November 9: A Novel

November 9 was my most anticipated read of 2015, partially because of all of the hype, but mainly because it’s another release by Colleen Hoover, my favorite author. While following her on social media outlets, I noticed that she has even stated multiple times that she has never been more excited about one of her books as much as this one in particular. So here we go… I actually went into the book with a chip on my shoulder for the main male character, thinking that there was just no way that he could top Will Cooper. Impossible! Well, ladies (and maybe a few gentleman, I guess), Benton James Kessler comes as close as possible and may even be sitting directly next to Will Cooper in a dead heat tie on the first place tier of best male fictional character ever. The female character, Fallon O’neal has had a rough go at life, having undergone a traumatic event that left her physically scarred and emotionally ruined. Benton Kessler has also had some interesting and sad things happen in his life that have him at a standstill. Fate put these two people in the right place at the right time and they crash into each other. Their chemistry and witty banter is instant but the timing of their introduction is horrible as Fallon is moving across the country the very next day, inhibiting them from exploring each other further. They agree to meet once a year, in that very same spot on that very same day, November 9th, without any contact what so ever in between, and the story in between is so much fun. Being a sucker for artists, Benton had me from the first scene. He’s creative, smart, hilarious, so relatable, and drop dead gorgeous. His sense of humor alone had me falling in love with him. Fallon is feisty and trying to come into her own but struggling to really spread her wings when her heart is elsewhere. “You'll never be able to find yourself if you're lost in someone else.” I can’t imagine falling for someone one day at a time and then not being able to speak to them for an entire year. So much can happen in a year. But these two are meant for each other. “You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.” As with any Hoover novel, you find yourself unable to stop turning page after page as the story unfolds itself, often ignoring meals, the need to use the restroom, necessary sleep, and so on. Her words are so beautiful and you are so invested in the characters that time just slips away…and then you get slapped in the face. Cold water dumped onto you like the ice bucket challenge. The crazy PLOT TWIST! The turn that this story takes is brilliant and original, impeccably revealed gently, layer by layer, and then all at once. My heart broke for the both of them and I was devastated. All of my hopes and dreams for this couple shattered. “Why didn't you tell me that the foundation you taught me to stand on is made from quicksand?” I loved the beginnings of each chapter, the prose of Benton setting the scene before you dove in. I chuckled at Hoover’s mockery of romance authors and stereotypical alpha male heroes. And Benton’s letter… the excerpts from the book. Gahhh! The anxiety, the tears, the white-knuckled anger, and the beauty of it all. The words sinking into your soul making it all okay. The narcotic feel of her storytelling blanketing your fears. I don’t want to say too much because this book is something you need to experience without anything being spoiled. Please, trust me. Colleen Hoover does not disappoint. She has yet again, surpassed my expectations and November 9 is my new favorite of her works. The writing is fantastic, the storytelling genius, and the characters addictive. It is simply perfection. Just get it, people. Buy it, now. Set aside some time and commit. Devote yourself to this experience and you’ll come out of it all a slightly better person, as per usual of this author. THE QUEEN! ***Disclaimers*** You will find yourself incapable of not bursting into out loud boastful laughter at the sight of seeing any man wearing trousers with tiny embroidered whales on them. You will forever look for the faces of celebrities like Gary Busey in blood stains. You will (or at least should) view suicide a little differently. You will be addicted to X-Ambassadors. You won’t be so quick to avoid looking at someone with facial scars or deformities. They want eye contact. They deserve eye contact. Thank you, Colleen for once again sharing your gift with us. I will treasure this story and share with as many as I can possibly reach.

November 9 is currently my favorite Colleen Hoover novel! It’s the sweetest romantic storyline with just a little bit of SMUT that’s not over the top or raunchy, but it’s actually more beautiful and not over sexualized. Colleen Hoover developed these characters really well and focused on every detail of the plot to leave the reader’s , or at least me, begging for more each chapter! The storyline between Ben and Fallon took unpredictable turns that kept the book in my hands. In fact, I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down and I’m not really an avid reader! Ben and Fallon drove me crazy throughout most of the book, but it’s an epic love story for the ages. It’s not a perfect love story, but so very relatable because life didn’t leave anyone unbruised or unscathed. It’s a story of learning to live, love, and forgive! Perfect for a beach read with only 307 pages! I’d also let my older teen read this novel (most of Colleen’s I wouldn’t due to some of the extreme SMUT, but the storyline is what makes Nov 9 so beautiful and there was really no need for SMUT because the plot is so good).

First, let me say that prior to reading November 9, I was in a HUGE reading slump that I cannot willing admit for how long. Books, not all, just haven't been doing anything for me. I read until about 20%, giving it a chance, but, that seems to be where it ends...for me at least. Second, I am going to be completely honest. I am a super cheap stay-at-home mom of three...we're on a tight budget that doesn't include much, if any, of a reading allowance. I missed reading, though. I missed reading! I missed getting swept into a novel where I had no clue of what was going on around me. I missed sitting on the couch with my Kindle gripped so tightly that I had no clue how much time was passing while I read. I missed being consumed. I missed my heart being pulled into so many directions that I'd ask myself, "why I was willingly putting myself through this!" I missed the feels... I missed REAL reading. A couple of nights ago, I said, "I NEED a good book!" My sanity needed to escape and find peace in a beautiful, well written love story. I started skimming through my book library on my kindle, scrolling through the not even attempted, the started but not finished, but nothing grabbed me. So then I did something I hadn't done in so long, I went to the STORE on my Kindle. I was perusing Amazon, reading synopsis', checking the ratings, the price... for book after book. Dry. Nothing. I was beginning to lose hope. And then I paused when I came to November 9. I've always been a Colleen Hoover fan. Slammed was read in my first week of when I discovered my reading addiction. Point of Retreat soon followed, and before I knew it, I'd become a CoHo addict. I read the synopsis; though, I already knew what November 9 was about...anyone on the planet that called themselves a reader knew when a CoHo book was being released and had an idea of the storyline whether they wanted to or not. I wasn't dumb to the fact... I knew exactly what it was about and I knew exactly how much I was going to love it. This was it. This was my get out of jail reading slump card. But then there was that looming $7.99 price tag and the reminder that Christmas is coming and $7.99 could surely check a stocking stuffer for one of the kids off my list. I stared. I contemplated, and then without a second thought, I pressed purchase. Kids were too spoiled these days anyway! I started reading right then. Although it was already nine at night and I had to be up in the morning to play mom, I didn't even hesitate when I started on line one. As expected, I was very quickly being pulled into every word Colleen so cleverly wrote. My surroundings disappeared, and the time vanished from any concern I may of had of it previously. My bed would have to wait, because Benton and Fallon were now my only reason for living at the moment. So many times, being a previous writer, I said to myself, "Lord, I love her brain!"- Colleen's, that is. I clung. For the next 24 hours, I did everything I could to make November 9 my top priority. I played mom, wife, and soccer mom as I was expected (which I wouldn't change for the world), but every second I could, I read. It was happening. Every thing about reading I missed, I was getting back. My heart was throbbing, my smile a permanent fixture on my face, and I sighed more times than I ever thought I would, reading again. That $7.99 price tag was worth every penny. Colleen Hoover was worth every penny! With all that said (sorry I like to talk), here's my honest review: I'm pretty sure I made it clear above that this was a very good book. It had all the feels that I'd expect to get from a CoHo book. I laughed, I swooned, I may have teared up a few times. Fallon and Benton were real, and I couldn't get enough of them and their story. But here's where the missing star happened. I'm estimating,somewhere about 80%, the story turned into a story (you'll understand when you get there), which needed to happen, and I wanted it to happen. There were a lot of unanswered questions that I needed to know the answer to, but I began to feel unconnected a little throughout this point. I'm not really sure why- I don't believe it was lacking anything, and I don't think there was anything Colleen could have done differently with telling this part. I honestly think it was more about my anticipation to know how things turned out and my eagerness to find out right then; I was kind of like, "okay, okay...what happens to them!!!" And unfortunately, that was where the 5th star fell off for me. BUT, LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY, this is without a doubt, a book that no one should pass by. It is worth every.single.cent it is being sold for. And, I'm confident in saying, you should never worry about Colleen Hoover not delivering, because she always has and I can predict, she always will!!! Read this book!! You will get the feels...I PROMISE! Great job, Colleen :)

Totally love the entire look of the book. Excited to stay up all night and read...

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~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. ~ This book is so cute honestly. I liked it more than it ends with us. Personally i felt more connected to this book since it talks about loving your insecurities and how the male lead loves the female lead despite her flaws. Colleen Hoover is truly a writing gem! The book came in great condition, however there was a line on the book cover that bothered me.

I would like to know at this point where is the one million-stars button. Sometimes it's absolutely necessary. And this is one of these times. I'm a huge fan of Colleen Hoover's work, I think she's brilliant. She has this way about her, how her mind works and the way she writes that I find amazingly magic and fascinating. This said, I think this one is her best book to date. And that's saying a lot. I'm not one to cry easily, less when reading a book. But this one, oh this one, had me gutted several times... In a good way. For those who haven't had the pleasure to enjoy her writing yet, you don't know what you're missing. Colleen Hoover es una de mis autoras favoritas. La que más me gusta. Me fascina la forma en la que trabaja su mente, la forma en la que escribe. Siempre he dicho que es mágica. He tenido el placer de leer mucho, pero cuando me leí su primer libro, al cerrarlo pensé: "Es por libros como este, por lo que me hacen sentir al leerlo, por lo que leo". Y me encanta todo lo que ha hecho, todo. Pero creo que este es su mejor libro hasta la fecha. Me entristece que haya muchas personas de habla no inglesa que se pierdan el absoluto placer que supone leer un libro de esta autora. No saben, no se imaginan, lo que se están perdiendo.

Ce roman est une lecture commune avec TheLovelyTeacher et je peux vous dire que la frustration a été à son comble pendant notre lecture. Je n’avais jamais testé Colleen Hoover en VO et je dois dire que l’essai est très concluant, le niveau également abordable. Si je devais décrire cette lecture en un mot, ça serait : envoûtant. Je vous conseille de le commencer en ayant conscience que vous voudrez le terminer avant la fin de ma journée. Nous, nous avons divisé notre lecture en 2/3 jours et je peux vous dire que je n’arrêtais pas d’y penser avec l’envie grandissante d’avoir enfin la conclusion. Fallon est actrice, Ben écrivain. Lorsqu’il se rencontre le 9 Novembre, immédiatement l’alchimie passe. Seulement la jeune femme part pour New-York dans moins de vingt-quatre heures. Ils n’ont que quelques heures pour se découvrir et la complicité entre eux est indéniable dès les premières secondes. Sur une idée folle, ils décident de se rencontrer tous les 9 Novembre jusqu’à leurs 23 ans, sans aucun contact entre chaque année. Seule cette date, pourra les réunir et leur offrir une journée magique. Rapidement, l’auteure met l’accent sur l’histoire de Fallon qui de part son histoire personnel est liée à jamais au 9 Novembre. Au fil des pages, on vit au gré de leur rencontre, on constate qu’ils évoluent et c’est grâce à Ben, que la jeune femme va s’épanouir d’année en année. Je trouve totalement dingue le concept de se voir seulement une fois par an et l’histoire en soi n’est pas si frustrante que ça, mais devoir attendre un an pour que nos héros se retrouvent c’est vraiment, vraiment excitant. Sans compter l’écriture du livre de Ben, à l’intérieur du roman. Au fil des ans, il va raconter leur histoire dans son récit, Fallon va être sa muse, son intrigue et son inspiration. Un jour dans l’année et ils vont retrouver le bonheur d’être ensemble, leur complicité évidente va prendre de l’importance et leurs sentiments ne vont cesser de grandir malgré la séparation. Ils vont donner leur maximum pour se découvrir en tant qu’adulte, sans que l’amour ne vienne interférer dans leur rêve, avec pour seule optique de retrouver l’autre l’année suivante. Je dois dire que, cette idée est grandiose et frustrante car on aurait envie que les jours rallongent et devoir attendre un an afin de pouvoir obtenir des réponses va parfois nous avoir créée des sueurs froides. Et la frustration. Tellement de frustration. Et à côté de ça, les moments de retrouvaille sont magiques, c’est vrai que 1 an c’est long, mais ils vont conserver leur alchimie et lorsqu’ils sont ensemble ça fait des étincelles et on oublie vite qu’ils ne peuvent pas se voir longtemps. Je crois que je suis passée par toutes les émotions, j’ai éprouvé de la colère face à l’histoire de Fallon, de la tendresse en voyant qu’elle n’était que l’ombre d’elle-même et puis vient les rires, les sourires que Ben vient apporter et mon cœur s’est réchauffé devant tant d’amour. Et puis vient les moments douloureux, où mon cœur s’est littéralement fissuré face aux révélations, comme seule Colleen Hoover sait le faire. J’avais l’impression d’appartenir à leur histoire. Je suis incapable de rendre justice à ce roman, car il est unique. Il faut rencontrer Ben et Fallon pour se rendre compte à quel point les émotions sont à leur comble. J’ai vu venir le twist donc la chute a été un peu amortie, mais je voulais me tromper. Ma lecture a été vraiment exceptionnelle et j’aurais pu très facilement avoir un coup de cœur, seulement une étoile s’est perdu sur le chemin à cause d’une chose stupide ! J’ai été très en colère que l’auteure nous fasse un truc pareil et ça m’a empêché d’être au sommet. J’ai vécu leur histoire totalement captivée et lorsque je reposais le livre, j’avais un sentiment de manque qu’il me fallait combler. Encore une fois, la magie a opéré et je crois même qu’il est un level au dessus de Ugly Love. Colleen Hoover est définitivement une auteure exceptionnelle qu’il faut découvrir. Je crois qu’on a plus qu’à attendre de pouvoir enfin la relire, que ce soit en VF ou en VO.