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Just One Day (Just One Day, #1)

Gayle Forman

Start date: May 1, 2014

Finish date: May 31, 2014

Discussion: Group Read

Discussion leader: Brittany

Why we're reading this: Contemporary BotM
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Group Read

December's Book of the Month: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
By Riya · 2 posts · 6 views

last updated Dec 06, 2014 07:58PM

December's Book of the Month: Where She Went by Gayle Forman
By Riya · 1 post · 6 views

last updated Dec 06, 2014 06:03PM

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What Members Thought

May 22, 2014 Justin rated it it was amazing

I can’t believe I waited so long to read Just One Day. I picked it up not too long after it released, but left it sitting on my shelf for a long time. It would have been great to discuss it with everyone who read it when it released. It’s such a unique and intimate story that deserves more praise than I can give in this review.

I was blown away by how intimate the relationship was between Allyson and Willem was. Just with the conversations the two have, you see a connection that is beyond words. I can’t believe I waited so long to read Just One Day. I picked it up not too long after it released, but left it sitting on my shelf for a long time. It would have been great to discuss it with everyone who read it when it released. It’s such a unique and intimate story that deserves more praise than I can give in this review.

I was blown away by how intimate the relationship was between Allyson and Willem was. Just with the conversations the two have, you see a connection that is beyond words. I wish I could see more relationships like this in books that involve such deep connections that actually form through meaningful discussions between the characters.

Just One Day is just one of those awe inspiring books that really makes you think about what you read. It’s so beautifully done which allows Gayle is able to take her readers into the world she has written and put you right in the middle of the story, and once you are there you really don’t want to leave. I took my time reading this one just to ensure that I was able to take in everything that there is to absorb in this book.

It’s really hard for me to explain why I loved everything about this book. Like many books, you really just have to read it in order to see what there is to love about it. You can read a review, and see all the positive things said, but actually reading the book and experiencing the positive things for yourself is what really leaves a lasting impact. It’s a mesmerizing and intimate book that is sure to grab your attention once you start reading it, and I hope that everyone will enjoy it as much as I did.

I can’t wait to continue this series and to see where Gayle takes me next. I will hopefully be able to pick up the next book in the series soon, and be able to start reading it. If you haven’t read Just One Day, I highly suggest doing so. I know a lot of you already have, and I can’t wait to discuss this book with the other people I know that loved it. If you have read this book, what were your thoughts about it? Is it a book that you would recommend to other, if so, why? ...more

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Apr 02, 2014 Megan (The Book Babe) rated it liked it

Just One Day I'm not sure if it's these things or something else, but it makes that kiss, which I get was just platonic - a friendly, cheek handshake thing - feel momentous. A kiss from all of Paris.

Just One Day was a new kind of read for me. While I thought I would like it more than it did, that doesn't mean that it didn't hit me in a good way. From reading the synopsis, I thought it would be more like Anna and the French Kiss. I freely admit that. And while it was little to nothing like it, I Just One Day I'm not sure if it's these things or something else, but it makes that kiss, which I get was just platonic - a friendly, cheek handshake thing - feel momentous. A kiss from all of Paris.

Just One Day was a new kind of read for me. While I thought I would like it more than it did, that doesn't mean that it didn't hit me in a good way. From reading the synopsis, I thought it would be more like Anna and the French Kiss. I freely admit that. And while it was little to nothing like it, I still enjoyed it for what it was: a good read.

I liked the adventure of going to Paris for just one day - I love all books with travel, so it wasn't a stretch that I would like a trek across Europe. It all felt very romantic, even though I did question Willem's motives a couple of times. It wasn't hard, with Allyson/Lulu being kind of scared of his motives as well.

In fact, Allyson herself wasn't so bad. I actually ended up liking her more than I thought I would. At first, she comes off as a little uptight, but as you get to know her you realize that she's actually a sweet girl. She's just a little bit too safe, a bit scared. She was unsure.

Which is why Willem really balanced her out - if anything, he was overly sure of himself. He was also very compulsive, and honestly just a little bit crazy. In a good way, of course. I think it takes a strong person to travel around a country by themselves.

There's also something romantic about that, but let's not go there. I guess I just find travel of any kind romantic. The story itself was romantic, but I also feel like it was very nostalgic - and I was slightly disappointed when Allyson came back from Paris in pieces. She went through a bit of depression, and it was sad. I also didn't really care for the ending - it was depressing too. I've ordered Just One Year, to see if we can get a happy ending - but I'm not going to lie.

The end of this one just really made me want to cry. Even for days after, when I glanced at the book - all I wanted to do was cry. All in all, Just One Day was a good read. Depressing and romantic - but you've really got to be in a mood to enjoy that, don't you think? ...more

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Jun 11, 2013 Renuka rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, reviewed, adventure, chick-lit, e-book, owned, contemporary, livebrary, couple-covers

Welp. This was mostly disappointing because I really, really did not enjoy the romance aspect of the book. Which is obviously not too great because this is advertised as a romance novel. However, I did really like the sections of the book where she struggles in college, it reminds me a lot of how I felt when I first left home. Overall, it's a pretty good self-discovery novel. I just wish it wasn't a boy that made her realize what she could be. There's so much more to talk about in terms of her p ...more

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Aug 30, 2014 Keely rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The majority of the book is set in Paris with a background of culture, food and Shakespeare. It's the story of a timid girl called Alyson, her adventurous alter ego Lulu and the Dutch man of mystery Wilhelm. It's full of drama, self discovery and love. Its a whirlwind of cafes, canals and winding streets that are so entrancing it feels like you're there. Then suddenly comes to a jarring halt.

It's nearly a year later and Alyson is now in college, she has hidden herself away from everyone and ever ...more

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Mar 11, 2014 Cynthia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Enjoyed and will read second book but "If I Stay" and "Where She Went" have my 5 star ratings! Main character was a little much at times. ...more

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May 16, 2013 Talia Dominguez Castro rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: zread-in-2013

hmm well what can i say? i liked this book because it had different backgrounds and scenes! i liked everything about it except that Allyson was a little obsessed with willem considering that she was just with him one whole single day. apart from that i liked how it wa good written./.^ I felt like i was at paris even tho i was not!( lol ) Gayle Forman knows how to make a reader feel all those emotions that allyson was feeling throught a book ^.=

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