I love Jill Shavlis and I’m a fan of this series. That being said something about this book fell a little flat for me. I never really got a sense of who maze, one of the main characters, is. I did like the premise and the ending. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

The Forever Girl is book six in the Wildstone series by Jill Shalvis. I have to admit that Jill Shalvis is one of my go-to authors for books about heart and love and all the good feels. A group of friends as teenagers growing up in the foster are system and now as adults long after a tragedy tore them a part, they are back together to celebrate the wedding of Cat.

I really enjoyed this one! It tugged on the heart strings and made me happy at the end. Thanks so NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Shalvis gifts her readers with a great story of love, family, challenges, and of course romance. Don't miss this one. It will catch you at the first page and hold your interest until the end.

I received an ARC from William Morrow and Custom House through NetGalley for an honest review. Caitlin, Maze, Walker, and Heather were friends as children until a tragedy happened. Now they are all grown up and getting back together for Cat's wedding. Maze and Walker have some secrets, problems communicating, and each is waiting for the other one to speak first.
Cat is getting married and not sure if it will happen. There is thinking to be done and decisions to be made before the wedding takes place. At times there seemed to be a lot of awkwardness because no one knew what anyone else was thinking.
Like life, it will take time and understanding to move on and be open and honest with each other which they start to do. We learn so much once they start opening up to each other that it was hard to put the book down, which I didn't do. It kept me reading and guessing what would happen. Jill wrote this story so you could feel the emotions that they were feeling. There was a wide range of emotions and it just added to the story. The book shows us what it takes to rebuild a friendship, rebuild trust, and not knowing what will happen but it is something they all wanted to find out.

I liked the premise of this book and I usually really enjoy Jill Shalvis’s books, but this one was exasperating for me. I liked the idea of foster children who have built a tight bond from the one year that they spent together. That is a lovely thought and bringing them back together years later when Caitlin, the natural daughter of the family that fostered the other three children, asks them all to come together before her wedding set up some interesting dynamics.

Maze and Walker clearly are attracted to each other but Maze keeps putting up blocks because of the emotional damage she suffered before she went into foster care. I just got tired of her posing and attempts to block the loving relationships she once had with the three other people. Clearly, she and Walker needed to hash out their history together and I just wanted to lock her in a room with Walker so they could talk out their problems instead of her constantly blowing hot and cold with him.

Once you figure out the set-up of the novel, it was all very predictable what was going to happen by the end of the book and the paths the characters would travel to get there.

The other thing is that I didn’t buy the story of the tragedy that separated the four children.

Spoiler alert:

We’re told that the four of them were going to sneak out of the house one day by going out a basement window. But someone knocked over a heater and the entire house burned down killing Caitlin’s younger brother, Michael, by smoke inhalation. It just didn’t seem realistic. First of all, we’re told that the parents weren’t there and had left the older children to babysit the younger ones. And we’re told how responsible and loving the kids felt toward Michael. So why were they going to leave him alone in the house? And if they were there without the parents, why climb out a basement window instead of going out a door? We’re also told that Walker risked his life to go back into the burning house to save Michael, but it was too late and he’d already died. Really? A house with a basement would go up in flames so quickly that a healthy, athletic young man couldn’t run up into a bedroom and save the little boy? I just don’t believe that.

This whole tragic backstory that supposedly explains why Maze has been punishing herself ever since and won’t have any contact with her former closest friends was terribly sad and tragic, but once I found out what had happened, I just kept thinking about how improbably it was. Add in how irritating Maze was and I lost interest in the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This book really hit the spot, finding a satisfying blend of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. This can be read as a stand-alone, but fair warning that you will probably fall in love with the setting and people of Wildstone and want to read other books in this series.

I consider strong friendships, humor, and satisfying romance to be hallmarks of this author’s books, and this one delivered. This story deals with a group of young adults who forged bonds growing up through the foster system. I especially enjoyed how she so successfully incorporated that past into the characters’ backgrounds and frames of reference in a real way that was neither depressing nor stereotypical. This is a wonderful feel-good read.

One moment can change a number of lives. And that moment happened for three foster siblings and two blood siblings almost a decade ago. Now there are four of them. Caitlin, the steady heart of the group; Maze, the de facto leader who is skeptical of love; Walker, the loner who lurks in the background; and Heather, the youngest of them all.

The four of them haven't been in one place in years but now they are gathering for Cat's wedding to Dillon. Unfortunately, none of them seem to actually like Dillon. Which is going to be a problem since Cat has actually inveigled them all out to the family lodge a week before her actual wedding date and is asking them to stay. They each have their own reasons for not wanting to spend a week together but the family ties are too strong.
Most of the story focuses on Maze and Walker. Even though Maze brings a fake boyfriend, their attraction is strong and she finds herself drawn to the man she walked out on years ago. We also get glimpses of Cat and Dillon's relationship but, because their parts in the story are so brief, Dillon is more of a two-dimensional character. Heather, we see least of all though her story seems like it could have been interesting.

Three stars
Follows The Summer Deal
This book comes out January 12th
ARC kindly provided by William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

The forever girl is a novel of friendship, second chances and the transformative power of love in all its forms. This is the 6th novel in Ms. Shalvis' Wildstone series, but it is not necessary to have read the previous 5 to enjoy this. It's a stand alone book, and I enjoyed it so much I'm going to find the rest of the series.

Maze has been hurt and rejected her entire life and has learned to shut everyone out to protect herself. And it is the same for Walker. They are forced to be together the week leading up to Caitlin's wedding and they slowly learn that past events may not have been exactly the way they had thought. Watching them overcome and learn to trust themselves and each other was heartwarming and enjoyable. Through the course of their story you come to care so much about these characters that you almost forget they aren't real. Normally I speed through books but this time I dragged my feet a bit. I didn't want it to end.
*A few scenes are for mature audiences.

I loved this book and it was simply wonderful.
I definitely recommend this book, series, and author.

After tragedy separates best friends Caitlin, Maze, Heather and Will as teenagers, they each go their separate ways. After not seeing each other for three years, Caitlin is determined to bring them together for her wedding. They have not seen each other for three years. Caitlin is having doubts about her fiancé. Maze is carrying the guilt from the tragedy years ago, Heather has a surprise for them all and Will and Maze still have feelings for each other. Can time together heal the wounds of the past? Another great read from Jill Shalvis!


Thanks to Jill Shalvis, William Morrow and Custom House

The Forever Girl tugs the heart strings and will run you through the gauntlet of emotion. Maze is wonderful, rebellious, full of life and everyone can see it but Maze. No one is harder on Maze than herself. She's a bundle of insecurity and low self esteem who accepts the blame for every bad thing that has ever happened. A foster child, Maze thought she had found her forever home when Cat's family took her, Walker, and Heather under their wings until tragedy struck. Guilt ridden, Maze has withdrawn from the others. Heather has her own secrets and struggles. Walker is doing his own secretive thing. Cat just wants her family back and she manages to bring them all home for her marriage. The chemistry between Walker and Maze is off the charts and Walker's back story is a little heartbreaking all on its own. Maze and Walker work on a second chance at love while the family works on forgiveness, understanding, and healing for a hard fought HEA. The characters in this book quickly become like the reader's best friends and make the ending oh so bittersweet. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

I really liked the tension on this book. But the constant communication issues were exhausting. Not only between the hero and heroine bit between all the main characters. Also sometimes their inner dialogue seemed incongruous with their actions. Overall it was a sweet story and it was nice to see all the relationships improve.

This was my first Jill novel and I have no idea why it took me so losing to read her! I loved how you get not just the hero and heroines perspectives but some of the important side characters!

Maze and Walker have had a rough life but when it came to their attraction that was undeniable! Now as they converge together again for their “sisters” wedding Maze and Walker have to face their truths and start to heal. Through their healing; more than their relationship will mend they just have to find the strength to do it!

I loved this “family” I loved how resilient and through everything they didn’t give up on each other or themselves! I also loved the sentimental moments but more than anything I enjoyed how they called one another out and found a way to make light of situations and find some humor!

The Forever Girl is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Jill Shalvis. Ms. Shalvis has provided readers with a well-written book populated with an outstanding cast of characters. Maze went into foster care when she was a teen and was placed with Caitlin's family. Walker joined the family and then Heather. Until the night of the fire, when Caitlin's brother died. Every year they'd meet at the cemetery for Michael's birthday until the year things went bad. Maze hasn't seen the family of her heart since then. Now Caitlin has called them all home for her wedding. This is a story of tragedy, love, healing and trust. You'll find plenty of drama, laugh out loud humor, sizzle, angst and suspense between the pages of this book. I loved this story and look forward to reading more from Jill Shalvis in the future. The Forever Girl is book 6 in the Wildstone Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In “The Forever Girl” by Jill Shalvis we meet Maze and her “family”. As teenagers they were put together through the foster care system and as adults the glue that has held them together all these years, Cat, is getting married. But the reunion is weighted down by guilt, secrets, and painful memories.

As they prepare for the wedding Maze, Cat, Heather and Walker begin to realize that the tragedies of their past have kept them from the people that are most important to them but is it too late to get back to where they were.

A fun read with a lot of great characters. I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

The Forever Girl
A Novel
by Jill Shalvis
William Morrow and Custom House
You Are Auto-Approved
William Morrow Paperbacks
General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 12 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 09 Mar 2021

Yes! Jill Shalvis does it again. A great romance that I can easily recommend to our readers. Thanks to William Morrow and Custom House for the ARC. Thanks to NetGalley also!

5 star

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite romance authors. All of her books are auto-buys for me, and this book was no exception. This book had a wonderful storyline about second chances. i loved reading about maze and cat find their way back to each other.

When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and foster sister Cat, it means a reunion with her other foster siblings Walker, Heather and to deal with the tragedy that split them apart so many years ago. Which was Cat’s little brother Michael dying when their house caught on fire and that Maze blames herself for the blaze and Walker blames himself for not being able to save Michael. Cat is going crazy getting the wedding set up with her fiancée Dillon whose mother pretty much hijacked what was going to be an intimate family gathering into an over the top extravaganza that she doesn’t want. Cat invites Maze, Walker and Heather to the wedding and has them staying at the cabin with her and her fiancée but she tricks them into staying a whole week since the wedding isn’t until the next weekend. Maze and Walker haven’t seen each other since they got drunk Las Vegas married when Maze turned 21 and of course misunderstanding abound and they both think the other one left and thought it was a mistake. Heather turns up with a toddler daughter that nobody except for Walker knew about and Cat is shocked and hurt that Heather never told her even though she tried to keep in touch with everyone. So we have everyone just trying to work out their interpersonal issues as well as getting Cats wedding and all the last minute details done without Cat having a nervous breakdown.

I really liked this book. It was a really fast read and I liked how much growth you got with Maze and Walker especially since it was an ensemble and we did get a lot of Cat/Dillion and Heather/Jace it was focused more on Walker/Maze. Maze really had a great arc of growth in her character and how she finally left herself open to the possibilities with Walker and how neither her nor Walker were at fault for the fire that killed Michael or for not saving him. I really loved how much Cat finally grew a backbone and realized that what she wants matter and she shouldn’t keep trying to make everyone else happy that she should make herself happy. I loved Heather and Jace with how he was so good with her daughter and how much he was falling for her. Just so cute. So a really fun read and I hope there is more in this series with any of these other characters. I would like to see where they end up.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

Maze Porter works as a bartender while taking night classes. She returns to Wildestone, California, for her foster sister/ best friend’s wedding. Being home brings back unwanted feelings and memories. It also forces Maze to be around Walker Scott, the man she foolishly let go. Will Maze finally put her emotional and mental demons to rest? Or will she once again wreck a good thing?
Walker “Walk” Scott is a federal agent. He comes back to Wildestone to attend his foster sister’s wedding. Walker never really forgot what happened between him and Maze four years ago. Many heartbreaking revelations finally come to light. Will the wedding continue as planned? Can Walker and Maze overcome their emotional shortcomings? Will he convince her to be his forever girl?
Maze is the embodiment of dysfunctional. Her childhood before and after The Walsh’s, the family who briefly took her in, left a deep scar on her emotional state. I admire how Maze acknowledges her many issues and faults. She has no aspirations on being perfect; she is just content in being herself. What I adore the most about Maze are the sacrifices she makes for Caitlin. Maze understands that she cannot change the past, but she grapples with her inner demons to be there for Cat.
Walker is definitely a keeper! I like how he refused to allow his crappy childhood stop him from making something out of his life. He could have easily fell into drugs or become a delinquent. I adore how Walker looks after the few people in his sphere. There is nothing he would not do for them. What I love the most about Walker is his ability to understand Maze. They are kindred spirits, so he can anticipate her reactions and responses better than anyone.
THE FOREVER GIRL is book six in Jill Shalvis’ contemporary romance series, WILDSTONE. This story can stand apart from the prior five books and one novella, the only common thread being the setting. The formula of this series is more women’s lit than straight up romance. There is romance, but the storyline also focuses on the values of family and friendship.
THE FOREVER GIRL is an emotional tale of two troubled people overcoming their shortcomings for a second chance. I could not help but get personally connected with all the characters in this story. I cannot wait to see what Jill Shalvis has in store for the next installment.

Maze Porter has had a tough life, but soldiers on, shoving bad memories of being in the foster care system to the side. She did have a loving foster family...until their lives blew apart with the death of her foster brother Micheal. All the kids in the family had feelings tied to his lass. His birth sister Caitlin, Maze, Heather and Walker dealt with the pain as best as they could, each bearing inner scars, after losing their incredibly close family after the fire that took Micheal’s life.
Now Caitlin wants her family to heal and brings them together for her wedding. They all have little secrets that come out and end up healing each other when misconceptions are revealed and handled by all.
This is a second chance romance with the added lesson that we need to discuss our feelings with our loved ones to avoid misunderstandings that could cause unneeded separations. This tale evokes a bit of sadness in some parts and happiness in others to end up as a sweet heartwarming tale.
I requested and received to my delight a NetGalley ARC and offer my opinion freely.