Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Series: Just One Day #1
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
My Rating:
Summary:
When sheltered American good girl Allyson first encounters laid-back Dutch actor Willem at an underground performance of Twelfth Night, there’s an undeniable spark. So when fate brings them together a second time, Allyson takes an uncharacteristic leap, changes course, and follows Willem to Paris. After just one day together, the spark bursts into a flame…until Allyson wakes up after a whirlwind day shocked to discover that Willem is gone.
A life upended in one day turns into a year of self-discovery as Allyson embarks on a journey to break free from a lifetime of limits in order to find her true passions, and maybe even a true love.
First Sentence: What if Shakespeare had it wrong?
My Review:
Before you start attacking me with how could yous and only a 3.5 rating?! This book deserves more!, let me explain: It’s not you, it’s me. I usually don’t like reading young adult contemporaries without any paranormal elements in it except for a select few exceptions like Anna and the French Kiss and Pushing the Limits. In fact, it’s a huge surprise to me when I actually do like young adult contemporaries that doesn’t have any paranormal elements to it, so when I started reading Just One Day, I hoped that it would be one of the books that manages to win me over. In the end, I did greatly enjoy Just One Day, but it just didn’t wow me.
From the very first page, I connected with Allyson. She is a lot like me – both of us had to suffer the craziness of our English teachers when they commanded us to memorize a soliloquy from Shakespeare for a grade. Both of us want to pop up from underneath our shells and our parent’s suppressing hold on our lives. Allyson’s story inspired me to live my own life – although I’m deadly afraid of going to the airport and traveling all by myself, nerveless talking to strangers in a foreign country. I have to give Allyson major kudos for doing that.
As for Willem, I sort of, kind of, don’t really like him. (Willem fan-girls, please don’t attack me!) I can explain. Yes, Willem says these very insightful, inspirational things, but to me, actions always speaks louder than words. Yes, he did do nice things for Allyson, but how about the many times he flirted with other girls? How about the things Allyson discovered about him? Willem just didn’t seem right to me. Maybe my opinion of him will change once I get my hands on Just One Year and see things from his point of view.
The most important part of Just One Day is Gayle Forman’s writing. Here’s the thing about her writing: Gayle Forman can take any human emotion and describe it in such a way that leaves you absolutely breathless. Right from the start, Gayle Forman threw amazing descriptions filled with emotions at me while all I could do was only sit there and read/gape with wonder. I would love to show you a sentence so you can see what I mean, but it’s almost impossible because you have to read an entire paragraph to really get what I’m talking about.
My one and only problem (okay, maybe I have two problems with Just One Day) is that at some parts of the book, Just One Day had my complete attention while other parts, I wasn’t that attached to the book. Allyson’s time at college sadly didn’t hold my attention for too long.
The second problem I have with Just One Day is all the quotation mistakes I found. I found at least three mistakes where there was an extra ” mark at the end of a sentence and it really began to annoy me since I wasn’t reading an ARC of Just One Day, but a finished copy.
The ending of Just One Day left a bittersweet, but renewed feeling in me. I don’t know a better way to describe it. It just left me a little bit sad, happy, and demanding the sequel at the exact same time. I so can not wait to get my hands on Just One Year and find out how all this will end.
So I am not a big contemporary reader either, I like my hint of paranormal/dystopia but can be wowed by a good contemporary as well. So I am glad to read that you still enjoyed this, it also is making me feel better about moving it down my list of tbr!
Great Review :)
Ashley @ The Quiet Concert
Yay, I’m glad I’m not the only one who isn’t a huge contemporary fan either.
And yeah, I felt a bit guilty for not enjoying Just One Day as much as other people did, but I’m glad it’s not only me who feels this way! :D
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 7 – Alma Mater
Aww, too bad this one didn’t wow you. Like you, I’m not usually a fan of straight up contemporary, but I thought this story was so relateable and gripping. I loved Willem, but I think I was really partial to him because he’s Dutch and I made certain assumptions about the reasoning behind his actions – he got me in one of those hopeless romantic moods which don’t tend to happen too often. But more than that, I loved seeing Allyson grow during her year at college. It was slow moving, for sure, but really meaningful and I could relate to her a lot. So to me it was a really personal story. I can’t wait for the sequel! I have to have those questions answered!!
I need the sequel too asap!
And ohh Debby, does that mean you know what’s going on in Willem’s mind? He’s so hot and cold to me it’s just like I don’t know what to think of him really!
And yeah, Allyson’s college years was meaningful, but I didn’t really feel attached to that part of the story, if you know what I mean.
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 7 – Alma Mater
I absolutely love If I Stay and Where She Went, and when I saw reviews saying that Just One Day had the Before Sunrise-Before Sunset feel to it, I had to buy it immediately (since those are my favorite films ever) and I love contemporary books :) Sorry to hear that you didn’t like it as much since there weren’t any paranormal themes.
This is my favorite line in your review:
“The most important part of Just One Day is Gayle Forman’s writing. Here’s the thing about her writing: Gayle Forman can take any human emotion and describe it in such a way that leaves you absolutely breathless.”
–> THIS! <3
Yes, that!
I was absolutely amazed by it, especially when she wrote about twirling and dancing and combining it with wanting to break out of your shell. I was like whoa – that’s totally me. I would sound absolutely foolish trying to write about it that way but Gayle Forman, she made it absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
Kelly recently posted…Monthly Wrap Up: March 2013
I love If I Stay and Where She Went very much, and I can’t wait to read Just One Day. I want to read Gayle Forman’s writing again, her writing is amazing!
Najwa Shufia recently posted…Giveaway from @BibliophileM : Win a Paperback ARC of Creatura by Nely Cab
If you love If I Stay and Where She Went, then you’ll definitely love Just One Day too Najwa! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 7 – Alma Mater
Good review. <3 I just got this book at the library to read. I liked If I Stay and I liked Where She Went even more because it had Adam's POV. Allyson sounds like a cool character. ;)
If you liked If I Stay and Where She Went, then you might like Just One Day too Cali! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [41]
My rating for JOD is higher, but I like how you have good reasons for your rating! I connected quite a bit with Alysson during her time at college (I had a similar experience) so maybe that’s why the book as a whole was more enjoyable to me. But you’re right, Willem SUCKS. I really don’t like him. I’m sure he’ll be redeemed in the next book, but I’ll never fully like him.
barefootmedstudent recently posted…Book Review: Whisper Not
Yeah, if I experienced what Allyson went through, I would have liked Just One Day a lot better like you. However, I didn’t, so those parts just fell flat for me. :l
And Willem REALLY needs a good reason for me to like him, especially after what he did to Allyson. I won’t be forgiving him that easily.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [41]
Beautiful review! I’ve been meaning to read this one for a long time now. I really really wanna read it, but I think I’ll wait for Just One Year to come out first. :)
Hazel recently posted…Swoon Worthy Saturday #2
I’ll recommend you to wait until Just One Year is released. Just One Day ends with a short of cliffhanger that’ll make you want to read the next book asap.
Kelly recently posted…Love Triangle 101: The Shadow Falls Series
I just recently began to enjoy contemporqry more, but this one has just never appealed to me for some reason! I’m not sure what it is, it may be the cover, but I was just never drawn to read it. And usually the more hype a contemporary gets, the less I enjoy it. And this one had quite a bit of hype around it.
Yeah, contemporaries aren’t really for me either. And hyped-up books SCARE me also, especially if they’re contemporaries. :X
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Dirty Little Secret – Jennifer Echols
I’m a fan of contemporary novel and also Gayle Forman book. This book has been on my TBR for so long. I should read this the soonest Great review! :)
If you’re a fan of Gayle Forman, then you’ll definitely love Just One Day Christine! (:
And I recommend that you should read this book in October when Just One Year comes out. Just One Day leaves off with a sort-of killer cliffhanger.
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels
I’ve had this on my list for awhile but I have limited taste in young adult contemporaries. I keep hearing what a great writer Gayle Forman is though so I’ve kept this one on it. Thanks for your honest thoughts!
I hope you’ll like this one Erika! -crosses fingers-
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen Peacock
This was a very informative review. Even though you didn’t like it all that much I think I will. Thanks for the input.
I hope you will like Just One Day better than I did Jeanne. (:
Kelly recently posted…The Last Hurrah Giveaway Hop
I bought this book since I’ve heard a lot of good things :) And knowing that Willem is a flirt, well, that just made me want to read it more :)
Ha ha, I’m glad you like flirts Celine. I personally don’t like them. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [47]
I agree! The majority of the college scenes bored me half to death. The college part of the book just dragged on, without much meaning at all. Aside from her depression of course. I really loved the parts of the two of them together and I wish there was more of that in this book. I liked the book, don’t get me wrong, but it had potential to be MUCH better.
Yay, I’m glad you share my opinion Janna! The college scenes just trudged on and on and on and wouldn’t stop. Like you said, it could have been SO much better.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [48]
I’m reading this book right now as part of a read along and I LOVE IT. I can relate to Allyson so much! I usually can’t really relate to characters but this is different. I can’t wait to finish the book!
Michelle @ Unraveling Books recently posted…Gayle Forman Read Along – Week 1
Looks like you’re one of those people who’ll love this book forever and ever and ever Michelle. ;D<3
Yeah, I related a bit to Allyson, but I just couldn't stand all the moping parts. Like yeah, I get it, but it was just boring to read about. :l
Kelly recently posted…First Year Blogoversary + Three Giveaways!
i like this! i read the book and idk i just feel bad for Allyson that end ;;_;;; i hope the next book will be so much better
dajely recently posted…la importancia del score y el soundtrack de las películas…
Yeah, the ending pretty much broke my heart and made me want Just One Year asap. I’ve heard tons of mixed reviews about Just One Year though, so I’m scared. :S
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]
great review :) i am sceptic to read this bc i kinda liked if i stay, but loooved where she went. i think she writes his pov better but i guess i’ll have to read and see :)
Thanks Dimka! (:
Ha ha, I generally like reading guy’s POVs better too. :P
I love being in boy’s brains. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Defiance – C.J. Redwine
I am so looking forward to reading this book soon! And thankfully it’s only two books so I can just go ahead and binge read. I like that I’ve heard so many positive things about these books. The covers are lovely but positive reviews sometimes convince me to read the book even more :D
Yeah, covers definitely convince you to read the book asap nicely. ;D
I hope you’ll enjoy this series Hillary! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
Lots and lots of people really enjoyed this book, but I read lots of reviews and most of them are good, but some of them are okay, and some of the people just didn’t enjoy the book. And I really do get the reasons and that’s why it makes me a little unsure whether I should pick up the book or I shouldn’t. However, I think I will read this one, as Gayle Forman is a great author!
Sandra @Sandra’s World of Books recently posted…Boy Meets Boy – David Levithan
Yeah, there are tons of mixed reviews on Just One Day, including mine. I think that if you’re a fan of Gayle Forman, you’ll definitely LOVE this one Sandra.
Kelly recently posted…Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
I need to read this book ASAP! So many people have been reading it, especially since Just One year just got released! :D
Ha ha, I recommend you read Just One Day now Fatma, especially since Just One Year is now released! (:
Kelly recently posted…Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
I LOVE THIS BOOK and Gayle!!!
Ha ha, I can tell from the way you write your comment Jamie! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign
The book is very interesting. And the cover looks great.Thanks for posting.
If you ever read this one, I hope you’ll like it Say! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign
Young adult contemporaries without anything paranormal aren’t really my thing either but the writing style sounds interesting!
Gayle Forman’s books are a bit philosophical, like, it talks about the meaning of life in a more subtle way. o:
Those books are usually not my thing either. :l
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign
Everyone I know seemed to /really/ love this book. Great to hear your thoughts about it. Great review!
Contemporary is one of those things that *happens* to me. If it’s interesting, I pick it up. That’s my general rule of thumb.
As for Gayle Forman in general, I totally know what you mean. I LOVED If I Stay. It was amazingly written, in my opinion. The words she chose and the scenes she depicted were… powerful. Adam was a lot more action than words, from what I can remember. So I don’t know how I’d like Willem. Hopefully enough to enjoy the book. But I do hate when the guy flirts with other people :/
I’ve been wanting to read this, because of my love for If I Stay and Where She Went.
Joanna V recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #1
Beautiful review! I attend this book in Italy to read them *__* this will be mine <3
I can’t wait to read. Just One Day. I read Sisters in Sanity, If I Stay, and Where She Went this year.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…Top Ten New To Me Authors 2013
This book got a lot of mixed reviews on GR and I’m still making up my mind if I should read it. I’m not that fond of contemporary but this one sounds like a powerful read and if the writing style is that exceptional, I better get it. And yeah, I’ve been seeing the quotation mistakes on few other books too.