jenleah's review against another edition
4.0
I'll miss Dex and Em. Loved the concept of the book, the lives of two characters revisited for 20 years on the sane day. Excellent writing, very readable dialogue. I was quite disappointed in The Thing that happens in the book, but I do like how the author revisited the past and we saw what happened after.
acciohamsa's review against another edition
2.0
I'm all about a story where best friends who have know each other for years fall in love but for some reason I just could not get into this book. I loved the British charm, and I thought the central idea of One Day was unique. However, it was really difficult for me to connect with the characters and find them endearing. Dexter in particular did not win any points with me. He doesn't need to be the perfect hero but his flaws just seemed very two-dimensional. Even though we would read events from his point of view, I never felt understanding or compassion towards him especially when he was younger. The one scene I did really enjoy and relate to was when Dexter took Emma out to dinner at a posh restaurant when they're older. Their friendship has become strained and forced. I thought the way they rubbed each other like sandpaper was very realistic to a friendship that's maintained just because you don't want to let it go. Other moments between Dex and Emma were cute but I couldn't get past the fact that on the whole I just didn't care about them.
aurigae's review against another edition
4.0
Like Nick Hornby's more serious works, but a thousand times wordier and more sentimental. Still, compelling despite the fact I knew how it would progress (from seeing the movie, which is quite faithful), and with well-developed characters.
mavivih's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ibosel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gimchi's review against another edition
2.0
i hated this book from the very beginning - dex and em have just met, have "hooked up" and are having "morning after" conversation, even though they have apparently not fully "done the deed". they're young, and are therefore very stupid - having to read their background thoughts was so painful.
but, having picked the book for a book club, i soldiered on.
i hated emma, this whiney, not very confident girl. maybe because she reminded me of myself a little in high school? it felt so one-sided, with dex being cocky and arrogant and i disliked the male author for writing this novel. and i hated dex, with his stereotypical male attitude of little lies and narcissism.
but it picks up, it gets a bit better, it gets... fluffier, which is what i wanted for my weekend holiday reading. i wanted to at least see where they would end up, where their lives would take them. em still pines for dex, works in crappy restaurant jobs and is un-self-confident. dex sleeps around, spirals downward, becomes a better person, gets married, divorced - guess the next step? really, they're both just caricatures of a male and female growing up.
i'm starting to blather.
the ending pissed me off. it was so... typical.
if i'm going to read a chick lit novel, i want to read a fluffy chick lit novel. (or, i assume that's what i want, not really having read too many chick lit novels... i don't think.) i don't want an ending that's sad and weepy and "real life". real life can be fucked up and sad as it is - i don't like it thrown in my face. with that said, i don't know how i wanted it to end, or what it should have been.... and with typing that down, i'm changing this from 3 to 2 stars. basically, i don't think i would have read this if it hadn't been for book club.
i also cried a little at the end, which also enraged me, because it felt so contrived - i hate when it's obvious that my emotions are being played - i fully blame my hormones.
but, having picked the book for a book club, i soldiered on.
i hated emma, this whiney, not very confident girl. maybe because she reminded me of myself a little in high school? it felt so one-sided, with dex being cocky and arrogant and i disliked the male author for writing this novel. and i hated dex, with his stereotypical male attitude of little lies and narcissism.
but it picks up, it gets a bit better, it gets... fluffier, which is what i wanted for my weekend holiday reading. i wanted to at least see where they would end up, where their lives would take them. em still pines for dex, works in crappy restaurant jobs and is un-self-confident. dex sleeps around, spirals downward, becomes a better person, gets married, divorced - guess the next step? really, they're both just caricatures of a male and female growing up.
i'm starting to blather.
the ending pissed me off. it was so... typical.
if i'm going to read a chick lit novel, i want to read a fluffy chick lit novel. (or, i assume that's what i want, not really having read too many chick lit novels... i don't think.) i don't want an ending that's sad and weepy and "real life". real life can be fucked up and sad as it is - i don't like it thrown in my face. with that said, i don't know how i wanted it to end, or what it should have been.... and with typing that down, i'm changing this from 3 to 2 stars. basically, i don't think i would have read this if it hadn't been for book club.
i also cried a little at the end, which also enraged me, because it felt so contrived - i hate when it's obvious that my emotions are being played - i fully blame my hormones.
debi_g's review against another edition
3.0
Some similarities to Nick Hornby. I enjoyed the span of decades because they closely matched my own, in some regards.
megha28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beelovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
One Day follows the lives of Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. More specifically a certain date: July 15th.
We get to witness these two friends as they bumble their way through the great adventure called life, juggling work, boyfriends, wives, lovers, families and each other.
A perfect read, especially with a cup of tea and a bar of dairy milk chocolate.
We get to witness these two friends as they bumble their way through the great adventure called life, juggling work, boyfriends, wives, lovers, families and each other.
A perfect read, especially with a cup of tea and a bar of dairy milk chocolate.