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A review by the_shelfrighteous_writer
November 9 by Colleen Hoover
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into NOVEMBER 9 completely blind. Like I said, it was one of those books that everybody on Bookstagram and BookTok has been reading so I borrowed it from my library to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t think I really expected to get drawn into this book the way I did. I started it on a Saturday afternoon and was done by Sunday (a rare thing in my house). Hoover expertly wrapped me up in the lives of her characters, even though I only got to see them on one day each year … November 9th.
The premise of NOVEMBER 9 was very intriguing to me as I started to read. Fallon doesn’t believe you can fall in love before you’re 23 so they agree to meet each year on the same day. Every other day of the year, no contact. And Ben will chronicle their “love story” into a novel. I loved that idea! And it was so addicting to watch this story unfold.
It fascinated me how much could happen in the span of just a year, when all you get to see is one day. Births, deaths, and even new romances. Hoover worked tragedy and happiness into each and every page, leaving me captivated.
I adore dual POVs!
Dual (or even multi) POVs are my weakness. I love a story that puts you inside the heads of more than one character. Reading this story from both Fallon and Ben’s perspective made all the difference. Especially once you get to the end and big secrets start coming out. Ben’s attraction to Fallon is so strong and it was easy to tell that Fallon’s attraction to him was just as strong, even though she had her 5-year rule.
On a similar note, I was worried that the characters would fall flat with the timeline jumping a year ahead each time. But that wasn’t the case. I could understand where Fallon’s insecurities about her scars came from and there was enough mystery with Ben that the shocking moments were very effective.
And the Ugly Cry ...
That’s my qualification for 5 stars in a romance. NOVEMBER 9 had me sobbing like a child. My heart broke for Fallon and Ben because so much of this book is the turmoil of will they or won’t they end up together. I saw all the Bookstagram posts claiming this book would give you the ugly cry factor and Hoover did not disappoint.
The premise of NOVEMBER 9 was very intriguing to me as I started to read. Fallon doesn’t believe you can fall in love before you’re 23 so they agree to meet each year on the same day. Every other day of the year, no contact. And Ben will chronicle their “love story” into a novel. I loved that idea! And it was so addicting to watch this story unfold.
It fascinated me how much could happen in the span of just a year, when all you get to see is one day. Births, deaths, and even new romances. Hoover worked tragedy and happiness into each and every page, leaving me captivated.
I adore dual POVs!
Dual (or even multi) POVs are my weakness. I love a story that puts you inside the heads of more than one character. Reading this story from both Fallon and Ben’s perspective made all the difference. Especially once you get to the end and big secrets start coming out. Ben’s attraction to Fallon is so strong and it was easy to tell that Fallon’s attraction to him was just as strong, even though she had her 5-year rule.
On a similar note, I was worried that the characters would fall flat with the timeline jumping a year ahead each time. But that wasn’t the case. I could understand where Fallon’s insecurities about her scars came from and there was enough mystery with Ben that the shocking moments were very effective.
And the Ugly Cry ...
That’s my qualification for 5 stars in a romance. NOVEMBER 9 had me sobbing like a child. My heart broke for Fallon and Ben because so much of this book is the turmoil of will they or won’t they end up together. I saw all the Bookstagram posts claiming this book would give you the ugly cry factor and Hoover did not disappoint.