The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Simon Pulse, June 28, 2011

Read for YA Contemps Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

I wanted to read this book because it was on the YA Contemps Challenge, and the summary sounded interesting--plus I've heard some really good stuff about it! To be honest, though, I felt the summary was somewhat deceiving. This isn't some sweet story about a girl and a guy playing hooky from school, meeting, and falling in love. It is SO much more than that. I really don't want to give too much away here, but the circumstances that lead Amber to Cade are unbelievable but still completely realistic. The meaning behind the title was completely mind-blowing to me.


Amber is a great character, caught up in something life-changing that's completely out of her control. She loves her family and even as she's struggling she has their feelings at the forefront of her thoughts. Cade is a little harder to read, but we know immediately that something serious is affecting him, as well. The instant connection the pair has rings true--in such desperate times, they have only each other to cling to.


I haven't read anything else by Lisa yet, although Chasing Brooklyn has been on my to-read list forever. I have to get to it soon! In the meantime I highly recommend The Day Before--it's a wonderful contemporary read.


eGalley received from publisher.


Enjoy your reading!
Christi