Reviewed by Nicole Lynn on
*I received a free copy of Seven Weeks to Forever in exchange for an honest review*
The Review
Seven Weeks to Forever by Jennifer Farwell follows Cassidy, a newly high-school graduate spending the summer in LA before going to college at Harvard in the fall. Well, at least that’s what her Aunt & Uncle think she’s doing. In reality, Cassidy is a second-timer sent back to “The Before” in order to help someone so that she can return to “The Life-After.” Riley, her assignment, is a nineteen-year-old boy Cassidy finally finds with seven weeks left to save him. Cassidy has to get his life back on track in order to save him from dying too young and for her to return to the “Life-After.” She just never realized that would entail having to date him. Cassidy hasn’t dated anyone since the love of her first life caused her death the last time she turned eighteen.
On top of that, Cassidy also has a run in with her ex-best-friend, Selena Jensen. Selena hasn’t forgotten their past and is protective of Riley. Plus, Cassidy has to also deal with her Aunt & Uncle once they find out that she isn’t going to Harvard in the fall. They have no idea that Cassidy isn’t a normal college-bound girl.
But the biggest obstacle Cassidy faces is the fact that she’s falling for Riley and is now faced with a choice: give Riley the life he’s meant for and leave when it’s time or give up eternity for the true love she’s never had, knowing Riley will die the same way she did in her first life and that her entire existence could end at any time.
What will she choose?
What I really enjoyed about this novel the most is the overall them of love. Interwoven themes of death, vulnerability, and growth also appear throughout the novel, but the focus of love overcoming many obstacles is what I really enjoyed reading about. Cassidy has a lot of decisions to make throughout the novel. Some decisions are not just life-altering for her, but also for Riley. Seeing how love played a part in some of these decisions as well as in the growth and characterization of Cassidy was not only enjoyable, but thought-provoking as well.
Cassidy has a lot to learn during her second time back. She has closed herself off to making connections with people because of her heartbreak in her first life as well as the knowledge that she’ll be leaving for the “Life-After” soon. When she meets Riley she’s a little blindsided that she likes him and it’s so great to watch their relationship develop. Cassidy grows a lot in this novel and I always enjoy great characterization and growth in any novel ;)
I also enjoyed how “fate” seemed to play a role in this novel. Like some things were meant to happen or how once decision can lead to certain outcomes: Cassidy running into Riley for the second time. Of course Cassidy and “fate” had some help from Noah and the mysterious white feather leaving being, but it was still cool to watch this concept and theme play out within the novel. I’m a huge believer in Karma and fate, so it was great to see something similar play out within a story.
The secondary characters within Seven Weeks to Forever also played some key roles. Noah, Selena, and David all play a role in Cassidy’s mission and decisions. Noah was definitely a favorite of mine :) Strong secondary characters aren’t always present in a novel and I feel like Farwell did a great job of writing hers.
Overall, I definitely recommend picking up this novel. It’s a great YA worth reading and has both character growth and romance. If you’re looking for a good contemporary read with a little bit of paranormal, I’d definitely add this to your TBR pile or bookshelf!
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 26 July, 2014: Finished reading
- 26 July, 2014: Reviewed