Have you ever read a book that makes your heart skip a beat, introduces you to characters you feel like you’ve known forever, and leaves you feeling raw and vulnerable? That’s exactly what November 9th did to me.
Okayyy… Yes, this is another one from my girl, Colleen Hoover, but this novel is not your typical romance story. It’s a painfully beautiful tale of two individuals who meet on the same day every year for five years, keeping their true identities hidden. If you’re a lover of love and books that tear you apart and heal you back together, then this may be the book for you.
The story revolves around two characters – Fallon and Ben. Fallon is 18 years old, a promising actress who’s career ends in tragedy after a freak accident leaves her scarred. Her life changes when she meets Ben at a restaurant on November 9th, the day before Fallon is due to leave for New York.
But as they say, love is complicated, and Ben and Fallon both have secrets and trauma they’re not ready to face.
Ben is also 18, and he’s immediately taken with Fallon. They spend the entire day together, connecting on a level that neither has experienced before. But they agree that they won’t contact each other for a year, until they meet up again on November 9th.
This is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will inspire you to question the notion of fate and what drives our decisions in life. What really made this book stand out for me was the twist, it left me utterly heartbroken. However, it’s one that makes complete sense once you reach the end.
Colleen Hoover did an excellent job of crafting dynamic and relatable characters, with a solid plot, riveting storyline, and a compelling message. The novel ranks pretty far up there for anyone looking for a romantic thriller and a captivating read. So, grab some tissues, cozy up in a warm blanket, and get ready to fall in love.
The way the story is written is also unique. The book is divided into five parts, each representing a different November 9th meeting. This not only keeps the story moving at a good pace but also allows the reader to see the growth and development of the characters over time.
If you are in a book club or even if it’s just a book club of one, here are some questions to get you thinkin’!
Book Club Questions:
- What are 2-3 major themes in the book and how are they represented?
- If you could have coffee with the author, what questions would you ask her?
- If you could have this author and another author team up to write a book, who would it be?
- How would you describe the personality of each main character?
- When Ben’s brother Kyle confronts him in the hallway, what did you think the reason was?
- If you could choose a character from another book to play the lead in this one who would it be and why?
- Discuss some of the ethical questions this book raises.
- In what ways, if any did this book make you reflect on your own life?
- What other topics would you like the author to write about?
- Which passages of the book were the most compelling?
I hope you enjoy this read as much as I did. If you haven’t already, you can get the book here on Amazon or get it for free when you sign up for a free trial from Audible.
Until next time friends, stay brash, stay bookish and most definitely, stay true to you!
