Just One Night by Gayle Forman

Just One Night by Gayle Forman

Series: Just One Day Book 2.5

Genre: YA Romantic Fiction

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This book was very relaxing—or, rather, this novella was very relaxing. It was a short, easy read that wrapped up all loose ends into one nice, pretty little package. It had what the previous novels did not: an ending with an explanation. Gayle Forman famously leaves her readers questioning the resolutions to her novels, and she even does that in this novella, but at least she gives an explanation for the endings of Just One Day and Just One Year.

I loved the elation that Willem and Allyson had upon seeing each other again, and I loved that there was no hatred or sour emotions—they were simply together at last as if they had never been apart. It was refreshing to read a Gayle Forman story that was so calming and happy, without her usual depressing tones.

Overall, this novella was a great way to end the series in a bright and cheerful way. The writing was, as usual, fantastic, and the characters were too infatuated with each other to be able to relate to them unless you have experienced love before (I say this in a good way, not negatively). I enjoyed it very much, in a different way than the first two novels.

4 stars.

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Series: Just One Day Book 2

Genre: YA Romantic Fiction

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My first thoughts when I started reading were, and I quote, “Holy shit, how am I going to get through 323 pages of this book!?” It’s not because it was a bad book, nor was it because I didn’t like it, it was simply because the ending of the first one left me with no answers and no happy ending, and I didn’t want to read the same story from Willem’s point of view if it meant delaying those answers.

However, I soon realized—or, rather, after nearly half the book—that by reading Just One Year, even though it wasn’t what comes after, still gave me answers that I needed. Of course, answers never come without a price, and Gayle Forman’s price was 323 pages of torture and anticipation.

The majority of this book was pure frustration. He almost stopped her, he almost found her, he almost got over her, he almost saw her. This book was comprised of so many almosts that I don’t think I ever want to hear that word again. He almost had her.

While it was frustrating, I still enjoyed it very much. I liked hearing Willem’s story, and his feelings on “Lulu” (or Allyson). I like hearing about his parents and his childhood and his many adventures, and I liked how, even though he never truly moved on, he still did things with his time after Allyson. He wasn’t stuck.

Overall, I loved this book—maybe not as much as the first one, but pretty close. I liked the story and, after hating Willem in the first one, it was nice to find the capacity to fall in love with him. This was a great tale of heartbreak and romance and love—not just his love of Allyson, but the love he shared with his mother. I loved it.

4 stars.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Series: Just One Day Book 1

Genre: YA Romance Fiction

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All characters in any books before Just One Day that I believed to be my book clone do not even live up to the exact replica of myself in this book. Well, I shouldn’t say this entire book, because Allyson Healy went through immense changes throughout the story, but in the beginning of the book, when she first met Willem, it was like reading a novel from the point of view of myself. I had the same insecurities, same voice, same antisocialness, and even the same issue with traveling (although after traveling to New Zealand, those issues disappeared, so I guess I went through a similar change to Allyson’s, as well). Because of my connection with Allyson, it felt as if her experiences were happening to me. It felt like Gayle Forman was talking directly to my soul, and it made me miserable as well as slightly elated. I felt the heartbreak as Allyson experienced it, I felt the courage as Allyson took the leap of faith. I felt like Allyson as Allyson felt like Lulu.

Then, of course, that leads me to Part 2. Allyson suffered in Paris, and that led to her depression at home. Once again, Gayle Forman was speaking to my heart. Allyson refused any invites to social activities, she was failing her classes, she hated her life. She was depressed, and I’ve heard that many freshmen in college experience this. And this wouldn’t have impacted me were it not for my own struggle with all of her same feelings and issues (besides the heartbreak—who needs boys when you have books?), and also the fact that I’m feeling these emotions four years prematurely. Her experiences caused me to feel the loneliness, frustration, and exhaustion deeply, as well as caused me to feel incredibly terrified for the future and what it brings.

I loved this book so very much. I loved the format, and the evolution of Allyson’s character. After her depressive faze, she made many life changes and got back on her feet. That was the end of our resemblances, but I’m hoping one day I might find myself with her courage and strength and bravery.

Also, I had mixed feelings about Willem. He was perfect in the beginning, but I always had my doubts about his credibility (as did Allyson). Then I thought he was a player, and just used Allyson for sex. But clues kept popping up and I won’t spoil the ending.

Overall, this was such a great book, and it impacted me as well. Gayle Forman has a way with words that always seems to hit me in the softest spots, deep down inside. I’m still recovering from this book and I know I will be for a while.

5 stars.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection Book 4

Genre: YA Dystopian Romance

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I have to say that while this book was good and I did enjoy it, I kind of hated it as well. Cass painted Eadlyn to be a total brat, exactly what you would expect a child of royalty to be. She was selfish and believed that everyone adored her. When she realized that the people actually kind of hated her, she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why. She treated people like they were dirt and believed herself to be superior to everyone. She is by far my least favorite YA character out of all of the books I have ever read.

While I could rant on and on about Eadlyn and her flaws as a character, I might as well point out the good things in this book. Cass did a good job focusing on actual conflict instead of just a love story. The readers were able to understand the problems in the world, unlike in the first three novels. There were many aspects of conflict and plot that Cass executed greatly, and this novel was very entertaining.

Overall, despite the extremely annoying characters, the story was good and the plot was thought out well. I did enjoy reading this novel and can’t wait to read the next one.

Three stars.

Never Never Part 1 by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Series: Never Never: Part 1

Genre: Young Adult Suspense Romance Novella

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This was one of those books that I just picked up and started reading without any knowledge as to what it was about. Of course, even if I had read the description, it was very brief and gave little to no indication of the story line. It reads, “Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning. He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.”

Never Never was a quick, fast paced read, considering it is a “novella series”. From the beginning, Hoover had you on your toes trying to anticipate her next move. It was utterly confusing from cover to cover, and it leaves you wanting, craving, heck needing answers. It was nonstop questions and, despite expecting answers, it leaves with none. This book is literally the true meaning of cliffhanger. I am already eagerly awaiting the next book.

The love story in this book, though quite confusing, was cute and I couldn’t help but root for Charlie and Silas. They both seemed like awful people before they lost their memories, but now that they can’t remember anything, I actually really like them.

I can’t wait for the sequel to come out, hopefully soon!

I would give this book 4 stars. 

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Genre: YA Coming of Age

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I started reading this book after finishing The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky, by recommendation of both my mom and my English teacher. I’d heard a lot about this book and even though I didn’t know what to expect, I did have high expectations.

Usually, when I read a book, I don’t formulate opinions until the end. Sometimes, I may like the beginning and the middle, but if it has a crappy ending, all of my opinions will change massively. The ending is what makes the book, in my opinion. Except for this book. My opinions were constantly changing. I thought it was pretty boring in the beginning and hard to stay focused because of the repetitiveness and the long paragraphs. However, then I really started to relate with Holden Caulfield and his point of view on things. I completely understand his hatred for everyone and everything, as I was going through this very same thing about the time that I read this. I couldn’t stand school and I didn’t understand what the point in trying was, and I would love all my friends then hate them the next day. His viewpoints on life are so similar to mine it is uncanny, although I do feel that I am a bit more optimistic than he was.

Once I connected with Holden, the story got interesting and I really enjoyed it. Before, I was dragging my feet in reading this book, but then I couldn’t put it down. I was riveted, and then it abruptly ended, and overall I was left confused. What happens next? What was the point of this whole story? It was actually quite frustrating.

I have found that of the old books I have read, they all end abruptly and without resolve. That is frustrating to me because I love endings and I always have, but I feel as if there aren’t endings in these books, and I don’t know what to do with myself.

Overall, I’d say this was a humorous, realistic, and relatable book with interesting characters and lots of sarcasm that may or may not leave you confused.

Four stars.

Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

Genre: YA Paranormal Romantic Mystery

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This book was nonstop. I picked it up Saturday afternoon and didn’t put it down until I finished at 3 am. It was amazingly suspenseful and a great mystery. I never saw any of it coming, and I never would have suspected the person who did it. Nearly Gone was the perfect blend of romance and mystery, with a hint of paranormalcy, all rolled into one novel.

This book had the type of plot that didn’t leave you craving character connections. I’m sure if the plot had been calmer and less chaotic, I would have connected with Nearly and Reece, but I was too focused on figuring out the next clue and finding out who the murderer was.

Overall, this book was amazing, and I couldn’t get enough. The name choice was fantastic—who would think of the name Nearly?—and the elaborate mystery was well planned and thought out. I loved this book and definitely couldn’t put it down until it was over.

4 stars.