Krystal’s Review:
Favorite quote from the book:
“You really have no choice in this life but to believe with all your heart that you’re extraordinary. You have to hold this conviction against all evidence to the contrary. Living is too sad otherwise” (p3).
Everyone, this book is gorgeously written. Zentner’s imagery and attention to writing authentic characters makes me fall in love a little more after every book he finishes. After reading his first book, The Serpent King, I was worried to read this one–that book gutted me so much that when I met Zentner at the recent PLA Conference, I made him sign an apology for making me cry. Don’t get me wrong, I still cried during this book, but I didn’t UGLY CRY…
My favorite part of this book is how Zentner portrayed all of the relationships. Josie and Delia have the perfect best friendship. I would’ve loved hanging out with them in high school– Josie and Delia’s candidness with each other, their families, and everyone they meet was so refreshing. I hate reading books where the characters are all hiding things or lying to each other to build up the plot.
Also, the parents (outside of Delia’s dad) weren’t overly idealized or terrible parents. I think Zentner represented the parents as good, but with flaws. Like Delia’s mom. Is her mom perfect? Absolutely not. But when it counts, her mom always shows up and is there for her (as opposed to her father). Josie and Lawson’s parents weren’t quite a focal point, but they both were supportive and loving in the scenes they showed up in.
The romantic relationship of the story is usually where I really judge a book, and Zentner did a great job of making it a healthy relationship. I loved Josie and Lawson together. Josie and Lawson always treat each other with respect. A pivotal point before they start dating is when Josie has a realization about Lawson:
“I never feel like I need to hide any part of who I am. Being around him feels like waking up on a Saturday morning when the whole day ahead of you is free and you’ve slept the perfect amount, and your bed is the most ideal temperature, it’s like you’re part of an experiment in human comfort. It’s so easy. So effortless” (pg 196).
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee is like the Mariana Trench level of deepness. This book covers depression, separation anxiety caused by a parent leaving, financial problems, and so much more. On the flip side, this book made me bust out in giggles–multiple times. Zentner knows how to deliver the perfect amount of balance to keep the over-all tone of the book uplifting. You’ll leave this book with a smile on your face.
Read this book if you like: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen, Puddin’ by Julie Murphy, or Postcards for a Songbird by Rebekah Crane.
Krystal S.
