REVIEW: NOVEMBER 9 BY COLLEEN HOOVER.

Title: November 9
Author: Colleen Hoover
Series: Standalone
Edition: Paperback
Publication: November 10, 2015 by Atria Books
Source: ARC provided by National Bookstore
Pages: 310
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Trailer: to follow

Synopsis:

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.

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ON FALLON:
I don't mind her 'appearance' because I have scars as well. Hers are just a little extreme but those scars didn't change the way I see her. She's beautiful alright and I love her more because of it. Not because she is someone who needs the world's sympathy but because she is pretty. Period.

However, throughout half the story, gaaad she's been nothing but annoying. I understand that what she had to go through affected her confidence (emotionally, mentally, physically) but did she need affirmation from others to embrace herself? I don't think so. Most of the time, she just complains and I feel like she needed others to tell her her worth. I don't agree to that. When she regained her confidence, it went to her head? She makes it appear as if she only needed Ben to make herself feel pretty and her walkout tantrums? Annoying AF. Seriously.

I love the way she thinks though. I love her perception of other people and I just simply adored how she tries so hard to be fair to everyone. But that's it. Fallon is beautiful but she isn't for me.

ON BEN:
Damn, BENTON JAMES KESSLER. Damn, damn, damn. Why does he have to be too perfect for a fictional character? Is it because he's fictional? (HAHA sorry, bad pun) There were thousands of reasons why I would love Ben but I just couldn't wrap my fucked up mind how perfect he is. I cannot swoon over that ridiculously cheesy perfection.

ON THE STORY:
True enough, the story is one of a kind but also unbelievable. This part I guess is the hit or miss part of November 9. I personally couldn't connect to it and come on, people. It is just not going to happen in real life. Not even close. This story is definitely the exact definition of fiction. I want at least a small part in this story that I could connect to. But falling in love with someone you only get to be with once a year? No texts, calls, letters, social media = NO COMMUNICATION? Sounds pretentious to me. Also, flight from NY to LA and back without sleep just to keep your agreement? Has anyone tried this?

November 9 is the first Hoover book that underwhelmed me. I truly can't say if I can recommend this or not. I've seen so many people loved the story but I guess I am going to be in the minority for this one. Too unrealistic, too predictable with two characters who are too perfect for each other. Nope. I'll pass.

Thank you, National Bookstore and Atria for the advance copy!

'You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else."

"When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it."

"She’s not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She’s the kind of girl you fight to the death for."

"Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy."

"I’m not sure if sex is supposed to make you feel like you’ve just lost a part of yourself to the person inside you, but that’s exactly what it felt like. It felt as if the second we joined together, a tiny piece of our souls got confused and a piece of his fell into me and a piece of mine fell into him. It was by far the single most intense moment I’ve ever shared with another person."