REVIEW | "November 9" by Colleen Hoover

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Title: November 9
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Simon + Schuster UK
Genre: NA, contemporary romance
ISBN: 978-1471154621
Page Number: 310 pages







Blurb

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

Execution

I've said it before, but I'm gonna say it again: This book is like crack. Once you start reading, you cannot stop. At least I couldn't.

I read this in two sittings and the only reason I didn't devour it in one is because I was tired and I had to sleep. 

At first, I was really intrigued by the idea of two people only meeting once a year and falling in love over time but it wasn't quite like that - actually, it was a bit insta-lovey. Going into the book I first thought they would meet by chance on the same day and not because they arranged to meet so that was different than I expected.

Also normally, I don't like insta love and those two things (the insta love and them arranging to meet) combined really shouldn't have worked - only that they did. I don't even know how, but it all came together so naturally and Colleen Hoover really convinced me that sometimes, insta love really can be a trope worth reading about.

The only thing that really bugged me about the book was the plot twist at the end. I know Colleen Hoover is known for her devastating plot twists but I think with this one, she went a bit too far. It almost destroyed the whole book for me - although she managed to set that right in the end I still didn't like that plot twist at all (although I kind of saw it coming).

Characters

I really, really loved the characters in this book, especially Ben.

He's the perfect book boyfriend: cute and caring and also, he's a writer - I mean, can it get even more perfect?

Fallon, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult. She's straight-forward and honest and pursues her dreams no matter the cost and I really liked that about her. 

I do want to address something though that I heard a lot of other people say in their reviews: her being portayed by her insecurities a lot.

I kind of understand the people saying that Ben and Fallon's relationship is the clichée "girl not wanting to believe she's beautiful until a boy tells her so" but I have to say, I disagree.

Of course, Fallon doesn't believe she's beautiful at first and I know that Ben tells her he finds her beautiful and naturally, that cheers her up. But her establishing self-confidence and self esteem happens outside of her time with Ben and although he might have helped with that, I don't think he's the reason for her finally accepting herself - that is her own doing.

Emotions

Obviously, I was very invested in the story - otherwise I wouldn't have binged it like that.

I'm always on the hunt for cute and emotional love stories but somehow, it's not easy for me to really get emotionally invested in a love story.

However, November 9 could definitely convince me and honestly, it was the best book I read by Colleen Hoover so far.

Overall

Despite the devastating plot twist, I really enjoyed November 9. I can whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweeping love story!