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Book Review: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Apr 8, 2019

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Pages: 432
Publish date: April 16, 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781534425149
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

Serious Moonlight:

I received an e-arc of Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett from Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about this book.

I’ve read two of Jenn Bennett’s books previously – and adored them. Starry Eyes was a great second chance romance, while Alex, Approximately just got to me. And Serious Moonlight was just so good, a mix of romance with a little mystery, it just worked here.

Serious Moonlight follows Birdie as she begins her summer job at a historic Seattle hotel. Closed off from the world, Birdie took comfort in a life where she could be a heroic detective. After an awkward encounter with Daniel Aoki, they now have to work the night shift together. But when they stumble on a real-life mystery, they have to work together if they want to discover who the famous reclusive writer is meeting at the hotel.

João Silas

Birdie was a really interesting protagonist in Serious Moonlight and I am not sure how I feel about her. Birdie has had a hard life and that has really influenced her. While she does have an outgoing nature at times, I felt that she is also very withdrawn. Not only does she like to keep to herself, but doesn’t know how to handle certain situations. However, this made for an interesting read. Because Birdie’s character development and character arc were fantastic. The reader is able to see Birdie really grow throughout Serious Moonlight and not only become comfortable with others but also herself.

I felt the same about Daniel. There were times where I really enjoyed getting to know him, but then he did some things throughout the novel that just didn’t sit well with me. Daniel like Birdie has gone through a lot. Things are revealed as the novel goes on and Birdie and Daniel get to know one another. I really liked that Daniel had a positive outlook on everything that he did. Well, he had his own demons her really tried to help those around him.

One thing that I think that Jenn Bennett does so well, is create characters that are, honest, real and have flaws. And she did it again in Serious Moonlight. It makes reading her books, feel more real. Meaning, I don’t have to imagine these characters, these worlds. They just fit.

The romance in Serious Moonlight was really interesting and different from what I’ve read from Jenn Bennett. Birdie and Daniel had met before the start of the novel, and it wasn’t the most graceful goodbye. So when they have to work together, everything gets a little awkward. But it was kind of cute. I loved how innocent Birdie was and how Daniel loved playing upon that. But not in a bad way, he just pushed her out of her comfort zone a little – and that made both of them grow. There were parts throughout their relationship that I didn’t love. But it was out weight by how adorable they were together.

Michał Parzuchowski

The theme of family was a big part of this novel. Both Birdie and Daniel have different family lifestyles and it was great seeing these two come together. Birdie mostly grew up with a very strict and protective grandmother. While Daniel’s family is more outgoing, after some events his mother becomes very protective of him.

I don’t think that Jenn Bennett gets enough love, this is the third novel of hers that I have read and I’ve loved. Like I said before Jenn Bennett knows how to write real and honest characters. They have their faults, but they are also so compelling and I want to cheer for them. Both Daniel and Birdie have been through a lot before the novel start, and the reader gets to see them go on a journey and grow.

Overall, I really enjoyed Serious Moonlight. It’s a great combination of mystery and contemporary that captures real characters. With writing that is easy to read, the characters float off the page. Jenn Bennett is able to create a story that is easy to follow and to fall in love with. Daniel and Birdie were fantastic characters that really stood out for me. If you haven’t had the chance of reading a Jenn Bennett, then I think you should get on it.

Book Review: Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally

Mar 24, 2019

Coming Up for Air (Hundred Oaks) by Miranda Kenneally

Pages: 293
Publish date: July 4th 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 9781492630111
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

Swim. Eat. Shower. School. Snack. Swim. Swin. Dinner. Homework. Bed. Repeat.

All of Maggie’s focus and free time is spent swimming. She’s not only striving to earn scholarships—she’s training to qualify for the Olympics. It helps that her best friend, Levi, is also on the team and cheers her on. But Levi’s already earned an Olympic tryout, so Maggie feels even more pressure to succeed. And it’s not until Maggie’s away on a college visit that she realizes how much of the “typical” high school experience she’s missed by being in the pool.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Maggie decides to squeeze the most out of her senior year. First up? Making out with a guy. And Levi could be the perfect candidate. After all, they already spend a lot of time together. But as Maggie slowly starts to uncover new feelings for Levi, how much is she willing to sacrifice in the water to win at love?

Coming Up For Air:

I have been reading Miranda Kenneally books for years now. When I first picked up her books I fell in love with the sports romance and now I read it all the time. Miranda Kenneally books are much harder to find here in Australia and that’s mostly why I kept putting off reading it. But I thought it was due time for me to pick it up.

Coming up For Air by Miranda Kenneally follows Maggie as she tries to navigate her final year of high school, and more importantly her competitive swimming. Swimming has always been a part of Maggie’s life. Most of the day when she isn’t swimming she is thinking about swimming. And now she is training more than ever, because not only is Maggie striving to earn scholarships, but also to earn her spot at the Olympics. But after her best friend Levi earns a tryout, Maggie feels the pressure to get a place at the trails even more. But after a college visit, Maggie realises that she has missed a lot of the high school experience. And she thinks Levi might be the one to help her.

I just loved this book so much. I loved the characters, the plot and just everything in between. I’ve always finish Miranda Kenneally books with a smile on my face and it was no different for Coming up For Air.

Hao Sun

Maggie was a fantastic protagonist in Coming up For Air. She was honest, real, and had her faults – and that is why I enjoyed reading about her so much. Maggie has been training to get to the Olympics most of her swimming life, it’s what she gets up each does and thinks about. But by doing this, she also forgets how to be a teen. It was a really interesting way of looking up the ‘normal’ teen life, and I really enjoyed seeing Maggie experience some new things for the very first time. And while I loved seeing such a young driven character, it was great to see her let loose and kind of go with the flow.

One of the things that Miranda Kenneally does so well, is that she represents honest female characters that have their faults. Sometimes in YA, I have a hard time connecting with the protagonist because I feel like they can’t go wrong. But Kenneally does the opposite. This makes for not only a really good read but a protagonist with a fantastic character arc.

Levi was a really interesting character and for the most part, I really enjoyed him. Like Maggie, he is focused on his swimming and becoming the best that he can be. But he is naturally talented so things do come a little easier for him. Because of this, he likes to get this frustrating out a little differently. It was an interesting contrast to Maggie. Throughout Coming up For Air the reader gets to see many different sides to Levi, and I really enjoyed that.

Quino Al

I know I have spoken about this before many times. But I love sports romances books. I don’t really know why but they always put a smile on my face. Sometimes it is a little harder when I don’t know the sport so well, but I like learning about new things. And I think that Miranda Kenneally knows how to writes sports romances so well. You aren’t really thrown into the deep end with it all, but the reader learns along the way. I also like that Keneally didn’t just look at one type of sports in her Hundred Oaks series – it centres around all different types which is really cool.

The romance in Coming up For Air was adorable. It melted my hear and I just couldn’t stop smiling. And not only that it looks at one of my favourite romances tropes – best friends to lovers. Maggie and Levi have been friends since forever. They rarely spend a day apart, so Maggie knows that asking him to experience more of ‘normal’ teen life is going to be hard. But she does it. I really enjoyed that Levi didn’t give in right away – he showed that he respected their friendship – which was really nice. I loved that the heat between these two slowly builds and they both start falling for one another.

Alejandra Quiroz

Friendship and coming of age was also a massive theme throughout Coming up For Air. One of my favourite things about young adult novels is the exploration of friendships and I really think it was done well here. It explores some really fantastic friendships, as well as one that has turned a little nasty. Maggie has a really strong friendship group surrounding her that not only encourages her with swimming, but also other things in life.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Coming up For Air by Miranda Kenneally. It was a little bittersweet reading the final book in this series as I have been reading it for some time now. But Coming up For Air was a great way to finish it all off. It explores coming of age, being a teen and looking into the future. You will laugh, you will smile and you might even cry. Maggie and Levi are adorable together, but also have fantastic character arcs of their own. If you are looking for a cute, quick read, then this one if for you.

Have you read Coming up For Air by Miranda Kenneally? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Have you read any other books by Miranda Kenneally? Let’s Chat!

Book Review: Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris

Mar 19, 2019

Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris

Pages: 310
Publish date: March 26th 2019
Publisher: Entangled Teen
ISBN: 9781640635265
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Bailey’s picture. She’s got one goal: first stop valedictorian, next stop Harvard. Until a stint in the hospital from too much stress lands her in the last place a klutz like her ever expected to be: salsa dance lessons.

Look up the word “popular” and you’ll find Stone Torres’s picture. His life seems perfect—star of the football team, small-town hero, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at his mom’s dance studio helps, he’ll do it.

When Lily’s dad offers Stone extra cash to volunteer as Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. But with each dip and turn, each moment her hand is in his, his side job starts to feel all too real. Lily shows Stone he’s more than his impressive football stats, and he introduces her to a world outside of studying. But with the lines blurred, can their relationship survive the secret he’s been hiding?

Eyes on Me:

I received an e-arc of Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris from Entangled Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I haven’t read a new Rachel Harris is nearly 2 years – what on earth. I can’t believe that it’s been that long. But as soon as I started Eyes on Me, I remembered why I fell in love with her romances, with her stories.

Eyes on Me follows Lily as she tries to navigate her last year at high school. She is so close to becoming valedictorian, but Lily knows that it can slip through her fingers at any time. But after an intense hospital visit, Lily’s father needs her to do something other than studying. So when her Dad signs her up for dancing lessons, Lily isn’t having it. She can’t walk straight, let alone dance. But she knows that it will make him happy.

Stone has a lot going for him, as the star quarterback, and popular kid, you think he was living a teenage dream. But his mother’s dance studio is struggling. So when Lily’s dad offers him extra cash for being Lily’s dance partner as well as keeping her entertained – he really can’t say no. But we all know that this is going to end up a disaster.

Taylor Ann Wright

I have always loved reading Rachel Harris novels, I don’t know what it is. But whenever I pick up one of her books I just fall in love. And I felt the same with Eyes on Me. While it does have a very cliché premise, it still had its unique twist that made me want to keep on reading. Most of the time I really don’t like books that feature dancing, I don’t know what it is. However, it really worked here.

I really enjoyed Lily as a protagonist, she was easy to get along with and I loved getting to know her. At the start of the novel, Lily is very quiet and draw back from others. Focused on becoming valedictorian there is nothing else matters too much. She wants to make her mother proud. I think that is what drove her a lot through Eyes on Me. The reader is able to see that Lily is still grieving her mother’s death and not only that, she misses her.

Lily’s character arc and growth is something that I loved throughout Eyes on Me. The reader is able to see that she not only gains confidence in herself but those around her. She is able to form more friendships and let herself be free in a way. And it wasn’t just through meeting Stone, but through the dancing as well.

Daniel von Appen

Stone was an interesting character as well. While I didn’t like him as much as Lily, I still enjoyed getting to know him. One of the things that I admired about him was the love that he had for his family. Not only for his parents but his sister as well. From the get-go, the reader is able to see who much Stone cares for them all, and he will do anything for them. While Stone had the usual quarterback persona, he was also very sensitive and he danced.

Stone and Lily together were totally adorable. The reader is able to see from the start that they have a connection. This connection becomes stronger as the novel goes on. Through them dancing together and simply having out. I loved that the romance wasn’t too fast, but then again it wasn’t slow. It was kind of the perfect rate for me. What I didn’t like about the romance was how it started. It’s a trope that I don’t particularly like, but I pushed through it. I understand why Stone took the money, but I wish he stopped taking it. Because, in the end, everyone gets hurt.

Grief is something is looked at in YA a lot, but I thought that Rachel Harris did an excellent job at it in Eyes on Me. As I said before dancing in novels aren’t usually something that I like reading about. But I think it really helped the reader understand Lily’s grief.

Simon Maage

In saying all this there were times throughout the novel that I felt like I had read them before. Eyes on Me is very cliché at sometimes that did turn me off. But I was invested in Lily’s story and I wanted to see where it went. I think that sometimes YA contemporary romance can be like that. you kind of know what’s going to happen but you want to read on.

Another thing that I did love about the novel as it looks on female friendship. I think that is something that YA lacks still, but Rachel Harris explored it in such a nice way in Eyes on Me. I liked that the reader is not only able to see old friendships stay strong but, when another girl is added to the mix, it doesn’t break apart. The friendships were very warm and welcoming.

Overall, Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris as a fantastic read. It’s a lighthearted romance novel that explores friendship, new romances, but also looks at grief and learning to overcome it. The writing was easy to read and the romance was just adorable. Rachel Harris has a knack for writing very real characters and she does it yet again in Eyes on Me.