Friday 1 February 2013

My review of Just One Day

Just One Day (Just One Day #1) by Gayle Forman
Release Date: January 8, 2013
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Just One Day (Just One Day, #1)When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is an insightful and beautifully written novel that has touched me deeply. I don't think I'll be forgetting about this story for a long time. Gayle Forman has, once again, delivered a heart-felt and honest novel that not only portrays love in its truest form, but takes you on an incredible and unforgettable journey.

Allyson isn't a daring girl at all. She and her best friend are on a tour discovering Europe, leaving America for the summer. When they reach England and meet the charming, dutch actor Willem at an underground performance of Twelfth Night, Allyson can't forget about him. On the train she meets him again and she can't wrap around the fact that she'll have to leave soon. So when he offers a her a day to discover Paris at its best, she can't resist. In just one day, Allyson turns into "Lulu" and takes more risks than she thought she ever would. She can feel herself slowly falling for Willem, but the following morning she discovers that he has left. Over the next year, Allyson attempts to erase him from her mind but only finds herself drawn back to Paris on a conquest to find him.

I have waited months and months for this book to be released. At first I was worried about it not living up to If I Stay and Where She Went, but there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Gayle Forman is an incredibly talented writer who can effortlessly write about anything, really. I fell hard for the characters in this book just as much as I did for those in her previous duology. They are realistic and well developed in every single way. 

Just One Day isn't just some random YA contemporary about a girl trying to find a boy. It's a book about self-discovery and determination. Allyson is an amazing character, and I felt inspired to actually take some risks like she did. Throughout her journey to find Willem, I could actually feel my heart breaking for her. She was completely and utterly lost, not just physically but emotionally as well. She felt that she could not be herself without him, which is understandable since he is the one who has changed her into a new person. Someone who is willing to take risks and say 'yes' to an opportunity.

All the supporting characters were also developed and I think that's really important in a contemporary novel because if the characters don't feel real then the reader won't completely get lost in the story. 

The setting! The way Gayle described Paris was exquisite. She brought out the negatives and the positives of the city and went into detail of the streets, the shops, the food, making it seem like you were actually there! I wanted to be there. I wanted to see the sights and eat the macaroons and take risks and simply be spontaneous.

Believe me, I loved so much about this story but one thing really gets to me. The ending. I feel like Forman has just cut us off at a significant point, like the point where the story is really getting a kick. I have suffered heart break in this book and to leave me hanging like that? No, just no. An incredible book with a cliffhanger is always a bummer. Luckily, the sequel Just One Year will be out in September/October this year. Yipeeeee! To make things a whole load more exciting... IT'S TOLD IN WILLEM'S POV! I hear you all screaming. Yes, it's just that exciting. Once you read Just One Day you'll understand where I'm coming from.

Just One Day is a novel that must be read. You simply can't miss this. 
Rating

A review copy was provided by Random House

21 comments:

  1. I've heard a lot about this book, but I haven't given it much thought. It sounds amazing though! I'm definitely willing to give it a try now :D

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  2. I really must read this woman's books, already! Thank you so much for the great review. This sounds such a great book!

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  3. Great review. I love the setting. It sounds so bittersweet that it happened at where I consider the most romantic place on Earth.

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  4. I loved Gayle Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went that's why when I saw this book, I can't wait to read it! It's great you loved it! Thanks for your review! :)

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  5. Set in Paris and a Dutch actor a leading man, what's not to like with this book. Gotta add this on my tbr. :)
    Great review!

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  6. I really can't wait to read this book! ! I mean just the fact that Gayle Forman wrote it is enough but all the other details make me want to read it even more:)

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  7. Yes the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger! I'm just glad there's not too long till the next book!

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  8. I'm dying to read this one.

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  9. Ooo... this book sounds SO GOOODDDDD....

    mestith@gmail.com

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  10. Thanks for the review ^^ Is this one standalone or a series? Either way I hear sooo many good things about Gayle Foreman, I must give her books a go ^^

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  11. I already have this book on my to-read list only from reading the summary but your reviews just confirmed that it's an interesting read that I should definitely get my hands on. But the cliff-hanger ending is probably the only reason why I wont read it right away.. I'll wait for a while, for the release date to come near and then I'll read it.
    I'm definitely intrigued! Great review!

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  12. I always love reading story that took place in Europe so I kinda sure I'm gonna love this book too. Considering to have this after Just One Year is released but I don't think I can wait so long.

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  13. Dying to read this one too. All of her books are so powerful!

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  14. I'm currently reading this and loving it so far!:) I love Gayle's writing and an added bonus is that I've been seeing reviews saying that its similar to Before Sunrise/Before Sunset (which I both love)

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  15. How romantic trying to find a man that you've only met and stayed with in one day.

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  16. I'm dying to read this! I'm so happy to hear it lives up to If I Stay and Where She Went! :)

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  17. I'd love to read this! My library doesn't have it yet, and I'm sort of broke at the moment. Gah, I can't wait until I can read this! Her writing is just beautiful. <3

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  18. Oh YAY, so glad it lived up to your expectations. I don't like when a book is so hyped up but doesn't deliver. This is also a book I can't wait to read.
    Thank you for sharing your review!

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  19. I MUST read this this month. I loved your review.

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  20. Sounds good but I think I am leaning toward the If I Stay series!

    Thanks for the review!

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