Spoiler Alert: This review contains spoilers for the book, movie, and TV show.
First, I need to get this off my chest (even though I know this is r/books): ANNE HATHAWAY WAS MISCAST AS EMMA MORLEY. Emma is strong-headed, opinionated, and stubborn, but Anne’s portrayal was more like the “cute nerd” stereotype, which felt wrong for the character. I think Ambika nailed Emma in the TV show, and I can’t believe the hate she received just because of her looks. She brought Emma to life perfectly, and I’ll die on this hill.
Now, let’s get into the book.
A lot of people seem to dislike One Day for various reasons, and we’re all entitled to our opinions, but here’s my take on some of the common criticisms:
1. The characters aren’t likeable: I get it, especially with Dexter. He’s not meant to be likeable all the time, but that’s part of what makes him compelling. Dexter had everything handed to him—privilege, charm, opportunity—and he squandered it. He’s deeply flawed, but his journey of regret and self-destruction feels real. He faces the consequences of his actions and feels the weight of his choices, which is why I think he was written well. Honestly, I found him even more interesting in the TV show.
Emma, on the other hand, is someone I relate to deeply. She’s smart and idealistic, but also judgmental and a bit lost in her own ego. People argue it’s unrealistic that she couldn’t get a good job, but I think it’s more about her expectations and pride holding her back. She’s a social justice warrior in her early 20s, but reality hits hard, and she struggles to find her place. Her affair with a married man didn’t make me angry, just sad for her, because she’s so lost. I love how she’s a late bloomer—there’s something hopeful about her figuring things out later in life, which resonates with me as someone in their mid-20s who also feels a bit directionless. Her growth gave me hope.
2. Emma’s death is pointless: I knew it was coming, having seen the movie first, but it didn’t make me mad. Sometimes life is sudden like that. The real tragedy isn’t her death itself but the wasted years Dexter and Emma spent apart, miscommunicating, and letting their egos get in the way. There’s a message there—don’t wait to make things right, because life doesn’t always give you time.
3. The story feels choppy: I won’t argue with this one. The “one day every year” format does leave gaps, and I would’ve loved to see key moments fleshed out more—like their wedding, the time they slept together after Dexter’s divorce, or Dexter learning about Emma’s death. But there’s something charming about the way you have to piece things together from their conversations. It’s like catching up with old friends after a long time apart, where you’re filling in the blanks and realizing how much has changed.
All in all, it’s not a perfect book by any means, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I might even prefer the TV show (controversial opinion, I know). If you’ve read the book and seen the adaptations, I’d love to hear what you thought!
by Prior-Throat-8017