Sigh…but the swept-off-my-feet kind. I know I said I’m not a fan of romance novels, but this one – oh my god – this was the one. I’ve never fallen in love with a fictional character before, but Ben Kessler completely changed that. And best of all, there’s no heartbreaking plot twist that ruins him.
The story follows Fallon and Ben, who meet on November 9 and agree to see each other on the same date every year for five years. While living separate lives, the idea is to watch each other grow, and eventually decide if they’re mature enough to pursue a relationship.
Fallon is headstrong, even though she struggles with insecurity after being permanently scarred in a fire. Meeting Ben sparks her confidence, and together they set out to chase their goals while keeping their yearly promise. It’s an incredibly sweet love story – surprisingly free of the overdone “let’s get freaky” style that often fills Colleen Hoover’s books.
The best part? Even though there is a plot twist, it doesn’t make Ben a bad guy. You can never make me hate Ben Kessler. He had me laughing out loud, smiling at pages like a fool, and crumbling under his flow of sweet words. He’s hands down the best fictional character I’ve ever come across – funny, kind, sweet, and above all, honest. I adored Atlas from It Ends With Us, but Ben is simply more my type of character.
Fallon was also a great lead – understandably insecure, but witty, strong, and determined. My only frustration was that she pushed Ben away the first time. If she hadn’t, things could’ve unfolded so differently, sparing both of them so much hurt and devastation.
Ugh. I love this book.
I love Ben.
The best thing about novels is the imagination they allow. And the best thing about free will is choosing to believe that characters aren’t just written for each other—they’re written for us.