Review: Just One Day (Just One Day #1) by Gayle Forman

Goodreads summary:
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.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

What I thought:
Hmm. What exactly to say about this one? Ever since I read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith I have looked for a similar story. I loved that one so much and Just One Day had some similarities, but it was also vastly different. I'm going to start with what I didn't like and then end on a positive note.

What I didn't like? Some of the naivety on the part of Allyson and Willem. Sometimes you need to use words. Some of the choices (there is sex), innuendo, gay relationships, and language. The innuendo and language were consistent enough for me to debate on not finishing it. This makes it sounds like there was a lot, but there really wasn't. It was just consistent.

What did I like? The book cover is perfect. I loved the characters! Allyson, who is really growing up and finding out who she is or will be. Willem, who is so perceptive, lonely, but full of life. A lot of their conversations were so full of humor, but could then be so full of heart or sadness the next instance. I loved the traveling! You really feel like you are there with them. (I've got to visit Europe, especially Paris, someday.) I absolutely loved Allyson's friend Dee! He was just full of character. The Shakespeare references and the way they played into the story - just lovely! Then the ending. I'm pretty sure I know who messed with Willem that morning, but I will have to wait and see and I can't say more or else it will spoil things. I couldn't believe she was going to leave without being sure. Now I have to wait a year to see what happens!

I would recommend this to those who like contemporary romance and don't mind the less-than-clean content.

Content: One instance of sex, plenty of innuendo, gay relationships, and quite a bit of language.
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Publication date: January 8, 2013 by Dutton Juvenile
Source: Library
Rating:










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8 comments

  1. I really liked Dee-he was a great character whereas I found Allyson pretty annoying for most of the book.

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    1. Allyson could be a little annoying, especially the jealousy and the depression.

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  2. Hmm...I'm not sure of this one. I don't like a lot of sex in YA books, and I am not even a prudish person, nor was I when I was even 15 (that's another story, a completely inappropriate one to get into here) but I don't think that books should encourage that kind of behavior. I know when I was younger, I thought it was cool to do bad things and some of those bad ideas came from books and movies. I have a daughter now so I think about these things a lot, and I don't want her to turn out like me. Basically, when I am reading a YA book, I try to picture my reaction if I found my daughter reading a book with similar content. If I wouldn't want her reading it, then long story made short, I don't want to support a book by buying it. I never thought I would say something like that before I was a mom!

    Anyway...thank you so much for the review! I really thought I wanted to read this!

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    1. I struggled with my review because of that too (as I noted I almost didn't finish reading this one). I'm also a mom and I prefer my books with no sex or bad language, so I was disappointed that this had it and it was definitely not the commitment type. I debated even posting my review here because of that, but then I thought it would be good to let others know the content.

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  3. I need to read this and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. They both look good. I'm glad to see this is for a more mature audience. Hope to read it soon! Thanks for your thoughts!

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    1. I LOVED The Statistical Prob! You will probably like both of them. They both deal with some heavier stuff, but are happy and humorous as well.

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  4. Hm.. I may have to try this one. I really liked If I Stay. She has an interesting writing style. Thanks for the review! :)

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    1. If you liked If I Stay, I would think you would like this. She does have a unique writing style. I don't know if you read Bookworm1858's comment. Allyson could be annoying, but since I was really into the story I ignored some of that. I also was thinking about me in high school and I would have been extremely out of my comfort zone doing what she did and probably a little immature - not so much in college and now. :)

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