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One Minute to Midnight
For many years, beginning when she was thirteen, Nicole Blake spent every new year with her three friends: Julian, her first love, Alex, her best friend, and Aidan, her obsession. Together the four had partied hard, suppported each other, and fallen in love. But then tragedy and betrayal tore the friends apart, and Nicole settled down to married life with Dom in London. But in the week running up to New Year's Eve 2011, Nicole and Dom are preparing for a trip to New York to meet up with Aidan and Alex for the first time in years. But with so much left unsaid and unresolved between them all, can they really return to their old friendship? And if they do, Nicole isn't sure she'll ever want to come home again.
407 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2011
About the author
Amy Silver
8 books84 followersAmy Silver is the pen name of Paula Hawkins, a writer and freelance journalist who has written on everything from the diamond trade to DIY dog grooming. She lives in London and has a penchant for vintage clothes and champagne cocktails, but she always pays her credit card bills on time.
Paula Hawkins has just published the new suspense sensation "The Girl on the Train" under her own name.
Paula Hawkins has just published the new suspense sensation "The Girl on the Train" under her own name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 9, 2021
Yalancı, korkak ve kaypak bir erkek karaktere tahammülünüz varsa okuyun. Hee bi de her seferinde onu affeden bir kadın😑
April 7, 2021
gif’ler kitabın ve Aidan pisliğinin özetidir🥺😭🤧
Şahane bir ‘Kaybolan Yıllar’ hikayesiydi💔💔
Kaybettiğimiz Işık ve Hâlâ Zamanımız Varken’i deli gibi seven biri olarak, resmen saklı kalmış hazine bulmuş gibiydim. Yine bazen üzüldüm, bazen kızdım, bazen ağladım, bazen de sinirden delirdim! Ve sonra biraz daha delirip üstüne bol bol ağladım!😭🤬 Kalbim onyüzmilyon parçaya bölündü yine. Çok mutluyum🥳🤩😍
May 23, 2017
"You should never be careless about friendship. You will find, the older you get, that new friendships do not come around quite as often as they once did. You should treasure those you have, protect them fiercely."
This book is amazing. Light and engaging, but at the same time penetrating and introspective. It isn't the usual type of genre I like, but it really got under my skin. Though it is a chick lit, I found it more of a tale about eternal friendship that can be just as important as a romantic partner. While some parts are predictable, it didn't ruin the overall experience.
Imagine my surprise when I found out Amy Silver is actually Paula Hawkins. She's a true master at building specific psychological state of her characters. The book alternates from New Year’s Eve’s in 1990 when Nicole is thirteen and spends her first New Year’s Eve with Julian. This story unravels over the period of 21 years with main reflections on past New Year's events throughout Nicole's life. It's post Christmas 2011 when we join Nicole, and from the very first chapter it becomes evident that there are problems between her and her husband Dom. Through flashbacks over previous New Years, we discover the events that have led to her current situation, especially involving her bonds with Julian, Alex and Aidan. Each year as she celebrates New Year, we find her taking different paths - sometimes there is heartache, other times friendship issues, partying till the sun comes up, depressing times. All of this happens with the same circle of friends.
Characters and their difficult situations are believable and easy to empathise with, even when you can't really understand them. I was near to tears in certain parts - those parts almost broke my heart. This book is a page turner, a story of friendship and love that left me wanting more. The secondary characters are also well fleshed out and they give the real depth to the story. This novel covers topics such as domestic violence, grief and death. Mostly, it's about a group of friends and their complex relationships with one another. Those relationships never become simple. They’ve all made mistakes, some that have hurt each other, but no matter what they done I couldn’t not like any of them. Their mistakes, regrets and secrets are slowly revealed as the book goes on, and it's so hard to hate them for it. Ultimately this book is about new beginnings, forgiveness and redemption. Even when you don't know how to move on. There is everything - loss, pain, melancholy, avoidance. There is no black and white character.
Even though she's keeping secrets, it's so easy to understand Nicole and feel for her, hoping that everything will work out and that she'll make her dreams come true. She’s smart, feisty, but selfish and impulsive. Also, she doesn't deal with the past quite well. Overall she's a round character with many layers.
„But New York isn’t just home to Karl; it was also home to Aidan and to Alex. How was it that some of the most important people in my life have ended up there, in glamorous Manhattan, while here I was stuck in boring old southwest London?“
A tragic event made her change her life drastically because she couldn't cope with the pain. So instead of trying to get better, she built a wall around herself and fell deeper in melancholy. None of her friends who can actually help her are near, so she's even more successful at avoiding her problems.
Julian and Nicole become inseparable after their first New Year's Eve so they try to spend every beginning on the new year together. They share a tradition of telling each other their New Year's resolutions, even when're not comfortable doing that with anyone. This book plays with the idea that your soulmate and love of your life can be different persons. Julian is obviously Nicole’s soulmate. They have so many sweet moments together.
"‘To us,’ Julian said, clinking his glass against mine. ‘You and me, Nic. We never need anything more than you and me.’"
They have one of the most beautiful friendships I've ever read about.
„‘I can’t face my dad yet,’ he said in a small voice. ‘That’s why … that’s why I came here. I knew I could count on you, I knew that even though I hurt you and even though we haven’t spoken for ages, I knew you’d understand, because that’s just the kind of person you are. I knew that if I was with you, I’d be okay.’“
They're the reason why I love this book so much.
„At that moment, I felt a sudden pang of longing for Julian. With Jules at my side, I always felt invincible.“
One of the biggest problems was that Nicole couldn't be independent without Julian around. It's like when he wasn't by her side, she'd just forget about her identity. She had to learn how to live on her own and I'm not sure Dom was any help in that process. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your soulmate, but the author represented the feeling quite realistically.
Nicole is truly happy only with Aidan. He brings out her best traits and is the only one with whom she could fulfil her dreams. Also, he's her partner in crime and she's the only one who can handle his instability and make him feel safe. Their relationship is rocky, with a lot of tension and abandonment issues, but it was so easy to root for them.
„He kisses me on the mouth and I’m going back in time again, his lips on mine feel exactly the way they did when he kissed me on the beach in South Africa fifteen years ago. No other kiss has felt like that since.“
It's always nice to read about female friendship without typical vanity and rivalry. That's the case with Nicole and Alex. They've been through so much together and even though Alex has done something unforgivable, at the end of the day, they still adore and complement each other. They just needed a test to remember that.
„I hadn’t been able to say no to her since the first day I met her, during freshers’ week.“
They had so many ups and downs.
Ugh, Nicole should've never married Dom. I'm not saying he's a bad guy, but I feel like she only settled for him instead of seeing him as her perfect match. He could never understand her temperamental side nor could he handle her drastic changes of moods. He always complained how she was always running out the door from him, but it was so easy for her to do so when he was always bringing her down.
„He would never understand why I can talk to her, joke with her about what happened, but cannot bear to speak about it with him. Why should he? I can’t understand it myself. Maybe it’s just because I’ve loved her for longer than I’ve loved him. Sometimes I think it’s because I loved her more.“
Even after this, she stayed with him, ugh. This isn't about what he's done, it's about that she didn't love him like you're supposed to love your spouse. Ugh, their marriage frustrated me so much. They were clearly unhappy but they maintained satisfied appearance for reasons unknown. I'm not sure that even habit kept them together.
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This book is amazing. Light and engaging, but at the same time penetrating and introspective. It isn't the usual type of genre I like, but it really got under my skin. Though it is a chick lit, I found it more of a tale about eternal friendship that can be just as important as a romantic partner. While some parts are predictable, it didn't ruin the overall experience.
Imagine my surprise when I found out Amy Silver is actually Paula Hawkins. She's a true master at building specific psychological state of her characters. The book alternates from New Year’s Eve’s in 1990 when Nicole is thirteen and spends her first New Year’s Eve with Julian. This story unravels over the period of 21 years with main reflections on past New Year's events throughout Nicole's life. It's post Christmas 2011 when we join Nicole, and from the very first chapter it becomes evident that there are problems between her and her husband Dom. Through flashbacks over previous New Years, we discover the events that have led to her current situation, especially involving her bonds with Julian, Alex and Aidan. Each year as she celebrates New Year, we find her taking different paths - sometimes there is heartache, other times friendship issues, partying till the sun comes up, depressing times. All of this happens with the same circle of friends.
Characters and their difficult situations are believable and easy to empathise with, even when you can't really understand them. I was near to tears in certain parts - those parts almost broke my heart. This book is a page turner, a story of friendship and love that left me wanting more. The secondary characters are also well fleshed out and they give the real depth to the story. This novel covers topics such as domestic violence, grief and death. Mostly, it's about a group of friends and their complex relationships with one another. Those relationships never become simple. They’ve all made mistakes, some that have hurt each other, but no matter what they done I couldn’t not like any of them. Their mistakes, regrets and secrets are slowly revealed as the book goes on, and it's so hard to hate them for it. Ultimately this book is about new beginnings, forgiveness and redemption. Even when you don't know how to move on. There is everything - loss, pain, melancholy, avoidance. There is no black and white character.
Even though she's keeping secrets, it's so easy to understand Nicole and feel for her, hoping that everything will work out and that she'll make her dreams come true. She’s smart, feisty, but selfish and impulsive. Also, she doesn't deal with the past quite well. Overall she's a round character with many layers.
„But New York isn’t just home to Karl; it was also home to Aidan and to Alex. How was it that some of the most important people in my life have ended up there, in glamorous Manhattan, while here I was stuck in boring old southwest London?“
A tragic event made her change her life drastically because she couldn't cope with the pain. So instead of trying to get better, she built a wall around herself and fell deeper in melancholy. None of her friends who can actually help her are near, so she's even more successful at avoiding her problems.
Julian and Nicole become inseparable after their first New Year's Eve so they try to spend every beginning on the new year together. They share a tradition of telling each other their New Year's resolutions, even when're not comfortable doing that with anyone. This book plays with the idea that your soulmate and love of your life can be different persons. Julian is obviously Nicole’s soulmate. They have so many sweet moments together.
"‘To us,’ Julian said, clinking his glass against mine. ‘You and me, Nic. We never need anything more than you and me.’"
They have one of the most beautiful friendships I've ever read about.
„‘I can’t face my dad yet,’ he said in a small voice. ‘That’s why … that’s why I came here. I knew I could count on you, I knew that even though I hurt you and even though we haven’t spoken for ages, I knew you’d understand, because that’s just the kind of person you are. I knew that if I was with you, I’d be okay.’“
They're the reason why I love this book so much.
„At that moment, I felt a sudden pang of longing for Julian. With Jules at my side, I always felt invincible.“
One of the biggest problems was that Nicole couldn't be independent without Julian around. It's like when he wasn't by her side, she'd just forget about her identity. She had to learn how to live on her own and I'm not sure Dom was any help in that process. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your soulmate, but the author represented the feeling quite realistically.
Nicole is truly happy only with Aidan. He brings out her best traits and is the only one with whom she could fulfil her dreams. Also, he's her partner in crime and she's the only one who can handle his instability and make him feel safe. Their relationship is rocky, with a lot of tension and abandonment issues, but it was so easy to root for them.
„He kisses me on the mouth and I’m going back in time again, his lips on mine feel exactly the way they did when he kissed me on the beach in South Africa fifteen years ago. No other kiss has felt like that since.“
It's always nice to read about female friendship without typical vanity and rivalry. That's the case with Nicole and Alex. They've been through so much together and even though Alex has done something unforgivable, at the end of the day, they still adore and complement each other. They just needed a test to remember that.
„I hadn’t been able to say no to her since the first day I met her, during freshers’ week.“
They had so many ups and downs.
Ugh, Nicole should've never married Dom. I'm not saying he's a bad guy, but I feel like she only settled for him instead of seeing him as her perfect match. He could never understand her temperamental side nor could he handle her drastic changes of moods. He always complained how she was always running out the door from him, but it was so easy for her to do so when he was always bringing her down.
„He would never understand why I can talk to her, joke with her about what happened, but cannot bear to speak about it with him. Why should he? I can’t understand it myself. Maybe it’s just because I’ve loved her for longer than I’ve loved him. Sometimes I think it’s because I loved her more.“
Even after this, she stayed with him, ugh. This isn't about what he's done, it's about that she didn't love him like you're supposed to love your spouse. Ugh, their marriage frustrated me so much. They were clearly unhappy but they maintained satisfied appearance for reasons unknown. I'm not sure that even habit kept them together.
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April 10, 2021
-3.5-
S.ktir git Aidan, serefsizsin Dom, Alex sen de az degilmissin... Sozde en iyi arkadas olacaksin! 🤦♀️ Ama en cok Nicole, sana kiziyorum. Sen tam bir aptalsin! Bir defa da mantikli bir karar al be kadin... Poff 😒
S.ktir git Aidan, serefsizsin Dom, Alex sen de az degilmissin... Sozde en iyi arkadas olacaksin! 🤦♀️ Ama en cok Nicole, sana kiziyorum. Sen tam bir aptalsin! Bir defa da mantikli bir karar al be kadin... Poff 😒
January 1, 2021
It is Friday, 1th day of 2021, I am crying to death... I miss my Mother, I miss every one I lost in my life, really Love the story, thanks Paola or Amy or who ever you are...
December 28, 2018
The story focuses on the character of Nicole starting on boxing day 2011 going through to New Year's Eve 2011 with many back stories of the previous New Year's Eves. On Boxing Day 2011 Nicole and husband Dom are planning for their trip to New York.
The first back story is from 1990 New Year's Eve at party with her parents with her dad beating her mum. Nicole ends up kissing Julian (Jules) after not evening thinking he noticed her at school as he's two years older. Back in 2011 and her dad is now dying and she's keeping more than one secret from Dom.
1991 it's discovered that Jules and Nicole only had a five week relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend due to the fact he's gay but she's yet to know the friendship will last a lot longer. She's also not to know how she'll never get over his cousin Aidan.
1996 and Nicole is in Cape Town with best friend Alex and bumps into Aidan and she can't stop thinking about him. Back in 2011 and Alex had a one night stand with Dom she seems to be forgiving Alex over Dom and she thinks it might be because she loves her more. Will it be for the best seeing her dad or a big mistake?
1999 is when I'm starting to really get into the story but starting to find Nicole a little annoying she does improve a little for me but she's not my favourite of female lead characters I liked many of the other around her better. To me however she was more bare able around Jules and in the end with other characters.
28th December 2011 and her dad is asking to see her mum and one of her secrets is unravelling when Dom discovers her secret emails.
2003 and it's the first appearance of Dom and on this appearance Aidan does really make a fool of himself.
2005 and the downfall of Alex's marriage is starting while Aidan defends Nicole at this terrible sounding party. Dan asks to marry Nicole but she is very unsure and says No, he carries on asking many times after this.
29th Dec 2011 Nicole is slightly annoying again even with Dan being far from perfect I prefer him in this section. Alex and Nicole meet up and drink to Julian this is when I realised he's dead.
2007 and the trip to Wales would have been a nice trip if it wasn't for the nightmare journey on the radio when Nicole hears on the radio that Julian is dead and it's the worst possible way to find out. I agree with Dom on this one she should have rung Alex.
30 Dec 2011 and it's clear the woman is not over Aidan she talks about him and thinks about him more than her husband. I do like how Aidan likes the side of Nicole that is reckless and more care free. I don't think this is goodbye. When she sees Karl again he has a new fiancee called Sean and i can see how Nicole would react that way to start with. I don't like how Dom is in this part it's the first scene i side with Nicole in. However more serious matters take over and they can put any differences aside when it comes to her dying dad with her mum calling about him.
2008 and their are no resolutions due to the fact it was a thing Nicole and Jules shared together. Nicole and Alex have grew even further apart and she's on honeymoon after agreeing to marry Dom (I don't think she should have).
2009 was after Dom and Alex slept together in more depth.
30 Dec and New Year's Eve 2011 and Dom knows that Nicole still loves Aidan and her mum seems to be working it out too. Her dad had a heart attack but lasted just long enough to make enough amends with Nicole and her mum. I love how Dom promises to always be in Nicole's life and will share custody of the dogs when she moves to New York. It's also nice of him to tell Aidan where Nicole is. Dom and Nicole really are much better as friends.
I do think Nicole ended up with the right man, I think Dom deserved more than being second best to Aidan.
The first back story is from 1990 New Year's Eve at party with her parents with her dad beating her mum. Nicole ends up kissing Julian (Jules) after not evening thinking he noticed her at school as he's two years older. Back in 2011 and her dad is now dying and she's keeping more than one secret from Dom.
1991 it's discovered that Jules and Nicole only had a five week relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend due to the fact he's gay but she's yet to know the friendship will last a lot longer. She's also not to know how she'll never get over his cousin Aidan.
1996 and Nicole is in Cape Town with best friend Alex and bumps into Aidan and she can't stop thinking about him. Back in 2011 and Alex had a one night stand with Dom she seems to be forgiving Alex over Dom and she thinks it might be because she loves her more. Will it be for the best seeing her dad or a big mistake?
1999 is when I'm starting to really get into the story but starting to find Nicole a little annoying she does improve a little for me but she's not my favourite of female lead characters I liked many of the other around her better. To me however she was more bare able around Jules and in the end with other characters.
28th December 2011 and her dad is asking to see her mum and one of her secrets is unravelling when Dom discovers her secret emails.
2003 and it's the first appearance of Dom and on this appearance Aidan does really make a fool of himself.
2005 and the downfall of Alex's marriage is starting while Aidan defends Nicole at this terrible sounding party. Dan asks to marry Nicole but she is very unsure and says No, he carries on asking many times after this.
29th Dec 2011 Nicole is slightly annoying again even with Dan being far from perfect I prefer him in this section. Alex and Nicole meet up and drink to Julian this is when I realised he's dead.
2007 and the trip to Wales would have been a nice trip if it wasn't for the nightmare journey on the radio when Nicole hears on the radio that Julian is dead and it's the worst possible way to find out. I agree with Dom on this one she should have rung Alex.
30 Dec 2011 and it's clear the woman is not over Aidan she talks about him and thinks about him more than her husband. I do like how Aidan likes the side of Nicole that is reckless and more care free. I don't think this is goodbye. When she sees Karl again he has a new fiancee called Sean and i can see how Nicole would react that way to start with. I don't like how Dom is in this part it's the first scene i side with Nicole in. However more serious matters take over and they can put any differences aside when it comes to her dying dad with her mum calling about him.
2008 and their are no resolutions due to the fact it was a thing Nicole and Jules shared together. Nicole and Alex have grew even further apart and she's on honeymoon after agreeing to marry Dom (I don't think she should have).
2009 was after Dom and Alex slept together in more depth.
30 Dec and New Year's Eve 2011 and Dom knows that Nicole still loves Aidan and her mum seems to be working it out too. Her dad had a heart attack but lasted just long enough to make enough amends with Nicole and her mum. I love how Dom promises to always be in Nicole's life and will share custody of the dogs when she moves to New York. It's also nice of him to tell Aidan where Nicole is. Dom and Nicole really are much better as friends.
I do think Nicole ended up with the right man, I think Dom deserved more than being second best to Aidan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2012
I read this book in less then 12 hours, it had me completely gripped. Whilst reading it you will go through all the emotions, you'll be exhaused after! You will find that you'll become very attached to Nicole and Julian but after the tragedy it'll feel as something is missing, as though there is a hole in the book, from this point my emotions went all other the place. I think that the book also has a strong point to it that you should never settle for second best because you will never feel happy, the only time it feels that Nicole is truly happy is when she is with Aidan, he brings out the real her which I think the author does really well. The only disappointing part of this book that I find is the end, which is the hardest part to write! But as I didn't want it to end I may have been disappointing with anything. It is by far the best book I have ever read! Amy Silver is a very talented author.
October 3, 2021
I didn't like it. It felt like another version of the '' normal people '' by sally rooney type of toxic relationships and I'm just not into that because I hated that book. There is no appeal to me reading about going back to a toxic ex, mistreating ur husband and friends, husband cheats with said friends, fav character dies, mc being really annoying and insensitive (only her own feelings matter and fuck everyone else type) I just hated it overall so 2 stars.
March 5, 2021
fazla bir beklenti olmadan okunulursa sevilecek bir eser. Dostluğun resmini güzel çizmiş ayrıca. Asıl olanın da yaşadığımız sürece o bulunmaz aşklardan daha değerli olanın dostluklar olması aşkı bile daha çekilir hale getirmiş.
November 29, 2011
I am beginning to think the run up to Christmas can not begin without an Amy Silver book. I really had forgotten how much I love a good chick lit book and I was definitely in need of this one. What I love most about Amy Silver's books is that the characters and situations they are in are believable and real. It isn't all marshmallows around the fire with this author, oh no, she writes a book that hits you hard and leaves you breathless and near to tears in certain parts. Her books are about real people with real problems.
This story unravels over the period between Boxing Day and New Years Day, with reflections on past New Years events throughout Nicole's life. The reflections are really revealing, allowing you to judge Nicole's state of mind on the present lead up to New Year.
From the first few pages, you are convinced that Nicole is keeping secrets from us, which are unravelled like Christmas presents as the story progresses. Even though she is keeping secrets, you find yourself staying right by her side, hoping that everything will work itself out for her, as you find out why she is really in the situation she is. All the characters were believable and I felt like I had stepped into a book where I knew everyone from the start. I was the absent friend who only supported them via email as I couldn't be there physically. I was desperate for each of them to find true happiness, even though they had aired their imperfections. I came away loving Aidan, Julian and Karl,wishing they were in my life for real. The characters stay with you long after you finish reading the book.
The ending took me by surprise as it wasn't the one I was convinced it would be. However, I was rather pleased with how the story turned out and I imagine in the same situation I would have made similar choices to Nicole.
I did have a little bit of a awe struck moment, when the story mentioned the Highline in New York, which has fascinated me ever since I found out about it. Highline is an elevated park that used to be a rail line, which runs all around New York. It is definitely something I intend to visit, should I ever get the pleasure of visiting New York. Here is a video for you to see how fabulous it is yourself - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLmiaC...
I truly loved this book and will be keeping it as one of my permanent collection. I envisage myself reading it again and again in the future, as I move into the festive season. If you haven't read a book yet by Amy Silver then I would definitely recommend this one or All I Want For Christmas as I have really loved them both. Get your journey to Christmas off to a good start with an Amy Silver novel.
This story unravels over the period between Boxing Day and New Years Day, with reflections on past New Years events throughout Nicole's life. The reflections are really revealing, allowing you to judge Nicole's state of mind on the present lead up to New Year.
From the first few pages, you are convinced that Nicole is keeping secrets from us, which are unravelled like Christmas presents as the story progresses. Even though she is keeping secrets, you find yourself staying right by her side, hoping that everything will work itself out for her, as you find out why she is really in the situation she is. All the characters were believable and I felt like I had stepped into a book where I knew everyone from the start. I was the absent friend who only supported them via email as I couldn't be there physically. I was desperate for each of them to find true happiness, even though they had aired their imperfections. I came away loving Aidan, Julian and Karl,wishing they were in my life for real. The characters stay with you long after you finish reading the book.
The ending took me by surprise as it wasn't the one I was convinced it would be. However, I was rather pleased with how the story turned out and I imagine in the same situation I would have made similar choices to Nicole.
I did have a little bit of a awe struck moment, when the story mentioned the Highline in New York, which has fascinated me ever since I found out about it. Highline is an elevated park that used to be a rail line, which runs all around New York. It is definitely something I intend to visit, should I ever get the pleasure of visiting New York. Here is a video for you to see how fabulous it is yourself - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLmiaC...
I truly loved this book and will be keeping it as one of my permanent collection. I envisage myself reading it again and again in the future, as I move into the festive season. If you haven't read a book yet by Amy Silver then I would definitely recommend this one or All I Want For Christmas as I have really loved them both. Get your journey to Christmas off to a good start with an Amy Silver novel.
January 12, 2018
Going into this I expected it to be a really fluffy chick lit book, but the storyline had a fair amount of grit to it which I liked. The characters were believable, rough around the edges and troubled in a lot of ways. There were a few cultural and political references which is unlike a lot of chit literature. There was quite a bit of travelling to different parts of the world too, which added a unique element.
The chapters jumped about from different time lines, which usually I don’t take too, but the author did this very nicely. I researched the author and book afterwards and I was stunned to see Amy Silver is a pen name for the famous Paula Hawkins, writer of The Girl on The Train. I’ve read this too, and the chapters do the same thing within the more famous book.
The writing style was very entrancing, it was easy to get lost in the book, and I finished it remarkably quickly. I enjoyed the few major plot twists which came out the blue. One Minute to Midnight is actually very well written. I was deceived by the pretty cover, as it was definitely not your typical kind of read. If you like Paula Hawkins writing, I would give this one a go.
The chapters jumped about from different time lines, which usually I don’t take too, but the author did this very nicely. I researched the author and book afterwards and I was stunned to see Amy Silver is a pen name for the famous Paula Hawkins, writer of The Girl on The Train. I’ve read this too, and the chapters do the same thing within the more famous book.
The writing style was very entrancing, it was easy to get lost in the book, and I finished it remarkably quickly. I enjoyed the few major plot twists which came out the blue. One Minute to Midnight is actually very well written. I was deceived by the pretty cover, as it was definitely not your typical kind of read. If you like Paula Hawkins writing, I would give this one a go.
January 10, 2021
Jetzt hab ich zu Beginn des Jahres gleich eine Langzeitsubleiche befreit, die mich aber leider leider so überhaupt nicht begeistern konnte.
Die Protagonistin war eine schrecklich unsympathische und egoistische Person und ich konnte keine der Beziehungen in dem Buch so wirklich nachfühlen. Ich fand den Inhalt auch irgendwie zu gewaltig für die Seitenzahl, deswegen hatte die Autorin wahrscheinlich nicht die Möglichkeit die Beziehungen zwischen den Figuren vernünftig aufzubauen.
Der Beginn des Romans hat mir allerdings noch ganz gut gefallen und ich fand es toll, dass die Geschichte an so vielen verschiedenen Schauplätzen gespielt hat.
Die Protagonistin war eine schrecklich unsympathische und egoistische Person und ich konnte keine der Beziehungen in dem Buch so wirklich nachfühlen. Ich fand den Inhalt auch irgendwie zu gewaltig für die Seitenzahl, deswegen hatte die Autorin wahrscheinlich nicht die Möglichkeit die Beziehungen zwischen den Figuren vernünftig aufzubauen.
Der Beginn des Romans hat mir allerdings noch ganz gut gefallen und ich fand es toll, dass die Geschichte an so vielen verschiedenen Schauplätzen gespielt hat.
October 18, 2013
***MAJOR SPOILERS COMING THROUGH ***
This book was heart-breaking. Broke my heart when Julian died. Broke my heart when Nicole left Dom. Broke my heart even when her father died. Broke my heart seeing Nicole's heart being broken by Aidan so many times and yet she went back for more. I never really liked Aidan's character. Yes, he is smoking hot but besides that there is nothing much to him other than a drunkard tortured soul who has apparently been through a lot. The book in the beginning was just fascinating and I couldn't put my phone down (Since I was reading an e-book)but then as it moved forward it started to get slightly boring. And Nicole is a really selfish bitch here. Even after all the love received from Dom (I agree that what he also did was wrong and unforgivable except was it really unforgivable? In a way she also always craved for Aidan and wanted him and it wasn't infidelity exactly but she didn't exactly want Dom either, did she?) And then the end of the book, I couldn't actually stop the flow of tears. It was so heart-breaking and in a way pathetic how she goes back for Aidan. Theres hardly any focus on the richness of Dom's character in the story. I know he's not exactly one of the main characters but his character was a very charming one. Amy Silver's writing was good but she could have made Dom's character grow a little more on us and she could definitely have made Nicole a little empathetic.
This book was heart-breaking. Broke my heart when Julian died. Broke my heart when Nicole left Dom. Broke my heart even when her father died. Broke my heart seeing Nicole's heart being broken by Aidan so many times and yet she went back for more. I never really liked Aidan's character. Yes, he is smoking hot but besides that there is nothing much to him other than a drunkard tortured soul who has apparently been through a lot. The book in the beginning was just fascinating and I couldn't put my phone down (Since I was reading an e-book)but then as it moved forward it started to get slightly boring. And Nicole is a really selfish bitch here. Even after all the love received from Dom (I agree that what he also did was wrong and unforgivable except was it really unforgivable? In a way she also always craved for Aidan and wanted him and it wasn't infidelity exactly but she didn't exactly want Dom either, did she?) And then the end of the book, I couldn't actually stop the flow of tears. It was so heart-breaking and in a way pathetic how she goes back for Aidan. Theres hardly any focus on the richness of Dom's character in the story. I know he's not exactly one of the main characters but his character was a very charming one. Amy Silver's writing was good but she could have made Dom's character grow a little more on us and she could definitely have made Nicole a little empathetic.
July 1, 2013
Never judge a book by it's cover, couldn't have said it better myself where this book is concerned. I bought it a while ago with the intention of keeping it for the festive season for a nice 'fluffy', easy read. As it was, I picked it up last week and thought I'd give it a whirl, just wish I'd read it sooner. 'Fluffy' would've been good, I like books like that, but what I actually got was a book that I couldn't put down, twists I didn't see coming and and ending that I think was happy, it just left me feeling very reflective.
The book takes us through various NYE in the life of Nicole and her friends, starting with when she was 14 and she meets Julian, who will quickly become a very important person in her life. Each year as she celebrates New Year, we find her life taking different paths, there's heart ache, friendship issues, good times, bad times and this pivotal moments in her life all take place in a different part of the world, but with the same circle of friends and with one guy in particular who keeps breaking her heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would totally recommend it.
The book takes us through various NYE in the life of Nicole and her friends, starting with when she was 14 and she meets Julian, who will quickly become a very important person in her life. Each year as she celebrates New Year, we find her life taking different paths, there's heart ache, friendship issues, good times, bad times and this pivotal moments in her life all take place in a different part of the world, but with the same circle of friends and with one guy in particular who keeps breaking her heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would totally recommend it.
January 8, 2012
I read this book in a matter of days. I found it such a fast paced read and I had to find out what happened next. As a fan of chick lit and a fan of One Day, it was like this book was meant for me. It begins on boxing day, leading up to new year and flashes back to new years in the past so you get a real feel for each of the characters. I found myself wanting to know what happened next at the end of the book. I would love it if there was a sequal so I can revisit the characters!
July 4, 2012
"You should never be careless about friendship. You will find, the older you get, that new friendships do not come around quite as often as they once did. You should treasure those you have, protect them fiercely."
A touching story about hope, true love and enduring friendship, One Minute to Midnight leaves you with a sad, happy smile (if that's even possible) in the end. We'll realize that there's so much to live for, and that forgiving those who wronged us is one key to happiness.
A touching story about hope, true love and enduring friendship, One Minute to Midnight leaves you with a sad, happy smile (if that's even possible) in the end. We'll realize that there's so much to live for, and that forgiving those who wronged us is one key to happiness.
February 7, 2016
Oh my god. I wrote a review, it died and everything was gone. Are you kidding me?
So it was basically a nice story that took turns between the days before New Year's Eve in the present and this day in various years of Nicole 's past.
I really enjoyed most it, especially the ending. What I disliked was the main character herself. She is an egoistic and immature bitch. (Reasons for that are lost in nirvana.)
So it was basically a nice story that took turns between the days before New Year's Eve in the present and this day in various years of Nicole 's past.
I really enjoyed most it, especially the ending. What I disliked was the main character herself. She is an egoistic and immature bitch. (Reasons for that are lost in nirvana.)
August 25, 2024
3.8 stars
October 31, 2021
I picked this up because I wanted an easy and mindless read.
What I got was an easy read with way more substance than I was expecting. The end hit me in the chest. Thoroughly recommend.
What I got was an easy read with way more substance than I was expecting. The end hit me in the chest. Thoroughly recommend.
July 27, 2023
Ein gutes leichtes Buch für zwischendurch :)
March 30, 2019
Das Buch war wirklich klasse, ein unheimlich toller Schreibstil und eine ergreifende Geschichte. Nur das Ende hat mich enttäuscht, es wirkte auf mich als musste die Autorin schnell fertig werden.
December 2, 2011
At this time of year you only have to walk into a bookshop to see the abundance of Christmas books that are released during the build up to Christmas and so what first struck me about One Minute to Midnight is that this is a book about New Year. New Year is a time that tends to be overshadowed by the excitement for Christmas something that’s also apparent in the book industry. And so reading a book about New Year and the new beginning’s that come along with it was a very welcome breath of fresh air.
First things first I have to say don’t be fooled by this book’s beautiful- but undeniably girly- cover. This isn’t your typical chick-lit read. One Minute to Midnight is a realistic, hard-hitting, tug on your heartstrings novel that covers topics such as domestic violence, grief and death and is about a group of less than perfect friends and their complex relationships with one another.
Our leading lady is Nicole and straight away I found her fascinating to read about. She’s smart, feisty and is a woman with a past. There are a lot of skeletons in Nic’s closet and secrets that not only is she keeping from her husband Dom but us readers too. The book alternates from the present build up to New Year to the New Year’s Eve’s of Nicole’s past beginning in 1990 when Nicole is thirteen and spends her first New Year’s Eve with Julian Symonds unbeknownst to them starting a tradition and friendship that will see them through many New Years to come. With the book being told on the same day each year One Minute to Midnight had a certain One Day feel about it which I loved especially as it gives you the feeling that you really know these characters that you’ve watched them grow up.
I found the characters in this book to be so well developed. Every one of them felt so real and even the secondary characters stood out. They’ve all made mistakes, some that have hurt each other, but no matter what they done I couldn’t not like any of them because Amy Silver has this way of making you understand her characters and their actions. Their mistakes, regrets and secrets are slowly revealed as the book goes on. Ultimately this is a book about the characters finding new beginnings, forgiveness and redemption themes that tie in perfectly with New Year.
Amy Silver writes like a dream and has the ability to make you both laugh and cry. The prose is so organic with some truly heart felt moments particularly between Nicole and her father, and her husband Dom. One Minute to Midnight is definitely a book that touches your heart and I can certainly see myself pulling this off the shelf for re-reads in the future. One Minute to Midnight is such a wonderful book that is so much more than just chick-lit. Definitely add this to your Winter reading piles this year, this is my first of Amy Silver’s novels and it definitely won’t be my last!
First things first I have to say don’t be fooled by this book’s beautiful- but undeniably girly- cover. This isn’t your typical chick-lit read. One Minute to Midnight is a realistic, hard-hitting, tug on your heartstrings novel that covers topics such as domestic violence, grief and death and is about a group of less than perfect friends and their complex relationships with one another.
Our leading lady is Nicole and straight away I found her fascinating to read about. She’s smart, feisty and is a woman with a past. There are a lot of skeletons in Nic’s closet and secrets that not only is she keeping from her husband Dom but us readers too. The book alternates from the present build up to New Year to the New Year’s Eve’s of Nicole’s past beginning in 1990 when Nicole is thirteen and spends her first New Year’s Eve with Julian Symonds unbeknownst to them starting a tradition and friendship that will see them through many New Years to come. With the book being told on the same day each year One Minute to Midnight had a certain One Day feel about it which I loved especially as it gives you the feeling that you really know these characters that you’ve watched them grow up.
I found the characters in this book to be so well developed. Every one of them felt so real and even the secondary characters stood out. They’ve all made mistakes, some that have hurt each other, but no matter what they done I couldn’t not like any of them because Amy Silver has this way of making you understand her characters and their actions. Their mistakes, regrets and secrets are slowly revealed as the book goes on. Ultimately this is a book about the characters finding new beginnings, forgiveness and redemption themes that tie in perfectly with New Year.
Amy Silver writes like a dream and has the ability to make you both laugh and cry. The prose is so organic with some truly heart felt moments particularly between Nicole and her father, and her husband Dom. One Minute to Midnight is definitely a book that touches your heart and I can certainly see myself pulling this off the shelf for re-reads in the future. One Minute to Midnight is such a wonderful book that is so much more than just chick-lit. Definitely add this to your Winter reading piles this year, this is my first of Amy Silver’s novels and it definitely won’t be my last!
January 5, 2021
This book has been sat on my to read pile for years. I meant to read it every Christmas and forgot so I started it on New Year's Day. I have to say I loved it. The characters, the storyline, everything. Didn't want it to end. What a way to start my new reading year, even in Lockdown 3!
January 8, 2012
This is the story of Nicole Blake. In 2011 a mid thirties Nicole is feeling nostalgic and in a rut, so she begins looking back at her life. We flashback to Nicole at 13. This year marks a turning point in many phases of her life; namely a breakdown of her parents marriage, and the first time she falls in love. Most of the story revolves around key events that have defined Nicole since her early teens, all coincidentally right around New Years Eve outings since that night.
Nicole falls in and out of love but a few things remain constant in her life. Her friendship with Julian and Alex, her obsession with Adian, and her tumultuous relationship with her father. All of these relationships, among her career and her current marriage, are building blocks to where Nicole has been and where she's going.
This was a hard book to rate. In the first half I was certain I was going to love this book. I don't like to read too far into a synopsis as to not spoil where it is going. But in the second half I started to grow frustrated with Nicole and how she only seemed to think about how she felt in any given situation. In the end I averaged out my feelings to a 3 star rating, but in all actuality it is probably more of a 3 and a half star book.
Nicole falls in and out of love but a few things remain constant in her life. Her friendship with Julian and Alex, her obsession with Adian, and her tumultuous relationship with her father. All of these relationships, among her career and her current marriage, are building blocks to where Nicole has been and where she's going.
This was a hard book to rate. In the first half I was certain I was going to love this book. I don't like to read too far into a synopsis as to not spoil where it is going. But in the second half I started to grow frustrated with Nicole and how she only seemed to think about how she felt in any given situation. In the end I averaged out my feelings to a 3 star rating, but in all actuality it is probably more of a 3 and a half star book.
January 6, 2014
it's a book about friendship and love, loss and pain.
I loved it, not only because it always comes back to NYE (my fav day of the year) but also to the friends you love the most.
Julian and Nicole are inseparable once they met and so they try to spend each NYE together or at least talk to each other on the phone. they share a tradition of telling each other their New Year's resolutions, some obvious, some ridiculous and some impossible.
the book is about love as well. the kind of love that's heartbreaking, dangerous, yet so tempting and Aidan is too handsome and fascinating to resist...
as life goes on it becomes clear that the life you live and that's in your comfort zone does not always make you happy. when you realize that you have to choose, accept the pain and take a risk or stay where you are and never know if a change would've been the best thing ever happening to you.
what would you choose?
I loved it, not only because it always comes back to NYE (my fav day of the year) but also to the friends you love the most.
Julian and Nicole are inseparable once they met and so they try to spend each NYE together or at least talk to each other on the phone. they share a tradition of telling each other their New Year's resolutions, some obvious, some ridiculous and some impossible.
the book is about love as well. the kind of love that's heartbreaking, dangerous, yet so tempting and Aidan is too handsome and fascinating to resist...
as life goes on it becomes clear that the life you live and that's in your comfort zone does not always make you happy. when you realize that you have to choose, accept the pain and take a risk or stay where you are and never know if a change would've been the best thing ever happening to you.
what would you choose?
January 2, 2014
It's post Christmas 2011 as we join Nicole, and from the first chapter, it becomes evident that there are problems with her current life and her relationship with husband Dom. Through flashbacks over previous New Years during Nicole's life, we discover the events that have led to their current situation, which involve her very best friends Jules, Alex and Aidan, the other main characters.
A definite page turner, this story of friendship and love evolves beautifully and left me wanting to read the next chapter straightaway, until I found I just couldn't put it down and read the book in two sittings!
All of the main characters are so well developed, especially that of Nicole, who is very complex and real as she tries to find her way back from events that occur. Unusually, the secondary characters are well fleshed out too and help give depth to the story. The ending is so heartbreakingly beautiful! I'm really looking forward to reading more of Amy Silver's work.
A definite page turner, this story of friendship and love evolves beautifully and left me wanting to read the next chapter straightaway, until I found I just couldn't put it down and read the book in two sittings!
All of the main characters are so well developed, especially that of Nicole, who is very complex and real as she tries to find her way back from events that occur. Unusually, the secondary characters are well fleshed out too and help give depth to the story. The ending is so heartbreakingly beautiful! I'm really looking forward to reading more of Amy Silver's work.
June 14, 2012
Spaced out between decades, it tells the story of Nicole Blake and all the moments leading up to New Years Day, starting with an adolescent Nic and her present-day life in London, where her past still keeps a hold on her life.
A quick, entertaining book with some expected moments it was still fun to read.
A quick, entertaining book with some expected moments it was still fun to read.
July 10, 2012
I bought this book because I read loads of good reviews and thought it would be an enjoyable book... But it really wasn't for me... Although I read it I just got more and more put off with the deceit in this book and how the main character could keep going back to an ex who just kept dumping her when a better option came around... I don't want to spoil the book for those that haven't read it yet but for me this wasn't an enjoyable read.
October 10, 2017
First time I've read one of Amy's books, but decided to give it a go as i fell in love with the cover, absolutely gorgeous.
The story itself certainly didn't disappoint, it was a fantastic read, great story plot, well written characters. It was great getting to know all of the characters, there was happy and sad moments, it had all the emotions that made a great book.
I'll definately be reading more books by this author in the future.
The story itself certainly didn't disappoint, it was a fantastic read, great story plot, well written characters. It was great getting to know all of the characters, there was happy and sad moments, it had all the emotions that made a great book.
I'll definately be reading more books by this author in the future.
November 24, 2013
This novel had much more depth then I expected! I loved all the twists and turns, cried and laughed. It reminded me a little bit of "One Day", but developed in a very different way. It's a pity the book has such a tacky cover, it deserves better!
A fantastic read for this time of the year!
A fantastic read for this time of the year!
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