Book Review: One Day In December by Josie Silver

Shelly's Book Corner received a review copy from NetGalley and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

Review:

Laurie and Jack see each other at the bus stop. Laurie is on the bus and Jack at the stop. The bus is crowded and pulls off before they can officially meet. They don’t get to meet until a year later after several unsuccessful attempts from Laurie. Turns out Laurie’s, best friend, Sarah is now dating Jack. Talk about messy. Or maybe not…….Once Jack and Laurie realize they “met” that one time at the bus stop they decide to play it safe, not to hurt Sarah.

Honestly, I was expecting more angst from this story line. The author really built them up as the three amigos but I really didn’t feel that one on one connection between Jack and Laurie. Yes, they saw each other at the bus stop. Yes, they were initially attracted to each other but then nothing really happened. I would have liked the author to give me more angst between Jack and Laurie. Make me feel the turmoil, conflict and pain about wanting to be with someone you shouldn’t. Give me that heartache. Hurt my feelings.

This story had a good  premise but I found the execution of this story to be lacking. The story had so much potential but sadly it didn’t hit the mark for me. I didn’t like that the couple spent SO much time apart and when they finally do get to be together as a couple, the story ends. Talk about letdown. After everything I went through I wanted and needed more of Jack and Laurie. I also felt the story had unnecessary obstacles to keep the characters apart for longer than needed. This was my first time reading this author and granted it didn’t blow me away it still held my attention.