Title: Just One YearAuthor: Gayle Forman
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 336 Pages, Paperback
Publication: January 1st 2013, Definitions (Young Adult)
Source: Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me this in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4/5 Cupcakes!
Twenty-four hours can change your life . . .
Allyson and Willem share one magical day together in Paris, before chance rips them apart.
The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents life throws at us.
But is one day enough to find your fate?
After I finished Just One Day, I could barely contain my excitement upon starting the companion novel - Just One Year. Just One Year is told from Willem's POV and he retells what happens after he left and about his family and history. I felt like we didn't get to know Willem all that much in Just One Day, so I was extremely excited to be able to familiarise myself with him in this book!
As I said, Just One Year is about Willem and his story on what happened after he left Allyson. It's his journey of self-discovery and finding himself, as well as trying to find Lulu who made him realise the meaning of love and happiness.
I really loved Just One Year, I loved learning more about Willem. I was intrigued to hear more about his family life and his adventures and why he acted like such a jerk and left Lulu (Allyson). It was interesting finally being able to hear his side of the story, as my opinion really changed on him. I felt sorry for him and the loss he endured. His concept of finding himself when he was lost was really fascinating and there were some gorgeous quotes in here!
If I read this book on it's own, I probably would've given it a lower rating as at times it felt like nothing much happened. However, because it's the companion novel I adored it! I felt the two books together are absolutely gorgeous and they are poignant and emotional and a heart-wrenching love story about two people falling in love and then then being separated and trying to find each other.
The writing is once again beautifully written with so many meaningful, sincere quotes. Sometimes I felt as if nothing much happened but I still enjoyed the novel overall.
Just One Year is the beautifully-written, heart-warming and poignant novel that is told from the point of view of Willem. I loved Willem and I felt his character growth throughout the novel. His love for Lulu resonated throughout, as well as the melancholy he felt when he couldn't find her.
Just One Year was another inspirational and captivating novel by the talented Gayle Forman. The true meaning of love, happiness, family and the miracle of coincidence are strong themes throughout and it was a raw, emotional novel.
I give it: 4/5 Cupcakes!
