It was just a moment. Our eyes met, no, not met, more collided, and something just...clicked - or at least it did for me.
Maybe he didn’t give me another thought. Maybe I only noticed him because he was wearing a tuxedo at 10.30am? Or maybe it was because he practically fell out of a shop in his hurry but, whatever it was, even now, many, many years later, I remember him. I remember that feeling. It was a proper Mills and Boon moment.
And that little story is why I was instantly hooked by Josie Silver's far longer one.
It’s a page turner, that’s for sure. There are many twists and turns but I don’t think I ever actually guessed how it would end, not really, although I hoped it would play out the way I wanted.
Beautifully written, it captures the normal, messy lives of its engaging characters over a decade in a way that makes you want to keep reading. In fact, it felt like I was living the story with them.
At the start my heart was willing Laurie to tell Sarah the truth about Jack but my head was completely with the storyline. Why would you spoil your best friends relationship on the basis of just a look? Of course, it didn’t stop my heart aching for Laurie.
Josie Silver describes herself as a “unashamed romantic” and I think that comes across in the book, particularly the rather epic ending, which had me swooning.
I’ve seen it said in other reviews that this book would make a wonderful film and I wholeheartedly agree but it should be law that you must read the book first,

With thanks to Penguin Books (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

If you got hold of a big computer, Google Artificial Intelligence and a couple of successful chick-lit novels and romcom film scripts and set them all up in a mix to write the next big thing it's quite likely that something like One Day in December would emerge. That isn't to say it's a bad novel and it will probably make an entertaining film but at times I felt my arm was being twisted!

To kick it off, we have a thwarted love story beginning with two strangers eyeing each other, one on a bus and one on the pavement. That's a highly visual moment and it sets the whole book up because 'the man' on the pavement turns up a little later as the boyfriend of the best friend of the girl on the bus. That's about it really. It starts in December 2008 and this difficult ‘menage a trois’ stumbles on for almost ten years before we get the dramatic resolution the plot has been building towards.

Laurie is the girl and she is absolutely a girl on a bus and fairly ordinary in every way although lovely with it. Jack is the man - basically tall, dark, handsome and works as a DJ in local radio. The air fizzes and crackles when they meet but, of course, true to the genre they can't quite say what they ever mean or want to say. Along the way, the plot takes some extraordinary twists including people setting up with other people instead of their true loves.

That's fine but it also goes too far. There are points where you have to worry about Laurie's moral compass if you're supposed to be identifying with her and some of her behaviour goes beyond what you might call the blindness of true love. She doesn't really seem to notice until the end how her best friend might feel about all this and badly treats a friendly banker - although some might think that is a well deserved fate for him! We also do not get much sense that Jack is taking responsibility for his actions and he seems mostly to react to other people without thinking, while waiting for Laurie to catch up.

Also, as a reader you have to put up with a certain amount of signposting for the film version including giving some hints as to which film star lookalikes would be required for the main parts! There are lots of visuals in the big scenes and quite a few dramatic locations as we build towards the climax. Christmas is also a dominant theme since there are almost ten of them to get through on the way!

Does it work? Well, this hardened old reviewer has to admit to a slight lump in the throat in the cathartic finale where it seems the whole world is working to bring the happy couple together. However, I did get the impression that I was being kind of worked over and some cracks were being papered over so I'm not sure this is the love story of the century. But, there again, if similar films still draw the crowds and they find a hot script editor then roll on the BAFTAs!

Oh my goodness. Loved this book and i usually find love stories boring and sickly. Loved the characters, every one of them....loved the story.....DID NOT love sobbing and having that choking feeling in my throat....a totally lovely fabulous story !

Wow! What a book! The characters are beautifully written and you really empathise with them as they grow and find their place in the world. Although this is a love story, it is also a wonderful story of friendship and forgiveness.
I can't praise this book enough and it is story that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Let me just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book.

Set in London, best friends Laurie and Sarah share the kind of friendship that makes them feel like sisters. One day Laurie falls in love with the boy at the bus stop - seen only from the bus window - and spends the next 12 months looking for him. However, she should be careful what she wishes for as finds him she does. Or at least Sarah does seeing as it's her new boyfriend. The only she's already told Laurie she will marry one day.

Told from both Laurie and Jacks (bus boy's) perspective, One Day in December follows their story. One of two people who find the right person, but at the wrong time.

For me, One Day in December was the perfect mix of romance, real life and Christmas (afterall who doesn't love Christmas!). At first I was unsure of a story told over 10 years but Silver does it with ease. She picks the highs and lows of their lives and relationships to share with us and builds picture of the path their lives have taken, the decision that took them there while still leaving you as a reader wondering (and wishing!) for what could have been.

Light, funny and beautifully written, Once Day in December is perfect for anyone who loves a little romance but likes it when things don't always go 100% to plan. I can't wait to watch the film that I hope they make from this book.

Can this book please be a movie???
This story of friendship and love grabbed my attention from the very first page and held me in a bubble of feels right until the very end. Laurie had one of those moments, one of those 'did we connect' moments that turns into one of those 'what if' moments, as she places her friends feelings before her own. Although, secrets have a way of springing free and friendships and relationships are tested. Could fate be stepping in yet again?
This is an emotional one. Loved it! It's a cry hard and feel good book that I would definitely read again.

I devoured this book in a couple of days - it’s a perfect holiday read.
The characters are very likeable, and their friendships are the glue holding this story together. It’s really a classic will-they-won’t-they chick lit (and we all know how they end), with more than a nod to ‘One Day’ and ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’.

I loved Laurie and Sarah, and swooned a bit over Oscar. I did find myself annoyed at Laurie’s relationship decisions, as I didn’t find Jack to actually be worthy of all the years of anguish - he came across as a bit of an overgrown child to me, but the women in the book obviously don’t agree!

One Day In December by Josie Silver a five-star read filled with missed opportunities so don’t be a fool and buy this book so you don’t miss your opportunity. This is one of those books/films that become a firm favourite and one you will pick up at every opportunity when you need a pick me up, when you need a time out, this book will be the one you will pick up its filled with emotion and drama, anguish and heartbreak, but most of all its just got the most captivating and compelling story. When my non book friends ask me to recommend a book, I struggle as I read so many god books and it’s a personal choice about what story you will enjoy, the level of heat people like and a multitude of other thoughts that run through my head in that moment, but now I know what I will be recommending to everyone, it will be this book. No matter the genre you love, this book will give you something. It gave me chills as well as smiles of joy and sadness, Laurie, Jack and Sarah have a way with their story and the web they have weaved, and Josie Silver has a way of catching you up in that web, ensuring you will stay and read and become the pray rather than run away. Thank you Josie Silver for a great and compelling read.

Wonderful holiday romance and couldn't put this book down until I knew how it ended! One snowy night on a London bus, Laurie locks eyes with Jack and falls instantly in love. She spends a year searching and obsessing over him until....her best friend, Sarah brings him home as her boyfriend. It's a tortuous situation and while both Laurie and Jack feel the connection, neither can admit to the truth. And Sarah is so completely fabulous that you cant even resent her. Laurie spends years wasting her love on someone unattainable and we follow her journey in finding herself and love, The scenarios feel very real and you sympathise with all the characters. Overall a lovely romantic treat that isn't always predictable but will leave you with that happy ending!

This was a pleasant, undemanding read, ideal for light summer reading. It was a fairly simple, predictable story, which I confess I speed read in parts. It was reasonably well written, and will probably appeal to the under 30s, rather more than it did to me. Personally I prefer a more involving and complex story in which I can lose myself , and can’t wait to get back to when I have to put it down.
This would probably provide a good basis for a screenplay for a romcom-type movie.

A pleasant, nicely written but predictable love story where girl eventually gets boy. Although I did enjoy reading this I could put it down at any time, the plus point is that it is very easy to pick up again and start reading again. It is a good romantic, escapist novel but not a story that will stay with me for long.

The story is told from two points of view, Laurie's and Jack's (bus boy) and what follows is years of their lives as they both embark in separate journeys and relationships whilst trying to keep their own friendship together.
This is a book all about the feels!

"I'm lost. Lost in his words, and his arms, and in what might have been."

As the years progress there is a sense of an emotional rollercoaster but what's refreshing is that Josie hasn't made it overly dramatic just to get a rise from the reader. It comes across as 'real' and the struggles that each character faces aren't just brushed over for the sake of a happily ever after. Whilst reading I was wondering to myself just how I would react if I had been placed in similar situations, would I remain calm, defiant or somewhere in-between?

What this story presents us with is a lot of missed chances and an unconventional romance that quite honestly I challenge you not to well up at.

Ok I know I'm known to cry when reading books but this novel was just so unexpected but so very 'British'. This is a tale of love, loss and friendship, of opportunities and find oneself whilst feeling so utterly lost.

"I hold him, and he holds me, and for the first time in years, there's nothing missing at all."

One Day in December is a captivating, swoon worthy story that is both beautifully heartbreaking and wonderfully up-lifting. After reading it I was left with a sense of peace and hope.

All I can say is please read this novel! And on a side note a film version of the book wouldn't be such a bad thing either.

What a totally and utterly adorable read, loved every minute of it even though I was determined not to enjoy it as I'm not a lover of romance novels, but this was so much more, some great characters and a lovely story came together great, without all the soppy stuff, well soppy stuff done very well. This is another great read by Josie, bring on her next one, I'm patiently waiting with my Kindle at the ready

I enjoyed this book - it was an easy reading romance although quite lengthy. It was not as captivating as it could have been as it alluded to the ending straight away, I would have preferred a bit more suspense.

Thanks for allowing me to review this

I LOVED this book right from  the start!  I expected it to be a bit like 'One Day' by David Nicholls, and be about the same single day in December spanning the decade - but it wasn't.  It was written either from Laurie or Jack's point of view and jumped weeks / months at a time.  Because of that every chapter was really important - to compare it to an album, it was all killer and no filler!

I have to say I  guessed roughly what the ending would be - but wondered how the author would get us there without the main protagonists hating each other or being complete sh*tbags to each other.  It twists and turns dramatically - and I don't want to give too much of the story away (I loathe reviews that do that) - but it really did keep me enthralled.  So much so that my husband thought I may have fallen asleep / drowned in the bath - but actually I was just lying in lukewarm water wanting to finish the book before I got out! (Apologies for the visuals that may have created.......)

Laurie was a great central character, and I really liked her and was rooting for her from the start.  She was a lot younger than me - but that didn't stop me enjoying the book. The ending of the book is wonderful - and in fact the last few chapters did have me weeping for many different reasons (good job I was in the bath!) 

I've read that the author wanted to write a Christmassy novel that would be the literary equivalent of festive films like 'Love Actually' or 'The Holiday' - and she has most definitely succeeded.  However I also think One Day In December would make a fabulous film............

I wasn't sure how to shoe horn this into my 2018 Reading Challenge - so, I am taking a bit of a flyer on 'A book from a local author'! In the book Laurie's parents live in a village in the suburbs of Birmingham (as do I) and her Dad is an Aston Villa fan (as am I).  People aren't often written as Villa fans unless there is a local connection - so my fingers are firmly crossed that Josie Silver is local(ish!).  Her bio says she lives in a small Midlands town - so hopefully within 20 miles of Alvechurch and that can count as local!!

If I were you I would definitely pre order this ready for a festive read this Christmas.

Don't read without tissues.. I was lucky enough to have a weekend of sunshine, so had the joy of reading in the garden, my sunglasses were inexplicably wet on 5 occasions!!!
The characters drew me in immediately, the story had a sort of predictability about it, but this in no way undermined the raw emotions or the quality of the story.
I look forward to Richard Curtis making this into his next Christmas love/tear jerker.

I really enjoyed this story and I liked the way it jumped between the 2 characters of Jack and Laurel. The story follows their friendship over a decade and how there lives intertwine. I don't want to say too much without giving away the story! The novel moves at a real pace and the characters are well rounded and you really get inside their heads. I for one could definitely feel a great affinity with Laurie.

A good read for fans of books like One Day and The Versions of Us.

I loved this book! What happens when your ideal man happens to meet your best friend first? It was a great story of the love between friends and the sacrifices you make for that relationship. The love story was touching and the dual point of view added real insight to the characters . I really cared about Laurie and Jack and was willing them to find their happy ending. I’ll definitely read more books by this author.

Although this is a well written book I found it slightly too young for my taste and also a bit predictable. Jack, Laurie and Sarah have a tangled love story to untwine. I found Sarah's personality a bit full on and somewhat unbelievable.
Thanks Net Galley for a review copy.

I had forgotten what the book was about by the time I actually got it and when I read the description, it seemed very similar to "One Day" by David Nicholls. It also seemed aimed at a younger audience - maybe teenagers, which is fine but that's not exactly what I wanted. However, all my worries went away when I started reading. The structure is similar to One Day but instead of one day of each year, this book jumps days or months, essentially paraphrasing Laurie's life. There's no hard and fast rule on how long has passed since each section which made the story feel a lot smoother, especially a lot had happened. I really, really appreciated that the story keeps jumping, it's like we get all the fun parts without the boring parts in between. The main characters, and all of the characters behave like real people and it's so easy to fall in love with them very quickly. Also of note was the way the author wrote so authentically of so many different experiences. More than once, I thought "this isn't what I expected from a romance book" but then, it's debatable on whether it's a romance at all. It's certainly got a lot of love in it but more than that, it's a lovely way to grow with this characters, it's more about them than their love lives.

I really really loved this. It's a gorgeous book, perfect for winter and I can't wait to reread it over and over.