November 9 by Colleen Hoover

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.

So many people recommended I read this book and even though I was clearly against it (I hated the movie Just One Day) I figured, what's the worst that can happen? and read it anyway. I'm SO glad I did!

This book had me from page 1. I can smell sass from a mile away and Fallon has got heaps of it, especially in the early chapters. And in case you didn't already know, I LOVE sassy characters (possibly because I have been known to give some 'tude every once in a while). But it wasn't just the characters that sold me on this book. The execution really made it great. I mentioned my extreme dislike for Just One Day, and this book even brings that up: in that story the two characters are in each other's lives all year round. These two only spoke on November 9th each year. No phone calls, no emails, literally NOTHING for an entire year. That takes commitment and it was very interesting to read about because that's all we got. Each section of the book was labeled 'first November 9th' and so forth. We only learn about what happened the past year when the two meet up to discuss it. I loved that because there was no re-telling. Fallon doesn't experience something with just the reader then have to convey that to Ben later; we are just as curious as Ben is when they meet up because it's all new to ALL OF US.

The parts I did not like in this book are when Fallon suddenly becomes 'clairvoyant'. Out of nowhere, she knows what's best for everyone and just goes with it without explanation. There was a section where I was literally yelling at my book because reading from Fallon's POV, then Ben's, then Fallon's again; it was starting to come together (finally!!) until it all fell apart (naturally...*sigh*). Every book needs a plot twist and something to shake things up story wise but this was just frustrating, but in the best way possible. It's a classic contemporary novel dilemma, so I can't be mad at Ms. Hoover for using it, I was just hoping this would be an easier love story.

Since I'm trying to make this as spoiler free as possible I can't go into too many details, but let me just say this: if you think you know where this book is going you don't. I don't care if you're Nancy Drew reincarnated or Sherlock Holmes' great, great, great grandchild you don't know what's coming. And that is why this book was so great.

I want to apologize because I don't even think I can call this post a review. I'm 99% sure it doesn't make any sense, but that's how infatuated I am with this book. It was so good - exactly what my book slump needed - and I will definitely be reading more Colleen Hoover books in the future. I can happily give it 5 stars because I know I'll be re-reading it; this is definitely a great book. In short: just go read it.

5 stars