Happy Tuesday, all! Today I am super excited to share my review of another book I group read, and we unanimously endorsed, One Day in December by Josie Silver! This is an extra special read because I was invited by Goodreads and Broadway Books/Crown Publishing/Penguin Random House to host a book club with some special treats and copies of the book.
My Thoughts:
I’m honored and humbled that Goodreads selected me to receive a book club kit and set of copies of One Day in December, graciously provided by the publisher, Broadway Books and Crown Publishing. I was fortunate to have local friends and online friends join me for this heartwarming read, the perfect story to enjoy this time of year, and quite uplifting in the end.
It’s close to the holidays, December 21 to be exact, when Laurie is bewildered and exhausted riding the bus home from work. She just so happens to make eye contact with a guy at the bus stop, and she has an instant connection, something she never believed in before. He tries to get on the bus, but it’s too late. The doors close, and off Laurie goes. She makes it her New Year’s Resolution to find the bus stop guy.
For a year, she searches for him at every bus stop and bar in London (amazing setting, by the way!). Never finding him, she attends a Christmas party where she is introduced to HIM as her best friend Sarah’s new boyfriend!
Ten years go by between these friends, and they experience their share of kindness, heartbreak, disconnects, and could there possibly be second chances?
I loved this story from start to finish. The formatting and timeline added interest and even more investment on my part. I found this a cozy, charming read, the characterization was warmhearted, and overall, it was a delicious escape of a read, one where happiness is the ultimate goal. One Day in December is much more than the typical romance read, and that’s why it’s receiving universal love from readers across genres.
Thank you again to Broadway Books, Crown Publishing, and Goodreads for this special opportunity and for the free books. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
A love story about what happens after you meet, or rather, don’t meet the one.
Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic…and then her bus drives away.
Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.
What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.
Check out these reviews by some of my Book Besties and Book Buddies:
Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark
Holly at Dressed to Read
Mackenzie at PhDiva
Melisa and Kendall at Goodreads ♥️
GREAT REVIEW JENNIFER, CHINA
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, China, and thank you for the reblogs today! You are so kind! ♥️
LikeLike
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds lovely and Christmassy 🎄🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such a charming read, Sassy! ♥️
LikeLike
So glad you loved this too Jennifer!!! Fabulous review!! 💜🌸❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Lindsay! It’s such an endearing and heartwarming read! I’m happy you enjoyed it too! 💗 xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow… Fabulous… I have been reading good things about this author
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Shalini! This author deserves the praise. She has done something remarkable with this book! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Done… I am getting this book
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you’ll regret it a bit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic picture and review, Jennifer. I added this one to my tbr list. Happy Tuesday! ❤️📚😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Virginia! I hope you enjoy this one just as much as I did! ♥️ xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous review Jennifer! This was one of my top books for my shelf this year when I read it. I’m so glad too see you ladies loved it so much too! <3.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kendall! You were absolutely right about how good this one is! Loved your review as well! ♥️
LikeLike
Yay! Glad you loved it! It’s such a special book…surprisingly so! I didn’t expect to love it so much! Lovely review! 💞💜💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Steph! You are right- I had no idea it would be THIS good, and it absolutely was! 💗 xoxo
LikeLike
You’re welcome! I know! It was like the surprise book of the year! I’d love to see it as a movie! 💕💗💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t read much contemporary but wow, this sounds like a perfect read for this time of year. And congrats on being chosen by Goodreads, sounds like a big honor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tammy! I was very honored and had no idea they did things like this. I am not a typical contemporary reader either, but this book is so much more than what would you think. And you’re right- this time of year, it’s nice to have a “December”-type read.
LikeLike
Great review!! Y’all’s book bestie group is so cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ashley! You are welcome to buddy read with us some time! We’d love it! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be great!! I would be so glad to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Do you ever get books from Netgalley? We’ll have to see what books we have in common! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! I already have six waiting for 2019. haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’d like, email me through my blog which 6 you have, and I’ll let you know if we have any in common we can read together! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect!! Will do that now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for including me in this read Jennifer! Such a treat and a favorite for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy you loved it, Melisa! That’s all the thanks I need. ♥️ What a special read and a wonderful book to discuss! Xo
LikeLike
A book club kit? That is so fun!!! I started a face-to-face book club that lasted for 10 years before I moved. Would have loved something like this.
Wonderful review, by the way. I was exposed to the book because of the group read. Yet another book with romance that my non-romance-reading friends loved. Warms my heart😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was so fun, Jonetta! So nice of the publisher and Goodreads to do this. And thank you! You will make romance fans of us yet! ♥️ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely review! Love reading this with you!💕💕💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Berit! It was THE BEST reading with you, too! Especially this book! 💗
LikeLike
Thank you so much for including me in your book club opportunity! I love your review—happiness truly is the ultimate goal and the theme is certainly how to find it and how much to expect. I loved reading this with you!!! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mack! The pleasure was truly mine! I enjoyed reading and discussing this with you and sharing in this incredible journey with these indelible characters! What a book! What a perfect group read! ♥️
LikeLike
Now see, with that title I would have had to put this one off for a few more days and read One Day in December in December… LOL
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was so close to doing that, Carrie! So close! But I got antsy since it had already been released! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yes, I can understand that too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on being selected! Well that’s coz you’re the best! And true enough this is such a great review! What an apt read for December when all things are beautiful and memorable!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree about December, Jee- that’s the perfect way to describe it. You are always too kind to me. Thank you. ♥️ This is a wonderful read, and I hope you’ll get the chance to check it out some time. Xoxo Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same to you too, Jennifer! And I’ll never forget the day you helped me out! You’re one of the kindest, rarest book blogger who always leaves the most thoughtful comments! ❤️❤️😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Jee, and I feel the same way about you. ♥️ xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tq Jennifer! 😘❤️🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
If this had been a crime novel, she could just have bumped off her friend and run away with Jack! Saved all that heartache… 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
😂 Are you alluding to my typical reads? Or your typical reads?! Both! I was reading Terror Tuesday early this morning and ran out of time! Off to finish reading and see what the porpy is up to this week! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha – both! Sometimes murder seems like the easy option… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review Jen! Is this out now? I’ve never heard of this author but after reading your review, I want to read it now!!🙃 Have a great night my friend!😊💕🦃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sus! Yes, it’s out, and it’s getting so much love. You will LOVE it, too. I just know it! This is this author’s debut. What an author, what a read! You will have some heart tugs! Chat with you tomorrow! Happy Thanksgiving! ♥️ xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review Jennifer! This sounds like a perfect holiday read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim! It really is a warmhearted and wonderful read for this time of year. ♥️ I hope you’ve been doing well. Xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got it on my tbr Jennifer. I’m going to make an effort to read more holiday books over the next month. I apologize for being absent from your blog. I’m recovering from pneumonia and it’s taken more out of than I would have thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping to do the same with holiday books, Kim. I’ve bought a bunch and have a few to review, too, and the holidays will be here before we know it. This one is just a touch holiday. No worries at all- I only mentioned it because I hadn’t seen you post much, and I’ve thought of you with most every new headline on the news! 😂 ♥️ I am so sorry to hear about the pneumonia, and as someone who has had it more than once, I can completely empathize. You definitely need as much rest as possible. Thinking of you and sending lots of good thoughts for healing, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review. And Congrats for being selected by Goodreads!! Your review makes me want to read the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for both! I definitely recommend this one and hope you get a chance to read it. It’s getting so much love! ♥️
LikeLike
I’m glad to hear you loved this one! I’ve been eyeing it for awhile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Angela! I hope you get a chance to read it! ♥️
LikeLike
That’s so cool that Goodreads selected you to receive a book club pack for this book. I didn’t even know they did such a thing, lol. Even better though that you did this as a great read and everyone loved the book. I think the story just sounds so charming, the perfect holiday read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Suzanne. I could imagine you enjoying this one because I know you enjoyed The Christmas Sisters. It was so fun that Goodreads did this- what an experience.
LikeLike
Glad this is more than a typical romance- I’m really looking forward to reading it and uplifting in the end! And that’s so cool you were selected to receive a book club kit 😀 Fantastic review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! It definitely seems to appeal to those of us who are not typical contemporary romance fans. I hope you enjoy it, too, and I’ll be watching for your thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice review! I enjoyed the story as well, although certain elements didn’t really gel for me. Maybe that’s my cynical streak showing! So glad you and your reading buddies loved it! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more by this author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lisa! Yeah, you just have to kind of go with it with contemporaries sometimes? Yes, this author has so much promise, and I can’t wait to see what’s next from her!
LikeLike
I think I need to take a picture of all the books on my TBR list that were inspired by your blog! Hopefully I’ll get a few for Christmas this year!! ☺️
This sounds like another book that I would devour in a snap!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would absolutely love that pic, LP, and I hope you get some for Christmas too! YES, this book is so good! I highly recommend it even for non contemporary readers! ♥️
LikeLike
Amazing review, Jennifer. I like the concept of the book, especially the idea of searching for the mysterious guy for that long. This sounds like such a cute story. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana! It really was so cute and endearing. We had a lot of fun with it. The searching part really did make it interesting!
LikeLike
How awesome to be selected!! Happy thanks giving today, Jen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Didi! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you and it sounds wonderful. Great review Jennifer. I will have to find this one now. All the Bestie recommendations are adding to my TBR pile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carla! I think you’ll enjoy this one. It’s just the kind of sweet story needed around this time of year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love sweet in my Holiday stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! This looks like my type of book. 👀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a good one, Marie! I definitely recommend it!
LikeLike
Wonderful review, Jennifer! I am hoping to read this book in December in time for Christmas, it’s just the kind of lighthearted and cozy read I’ll be wanting. Glad to see that you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Darina! I’m so excited for you to read this, and December is the perfect time. I’ll be watching for your thoughts.
LikeLike
When i saw the cover my first thought was “it’s gonna be a romance, isn’t it” 😀
But you are right, it does sound a bit different.
Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Norrie! It really was and it has that “something” that seems to make most everyone love it! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely review and what an awesome thing to do! This sounds so sad. I only read the review / blurb and I’m feeling a bit heartbroken. Anne – Books of My Heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anne! In the end it is quite uplifting. I promise! ♥️
LikeLike