Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for November 9 (from Goodreads):
Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Most Read Author 2015, Favourite Author, Fav Standalone 2015
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Drama, Humour
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: November 2015
Source & Format: Public Library–Paperback

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

It’s no secret that Colleen Hoover is one of my new favourite authors. I devoured her books within a month of discovering her works in the spring of 2015 and had to wait until NOVEMBER to read this one! Slightly torturous but was it worth it?

The Concept:

When I first read this premise, I thought, “Isn’t this what that Anne Hathaway movie based on a book is about?” I will admit I don’t know the first thing about the book One Day or its movie other than that it follows two people on the same day of the year for so many years and people didn’t like Anne Hathaway’s accent. Ironically, this book also alludes to the fact that these stories are similar with the characters. But based on the way they go about it, both sound like they have their unique execution.

The Plot:

It’s an interesting premise for sure and for the most part it worked. I have some mixed feelings on it because I don’t really like insta-love stories and this one sorta starts like that. However, given the synopsis of the novel I expected that and so I knew what mindset to go into the novel with: caution.

The first few “chapters” were slow to me but  when I picked it up the next day, I finished the rest of the book in one sitting. There was just something about this story and the characters that sucked me in. I got so invested in figuring out their pasts and what happened in the other 364 days a year we didn’t see them that I just couldn’t put the book down. Everything just builds and then falls apart in the most fantastic way that it really becomes addicting to read.

The Characters:

I loved both Ben and Fallon for very different reasons. When it comes to Ben, I just loved how he empowered Fallon to see herself in a new light. He didn’t give her false praise or make her stronger because she was with him; he let her do that on her own by giving her a nudge in the right direction. He doesn’t force Fallon to be dependent on him and that was really important for me. He was also really funny and charming and he won me over in a matter of seconds.

As for Fallon, I loved watching her grow into the person she was always meant to be. I will admit, I didn’t love her scorned attitude when we first meet her but I definitely understood where it was coming from and so I didn’t mind too much. But once she starts living her life and not hiding, I really enjoyed watching her character develop. I might not agreed with all her decisions but I felt like I knew her character well enough to see why she did what she did. Plus, I found her to be funny, agreed with her views on books and loved her banter with Ben.

The Romance:

I was worried when I first started because this book just SCREAMED insta-love! Yet, I quickly found myself on board with it in a matter of a few pages.

Despite their brief meetings, I really understood why these two would work if they actually had met and dated in a real world situation. They brought out the best in each other and I loved the idea that their love helped them develop into the individual people they needed to be. It was refreshing to read about a couple who could love each other for who they are and not who they want them to be. Plus, I loved that it didn’t focus on all the “sexy” times it you know what I mean 😉 It sticks to the relationship and I will be the first to admit I definitely shed a tear or two over their story.

My Rating: 5/5

If you’re a fan of Colleen Hoover, this one will not disappoint! But if you aren’t or are new to her work, I’m not sure if this one is the one to win you over. It’s definitely good but if you can’t get over the “insta-love” premise, it would be a hard one to get over.

Read if You Like: New Adult coming of age, flawed characters growing up
Avoid if You: dislike insta-love, dislike New Adult

• One Day by David Nicholls
• Kiss a Stranger by R S Lewis
• Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover