Synopsis

But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show’s guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.
Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he’ll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.
As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous…and momentous.
Review
4 “weirdo” stars
OK here is the deal: I have no idea how to rate this book (well obviously I chose four stars but I am still pondering it over) or how to write this review.
I guess you’ll get a jumble of thoughts, reactions and feelings.
First I want to say that I adored “The Serpent King” and “Goodbye Days”. They were both five stars and I could not wait to read Midnite Matinee.
My feelings reading this book:
1) WTH am I reading? What are these girls talking about? Old bad horror movies are so NOT my jam!
2) You’d think they are sharing a brain. Seriously their banter is so weird! Did Jeff Zentner smoked some weed to come up with these absurd questions/theories? It is so weird it makes me *reluctantly* laugh.
3) What is happening? I begin to appreciate and understand this completely bizarre humor!!!! Help! Someone comes and save me please!
4) Urgent intervention needed! I am warming up to their insane world!
5) Amidst this surrealist story I am crying for Delia.
6) How can an author annoy me, weird me out yet make me laugh and cry in the same story????
7) Final thoughts: I am crying. Bitter sweet with hope by the end.
See my predicament?
Did I like Josie and Delia’s brand of humor and atypical interest? No. Not really as I am so not into bad horror movies.
Did I like Josie and Delia’s characters? Absolutely! I found them loyal, entertaining, smart , dedicated and generous. And crazy somehow.
Was I bored while reading this? No. But definitely arrested and taken aback. Often.
I admired Josie fierce protectiveness of Delia. She was the one with luck in her life. Parents still together and concerned with their daughter’s future. Money and beauty.
I wanted to hug Delia. She has been dealt the bad cards in life with a dad who left her years ago and a depressed mom. But as flawed as Delia’s mom was she was still a fantastic mom!
I would say that the craziness and eccentricity are the outer shell of what is a formidable bitter sweet friendship coming of age story.
This is certainly NOT a conventional YA story.
Kudos to you Jeff!
Now let’s chat! Have you read this book? Or have you ever read a book that you did not know if you liked it or not? Or that left you befuddled?
Thanks for reading!
This sounds so interesting Sophie – loved your review! I can’t think of one right now that gave me all the mixed up feelings, but I do recall struggling with Verity’s (Colleen Hoover) rating quite a bit. It was wonderful writing, but I just didn’t enjoy the story, so I was incredibly torn…
Oh yes Verity! Most have a “wth” have I read reaction with that one Daisy!
Lovely review! I really liked The Serpent King by the author and I’ve been so curious about this one… you’re making me even more curious about the humor and everything now haha 🙂
Oh Marie I really wonder what you’ll think of this one!
This sounds fun. I love old bad movies. LOL
Hahaha I think Laura that indeed this one could work fantastically well for you!
I love The Serpent King! It’s one of my current favorite books. I’m really excited to read this one. Great review!
AJ I wonder how you’ll rate and review it!
This is an awesome review Sophie!! x
Thank you Meeghan
Haha, this was definitely quite an interesting progression of emotion while reading! I think it’s not my sort of book, but your review is awesome 😀
Thank you so much Norrie!!!
I totally agree with you! I gave ir 4 stars too, but i loved how funny the book was, even tho it’s kinda silly
Oooh I am happy that I am not the only one !
I feel all your mixed feelings, but am glad you ultimately enjoyed this one. It sounds like the humor might be hard to grasp, but I might be willing to give it a go.
I really hope you’ll love it Alicia as Jeff is a great writer!
Hmmm…never heard of it but it does sound wacky! Good review though! 🙂
Thank you Trisy!
I guess this could be hard to love, if you didn’t jibe with the humor. I laughed my face off. The only part I was on the fence about was the guy in Vegas. That was a little OTT for me, but I loved the rest, and the friendship and the romance owned me.
I am so happy you loved that one sam as Jeff deserves all the love 😉