Author: Gayle Forman
Publication Date: January 2013
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Goodreads
From Goodreads:
A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay.
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.
4. 5 stars
It’s so hard to write a review for a book you absolutely love.
Just One Day is exactly what I think it would be, and more. It is beautiful, heart-breaking, and just insanely awesome altogether. Really, I expect no less from such wordsmith like Gayle Forman. Similar to If I Stay and Where She Went, Gayle Forman sure knows how to play with your emotion. I lost count on how many times I gasped, squealed, smiled, and giggled to myself when I was reading it. This book messed out with my heart big time, and I loved every single minute of it.
The book opens with Allyson, an American good girl who’s supposed to have the time of her life. The European tour is nothing but a series of too-much-cultural-injections for her. But just when Allyson is ready to go home, she accidentally meets a charming and Dutch actor who introduces himself as Willem. Willem is mysterious, carefree, and he makes Allyson feel like someone different. Someone who is not her. When Allyson accepts Willem’s invitation for one day journey to Paris, she doesn’t know yet that such a short time can make so much impact in her heart.
I like Allyson. It takes time for her to develop into a strong character, but I really admire her determination. It’s so easy to identify myself with her character. Willem is a great character although he’s still a mysterious character to me. Words can’t even describe how much I’m yearning to read Just One Year. Dee with his awesomeness is exactly what you need as a friend.
It seemed like I went on a whirlwind journey when I read this book – up a hill, down a hill. You may predict what happen next, but it won’t loosen up the feels. The settings are lovely and it made me want to book the first plane to Paris. By the time I finished this book, I was suffering with a serious case of wanderlust. Just One Day is a wonderful read that I’d recommend to anyone with a love for YA, and I can hardly contain my excitement to read Just One Year.
It’s totally crazy. I don’t even know him. And I could get caught. And how much of Paris can you see in just one day? And this could all go disastrously wrong in so many ways. All of that is true. I know it is. But it doesn’t change the fact that I want to go.
So this time, instead of saying no, I try something different.
I say yes.
5 cups of tea!
I'm in love with the characters and the setting in this book. :)
Yay you're back with a new review! ♥
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I didn't really enjoy Just One Day as much as I wanted to, but I'm still excited for the sequel, Just One Year. I hope it'll change my mind about this series. After her first two books, Gayle Forman is officially an auto-buy for me! :-D
Tirta @ I Prefer Reading
I still need to read this one! I'm so glad you loved it. I love that Willem has his point of view in the next novel. I actually need to read Where She Went too...LOVED If I Stay.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
OMG you are back!!! I was so giddy from your comment you posted! *HUGZZZ* no wait...*GLOMP!* Of course I missed you!!! Who am I kidding you are one of my best friends on the blogosphere! <3333
ReplyDeleteAnd you came back with Just One Day as a review? Hilda, you make me so jealous. ;D I am dieing to get my hands on this because, of course, Miss Forman is just an amazin' writer and this sounds equally amazing. Or is it your review skills convincing me even more?
P.S. I love the new headers like Review and Rating and your signature! They are all so absolutely cute with the little teacups on their! ^^
This book sounds totally awesome. I hope Lulu has a happy ending otherwise I'm going to be so sad. I'm yet to read any of Gayle Forman's books but I think now I must start.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this, Hilda! It's one of my favorites and I just adored Lulu's transformation and journey. I can't wait for the sequel now! Fantastic review!(:
ReplyDeleteHilda!!!!!!!!!! You're back! And that was such an amazing review! That quote- so lovely! Its fantastic that you felt so many emotions concerning these characters! You're enthusiasm spreads to me, and I do what to read this too.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful review Hilda, I was absolutely tearing up with this book too, I went through so many emotions, so can fully appreciate how it left such a great impression with you. Only a few months to go until Just One Year, I need Willem's pov now! And it's so great to see you back! I've missed you! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteHILDA! <3 I had only just started this book when I set it down because I couldn't get into it. I'm definitely going to go back to it, I owe Gayle Forman that much after how I ADORED If I Stay & Where She Went. Hopefully my second go will end up a bit more like your read! :) I'm so glad that you loved it, thanks for the amazing review as always! <3
ReplyDeleteAwesome review Hilda. I always find it really hard to review a book when I love it too, but you did a wonderful job and you have me wondering if maybe I should give this one a go, even though I don't read too much contemporary :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Just One Year either, Hilda! Willem has some explaining to do! I loved the setting of Paris and it makes me want to visit there all over again. Wonderful review! :)
ReplyDeleteOoh. I want to read this one so badly! It sounds INCREDIBLE- any book that makes me want to disappear to that place is <33
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have to admit that I've been trying to stay away from this one despite all the ravee reviews because I was still a bit skeptical. Buuut, it sounds like the books deserves all the love!
ReplyDelete- Ellie at The Selkie Reads Stories
Hilda!! I haven't visited your blog in forever!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review as always! I think Just One Day might end up being my favorite Gayle Forman book to date, it just gave me ALL OF THE FEELS.
What I wouldn't give to have Just One Year in my hands already....