THE STORY:
Becca : After each CoHo novel that I read, I have a moment of reflection immediately after finishing. I need the time to think about the story from start to finish, every moment that broke my heart and every moment that put it back together. It is no surprise that November 9 gave me all the feels of each CoHo book before it. Even a week after finishing it I still am reeling from all of the emotions!
emotions
Fallon (love that name!) has big plans to move from LA across the country to NYC, on the day she is scheduled to move she meets Ben and the two form an instant connection. They spend her last day in LA together and she learns that Ben is in college and wants to be a writer. After meeting Fallon, Ben finally has something to write about. After their one amazing day together, they go on to lead separate lives, but meet up every year on the same day (yup you guessed - November 9th :) in the same place. Until Fallon learns some things about Ben and begins to question what is real and what is Fiction.
“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
Lisa : Just like Becca, I'm a HUGE CoHo fan. And though her books aren't necessary "perfect" and without issue, they always bring out the feels. ALL the feels! Her emotional stories combined with her deep and complex characters never disappoint.
Fallon suffered a traumatic event that left her scarred both inside and out. Her lack of family support in LA is helping to encourage her move to NYC where she is hoping to tackle her dream of being a movie star. She didn't expect to meet Ben, and she definitely didn't expect to feel what she felt for him after only spending those few hours together. But their connection was undeniable, which brought about their November 9 pact. I'm such a sucker for romantic-comedies, so the thought of this left me all kinds of giggly inside.
giddy
THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa : Fallon and Ben's story was impossible not to love. Their relationship from the start was filled with witty banter, emotions, and the realness we all hope for in romance stories. Neither character was perfect, both holding back on sharing their secrets with the other. And trust me... they had secrets! But the chemistry and bond between the two was undeniable! Even after a year without seeing each other, the November 9 meetups were so powerful and filled with emotion, humor and, of course, love.
“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. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
Fallon was such a strong person, yet after suffering such a horrific event she was left stuck inside her shell, unable to truly be herself any longer. She also didn't have the support system she so needed while going through this time in her life. Thank goodness for her BFF, who helped her get through each day.
Ben was a bit of an enigma for most of the story. He was definitely hiding things, but not knowing what they were kept me at arm's length. I loved how powerful he felt about Fallon, and how he wasn't afraid to show his interest in her from the start. I also liked how headstrong, determined and forgiving he was. Overall, an extremely swoon-worthy guy in my opinion!
Becca : I felt the same as Lisa about Ben, I liked him a lot but could definitely tell that he was holding something back. I really kept wondering what he was hiding, especially when we meet his family and they know all about this past that the reader doesn't. Despite that, I still loved Ben! He was so positive and he seemed to help Fallon in ways that no one else could. He was so encouraging and praising of her, it really was beautiful. I think that everyone of us would love someone to tell us all of the amazing things abut ourselves that we don't see :)
“A body is simply a package for the true gifts inside. And you are full of gifts. Selflessness, kindness, compassion. All the things that matter. Youth and beauty fade. Human decency doesn't.”
I really liked Fallon, in the moments when she let her guard down you could see what a positive and energetic person she was. It was sad that after the tragic event from her past. she hid that person away. I loved how much she grew throughout the novel, getting stronger and more confident. I think that Ben played a part in that, but she did most of it herself!
The secondary characters really helped me to understand both Ben and Fallon. Ben's older brothers and Fallon's Mother, Father and Bestie really helped build this story for me more. Also, Ben's Mother was the one who really helped me to understand him. Each of these played such an important role in this story.
OVERALL:
Becca : Was this book perfect? No not exactly, I had a couple of issues here and there, and it's hard to reveal them without spoiling the story. As a matter of fact, it is very hard to discuss this entire book and not spoil anything. I will say that you definitely have to experience this for yourself and try to go in as blind a possible.
“I need you to know that it was always you who had my heart. And I would have never let anyone else borrow it if I knew there was a chance in hell you’d ever want it back."
Throughout the first half of the book, I was just grinning and smiling and loving the banter and connection between Fallon and Ben. Then all of a sudden BAM!! CoHo does what CoHo does best and throws you a curve ball that you did not see coming! I LOVED it! I cried... and cried... and cried some more. I kept texting Lisa... OMG did you get to ___%?! And she would be like "almost there!" Then she would get there and we would both be like "OMG! OMG! OMG!" It was intense and I felt like I was on a roller coaster!
As a matter of fact here is one of my status updates on Good Reads: "OMG! WTF! Holy friggin $hit!!"
glas case
I will always be a huge fan of Colleen Hoover, she is absolutely amazing and can make me think and feel in ways that I never have before. Each of her characters finds a place in my heart and when I think of my favorite books and characters, hers often top my list. She builds characters that are flawed but lovable and forever memorable. I was so excited to get an advanced ARC of this, but I also pre-ordered a physical copy too because I knew this was one I needed on my shelf! If you are fan of CoHo, or even if you are not read this! You will probably cry, but it is worth it and you will definitely be smiling at the end... or maybe even silly giggling ;)
Lisa : There was one little thing that kept me from giving this a full five stars, but I honestly can't discuss that without it being a huge spoiler. So let's just say there was something that I kind of wish was done differently, but it didn't really take away from the story too much for me. Colleen Hoover has this way of sucking you in and holding your heart in the palm of her hands for the entirety of the story. There's a reason she is so loved in the book world... she's a pure writing mastermind and can capture us all in the matter of mere pages.
(Thanks to Atria Books for the review copy!)
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An ode to the original cover
One of my favorites from Colleen. Time and time again she writes these unbelievable stories that are so farfetched as to be realistic! She drags you in. She builds you up. Then, she tears it all apart. She breaks your heart. She makes you love, trust and then makes you fall. She seems to like starting off books with a bang of a first sentence. “I wonder what kind of sound it would make if I were to smash this glass against the side of his head.” I read this years ago and try to go back and read it around November 9th because why not?The story goes back and forth between two POV's, Fallon and Ben. They meet up every year on November 9th for 5 years. The premise was different, and although there are similar book/movies out there, this one was a completely different type of story. I wish we got more time with the characters but what we did get of each character, I loved. Fallon and Ben were fascinating characters. Both have flaws and both have things that cause them angst. They are real in their feelings for each other, but as in life, five years can bring many changes and does for both. The protagonist, Fallon is relatable in her insecurities which can translate to any girl with aspects of her body that she does not like. It was also great to see her get over her wallowing and deciding to make something of her career. That get-up-and-go attitude really resonated with me, and I instantly became invested in her story. That and the hilarious and sassy conversation with her father at the start of the book had me hooked.The discussion of ‘insta-love’ and other bookish elements was a great touch. It drags a bit at the beginning but about half way through, it picks and like all Colleen books, has a few sucker punches in there when you think everything is going to end with a pretty little bow but doesn't.
Top reviews from other countries
Kara
I thought I couldn’t love Colleen Hoover any more, then I read this.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2023
Reading_Tamishly
It’s so worth it!
Reviewed in India on September 2, 2022
Reading_Tamishly
Reviewed in India on September 2, 2022
Trying to calm down knowing what happened 😩
2022 favourite?!
Here’s one amazing read from Colleen Hoover which I feel is so underrated compared to her other books!
A perfect five star read for me for giving me much more than I anticipated from this book.
Yes, I want to read every work by the author and this one was another book I just wanted to read without much expectations. However, how wrong was I in thinking nothing could surpass It Ends With Us!
A story about guilt, regrets, secrets , undying devotion and a romance you would not believe it would affect your unromantic heart this much!
The writing is really good. For a contemporary romance it’s pretty fast paced and I was trying my best to slow down the reading but I just couldn’t.
The story is about taking chances, welcoming second chances, accepting changes, seeing the beauty in imperfections and trying for the best in unexpected moments that life throws on us.
The romance is swoon worthy while it will break your heart making you feel how realistic it is.
Secrets will be revealed. Hearts will be broken. Tears all cried out. But then the ending will hug you with all its generosity that you will feel so good to have read the book!
Definitely recommended 💯
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