Review: Another Day (Every Day #2) by David Levithan

Another Day (Every Day, #2) by David Levithan
Publication date: Aug. 25, 2015
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary/Paranormal
Source: Received from publisher via Netgalley (Thanks!)
Summary: Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up. Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person . . . wasn’t Justin at all. (greads.com)

The Good

[Note: While this book can be read as a standalone, I’m reviewing this book with the assumption that you’ve already read Every Day. Beware of potential spoilers!]

After I finished Every Day and later heard there was going to be a sequel, I couldn’t be happier. I wanted to know what had happened to A and Rhiannon. So much so that I didn’t bother to even read the synopsis of Another Day. Then as I began reading, David Levithan included a note to readers letting us know this was going to be Rhiannon’s perspective of what happened in Every Day. And it was absolutely the right call. Although, I would not be averse to a third book showing us what happened after. (Please, please write this!)

Rhiannon is a girl who is settling far, far too early in her life although she doesn’t realize it. Her world revolves around not rocking the boat that is her volatile relationship with her boyfriend Justin. One minute he’s distant and moody, the next a certain vulnerableness shows and she’s sure he needs her. She lives for those latter moments and spends the rest of her time reminding herself not to be a needy, high-maintenance girlfriend. Then she experiences a perfect day with Justin. One filled with innocent joy, laughter and love. Except Justin doesn’t seem to remember it the next morning which leaves Rhiannon feeling depressed and confused. She desperately wants to recreate that day but doesn’t know what’s happening. Then she gets the answer and it isn’t what she’s expected at all. Turns out perfect-day Justin wasn’t really him, but A.

It was interesting to see things through Rhiannon’s eyes. Not only did it bring back memories of Every Day but it made me realize just how big a leap of faith this was for her. There was absolutely no reason to believe A and yet something in her gut  — faith or intuition — made it possible for her to accept the crazy situation unfolding around her. It was easy to sympathize with her frustration and confusion. She is a constant for A. But for her, A is this entity who is forever changing bodies, lives and locations. How can she depend on him or build a life with him? And can she love every form he takes on? It’s an unconventional look at love, physical attraction and sexuality.

(Super minor) reservations

I have to admit, all the references to loving what’s on the inside instead of the outside did start to feel a bit heavy-handed. The message in between the lines is pretty obvious and it was getting repetitive. I think I noticed it more in this book because the “physical” understandably affects Rhiannon more than it does A.

Do I recommend?

I do! David Levithan’s writing is beautiful and I wanted to highlight so many passages. If you’re in the mood for a thought-provoking read, I’d check this out.