Just One Year - Gayle Forman

“Love is not something you protect. It’s something you risk.” 

Summary: This is the companion novel to Just One Day. Told from Willem's POV, we find out what happened the year following his and Allyson's one day together.

I'm just going to start by saying that I really really did not like this book! When I finished the book, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars only because the ending saved it but now that I'm writing this review, I've knocked it down to 2 out of 5 stars. I skimmed a huge chunk of the book (the stuff that took place in India was just so boring in my opinion) and it's just really hard for me to read books that have a guy POV. I love Willem's thoughts because some of them are just so WOW but I couldn't really relate! I love love love Allyson and I could really relate to her and her story. Unlike other people, I was actually happy with the ending! I cried in the last few chapters and even though I knew how the book was going to end, I still found myself freaking out and worried that the ending was going to change! I'm really glad to be finished with this book and am excited to try Gayle's other books soon!

Rating: 5/10

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Just One Day - Gayle Forman

"Anything can happen in just one day."

Summary: Allyson is on a school trip to Europe when she meets Willem who invites her to spend one day with him in Paris...a day she will never forget.

I read this book as part of a read along for the last month and I am so glad I did! I loved reading it as part of an event and then getting to answer questions each week. It allowed me to not have to rush through the book and I really got to look at the book on a deeper level. I started off thinking that 'Yes, this book is really good and I can really relate to Allyson.' But at the same time, my relating to Allyson wasn't enough to make me fall in love with the book. Then I got to the last 5 chapters or so and WOW. BEST. BOOK. EVER. I was literally bawling my eyes out and freaking out because I couldn't tell what was going to happen! I couldn't even see my Nook screen because I was crying so hard. I was so scared reading the ending and wanted to throw my Nook at the wall. I've LOVED other books and I have ones that I also claim as best book ever but this one is different. Different because, in the end, books (or movies/tv shows) that make me react this much and leave me heartbroken but hopeful at the same time and have that bittersweet ending are what I live for. When I mentioned this to my mom, she says it's because I'm a hopeless romantic (which I am). I'm still emotional thinking about this book and I'm at a loss at what else to say right now but to read more, check out the links below to see all of my thoughts throughout the last month.

Rating: 10/10

Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4

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