November 9 Summary and Review (Non-spoiler & Spoiler)

BySonia Singh Hours Updated on

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In this November 9 summary and review guide, you’ll get to read a non-spoiler and spoiler summary of the book, my personal thoughts on the book, favourite quotes, books like November 9 and more!

I decided to read November 9 by Colleen Hoover because this book’s plot stood out to me compared to ther rest of Colleen Hoover’s books. 

Two characters, vow to meet each other at the same time, same date, for the next 6 years.

Plus, I read this book just in time to review it before November 9!

Read more on Colleen Hoover:

November 9 Summary (Non-Spoiler)

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November 9 by Colleen Hoover follows two teenagers, Fallon O’Neil and Benton (Ben) James Kessler.

Fallon used to be a teen actress, until one day an unfortunate fire causes her face and body to be scarred, limiting her opportunities in the acting world. Ben is an aspiring writer in college who hopes to one day publish a book.

The two of them meet at a restaurant on November 9 and swear to meet again every year for the next 6 years until they’re both 23.

They are undeniably attracted to each other. Every year they meet on the same day, same time and same place until they eventually fall in love with each other.

However, things get messy when Fallon discovers a secret Ben has been hiding from her.

November 9 Book Age Rating

18 and up. There are open-door steamy romance scenes that’s suitable for adult romance readers. ⅘ spice level.

November 9 Trigger Warnings

  • Fire
  • Burn scars
  • Death of a loved one
  • Suicide

November 9 Characters

Here is a list of characters in November 9 by Colleen Hoover:

  • Fallon O’Neil (teen actress)
  • Benton (Ben) James Kessler (aspiring writer)
  • Donovan O’Neil (Fallon’s father)
  • Amber (Fallon’s friend)
  • Ian (Ben’s brother)
  • Kyle (Ben’s brother)
  • Jordyn (Kyle’s wife)
  • Oliver (Kyle & Jordyn’s child)

November 9 Summary (Spoiler)

November 9 by Colleen Hoover is broken down into 6 November 9ths. In this book summary, we’ll go through all of them.

First November 9th

We meet Fallon O’Neil, waiting for her insensitive father (Donovan O’Neil, a famous actor) at a restaurant.

In the first November 9th, we learn what happened to Fallon on the date of November 9, two years ago. She was staying over at her father’s place.

When a fire started, Fallon was rescued but had to undergo critical surgery as most of the left-side of her face and body had serious burns from the fire. 

Fast forward two years later, the fire has destroyed her confidence and her acting career. There are scars from the left side of her face that goes all the way down the left-side of her body.

Fallon’s father was being insensitive at the restaurant, telling her that she should give up acting. Ben is seated behind them and overhears the whole conversation. 

He decides to come to her rescue and pretends to be her boyfriend in front of her father. He thinks she is beautiful and wants Fallon to be more confident in herself.

That night, they become friends, but Fallon needs to leave for New York. Ben and Fallon make a promise to meet each other every year at the same time, same date and same place. 

Ben also thinks that this will be a great opportunity to write a book about them, titled “November 9”.

Second November 9th

In the second November 9th, Ben gets a random phone call and it’s Fallon. She explains how her flight was delayed and she was afraid she won’t make it in time to the restaurant. 

Ben is glad that Fallon is late instead of standing him up, he suggests she takes a cab to his home instead of the restaurant from the airport.

Fallon gets to meet Ben’s family. 

She meets his two brothers – Ian and Kyle. She also meets Jordyn, Kyle’s fiance. The two of them catch up on each other’s lives. Ben has read many romance novels upon Fallon’s request and Fallon has attended acting auditions as per Ben’s request.

The two of them get intimate with each other. Ben helps Fallon love herself, including her scars.

Third November 9th

On the third November 9th, Fallon gets a phone call from Ben. He isn’t going to make it because his brother, Kyle has died in a car accident.

Fallon decides to visit Ben at his home instead, and Ben could not be more glad. Ben finally is able to cry and mourn over his dead brother. We also learn that Jordyn, Kyle’s wife is pregnant and due in a couple of months. 

Fallon and Ben are hopelessly in love with each other. Ben wants to move to New York to be with her and Fallon wants the same too. So they decide to end this November 9 arrangement.

However, Fallon learns from Jordyn that Ben has secured a literary agent for his book about them. Because of this, Fallon feels that Ben should stay back in LA and continue writing the book. This means they’ll only get to meet once a year for the next couple of years.

Ben gets upset about this. Fallon leaves for New York on a bad note, unsure if Ben will meet her next year on the same day and time.

Fourth November 9th 

Fallon waits for Ben at the restaurant, hoping he’ll show up. She is not sure how he feels about her since they ended up on a bad note before she left for New York.

Ben shows up, with a little boy – Oliver, Jordyn’s and Kyle’s son. He explains to Fallon that he and Jordyn are in a relationship. 

Fallon is devastated and leaves the restaurant. She tells him that she will not show up next year on the same date. As soon as Ben realizes what he has lost, he knows, he made the wrong decision being together with Jordyn.

Fifth November 9th

On the 5th November 9th, Fallon is sulking about not meeting Ben. To take her mind off things, Amber, her friend invites her on a double date to the club.

At the club, she bumps into Ben and the two clear the air. Soon, they head back to Ben’s place and get intimate with each other.

The next morning, Fallon finds the manuscript Ben has been working on. She learns that it is Ben who started the fire that Fallon was involved in.

She leaves without giving Ben an opportunity to explain. She decides to put an end to this arrangement and never meet again.

Sixth November 9th

On the final November 9th, Fallon couldn’t feel any worse. All she wants to do is sleep for as long as she can till it becomes November 10th.

At midnight, she receives a package at the front of the door, containing the rest of the manuscript. She decides to ignore it and go to bed.

The next morning, she finds her mother sobbing on the sofa after reading the manuscript. Her mother tells her to read it to know the truth about the night of the fire.

Fallon proceeds to read four chapters from Ben’s manuscript.

November 9 Book Ending

Note: Spoiler Alert!

At the end of November 9, we discover that Ben is the one who started the fire. Ben was upset on November 9 after finding his mother’s dead body and assumed the reason for her death is her lover, Donovan O’Neill (Fallon’s father). Because he was upset, he set Donovan’s car on fire which eventually spread to the house Fallon was sleeping in.

Ben never meant to set fire to Donovan’s house, but the fire spread and it was too late. He felt responsible for what has happened to Fallon. 

Two years later, on November 9th, he finds Donovan at his mother’s grave. He decides to follow him and eventually reaches a restaurant where Fallon was waiting for her father. Out of guilt, Ben starts befriending Fallon at the restaurant, and that is where it all started, on November 9th.

Fallon learns all of this by reading Ben’s manuscript titled “November 9”. After learning about the painful series of events Ben had to endure, she decides to forgive him. 

In the last chapter, she gets a tattoo to commemorate their love (just like Ben did on the second November 9th meet-up) and meets him at the restaurant. 

November 9 Book Review: My Thoughts

Note: Spoiler Alert!

I loved the premise of November 9. Two strangers who are instantly drawn to each other, plan to meet up on the same day and time for the next six years.

I picked this book up because it sounded different when compared to all Colleen Hoover books.

Unfortunately, the rest that follows in this book is not my cup of tea. I was not a fan of how the story progressed and especially was displeased with Ben’s secret.

Colleen Hoover tends to write love stories that have to revolve around trauma, death, and pain for it to be a memorable love story. I noticed this pattern from most of her books I’ve read and I’m not a fan of it.

In my opinion, Ben was forgiven by Fallon too easily. I also felt he was a pervert, definitely not a romantic.

I don’t recommend this book, but I know many people who love it. If you’re still in doubt if you should pick this book up or not, read the book summary above!

November 9 Quotes

My favourite quotes while reading November 9:

“You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.”

Colleen Hoover (November 9)

“It took four years for me to fall in love with him. It only took four pages to stop.”

Colleen Hoover (November 9)

“Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy.

Colleen Hoover (November 9)

“In her darkness, she is silent.
In my darkness, she screams.”

Colleen Hoover (November 9)

“If she’s not careful, I might just fall in love with her. Tonight.”

Colleen Hoover (November 9)

FAQ: November 9

Note: Spoiler Alert!

Does November 9 Have A Good Ending?

Yes, there is a happy ending. Fallon and Ben do end up together.

Does Fallon Forgive Ben In November 9?

Yes. Fallon forgives him in the last few pages. She gets a tattoo to commemorate their love and meets him a few minutes before November 9th ends.

Why Did Ben Set The Fire?

Ben assumed that his mother’s suicide was because of her lover, Donovan (Fallon’s father). Ben got upset and burned his car but did not expect the fire to spread to the house Fallon was sleeping in.

Is There A Sequel To November 9?

No. There is no sequel to November 9.

How Old Are The Characters In November 9?

Fallon and Ben are both 18 when they first meet and continue to meet each other every year will age 23.

Is November 9 A Spicy Book?

Yes. It is rated ⅘ for spice level. It is meant for 18 and up readers.

Wrap Up: November 9 Summary & Review

I hope this summary and review of November 9 has been helpful to you.

Here are a few places where you can get November 9 from:

Read more on Colleen Hoover:

Hi there, i'm Sonia. The founder and author at Brewing Writer, a blog that features detailed book reviews, bookstagram tips, book blogging tips, thoughtfully curated book lists (which my readers love!) and cozy aesthetic photography that’ll make you crave a cup of coffee and a good book.

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2 Comments

  1. I would be honored if you read my book, “Haemi.” It’s a love story of Korean sea woman, that takes action on Jeju Island. It will be free on Kindle until November 13th. 🙂

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