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2.94 AVERAGE
2.94 AVERAGE
I really loved the nostalgic feeling to this story and the nod to old horror films. I loved the classic setting of a babysitter watching two kids on a Friday night in the 90s. And I had high hopes after seeing this book marketed as suspenseful and thrilling. Unfortunately, this book was very slow and nothing really happened until after the 50% mark with majority of the action after the 75% mark. I really wanted to love this after reading the amazing description. Overall, it was a quick read. I just wish there had been more.
Give me a 90s slasher-esque read, any day!
Amy, our main character, suffers from anxiety. I also suffer from anxiety. The authors descriptions of Amy's thoughts and movements during a panic attack are so spot on. I really felt connected to her because of that which made me totally invested with whether she made it out in the end.
This is a bit of a slow burn but the impending doom feel of the first half of the book is so beautiful and so eerie, I flew through the pages. The multi timeline did get a bit confusing at times but it ultimately ironed itself out.
Believable characters.
90s and horror movie references galore.
Loved it.
Amy, our main character, suffers from anxiety. I also suffer from anxiety. The authors descriptions of Amy's thoughts and movements during a panic attack are so spot on. I really felt connected to her because of that which made me totally invested with whether she made it out in the end.
This is a bit of a slow burn but the impending doom feel of the first half of the book is so beautiful and so eerie, I flew through the pages. The multi timeline did get a bit confusing at times but it ultimately ironed itself out.
Believable characters.
90s and horror movie references galore.
Loved it.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Midnight on Beacon Street is a love letter to classic horror movies steeped in 90s nostalgia.
While I appreciate what this book was trying to do, I just think that it wasn't for me. The non-linear narrative style was creative and may keep readers on their toes, but I consistently found myself lost and flipping around to remember where I was and what was happening. The back and forth between time and character POV left me a bit confused. This, coupled with the constant stream-of-consciousness-style tangents on every little detail made for an frustrating reading experience. However, I think that without this unique narration style, the story would feel dull and empty.
I will give it credit for the twist at the end. I usually like to think I'm pretty tuned in to where stories are going, but this one did take me by surprise. Not in a shocking "Oh my gosh, this just turned my life upside down and I have to tell everyone" kind of way, but more of a casual, "Okay, that was unexpected," way.
Hardcore fans of classic horror/slasher movies and gratutious 90s nostalgia will probably like this book. Not because it has the same vibes as those movies, but because they may relate to the main character. Plus, it's a quick read that can be finished in a weekend. If that sounds like your jam, go for it!
While I appreciate what this book was trying to do, I just think that it wasn't for me. The non-linear narrative style was creative and may keep readers on their toes, but I consistently found myself lost and flipping around to remember where I was and what was happening. The back and forth between time and character POV left me a bit confused. This, coupled with the constant stream-of-consciousness-style tangents on every little detail made for an frustrating reading experience. However, I think that without this unique narration style, the story would feel dull and empty.
I will give it credit for the twist at the end. I usually like to think I'm pretty tuned in to where stories are going, but this one did take me by surprise. Not in a shocking "Oh my gosh, this just turned my life upside down and I have to tell everyone" kind of way, but more of a casual, "Okay, that was unexpected," way.
Hardcore fans of classic horror/slasher movies and gratutious 90s nostalgia will probably like this book. Not because it has the same vibes as those movies, but because they may relate to the main character. Plus, it's a quick read that can be finished in a weekend. If that sounds like your jam, go for it!
First DNF of 2024 - I was really excited for this book and almost bought it on its publication date. I’m glad I didn’t. The story is non linear and had a POV from one of the child characters, and despite the constant horror references, I found myself uninterested 20% of the way in.
this is an homage to classic slasher films, set in the 1990s, focused on a babysitter and the kids she’s looking after. i love the concept, but found it a bit slow and i just wanted more from it. on the plus side, it’s quite short, so it’s a good choice for a one-sitting, rainy, fall afternoon read!
tw: self-harm, domestic abuse
thanks to netgalley and harper perennial for the ARC of midnight on beacon street by emily ruth verona. all opinions are my own.
tw: self-harm, domestic abuse
thanks to netgalley and harper perennial for the ARC of midnight on beacon street by emily ruth verona. all opinions are my own.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I graciously received an e-ARC of Midnight on Beacon Street by Emith Ruth Verona. This is my true and unprompted review:
I wanted to get into this book so badly, unfortunately the multiple timelines and POVs took away from the actual book for me. While I know that it's not always an option to publish traditionally, this may have been an easier read in physical form, allowing the reader to easily reference back to the different chapters, timelines, etc. I hate that this didn't work out for me the way that I had hoped ahead of reading it, however it will not deter me from trying another title from the author in the future.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for allowing me the chance to give this book a whirl!
I wanted to get into this book so badly, unfortunately the multiple timelines and POVs took away from the actual book for me. While I know that it's not always an option to publish traditionally, this may have been an easier read in physical form, allowing the reader to easily reference back to the different chapters, timelines, etc. I hate that this didn't work out for me the way that I had hoped ahead of reading it, however it will not deter me from trying another title from the author in the future.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for allowing me the chance to give this book a whirl!
“We’re safer when we’re scared.”
An aspirational homage to 80s and 90s horror flicks, Verona’s “Midnight on Beacon Street” leads readers through a tale as old as time: an anxious babysitter, a hot mom, some smart and quiet kids, a shitty boyfriend or two, and, oh yeah, a dead body by midnight. The main attraction, for me at least, was Verona’s time-shifting chapter style. It worked insanely well with this story: having to watch the time count down, back track, and fast forward ramped up the intensity and created an uncomfortable, impending doom. Weighing in at around 180 pages, I’d recommend this as a jog in the park to any lighter suspense fan who wants to tuck away a fun and quick read for their reading challenge. It’s always a pleasure to read a book from someone who you can tell put a lot of heart, and a lot of themselves, into the story without making it seem too self absorbed.
The plot and pace were heart-pounding at times and hyperbolic at others. The novel is quite character driven and while it does help to get peeks and glances into separate perspectives to flesh out action, growth and, equally, empathy, the writing often became repetitive.
3.5/5 This was more of a feel-good thriller than what I typically pick up and while the experience was refreshing, I’m looking forward to a sharper punch to the gut from this author around the corner.
An aspirational homage to 80s and 90s horror flicks, Verona’s “Midnight on Beacon Street” leads readers through a tale as old as time: an anxious babysitter, a hot mom, some smart and quiet kids, a shitty boyfriend or two, and, oh yeah, a dead body by midnight. The main attraction, for me at least, was Verona’s time-shifting chapter style. It worked insanely well with this story: having to watch the time count down, back track, and fast forward ramped up the intensity and created an uncomfortable, impending doom. Weighing in at around 180 pages, I’d recommend this as a jog in the park to any lighter suspense fan who wants to tuck away a fun and quick read for their reading challenge. It’s always a pleasure to read a book from someone who you can tell put a lot of heart, and a lot of themselves, into the story without making it seem too self absorbed.
The plot and pace were heart-pounding at times and hyperbolic at others. The novel is quite character driven and while it does help to get peeks and glances into separate perspectives to flesh out action, growth and, equally, empathy, the writing often became repetitive.
3.5/5 This was more of a feel-good thriller than what I typically pick up and while the experience was refreshing, I’m looking forward to a sharper punch to the gut from this author around the corner.
