Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Release Date – January 8, 2013
Publisher Website - Penguin/Razorbill
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  368 pages
My Rating- ALL THE STARS!
**Received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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.

My feelings about Just One Day are going to be hard to put into words. This is probably the hardest review I've had to write. The amount of love I have for this brilliant novel can not adequately be put into words. It is a beautiful love story and a journey of self discovery that resonated deeply with me, and made Just One Day an unputdownable captivating read. beautiful love story and a journey of self discovery that resonated deeply with me, and made Just One Day an unputdownable captivating read.

The character of Allyson resonated deeply with me. I am sure this will be constant refrain, but I identified with her so much. Her need to please those around her (even if it means sacrificing what she wants), her desire for something more, and her wanderlust. Her immediate thought process when on the train with Willem heading to Paris would be similar to my own. I felt drawn into the story because I could relate to her so much.

The flirtation and spark between Willem and Allyson is electric. Softly romantic and understatedly sexy, this novel provides many swoon inducing moments. The chemistry and connection between Willem and Allyson leaps off the page. I felt as devastated as Allyson did when it's discovered Willem has vanished, because I was so invested in their love story.

If you at all have travel lust this book will leave you dreaming of your own European jaunt. I seriously felt envious while reading. It gave me wanderlust badly, and I have been looking at Paris and London vacation ideas ever since. Be prepared, you'll be a little obsessed with travelling after finishing. Gayle Forman's descriptions bring out the little moments that stay with you much longer than the bigger, flashier ones do.

The ending is one that makes me ecstatic that Just One Year isn't far off because I wanted to be inside Willem's head so many time during the novel. I wanted to know what he was thinking and feeling. He's the kind of guy who can make a girl feel like he really sees her.

My favourite quote from the novel actually comes from Willem, and if it's any indication Just One Year is going to be filled with deliciously quotable passages.

'I think you're the sort of person who finds money on the ground and waves it in the air and asks if anyone has lost it. I think you cry in movies that aren't even sad because you have a soft heart, though you don't let it show. I think you do things that scare you, and that makes you braver than those adrenaline junkies who bungee-jump of bridges'

This achingly swoon worthy boy that is as much a mystery as he is known to Allyson (and therefore the reader).  He ensnared me with his free spirit and outlook on love, and life.

Another stand out are the secondary characters. In particular Dee. A true friend who becomes Allyson's rock while away at University. He's fantastic, and provides some humour. His outlook, and keen observation skills made him a perfect friend for Allyson during her time of self discovery. I would welcome more of him if he were to pop up in the sequel.

Just One Day is an epic love story that is so much more. The unforgettable story of Allyson and her journey left me stained, and the love story between her and Willem left me breathless. Take the journey and spend a day you won't forget.