After reading and enjoying "The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle," (another Quantum Leap-style novel) I was eager to read this as soon as I discovered it at 2nd & Charles. I got it used for only $5.

The story follows a protagonist who wakes up every morning in a different person’s body, unable to maintain relationships or possessions for more than a day. The concept is fascinating, and the author does a fantastic job of drawing you into the emotional and psychological toll and the ethical concerns of such an existence. It’s thought-provoking, unique, and utterly engrossing. ( )

Throughout the story, I kept on wanting another layer for a juicy sci-fi explanation, like in Sharon Shinn's Archangel series (I loved that series). It just didn't hold my interest enough to say I "really liked it" or "loved it." I can understand how in exploring connection and meaning in our lives that this story can be meaningful in the bigger questions of, "Who am I?" "Where am I going?" or may even motivate the reader to ask delving questions about how they spend their day, how we treat our families and friends. They could reflect on how present and kind they are (or not) with themselves and other human beings. By seeing what the entity "A" craved and could never have, are we going to be another Justin who takes everything for granted or will we decide differently? In the end, I couldn't submit to the suspension of disbelief that (I thought) was required of the reader to really get into the story. Perhaps the reflection was enough & I thank the author for that. ( )

"In my experience, desire is desire, love is love. I have never fallen in love with a gender. I have fallen for individuals. I know this is hard for people to do, but I don't understand why it's hard, when it's so obvious."

Absolutely amazing. To me, the line above is the heart of this story.

I read every word, hung on every page, inhaled every chapter and held my breath through every day of A's life. I skipped meals, missed hours of sleep and just couldn't put this book down. It's an absolute favorite of mine and one I will read again and again.

But I can see why there are some reviews with lower stars. I can understand them.

Because I can see how this book can make someone uncomfortable.

Was the discomfort at the thought of someone else in your body for a day and you just the bystander? The thought of losing control? Or is it close to Poole's assessment - the devil made me do it?! Is it that he is open to love no matter if he is boy or girl or which they are either? Or is it the idea that someone would have to love him each day, see his soul through the body he inhabited and love him through it?

For that exact reason, is why I loved the book. I only saw the love. A's clause every day before we opened his eyes was essentially a doctor's oath to "Do no harm." He spent so much time every day trying to do just that - do no harm - but also to try to leave the day better. To "end it on a good note" He was filled with so much compassion and love and he sprinkled it through every life he was in just by being there for a day.

But I also love the idea of soulmates - of loving someone no matter the color of their skin, their race, nationality, religion or - yes, even gender or sex they were born as. Loving who they are inside and knowing that their soul connects with your soul in a way no other can.

Because, to me, that's true love. Knowing someone through their eyes and the way they look at you.

Tomorrow," she says, a little less than a promise, and a little more than a chance.

Don't forget to seize today. It's the only chance you have with it and no one can promise another. ( )

Ambitious. Levithan creates a character who must authentically live inside teens of various race, background, appearance, and gender. Some voices/experiences ring more true than others. But on the whole, pretty dang amazing. A is literally too good to be true for me--but then when he got snarky inside the overweight kid, I got ticked. So no pleasing me. I was glad to see that Levithan explored how A's power could be abused when he introduced the Reverend. A book I will continue to think about long after I've finished. ( )

Good book. The sub-plot about Nathan seemed inserted and irrelevant, but I see that there is a sequel, which I am motivated to read, and that sub-plot might be developed further there. ( )