My original plan for my review of Just One Day was to pop it in one of my mini review posts. Then I read Just One Year and decided to put the two
together in one post. I feel like they’re meant to be talked about together
since they’re essentially the same story…two sides of the same coin, if you
will. These books are all about fate and accidents (not the disastrous kinds)
and my friend and I experienced one of these accidents ourselves. Fellow
blogger Natalie, of Browsing Bookshelves, and I both read Just One Day (synopsis here) on the same day without the other knowing it. How’s
that for a coincidence? We needed to meet up to discuss the book but then
decided to wait to talk about it until we had both read Just One Year (synopsis here). Unfortunately, because of Christmas craziness, we still haven't been able to meet up!
I had been hearing great things about Gayle Forman for awhile.
Truthfully, most of that positive praise came from Jamie of Perpetual Pageturner and The Broke and the Bookish. After she talked about meeting Forman
at a signing that happened to take place on her birthday (check out her post…I
love how happy she looks!) I thought I should finally get around to reading Just One Day to see what it was all
about. I’m so glad I did! It was an emotional and amazing read and Just One Year was no different.
I read Just One Day in one
sitting. Literally. I sat on the couch, started the book, and did not move
until I finished it. (Keep in mind I am a fast reader!) I got so sucked into
Allyson and Willem’s story that I had to keep going until I finished it. I
couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Forman has written an incredibly
compelling and modern love story. It’s fantastic. Just One Year was the exact same and if I didn’t have to go out (to
meet Natalie, actually) I would have stayed in my chair and finished that one
in one go, too!
I loved the traveling aspect of the stories. I’ve never really traveled
anywhere and I think I’d like a guided tour, like the one Allyson and Melanie
were on in Just One Day, but, like
Allyson, I think I might feel a little let down by the sights as they whizzed
by. Watching her explore Paris with Willem and other cities on her own was a
lot of fun. Because of Forman’s writing, I felt what she felt (amazement,
anxiety, love, and so on) as she traveled and experienced new things. Reading
about Willem’s solo adventures was even more interesting. He was a seasoned
traveler and knew who to talk to, where to stay, where to eat, and so on. I
like that both Willem and Allyson easily made friends with fellow travelers and
how those turned into more than just a passing acquaintance.
I’m a lot like Allyson – always doing the right thing, being the good
girl – so I really connected with her. I hated seeing her upset after
everything fell apart in Paris. The first year of college or university can be
hard enough without being heartbroken and becoming estranged from your best
friend. Allyson’s circumstances and reactions could be seen as completely over
the top but Forman makes it work.
I loved learning more about Willem in Just One Year. I didn’t think I would but I ended up really loving
it. And, in all honesty, I fell a little bit in love with him, too. (Oh come
on, like you’ve never crushed on a fictional character…hehe.) There was a lot
going on in his world that we only got a hint at in the first book. The second
book really shows why he is the way he is and what motivates him and I thought
that was excellent.
When reading Just One Day I
was on edge for almost the entire book, wondering if and when Allyson would
ever find Willem again. I desperately hoped they would because I didn’t think
my poor heart could take it if they didn’t! Then, when reading Just One Year, I couldn’t believe how
anxious I was. I knew what was happening in Allyson’s world as Willem searched
for her. The number of times they came close to finding each other was
maddening. And even though I knew what would happen at the end, I was still
stressed out!
I’m so glad I finally read Just
One Day and Just One Year. I now
understand why everyone is in love with Gayle Forman! If you’re looking for a
great contemporary read, check out this series. I’m definitely going to make a
point to read some of Forman’s other books, particularly If I Stay as it is being made into a movie right now. Have you read
Gayle Forman’s books? What did you think of them?
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! We must get together to discuss these books soon! I've been trying to write my review all week, but I'm finding it difficult to word how much I loved them! Great review!
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