"One Day in December"

"One Day in December"
Written by Josie Silver
Reviewed by Diana Iozzia


Reading an author's sophomore book prior to reading the author's first book is an interesting experience. After thoroughly enjoying "The Two Lives of Lydia Bird", I knew that I had to read "One Day in December". After receiving access through the app, Libby, to the audiobook, I began listening. I found myself instantly hooked by the first appealing chapters, of meeting Laurie and Jack. The two characters in this story accidentally meet, are unable to speak to one another, and finally meet a year later. Through the year, Laurie has been absorbed with finding Jack, calling him "Bus Boy", due to his sitting on a bus stop bench when she first saw him. They meet each other once more, as Sara, Laurie's roommate and best friend, introduces Jack as her newest boyfriend.

We continue through the lives of Jack and Laurie, read flawlessly by Eleanor Tomlinson and Charlie Anson. The characters' lives take a number of twists, turns, and strange events that typically occur in a higher level romance. I believe that Silver's romance novels are a higher quality than others in the genre, similar to the stories of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Although I am uncomfortable when romance novels include cheating, it was a small event that was handled improperly by the characters, showing that infidelity causes great and negative consequence.

I also enjoyed the smaller characters that we learned about: Billy, Luke, and especially Oscar.

The story takes place over years, so I was delighted with how the character development finalized. I do have to say that during some points of the story, I highly disliked Jack, but his atonement was duly noted.

I highly recommend this novel, especially in the audiobook format. I never felt the story dragged on or that listening to 10 hours worth was too much. This is great to listen to while walking, while cooking, and while going to sleep. I thoroughly enjoy Josie Silver's writing and look forward to reading her books in the future.

"The Two Lives of Lydia Bird"

"The Two Lives of Lydia Bird"
Written by Josie Silver
Reviewed by Diana Iozzia

"The Two Lives of Lydia Bird" picks up with Lydia, a few weeks after her fiance has passed away in a tragic accident. In her mourning, Lydia starts to notice that her dreams appear in a magical way, as if she is still living the life she would, if Freddie was still alive. This book combines the best elements of Taylor Jenkins Reid's work and my favorite Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". The story shows Lydia in two perspectives, "AWAKE" and "ASLEEP". As we read through each perspective, it's interesting to see the journey that Silver takes Lydia, her family, and her friends on, as they all begin to heal in their own way.

This heartbreaking yet charming novel is an absolute delight to read. Although it has darker, more tough topics strewn in with happier ones, the sweet and sour combination creates a fantastic love-then-lost romance novel.

Lydia and her fellow cast of characters are truly interesting. Silver creates very sympathetic and easy to love characters, as expressed in their realistic dialogue and interactions.

An aspect that I was not thrilled with is that many of these types of stories, including those by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes, Laura Barnett, and Cecelia Ahern, is that many tragic love stories offer a new man to fall in love with. Sometimes, when reading stories like this, I often think, "Hmm. Do we need this character riding off into the sunset with a new love?

In conclusion, I did really love this story. This is one that I plan to recommend, to those who like a bit of a gimmicky romance novel like me. I enjoy limited time romances and ones that occur in parallel versions. I think this was a sensitive yet wonderful story that I will enjoy and think on for years to come.

I received an advance review version of this novel in exchange for reading and reviewing purposes.