REVIEW: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

December 11, 2013

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery from the author of If I Stay. When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets Shakespearean actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and, through Shakespeare and travel, tries to break free of those confinements.

*I received this book as a review copy from Random House for a honest review in return. Thank you*

Just One Day is a beautifully written contemporary that left me filled with happiness, warmth, inspiration, wanderlust but also left my heart a tad broken. I had heard an endless supply of good things about Just One Day but I did not expect the breath-taking, inspirational story of self-discovery that I got.

I had a mixed experience with If I Stay which was the only other book by Gayle Forman I'd read before but I ended up liking Just One Day a lot more. I was only sent Just One Day and it's sequel of sorts, yesterday. But as soon as I jumped in, I couldn't help but read chapter after chapter. Allyson or 'LuLu's' voice was so dynamic and relatable. She was a character I really loved. Allyson's your typical boring and normal girl, lost and living by the rule of others. But one day in Paris with the adventurous Willem, changes everything. Suddenly she's LuLu, taking life by it's wings. Changing Allyson into someone she never thought she could be and strangely Willem seems to understands her. 


“Part of me knows one more day won't do anything except postpone the heartbreak. But another part of me believes differently. We are born in one day. We die in one day. We can change in one day. And we can fall in love in one day. Anything can happen in just one day.” 
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day

The character development in this is so good! From the beginning of the book to the end and even from the middle to the end, we have a completely different character. I was really happy for Allyson when she found her wings and willed herself to be something more. Her story of self-discovery is so inspiring and empowering. There are so many lessons to be learnt from this book, and the hope that we can all be as daring. Allyson was the core of this book and it is rare that I so easily and quickly, genuinely care for a character as much as I did her. 
I was never truly bored in Just One Day, there was always amazing sounding sights or Shakespeare to read about. There is a lot of travelling in this book and it left me wanting to explore the sights of the world and like I said earlier in my review, gave me a strong sense of wanderlust. I too want to eat a macaroon everyday.

“I think everything is happening all the time, but if you don't put yourself in the path of it, you miss it.” 
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day
The ending of this book was heart shattering but somehow right. I was willing for something to happen that didn't, but I think that it was overall true to the story Gayle Forman had written. Which she wrote beautifully. I will definitely remember Just One Day in all it's glory and believe me when I tell you, I am very excited to hear Willem's side of things in 'Just One Year'. Would I recommend Just One Day, absolutely.


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7 comments

  1. It's been a while since your last post!!! I really want to read this book and judging by the quote the writing seems really good!

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  2. Awesome review! I didn't like If I Stay either so I'm really hoping that I'll have a better experience with Just One Day. From the looks of your review, I think I will! I'm reading all of Gayle Forman's books as she's coming to Manila on January, TEE HEE! :)

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  3. This book sounds so good, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love books where the character develops and eventually discovers who they truly are... It's so heart warming and endearing! :') I've not read a book by this author before but I've heard really good things about her! I also LOVE travelling the world through characters' eyes - I feel like it's me there. And what's good is that I didn't have to pay for the plane ticket. ;)

    Great review! :)

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  4. Yay, so glad you liked this one! I loved the quotes you added as well. The ending was a bit heartbreaking, but Forman does such a beautiful job with her books. Great review, Sunny!

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  5. Glad you enjoyed this book Sunny, I've read If I Stay and thought it was meh. I like the character development in this one along with the travelling around the world. Hopefully I'll get to pick it up soon!

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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  6. I HAVE to read this. It looks so good! I'm so happy you enjoyed it, since it's such a popular novel. I really hope I can get my hands on it soon, and if I do, I'll let you know what I think of it. Great review, Sunny! :)

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  7. I've heard a lot about the ending, which makes me iffy to read the book. I can't take sad endings haha. Great quotes, and I love the way you described the characters!

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