I have no idea how to write the review of Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner ! 4 weirdo stars!

Synopsis

A contemporary novel about two best friends who must make tough decisions about their futures–and the TV show they host–in their senior year of high school.Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.

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!

Sophie