Josie Silver - One Day in December

Published : 2018

393 Pages

Reading time : 7 - 10 May 2020

Rating : 5/5

When I first pick up this book, I expect it to be light, maybe similar to We Met in December by Rosie Curtis.

Imagine my shock when I got so much more inside.

As the summary said, this is about love at first sight and chances to make it happen. I don't really believe in love at first sight, but reading this gave warmth all over me. The truth is, love is not that simple and if you're lucky enough, you'll find and get it right away.

The summary was blunt enough to explain the story as "when you find your love at first sight and you're too dumb to not take chances and later you found out your best friend is dating him/her."

Indeed, I guess the whole story is about that. But I can't get over of how deep the words inside this book cut me open. It's like a whole new sensation of angst that I've ever felt. I didn't get the pang in my chest but suddenly I was crying because of the words I was reading. So, in conclusion, I really love the way those emotions have been written in here. They are so simple yet beautiful.

I really love the friendship of Laurie and Sarah. Maybe I'm biased but I really know how it feels to be best friends with someone so beautiful, bright, and have a smile like sunshine itself. I love how a bit different they are, and how they hit it off as a lifetime friendship. Even though it might be a mistake not to tell Sarah from the very first the truth about Laurie, I can't blame her. Because I agree with her when she did it for the sake of their friendship. It is true that Laurie have seen him first, but in the end, it was Sarah who find him later and make a move first, even though Laurie have not been able to find Jack up until Sarah introduced him as her boyfriend. I'm really glad when they finally made up after the fight (because of the truth) and taking a few months from each other to let themselves heal first.

I cried so much in the snow storm scene. I can imagine how it was for them to share the same (forbidden) feeling yet not being able to do anything about it. It was so heartbreaking for me to see them went their own way and put it in the past.

The first time I read about Oscar, I always have this silly feeling that he might be some bad boy off the screen, but it turned out that he was such a great guy. He treasured Laurie so much, but he just couldn't put her before his work. Which brought their relationship to an end. Also, I was so mad at him when he 'made' decisions for Laurie without asking her first. It made her feel trapped and she deserve better. BTW what I'm still confused is, why did he introduced Laurie to her mum as "Laurel"???

The other thing I really love about this story is how both Laurie and Jack take their time in a new place for a break and fresh start (for Jack). It always so good to take a time to let yourself heal. I even so happy (and sad, of course!! Especially reading Laurie's part) when Jack decided that he was leaving for Edinburgh. Also I can't really blame him for what he had done when he was in his darkest mood. It was so unimaginable to lose so much in a little time. Sure, he was such a shit but everyone has their own way in coping.

Jack. I really love him despite being such a jerk in a few part. I especially love his wedding speech. His feelings for Laurie, despite for their few seconds eye contact through the bus window, was so deep. Being Laurie's friend made Jack see her through and he was always there for her, until they both decided that it's not doing any good for their own relationship with other person. Laurie always find her way back to Jack when she's in her darkest time and in need. It's like telling us that Jack have been her home all along.

I was so glad when they made it in the end and I really love it when Laurie finally take her chance (AFTER 10 YEARS!!!) to make it happen, and fortunately Jack still feels the same of her. As cheesy as it is, true love will always find a way even though you have to take the far, long, route to make it happen. But it was all worth it.

I guess what this book have been telling us from the very start was to take chances. It was hurt to go on with it after you let it go and being left to "what if" questions.

I couldn't get over of how much this book hurt me with so much angst and left me such a warm feeling after I reach the last page. It remind me of my own love story and things being left unsaid. Some people might think this book is boring and took too long road to make them happen, but I personally think it was all perfect. If it was not because if what happened when they were both busy with their own love life, I guess they won't really realize just how deep they feel for each other and how great it was if they're together. After all, love sometimes takes a really long way. I always cried when I read those parts, being so close yet couldn't be together. Talk about being sensitive, LOL.

Anyway, for me it was not as light as that and you could feel betrayed because there were so many heartaches in here. But I could say it was all worth it, really. I definitely will read this book again just for the sake of nostalgia and remind me of the chances I should have taken (talk about being pro at hurting myself!!) and about taking a chance when it comes to me.

“I don’t think I ever said thank you, so I’m saying it now. Thank you. You tread lightly through life, but you leave deep footprints that are hard for other people to fill.”