ARC Review: Lisa Schroeder - The Day Before

Lisa Schroeder - The Day Before

Pub. Date: June 28, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Ebook 320pp
Age Range: Young Adult

BN.com description:

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

My review:

Wow, this was a satisfyingly quick read. This book is written in verse, and I'm tempted to write my review that way! Alas, I will stick with what I know, and it's normal sentences. ;o)

I loved the mystery in regards to sixteen-year-old Amber's life situation. The reader knows something big is in the works, but Schroeder only hints at it at the beginning. As the story unfolds, both first hand from Amber and through letters within the past three years, we learn the truth, and it wasn't what I thought at all.

The words on the pages tell a story, but their placement does as well. The reader can feel Amber's emotions through the words, few though they may be. In running off for a day to herself, she meets Cade and things turn out much differently than she thought they would. And you'll never guess what HIS big secret is.

This book really teaches you to be grateful for what you have and never assume what someone else's story is. Chances are, you have no idea what they're going through. It's also important to live every day like it's your last! I'm very glad I read this fast, eye-opening, surprising read.

What I liked:

• Verse. Words written in a different format than general sentences that make up paragraphs is in an important part of expression. You can see thought patterns and feel emotions differently due to word formations. It's a different experience.
• The mystery. I liked that we're only given hints and clues as to what Amber's deal is, why she's so stressed, why she's leaving for the day. And it's a different idea, something I wouldn't have guessed and haven't read about before.
• The comparisons and lessons learned. Amber makes comparisons between her life and this day at the beach, at the aquarium, and with Cade in general. She learns the value of certain things by experience, and that's very important.
• The small things. I love the movie game they play. I love that they remember stuff about each other and form such a quick bond. Right time, right place.. it happens, people! And I liked the end!! :o)
• The writing techniques. Besides the verse, this is written in FP/PT, which gives me the loves. And it also switches between Amber's POV and letters written back and forth.

What I didn't like:

• Formatting. On my Nook, the pages weren't formatted correctly, so I didn't see the word placement as intended. I had to look at that part on the computer.
• The verse. I know I said I liked it, and I do.. but sometimes it's distracting. And it was just a little bit here. I might have liked this a little better if it were written in regular novel form. I know, I'm flip-flopping. But perhaps the story could have had just a bit more depth.

Bottom Line: Read this YA book, especially if you like novels written in verse. It's a great story.

Rating:

4/5 book sharks

Thanks so much to GalleyGrab for the opportunity to read this!