aiyaivy's review against another edition
4.0
I just need a little bit of closure. I'm starting on Just One Year now.
whatanerdgirlsays's review against another edition
4.0
To see a full, complete, spoiler free review at What A Nerd Girl Says blog:
http://whatanerdgirlsays.com/2013/08/08/book-of-the-week-just-one-day/
http://whatanerdgirlsays.com/2013/08/08/book-of-the-week-just-one-day/
laurak23's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually one for super-romantic books. I don't read romance novels, and most overtly romantic scenes in most books usually make me cringe a bit and turn the page. However, reading the little blurb about this book, I thought it sounded interesting. The thought of a whirlwind romance in one day appealed to me.
As I read part one, Allyson's day in Paris, I really identified with her. As she described herself, I felt like she was describing me, especially when I was that age. That carried over to part two, her year after Willem.
I thought the story was well done. I liked the writing, I liked the character development. There was a time or two when I wanted to smack Allyson upside the head for some of her assumptions, but really, I liked her. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. As soon as I was done I went right to book two, looking forward to hearing Willem's side of the story.
Also, I just wanted to note two things:
1. I enjoyed this much more than [b:If I Stay|4374400|If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)|Gayle Forman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347462970s/4374400.jpg|4422413]. The plot, the characters, the writing; it all fit much better with me as a reader. Perhaps because this one was a little more "grown up"? I don't know.
2. I was reading this at the same time I was listening to the audiobook of [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360206420s/11870085.jpg|16827462]. It was kinda funny to me to be reading two books at the same time that both had chunks of it taking place in Amsterdam. Just a funny coincidence. :)
As I read part one, Allyson's day in Paris, I really identified with her. As she described herself, I felt like she was describing me, especially when I was that age. That carried over to part two, her year after Willem.
I thought the story was well done. I liked the writing, I liked the character development. There was a time or two when I wanted to smack Allyson upside the head for some of her assumptions, but really, I liked her. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. As soon as I was done I went right to book two, looking forward to hearing Willem's side of the story.
Also, I just wanted to note two things:
1. I enjoyed this much more than [b:If I Stay|4374400|If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)|Gayle Forman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347462970s/4374400.jpg|4422413]. The plot, the characters, the writing; it all fit much better with me as a reader. Perhaps because this one was a little more "grown up"? I don't know.
2. I was reading this at the same time I was listening to the audiobook of [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360206420s/11870085.jpg|16827462]. It was kinda funny to me to be reading two books at the same time that both had chunks of it taking place in Amsterdam. Just a funny coincidence. :)
octobertune's review against another edition
4.0
I am not usually a fan of romance books, but this one took me by surprise. It was mainly the fact that Willem’s Dutch that I wanted to read this book (because I’m Dutch myself), and I actually really loved it.
The Characters – I didn’t really like Allyson at the beginning, but she grew on me. I did like Willem right from the start, but I actually started hating him after that, because of what he’d done (until I learned the truth near the end of the book, and I actually liked him a bit more after that).
I also almost immediately fell in love with Dee, because he’s just amazing and weird (in a good way) and I loved his friendship with Ally (yeah, I am going to call her that). Other than that, the other characters were good as well, but I didn’t really ‘connect’ with them as I did with Dee and Willem.
Also, perhaps a bit of a spoiler, but Willem’s last name is de Ruiter. And that is just the funniest thing ever, because the most famous brand of Hagelslag in the Netherlands is called de Ruiter (or Ruijter, I never really checked actually; but you pronounce it the same). Coincidence? I think not!
And the Giant (whose name I have currently forgot, sorry) in France made me sob a little bit. HE HELD ONTO HER SUITCASE FOR A YEAR. A YEAR!
The Dutch stuff – Of course, with a (main) character being Dutch, there was a lot of Dutch talking; Hagelslag, Gezondheid, Godverdomme. There was one tiny part that bothered (or well ‘bothered’, I was a bit confused about it actually) me a bit; the big departure board thing. In the book, it was said that it was in Amsterdam, but I have been to Amsterdam a lot in my life, and I don’t remember anything like that (sure, there are screens with departure times, but I am guessing that they meant the big blue departure board with the rattling sounds and the nostalgia; because that’s in Utrecht. Or rather, was (rip beautiful departure board)). But hey, mistakes can (will and may) be made. And my favourite part of the book:
The Characters – I didn’t really like Allyson at the beginning, but she grew on me. I did like Willem right from the start, but I actually started hating him after that, because of what he’d done (until I learned the truth near the end of the book, and I actually liked him a bit more after that).
I also almost immediately fell in love with Dee, because he’s just amazing and weird (in a good way) and I loved his friendship with Ally (yeah, I am going to call her that). Other than that, the other characters were good as well, but I didn’t really ‘connect’ with them as I did with Dee and Willem.
Also, perhaps a bit of a spoiler, but Willem’s last name is de Ruiter. And that is just the funniest thing ever, because the most famous brand of Hagelslag in the Netherlands is called de Ruiter (or Ruijter, I never really checked actually; but you pronounce it the same). Coincidence? I think not!
And the Giant (whose name I have currently forgot, sorry) in France made me sob a little bit. HE HELD ONTO HER SUITCASE FOR A YEAR. A YEAR!
The Dutch stuff – Of course, with a (main) character being Dutch, there was a lot of Dutch talking; Hagelslag, Gezondheid, Godverdomme. There was one tiny part that bothered (or well ‘bothered’, I was a bit confused about it actually) me a bit; the big departure board thing. In the book, it was said that it was in Amsterdam, but I have been to Amsterdam a lot in my life, and I don’t remember anything like that (sure, there are screens with departure times, but I am guessing that they meant the big blue departure board with the rattling sounds and the nostalgia; because that’s in Utrecht. Or rather, was (rip beautiful departure board)). But hey, mistakes can (will and may) be made. And my favourite part of the book:
Ally: *Sneezes*
Willem: “Gezondheid.”
Ally: “Hagelslag.”
Perfect.
And Wren and Ally met up at ‘the white statue that looks a lot like a penis’, that made me laugh out loud because I know exactly which statue they mean; and then I told myself they should have gone to Rotterdam, where there’s a statue of Santa Claus holding a Christmas tree, but it looks more like a dwarf holding a butt plug.
The Romance - Like I said, not a fan of romance; and though this book felt a bit like ‘insta-love’ to me, I loved it. The whole romance part was quite short, tbh, and the rest of the book was actually more Ally trying to get over/find Willem, but I liked it. I can’t say I actually ship them, but I would like to read more about them being together and talking about stuff (like hagelslag).
The Plot – I must admit, I am not a fan of Shakespeare, but I liked that the story kind of revolved around his plays, and yeah well, I just loved the story. I don’t really know what else I can say about it, I loved reading about Ally’s life after Willem, and the trip’s she’s made, the things she’s done.
The Writing – I really like Gayle Forman’s writing. I enjoyed reading If I Stay (and I am ashamed to say I still need to read Where She Went), and that’s also a main reason I bought this book. I am definitely going to read Just One Year, because I want to read more about Ally and Willem; and I have also added Where She Went to my 2014 reading list!
One more quote, that actually made me sob with laughter:
“Orlando,” said the Hobbit.
Mainly because I love the Hobbit, and because of Orlando Bloom; who plays Legolas in the Hobbit. Yeah, I have weird humour. Sorry.
Anyway, I loved this book, and if you want to read a nice romance-y book, I suggest you pick up Just One Day!
sjess94's review against another edition
5.0
I'm going to have to write a review about this one, because the fluffy summer contemporary cover and synopsis do not give this story justice.
babybel's review against another edition
5.0
gayle ATEEEEEE with this one!!!! the girl version of paper towns ugh y was this so good?!?! starting the second one literally right now
kelseybee17's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book from January 13-19 2013 and reread from October 13-15 2013.
tahnoogey's review against another edition
3.0
back on the grind (reading teen fiction) ((i never stopped))
debi_g's review against another edition
3.0
Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight redux for the younger set.
I enjoyed the story and will read #2.
The book contains a dismaying number of proofreading glitches (being vs. beginning, omitted prepositions...).
I enjoyed the story and will read #2.
The book contains a dismaying number of proofreading glitches (being vs. beginning, omitted prepositions...).