November 9 by Colleen Hoover Published by Atria Books on 10 November 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Pages: 310
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Purchase
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Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of 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.
I don’t even know where to start to share my love for November 9! This author! This book! I’ve gone through all the feels, and now that I just finished reading, tears are falling down my cheeks – and they are both happy and sad at the same time. I have no idea how Hoover does it – but she always writes stories that are just perfect for me.
My November 9 review:
As soon as I got out of bed on November 10, I checked my kindle to see if my pre-order of November 9 had been delivered yet. And then, I did a happy-dance, made coffee and went outside on my terrasse in my PJ and a thick jacket to start my journey with Ben and Fallon. There are swoons. There are broken hearts. There is beautiful, beautiful writing. There are amazing characters. There is a great story. There is a fabulous plot. There is an interesting and original premise. November 9 was complete success when it came to me!
I love using the highlight function on my kindle to find quotes to use for my fave quotes, and also for my Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts meme… With November 9, I actually have so many to choose from it’s going to be difficult! At one point, I gave up (not really!) and just highlighted a whole page. And as you can see, I can’t stop squeeing and just being a total fangirl who can only share jumbled thoughts!
November 9 is written in dual points of view, alternating chapter between Fallon’s and Ben’s perspective. Because of the first person and present tense, I immediately felt like I knew Ben and Fallon, and I really loved both of them! They are bookish, Ben a writer and Fallon a former actress, but still a bookworm, and the way Fallon explained romance books to Ben just made me smile! It also made the story a little meta at times, and it was great! What a way for Hoover to show that she really knows the genre she’s writing in, while also poking a little fun at it in some instances. And towards the end, both Fallon and the readers get to read long parts of Ben’s book, which was also a very nice twist.
Don’t walk to a bookstore to buy November 9, run! I really mean it, this is my favorite book of 2015, it was so awesome, just thinking about some of the scenes, I have tears in my eyes once more, some because I’m laughing, and others because I’m so sad I want someone to hold me.
Some of my favorite November 9 quotes:
I wonder what kind of sound it would make if I were to smash this glass against the side of his head. It’s a thick glass. His head is hard. The potential for a nice big THUD is there. I wonder if he would bleed. There are napkins on the table, but no the good kind that could soak up a lot of blood.
The scars feel like stretched velvet, and it would be normal to be as revolted by their feel as I am by their appearance. But instead, I actually like the way the feel. I’m always absentmindedly running my fingers up and down my neck or arm, reading the braille on my skin, until I realize what I’m doing and stop.
Why did I feel the need to step in? Why did I think she wasn’t capable of handling her father on her own? She’s probably pissed at me right now, and we’ve only been fake-dating for half an hour.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I’ve seen this book around the blogosphere a few times now and most people say it’s a very emotional book and a good one. I’ve only read Hopeless by Colleen Hoover so far and I really enjoyed that one, so I am not sure why I haven’t read any of her other books yet. It’s great when you find an author that writes stories that are perfect for you, I have a few of those authors too and it’s just amazing reading one of their books.
I really like the sound of the premise for November 9 and how the male guy is a writer. And I like the sound of the dual point of view I really like how you can get to know both characters that way. I definitely plan on reading this one eventually! Great review Lexxie!
I have read every book Hoover has written and released, and I love her writing! She always touches my heart with her characters and their lives! There’s just something about her way of expressing the characters feelings that get to me 🙂
I hope you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did, Lola!
I adore your glowing, gushing reviews, Lexxie. And it says something, quite a bit actually, if November 9 is your favorite read of 2015! I know CoHo pulls out all the stops when giving the feels in her stories and I’m so anxious to meet Fallon and Ben. Great review, my dear!
**BIG HUGS**
I know, right? Those feels! And there are so many things going on here that I’d love to discuss with you, so hurry up, Brandee!
*BIG HUGS*
Excited to see you enjoyed this one!! I also checked my Kindle on November 10th to see it staring back at me. I just need to finish the book I am on and then I get to start it!! So excited. Great review!!
Like always (in my opinion) Hoover nailed it, Grace! The characters were well rounded, and there was a lot of heartache. And really, there is quite a bit of special stuff for bookworms in there, too.
Another great review of this book. I just love the sound of these characters and their romance. I really need to read this book!
Oh, you definitely should read it as soon as possible, Melissa! Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: talksupeblog
I’ve been reading mixed reviews for this book. On one hand, a lot of y’all love the gamut of emotions it has. While some people hate it. I’m glad you loved it, nothing better than spending precious time on a 5-star read!
I think for those of us who have read Hoover’s books already, it’s a given there will be emotions going all over the place… And I totally get why some people don’t enjoy that, Braine, but I do. I just know I have to be in a good place when I read one of her books, because she always makes me cry. But there was laughter and lightness, too 🙂
lol great choice of quotes, really made me lol. I am glad you loved this so much, I can’t wait to see how I feel.
See, that’s exactly why I love CoHo so much, Lily! She can make me laugh really hard, and also cry very hard… I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this book or not, but now I am intrigued. Not ready to cry tears though, happy or sad ones. But I guess I can go buy tissues and chocolate along with this book.
I think tissues and chocolate, and possible a good glass of wine would help, Drams 😉 I am a huge fan of Hoover, so I had it on pre-order, and I just let everything else fall away on Tuesday, as I had to read it. Thanks for stopping by!
OMG! You are right, thinking back on scenes now brings tears to my eyes too! I loved reading Ben’s book and getting his perspective and learning his secrets! The part in the middle where she pushed him away, and returned the following year made my heart ache for Fallon! I can see why Ben created a new life, but it killed me! Awesome review girl!
I loved reading Ben’s book, too, Naomi – it was very meta, but still very fitting! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Do I want to cry? Do I want to clear my sinus passages? Decisions, decisions!!!! I’m on the fence about reading this b/c I’m in a happy book mood lately but Colleen writes such awesome books!!! Your review has me running in circles screaming in indecision.
Fantastic review!!!!!!
Those are very important decisions, Kristin! I usually prefer reading a CoHo book when I’m actually in a good, happy mood myself. However, if you’re looking for books with a happy mood, you should probably wait a little bit before you dig into this one. Because while there are a LOT of laugh out loud moments, I ugly-cried as well…
I have been wanting to read more Hoover, and super excited to hear its one of your faves of the year so far.
And you should know that I’ve been excited about November 9 ever since I first heard about it, so I went into it with pretty high expectations, too, Brandi 🙂
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
Lexxie, I haven’t even read the synopsis, so nope I did not read your review..just looked at star rating ..which made me smile. I plan to read this after Ho-Ho-Ho in my typical Hoover fashion..one sitting!
I didn’t read the synopsis before reading this, either, Kim, so I completely understand! I’ve been searching my blogger-friends for reviews so I can comment now that I’ve read it myself 🙂
Whee! You loved it. CoHo is an author I know I can depend on to get those emotional feels. And then the humor on top … perfecto! It’s like a high reading her books, but now we have to wait all over again for the next one. -sigh-
CoHo is amazing! And this one is really among her best, Christy. It’s true I’m going to have to wait now. I might have to get the audiobook so I’ll have a different experience of this story.
I really liked this one too, I have a love hate relationship with NA because of the drama and angst, and though I wasn’t a fan of the added drama, I loved the characters, the romance and the story, not to mention the amazing writing.
I have loved all of CoHo’s books, Heidi. She is always making me feel all the feels 🙂 And yes, her writing is so good.
Twitter: Mollykatie112
I have to read this book. Have to. Your review put me over the top! Just went and bought it.Thanks for sharing!
YAY, Lorna! It was so, so good, and I really hope you’ll love it as much as I did.
I appreciate your spoiler-free review, I’m currently right at 46% ! 😉
I hope you’re enjoying it, too, Iza 🙂
This has been on my TBR list for a few months now, ever since I started hearing talk about it. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it, I know it’ll be good now. ?
It was amazing, Tamara, but then again, that’s what I say about practically every CoHo book I read 😉
Loooooooooooved November 9. I binge read it one day a few weeks ago and sobbed. Not a couple tears here and there, but full on sobbing at times. (The wine might’ve also led to this.) I think I highlighted roughly 1/2 the book. The words were beautiful. I’m glad to see you loved this book as much as I did! I have a new CoHo favorite and a new book to reread when I want to feel all the feels!
Oh my goodness, Kim I cried pretty hard at times – it was so well done!
Yay!!!!! I’m so excited. I can’t wait!!! You’ve wrote a beautiful review!!! Your review just makes me more excited!!! Thanks so much for sharing! Now the wait for the next one. Happy reading.
Thanks, Mandy! I tried to be very vague, so as to not spoil anything at all. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!