Book Review: My Forever by Jolene Perry

Summary: 

Dani is mortified that she’ll finish her senior year of high school as the pregnant girl, and has no idea how to tell her father, who is also the pastor of her church.

When her friend, Michael, sits down next to her in the hallway at school, it leads her inside the doors of the Mormon church, a group she’s been warned against for years. Dani begins to listen to the small voice in her heart even as her world crumples around her.

Her old friends aren’t around anymore. And when her father discovers not only her pregnancy, but her involvement in the LDS faith, he asks her to leave his house.

Dani’s life is turned upside down as she moves states, tries to find parents for her unborn baby, and says goodbye to her friend, Michael, as he leaves for two years to serve a mission.

My Forever is a novel about the struggle to find the balance between what your head screams for you to do and the power of following the quieter voice inside your heart - wishing for a time when they both say the same thing.

Release Date: July 28, 2012

Age Group: YA

Source: Purchased

Review:

I've read Jolene Perry before and really like her fast-paced writing, and intense, emotional stories.  Read my reviews of Night Sky (4 stars) and Knee Deep (4.5 stars).   

I picked up My Forever thinking it would be the same kind of read.  And while I did enjoy the book, something was off for me.  The intensity wasn't there.  The story was slow at times, and I just didn't have the connection with the characters like I've had in the past with Perry's books.  

I liked the premise (something about teen pregnancy always lures me in) and I especially liked Dani's journey to faith.  I liked the love story and that there was a slow build to the relationship.  I definitely would have liked the story to continue on, after the characters finally got together.  

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary YA, with the caveat that My Forever isn't quite on the same level as some of Perry's other books.  I do plan to keep reading Jolene Perry and hope the next book is better for me (she's written quite a few novels so I have plenty to pick from).