Book Review: The Day Before

The Day Before - Lisa Schroeder
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 307
Buy the Book: Amazon

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.

Summary taken from Goodreads. 

My Review: (Spoiler Alert!) 

Amber was switched at birth. Accidentally given to the wrong parents while the other girl, Charlotte was given to her biological parents. But now, years later her parents have found her and they want to know her. They want to be a part of her life.

No one asks what Amber wants. Her family can't afford to fight the court case and her biological parents are nothing if not persistent.

What Amber wants is freedom, absolute freedom to live her life the way she wants. To live it with whom she wants. But she is a full two years away from gaining that freedom. So on the day before her whole life changes she decides to spend a day being happy and free on the beach. There she meets a boy named Cade, who has his very own demons and together they decide to spend a day. Having fun and forget all their problems.

I have read all three of Lisa Schroeder's previous novels and loved them. This one was no exception. Her writing is beautiful and realistic. With every verse she tugs at your heart stings. I Heart You, You Haunt Me, was the very first book I read by Lisa and the first verse novel I ever read. Since then I have come to like Lisa's books and writing even more!

It surprises me how much depth she puts in her characters in so little words. But I truly felt for Amber and her dilemma. I found myself trying to put myself in her shoes and thinking about what I would do in her situation. Would I stay or would I run?

Cade was another one of those male characters. He was sweet yet haunted by his own secrets. Through the 24 hours that they share you come to know both of the characters. Their likes, their dislikes. Their hopes, dreams and secrets.

Overall, it was a magnificent and brilliantly written book with an amazing story, and characters. In The Day Before, Lisa Shroeder weaves a very real story about a girl, a boy and their families. She puts them in situations that you can't help but relate to. This is what I love about this book. I recommend this book to all fans of a good and quick realistic contemporary read!

In My Mailbox (10)

Welcome to this weeks IMM!
In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

This week I got:
The Day Before - Lisa Schroeder (Amazon/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.

Legacy - Cayla Kluver (Amazon/Goodreads) 

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.
When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.
In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

The Name Of The Star - Maureen Johnson (Amazon/ Goodreads) 

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Lola And the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins (Amazon/Goodreads) 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Finally! 

I went a bit crazy with the books this week but I'm so happy to finally have them. I've been wanting to read these books for so long! Now my biggest problem is which one should I read first?!

So, What Did You Get In You Mailbox?