Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis Narrator: Erin Mallon
Series: Wildstone #6
Published by HarperAudio on January 12, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9 hours, 17 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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.
The books in the Wildstone series don’t seem to have much connection as far as characters or even locations, so you don’t really have to read them in order. There is a romance or two in each, with much more of a life fiction feel.
Maze is a classic Shalvis girl, full of insecurity and a heart of gold. Walker is actually, the same. As foster kids, they have both been left and work hard not to love anybody again who could hurt them, or leave them. The whole bunch is brought together for Cat’s wedding. Cat is thrilled to have her family together after a few years of everyone off hiding their problems.
Now, a lot of things could have been straightened out more quickly with some adult conversation. I sort of hate that but it is realistic, people don’t want to be vulnerable. These folks are a mess. Cat had a break down of sorts and Dillon was there for her. But now he’s a dick, and his mother is a bitch. Heather has a two year old, only Walker knew about the baby. Maze has isolated herself and estranged herself from Cat’s parents. Walker has been shot and yet trying to be there for all of them, even if they don’t know it.
I enjoy the talk between the members of this “family” and the support they give each other. They do some real soul searching about what they want in their lives. There is a pregnancy scare. Everyone of them is looking hard at what they really want in their future.
Walker knows what he wants and works toward it but he’s not willing to be vulnerable. Maze knows what she wants but doesn’t believe she can have it or deserves it. Cat is not sure she wants what she thought she wanted. Heather is finally handling her life and ready for love. They are start out struggling, but they make some real progress.
While they grapple to figure it out, we get to laugh and cry and hope and cheer for them. I loved this story and I want to see just a bit more of the future but that’s unlikely the way this series is written. Shalvis needs to write a Wildstone holiday story with vignettes of all our favorite Wildstone people and what’s happening with them for the holiday.
Narration:
Erin Mallon is a popular narrator and I have enjoyed her performance throughout this series. Her male and female characters are differentiated in each book. The male and female voices do sound the same as characters from another book though. I really enjoy the husky quality of her male voices. I chose to listen at 1.4x speed, just a little slower than normal.
Listen to a clip:
About Erin Mallon
Erin Mallon is an actor, writer and voice artist in NYC. Her naturally warm personality and youthful sound have proven excellent tools for the many young adult and romance titles she narrates. She has originated roles in the theater with Ensemble Studio Theater’s Youngblood Company, The Drilling Company, Mabou Mines, Incubator Arts Project and many more. Erin is a devoted volunteer at The 52nd Street Project, the voice of many TV and radio commercials, and was one of BACKSTAGE’s “Career Dispatch” columnists for 2012.
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 for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Winter
This sounds like it might be good as a Netflix series!
I’m sure it could be. Also her Lucky Harbor series.
I’ve read some great things about this book and I definitely plan on reading it. I’m glad you like it so much. And I’m glad to narrator worked for you as well.
Jill Shalvis is always a favorite. I try to read everything of hers.
I have been hearing the best things about this book and I really find seeing the family support and understanding to be so impactful in stories. It adds that unique element that has a endearing appeal.
It certainly does. And this is a family chosen as family not as a blood family. Their commitment to each other when nobody before ever committed to them is something special.
I like that it’s more a life fiction since all their lives are intertwined from growing up in foster care. You’re right about why people won’t just talk about stuff though, as a reader, I get impatient with them for not doing it. 🙂 Sounds like a good one. I’ve got a couple of the earlier books and just need to get them read.
Well I think all of hers are good ones but this one especially so. 🙂
Oh, this sounds like such a wonderful story. Messy yet very realistic, and I love that they have made a little “found family.” I always find that so heartwarming.
It’s a great story. Jill Shalvis always has heart and humor in her stories.
I loved this book! Maze and Walker were fantastic together and I loved seeing all of them come together and deal with some issues. I bet the audio just added to the experience. I am so glad you enjoyed it too!
It’s a favorite. I’ve loved all these Wildstone stories.
Oh I always have a good time with her books and I haven’t tried this one
I love her work. This Wildstone series is great and you could read them out of order as they are standalone really.
It’s hard to go wrong with a Jill Shalvis, although it’s been a while since I’ve read her. I would like to give this one a go by audio. I’ll put in for an audio copy with the library.
Well she’s a favorite of mine and I don’t think she ever disappoints me. This should be fun as it is sort of in your neck of the woods too.