For Always by Danielle Sibarium

TITLE: For Always

AUTHOR: Danielle Sibarium

RATING: 3 STARS (3.5 STARS)

PUBLISHED: October 2011 - KFR Communications

SERIES: No

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"You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever?"

MY REVIEW

For Always by Danielle Sibaruim was a good young adult romance novel. Some of content in this novel pertains to drinking, drugs, and sex; therefore, I recommend this novel to “mature” young adults.

For Always is Stephanie and Jordan’s love story. Their story isn’t a fluffy fairytale. It’s a sweet story filled with hope, happiness and love, but it’s also an emotional story full of guilt, loss, and heartache.

This story takes place over a four-year time span. When we are first introduced to the characters, Stephanie is a freshman in high school and Jordan is a senior in high school.  Stephanie is a shy introvert who alienates herself from everyone but her best friend, Maria.  And, even though Maria is her best friend, no one really gets her until she meets Jordan.  His confidence, attention, and acceptance help bring Stephanie out of her shell. Jordan and Stephanie develop a strong… friendship. Stephanie wants to be more than friends, and she is pretty sure that Jordan wants that too, but Jordan’s reluctance to accept their age difference keeps them in the friend zone.  Four years later, we are reintroduced to the characters and their friendship. Now that Stephanie is older, can she and Jordan have the relationship that she has always wanted? Or does an unexpected tragedy ruin their chance at happily ever after?

One of my favorite things about this novel was that it showed us Stephanie and Jordan’s relationship over time. Watching the characters relationship evolve over a four year time span was more interesting and more realistic.

On the other hand, my least favorite thing about this novel was the characters. I thought that they were ordinary and, sort of, dull. I had a hard time connecting with them and believing in their love for one another.

Overall, For Always was an enjoyable young adult romance novel.

I gave For Always by Danielle Sibarium 3 STARS (3.5 STARS).