New Years/New Novel Day's WINNER!!!!!!!

And the winner is

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Congratulations, Irma! I will be sending out an email with more information within the day. Please respond to the email within 48 hours of receiving my email! I hope you really enjoy it! 

Just One Day by Gayle Forman Book Review

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines. Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon! -Amazon 

Before this novel released, I was filled with the same inexplicable feeling that I had about The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, that this would be something to savor. Let me tell you, I was right. Gayle Forman's popularity stems from her novel's If I Stay and Where She Went, but I, unfortunately never got the chance to read these. I'm happy that my first experience of Forman is Just One Day, because it will surely be one of the most beautiful love stories of 2013. It gives me the fuzzies!

Just One Day chronicles the experiences of Allyson, who takes a summer trip to Europe with her best friend, Melanie, and is forever changed when she crosses paths with dutch actor, Willem, who takes her on a once in a lifetime trip to Paris for a day. I really loved Allyson, as I found her entirely relatable. I think that many will connect with her because she wants to break free and experience a new side of herself. I adored her European journey, especially as I made a similar journey myself. She experiences what I think every person has dreamt of at least once in their lives: to meet a perfect stranger, and connect with them in a way they never could have comprehended.

Willem is the 'perfect' enigmatic stranger. He's intelligent, he's an actor, and he lives life day by day, soaking in every experience...every happy 'accident'. I was drawn to the mysterious sides of him, I wanted to pick his brain and stay there for a while, but I found him equally frustrating. I thought that there could have been more explanation of his life, and his reasonings for doing and living as he does. Nevertheless, I think if more explanation is offered, the story may lose some of its intrigue. With the second installment of this story in Willem's point of view, Just One Year, releasing at the end of the year, I definitely wouldn't want to be spoiled for that! I loved that he is perfect, and flawed, and that Forman intertwines Shakespeare's most lauded wisdom ("All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players...") to weave a beautifully human story. Each little nugget given as the story unfolds is so well done. Nothing is what it seems.

Allyson's relationship with her best friend, Melanie, is realistic and a little heartbreaking. I could pin point the challenges that they would have from the first chapter, challenges that come as one moves from teenager to adult. I found myself very frustrated with Melanie, at times, but she has her own journey to undergo. This challenge and that of Allyson's parents is wonderful to experience. Allyson grows subtely right before our eyes.

One of the 'squee' worthy aspects of this novel are the delicious portrayals of Paris, London,  Amsterdam...and other wonderful European destinations. This novel is simply a jewel amongst other novels within the travelogue sub-genre. My gosh! There are so many passages I wanted to underline and paste in my journal. I'm sure there will be many European adventures planned because of this novel. My own revisit included. How awesome would it be to take out a map, close your eyes, and travel wherever your index finger lands? If you love Paris (and European Culture), and every romanticized bit of it, then you will love this novel. 

I loved that even as Just One Day is a love story, it is also a love story with ones own self. As Allyson journeys to find who she believes is her true love, she makes discoveries about herself that cause her become courageous, and step out of the shadows of her family and best friend. Even with the ominous feeling of heartbreak, this novel has an overwhelming sense of triumph, and showcases our ability to overcome and grow past things that could have stopped us short of achievement.

Bare in Mind: Just One Day contains profanity, and medium grade sexual content.

Just One Day was a second amazing start to the year, and I will be queued and ready for the release of Just One Year later this year.

 

I give Just One Day by Gayle Forman 5 out of 5 cups of strong expresso in a small Parisian Cafe...with one Macaron!

Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder Book Review

 Affection turns to obsession—and love means both devastation and redemption—in this gripping novel from the author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me. Rae’s always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her…and the less she wants to give. As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous. He’s not about to let her go. And with danger following her every move, Rae must fight for the life and love she deserves if she’s going to survive.

-Amazon

When I discovered that Lisa Schroeder would release her latest novel in prose, I was delighted to experience a new side of her work. Falling For You was a wonderful start to the New Year, especially since my local Barnes & Noble thought it fitting to release it a few days before it's release date!

Falling For You is the story of, Rae, a young woman who longs so much to live the life of an ordinary teenager, but is stuck in an often neglectful, and at times, abusive household. All Rae wants us to know what it is to be wanted...to be loved. Along her journey, she meets Nathan, who could be the guy of her dreams, or yet another set of steel bars of which she cannot escape.

This story is an incredibly moving story of what it means to break free. Rae's journey is, at times, a heartbreaking one, but I loved that she does not embody a victim. She has insecurities, doubts, and issues as anyone in her position would, but she never comes across as someone to pity. This inner strength that Rae cannot see in herself made me wish that I could jump into the pages of this novel and help her. Lisa Schroeder brings us a story written in prosaic style, but I also loved that her poetic streak is not left behind. Rae uses poetry to express all of her dire experiences. This aspect of the novel seems to lighten up the heavy subject matter in a way that's inspiring.

Schroeder's portrayal of Nathan is spot on! From his opening scenes I found him creepy...a brilliant example of the kinds of guys all women should stay away from. But what I most admired most about Schroeder's novel is that she views this from all angles. Abusers are not cast in a completely ominous light. She made me wonder what experiences caused them to become an abuser, and understand that as much as they can be disliked for what they do, they are in need of as much help as those they abuse.

Cue the curtains and welcome the beautiful, Leo, to the stage! Leo is a bright light in Rae's, dark world. There is not a single of Schroeder's hero's that are not the very definition of a dream guy. Imperfect little Hersey Kisses of awesomeness. He's quirky, hilarious, and artistic. But more importantly, he see's Rae, and wants more than anything to support her. To brighten her day in such tender ways.

Lisa Schroeder's supporting characters bring a lot of depth to the plot as well. I enjoyed 'meeting' all of Rae's friends, coworkers, and those she meets along the way. It's simply beautiful that even as Rae has a lot on her plate, her sights turn to others...how she can brighten someone else's day.

Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder does not shy away from the harsh reality of abuse. There were scenes that took my breath away. But she does not tell a bleak tale. Hope laces the spine of this novel, and it will, no doubt, leave you inspired.

Bare in mind: Far From You contains profanity, violence, abuse, and disturbing scenarios.

I rate Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder 5 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast!

*CLOSED* New Year/New Novel Day's Giveaway: Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder

Happy New Years Dearies!

I hope that this first week has been incredibly blessed, and that beautiful blessings follow you this year! Last year, Lori from Pure Imagination, hosted a Blogger layout giveaway, and I was blessed to win this beautiful layout see before you! With this new change, I wanted bring in the New Year with thanks and love for all of you Novel Days' readers who've stuck with me even as I don't blog as often as I would like. That being said, I'm giving away a copy of Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder, in your choice of format: Kindle/Nook or Print. I loved this novel so much, guys!

RULES

OPEN INTERNATIONALLY

1. Must be following Novel Days.
2. Must leave a comment on this post.
3. Tweet about the giveaway (you can do this once a day!).

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Happy Giveaway, Ladies and Gents! And may the odds be ever in your favor (wink, wink).