Rhiannon's Ordinary, Uncertain Love

Rhiannon is a high school junior whose world is defined by her relationship with her unpredictable boyfriend, Justin. She is constantly anxious, never sure which version of Justin she'll encounter—sweet, angry, or distant. Their love is a cycle of hope and disappointment, with Rhiannon clinging to fleeting moments of happiness. She feels invisible, always giving more than she receives, and wonders if she's too needy or if Justin is simply incapable of loving her the way she needs. Despite her doubts, she remains devoted, believing that love means accepting someone's flaws and holding on through the pain.

The Day That Changed Everything

One day, Justin surprises Rhiannon by whisking her away from school to the beach. For the first time, he is attentive, joyful, and deeply present. They sing in the car, share memories, and build a sandcastle together. Rhiannon feels truly seen and loved, experiencing a happiness she thought was impossible. The day feels magical, a break from reality, and she dares to hope that things have finally changed between them. But as the day ends, Justin's old patterns begin to reemerge, leaving Rhiannon confused and longing for the connection they shared.

A Stranger in Familiar Skin

The next day, Justin is distant and irritable, as if the perfect day never happened. Rhiannon is left questioning her own memory and sanity. She tries to recapture the magic, but Justin seems oblivious, unable to remember the details that meant so much to her. Rhiannon's friends notice her distraction, and she struggles to explain the shift. She meets a new girl, Amy, who shadows her for a day, and a boy named Nathan at a party, both of whom seem strangely familiar. Rhiannon senses something is off, but can't articulate what it is.

The Mystery of Justin's Kindness

Rhiannon becomes obsessed with understanding why Justin was so different on the day at the beach. She questions him about their conversations and memories, but he can't recall the details. Her confusion deepens when she learns that Nathan, the boy from the party, isn't actually Steve's cousin as he claimed. Rhiannon feels as if she's being watched or tested, and her sense of reality begins to unravel. She is haunted by the feeling that someone else was present during her happiest moments, someone who truly saw her.

The Secret Visitor Revealed

Rhiannon receives an email from Nathan, asking to meet. At a coffee shop, she is approached by a girl who claims to be the same person as Nathan, Amy, and even Justin on the day at the beach. This person, who calls themselves "A," explains that they wake up in a different body every day, living a new life for twenty-four hours. A confesses to falling in love with Rhiannon during their day as Justin and has been seeking her out ever since. Rhiannon is shocked, disbelieving, and angry, but can't deny the strange familiarity she feels.

Impossible Truths and New Realities

Rhiannon demands proof, meeting A in various bodies over the next days. Each encounter is both unsettling and intimate, as A remembers every detail of their time together. Rhiannon is forced to confront the reality of A's existence and the depth of their connection. She grapples with the impossibility of loving someone whose appearance changes daily, yet whose soul remains constant. As she spends more time with A, Rhiannon begins to question everything she thought she knew about love, identity, and what it means to truly see another person.

The Search for Understanding

Rhiannon and A embark on a series of secret meetings, sharing stories, dreams, and fears. They visit forests, beaches, and parks, trying to carve out a space for their love in a world that cannot understand it. Rhiannon is drawn to A's kindness, honesty, and vulnerability, but struggles with the reality that A can never be a fixed presence in her life. She is torn between the comfort of routine and the thrill of the unknown, between the safety of Justin and the possibility of something extraordinary with A.

Love Beyond the Body

As their bond grows, Rhiannon and A share moments of profound intimacy—talking for hours, holding hands, and even spending the night together in a cabin. Rhiannon is forced to confront her own prejudices and limitations, realizing that her love for A transcends physical form but is still shaped by it. They discuss the ethics of A's existence, the impact on the lives A inhabits, and the pain of never being able to build a future together. Rhiannon is both exhilarated and exhausted by the intensity of their connection.

The Limits of Connection

The challenges of their relationship become impossible to ignore. Rhiannon is caught between two worlds—her friends and family, who cannot understand her secret, and A, who can never stay. Justin grows suspicious and confrontational, leading to a violent confrontation when he discovers Rhiannon with A in another body. The fallout is immediate and brutal: Rhiannon is ostracized at school, her reputation shattered, and her sense of self fractured. She is forced to reckon with the consequences of her choices and the limits of what love can endure.

The Cost of Secrets

In the wake of the confrontation, Rhiannon's friendships are tested, and she is left to pick up the pieces of her life. She confides in her closest friends, who offer support but cannot fully understand. Rhiannon and A continue to meet, but the strain of secrecy and the impossibility of a normal relationship weigh heavily on them both. Rhiannon is haunted by guilt over hurting Justin and the collateral damage caused by her love for A. She begins to question whether it is fair to ask A—or herself—to keep sacrificing for a love that cannot last.

Breaking and Becoming

After a series of painful conversations, Rhiannon tells A that she cannot continue their relationship. She acknowledges the depth of her love but admits that she needs stability, community, and a future she can count on. A is heartbroken but understands, offering Rhiannon a final gift: the chance to start anew with someone who can stay. Rhiannon grieves the loss of A, but also feels a sense of relief and clarity. She begins to rebuild her life, reconnecting with friends and rediscovering her own identity outside of any relationship.

The Choice Between Two Loves

Rhiannon attends school events, spends time with friends, and allows herself to imagine a future that is hers alone. She realizes that love is not always enough to overcome the barriers of circumstance and identity. The memory of A lingers, a reminder of what is possible and what is not. Rhiannon learns to accept the impermanence of love and the necessity of letting go. She understands that true connection requires both courage and boundaries, and that sometimes the bravest choice is to walk away.

The Pain of Letting Go

In a final meeting, A and Rhiannon share a bittersweet evening, pretending to meet for the first time and savoring the present moment. A reveals that it is possible to stay in one body forever, but only by erasing the person who belongs there—a choice A cannot make. They part with love and gratitude, each changed by the other. Rhiannon is left with a heart full of memories and a new understanding of herself. She mourns the loss but also feels hope for the future.

The Aftermath and Acceptance

In the days and weeks that follow, Rhiannon leans on her friends and begins to heal. She reflects on the lessons she has learned about love, identity, and the importance of being true to herself. The pain of loss gradually gives way to acceptance, and Rhiannon discovers a quiet strength within. She is no longer defined by her relationships but by her own choices and values. The memory of A remains, a testament to the power of connection and the beauty of impermanence.

A New Beginning, Alone

As Rhiannon moves forward, she embraces the uncertainty of life and the possibility of new beginnings. She allows herself to hope, to dream, and to love again—this time, on her own terms. The story ends with Rhiannon waking up to a new day, open to whatever comes next. She carries A's love with her, not as a burden, but as a source of inspiration and courage. Rhiannon is finally at peace, ready to live her own story.

Characters

Rhiannon

Rhiannon is the protagonist, a high school junior whose life is shaped by her longing for connection and her struggle to be seen. She is empathetic, introspective, and often self-sacrificing, willing to endure pain for the hope of love. Her relationship with Justin is marked by insecurity and hope, while her bond with A challenges her understanding of identity and intimacy. Rhiannon's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to value her own needs and desires. She is both vulnerable and resilient, ultimately choosing to define herself outside of any relationship.

A

A is a unique being who wakes up in a different body every day, never inhabiting the same life twice. A is compassionate, ethical, and deeply lonely, yearning for connection and stability. Their love for Rhiannon is immediate and profound, driving them to break their own rules and seek her out across bodies and days. A's existence raises questions about identity, morality, and the nature of love. Despite their limitations, A is unwaveringly honest and selfless, ultimately choosing Rhiannon's happiness over their own desire to stay.

Justin

Justin is Rhiannon's long-term boyfriend, characterized by his emotional volatility and fear of commitment. He is often neglectful, self-absorbed, and quick to anger, yet capable of moments of genuine affection. Justin's relationship with Rhiannon is a cycle of hope and disappointment, with both clinging to the idea of love while failing to truly connect. His inability to change or communicate leads to the relationship's downfall. Justin represents the comfort of familiarity and the pain of settling for less than one deserves.

Rebecca

Rebecca is Rhiannon's best friend, offering support, honesty, and a grounding presence. She is intelligent, outspoken, and unafraid to challenge Rhiannon's choices, especially regarding Justin. Rebecca's loyalty is unwavering, even when she disagrees with Rhiannon's actions. She provides a safe space for Rhiannon to process her feelings and ultimately helps her find the strength to move on. Rebecca embodies the importance of friendship and the value of being truly seen.

Preston

Preston is part of Rhiannon's close-knit friend group, known for his humor, warmth, and insight. He is openly gay and offers a perspective on love and identity that challenges Rhiannon to think beyond traditional boundaries. Preston's friendship is a source of comfort and laughter, helping Rhiannon navigate the complexities of her relationships. He represents the possibility of acceptance and the power of chosen family.

Steve and Stephanie

Steve and Stephanie are friends whose tumultuous relationship serves as a backdrop to Rhiannon's own romantic challenges. Their constant fighting and reconciliation highlight the difficulties of young love and the ways in which people can become trapped in unhealthy patterns. They provide a mirror for Rhiannon, prompting her to question what she truly wants in a relationship.

Nathan

Nathan is a boy whose body A inhabits for a day, leading to a pivotal encounter with Rhiannon at a party. His confusion and subsequent belief that he was possessed spark a chain of events that force Rhiannon to confront the reality of A's existence. Nathan's experience underscores the ethical dilemmas of A's life and the unintended consequences of seeking connection.

Amy

Amy is a new girl at Rhiannon's school, shadowing her for a day while A inhabits her body. Through Amy, Rhiannon experiences a sense of ease and camaraderie, unaware of A's presence. Amy's role highlights the fluidity of identity and the ways in which A's existence disrupts the lives of those they inhabit.

Alexander

Alexander is a boy whose body A inhabits during their final night with Rhiannon. He represents the possibility of a love that can stay, a life that is stable and real. A encourages Rhiannon to pursue a relationship with Alexander, offering her a chance at happiness beyond the limitations of their own existence. Alexander embodies the hope of moving forward and the courage to begin again.

Rhiannon's Parents

Rhiannon's Parents are present but emotionally unavailable, each coping with their own disappointments and routines. Their inability to connect with Rhiannon mirrors her struggles with Justin and her longing to be truly seen. Despite their flaws, they provide a backdrop of stability and a reminder of the complexities of family love.

Plot Devices

Body-Swapping as a Metaphor for Identity

The central plot device of A waking up in a different body each day serves as a powerful metaphor for the fluidity of identity and the universality of the human experience. It forces Rhiannon—and the reader—to question what truly defines a person: their appearance, their actions, or their soul. This device allows the narrative to explore themes of empathy, acceptance, and the limitations of physical attraction. It also creates a sense of urgency and impermanence, as each day is a new beginning and a potential ending.

Unreliable Memory and Shifting Reality

The story employs unreliable memory and shifting reality to heighten the sense of disorientation and longing. Rhiannon's inability to reconcile her memories of Justin with his present behavior mirrors the confusion caused by A's existence. This device underscores the fragility of perception and the ways in which love can distort reality.

Foreshadowing and Parallel Relationships

The relationships of Steve and Stephanie, as well as Rhiannon's friends, serve as foils and mirrors to her own experiences. Their struggles and reconciliations foreshadow the challenges Rhiannon will face and highlight the universal nature of love's difficulties. The narrative structure weaves these parallel stories to deepen the emotional resonance and provide context for Rhiannon's choices.

Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Choices

The plot frequently confronts the ethical dilemmas and moral choices of A's life—inhabiting bodies without permission, disrupting lives, and the potential to cause harm. Rhiannon and A grapple with questions of right and wrong, ultimately choosing selflessness and respect for others. This device adds complexity to the narrative and challenges readers to consider the consequences of their own actions.

The Power of First and Last Meetings

The story is structured around pivotal meetings—first encounters, revelations, and goodbyes. Each meeting is both a beginning and an ending, emphasizing the impermanence of love and the importance of cherishing the present. The narrative uses these moments to build tension, release emotion, and drive character growth.

Analysis

David Levithan's Another Day is a profound exploration of love, identity, and the boundaries of human connection, told through the eyes of a girl who learns to see beyond the surface. By reimagining the events of Every Day from Rhiannon's perspective, the novel invites readers to question what it means to truly know and love another person. The central conceit of A's body-swapping existence serves as both a literal and metaphorical challenge to the idea that love is rooted in physical attraction or social convention. Instead, the story suggests that love is an act of radical empathy—a willingness to see and accept the soul beneath the skin. Yet, the novel is also honest about the limits of such love: the need for stability, community, and a shared future. Rhiannon's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to value her own needs and to let go of relationships that cannot sustain her. The book ultimately argues that love is both transformative and transient, a force that can change us even as it slips through our fingers. In a world obsessed with appearances and certainty, Another Day offers a moving meditation on the courage it takes to love, to let go, and to begin again.

Last updated: August 31, 2025