Wednesday 16 November 2016

Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

November 9 by Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: November 2015.
My rating: 5 Stars. 


This is a love story between a guy (me) and a girl (Fallon). I think. Can it even be considered a love story if it doesn’t end with love? Mysteries end when the mystery is solved. Biographies end when the life story has been told. Love stories should end with love, right? Maybe I’m wrong, then. Maybe this isn’t a love story. If you ask me…I’d say this might even be considered a tragedy. Whatever it is—however it ends—I promised I would tell it. So without further ado. Once upon a time…I met a girl. THE girl.

Colleen Hoover’s books have been a real miss for me, I’m really gutted about this, as so many of my friends have adored her books and I really wanted to find that one which I would fall in love with. I’m glad that any stubbornness paid off and I didn’t give up on Hoover’s books as November 9 is my favourite yet! 

If you don’t know me by now, I’m a huge fan of second chance romances, romances which take place over a few years and the love growing stronger as they get to know one another. The set up between Ben and Fallon was an unusual one, their chance meeting and Ben pretending to be Fallon’s boyfriend in front of her dad bought them together. And soon before they realise, fake-relationships aside, there is actually something deep and meaningful between them underneath, but Fallon’s flying out to New York in a few hours and then what? Fallon and Ben decide to meet every year on November 9 at the same place, they’ll have no other contact with each other until that point, and if they are really meant to be, their relationship should be able to withstand the five years that Fallon wants to wait to take the relationship further. I for one didn’t think this relationship could last at all, they didn’t have each other’s numbers, they’d blocked each other on social media and really they’d only known each other for a few hours. But you know what they say, time makes the heart grow fonder, and honestly true words couldn’t have been spoken. I loved watching the development of Ben and Fallon’s relationship, some could say it was insta-love, as they fell for each other so quickly, but Hoover really made the relationship work well with only the yearly meet ups. The way the relationship developed was done beautifully, there was a lot of heartache along the way, but their feelings or one another never wavered. 

I really liked Ben as our romantic interest he wasn’t the typical alpha male character, but a real sweetheart. I loved how he wore his heart of the line and how he was feeling was always apparent on his face, he wasn’t afraid to truly put himself out there and that’s what I loved about him. I adored his passion for writing, how he became obsessed with reading books that did romances well and then trying to be that sort of character for Fallon in real life. The bookish references throughout was a favourite of mine, we had Ben taking the mick of romantic declarations in books such as characters claiming “I own you” and running to show their last minute feelings to their love interest at the airport. It was fun to read, as it’s done so often in the books we read, but seeing Ben and Fallon discuss it was refreshingly funny. Ben not only was a swoon worthy crush, but also a funny guy too! I adored how he helped Fallon gain the confidence back with homework he gave her, but his genuine feelings towards her also made that possible in a massive way. I know there was a lot of miscommunication and truths held back along the way, but despite these, they never made me think that what Ben and Fallon had wasn’t worth fighting for. 

Hoover did an absolutely wonderful job with November 9, the romance was achy, raw and beautifully done and characters were ones you could easily relate to, they were witty, determined and hugely loveable, that it made them that more memorable. November 9 I can safely say is one of my favourite reads of the year, the romance that Hoover writes will easily make its way to your heart with you never wanting it to let you go.







11 comments:

Brandie said...

So glad to see you loved it, Jasprit!! You know I'm a huge fan of everything CoHo writes, so this makes me happy. :) This is one of my favorites. Great review!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am with you regarding CoHo, This one was a big win for me a well. Really loved the romance.

Bonnie said...

I feel the same about this author, except based on her summaries alone I've never actually taken the plunge and tried any of them. I do think I'm going to have to give this one a shot though. :) Great review

Alyssa said...

Wow, I'm glad you really liked this book! It looks like reading it despite the reviews of others worked out for you. I'm not a CoHo fan and have not read any of her books since Hopeless. Unfortunately I've had poor experiences with the second-chance romances I've read recently, so I already know this one isn't for me, CoHo or not. But it's good to see such a positive and happy review of the book. Hopefully the rest of her books, published and upcoming, won't disappoint!

Wonderful review, Jasprit. =)

Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

Nick said...

Ahh! I think this is where my relationship with this author started to deteriorate. I feel like her books are becoming so much more dramatic. I'm thrilled that you're having luck with this one because I know you've been feeling slumpy. I hope you find other great books, Jasprit!
Fabulous review! :)

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I have yet to read a book by Colleen Hoover, but I do really want to read this one. I love that it has so many fun, bookish references. I'm glad you really loved this one!

Ksenia said...

5 Stars rating? One of your favourite reads of the year? You definitely sold this one for me, Jasprit!

I haven’t had luck with Colleen Hoover’s latest novels. In truth I even wrote in my latest review on her book that I plan part ways with this author. But I was tempted to pick up November 9. Why? The audiobook is narrated by Zachary Webber. He is an amazing narrator. If you haven’t listened to his works you should definitely try.

Wonderful review!

whispering words said...

I can see you really enjoyed this :) I love anything with a good romance so adding this into the shopping cart - thanks for putting it on my radar :)

Keertana said...

Jasprit, I have the same problem with Hoover's books--they are such a miss for me! But I hadn't heard of this before you mentioned it and now I'm completely convinced that I have to give it a try. Wonderful review, dear--I hope I enjoy this as much as you did!

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...

I really need to read more Hoover.

Carina Olsen said...

Stunning review Jasprit :) Yay for loving this book a bunch. <3 And for good romance :D That is the best. Might want to read this book one day :) Thank you for sharing about it. <3 Hugs.

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