One Day In December by Josie Silver: Book Review

I’m going to admit something now, brace yourselves because it’s a little bit shocking - I’m a romantic at heart and that’s why I knew that I was going to love the latest Mumsnet Book Club choice - One Day in December by Josie Silver.

I’m a romantic

I have always been a bit of a romantic. At university I read as many romantic novels as I could. My previous boyfriend told me that this caused me to have unrealistic expectations of my romantic relationships. I was 22 and I had just asked him if would mind putting his boxers into the washing basket on a morning because I was fed-up of constantly picking them up and putting them in their rightful place. Yes, those unrealistic romantic ideals of mine were just exhausting.

Despite several disastrous and failed relationships, I still hoped that one day I would meet someone who was kind and lovely and would sort of sweep me off my feet and I did, finally, in the shape of Mr C. He claims, that for him, it was love at first sight, for me I was more distracted by the awful shirt he was wearing at the time. I was trying to work out if it was my Nan’s net curtain. However, after several failed starts - the first date was a disaster - he did eventually sweep me off my feet and try to carry me up some stairs. It was because he was worried that I was going to leave muddy footprints on his cream carpet. Mr C can be romantic (don’t tell him I told you that). Once he drove all the way up to Lancaster from Leeds. I was training to be a teacher and had just been awarded a distinction for a critical essay. There was a ring on the doorbell and there was Mr C with a bag of chips and a bottle of champagne. Food and drink is always the way to my heart 😉

One Day in December by Josie Silver

One Day in December took me back to the early days of courting (I sound like my Nan now), starting out in the world of work, sharing a flat with your mates and dreaming of finding love. The main protagonist in the novel is Laurie and, as the blurb reveals, “Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist. After all, life isn’t a scene from the movies, is it”?” This is where I shout - oh yes it is - because Laurie does fall in love at first sight. She sees a boy from the top deck of her bus, waiting at the bus stop. Pushing her face against the misted window, their eyes lock and there is a moment of “pure magic”. He’s the one.

Laurie then can’t get the boy out of her head and she spends a good year fantasising about him, imagining what their relationship would be like, to then have her best friend Sarah (who is more like her sister) introduce her to her new boyfriend - Jack. He is the boy from the bus stop.

A perfect and heartwarming read

I don’t want to give away what happens but her friend Sarah is madly in love with Jack and Laurie is bereft. This novel is like a heartwarming mug of chocolate, but it doesn’t get too sickly or sweet. You will just want to escape into this novel, under a blanket. It’s pure gorgeous escapism and a perfect read for autumn. This is a book about fate and missed chances. Will Jack and Laurie ever get together? This book spans a whole decade and in that time there are travels, deaths, marriages, accidents, new jobs and an illicit kiss.

I loved the main character Laurie and found myself rooting for her. I wanted her to get her happy ending. However, life is never simple or straightforward and we see all of the characters going on a journey with many twists and turns.

Good for the soul

This is a novel that is good for your soul. Like our favourite Christmas films, this is a book that you will want to turn to again and again, every Christmas. I read this book curled up in my favourite reading spot in just two days. Life went on around me as I escaped into Laurie’s world. The hustle and bustle of real life went unnoticed as I found myself lost in this love story. Towards the end I was holding my breath, there may have even been some tears. I know, I know, I just can’t help myself, I’m a sucker for a love story.

This is a joyful book that you are going to adore. Do yourself a favour, pour yourself a hot chocolate and snuggle down with this book tonight. Love at first sight really does exist.

One Day in December by Josie Silver is available to buy from Amazon.

Disclaimer – please be aware that I was gifted this novel as I am working with the Mumsnet Book Club. However, all words, opinions and images are my own.