Just One Year by Gayle Forman Series: Just One Day #2
Published by Penguin Teen on October 10, 2013
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 323
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The heartrending conclusion—from Willem’s POV—to the romantic duet of novels that began with Allyson’s story in Just One Day
After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.
Just One Year, the continuation of Allyson and Willem’s story from Just One Day, is the perfect conclusion to the duology. Gayle Forman has a gift for storytelling and that gift really shines through in Just One Year.
Just One Year is the same story as Just One Day, just told from Willem’s point of view. Readers finally find out what happened to Willem that fateful morning. Not only that though, you also find out what Willem was doing the year following that wonderful day in Paris.
Willem is a mystery throughout Just One Day. Readers don’t know much about him from that one day in Paris. That all changes with Just One Year. You finally get Willem’s full story, including the reason he was willing to postpone going home to spend the day in Paris with Allyson. I obviously won’t give anything away but I will say that Willem is a lot deeper than he first appeared.
I think the thing I loved most about Just One Year was how it tied in with the events of Just One Day. Admittedly, I read Just One Day immediately before Just One Year so the details were really fresh in my mind. That probably helped me make a lot of the connections but I’m pretty sure that readers will get them even after a while between books. All the connections between Allyson and Willem’s stories made me laugh but also want to scream at them both.
Gayle Forman’s talent isn’t just with storytelling. She’s also wonderful at capturing the voice of a teenage male and conveying it perfectly. Just like with Adam in Where She Went, Willem’s voice in Just One Year is so true and will make readers fall in love with him even more.
Overall, Just One Year made me laugh, cry, and squeal with joy. It is the perfect conclusion to the duology and I’m eager to see what Gayle Forman does next.
What others are saying about Just One Year:
YA Midnight Reads’ review: “With the more than beautiful writing of Gayle Forman’s, we get to see Willem’s side of the story of this accidental day in Paris.”
Love is not a Triangle’s review: “Just One Year is the brilliant companion and conclusion to Just One Day.”
Jess Hearts Books’ review: “With this duology it is definitely a case of journey over destination and by the end of Just One Year I felt like both Willem and Allyson had become who they needed to be and that was down to each other and the journey they took to find a way back to one another.”
I think you’re right, this book is so much more poignant when you read the first one right before, so you can see all the connections.
I LOVED his voice and loved seeing everything through his POV – and it’s such a wonderful way of ending their story!!
I still totally LOVE Adam though 😉
Lovely review 🙂
I can’t wait to read this one!
While I really did like Just One Year, I kind of expected more of the ending, but I guess I understand why she did it the way she did. On the other hand, I really enjoyed reading about how Willem spent the year.
But I’m with you on this, can’t wait to see what Gayle brings us next!
Just One Day is possibly my favourite contemporary book, but I just didn’t have it in me to love Just One Year! =( A great part had to do with the way Just One Year was marketed– the swoony cover, the promise of a sequel… I thought we’d get a story that continues from where Just One Day left off and instead, we were only given Willem’s perspective on a story that we all knew. Ugh. *disappointed*
I definitely understand how Willem’s story could also make a great book but it was so far off from my expectations that I couldn’t bring myself to properly enjoy the story!
Great review. I loved this series and I was glad I met Gayle at YallFest.
Leydy from OUAT & RCE
I agree, the two books really tied in well. I wanted to shove Willem towards the sea during that scene on New Year’s Eve! *pulls at hair* I’m glad I knew this is a companion novel, not a sequel, because a lot of people ended up being disappointed when they read this.
I didn’t love this book as much as the first book. Willem and Lulu/Allyson as a couple are great but Willem on his own was just not as interesting. I wish this book would have alternated chapters between the two characters showing where each person was at.
I LOVE Gayle’s books. They are always wonderful, and there is so much emotion in them. I can’t wait to pick this one up and read it.
I seriously love her writing, its just fantastic!! Haven’t read this yet either and cant wait to read it. Awesome review!!