Book Review: Before I Fall

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper

Publication Date: October 25, 2010 (Originally Published on March 2, 2010)

Format: Paperback

Source: Goodreads First Reads Program

With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today's foremost authors of young adult fiction. Like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Gayle Forman's If I Stay, Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person's life can affect so many others.

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.

My Review

If I'm being completely honest, I would have never even noticed this book if it weren't for the giveaways on Goodreads, but I am glad that I entered to win this book and actually won because it's a beautiful book. It isn't like anything that I've read before. I wouldn't call it paranormal or fantasy, but it is a nice blend of those genres with realistic fiction thrown into the mix.

Oliver's writing is addictive, and I could not get enough of Samantha's story. I literally only put the book down to get six hours of sleep and go to some classes. It's seriously that good, and many people will want to finish this book in one sitting. It is captivating. The chapters are lenghthy, but I didn't even notice that because I kept wanting to find out more about what was happening with Samantha and her repeated days. 

For those readers who have not read this, I would really hope that you take the time to read it. This book introduced me to Lauren Oliver, and I went on to read her Delirium trilogy shortly after finishing this book. Also, I would recommend this book to fans of Gayle Forman's If I Stay.