Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year (Just One Day #2) by Gayle Forman
November 7th, 2013 · Definitions
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 323

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.

A few months ago I read Just One Day and ever since then I’ve been anxiously awaiting to get my hands on Just One Year because a) I couldn't wait to read Willem’s side of the story and b) I needed MORE. I didn’t love it the same way I did Just One Day, but I did still like it.

With all the people Willem meets in his travels, his friends and family, at times I felt overwhelmed with all the characters and couldn’t keep track of them all, resulting in head spinning. I don’t know if anyone else felt like this or I’m losing my game, but it did slightly take away from the reading experience. It’s frustrating when characters keep getting brought up and mentioned but you have no idea who the author’s talking about!

Willem was a complete mystery to me in Just One Day and it was nice to get to know him better in this instalment. I liked him when we first met him and was hoping that reading from his POV would give me the chance to more than like him and help me develop a better connection with him, like I had Allyson, but I can’t say that really happened. I liked him and felt for him but unfortunately, I didn’t love him.

I did love the fact that Willem was an actor though and that we got to see this play out through the novel. He has trouble committing to things, whatever they may be, so it was great to see him finally commit to something he’s passionate about. While it wasn’t as obvious as Allyson’s growth, Willem does quite a bit of growing up himself in Just One Year.

As for the ending, all I can say without spoiling you is that the last two pages were gorgeous and my favourite thing of the whole book and all up, I’ve read it four times in total. I did let out a loud, dramatic “no” as I turned the last page, still expecting there to be more and sadly realising I had come to the end. Even though I greedily would have liked just a little more, I think it ended exactly where it needed to.

3.5/5