Twelve in 12: One Day in OD

Title: One Day

Author: David Nicholls

Genre: Romance

This is the book I’m giving away for World Book Night so I figured it was probably a good time to re-read it myself.

The story follows Emma and Dexter through 20 years of their friendship. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that they’ll get together. So far, so-so.

But there are two things that make this so much more than your average rom-com. The first is the central conceit of the book. We follow their friendship by looking in on them on the same day every year. (St Swithins Day, to be precise.) It sounds like it shouldn’t work and, to be honest, it shouldn’t really work. Except Nicholls is a skilled writer and he makes it work.

The other thing that makes this different from the average rom-com is the main Characters. Emma and Dexter, Dex and Em. These are two characters that you really get to like and know. That itself is a skill, but combined with the format of the book it is exceptional. Nicholls really cares about these two and makes sure you will as well.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Will