional and engrossing story about familial bonds, friendships, secrets, forgiveness, taking chances, and navigating love. It's a romance and a women's fiction all in one. I was pulled in and quickly became invested. While I got frustrated at times with the lack of communication among the different characters it was also sort of the point of the story. So many of the issues and problems could have been easily avoided or fixed if they had talked openly. 

Using humor, warmth, and compassion, Shalvis explores the bonds between family and their fragility: How do you find the courage to let people in? How do you know when walking away is the right decision? How do you forgive mistakes, both yours and other people's? how do you let people in and trust them?

The focus is on the relationships between Caitlin, Maze, Heather, Walker, and Caitlin's fiance Dillon. There were a few surprises, some tender moments, and some funny moments. The bachelorette party scene was both hilarious and insightful. It was amazing writing and some of Shalvis's best. Once I started the book, I read through the night and finished it in one sitting. I loved seeing the interactions, even when they were painful, and I loved how compassionately Shalvis handled Caitlin's emotional issues. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

About Jill Shalvis ~

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Find Jill online ~

Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Facebook: JillShalvis
Twitter: @JillShalvis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/
Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

The publisher is offering one print copy of this book to a US reader. Answer this question and be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you; have you ever attended or hosted a bachelorette party? Please read my giveaway policy and privacy policy. Giveaway ends Jan. 26th at midnight Eastern time. Thanks for entering and good luck!