Just One Day (edition 2013)

I won a copy of Just One Day via the Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. Thank-you to the author Gayle Forman and Goodreads for the opportunity! Just One Day shares the story of nineteen year old Allyson, who is freshly graduated from high school and travelling within Europe prior to entering into college back in the U.S. A gift from her parents, she is sharing in her adventures with best friend Melanie. As chance has it, Allyson meets Willem, a Dutch "actor" and the two share in a brief but life-changing romance. Allyson grew up privileged, albeit sheltered, as an only child with high-achieving parents with set expectations. She soon recognizes that she does not like the meek and passive, "plain Jane" that she has become. The novel takes us through Allyson's journey of self-awareness and maturity in a new found lived experience apart from her parents. The book follows her personal turmoil as she seeks answers to who she is and what she wants from life. The author did an incredible job of describing Allyson's innermost feelings and emotions. The reader cannot help but to feel and sense what all of the characters are experiencing. I felt like I was right alongside her at every turn. Although the book is a romance, it also speaks to evolving relationships at transitional stages in our lives. The idea that life can change on the turn of a dime, that there are chance meetings and missed opportunities. What is our fate and what role do we play in our destiny? The novel was a page-turner and a quick read as the author keeps the intrigue alive straight to the end. My only complaint is that because this is one of two novels in a pair, the readers have to wait until the second book is complete to find out how it all ends...I would sink my teeth into the next one immediately if I could, the suspense is killing me!! I recommend with five stars and will happily await for "Just One Year". ( )

I thought Just One Day overall while a fun quick moving novel, was a tad bit cliche.

Even with its excellent writing, the worn out "weak female lead and the unrealistic element of girl meets boy in Paris and finds her soul-mate who leaves her after they sleep together and then her life is ruined because she cant think outside of the guy", was often bothersome. This is a great daydream, and one I think many people have about magical romance and love at first sight, but in the real world this type of scenario speaks volumes to the danger of getting it on with a stranger in a foreign country, it also does a great job reinforcing female dependency on a male, or overall codependency on another person, something many feminist readers will bulk at. While I loved Formans If I Stay, I found Just One Day to evoke from me feelings of like and dislike. ( )

I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s the first in a series I can’t wait for the next book. It has everything that you want in a book love, travel, discovery, twists and turns and a wonderful cast. I loved the raw emotion in the book. ( )

I absolutely enjoyed this book. However, I did find it to be a little slow in spots which is probably why I read several other books before really reading this one. But once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. It's a great coming-of-age book that not only explores becoming a responsible adult but also the woes of love. And while I found Allyson to be a little whiny at times, I think that Forman did an excellent job capturing the feelings of a first love. More importantly I liked the underlying story of the overzealous parent who wants to live vicariously through their child--with good intentions of course. There were parts that made me laugh out loud (especially Dee) and parts that brought me to tears (her falling out with her best friend). There is Shakespeare, Paris, and love, what's not to like.

This is my first book by Forman and I can't wait for Just One Year, which comes out in the fall. In the meantime, I plan on picking up other books by her. I enjoyed her writing style and loved the characters she made come to life. ( )

This book was... delighting! I can't really think of a different word to describe it, it made me happy, it made me want to travel, and in a way, it made me want to be 18 again.

This and other reviews can be found at (un)Conventional Bookviews.

Just One Day is the story of Allyson, who finally decides to take a chance, do something she wants to do and go with the flow. ( )