Just One Year by Gayle Forman
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: 2013
Synopsis:
(from GoodReads)
After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.
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Before you read Just One Year know that it is not a sequel to Just One Day. You WILL NOT be seeing the events that happen after the door opens. If you would like to read that read Just One Night a novella that Gayle Forman wrote that will describe what happened after. Just One Year tells the story of Willem, and his journey after he met Allyson. You DO NOT have to read Just One Day before reading Just One Year, however I do recommend it because I really loved that book. On to the review!
—Warning SPOILERS! You have been warned—
Although I loved Just One Day better than Just One Year, I still extremely enjoyed it. Unlike some people I actually liked Willem, I liked how mysterious he was and how we never really knew what was going through his head. Especially when he was with Allyson.
He was just an overall mysterious character, and in Just One Year we’re inside his head and I loved every minute of it. I loved finding out who Willem was as a person. It was interesting being inside his mind and learning more about his past. It was also nice to know that the whole time he was searching for Allyson just like she was searching for him.
I love how much Willem grows by the end of the year and how it wasn’t just Allyson that learned something from their day together. They both had different had different problems. Allyson needed to learn to stop and take charge of her own life and Willem needed to learn how to stop running away when things got tough. And they both did learn with the help of each other.
What I loved most about Just One Day and Just One Year were the characters. They were people I could really relate to, I understand the feeling of wanting to run away when things get tough so you don’t get hurt. It’s not a good feeling. But it’s something everyone feels like one in their lives and something everyone can connect with.
There were times when the book got pretty frustrating because you as the reader (if you read Just One Day before) learn that Allyson and Willem were actually once in the same place at the same time (UM, MEXICO PARTY ANYONE?), but they just missed each other. At that part I was literally screaming at my book and at the unfairness of the world.
I absolutely love all of Gayle Forman’s books, she’s such an amazing and talented author. Her way of writing makes me want to keep turning the pages and never put the book down, and that’s not something every author can do.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and totally recommend reading it. It’s taught me some things.
Be sure to read the novella Just One Night if you’d like to found out what happens after the door opens.
Also, side note to all my If I Stay readers did any of you guys notice how in the last chapter Willem mentions listening to Adam Wilde? That means Just One Day books and If I Stay books are set in the same timeline, which is so cool!
4.5 out of 5 stars
★★★★½
It’s all about the accidents.
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Buy Just One Year
Book Depository
Barnes and Nobles
Amazon
Buy Just One Day
Book Depository
Barnes and Nobles
Amazon
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Read my review for Just One Day here.
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Let’s be friends!
m y b o o k a c a d e m y 