Book Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year
Just One Day #2
Author: Gayle Forman
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Contemporary
Released: October 10th 2013
Review Source: Dutton Children's

Just One Day. Just One Year. Just One Read.

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....


When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .
The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.

I’ve been highly anticipating this book and now that it is here… Oh the J.O.Y! Before opening this book, I was expecting something else. I was sure Just One Year was going to pick up right where Just One Day ended. Instead, we get Will’s journey in which he redefines himself. None the less, this was an excellent read. Gayle Forman is by far one of the most talented authors out there. Her words are beautifully written and Just One Year is just one of her masterpiece.

We all know Just One Day follows the romantic story of when Lulu (Allyson) and Willem met. We all read about their adventure together in the city of love, Paris and how both unknowing fall in love. We learned about Allyson’s self-discovery and now it’s time to learn more about Will.

Just One Year starts off the morning when Will gets beat up, in which we all learned in the first novel. However, we get his version of the story. We learn in this novel the pain this morning brings him during his journey of self-discovery. He is hurt physically but more importantly, he is lost emotionally.

For years Will is in search of something he isn't quite sure of, always on the move, seeking to fulfill that emptiness. But with Lulu in the picture this becomes more challenging for him to discover. When he realizes love is not something you protect but something you risk, worth staying… In the end, Will finds his missing piece, his double happiness.

Just one girl. Just One Day. Just One Year. This is such as a heartwarming journey!

Note to Gayle – Please, pretty please we need a third book ;)