Book Review: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder.

Product details:
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
Release date: June 28th 2011.
Hardcover, 320 pages.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 14+
Source: Galley Grab

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.

When I first heard of The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, I was a little wary despite being completely in love with the premise of the book. Having never read a book written in verse before, I wasn’t quite sure if it would be to my taste. However, I’m glad to say that these fears were totally unfounded. Schroeder’s writing is beautiful, giving readers an immediate insight into the mindset of her characters. Her writing is raw, powerful, emotional and real and will enable readers to establish a deep connection with the characters in this book as they learn of the events that have led them to spend one perfect day together before their lives change forever.

I was initially drawn to this book by the synopsis which immediately reminded me of one of my all time favourite movies Before Sunrise, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. It’s a movie that is beautifully referenced in the text as “the most romantic movie ever”, and I agree that this movie, depicting an unexpected, perfect day when two strangers meet and immediately connect, is pretty special. Truly perfect days are a rare thing, filled with simple pleasures, made perfect by the people they are shared with.

Amber and Cade meet when they are both trying to experience a day free from worry, free from hurt, free from expectations. This is a perfect day book, for sure, but it has a dark ominous cloud hanging over it in the shape of what is to come next in the lives of Amber, a girl caught in a heartbreaking tug of war, and Cade, a boy who has had to make a life-changing decision, and who is living every moment like it’s his last. Amber and Cade don’t know each other, they meet by chance, or by fate, as they embark on the day before the day that their lives are set to change forever.

I went through a range of emotions while reading this book. It’s dark in places, but also funny, sweet and romantic. It’s a book that will tug at your heartstrings, but also leave you smiling as you witness the connection between Amber and Cade as they share special, once in a lifetime moments together, including perfect kisses under a glitter filled sky. Sometimes the right person comes along just when you need them most, and Amber and Cade find solace and understanding in each other as they face that dreaded tomorrow that they never want to arrive.

This book was beautiful in every way, filled with life great characters, special moments and life lessons that made me sit up and listen. As a person who is not a big fan of change, I appreciated the message that if you embrace change, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. As a quick read, this book totally left me wanting more, just like all the best books do. Maybe Lisa Schroeder will take inspiration from Before Sunset which revisited the characters from Before Sunrise almost a decade down the line and give us a sequel some time. I, for one, would love to read more!