The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder Book Review

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.

-Simon & Schuster

he's a good example

It's like 

the silence

that follows

    the beautiful song.

Or

the darkness

that follows

    the glitter in the air.

He knew 

what to do

to make it better. 

-Amber, The Day Before-Lisa Schroeder 

I give the novel 5 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey.

What would you do the day before your entire life could change? Wallow...stress out over the bits and bobbles...or celebrate? Lisa Schroeder's novel, The Day Before, chronicles one girls' day of fear-busting celebration and unrelenting support.

This novel is full of tender moments that I could back and smile over. Amber, a girl seeking to leave 'making sense of things' for the next day, was a great character to follow. She's inspiring, interesting, and relatable in her desire to be swallowed up in her day of refreshing exploits. Amber meets Cade whilst watching for jellyfish in an aquarium. Cade is intriguing in his immediate (but believable) connection with Amber. Yet, he is troubled which adds to his dynamic. I wondered at the circumstances that seemed to haunt his character even as he met with the effervescent spirit that Amber carries.

Overall, the novel is simplistically lyrical. It is such an awesome experience to read a novel written entirely of verse. It takes a wonderful writer to write in this manner! I loved the romance between Amber and Cade...not overly dramatized but just enough to engage in a once in a lifetime experience. It was apparent how much they meant to each other even after having met up for a day.

The novel inspired me to decide on an adventure of my own where I take along a backpack, a book and and open heart.

The Day Before is a refreshing read, and just the reminder needed to get you appreciating every facet of life.

Suggestion: As Lisa Schroeder, herself, suggested to me, read whilst downing a bag of Jelly Belly beans.