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victoriakuo13's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
MAN. This was riding high on 4 stars until it ended so freakin abruptly like WHAT was that?? So much buildup, such a slow burn, all leading up to the big climax which was 10 pages long. The back and forth of it all and the fact that it spanned the course of a decade should have warranted a more detailed and careful ending that this pairing deserved.
I think it’s challenging in itself to take on such a huge span of time so I definitely applaud Silvers for that, but I think the time skips made it difficult to get a feel for how much time had actually passed, making it feel like the plot was moving more quickly than it actually was. For example, I knew Jack was pining for awhile but it didn’t feel like he was.
I appreciate multiple POVs just as a concept— I loved getting inside both Laurie and Jack’s heads to see where both of them were in the story. I do think it was a bit of a luxury though and that perhaps it would have been more interesting just sticking with Laurie and leaving it up to us to wonder what Jack was feeling, but as a consumer I ate it up.
Overall I did enjoy this book!! I had expected it to stay somewhat contained and didn’t think they’d meet so early but the fact that the story kept moving gave it good momentum that was able to carry the novel on to the next and following plot points. It was a wild ride of a lot of miscommunication and missed moments but the drama of it all made it fun to read.
I think it’s challenging in itself to take on such a huge span of time so I definitely applaud Silvers for that, but I think the time skips made it difficult to get a feel for how much time had actually passed, making it feel like the plot was moving more quickly than it actually was. For example, I knew Jack was pining for awhile but it didn’t feel like he was.
I appreciate multiple POVs just as a concept— I loved getting inside both Laurie and Jack’s heads to see where both of them were in the story. I do think it was a bit of a luxury though and that perhaps it would have been more interesting just sticking with Laurie and leaving it up to us to wonder what Jack was feeling, but as a consumer I ate it up.
Overall I did enjoy this book!! I had expected it to stay somewhat contained and didn’t think they’d meet so early but the fact that the story kept moving gave it good momentum that was able to carry the novel on to the next and following plot points. It was a wild ride of a lot of miscommunication and missed moments but the drama of it all made it fun to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
dreamyreadsss's review
I loved this book. It is so heartfelt. One Day in December delivers a moving story of love and friendship. The story begins during the Christmas holidays. Amidst the chaos and exhaustion of the holidays, Laurie has one perfect moment in time. She locks eyes with a man and time freezes. For a few seconds, all is right in her world. Until the bus she’s sitting on pulls away from the stop he is waiting at.
It’s the cruelest of fates. What should be a joyous, wondrous discovery becomes messy. As the story progresses, it gets messier. This is what makes One Day in December so relatable. It doesn’t become an implausible tale of love at first sight. Instead, it’s a story that stays true to the heart. It explores its beauty and complications.
Author Josie Silver wrote a gorgeous story filled with heartbreak and laughter. The love triangle between Laurie, Sarah, and Jack never sinks to needless drama. Moreover, while the romance between Jack and Laurie is central to the story, so is Laurie’s relationship with Sarah. They are sisters in every way but blood. I love that Silver does not neglect Laurie and Sarah’s bond. Their friendship is just as central to the story as Laurie and Jack’s romance. In fact, I think it is the most important relationship in One Day in December.
I can’t neglect Jack. Laurie is not alone in her torment. Jack is right there with her. He loves Sarah, yet, he is drawn to Laurie. What I love about Jack is how he recognizes the special relationship between Laurie and Sarah. He sees their bond and gets that they are a team. Still, Jack’s choices are dubious. While he commits to Sarah, he is not completely honest with her. He’s hiding part of his heart from Sarah. I wanted to be angry with him….and Laurie for doing the same thing. However, Silver handled this duplicity in a sensitive, realistic way. So much so, I found myself understanding.
ADAPTATION RECOMMENDATION
One Day in December would make a fantastic holiday film! As I read it, I kept thinking of films like Love Actually, The Holiday, and When Harry Met Sally. There is such a feel-good aspect of the book that would translate well to the screen.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ONE DAY IN DECEMBER
One Day in December is a beautiful story of love, loss, and forgiveness. Laurie is a gorgeous character. Her search for fulfillment, for happiness, is relatable. Her journey of self-discovery will resonate with readers. In the end, readers will shed a tear (or two, or more!) as Laurie, Sarah, and Jack discover what love, friendship, and family mean to them. One Day in December will touch your heart. You will fall in love with this gorgeous read.
Content Warning: Mild sexual innuendo. Also, for those prone to swooning over unexpected romantic moments, be sure to read while sitting on a comfy couch!
It’s the cruelest of fates. What should be a joyous, wondrous discovery becomes messy. As the story progresses, it gets messier. This is what makes One Day in December so relatable. It doesn’t become an implausible tale of love at first sight. Instead, it’s a story that stays true to the heart. It explores its beauty and complications.
Author Josie Silver wrote a gorgeous story filled with heartbreak and laughter. The love triangle between Laurie, Sarah, and Jack never sinks to needless drama. Moreover, while the romance between Jack and Laurie is central to the story, so is Laurie’s relationship with Sarah. They are sisters in every way but blood. I love that Silver does not neglect Laurie and Sarah’s bond. Their friendship is just as central to the story as Laurie and Jack’s romance. In fact, I think it is the most important relationship in One Day in December.
I can’t neglect Jack. Laurie is not alone in her torment. Jack is right there with her. He loves Sarah, yet, he is drawn to Laurie. What I love about Jack is how he recognizes the special relationship between Laurie and Sarah. He sees their bond and gets that they are a team. Still, Jack’s choices are dubious. While he commits to Sarah, he is not completely honest with her. He’s hiding part of his heart from Sarah. I wanted to be angry with him….and Laurie for doing the same thing. However, Silver handled this duplicity in a sensitive, realistic way. So much so, I found myself understanding.
ADAPTATION RECOMMENDATION
One Day in December would make a fantastic holiday film! As I read it, I kept thinking of films like Love Actually, The Holiday, and When Harry Met Sally. There is such a feel-good aspect of the book that would translate well to the screen.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ONE DAY IN DECEMBER
One Day in December is a beautiful story of love, loss, and forgiveness. Laurie is a gorgeous character. Her search for fulfillment, for happiness, is relatable. Her journey of self-discovery will resonate with readers. In the end, readers will shed a tear (or two, or more!) as Laurie, Sarah, and Jack discover what love, friendship, and family mean to them. One Day in December will touch your heart. You will fall in love with this gorgeous read.
Content Warning: Mild sexual innuendo. Also, for those prone to swooning over unexpected romantic moments, be sure to read while sitting on a comfy couch!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
bwaymadeline's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hope that donna summer’s “on the radio” plays at their wedding
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Child death
katsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“There comes a point where you have to make the choice to be happy, because being sad for too long is exhausting.”
“Sometimes you just meet the right person at the wrong time.”
“It’s strange, but you never stop caring about someone, even if you don’t want to be with them any more.”
I have an incredible amount of mixed feelings about this book. The emotional infidelity is so real and it is literally the point of the book. I hate cheating and the feelings Jack and Laurie have for each other really turned me off. It didn't help that their entire romance hinged on one moment where they saw each other but never spoke. That being said, I get that the point was the idea of fate and true love but, I don't know, there were times when I just couldn't buy it. I will say that it made the mutual pining excellent and my heart broke a little every time another missed opportunity cropped up. I think the romantic side of me and the practical side of me are just at war over our feelings for this story 😂. I really enjoyed the relationship between Sarah and Laurie and their heart-to-heart scenes were definitely the most emotional to me. I also, weirdly, enjoyed Laurie's relationship with Oscar. It felt like it had more depth and nuance than her relationship with Jack. Ultimately, this is a solid winter romance and definitely an easy read if that's what your in the mode for.
“Sometimes you just meet the right person at the wrong time.”
“It’s strange, but you never stop caring about someone, even if you don’t want to be with them any more.”
I have an incredible amount of mixed feelings about this book. The emotional infidelity is so real and it is literally the point of the book. I hate cheating and the feelings Jack and Laurie have for each other really turned me off. It didn't help that their entire romance hinged on one moment where they saw each other but never spoke. That being said, I get that the point was the idea of fate and true love but, I don't know, there were times when I just couldn't buy it. I will say that it made the mutual pining excellent and my heart broke a little every time another missed opportunity cropped up. I think the romantic side of me and the practical side of me are just at war over our feelings for this story 😂. I really enjoyed the relationship between Sarah and Laurie and their heart-to-heart scenes were definitely the most emotional to me. I also, weirdly, enjoyed Laurie's relationship with Oscar. It felt like it had more depth and nuance than her relationship with Jack. Ultimately, this is a solid winter romance and definitely an easy read if that's what your in the mode for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, and Infidelity
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Child death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Car accident, and Medical content
kat_13's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, and Sexual content
tearstoflowers's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity and Car accident
Minor: Sexual content
slowlychloe's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, and Sexual content
valeriabee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very dramatic, not at all what I expected.
Not very spicy at all (occassional mention of nipples and mouths, and mostly fade to black).
Less of a romcom, more of two characters on a decade long journey to each other.
I live for the pining and the drama and yelling at them for making decisions that drive them further apart and then being frustrated at how much they love each other.
Another confession of love over the radio 🤪 (I think that's the fourth one I've read this year).
I personally love the drama and the journey so I wasnt actually mad at any of the decisions made, nor do I feel like the book is lesser because of it. I like the book, but it didnt make my heart flutter and my stomach flip. My stomach turned a little in December 2011 (I think), but it didnt even flip at the end and I wish it did.
Not very spicy at all (occassional mention of nipples and mouths, and mostly fade to black).
Less of a romcom, more of two characters on a decade long journey to each other.
I live for the pining and the drama and yelling at them for making decisions that drive them further apart and then being frustrated at how much they love each other.
Another confession of love over the radio 🤪 (I think that's the fourth one I've read this year).
I personally love the drama and the journey so I wasnt actually mad at any of the decisions made, nor do I feel like the book is lesser because of it. I like the book, but it didnt make my heart flutter and my stomach flip. My stomach turned a little in December 2011 (I think), but it didnt even flip at the end and I wish it did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Car accident, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
lulibelle's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m not entirely sure how I fully feel about this novel. The synopsis (to me) kind of made me feel as if the predictability about Laurie & Jack’s situation was obvious from the get go. I’m also not entirely sure what it was about Jack that had Laurie smitten. A lot of telling instead of showing when it came to describing personalities. I did like that Laurie stood up for herself at one point when it came to Brussels. Of course, life happens and plans don’t always go as we originally thought but everything seemed too… convenient. It’s a well written story but I’ve never been a fan of cheating, lying or miscommunication, both in real life and in fictional stories 🤷🏽♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Infertility, Child death, and Death of parent