November 9: a book review
If you are looking for a book that completely shatters your heart into a million pieces, then this is the book for you! Okay, so I am kind of kidding (kind of not) but this book makes you feel all the feels and Colleen Hoover truly outdid herself. This is by far a book that you don't want to miss out on and has quickly become one of my absolute all-time favorites. My spoiler-free review starts now!
“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go."
The book surrounds the lives of Fallon and Ben. Fallon's mother is a true believer in creating yourself as an individual before allowing a man to come in and destroy it all. I love that. Being independent is so important and that is what Fallon is set out to do. Create herself and not allow any distractions to get in her way. That is until Ben enters the picture. Ben is an aspiring writer who meets Fallon on her first day in Los Angeles. While moving in, it is apparent that both have a HUGE crush on each other, however Fallon is sticking to her guns. No boys!
You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
Ben isn't ready to let this mysterious unique woman out of his life. So the two of them come to a conclusion. The day is November 9. And on each November 9 of the year for the next five years, they will meet up. Now, this is nothing like the books you've read before. Sure, it is a similar concept to "One Day" and those other romance novels, but this one is so unlike anything you have ever read. The story follows both the characters for five years and each chapter discusses what takes place on November 9 of that respective year.
Both Ben and Fallon continue to live their turbulent separate lives without one another, but continue to meet on the same day to see if they can pick up where they left off the year before. As a reader, you can't help but root for their relationship to evolve and continue growing stronger. There are HUGE plot twists, heartbreak and honest, raw, true love. Is Ben who he says he is? Can Fallon trust this man she only has seen 2-4 times over the span of five years?
“When you’re willing to give up the things that mean the most to you just to see someone else happy, that’s real love.”
With each turn of the page, you patiently await for Fallon and Ben's single day together. You fall in and out of love with them as friends and as a romantic couple. Your heart aches and you try not to pick sides when things fall apart . Yet, you hope and pray for them to reconnect each year. You never know where the new year is going to take them. And that is what makes this book so damn good. The waiting and the "what is possibly going to happen now?"
If you are looking for a love story unlike anything you've ever read, this is the book for you! You know how you can go ages without seeing your best friend but when you do finally reunite it's as if you can pick up right where you left off? That's Fallon and Ben's relationship.
God, I’ve missed him. I’ve missed the way I feel when I’m with him. I wish I could have this every day. Once a year isn’t enough.”
It's so hard to write a review on this book without giving anything away. So all I will say is GO READ IT. NOW. I'm not kidding you guys, this has got to be my favorite book of all time. I loved it so much and read it all in one sitting. Don't sit down and start this book late at night if you have something to do in the morning. Because, I promise you you will not be able to set it down. And no one wants to go to work with a puffy face in the morning. Just own up to it, you will cry.
The more you read, the more emotions you will feel. Excitement for the two lovebirds to reunite, fear on what could possibly happen in one year's time and pure anger for one character you feel you'll never be able to forgive. But oh will you forgive. The apologies, the young love and the stomach-dropping emotions are all so worth it. Colleen Hoover, you are absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to read another one of your novels.
“I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you,” she says. “Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
I honestly want to go reread this book now. How can two amazing beautiful characters spend the equivalent of a few hours with each other over the span of years and still believe in their special kind of love? I believed in it! I prayed for them to work out, I forgave them for the mistakes they made and understood where each decision came from. I connected with them like they were my own friends. And I loved both Fallon and Ben unconditionally.
November 9 was unique, addictive, unexpected, and absolutely beautifully written. At the end of the day, nobody's perfect and even the best of us make mistakes. What counts is whether we learn from those said mistakes, and how we decide to repair the damage caused. How far are Fallon and Ben willing to go to prove their love for each other no matter what happens?
You can check out November 9 at your local library or buy it right this second here for under $10. You will not regret it!