Monday, May 30, 2011

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Release: June 28, 2011
Pages: 320 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Galley Grab
Summary:
Sometimes there's no turning back.

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 her 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 that he's also looking for an escape. Together they...Click here for more of this summary.
Thoughts: The Day Before perfectly exemplifies the beauty of words tied together through emotion - this story is poetic, lyrical...and just overall spectacular.

Amber needs this last day for herself, and only herself. Running off early in the morning with a backpack full of essential items - her drumstricks, P!NK blaring on her iPod, and of course, some jelly beans - Amber heads off for a day that she can control. Early on, she runs into Cade, the two of them click, and decide to see where the day takes them. As the day spirals onward into more adventures, the separate mysteries surrounding these two characters are slowly revealed. Mixed in, letters to Amber help hint at her predicament, but it's Cade's that will surprise the most.

Schroeder knows how to string words together beautifully. Her characters are easy to connect with and I couldn't help but grow quickly curious about what was going on in Amber's life. Her impromptu day trip alone intrigued me -- After all, who hasn't ever wanted just a day that you can control completely, where you can go anywhere and do anything?{1} The situations and issues revealed in this novel are a bit heartbreaking, but this story still manages to come across as endearing. 

From fun at the beach, to an awesome concert I wish I could attend{2} and so much more, The Day Before is truly an incredible story about one day and how easily life can throw some surprises your way. 

Highlights: References to various musical artists, movies were a bonus (especially for a current pop culture movie/music fan). But even more, I enjoyed how Amber and Cade bonded over music/movies. This novel is written in pure emotion and still remains very realistic to the narrator - despite being so lyrical, she still comes across like a teenage girl. I'm not usually a verse-novel fan, but I always find Schroeder's work enjoyable and worthwhile to read. 

Lowlights: It was far too quick, too short. By the time it ended, I wanted just more out of the story/characters to give them both a bit more depth. The attraction - while sweet - between Cade and Amber needed some more time to develop into something believable. 

Rating:   


Signature


{1} Raises hand*
{2} Trust me, you'd want to be at that concert too. *dances*

8 comments:

  1. I love Lisa Schroeder´s Twitter presence, but I´ve been a little apprehensive about actually picking up her books. This looks like something I´d enjoy, though - I´m a sucker for pop culture references! =) Great review!

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  2. Enjoyed your review! Who hasn't wanted a day to themselves? Am curious about what happened in Amber's life to make her want to run away for a day, so will definitely check this one out!

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  3. I hate it when you're left wanting more because it was quick to read! Great review! :) And I loved I Heart You, You Haunt Me, so I'm hoping to love this as well!

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  4. Oooh, this looks like such a great book! What a fun concept. Thanks for the review!

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  5. Here from the comment exchange!(:

    I've never heard of this book before! But it sounds very interesting, and Im curious to find out whats happening in Ambers life! Ugh.

    Great review and happy reading!:D
    lisa

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  6. Thanks for this great review.
    I got this one On Deck to be read and I wasn't sure about it but your review totally got me pumped for it.

    Thanks!

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  7. I liked this one, but I didn't love it. I'm not sure what it was... overall it was worth reading, though, for sure.

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  8. Awesomely put Lea! I read this one in 1 day! so good. I always loved Lisa's writing. She ties so much emotions to the characters. Hopefully Amber and Cade stick together...;)

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