Family isn't only defined by blood. When Maze, Heather, and Walker came to the Walsh's house as foster kids, a new type family was formed. Caitlin and Michael Walsh accepted their new brother and sisters as if they were real family. Over the years they made many fun and wonderful memories until the night of the big fire when their lives were forever changed. Now as adults their relationships are still strained because of that horrible night.

When Cat announces her engagement she sees her wedding as the perfect excuse to get the entire gang back together again. At one time Maze was her best friend and she really misses her. The week leading up to the wedding brings back all kinds of fun memories, deep emotional feelings, big surprises, and interesting new revelations that really were a surprise to no one!

I just adored this story. The characters were so fun....Maze (the guilty, rowdy one), Cat (the mother hen), Heather (the little sister) and Walker (the mysterious male of the group). Going through the path these people had been on was a great roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned. Jill Shalvis really knows how bring such feelings into every story she writes and this one is no exception. I highly recommend this story.

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis is the latest in her Wildstone series. I consumed this book in less than two days because Jill’s writing style just keeps me going! This story is about friendship, family, and love. This is a stand alone so you don’t have to have read the earlier books but I also highly recommend them because I love them.

The story is about a group of foster siblings/“family of the heart” who went their separate ways after they were rocked by tragedy and secrets. They are all forced to spend over a week in each other’s company leading up to a wedding and in that time bonds are rekindled, old wounds are made fresh, and new beginnings sprout all over the place, as others end.

I liked the 3rd person limited point of view used to tell the story in this book from three different characters perspectives and how Jill created the opportunity for more than one HEA!! By the end, I felt like I knew Maze, Walker, Cat, and Heather.

My favorite quote was: "Dude, when a woman says she’s fine, it’s code for she’s not fine."

I have loved Jill Shalvis’s books for longer than I can remember...definitely before there were ebooks! Once again, she has come through with a book to make me “feel” and help me get through this time of Covid. This book is a second chance romance, a story about family and what makes a family, tragedy, heartbreak, friendship and love. Each of these characters had so many stories that could be told, I am hopeful for more of this gang. Maze and Walker had a past, a present and a future if only they could get out of their own ways...neither trusted each other or even themselves. What could go wrong! Loved every minute of this book.

Wonderful. As joyful as it is heartbreaking. The love story of Maze and Walker two foster kids with so much emotional baggage they can barely maintain relationships. Now grown adults they reunite for a friends wedding. As always the secondary characters try to really steal the story, Ms. Shalvis had a rough time reigning these guys in. But Maze and Walker prevailed.

The strength in this story is the relationships between the 2 main characters and the extended family around them. While there were a few tears there were many more laughs. Flawed and beautiful in their flaws the leads take you on a beautiful journey of love and friendship.

Please keep writing and I will keep reading. Thank you.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley and William Morrow. Thank you so much.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of goodness!

This is the sixth book in the series – and I would undoubtedly recommend that you read them all in order, but to be honest, you could enjoy this as a standalone too.

A group of four estranged family members meet up because eldest, Caitlin (Cat), invites them to help her prepare for her wedding. As we get to understand what has split them up, and what binds them together, we cannot help but want things to go well. Each of them has their demons, their secrets, and their deepest hurts laid open and all are in need of some help.

Although it is the build up to Cat’s wedding, we are soon party to a secret which throws the light on a completely different relationship. It completely changes the focus of the book, but perfectly. I was totally invested in the success of these two people getting their truths straightened out. Even if it is easy to empathise with both their viewpoints, there are a few ‘wanting to bash their heads together’ moments – which I loved.

Although there is quite a lot of drama, Jill Shalvis has a wonderful sense of humour in her books, and in this book baby Sammie provided a lot of the laughs. The M&Ms scene is particularly hilarious!

I loved this book, it is full of hope, of realisations of what love really is in its many forms, and we get a beautiful romance, or maybe even two!

Jill Shalvis finds the sweet spot with The Forever Girl. She delivers a cast of unforgettable characters whose lives are deeply entwined. Friends bound by time, circumstance and love brought together to reconnect. Shalvis reminds the reader that families aren’t always born but rather chosen.

Not since Sawyer Thompson have, I fallen so hard and fast for a leading man. Walker is worth the wait. Maze is vulnerable, stubborn and quirky. Together Maze and Walker, along with the rest of the gang, will melt your heart. I hope to hear more from Cat and Heather in the future.

Highly recommend reading The Forever Girl. Run don’t walk. You won’t be sorry.

Bring out the tissues for the sad and happy tears! These characters were amazing! All of them. (Well, except for Dillon.) The parents were wonderful and caring. Maze was damaged but was the best friend you could ask for. Caitlin was the ultimate big sister. Heather was such a doll and a good mom. And Walker? Dark alpha hero with a heart of gold. I wish I was a part of this group of friends/family.

The Forever Girl is a moving story about the bonds that are created by our chosen families rather than blood relatives. Maze, Walker and Heather are foster children taken in by Caitlin's parents. A terrible tragedy occurs a year after Maze and Walker join the family that splits them apart. Caitlin is getting married and has invited all of them to spend time with her the week before her wedding.

There is so much emotion in this story. Maze has serious trust issues, Heather is trying to hold her life together, Walker has a career that does not fulfill him and Caitlin is desperate for all of them to connect. Jill Shalvis never fails to make me cry. She also makes me laugh. This book was no exception.

From a personal standpoint, my parents were foster parents and I spent my childhood with an array of children in our home. I completely understand the bond that develops between the children. I have "siblings" today that are as close and dear to me as my biological siblings.

The story is well crafted and moves along at a great pace. This was definitely a one sitting read as I could not put it down. Each of the characters has secrets that are all laid out before the end of the book.

I have skipped around a bit in the Wildstone series but this can certainly be read as a stand alone.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Six books into the The Wildstone series and I'm still head over heels for his series. Each and every book contains distinct characters, with unique voices, and ties to Wildstone that showcase this fictional community.

The Forever Girl centers on four childhood friends who come together under some false but well intentioned circumstances, a wedding. The ruse of this wedding as everything to do with timing, with bride to be Caitlin inviting the estranged friends, Heather, Maze and Walker to come in a week before the wedding. A seemingly futile effort, it end up being exactly what they all need. But it's Maze and Walker who have the most to heal in the gap since they've seen each other.

Maze is a unique character and I found her surliness endearing. She's guarded and deeply wounded by her hand. She walked away from these friends a few years before and hasn't done much f anything to maintain their relationships. Cat's really been the only one she's kept in touch with and as discovers all that she missed in their lives, she shows a combination of envy and remorse. especially when it comes to Walker.

As the week unfolds, we find all of them working to heal the breach. They rely on their history while they forge new intimacies with each other. They are all connecting on new and different levels.

As with every Jill Shalvis book, the plot is perfectly paced and the dialogue whip smart and often very humorous. I always find myself re-reading the highlights I've made and I'm always left smiling. I highly recommend this smart, sexy and heartfelt story about family, friends and forgiveness. 5 Stars!

Jill Shalvis returns to the blog with the sixth book in her Wildstone Series, this one focused on coming home, forgiveness and reconnecting with the family you choose in

The Forever Girl

Maze was a throwaway child: raised by the state after her own mother’s failure to provide her with security or love, she’s always had the belief that no one will ‘stick’, which leads to her inability to ‘settle’. As a teen, she had come to Caitlin’s house to foster with her parents, brother and two others: Walker and Heather. Instantly, despite her determination to push them away, Cat’s parents were different and loving, and Cat simply refused to let Maze be a loner.

After the tragic death of Cat’s little brother and the separation of the kids – Maze’s issues reared their head, and her own guilt over the fire along with feeling pushed aside yet again took over. She ignored everyone and everything – from Cat and Walker’s attempts to connect, to moving away from Heather and starting her own life. Now, with Cat’s wedding coming up and her earnest desire to bring everyone together for a weekend to celebrate and reconnect, Maze agrees to attend, with her boss / friend as her “plus one”, to push off questions and matchmaking efforts.

When Walker arrives, there’s a secret and undeniable attraction between them – and plenty of drama to go around – most centered on everyone’s inability to talk about their ‘real’ feelings, and Maze’s refusal to discuss things further. Here is where Shalvis excels – we care about Maze, worry about the adults who haven’t quite grown up to deal with their issues, and delight in Cat’s very canny deceptions and her bossy demeanor as she tries to control, push and prod everyone into acquiescence with her wishes. When you add in Maze’s innate protectiveness, her belief that everyone and everything will be taken away or out of reach, and the surprises that arrive with Heather, the story envelops readers in a never-ending series of issues to sort, emotions to work through and attractions to cheer for. I loved Maze, Cat, Heather and Walker – and couldn’t help but appreciate Maze’s boss / friend and the connections that everyone had to Wildstone and its people, even all these years later. Of course, we think we know what will happen, and want for it – but it was close going and made the ending all the sweeter. This is a wonderful series focused on people, relationships and the magic of the little town – and well worth your time. Grab this and the others and escape with the people of Wildstone.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQt /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Maze heads back to Wildstone for the wedding of her BRR, Cat, and a reunion with her estranged gang of friends. Expecting them to hate her for her absence, instead she’s embraced back into their hearts. Uneasy about facing Walker, the man she once loved and left, she finds that their chemistry is just as fiery and hard to resist. Maze’s past has taught her to guard her heart but these friends are formidable and she learns she is stronger with them by her side than she is alone.

I have to talk about how much I loved Maze. Sure, I’ve read many books where the heroine is flawed, but there was something about Maze that made me care about her. Usually, I get tired of the self castigation, but Jill Shalvis walked that fine line of being too sorry for yourself, and allowing yourself to move past her issues. Maze blamed herself for something big that happened when they were all kids, but she allowed herself to be loved and to accept their judgement (which was no judgement). For me, Cat was actually the character I got impatient with because of her neediness. She needed her friends to be back together and she needed her fianceé to be something other than what he was. However, her wedding was the incident that brought this group back together so I understood her purpose.

Walker was a different story. Sure, he also had his issues. I mean, they were foster kids so that comes with a lot of baggage, but he was just so solid. I liked him from the get go and once I figured out I adored Maze, I totally rooted for them and eagerly read their reunion and all that followed. He was just all that.

I have read a couple of the other Wildstone novels but The Forever Girl doesn’t reference any of the characters in the past and can be read as a stand alone novel, so don’t be fearful of that #6 after the title. If you’re a fan of Jill Shalvis novels as I am, please pick up The Forever Girl. It’s the perfect story about lost friends and found love which really hits the right note during this pandemic. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this ARC through Net Galley for my honest review and it was honest.

Love this series and author. If you haven't read it yet. I highly recommend doing so. You won't be disappointed.

This story is more about family than anything else. There is still plenty of romance, but the relationship between the people in this made family are the most important connections.

Caitlin is getting married, and what she wants most for her wedding day is to have her brother and sisters there with her. She grew up the biological daughter of wonderful parents who took in foster children through the years. This group of Maze, Walker, and Heather, along with Cat, have a special bond. But things have been rocky the last few years and Cat wants her family back. So she kind of tricks them all into spending a week at her family cabin before the wedding.

As much as I adore the chemistry between Maze and Walker, there were so many other beautiful connections going on through this story. Platonic and not. Maze’s friend Jace, who went along as her plus one, is beyond amazing. I feel like saying too much on any of these relationships, or even the particulars of what drew me to certain characters, could be a bit spoiler-ish. Sorry if I’m being vague. I’ll do my best to get the feelings across without ruining things.

I was fully invested in the heartbreak of Maze and Walker and seeing them find their way back to each other. The interesting thing was how close these two were in some ways while none of the others knew the true nature of their relationship. This gave them the space needed to come to some realizations about their feelings and themselves. Maze needed to learn to forgive herself for things nobody blames her for anyway. She needs to learn that she is enough and is worthy of love. For his part, Walker needs to learn to communicate. He thinks he says enough, but he’s so careful about what he says that those that love him know there is depth he’s keeping hidden. He often reflects on Maze having to speak her mind and say what she wants, but is blind to the fact that he does the same things to her. If he doesn’t speak his full truth instead of bits and pieces, Maze can’t accept that the connection she feels is reciprocated.

Caitlin broke my heart more than all the others in many ways. From the outside, it would seem she is the one with it all together. But she’s hanging on by a thread. Her story, peppered through these pages, had me rooting for her to open her eyes and learn to trust her inner voice as much as everyone trusts her outer voice.

Watching this family finally click into place, with one another and within themselves, was truly a joy.

3.5⭐️
This is my third Jill Shalvis book and she writes such great (& steamy) romance mixed in with family drama!

What I loved:
💕Second Chance romance with forced proximity, family drama
💕These sibling’s relationships through foster care just pulled at my heart strings. They went through so much together and life has not been easy for any of them.
💕Good steam 🔥
💕Well developed side characters and a cute kid.

What didn’t work as well:
I was missing something with the connection between Maze and Walker. Maybe they were both a bit too closed off for too long? It was still super enjoyable and sweet - I’ve seen a bunch of five star reviews on Goodreads!!

⚠️TW: house fire, death of a loved one, foster care

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts I have been a fan of Jill Shalvis’ for years now and this book is a great example as to why.

This story is about the family you choose or more maybe the one handed to you when the biological family wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Caitlin’s family takes in the others as foster kids. They become “siblings” and inseparable but then things change and everyone goes their own ways.But now Caitlin is getting married and she wants everyone back where they should be… by her side.

There is so much emotion in this story. I am not a crier but a number of times I wanted to. And more than once I laughed or shook my head. The dynamics of these characters is fantastic. I really love each of them.

The Forever Girl takes you on an emotional journey that shows you what is really important. It makes you want to call your best friend/sister and tell her how important she is to you.

A great story by Shalvis and any fan of women’s lit needs to have on your shelves to read again and again.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an author that I typically love, but this one just wasn't for me. I realize I am in the majority based on other reviews, but I struggled with getting into the plot and connecting with the characters. I was eager to read something about the foster system because it is so close to my heart, but it was literally work trying to get through this one. I'm giving it two stars instead of one because there was still a bit of the signature Jill Shalvis storytelling, but unfortunately, I was bored to tears. But please try it for yourself, everyone else has seemed to love it!

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis (Wildstone #7) 4 stars

This is book #7 in the Wildstone series. You don't have to read the series in order because each book can be read as a standalone novel. It is a series that is connected by location rather than by the characters of each book.

At the beginning of the book we are introduced to the main characters: Maze Porter, Caitlin Walsh, Heather (?) and Walker Scott at the grave of Michael Walsh. Caitlin's parents took in Maze, Heather, and Walker as foster children. They were becoming a family unit until tragedy strikes and Maze, Heather and Walker are sent away. Caitlin is getting married and she wants her found family back together. Through a mild deception, Maze, Heather and Walker arrive at the home one week early. What happened in their lives, the connections they keep form the basis of the book.

Although a big part of the focus is on Caitlin, the main romance is between Maze and Walker. Maze and Walker are the older children when they are placed with the Walsh's. Both of them have parental issues or lack of parents to overcome and the sense of never belonging. Walker appears to be the more stable of the two, but he has his moments too. Maze is impulsive, bold and relationship shy. There is a sense of poignancy and sadness that runs underneath this book. That said, there is also strength, resiliency, and just plain stubbornness that allows the characters to keep going. I enjoyed this book and look forward to "Love For Beginners" that is out in June 2021.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC.

Another great story from Ms Shalvis about family and forgiveness.

Maize and Walker have issues of abandonment due to their early family situations. When tragedy tears the family they became apart, it seems like nothing will be the same again.

Through the years, they ignore the family they were and try to form new luves. When called together for a family wedding, communication becomes key. Can they face their fears and past insecurities to forge a new future together? Read this and you'll find out!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

I loved Maze and Walker! Having met in a foster home as teens, they have quite a history together. When a meddling friend forces them into close proximity again, old feelings resurface.

Maze's impulsive, stubborn nature juxtaposed with Walker's steady, patient one reminded my of the dynamic between Ivy and Kel in Shalvis' "Wrapped Up In You" - another favorite of mine.

There are actually two other love secondary love stories embedded in this book, as well as lots of friends-who-are-like-family drama. There were some laugh out loud moments and plenty of sweet ones too!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honesty review. All opinions are my own.

The Forever Girl is the sixth in Jill Shalvis’ women’s fiction Wildstone series, and like the others, is a stand-alone, with the books being connected on a peripheral level due to them sharing the same small town setting. And once again, she manages to create a multilayered story equally about family bonds and finding lasting love.

I loved that the central cast was a group of former foster siblings reunited as adults. I’ve read a couple books lately that talked about the intricacies of the foster system and adoption from different perspectives, so this was a welcome addition.

Maze is a complex heroine, and while she’s definitely not always likable, I liked the examination of her choices and how they impacted her future. Ultimately, I could relate to her journey of finding self-love and reaching out to those she loves.

Her relationships with the others are also beautiful and reflect her journey, while also allowing them to be characters in their own right. She and Walker find they still have feelings for one another, and he has issues of his own that are dealt with. The others also have issues with each other that are discussed with both frankness and sensitivity.

This was a heartfelt story that is perhaps my favorite of Shalvis’ Wildstone books so far. If you love Shalvis’ previous work, or love books that are a good balance of family (going beyond blood) relationship and romance, then I think you’ll enjoy this.