Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day (Just One Day, #1)
by Gayle Forman

Publishing date: January 8th 2013
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
368 pages


Book Description:
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!

I read this book a month ago, but it still feels like I just finished it. I am still mad at Ms. Forman. The wait for the sequel will kill me. I still remember even the smallest details that were mentiond in the book, nutella, the stain, crépes. I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel this way. It's truly amazing!

The story beginns when Allyson (or LuLu later in the book) finishes highschool and as a graduation present goes on a trip to Europe with her best friend Melanie. On this trip she meets a Dutch guy named Willem who offers to take her to Paris, for Just One Day. They spend one day and one night in Paris together, but after Allyson wakes up, she finds Willem gone. Allyson returns to USA with a hole in her heart, and almost a year after her trip to Europe, she decides to go back and find Willem.

I don't even know where to begin with explaining what this book made me feel. It was a real roller coaster of emotions. In one moment I was gushing and giggling, the other I was a sobbing mess. Gayle Forman is an outstanding writer. She managed to capture every moment, every place, every situation perfectly. Since I visited all the places mentiond in the book, while reading, it was like I was there again, vising Paris, London, Amsterdam. The one thing that really, really supprised me, is that she mentioned Croatia. Most of the people don't know about this small country (I live in Croatia) so it made me really happy.

Allyson is a very special character and she and Willem will always have a place in my heart. I couldn't really relate to Allyson, but that wasn't a problem at all since every emotion she felt, I felt it too. Her interaction with Willem was so different, but yet sweet and passionate. The two were made for each other, soulmates.

Just One Day is a book that I will re-read so many times in future, but I don't think I'll ever get borred with it. Just One Day is a book that everyone should read, at lest once. I can't wait to read Just One Year and to see Willem's side of the story, it needs to come out sooner!

About Unknown

Hi. I'm Anatea, a 23-year-old Croatian girl, living in Germany. I enjoy reading books, traveling, fashion and photography. Let me show you my world.