The New York Times Bestseller and A Reese’s Book Club Pick “This love story between Lucy & Gabe spans decades and continents as two star-crossed lovers try to return to each other…Will they ever meet again? This book kept me up at night, turning the pages to find out, and the ending did not disappoint.”—Reese Witherspoon “One Day meets Me Before You meets your weekender bag.”—The Skimm … Before You meets your weekender bag.”—The Skimm
“Extraordinary.”—Emily Giffin
He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?
Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.
Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they’ll find life’s meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other’s hearts.
This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.
“It’s the epic love story of 2017.”—Redbook
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I loved a lot of things about this book: the three-dimensional characters, the viewpoint, the pace, the plot. However, for the first 150 pages or so, I didn’t really feel like I *knew* Lucy, which made it a challenge to empathize with her early on. I also struggled to understand Lucy and Gabe’s initial romantic connection, which made the impact of later events less emotional for me. Still, I loved how everything came together in the end. A great, discussable book club book!
I had a hard time in the beginning with this book because it’s about I and You as told by I, but as I went further into the book, I loved that method. The ending explained it all. I couldn’t put it down for the last 150 pages. Great book!
This book is so amazing on how it explains the characters emotions and their thoughts and how it can really affect my emotions as well.
Enjoyed the method of first person remembrances questions until the end kept me totally involved . Sad and lively and a surprise-but satisfying ending.
This was a true love story with strong characters. It was very well written. For anyone who has ever had a true love that lasted through years this is the book for you. Enjoy!
Not a good take on the Hunger Games!
Good read – interesting story illustrating the impact of decisions we make in life. Also, a good analysis of relationships and how we navigate life with the help of others.
I really enjoyed the book. It was very interesting and entertaining. I couldn’t stop reading it because I wanted to know what happened. I highly recommend it.
Not a favorite but not a horrible book. I think the ending was kind of not surprising all though an epilogue of what happened when her husband found out would’ve been nice. It did hold my interest
Beautiful love story with characters who respected one another. The first person narrative was an interesting way to share what took place. While discussion before reading will bring about a spoiler, suffice it to say I loved this book.
If your looking for a HEA you won’t find it here. You will get absolutely gutted but despite the heartache it is a beautiful story.
The story is told in Lucy’s point of view of her retelling her & Gabe’s story. Im not going to spoil the end because it is the reason the story is told the way it is, leading up to that life altering moment.
I cried so hard reading Lucy’s letter at the end. I gave the book 4/5 stars because I would of liked to get Darren’s POV to know if he ever found out and how he reacted or if Lucy never told him.
This is most definitely a story I won’t forget.
Wow! One of the reviews said this was an “epic love story” and that is so true, but not in the way one would think. Many of us have that “what if” scenario in our lives about a past relationship. Many of us wonder about the choices we’ve made and if the life we have is (emotionally) enough. This book asks that question over and over again, and lets the reader figure out their own answer. A wonderful look at love!
WOW! Just Wow!
“Sometimes we make decisions that seem right at the time, but later, looking back, were clearly a mistake. Some decisions are right even in hindsight.”
I don’t even want to say anything because honestly, I don’t even know how to put into words how much I loved this story. It was different. It was unique. The way it was told. The way it played out. I just really really loved it. I’ve already ordered the paperback for my bookshelf because this is a story I want to read over and over.
Lucy and Gabe meet on the day the world stopped turning. September 11, 2001. But it’s not long until they realize they are both going down different paths in life. Lucy belongs in New York and Gabe belongs, well, everywhere that isn’t New York. Jill takes us on decade long journey of two people who although chose different paths, still love each other & spend decades trying to find their way back to one another. In the end though Lucy is left with a heartbreaking decision that is sure to leave you in tears.
Gabe. Gabe. Gabe. He frustrated me to no end. On one hand I thought he was selfish and then on the other hand I felt like he was doing the right thing. Don’t put your dreams on the back burner or on hold for someone. You only get one life. Do something you want to do. But damn, I was still mad at him a little.
Lucy was such a relatable character. How many times have we made a decision in life and then sat there wondering what would’ve happened if we made a different choice? One choice can change your entire world. She made a choice that was best for her and in return she had to let go of her first love. Her life took a different path but she never stopped thinking about Gabe.
I even felt bad for Darren. He’s a nice guy. He loves Lucy more than anything but he wasn’t Gabe. That was the only problem I had with him. That’s just the truth.
The ending is something I kind of saw coming but was hoping for something different. This story was just so captivating. I couldn’t put my kindle down. I didn’t want it to end. I’ll remember these characters for a long long time. So glad I took a chance on this story.
I’m not one for romantic novels, but I gave this one a chance and I’m glad I did. I was able to take away different perspectives on love (especially the fire metaphor) and apply them to my current situation. Definitely a thought provoking and emotional book.
It was a very passionate love story , with twists and turns you don’t see coming. I couldn’t put it down.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The narrative approach was unique in how Lucy was speaking in first person to Gabe throughout the story, and seemed like it may work better in a movie rather than on the page. I enjoyed the fact that the characters were flawed and not entirely like-able, it made them seem real. The connection to 9/11 was also a very compelling aspect of this book. I would definitely recommend it – an epic love story.
Very romantic
Good story
Loved this book – couldn’t put it down.
A heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale of love.