Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: January 8, 2013 
Source: Library
Goodreads Summary: 

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.
Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

This is such a difficult review for me to write, especially since everyone I know adored Just One Day. I read this at the beginning of March and I'm still not too sure how I felt about it. I wanted to love it so badly. I really, truly did. I don't think anyone can understand how much I love If I Stay and Where She Went both by Gayle Forman. But I just didn't feel the same about Just One Day.

I try to write my reviews as I read the book, so for the first 100 pages, the review was definitely five stars. I felt like I was in Europe with Allyson, taking on new personalities and eating amazing food. The romance was a whirlwind of emotions and just the type of romance abroad any girl dreams of. Willem and Allyson visit the places usually forgotten and I was able to get lost with them in their amazing adventure.

Sadly, it lost me a little in the middle (and not in the good way it had before). Since the first part of the book happens within the time span of one day, it was very fast paced. Then the second part takes place throughout several months and that's where I had the problem. It was too slow for me. I know she's supposed to be piecing her life back together but it seemed like she just gave up on life because of a guy. Allyson falls into a routine and I quickly tired of it. Her best friend abandons her and I felt so depressed reading Allyson's tragic story that I had to put it down for a while and it took some effort to pick it back up.

The characters weren't interesting at all until Dee showed up and spiced up everything. That's when I was finally able to start getting into it again. He brings a new perspective to the whole story. Other characters start to be introduced and just as quickly as it lost me, Allyson's story came to life again as she got herself together and took charge.

After that, I went back to loving Just One Day. Things quickly picked up and I finished the rest in a day. Now, after that ending, I can't wait for Willem's story to come out THIS MONTH. I think his story will be a bit more fast paced and exciting than hers.

Rating:

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆