BOOK REVIEW: David Nicholls – One Day

It started with a hangover and an awkward goodbye.

Emma and Dexter stumbled into each other’s lives after graduation, and somehow never fully stumbled out. One Day follows their story through snapshots – same day, different year – as they shift between friends, almost-lovers, and everything in between.

But is it worth a read?

Just a hint – it’s on the list of my favourite books of all time.

TL;DR:

The love story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew spans over 19 years – could be considered a “friends to lovers” trope (if that’s something you care about).
David Nicholls greatly portrays how fragile life is and how complicated long-term relationships can be.
There are 2 on-screen adaptations – a 2011 movie with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess and a 2024 Netflix series with Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall.

What Is One Day About?

The main characters of One Day are Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. In this novel, David Nicholls follows how their journeys intertwine. And how does the story begin? They spend the night together on 15 July 1988 in Edinburgh. Then, every chapter takes place on the same day over the upcoming years, until 15 July 2007.

In the span of 19 years, you can truly see all of their highs and lows and how much a person can truly change. When they graduate, Emma loves writing, and Dexter is thinking about career options like a photographer. But as it usually happens, what we wish and what we get are two completely different things.

Over the years, Em and Dex form a strong bond. They send letters to each other, and their paths keep crossing.

Em & Dex: Character Development

From the beginning of their friendships, they both go through different relationships – Dexter even goes through with a marriage. Admittedly, it doesn’t go down well between him and Sophie, but they have a daughter together.

Career-wise, Dexter becomes a successful TV host. During this part of his life, he throws himself into a lifestyle full of alcohol, drugs, and flings. Even Emma struggles to recognise her friend.

On the other hand, Emma wants to become a writer. But that’s not an easy feat, and she ends up working in a Mexican restaurant. Here, she meets Ian (honestly, not my favourite character). And from Emma’s side, it wasn’t a happy match. Then, Emma becomes a teacher and helps her class to put together a play, which is much closer to her calling.

As you go throughout the book, you can see that the romantic relationship between Em and Dex is inevitable. They’re like two magnets, and their chemistry is off the charts. And the way their personalities complement each other – it’s no wonder they became one of my favourite couples from all the books I’ve read.

“Dexter, I love you so much. So, so much, and I probably always will. I just don’t like you anymore. I’m sorry.”
David Nicholls – One Day

Is One Day Novel Worth Reading?

Absolutely, 100%. But that’s only my point of view. I think that you might enjoy this book if you like stories that:

Explore love in all its forms – friends, lovers, families
Show you a strong character development – both Dex and Em grow throughout the book, and I couldn’t help but cheer for them
Offer the trope of friends to lovers
Are full of twists and turns and keep surprising you
Are realistic – One Day isn’t a story hidden behind rosy glasses; there is all the good and ugly (including infidelity and death)

I really think that One Day is a good read for most readers. I get that some people avoid love stories at all costs, but I dare to say that this one breaks the norm.

“You feel a little bit lost right now about what to do with your life, a bit rudderless and oarless and aimless but that’s okay… That’s alright because we’re all meant to be like that at twenty-four.”
David Nicholls – One Day

One Day Adaptations: From Netflix to the Silver Screen

The 2011 Movie

The first adaptation of One Day that comes to your mind could be the 2024 series by Netflix. But did you know that there’s also a movie that came out in 2011?

I’ve heard many people say that they didn’t like the movie, but I loved it. Anne Hathaway as Emma and Jim Sturgess as Dexter? Sign me up. It’s a film, so of course, it doesn’t go into as much detail as the Netflix series and some pretty important scenes were left out. But I think that these two truly captured the magic and chemistry of these characters. And honestly – which movie with Anne Hathaway has ever been disappointing?

The 2024 Netflix Adaptation

In 2024, the Netflix adaptation of One Day took the world by storm – at least the not-so-little universe we have online. This time, we can see Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as Emma and Dexter. Since it’s a series that spans over 14 episodes, it dives into way more detail than the movie.

And I’m so happy that the story got all the recognition it deserves. But to be honest, I was sceptical before I watched the series. I’m a big fan of the 2011 movie and I didn’t really think that we need another adaptation. It’s no surprise that I was proven wrong, though.

Both Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall delivered a strong performance and it felt like watching THE Em and Dex that I know from the pages of the book. You go with the characters through all the good and bad. The charm of this adaptation is that they aren’t trying to sugarcoat any of their flaws.

So, even though I adore the 2011 movie, I’m over the Moon that the 2024 series didn’t shy away from showing the true colours of both main characters. It’s not as one-sided as the movie, which felt like it made Em look like the better person.

But both Emma and Dexter have their flaws.

And I can only applaud Netflix for doing the book justice.

“These days grief seems like walking on a frozen river; most of the time he feels safe enough, but there is always that danger that he will plunge through.”
David Nicholls – One Day

One Day: The Final Verdict

Nicholl’s One Day is a book that I return to over and over again. It shaped my teenage years, and I still love it even in my late 20s.

One of my favourite things about the book is that it just feels very human. The characters deal with things that we encounter in our everyday lives. And it shows us how fragile our lives and our relationships can be.

Feeling lost, cheating, divorce, even death of a loved one and grief. Those are some of the heavier themes that appear in the story.

But it’s the kind of book that will make you feel seen if:

You’re struggling to find your purpose. Emma clearly shows that good things take time.
You feel like you’re outgrowing the other person.
You feel a bit lost.

One Day shows us that the feelings that seem super complicated are completely normal.

You’re not alone.

So, what do you think? Have you read One Day? Or are you going to give it a go?

Leave a comment under the post. And if you enjoyed the review or have a friend who might enjoy the book, share the article with them!

Readers Also Ask (Warning – there are SPOILERS! Read at your own risk!)

What age is One Day book appropriate for?

I’d say that One Day is appropriate for anyone who is 18 years old or older. I read the book when I was younger than that, but I could truly appreciate it when I entered adulthood.

What happens at the end of One Day book? (SPOILER!!!)

There’s no easy way to say that – but at the end of One Day, Emma gets hit by a car and dies. Then, it’s up to Dexter to deal with the grief he feels from the loss of his partner. And to make you stew in the sadness even more, the very last chapter takes us to the very beginning of Emma’s and Dexter’s story, when they spend the night together and say goodbye to each other for the very first time.

Does One Day have a sad ending? (SPOILER!!!)

Yes, it does. Of course, it’s sad because Emma passes away. But Nicholls continues with Dexter’s point of view and takes us through all the stages of grief. It’s not easy to read, but as someone who’s gone through the circles of grief more than once, I felt seen. And more importantly, I felt understood.