November 9 Summary Colleen Hoover. Nov 9 Book is a novel by bestselling author Colleen Hoover. Published in 2015 by Atria, this novel follows the unusual love story between Fallon O’Neil and Ben Kessler. After meeting by chance, these two strangers agree to meet once a year in an experiment that fills their lives with a confidence they both lack—and a novel-in-progress written by Ben.
Tragedy and an unspoken truth threaten to tear them apart, but the experiment results in a manuscript that heals them both.
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| November 9 Colleen Hoover Summary |
Nov 9 Colleen Hoover Summary
On the second anniversary of the fire that left her scarred, an angry 18-year-old Fallon O’Neil meets her father, former actor Donovan O’Neil, for lunch. Fallon tells her father that she plans to move to New York that evening in order to pursue an acting career on Broadway. Fallon’s father tells her that her opportunity to be an actor died after the fire (which he takes responsibility for) and that she should pursue another career. Reacting to the cruelty of his words, a young man in a neighboring booth slides next to Fallon and claims to be her boyfriend. He tells Fallon’s father that there are plenty of actors with physical injuries who have found success in Hollywood and that there is no reason to discourage Fallon. The young man then insults Fallon’s father, causing him to abruptly leave the restaurant.
Fallon and this young man, Benton “Ben” James Kessler, have dessert together and discuss why he pretended to be her boyfriend. Fallon finds Ben entertaining, so she invites him back to her apartment to help her finish packing. She introduces him to her best friend, Amber, and Amber’s boyfriend, Glenn. Fallon and Ben go into her bedroom, and the latter makes a reservation at a fancy restaurant. Ben picks out a dress for Fallon to wear, but she doesn’t like that it shows off her scars. He looks at her scars and tells her that she’s beautiful; no one has ever told her this before. Ben goes home to get ready for dinner and returns an hour early. He and Fallon lay on her bed, and he tells her that he likes the feel of her scars. They fall asleep and miss their dinner.
Fallon and Ben kiss and talk about the future. Following Fallon’s mother’s advice about not getting serious about someone until she is 23, they decide to meet at a set restaurant at the same time each year for 5 years (November 9th). They block each other on social media and do not give each other their phone numbers; they also give each other homework. Fallon is instructed to kiss four boys and go to one audition a week, while Ben is instructed to read five specific romance novels to prepare him for writing a novel based on their relationship.
The following year, Fallon’s plane is late, but she and Ben meet up at the latter’s house. Fallon meets Ben’s two older brothers, Ian and Kyle, and Jordyn, Kyle’s fiancée. Kyle and Jordyn’s wedding is a week away, and the latter is in distress; the former seems to be struggling as well, as Fallon witnesses him hit Ben. Fallon and Ben end up on the beach; Ben takes Fallon with him to get a tattoo on his wrist. When it’s time for Fallon to catch her flight, Ben drives her to the airport. She is surprised when he boards the plane just to give her homework to reconnect with her father.
A year later, Fallon is waiting for Ben in New York when he calls the café where she waits (as they don’t have each other’s phone numbers) and tells her that Kyle was killed in a car accident and he cannot come. She goes to him instead and offers support in his grief. They become intimate and decide to end the experiment to be together. However, when Fallon learns that Jordyn will be remaining in the house and needs Ben to help her with her unborn baby, she decides to leave and renews their experiment, breaking Ben’s heart.
Fallon moves back to Los Angeles and is waiting for Ben at their restaurant, excited to tell him about the move. Ben shows up with his nephew, 10-month old Oliver, and lets it slip that he and Jordyn have become a couple. Fallon is visibly heartbroken and tells Ben that their experiment is over.
The next year, Fallon goes out with her friends and a boy she’s been seeing in order to forget Ben. However, Ben shows up at the club where the group is. He begs Fallon to come home with him so he can explain his situation to her. She initially refuses, but when things go sour with her date, she agrees. Ben explains that his relationship with Jordyn is over; he and Fallon become intimate. Early in the morning, Fallon wakes and is hungry, so she searches for a shirt to wear while she eats. She goes into Ben’s closet and finds his manuscript. Curious about the day Kyle hit Ben, she takes the manuscript into the kitchen to read it. Fallon is shocked when she reads Kyle’s claim that Ben started the fire that caused her scars.
Believing that Ben might have added this twist to make the plot fictional, Fallon flips to the prologue and reads that the death of Ben’s mother is somehow connected to the fire (they happened on the same November 9th). She becomes upset and refuses to listen to Ben when he wakes and tells her there is an explanation. He tries to get her to take the manuscript with her, but she refuses.
A year passes, and Fallon has found it impossible to forget Ben. On November 9th, she plans to spend the day alone. However, Ben leaves a copy of his manuscript on her front doorstep. Fallon’s mother reads it the next morning and insists that Fallon read it. She does and learns that Ben was only 16 when he found his mother’s body after she died by suicide. Believing that Fallon’s father, Donovan O’Neil, was responsible for his mother’s suicide, Ben went to his house and lit his classic car on fire; he didn’t mean for the fire to spread. Ben’s confession makes Fallon see the events of that night in a new, non-malicious light. She goes to meet him at the restaurant, and they pledge their love to each other.
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November 9 Book Themes
Love and second chances: The crux of the story revolves around the connection between Fallon and Ben, two individuals who share a profound yet unconventional love story. Their chance meeting on November 9th sparks a deep bond, leading them to make a pact to meet only on that specific date every year for five years. This unique dynamic allows them to witness each other's growth and navigate life's challenges together, offering a beautiful exploration of love that transcends limitations.
Loss and grief: Both Fallon and Ben carry the weight of past losses that continue to impact their present. Fallon grapples with the trauma of a devastating fire that left her physically and emotionally scarred, while Ben harbors a mysterious past shrouded in shadows. Their shared experiences of loss create a powerful bridge between them, fostering empathy and understanding as they learn to heal and move forward.
Forgiveness and acceptance: The characters in November 9 embark on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness, both towards themselves and those who have hurt them. Fallon struggles with guilt and anger surrounding her past, while Ben wrestles with the burden of his secrets. As they navigate their individual battles, they learn to accept their flaws and imperfections, offering valuable lessons on self-compassion and forgiveness.
Facing the past and moving forward: Throughout the story, both Fallon and Ben confront their past traumas and demons. This requires them to delve into painful memories and revisit regrets, but ultimately allows them to break free from the shackles of the past and embrace a brighter future. Their journeys highlight the importance of confronting challenges head-on and the transformative power of facing the past with courage and honesty.
Fate and destiny: The recurring significance of November 9th throughout the narrative raises questions about fate and destiny. The characters' lives seem strangely intertwined around this specific date, leading to pivotal moments and crucial decisions. This element adds a layer of intrigue and mystery to the story, prompting readers to ponder the role of fate in shaping our lives.
The healing power of connection: In a world that often feels isolating, November 9 emphasizes the immense strength found in human connection. Through their unique bond, Fallon and Ben provide solace and support for each other, weathering life's storms and finding solace in shared experiences. The novel serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and the transformative power of finding solace in shared vulnerability.
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Questions and Answers about November 9 Plot
What happens in November 9 by Colleen Hoover? Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon's last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel.
What is the summary of November 9? This book follows Fallon and Ben as they meet on the day Fallon is moving to the other side of the country. They meet and instantly feel a connection and agree to see each other every year on the same day. You follow their story for seven years, every November 9 different from the last.
Is November 9 inappropriate? A lot of it is non-consensual and totally inappropriate, so I don't understand all the praises being sung about this book. I love Colleen Hoover's books.
What POV is November 9? November 9th by Colleen Hoover, is a dual POV contemporary romance, centering around eighteen year olds Fallon, and Ben. When Fallon and Ben, an aspiring writer, meet on an eventful November 9th, their instant chemistry and attraction is undeniable.
Is November 9 a sad book? November 9 proved to be another bittersweet and damaging love story from Colleen Hoover. A monumental modern romance with a literary twist, November 9 follows the life of a writer and former actress.
Is November 9 book spicy? This book wasn't graphic and detailed when it comes to sex scenes at all, everything just feels so romantic. I also really like their book-flirting because Fallon is a bookworm and I lurrrrrvvvvv their jokes about that, the best really.
Is November 9 a romance? Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon's last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel.
Is November 9th a happy ending? Does November 9 have a happy ending? Yes. While November 9 is filled with trauma, tragedy, and grief, it ends happily with Fallon and Ben getting together on their fifth and final yearly meeting, fully understanding each other's pasts and agreeing to move forward together.
Is November 9 worth reading? This book was incredibly addictive! It was such a quick paced read! I loved how Ben taught Fallon to love herself and that she's beautiful. I really loved the idea that they only saw each other one day every year with no contact in between.
Can my 13 year old read November 9? The book contains very dark and very explicit adult content. What age is appropriate for November 9? The appropriate age for readers of November 9 by Colleen Hoover is 17 and over. It is a Mature Adult book with complex themes, including tragedy, grief, drugs, and alcohol, as well as romantic content.
What is the main theme of November 9? November 9 is a book about Loss, Acceptance, Growth, Forgiveness and maybe Redemption. The big plot twist was indeed big but not one I would have ever imagined. Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move.