Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon, and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through my links.

Goodreads Synopsis:

For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—”Cupid Day”—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is … until she dies in a terrible accident that night.

However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

[Amazon CA] [Book Depository]

My Thoughts

Before I Fall By Lauren Oliver is a Young Adult (YA) contemporary novel. There are some supernatural aspects to this story as it involves the main protagonist, Samantha Kingston, to relive the same day repeatedly for seven days. This is the first time that I have ever read anything by Lauren Oliver, and I was not quite used to her simplistic writing style after I finished reading Neil Gaiman.

At first, I thought this book was very interesting – it held my attention and I kept wanting to read more. It left me feeling satisfied, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up any more books by this author anytime soon. This is the type of book that I would have loved to read in high school/first-year university. It speaks of freedom and teaches us to live our life to the fullest because you don’t know when it may be your last.

Her writing style felt very simple; I did just finish reading Trigger Warnings by Neil Gaiman though. It was a very easy enjoyable read, and it didn’t require the reader to give pause and think about what they were reading. This book wanted me to stop and think about how my everyday actions can cause bigger consequences and actions for those who are a part of my life. This book makes the reader want to re-think their actions and to truly live their life as if it might be the last like it was for Sam. 

Out of 5 cups of tea I would give this a 3. I really enjoyed reading it, but I would not recommend drinking tea with this book. Some juice or water would be best suited for this YA novel. This book is not meant to be enjoyed in little sips, but in one reading due to the writing style and the fast-paced nature of the dialogue and plot.