Book Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year

By Gayle Forman

Release Date: October 10, 2013

Source: Barnes and Noble

Summary: 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.

Review: Ever since I finished Just One Day, I've been freaking out over what had happened to Willem. So to say I was excited to read this book is a definite understatement. It's literally all I could think about since this book was released! My wonderful mother bought me a copy and I was able to spend a good chunk of my weekend being antisocial and devouring this amazing book. 

We all know what happened to Allyson when she wakes up to find Willem completely vanished from her life, but what happened to the mystery man himself? Waking up in a hospital in who knows what country, Willem has no idea what happened. All he knows is that Lulu changed his life, and he wants her back. But how can he find a girl he spent one day with, and whose name he doesn't even know? He takes off all around the world, trying to reconnect with the first person who's made him feel something in a long time. Even when she's not there, though, Lulu lead Willem on a journey to discover things about himself that he's been running away from for far too long. 

Oh my. Willem. I fell in love with him in the first book, and he was barely even in it. Now, I get to read an entire story just about him? Gayle Forman, you seriously rock. I fell in love with Willem even more in this novel, because he becomes such a real person with real emotions and problems. Seriously, the little we learned about Willem barely scratched the surface. We learn SO MUCH about his life and he even learns more about himself along the way. 

Books that surround traveling are some of my favorite, and the traveling didn't stop in the first book of this series. Just One Year takes you to Mexico, India, Amsterdam, and so many more countries you can barely keep track of where you are. But the cultures are so interesting and I absolutely love following Willem around these amazing countries full of life and discovery. 

Not only was the travel really cool, but I loved how Shakespeare made another appearance in Willem's life. As You Like It is probably one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, and the way Willem can connect with that play is just inspiring and I loved the scenes where they talked about that aspect of his life. So cool. 

It's weird, though, because this book was so romantic, yet the main couple isn't even together in this book. Willem is completely hung up on Lulu and how much she changed his life, even though they spent just one day together. Wouldn't you love to meet someone that had that big of an effect on your life? Well, I know I'd love to meet a Willem of my own!

I could just go on and on about why I loved this book. And that ending! Grrrrr! I was already left completely hanging after the first book, and she goes and ends this one the way she does? Needless to say, I'm praying Gayle Forman writes a third book so that I can get more of Allyson and Willem. I might cry if I don't. Because their story is absolutely addicting and phenomenal and I could just read about them forever. So pick up this book right now if you haven't already. It's so fantastic and you won't be able to help from feeling wanderlust and romance with every turn of the page.